Squadron Leader JJ Le Roux “Chris”

The First Ten Months

The Hawker Hurricane did not share the Fairey Battle and Blenheim’s performance and armament weaknesses but their pilots in France, including South African’s Flight Lt GDL Haysom, Flying Officer’s EJ Morris, Brian Van Mentz, PH Hugo, BP Young and Pilot Officer’s JJ le Roux and AG Lewis endured a baptism of fire against experienced Me 109 Luftwaffe pilots and intense combat conditions.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Turned down by the SAAF, Johannes Jacobus Le Roux commissioned in 1939 with two other South Africans, Colin Anthony Gordon Clark and James Henry Steyn. Clark flew No 266 Squadron Spitfires, Steyn, No 10 Squadron Whitleys.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Le Roux flew No 73 Squadron Hurricanes in France was wounded but not a “Battle of Britain” pilot 26. Norman LR Franks “Fighter Command Losses” has no record of Le Roux being shot down twelve times in France or the “Battle of Britain” 27. The comment, “…. incredibly remarkable, and if so, it is a wonder he survived as long as he did” 28 underscores the fact that few fighter pilots survived being shot down more than three times.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Le Roux joined No 91 Squadron flying Spitfire weather reconnaissance and air-sea rescue sweeps in early 1941 at around the time Flying Officer Steyn lost his life in a No 19 “OTU” Anson crash 25 having recently been awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” and completing over 40 operational bomber sorties.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Le Roux’s October 17th, 1941 “Distinguished Flying Cross” citation in “The London Gazette” omitted “over 200 operational sorties” had been logged over an estimated 7-month period. He was subsequently posted to No 55 “OTU” at RAF Aston Down, spent time with Rolls Royce before rejoining No 91 Squadron in 1942 and was awarded a “Bar” to his “Distinguished Flying Cross” in December.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Squadron Leader JJ le Roux had already earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bars when this photograph was taken in July/ August 1944 while commanding Normandy based No 602 Squadron.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Forty pilots including two South Africans, Le Roux being the first, were awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” three times. His second “Bar”, commanding No 111 Squadron in Malta. By July 1944, Squadron Leader le Roux DFC and two Bars had flown over 300 sorties and commanding No 602 Squadron in France flying Second Tactical Air Force Spitfires. On July 17th, two low flying Spitfires, one apparently flown by Le Roux, attacked a German staff car injuring Field Marshal Rommel. His involvement in the incident however remains an often-questioned anecdote. 29

More than a “Few” South Africans

In the early evening of August 29th Le Roux, having turned back on account of the weather, took off for a second time from the squadron’s Normandy base to spend some leave in England. He apparently crashed off the coast of Selsey. Sixteen days later Rommel, suspected of plotting to kill Hitler, was forced to commit suicide by swallowing a cyanide tablet.