CHAPTER 20 - REBEL RHODESIAN - WHITE SKIN AFRICAN SOUL BOOK TWO
Eddy Norris
Old Rhodesian Air Force Sods.
External Operations
February 1979 – Fylde Air Base
A while later some other rather southern african accents were evident as their ground support moved into the base along with my Rhodesian officers and support crews, all in the same distinctive Rhodesian camouflage uniform.
An operation was planned and executed from this Fylde air field for the SAAF Cans to accompany five of our Rhodesian 5 Squadron Canberra bombers, which left from the Vic Falls field due to their limited lower fuel capacity in comparison to the SAAF craft. The target was in central Angola and was a training base used by both the South African ANC (communist party) and the Rhodesian nationalists of ZIPRA (Nkomo). It is of note that Russian and Cuban instructors were used for this military training of Terrorists who were soon to infiltrate and cause murder and mayhem in both South Africa and Rhodesia.The trip to target and back was some incredible distance that left nothing in the gas tanks for emergency or deviation and only Rhodesians would dare to attempt something of this nature as we could not just stand by and let this terrorism continue unabated.It is reported that casualties experience by the Rhodesian component of terrorists was in the region of 180 dead with some 550 severely wounded, of whom many would never be in a position to wage war on my countrymen, black or white, ever again. We were of the opinion that the Russians and Cubans also suffered some losses which gave a great deal of satisfaction. It may sound rather Gaulish to talk like this, but if you witnessed the nature of despair and trauma our Rhodesian tribes people went through then you too would require that those who terrorised them should in turn receive their just rewards. I certainly am not scared to stand up for our actions.
Nyadzonya – Pungwe Terrorist Base raid Aug 1976
Photo credit PJH Petter - Bowyer
The most memorable for distressing outcomes was the Operation Uric and Operation Miracle, due to the loss of life involved. We had become used to the supremacy of our forces both in the air and on the ground. It was not unusual for small teams of RLI – SAS – Selous Scouts to take on very large numbers of Frelimo – ZANLA – ZIPRA and Zambian Forces, not to mention the Russian and Cuban Forces actively involved in waging war against us.These two Operations cost us dearly in valuable Lives and Aircraft, but we still overcame the targets and deliver the outcomes required.Not once were we brought to a standstill, there were times when we were hard pressed though. There were always hard decisions to be made in terms of cost of outcome, and thankfully our Senior military leaders always erred on the side of caution with no unnecessary loss of life.
The SAS were in attendance and set up various mortar and weapons pits to secure the temporary base, by firing mortars in the hills to bed them down brought troops and airmen scurrying to find out what the drama was when hearing the deep booms, only to walk away red faced when told of the buzz. Sgt Pat H (radio tech) was forward at the External Base supplying radio backup repairs, we were not sanctioned to go forward on the ground, but this did not stop me “catching a glide” into Funny Land as per the attached photo.
Photo taken from my SAAF heli behind the lead section
This External Operation (Op Uric from Chipinda Pool) was where we lost Gunner- Technician Alex Wesson in a Bell helicopter. We were all congregated on the rough Chipinda Pools air strip close to the Mozambique border during the Operation. Early one morning as the choppers were getting ready for take-off for the external raid and the men were preparing their aircraft, I remember joshing Alex about his red Andy cap and he stated it was his lucky hat. Well it did him no good and he was killed when his chopper was brought down by an RPG 7 rocket inside Mozambique.
I received and looked after some of the personal kit of both the pilot and possibly the tech, in particular a pistol, presumable the Pilot’s.
The SAAF Pumas and Super Frelons were operating here as well, for there was choppers wall to wall, as well as the vast contingent of Alouette 3’s from both SAAF and RhAF. Never before have I viewed such an array of aircraft in one place for one external operation.
Alouette III G-Car
Alouette III K-Car
Hawker Hunter.
Lynx.
Dakota.
ORAFS Report
In memory of Alex Wesson · 3rd September, 1979
The Forgotten Airman
Alex Wesson was killed in action when the Bell Helicopter of which he was the technician was shot down by a shoulder fired RPG7 rocket.
Air Craft No. R6098
Place/Incident: Mozambique. Hit by ground fired anti tank RPG 7
Crew:
Flight Lieutenant R. Paxton.
Senior Aircraftsman 6656 Alex J.C. (Frankie) Wesson. No 34 LAR Course
Rhodesian Air Force, No 8 Sqn, Tech/Gunner
KIA, Mpai, Mozambique 03-Sep-79
During Operation Uric when an RPG7 hit the boss of the rotors of his Bell 205 R6098, flown by Flight Lieutenant R. Paxton, at Barragem, on Operation Uric..
