Lt General RHD Rogers

SAAF Airmen in RAF Squadrons

Several SAAF airmen commanded RAF fighter squadrons. Major JE Gasson one of the youngest, commanded No 92, Lt Colonel RHD Rogers reportedly the youngest Lt Colonel in Middle East Command, commanded No 225 at the age of 22, others included Lt Colonel JPD Blaauw, Lt Colonel L Gordon, Major’s NF Harrison, WM Langerman, MS Osler, EC Saville, SVB Theron, PW Venter, FK Weingartz and JRR Wells.

SAAF Airmen in RAF Squadrons

Four of the five SAAF airmen who earned the DSO DFC & Bar. JPM Faure(left), JPD Human, DP Tilley and RHD Rogers (right) a SAAF Brigadier in 1972. Faure and Rogers flew Desert Air Force fighters, Human served briefly with 233 Wing Tilley, the only one who earned his decorations immediately flew Torpedo bombers.

SAAF Airmen in RAF Squadrons

Maritzburg College educated Robert Henry Doherty Rogers was studying medicine when he volunteered for the SAAF in 1940. He completed flying training in Rhodesia under the “Empire Air Training Scheme” and was seconded to No 208 Squadron in 1941 flying tactical reconnaissance sorties over North Africa. Awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” in 1942 and a “Bar” commanding No 40 Squadron, he also commanded No 225 Squadron, but Lt Colonel Rogers DFC and Bar was in command of No 40 Squadron when his “Distinguished Service Order” was announced. He abandoned medical studies after the war returned to the SAAF subsequently serving in Korea. Lt. General RHD Rogers DSO DFC and Bar retired as Chief of the Air Force in 1979 and died in 2000.

SAAF Airmen in RAF Squadrons

Colonel LA Wilmot was commanding 239 RAF Wing in Italy at that stage, Lt Colonel RHD Rogers, Major NF Harrison, Major WM Langerman and Captain PW Venter had been appointed RAF squadron commanders. but in April 1944, six months after assuming command of Malta based No 229 Squadron, Harrison and his unit were transferred to RAF Hornchurch in Essex.