WW2 SAAF Fighter Pilot Hannes Faure
Hi and welcome to this site;
While doing video interviews with surviving ww2 SAAF fighter pilots and subsequent research on their whereabouts, I made contact with Pierre Faure, son of Hannes Faure. We decided to construct this web site of Hannes in remembrance of his ww2 experiences. The site includes his war photographs, flight log book, photographs of fellow pilots and other related historical information.
Hannes joined the SAAF in 1941. After training he went to North Africa where he flew in combat against the German Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica. He returned for two more tours to see the war through with the conclusion of the Africa and Italy campaigns. He received the DFC in 1943. The Bar to the DFC was awarded to him in 1945. Hannes became a squadron leader and ended the war as a sweep leader of a RAF wing with the rank of Lieut. Colonel. He was also titled an "Ace" for shooting down 5 1/2 enemy aircraft.
After the war Hannes became the commander of the SAAF Langebaan training base but after a few years he turned to farming in the Somerset West/Stellenbosch area.
This is a living web site. Any input and/or participation will be much appreciated regarding additional information, correctness, information from relatives of members who served with Hannes in his squadron, photographs, stories etc. Please e-mail me. Most welcome will be any photographs of 1 squadron while Hannes was with them.
If you have a family member who served as a SAAF fighter pilot during ww2 and you want to find out more about his war service please contact me and maybe I can be of assistance.
Tinus le Roux
January 2012
Military Career
01/03 /1940 No.1 Air School Baragwanath
01/06/1941 No.21 Air School Kimberley
15/08/1941 Wings, promoted to 2nd Lt.
01/10/1941 RAF 73 sqdn
01/12/1941 71 OTU, promoted to 1st Lt.
12/01/1942 1 SAAF squadron
23/07/1942 Shot down 2x Ju-87 Stukas
18 /08/1942 Detached to RAF 92 sqdn to gain experience on Spitfires
01/09/1942 Damaged a Bf-109
02/09/1942 Shot down a Bf-109
11/ 09/1942 Back to 1 sqdn
09/10/1942 Damaged a He-111
02/11/1942 Shot down a Ju-87 Stuka
04/11/1942 Hannes was shot down behind enemy lines. Passenger with King's Dragoon Guards in armoured car. Returned to sqdn 2 days later
27/11/1942 Shot down a Bf-109
05/12/1942 Return to Union (RTU)
16/01/1943 6 Squadron, home defence
23/03/1943 DFC awarded
24/06/1943 1 Squadron, Malta
24/07/1943 Shot down Fw-190 shared
28/07/1943 OC 1 sqdn, promoted to major
14/02/1944 RTU, Instructor 11 OTU
02/08/1944 OC SAAF 4 sqdn, Italy
17/11/1944 Promoted to Lieut. Col.
17/11/1944 Sweep leader RAF 324 Wing
18/02/1945 DSO awarded
23/05/1945 Bar to DFC awarded
03/06/1945 RTU
In the Western desert with 1 squadron 1942
On leave with his wife-to-be: Liefie
SFTS Kimberley , Hannes sitting second from the right. (thanks Yuri Maree for pic!)
No 21 Air School Kimberley
Qualified as a pilot and getting his wings in Kimberley 15/8/1941
Hannes mounting his Hurricane AX-F in the Desert 1942.
Commanding officer of 1 sqdn with the two flight leaders: Bomb Finney and Lippy Lipawsky, Italy1943
Hannes at a parade in London smiling at the queen.
Hannes's Photo Album