"During the initial fight through one SAS man sustained a leg wound and a casevac was requested. In the heat of battle the incoming chopper, a Huey, piloted by Fl.Lt. Dick Paxton was misdirected and found itself hovering above a Frelimo position. Suddenly aware of the error Paxton pulled away but it was too late. There was a whoosh and an explosion above his head as an RPG7 rocket struck and servered the main rotor below the blades and with a sickening lurch the chopper fell to earth in a cloud of dust killing the technician Alexander Wesson on impact. With a broken arm, the stunned Paxton was trapped in the cabin as the Huey now erupted into flames. Seeing this, SAS sergeant 'Flash' Smythe immediately raced up and pulled Paxton out thereby saving his life. Smythe never received official recognition for the heroic act."
Fast Forward 14/09/2009
I had received an email and on opening it I was reduced to a few stinging tears. It was 6:30 in the morning just before I was due to leave for work. My small daughter Maeve asked “why are you crying Dad”
How do you tell a little girl you have shed a few years because of what happened 30 years ago, at a little dirty runway in the Rhodesian bush. You read this and see why.
Hi Graham
I don’t know if you are aware of my e-mails to and from Eddy, Neill, Prop and the gang…if not, I’m Margret, Alex’s youngest sister. Thirty years to the date that my mom received the red letter from the Air force Chaplain notifying us of Alex’s death, both my brother Andrew and I came across Eddy’s memorial to Alex posted on the Oraf’s timeline, which included your input regarding what you remember of that day that he died.
Firstly I must tell you that it makes me feel so good that Alex died leaving such an amazing imprint on his friends and comrades hearts and lives…
Secondly, to answer the question that you asked in the interview with Prop, we intend to visit the site either at the end of November or beginning of December. We never knew exactly where the crash site was located, even though leaving postings all over the net in the hope that someone would contact us and let us know where to find it. Now, thirty years later, we are making preparations for our family to go on a pilgrimage to the crash site to do something that has been weighing like lead on our hearts for so long…
As I was still very small when Alex died - only five years old - and due to the fact that he spent most of his time at camp, I don’t have any personal memories of him, although I remember very clearly the night that the Chaplain came to give my parents the news. I’ve only gone by what my siblings and folks have told me about him, and I must admit that I’m a bit of a “vraat” for any information about him that is possible, even funny old stories from his fellow drinking buddies at the camp. I read with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes about your last memory of him with his red Andy cap…that strangers have such vivid memories of someone so near and dear to us is, for me, quite astounding, heartwarming and surreal.
I’ve been in contact with Dick Paxton, and he’s told me all that there is to know regarding the circumstances around the crash. He’s put to bed all the fears and questions that we had and filled in any of the gaps that were left out due to homeland security reasons…
I would love to hear from you – as I’m sure my brothers and sisters would. I read the bit in your quote regarding the red Andy cap to my sister, Elizabeth and that brought her to tears! His lucky cap was something that she hasn’t thought about in over twenty years…
I hope that this e-mail finds you well, and I hope that our intention of visiting the site and putting Alex to rest properly is of as much emotional value to you as it is to us.
Fondest Regards
Maggie Nel nee Wesson
Maggie
Hi, thank you for the email.
I was away in Melbourne on business and arrived back Wed night and was quickly reading my emails early in the morning today I came across yours and started taking in the words.
At first I did not recognize what who where or anything, slowly becoming clearer what the subject was, telling my clamouring small kids to keep quiet and let me read.
I then proceeded to choke and the tears were awash in my eyes. I am 53 this year and still think I am tough as nails and little gets me emotional.
BUT this subject sure got me going. I have tried to stop thinking of all the horrors that we went through and the mates and school friends I lost in our war. I lost 8 school boys, friends all of them, from my Primary and High School years. 8, my God, was it worth this.
And then the 32 LAR Rhod Air Force intake of mine and those both ahead and behind mine. Men like Alex
I cannot chase the ghosts out and quote you some words from a book I have been trying to write, if just to give me peace, it starts like this......
Quote
The memory of the Rhodesian War period after more than 28 years is fuzzy, some things jump out at hit me between the eyes, and others have to be dragged out and turned over and over to recall actuals. Some very reluctantly due to the pain they brought, or were hidden in some form of self protection.
The faces and actions of these Rhodesian people though, are imprinted on my mind for ever.
I joined the Force at the age of 17, wet behind the ears and very inexperienced in life. Leaving 7 years later I was mature and experienced far beyond the average South African I worked with in the SAAF in 1981-82. The Rhodesian officers and men I worked with remain deep within my memory, as they generally gave me direction and knowledge which remain with me today.
and later
Op Uric
Alex Wesson 8 Sqn Tech
Another Op I worked on was Op Uric from Chipinda Pools, where we lost Alex Wesson in a Bell, I remember joshing him about his red Andy cap and he stated it was his lucky hat. Well it did him no good and he was killed when his chopper was hit by an RPG 7.
