Kenneth Driver
Kenneth Weekes Driver | |
|---|---|
 Driver, 2nd from left | |
| Born | April 3, 1918 Brooklyn, Pretoria |
| Died | February 3, 1947 (aged 28) |
| Buried | Bath, England |
| Service/ | South African Air Force |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | Royal Air Force- East Africa Command, 1940-1945. CM742.jpg |
| Unit | 1 Squadron SAAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Kenneth Weekes Driver (1918-1947) was a South African Air Force pilot and fighter ace during World War II who recorded 10 'kills'[1]
At the start of the war he was a flying instructor in the SAAF before serving with 6 Squadron on Home Defence.[2] In December 1939 he joined 1 Squadron as a Flight Commander.
He was shot down in on 14 June 1941, spending the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III.[2] His opponent was the German ace Ludwig Franzisket of JG 27. The air battle was fought singularly, in a one-versus-one situation. Both men fired at each other, but only the German scored hits. Franzisket got too close and struck Driver's tail with a wing tip, damaging it. Franzisket remained ignorant of the collision, as did Driver, who was preparing to bail out, until after they met. Franzisket showed Driver around the damaged Bf 109. Driver showed Franzisket a picture and lock of hair belonging to his wife who had come to visit him in Cairo. The German promised to have a message dropped via container over his airfield informing her that Driver lived.[3]
After the war he stayed in the SAAF but was killed in a flying accident in 1947 while attending a course.[2]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Tidy, D.P (December 1976). "SOUTH AFRICAN AIR ACES OF WORLD WAR II". Military History Journal. 3 (6).
- ^ a b c Shores, C; Williams C. Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots. Grub Street. p. 232. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
- ^ Shores & Ring 1969, pp. 43–44.
- Mason, Francis (1969). Battle Over Britain. London, UK: McWhirter Twins. ISBN 978-0-901928-00-9.
- Shores, Christopher; Ring, Hans (1969). Fighters over the Desert. London: Neville Spearman Limited. ISBN 978-0-668-02070-1.
- South African World War II flying aces
- South African Air Force officers
- South African military personnel of World War II
- South African prisoners of war
- 1918 births
- 1947 deaths
- Shot-down aviators