Honouring SAAF’s winged heroes

NOT MANY South Africans visit South Korea. None, in fact, according to the South African embassy in Seoul, as opposed to the almost 3 000 South Koreans who apply to visit South Africa every month.

Perhaps the difficulty is getting there. There are no direct flights, but a wealth of connecting flights, through Europe or the UAE. In my case, it was SAA to Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific from there to Seoul – a total of 16 hours in the air.

There’s a sizeable South African community in South Korea, all studying or teaching. Some take one-year contracts to teach English and fall in love with the country, even marrying locals. Others go there to study like Itumeleng Moroenyane, 29, from Meyerton and Casper Claasen, 27, from Potchefstroom. They’re both doing masters degrees.

I met them at the South African Air Force memorial in Pyongtaek, with foreign students drawn from each of the countries that were part of the UN force fighting the North Koreans. They were laying a wreath at the 18m-high memorial.

For Moroenyane and Claasen the ceremony was moving and an eye opener. Neither had been aware of South Africa’s efforts through 2 Squadron, the legendary SAAF unit which flew 12 405 sorties under American command, first in Mustangs and then in Sabre jets. The squadron lost 34 pilots, eight were taken prisoner and 797 medals were awarded, including two Silver Stars (America’s second highest gallantry award), three Legions of Merit, 55 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 40 Bronze Stars.

To this day, the US Air Force’s 18th Fighter Bomber Wing plays the introductory bars of the South African national anthem during all retreat parades. – Kevin Ritchie