I was shaken to my soul and was in total disbelief that he had walked out to war and did not come back. That we had spoken and pulled his leg on the issue of the hat and he could not return the jokes on his return or sit down and eat or drink with us again. I received and looked after the personal kit of both the Pilot and Tech, in particular weapons and other bits and pieces,
The SAAF helicopters were operating here as well, there were wall to wall choppers there and never before have I viewed such an array of aircraft
A Puma with our ground troops was shot down and all lost, at the end of the Op I saw the door of the Puma left abandoned on the side of the runway (taken off to enable emplaning) and radioed the Slopes to come back and get it, they were adamant that this was bad luck and did not intent to collect it. I am under the impression that it can still be found there today if someone knew where to look. The dead did not come home and I was stunned that we had abandoned their bodies.
.....Your email now found me shaking and emotionally distraught, my little blond 7 year old girl looked at me and said, Daddy why are you crying.
How does one tell a child that I am thinking of a part of my life 30 years ago, about standing at a rough bush airstrip in the midst of a war thinking about a mate who had died and was not coming home. I tried to tell her but it does no credit to the man or what he did, or how we all felt when these guys died.
I have been talking for years about the people we lost over the border in Mozambique and what we as Rhodesians were doing to respect them and show that we still care and need to find them and the final resting place where their remains lay.
We are scattered to all four points of the compass, yet we remain in touch, all of us, old and grey, yet with one ever lasting similar fact of life, WE WERE Rhodesians and in particular Air Force. We still talk and pass information around, and finally we made a memorial to those who died, but it was not enough, I asked what about finding them and marking the graves and let them somehow know, WE DO NOT FORGET YOU. It has happened to those we lost and those like you visit or want to visit the place that these people died.
Thank you for writing and allowing me to pass on what I know or feel. It allows me some more peace, but not much, I cannot forget and neither should I or any of us forget.
I did not know Alex well, did not know where he went to school, not his family, nor did I know much about his life, but I know he was brave, committed, was prepared and most of all he was one of us, which was enough for me.
We stood together and still do.
Was it worth the loss of life, I cannot tell you with any truth, the loss of even one life was not worth it, yet the sum of the whole loss was worth the fact that Alex and others were prepared to give that others remain
..You, Me, my kids and their kids.......
I collect every book on the War and have written so my kids know in the future what was sacrificed and what the costs were.
I hope I have not disturbed you, but rather give some strength to you from Alex and what it cost him,
He was a man and looked this danger in the face and fought. I can only respect him and honour him along with the rest who did not come home.
Go and visit where he died, please, say some words, say we have never forgotten and we never will. His mates still think of him and get goose bumps doing so, that an old man cannot explain to his kids why he has tears and is not embarrassed by the fact anymore.
Thanks for writing Maggie. I live in Perth Oz and come over your way every now and again. Perhaps a Patterson and a Wesson can once again have a joke...with a better outcome.
Maggie, put my mind at rest please, was Alex brought back to Rhodesia, I have asked around and never got an answer. I know the chopper was burnt out and still wonder if we had to leave him there. Also....If my book ever sees the open world, can I use your words please?
Did you ever see the photo of the tail section of his chopper that the Mozambicans used as a Memorial close by to the crash site?
cheers
Regards
Graham Patterson.
Hello Graham
Now I’m the one sitting trying to control the tears, because I don’t think I could explain them away to my staff.
Firstly I am so grateful to people like yourself who have come forward to give us as much information about the events of that sad day. It has put together scattered pieces of a puzzle and made everything so clear to us. My only wish is that my folks were still alive to witness this chain of events, but unfortunately they have both passed on. They probably know more now though than we ever will in this lifetime.
Prop and Eddy still send me e-mails every day with further pics and tidbits that they think I’ll find interesting. Did you ever see the pic of the gook squatting by the Browning which they had stolen out of the wreckage of the Bell? I saw it for the first time yesterday and it kind of blew my mind – Goosebumps are definitely not the way to describe how my skin crawled to see that pic. I’ve attached it just in case you haven’t seen it yet…..I have a few other pics as well of the tail boom and various newspaper clippings, and have discovered a website which might interest you to check out…the hyperlink is http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134312&page=1.
As mentioned in my first e-mail, we are getting the rest of the Wesson’s together for that final farewell. We should be leaving at the end of November, if all goes according to plan - still got to establish a final date, and will make our way on the first day to the traffic circle memorial in Barragem. After that we will find the exact location of the crash – both Dick Paxton and Neill Marshall have told us to give them a call at any stage of our journey in case we need directions. We also plan on visiting the Puma crash site and the cairn under which those victims were buried...if you could call it that. And after we will make our way to Maputo to the war museum which Prop told me about. Apparently there is a lot of information there that would be of great interest to us. We also intend on asking the local chief or whoever the head honcho of the Chokwe area is, permission to put up our own memorial to Alex at the crash site and on the current memorial with the chopper’s tailboom – just a note, I think he would have found it quite humorous that they turned it into a traffic circle!
