GOLDING, Douglas William

Stats:

rank: Maj
status: survived
airforce: SAAF    (no: 103112V )
born: 1919-04-09 Durban South Africa

added by: Justin

Distinguished Flying Cross
Golding joined the South African Air Force in 1940 and joined 3 Squadron SAAF flying Mohawks but in 1941 he moved to 4 Squadron SAAF in the Western Desert, flying Tomahawks. In April 1942 he returned to South Africa, flying anti submarine patrols off Durban with 10 Squadron SAAF.

He was awarded a DFC in 1942. As per London Gazette dated 7 April 1942.
On his first encounter with the enemy this officer was surprised and engaged by German fighters. He evaded their attacks, but a Messerschmitt 109 collided with his aircraft and cut two feet off the tailpiece. The control wires to the port aileron were jammed and there was a deep gash in his main plane. The Messerschmitt went down out of control. Lieutenant Golding, however, succeeded in flying his damaged fighter back to base, 70 miles away. He has since destroyed four enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of three more.

In October 1942 he was posted to 4 Squadron, becoming a flight commander in November 1942. He became Commanding Officer of the squadron in June 1943. The squadron converted to Spitfire Mk V's in July 1943. In October 1943 he was evacuated with malaria. On his recovery he was part of a Army/Air training team at Middle East Command until he went to Italy to command 73 Squadron in the Balkans until February 1945.

After a recurrence of his malaria, he returned to South Africa and was demobilised in 1946.