Abraham Chad "Slug" Paterson (from Hermanus) joined the SAAF in mid 1940 and qualified for his wings in 1941. He was posted to 4 squadron for war service in North Africa in mid 1942.
Chad had an eventful combat tour with 4 squadron in the Western Desert. He participated in many air skirmishes during the Gazala battles and also the Alamein front. The squadron was thereafter involved with the campaign from Egypt towards the west, rapidly pushing the Axis forces to Tunisia until their capitulation in 1943.
During this time Chad flew Tomahawks and Kittyhawks in sorties such as bomber escorts, interceptions, armed recce's and also dive bombing and strafing of ground targets.
The squadron converted to Spitfires and Chad did operations in Sicily and Italy. Chad's operations tour was ended in September 1943 after an aircraft crash and he being hospitalized and sent back to South Africa.
Chad returned to operations in Italy at the latter part of 1944 flying Spitfires with No. 2 and No. 7 squadrons until the end of the war.
Chad ended the war flying 210 operational sorties in 279 ops hours.
After the war Chad had a long and successful career as a researcher in the Sea Fisheries Department stationed in Sea Point.