To answer your question about Alex’s remains, the wreckage had turned into an inferno and, because his body was trapped beneath the body of the chopper and couldn’t safely be removed, it was completely incinerated, so there was nothing to bring back home. The Airforce had a memorial service to honor his loss, but that could never take the place of being able to bring him home and lay him to rest properly. In case you don’t know, he was awarded both his wings posthumously, thereby making him a Lieutenant. He would have been seriously chuffed to know that…
With regards to the door from the Puma – do you mean that it is on the runway at Chipinda pools or at New Sarum? Maybe we can try and find it if we have the time.
You are more than welcome to include my words in your book. In fact, when we get back from our pilgrimage I intend to write about it, from the family’s point of view, and intend to take as many photos as possible on the trip. I will send you all that when I’ve finished. And, please never think that I am bothered by your e-mails. I am so very proud of Alex that any opportunity afforded to me to talk about him makes my day.
It will be great to meet you if you come to town. We may be able to bring a few more good okes together – Dick Paxton also lives in Cape Town so maybe we can have a few beers together when you get here. Give me a heads-up when you expect to arrive. My brother Andrew may even be able to fly down to Cape Town as well. He’s as committed as I am in getting information together and in visiting the site where Alex died. I will forward this e-mail to him, and most likely you will be hearing from him as well.
I hope this e-mail finds you and your family well. We will definitely keep in touch…
Kind regards
Maggie
Tail Boom Section of the Alex Wesson 8 Sqn Bell Chopper
ORAFs approached Prop Geldenhuys to write a tribute and to give the facts regarding this sad event.
Prop Writes:-
"This tribute to Alex Wesson, one of our 'not to be forgotten' colleagues
who paid the supreme sacrifice, is submitted with humble respect - following on
from the spate of recent Operation Uric stories on ORAFs Our Story - - and also
in acknowledgement after one of our kind Graham Patterson from Perth had
written in to say:- "- I am warmed by the sight and reading of this
article, at last, I feel some peace for these people of ours. That they be
honoured by the presence of Our Own at their place of death. I was involved
with this Op and shaken to my boots with what happened on that day. I still
have the view in my head of the Alo's and Puma's taking off that day. I still
see the crew of the other SAAF choppers returning home to SA at the end of the
OP and I called them back to collect the door (removed for the OP) of the
downed Puma, but they just threw it into the bushes (Chipinda Pools) as they
did not want to carry something so sad back home, I am sure this still lies
there, halfway down, on the right hand side of the runway. And that of Tech.
Alex Wesson (8 Sqn) on his last day, walking to his Chopper with his red Andy
Cap on, making remarks that it was his lucky hat. Is there some thought of
finding this site? That I served in the RhAF 1974-80 and then the SAAF in
1980-81, I am honoured that we have people of this strength and character, who
ventured out to find this final resting place of our people."
Some readers may be curious as to the circumstances regarding Alex' death - -
Dick Paxton was tasked to uplift an Army casevac very close to Barragem, very
deep inside Mozambique, during Operation Uric, where the SAS was involved in laying explosive charges on the dam /
Limpopo river crossing. My Rhodesian Air Force Operations book takes up the
story thus: ". . . on 5th September 1979, No 1 Squadron sent in four
Hunters for their airstrike on Barragem, 320 kilometres inside Mozambique and
150 kilometres northwest of the capital Maputo. The Hunters swept down the
Limpopo Valley to attack the enemy defensive positions on the road and rail
irrigation canal bridge, the most important bridges in the south-east, feeding
the irrigation for the entire area. All the aircraft encountered anti-aircraft
fire, but the jets scored a number of direct hits on weapons, destroying two
barrack blocks and all transport.
Exactly five minutes later the Helicopters arrived, with 48 SAS, and a Lynx aircraft as top cover. The helicopter-borne troops were dropped within one kilometre of the Barragem road and rail bridges, and lifted off immediately for their safe holding area. The SAS captured two enemy 23 millimeter anti-aircraft guns, and were able to use them in a ground role against enemy resistance, which came from both banks of the river. During this action, one SAS soldier was shot in the leg and a Casevac was called for. As Flight Lieutenant Dick Paxton came in to uplift the casualty, he was shot down. In the heat of the battle, the Bell flew over the main enemy position – and as Dick was descending into the LZ, an enemy RPG-7 rocket launcher was fired while the helicopter was still hovering. The rocket struck just below the blades, severing the main rotors. The Bell plummeted to earth and burst into flames. No 8 Squadron Technician Alexander Wesson was killed on impact. SAS Sergeant Flash Smythe pulled Dick Paxton from the flaming wreckage. Dick suffered a broken elbow and lacerations, but was lucky to be alive. The helicopter was burnt completely – a terrible waste of life and a vital aircraft (This was the second narrow escape for Dick Paxton – on 24th October 1973, Dick had been dropping troops around a terrorist base when he came under heavy ground fire. This action led to many terrorists being killed, the remainder fleeing and abandoning large quantities of clothing, equipment and documents of great value to the Security Forces).
