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Visit to 72 Squadron by His Excellency the High Commissioner of Lesutho, Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso
Page last updated on Friday, 26-Aug-2011
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| HRH Prince Seeiso and the OC 72 Sqn Wg Cdr Richard Bedford |
In World War II many countries made gifts of war to Britain.
Basutoland, now Lesotho, made a disproportionately high contribution.
With a land area equal to that of Wales, a population of only 400,000, and yet almost no natural resources, it nevertheless supplied funds to purchase 24 Spitfires for the RAF.
These Spitfires were allocated to No 72 Squadron, which was designated 72 (Basutoland) Squadron, in which our recently deceased member Tony (Red) Weller served as a Spitfire pilot.
No.72 Squadron was formed on the 28th of June in 1917 at Upavon and was disbanded in Baghdad on 22 September 1919.
The Squadron was reformed at RAF Tangmere on 22 February 1937 and in 1939 was equipped with the Basutoland Spitfires, each aircraft carrying a Basuto name.
The Squadron still exists as a training squadron operating Tucanos, preparing newly qualified pilots for fast jet training on Hawks.
A string of events led to an invitation to meet His Excellency Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, the High Commissioner of Lesotho in London.
72 Squadron Association invited us to meet the Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse for the Prince to make personal contact.
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| Flt Lt. Rodney Scrase DFC, President of 72 Sqn Association interviewed for the British Forces Broadcasting Service |
The visit was planned to coincide with the 72 Squadron Association annual reunion.
The RAF laid on a superb flying display with a nine ship formation of Tucanos followed by two Tornados, the PR 19 Spitfire from the BBMF and a Hawker (Issacs) Fury.
This was topped-off with hands-on in the ultra-realistic Tucano simulator.
The Squadron historian maintains an astonishingly comprehensive collection of squadron records and the Tucanos still carry the names originally given to the gifts-of-war Spitfires.
There is much to say which is better said in the three volumes by Tom Docherty “Swift to Battle” but the main message is that we, the beneficiaries, do not forget those who helped us so selflessly in our countries hour of greatest peril.
Prince Seeiso was invited to become an Honorary Member of the Spitfire Society and we are delighted to report that he has accepted with pleasure.
The Prince was Guest of Honour at the Officer’s Mess guest night attended by about a hundred members of 72 Squadron, both retired and serving.
David Evans and Ray Burgess escorted the Prince and represented the Spitfire Society.
Also See:
A video by the British Forces Broadcasting Service -
http://bfbs.com/news/worldwide/african-prince-visits-72-squadron-50866.html
