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Wednesday, 20 August 2008

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BD005 SAAF Log Books of Lieut C.E. Nicholls
Product image: BD005 SAAF Log Books of Lieut C.E. Nicholls

Features

Item Number BD005
Service Papers Yes

In Stock:	Sold
Price:	48.00 (UK Pounds)
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Description
SAAF Pilot's Flying Log Book (green) and SAAF Observers or Air Gunners Log Book (red) belonging to 19282 Lieut Charles Edward Nicholls. Born in Mafeking, he worked for the Standard Bank of South Africa in Cape Town when he attested with the Cape Town Highlanders on the 16th April 1940 and served with them until 6th August 1940. He then transferred to the SAAF to train as a pupil Pilot at No 63 Air School Bloemfontein. Being unsuccessful he went on to be commissioned as a 2nd Lieut on the 10.9.1941 after qualifying as an Observer being trained at Queenstown and Youngs Field.

He served as an Observer in the Middle East with 223 Sqd and 24 Sqd flying Boston bombers from the 17th November to the 17th August 1942 in numerous operations over enemy territory. His plane was lost whilst flying on an operation approx. 5 miles East of Mersa Matra and he was taken prisoner and served out the rest of the war as a POW being released on the 11 May 1945.

After the war he went on to serve as a Captain in the 51 HAA Bty. S.A. Marine Corps. After serving 5 years with the unit he was released to the Reserve of Officers.

Note: As he was unsuccessful in becoming a pilot, his pilot's log book contains only his name on the front cover and one page of Certificate of Qualifications. His Observer's log book however contains numerous pages, with 56 Operational Sorties including several night raids.

Included are 27 pages of service records from the SA Archives.

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