It took the SAS five hours to prepare the
five bridges for demolition, completing their tasks by 16h30. The troops
sprayed thirty vehicles with machineguns, drained a fuel bowser and blew up two
power sub-stations. By now, all the bridges, with the exception of Barragem,
had been totally destroyed and the rail link severed. It transpired that the
Barragem Bridge had been built stronger than the plans had indicated – and was
thus still useable by light vehicles. By
last light on D-Day, all the troops had been extracted and were back at their
forward admin base – preparing for the assault on Mapai the next day".
The pictures that accompany this recollection comes from various sources - Picture No 1 is of a pair of Iriquois / Bell
helicopters with thanks to Neill Jackson (who was a member of the Puma Search team), No 2 is the burnt out remains of the fuselage - as shown in Paul Moorcroft's / Peter McLaughlin's "Chimurenga" book, and No 3 is the tail boom of Dicks Puma, mounted on the Barragem round-a-bout, kindly sent to me by the Team Leader of the Puma Search party, Rick van Malsen.
8 Sqn Bell 205
This raid was in consequence to information received from a Frelimo capture (Mozambican Soldier) when very deep inside Matabeleland – Rhodesia. He stated that over 200 of their soldiers were in fact making war in our country on the Civilian population. This obviously caused some attention focus due to the Military considerations along. Comops had to make some inroads against this threat and take the war back across the Border into Mozambique, and take the pressure off the Internal War. Op Uric was designed to disrupt Frelimo and the Zanla forces and put them on the back foot.
Apart from attacking their Logistics and Personnel it was to remove certain bridges both Rail and Road. A large percentage of Mozambique food production was centered around the Barragem area and here alone bridges were to be destroyed. This would place an enormous pressure on Samora Machele and his Military Forces will to provide aid to Mugabe.
As usual a very small but competent troop force was assembled. It consisted of just 360 odd troops from the RLI and SAS (Rhodesian Light Infantry & Special Air Service). Our Air Force had assembled virtually every possible aircraft that we possessed namely Hunter and Canberra jets, Dakotas as Para Dak, Warthog and Command Dak, (the last two will be discussed at the end of the narrative) the Lynx and Alouette III helicopters and our newly acquired second hand Huey Bell AB205 helicopters. Also deployed were the South African Puma and Super Frelon helicopters.
D One (day one) was detailed for 2nd Sept 1979 but postponed due to the poor weather, even for my Comms it was a nightmare, the atmospherics were very bad and the equipment prone to the damp. I had battled to get more than adequate reception and the Radio Tech assigned to me worked his butt off to assist. It never really improved for the duration of the Op and led to frustration and probably more than a little smoke coming out of my ears. Later on a junior was sent to assist me but it was not a case of more was better. Even ten guys would not have made the RX TX of these enciphered messages improve. But at least it gave me a slight break to unwind when I could hand over to the other bloke for a while.
Alex died on the 5th September, his Bell from 8 Sqn piloted by Dick Paxton was called to attend to a Casevac (casualty evacuation), there was some confusion and the aircraft came in over a Frelimo position and they fired an RPG7 rocket propelled grenade into his machine, taking off the main rotor I believe and the Chopper came down killing Alex and injuring Dick Paxton who was subsequently pulled out by an extremely brave SAS member. The huge fireball that ensued did not allow for Alex’s body to be brought out and he was left in the burning wreckage. This fact alone I did not know and it took all these years to get the answer from his little sister.
There are far better and well qualified men who have commented on the raid and the subsequent early withdrawal of the troops. It seems General Walls who was flying above the operations, was not prepared to sacrifice more men on a situation that would not bring more rewards. In times like this it is hard to make the right decisions, he made the call and it probably was the correct one. Although it is easy to make armchair reactions based on the history of the game, all he had was what was in front of him at that time, and he made the call.
“Better to make a poor decision, that not to make a decision at all”
I have had numerous e-mail conversations with Maggie, and she recently advised that she had a Log Book belonging to Alex. She very kindly spent some time collating the data into a spreadsheet and I have attached these. Maggie also provided some background information in regards to the Wesson family, and I add her e-mail, I rather left it unchanged as it was good to get the feeling she was imparting……….
