Bomb in the Transvaal Horse Artillery before he joined the SAAF.
On leave in the Union after he received his wings
Bomb joined the SAAF in August 1940 and did his basic training in Roberts Heights (today known as Voortrekkerhoogte), Pretoria.
In December 1940 he went to the Ground Instruction School in Tempe, Bloemfontein.
He was then sent to Southern Rhodesia where the RAF established several training units. Bomb mentioned to me that the RAF had a number of training units in the Commonwealth countries and those in Rhodesia had very good flying weather conditions most of the year.
In Rhodesia he first went to the Initial Training Wing in Kumalo where it was actually a repetition of the training they did in Bloemfontein.
Thereafter he went to No 26 Elementary Flying Training School, Guinea Fowl, Gwelo. Here he did his 50 hours on Tiger Moths.
In April 1941 he was sent to No 22 Service Flying Training School, Thornhill, Gwelo, and did 50 hours on Harvards. He was commissioned as an officer of the RAF and received his wings.
He then returned to the Union and was posted in August 1941 to the newly formed 5 squadron under Officer Commanding Jack Frost. Frost eventually became the top scoring SAAF fighter pilot ace but was MIA in 1942. Bomb told me that Frost ordered him to replace his RAF wings and ranking to that of the SAAF.
Please click here to view Bomb's flight log book for this period
Bomb in Southern Rhodesia. White band indicating ?
On leave
Jack Frost, OC SAAF 5 squadron, top scoring SAAF fighter pilot ace, MIA 1942.