Harold Kirby: tribute web site
Hi and welcome to this site;
I met Robin Kirby, son of Harold Kirby on the internet. Robin was so kind to scan and forward to me his father's war photographs and other documentation. We decided to create this web site in remembrance of the WW2 experiences of Harold Kirby.
Harold Edward Kirby joined the SA Military College in 1939. As a Cadet he obtained his wings in 1942 and did an instructors course.
After a long period as pilot instructor , he was posted to SAAF No. 7 squadron, early 1942. The squadron was equipped with Hurricane fighters and took part in the Alamein battles of 1942. During this time Harold was shot down and wounded while the squadron suffered severe losses to the superior Messerschmitt Bf-109 aircraft.
In 1943 Harold participated in the attacks on Crete (Operation Thesis) when his aircraft hit power wires but returned safely.
Harold led the No. 7 squadron SAAF detachment during the brief and disastrous occupation of the island of Cos in September 1943. Flying Spitfires he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf-109 but escaped captivity when the Allied forces were evacuated from Cos.
For the latter part of the war the squadron did operations in Italy with bomber cover- and dive bombing missions.
After the war Harold had a successful career in the SAAF ending with the rank of Brigadier.
This is a living web site. Any input and/or participation will be much appreciated regarding additional information, correctness, information from relatives of members who served with Harold in his squadron, photographs, stories etc. Please e-mail me. Most welcome will be any photographs of No. 7 squadrons while Harold was with them.
If you perhaps have a family member who served as a SAAF fighter pilot during ww2 and you would want to find out more about his war service please contact me, hopefully I can be of some help.
Tinus le Roux
May 2012
WW2 Military Career
01/10/1939 Cadet, Military College, Roberts Heights
25/04/1940 Obtain wings, Pretoria
05/05/1940 Instructors course, CFS, Kimberley
24/08/1940 Qualified as an instructor "C"class
26/08/1940 Flying Instruction Vereeniging, Bloemfontein and Kimberley
01/12/1941 Upgraded to Instructor "B" class
14/01/1942 SAAF No. 7 Squadron
17/05/1942 Squadron operates in North Africa
03/09/1942 Shot down by E/A, wounded, crash landed
09/09/1942 OC of "A" flight No. 7 sqdn
15/10/1942 Crash land upon engine failure
23/07/1943 Participate in ops "Thesis", strafing of targets in Crete, hit power lines but returned safely to base.
14/09/1943 Landing at Cos island in operation "Accolade"
18/09/1943 Shot down a Messerschmitt Bf-109
23/09/1943 RTU from Cos with a lift on a RAF Beaufighter
07/01/1944 CFS
09/02/1944 25 AS Standerton
Robin Kirby at the Messerschmitt Bf-109 F that his dad flew back in 1942. Only 3 SAAF pilots flew this captured plane before it was grounded and crated for the trip to South Africa. They were Barry Wigget, Jannie Blaauw and Harold Kirby. Picture taken in June 2012, SA National Museum of Military History , Johannesburg.
The same Me Bf-109 flown by Harold in 1942.
Hurricane IId flown by Harold Thanks to Brent Best for the graphics.
Harold in the back row second from the right.
NORTH AFRICA 1942-1943