My father, Alec Wesson Snr, served in the SAAF as an air mechanic during WWII both in Italy and in Sudan. After the war they moved around Southern Africa, first to Kabwe, Zambia, then Broken Hill and then to Salisbury where my dad spent 33 years in the Rhodesian Railways first as a shunter, then assistant yard master and finally yard master. My mother, Mary Wesson was a housewife. They had eight kids, Alex being the oldest. There were 5 boys and three girls, namely Alex, Mary, Fred, Kenneth, Elizabeth, Raymond, Andrew and then yours truly. I was the youngest, being 5 years old when he was killed.
Mary lived in Cape Town during that time and worked as a nurse at Groote Schuur Hospital. I believe that Kenneth was also in the army and was based at New Sarum as part of the security detachment. Elizabeth worked at Duly’s Tractors. She was outside the OK Bazaars in Salisbury when it was blown up in the early 80’s. Luckily she wasn’t hurt but I remember her telling us about trying to help a jeweler who was scrambling desperately to save his stock which was thrown out of the window into the street from the shock wave. Raymond, Andrew and myself were in Bothashof Primary School at the time of his death.
I can remember the day very clearly when the Air Force Chaplain came to the house to inform us of his death. We were in the lounge watching TV – it was quite early still – I think around about sunset - I seem to remember that the TV station stopped transmission at 8pm during those days. My father answered their knock at the door – the rest of us were all too scared to come out. A few moments later he walked back into the lounge followed by the chaplain, and all he could say was, “My son’s dead.” I remember sitting on Elizabeth’s lap, while the Chaplain spoke to us and said a few prayers. I also remember the memorial service which was held at New Sarum. Just a note, that Alex got his wings posthumously… Fred has them in his possession.
We all moved to Cape Town in 1981 where my Dad got a job as a bookkeeper for Human & Pitt Funeral Services. Both my folks passed away after long battles with cancer – my dad at the ripe old age of 83 in January 2005, and my mother, 77 in April 2008. Another part of the tale which you may want to include in his story… In 1979, my mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The doctor that diagnosed her condition gave her six months to live. She phoned New Sarum and begged Alex to come see her as she was very distraught. He came home, took her aside, sat her down and told her in no uncertain terms that she needn’t worry, that he would die before she did. Three months later he was gone.
Now we are scattered throughout South Africa. Fred works as a mine electrical engineer for BHP Billiton in Midrand – he and his wife, Cheryl have two kids, Travis & Bridget. Mary works as a healthcare professional for Transnet in East London. Her husband, Daniel works for Eskom and they have two children, Louise and Matthew. Kenneth works as a manager for Barlows. He is married to Shannon and have no kids of their own, although Shannon has two daughters from her first marriage. Elizabeth is a housewife and lives with her husband, Emet and teenage son, Liam in Cape Town. Raymond is a hydraulic engineer for Atlas Copco in Durban. He and his wife Jaylene have one son, Graham. Andrew is a mechanical engineer for Metric Engineering in Johannesburg. He has been married once but has had no children of his own. I manage a small laser engraving firm in Maitland, Cape Town. I married Bradley in 2006 – we have two boys of our own – Alex, a rowdy 3 year old (yes, Alex is his namesake) and Darian who is just about to turn one. I also have a teenage son called Tristan from a previous relationship…….
8 Squadron Technicians 1979
Actual hand written Log Book - AJC Wesson
7 & 8 Squadron Rhodesian Air Force
Fred Wesson
Fred e-mailed me a story about meeting up with his brother Alex on an Operation into Mozambique…
We (1st Bat Recce) arrived at Mtoko where we stayed for a couple of days before we were shipped out to Porko’s. It is there when I found that Alex was in the area. I managed to find him and we had a good chat it was the only time I saw him there.
We left 2 days later for Porko’s. Dropped at the fence where we crossed with the help from the Engineers (because of the mines). I remember that it was quite a walk and dry as hell. I came across an elephant which had died and I was able to remove one of the tusks. We stayed around the carcass that night because we were trying to get water from it The rivers were dry and we were unable to find any water. At that stage we were living off Depo creepers (figure of 8 vines) for water. I carried the tusk it weighed about 60 lbs. for the next day before I was forced to leave as it was just too heavy to carry with the rest of my kit. It was when we could see the lake in the distance when we realized that we were in trouble with water. We were on our way to the lake but when we could see it in the distance we realized the lake was too far to get to it in time in that bush.
So we aborted the rest of the mission. We radioed for the choppers to collect us the next day.
In the morning we waited for the choppers and as they landed members (there were 12 of us) climbed on each chopper, and then took off. I was in the last group waiting for the chopper.
I reversed my rifle and ran up to the chopper once it had landed. When I arrived at the chopper the Tech motioned for me to put my rifle at the back, this I refused to do as there was no way I was going to be without a rifle in the middle of Porkos. My pack was really heavy and I struggled to get it into the chopper. Once again the Tech gave me hassles this time it was about the pack which I could not get it to where he wanted as it was just too heavy. To get the pack on our backs we usually sat on the ground put the straps on our shoulders then someone would pull us onto our feet. Whatever I did the Tech had a problem with and I was now getting really upset with him. In fact I felt like giving him a good slap. Once every one was in we took off and were skimming over the Mopani forests.
