Royal Rhodesian Air Force
Blazon: In front of a Circle Argent fimbriated Or inscribed with Royal Rhodesian Air Force in letters Or fimbriated Sable ensigned by the Imperial Crown proper all above a scroll bearing the motto ‘Per Ardua ad Astra’ in letters Sable a Bateleur Eagle volant head lowered to the sinister proper.
History: Military aviation in Rhodesia developed as Rhodesians who had served with the RFC & RNAS during the First World War returned to their country in 1918, although it was not until 1920 that the first aeroplane arrived in the Colony. 1927 saw the formation of the Rhodesian Aviation Syndicate and by 1930 the Civil Aviation Department was introduced sanctioned by an Aviation Act under the Department of Defence.
The climate in this part of Africa was such that ideal flying conditions prevailed for most of the year and as civil aviation prospered, so did flying schools. The Air Section of the Territorial Force came into being in November 1935, with pilots trained by the RAF and became the forerunner of an established Air Force.
From this evolved the Southern Rhodesian Air Force, SRAF, established on 19 September 1939. Its founder Lt Col C.W. Meredith visited England in December 1939 to offer the services of the colony and its Air Force to Britain, notably its training facilities and by March 1940 the first RAF draft to form the Southern Rhodesian Air Training Group was in place.
By the end of the War, some 32 Stations were actively involved in training an estimated 90,000 aircrew from all allied nations under the Empire Air Training Scheme. In April 1940, No 1 Sqn SRhAF was renumbered No 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF and all Rhodesian personnel were absorbed into the RAF and SRhAF ceased to exist. An additional 2 RAF squadrons, Nos 44 and 266, were named Rhodesia in recognition of the colony’s contribution. The resurrection of the SRhAF was promulgated on 28 November 1947, its main task being that of a Communications Squadron.
In July 1949, No 1 Sqn SRhAuxAF was formed, later to be disbanded in 1953. By this time the SRhAF had become a small but efficient arm of the colony’s defence force committed to Commonwealth Defence. In gratitude for this contribution the Force was granted the prefix “Royal” and on 15 October 1954 became the Royal Rhodesian Air Force.
On 2 March 1970, Rhodesia declared herself a Republic, the Royal prefix was lost and control of its 7 Squadrons passed to the Rhodesian Air Force. With the granting of Independence to Zimbabwe, control of the RhAF passed to the Air Force of Zimbabwe at midnight on 17/18 April 1980.
Dedicated to all those who served.
