Harry went “up North” in March 1943. He did training at the 71 OTU (Operational Training Unit) and a number of other units on Harvards, Tomahawks, Kittihawks, Hurricanes and Spitfires.
Eventually in November 1943 Butch joined the “Billy Boys” of 1 SAAF squadron stationed at Palata in Italy. Here he flew the Spitfire Mk VIII and Mk IX.
The squadron was then led by major Hannes Faure and later major Johnny Seccombe.
Operational missions were mainly bomber escourts, bomb line patrols, top cover for bombing missions and recce patrols. Later the squadron changed to dive bombing and ground strafing missions.
On 2nd of April 1944 he was attacked by friendly P-38 aircraft from the USAAF formation. With bullet wounds on his leg, arm and shoulder and a damaged Spitfire he managed to return the aircraft safely but was hospitalized.
16 August 1944, Harry was on a dive-bombing mission where they successfully destroyed a bridge. With subsequent ground strafing his Spitfire was hit by 40mm flak and Harry was severely injured. He returned with the aircraft safely to base, made a crash landing and became unconscious due to blood loss. Again hospitalized, this time for nearly 3 months. On his return to the squadron he was sent back to the Union. (November 1944)
In this tour Harry flew 165 operational hours with 116 combat sorties.
Video on How Harry got wounded
Video on How Harry was shot down by US fighters.
Gunnery course at El Ballah, Egypt. Harry in front on the left. This course was from Dec 1943 to Jan 1944. Photograph obtained from Fritz Johl who was also on this course.
1 Squadron Spitfire IX in Italy with a 500 lb bomb under the belly.
Harry 3d from right in front.
Spitfire under service: photograph from the collection of armaments officer Labby Labistour
Clipped wing Spitfires taking off: Labistour photographs
Here photographs of Harry's collection:
Landing ground at ? in Italy
Hannes Faure, OC of 1 squadron with Captain "Pops" Vossie Vos, Ops officer of 1 sqdn.
1 Squadron mechanics
Hannes Faure with his two flight leaders: Stewart "Bomb" Finney and Lippie Lipawsky.
L.R. ; ?, Harry Gaynor, ? and the two squadron dogs Daba and Chum.
Harry Gaynor with Daba and Chum.
The king visiting 7 SAAF wing where 1 squadron was part of.