It was then when the Tech punched me in the leg and all I wanted to do was punch his head off.
The Tech had his head set on and a scarf wrapped around his face so I could not see who it was. After he punched me he quickly pulled his scarf from his face and I saw it was Alex with a big grin on his face. All the time he was just stuffing me around. It was really good to see him again. If I can remember we were in the bush for 27 days, but cannot be sure, it was just too long ago. I do remember kissing the ground when we landed at Mtoko. When we got back I told him about the tusk and he said that I should have told him as we could have picked it up. I did not see him at Mtoko again.
An Airman’s Lament
On whirling wings up high, flew a brave and fearless warrior in a dark and fiery sky,
Like a raptor on the wing with twin brownings the lives of the enemy you where reaping
Loud and fierce it must have been, driven by the battles toxic adrenalin.
Belt after belt and round after round you were saving a wounded soldier on the ground.
You fell from the skies but not from grace, a true hero in the eyes of any mans face.
So silent to a mortal man, the sound of a thousand angels’ trumpets hailed the return of your soul into Gods’ loving hands.
A million tears have been shed missing a son a brother a lover a friend.
Years may come and years may go but the memories of you will never be spent.
Written in loving memory of Alex Wesson
Fred Wesson
Op Uric (Rhodesian)
Operation Bootlace ( South African)
SAAF Puma
A South African Puma with our ground troops on board, was shot down and all lost. At the end of the Operation I saw a rear door from a Puma left abandoned on the side of the Chipinda Pools runway (taken off to enable emplaning I would imagine) I walked back to the Ops – Comcen and radioed the SAAF boys to come back and get it. They were adamant that this door was bad luck and they had absolutely no intention to collect it. This door I assume was from the Velleman Puma.
I read lately that there was a door seen at the crash site that had shown the effects of the rocket blast, assuming there was more than one rear door then this is possible.
I am under the impression that this door I saw can still be found at Chipinda Pools today if someone knew where to look. I had last seen it thrown into the thick bush on the right hand side of the runway in line with where the aircraft were standing.
Graham Patterson
Search for Puma Lost at Mapai · April 11, 2009 - April 14, 2009
passenger in the SAAF Puma that evening, and my task was to sort out notices for the casualties sustained earlier that day, when a SAAF Puma (See Photo 1) carrying elements of 1 Commando 1RLI and 2 Engineer Squadron had been shot down on the outskirts of Mapai (Rail) formerly known as Jorge de Limpopo, killing all 17 on board. During the 40 odd minute flight back to the Rhodesian border, I vowed that I would one day return to the crash site to honour my friends and comrades in arms who had made the supreme sacrifice that morning, but who, because of the expediency of the battle, had had to be left behind where they had died.
29 years later I was privileged enough to be invited to join Bob Manser's expedition to find the Donaldson Canberra lost over the Malvernia area in January 1977. It became plainly obvious during this search, that the local police, militia, and Mozambicans were more than willing to assist in the location of these war sites and bore absolutely no malice towards their former adversaries. It was then that I realised that it was possible to honour the pledge I had made in 1979.
Slowly over a period of 5 months I was able to assemble a ‘Team’ for the Mapai expedition by using the members of Bob’s Canberra party as the nucleus. Regrettably both Bob and Alistair Macrimmon were both unable to make it and so Neill Jackson ex Support Commando, ‘Stan’ Standish White ex SAS volunteered their services. Added to these ‘volunteers’ were Eastern District farmers Duff Odendaal and his son in law, Gareth Barry. The final search team was thus made up as follows:
Rick van Malsen
Kevin Jones
Malcolm Macrimmon
Neill Jackson
“Stan” Standish White
Duff Odendaal
Gareth Barry
Nearly two hundred E mails were sent out globally as we planned, sourced information, obtained eye witness accounts, speculated on where the actual site was, made up introductory letters and catch phrases in Portuguese, sorted out admin and log etc. It finally all came together and on Thursday 11th April 2009 ‘The Team’, complete with wives, converged on Mabalahuta camp in the southern Gonarezhou National Park.
Friday 12th April was used as a rest day and was used to prepare ourselves for the trip to the search area. Later in the afternoon we held a final formal briefing of what to expect, where we were going etc.
Saturday 13th April 2009 we rose early and
in two vehicles, left camp at 0500 hours so that we could be at the border at
0600 hours, the supposed opening time. True to form, the bleary-eyed border officials
only arrived at 0645, which meant we only got through the border formalities at
0800 hours, 1 hour behind our planned timings. The road down to Mapai remains
mostly unchanged over the last 30 years. Trains derailed by various SF
operations that many years ago,
were still in evidence, as well as many shot out buildings. We all just hoped
that Stan’s contribution to the road had been removed, as he couldn’t remember
where he had buried them.
