Books about or inspired by the Rhodesian Air Force

Half a Century in Uniform ~ The Life Story of Group Captain O.D. "Ossie" Penton OLM AFC RhAF VR (Ret'd)

Want to get the book? Order it by clicking on the photograph and following directions ~~~~>

This is the life story of Ossie Penton, who has been described as a "Journeyman Pilot." When I started preparing the manuscript I was told by him that he did not "...really have a story to tell, I am not an "ace of the base" like Douglas Bader or Neville Duke. To me most of war was like a Cook's Tour."

This is the man who flew 114 missions over Malta, the Adriatic, Albania and Italy. He earned his wings with the South African Air Force and then went "Up North" attached to the RAF and flew with the Desert Air Force over the Italian War Theatre.

In his log one comment epitomised the man. He wrote it after he landed from a ground strafing mission in Albania with several bullet holes in his plane. It read: "Hit several times. The Big Twitch!"

When he finally returned to South Africa he could not leave flying alone and emigrated to the then Southern Rhodesia where he joined the Southern Rhodesia Auxiliary Air Force. With that force he took part in the longest ferry of Spitfires ever undertaken, setting the scene and providing the ground work for another ferry some 25 years later. This was the Ferry of 18 Cessna 337G (Skymaster ~ Milirole Ground Attack platform) aircraft from Rheims in France to Salisbury against United Nations sanctions. Both the Ferries are detailed in the book with the original logs from both recorded. The detailed account of how the Rhodesian Aircraft ferried the Skymaster code named the Lynx ~ the aircraft designed especially for operations in Viet Nam includes photographs only published in this book.

Ossie was a founder member of the Rhodesian Air Force and rose to high rank due to his unique personality and his ability as a leader as well as a pilot. He helped train several of the men who became Officers Commanding of the Air Force.

In addition to recording the story of a unique man the book also shows the political climate and events of a turbulent time in South Africa's and Rhodesia's (now Zimbabwe) history.

Ossie finally retired from flying in 1982 after serving with the fledgling Air Force of Zimbabwe. One of his students was at that time the Air Marshal in charge of the Air Force.

A lesson in War, and life, results in "to the Victor, the spoils". In other words, the Government in power writes its own so-called 'history'. Where this is lacking, especially in Africa, country name changes occur, followed by the hijacking of City, town and even street names.

Would YOU like a copy of Nickel Cross? Then click on the photograph ~~~~>

So, before long, places and names like Rhodesia and even Pretoria will fade into the past (dare I say history?). My factstory biography thus covers the past 100 years as a true Geldenhuys heritage - - from the Anglo-Boer war days of my grandfather Jannie (Oudad), my father Preller's East African Campaign during World War II - in forgotten Abyssinia and Eritrea I hasten to add, my own family and friends' Rhodesian War experiences, and my twilight years after a very rewarding second career with Masonite.

The Story of the Rhodesian Air Force Operations. Includes an Air-strike log and maps. This is a detailed and very well researched book showing many of the Operations of the Air Force ~ the Best Small Air Force in the World.

The detail shown in this book is amazing and was written by an endearing character who was loved by his men and respected by his colleagues as a professional Airman.

Want to buy the book? click on the photo ~~~~~>

Operation Miracle is a fascinating story. From an Air Force perspective, it is, in a nutshell, a sincere tribute to Three Bold Airmen, KIA 3 October 1979. They lie in unmarked graves, God alone knows where.

Want to buy this book? Click on the photograph ~~~~>

The three men who have written this book were stalwarts of the Military Forces of Rhodesia. With their vast combined experience they are eminently suited to compile this poignant reminder of what war is all about.

Operation Miracle is a fascinating story of the Afro-Rhodesian Conflict, concerning three very bold and courageous Airmen.

Tol Janeke, a senior and well-respected Rhodesian Air Force pilot, said the following in the Introduction to the book:- "What is it that makes Op Miracle so unique? It was certainly not the first time that the Rhodesian Forces had carried out bold attacks on the enemy, beyond their borders. Nor was it significant in the size of the air or ground effort employed by them. But it was a time when the emphasis was moving inexorably from a bush conflict into a war with sophisticated weapons and technology. The advantage of air superiority, long enjoyed by the Rhodesian Air Force was slipping away. The crew flying on air operations were well aware that the risks, particularly on cross-border missions, were becoming very high.

Peter Petter-Bowyer is arguably the most qualified of all Rhodesian Air Force pilots to present the story of the Bush War from an Air Force perspective. This is a great read and should be of interest to all airplane and air war buffs.

A few words about Peter Petter-Bowyer ~ one of the most respected of all Rhodesian Air Force leaders.

Peter Petter-Bowyer was born in 1936 in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe).

He joined the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in 1957 and was a senior operational pilot during Zimbabwe's war of independence. He was also instrumental in designing and producing a range of aeronautical weapons systems that were used in the conflict. In 1980, with the advent of President Robert Mugabe's rule, he retired as Group Captain.

His autobiography, Winds of Destruction (30° South Publishers, 2008) has been described as "a unique account" of service in the Rhodesian Air Force.

In 1984, he started writing the book as a life story for his family. He was persuaded to expand what he had already the information included as. at the time no-one had written an autobiography that covered the Rhodesian post-WW2 story of the Rhodesian forces and the political issues leading to the Zimbabwean era. Winds of Destruction is the result.

The book covers from the beginning of my life in 1936 and keeps going until the time he left Zimbabwe in 1983.

He moved to South Africa in early 1983 because my air weapons development work and operations knowledge were needed there. Settling in was not difficult because I was working and living amongst Rhodesians and English South Africans.

Because his situation is unique situation his book is also unique. The big difference between his and others is that he made a record whereas others did not.

A fascinating read and one worth getting.

Are you interested in buying this book? Then CLICK on the Amazon Logo

call lungold