At 1030 hours we arrived in Mapai (Rail)
and asked directions the police station.
This was a broken down 2 room building that could have passed for a toilet. Not
an auspicious start! A young policeman read our letter of introduction and said
that we needed to see the local military or garrison Commandant. He then went
off to find him but returned to say he was not there. We were then taken to the
head of FRELIMO party for the area. Arlindo Penicela Baloi, who, although
unable to speak English, was able to read our letter of introduction. Thank
heavens for Bob’s notes! He reiterated that we had to go back and get the
Garrison Commandant’s permission. Back down the road again and fortunately the
Commandant was now at home and after reading our letter cheerfully gave
permission for us to go to the crash site, but insisted we had to get the local
headman’s blessing first. Protocol reined supreme! Now accompanied by Arlindo
we set off to site. Suddenly Arlindo stopped me and spoke to a portly gentleman
on the side of the road who turned out was able to speak English. Wallah a
translator! Solomone, the translator, climbed in and off we went. We followed a
track leading directly East from the main road for about 3 kms when we stopped
at a small village where, seated under a tree, was the local headman Araujo
Chivite. After a brief discussion between my other two passengers and Araujo,
he readily agreed to show us where the site was. With Araujo‘s 2ic also in tow,
(now making 5 of us in a king cab!) we then continued down the track which
gradually turned South where we intersected the main Mapai – Machaila road
about 3.7 kms from Mapai (Rail)
We had only gone a few metres down the road when we were told to stop and on getting out of the vehicle, we were shown an area which we were told was the crash site. An initial search turned up a partially burnt SF water bottle and then we started finding the unmistakable signs of an aircraft crash.
There was a large mound in the centre of the site and this, we were told, was where the soldiers killed in the crash were buried. We had brought a prefabricated cross complete with a base with us and asked permission to erect this on the site. Araujo immediately agreed but only on condition the site was cleaned up first, which they insisted on doing themselves!
These were recovered and brought back with us.
Once the cross had been erected, a brief service was held, using the exact format as Bob had used at the other sites, and the Roll of Honour read out. This is repeated below for those who have not seen it.
“With thanksgiving, let us remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live on in peace, and in appreciation, we now dedicate this cross to their memories. Help us to keep them in our thoughts, and never forget what they gave for us."
CAPT JOHANNES MATHEUS DU PLOOY 1 RLI
CAPT CHARLES DAVID SMALL ENG
2ND LT BRUCE FRASER BURNS ENG
SGT MICHAEL ALAN JONES ENG
CPL LEROY DUBERLEY ENG
CPL GORDON HUGH FRY 1 RLI
L/CPL PETER FOX ENG
TPR JACOBUS ALWYN BRIEL 1 RLI
TPR AIDEN JAMES COLEMAN 1 RLI
TPR MARK JEREMY CROW 1 RLI
TPR BRIAN LOUIS ENSLIN 1 RLI
TPR STEVEN ERIC KING 1 RLI
TPR COLIN GRAHAM NEASHAM 1 RLI
TPR DAVID REX PROSSER 1 RLI
CAPT PAUL VELLERMAN SAAF
LT NIGEL OSBORNE SAAF
F/SGT DICK RETIEF SAAF
"They shall not grow old
As we that are left, grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them"
Neill then repeated the words of the service in Afrikaans in memory the South African crew. Finally the ‘Last Post’ was played. At all stages of the service the Mozambique contingent were actively involved which we all found very humbling and magnanimous.
At the end of the proceedings headman
Araujo called a woman called Lydia, who was farming the surrounding fields, and
instructed her to build a fence around the site so that the war graves can be
looked after properly in the future.
After leaving an appropriate reward with the headman for this to be done, we
packed up and left the site, each in our own thoughts.
After dropping off Araujo at his village, we returned to Mapai (Rail) and then decided to go down to the old Mapai airfield and Mapai (River) both targets of the Scouts column raid in June 1977. Arlindo and Solomone both accompanied us on this leg, which rather inhibited us from scouting around too much for old military positions. At Mapai (River) we were shown a mass grave, covered by a concrete slab, which we were told held the civilian victims of this raid. Expedition members showed the appropriate respect at this site.
Our next task was to return to the site of
the Donaldson Canberra crash site in order to place a more permanent memorial
to the airmen lost in this crash. Time was running short, so we dispensed with
protocol and just drove direct to the site.
After placing the cross, we sounded the “Last Post” which was particularly
fitting as the sun was starting to set as the sound of bugles rang out
hauntingly through the silent bush.
_______________
End of Chapter 20.
Copyright 2009 Graham R Patterson.