Kenya – Mau Mau Emergency 1950’s – Air Operations
Am aware of 1354 Flight (Harvards) and rotational Lincoln’s being used against Mau Mau, but has anyone heard of Anson’s being used?
Reason for asking, a long time friend has stated that Anson’s were used – quoting his Mother as source;
in most cases I would have just poo-poo’ed this, but I knew and respected his Mother and know that she knew her Anson’s (from her wartime Nursing service)
Still doubtful but feel I must at least ask the question of others more knowledgeable than !
PZULBA – Out of Africa (Retired)
By: stevechap50 - 23rd January 2016 at 14:31
Greetings all, i am the author of the essay posted above for RUSI. There is no mention of ansons in it because this was a short essay and i was limited on words. however they were there for sure. I started researching the RAF contribution to the MAu Mau op in 2010 when I was at staff college in 2010 – I wrote a 15000 word dissertation on it. I have been in touch with many people who were there – pilots and ground crew and even some who worked on the ansons involved in the Op itself. I guess I am probably regarded as an authority on the subject by now. Ansons were used predominantly for supply drops to the troops. If anybody has any questions about what the RAF did in Kenya in the MAu Mau ops, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. best regards
steve chappell
By: ozplane - 4th September 2014 at 18:46
Thanks for that WebPilot. It was a most interesting review of the air war against the Mau Mau. When I was in Nairobi in the early 70s there was a semi-derelict Vampire (presumably a leftover from these times) parked outside the EAA Engineering hangar. Unfortunately a very large “askari” seemed to be on permanent guard duty when I tried to approach it so I never got the details.
By: WebPilot - 4th September 2014 at 16:26
This may assist.
Air Power in the Mau Mau Conflict – The Government’s Chief Weapon
by Stephen Chappell, RUSI Journal, Feb/Mar 2011 Vol. 156 No. 1
http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/RUSI_Journal_Feb_2011_Chappell.pdf
There’s no explicit mention of Ansons in any offensive role however
By: Camlobe - 4th September 2014 at 09:44
As ozplane mentioned above, the KPAW operated Piper Tri-Pacers, and more than one was ‘field modified’ with a light series carrier. These were used as bombers. The Modification was not officially sanctioned as this was a ‘military’ conversion to civil registered aircraft. And I’ve got one of these in my hangar now.
Perhaps the same process was applied to the Anson’s.
Camlobe
By: pzulba - 4th September 2014 at 01:14
Thanks for replies folks, should probably have said ‘offensive’ operations e.g. bombing; that’s why I poo poo’ed the claim in first place
Must admit I wasn’t aware of RAF Ansons at all in EA, though I suppose that in early ’50’s they were probably still on RAF books
PZULBA – Out of Africa (Retired)
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd September 2014 at 20:19
I have checked several sources and it would appear that the Eastleigh CF did operate two Ansons at the outset of the “Emergency”: one may have been PH785.
It is worth noting that several civilian registered Ansons were in Kenya at the same time. Noon & Pearce operated at least two and they were used to support the military on some occasions.
Planemike
By: allan125 - 3rd September 2014 at 19:53
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11034346/Jack-Sherburn-obituary.html – Jack Sherburn flew Harvard’s with 1340 Flight, no mention of Anson’s in this piece, but still possible they were used for something.
Allan
By: ozplane - 3rd September 2014 at 15:30
Plus the Kenya Police Air Wing used Tri-Pacers, not that one would mix these up with Ansons.
By: DaveF68 - 3rd September 2014 at 13:24
The East Africa Communications Squadron used Ansons at this time. There was also a Pembroke used for ‘sky shouting’, as well as Valettas (Leaflet distribution and transport), Austers and Dakotas
Vampires were also used on offensive operations
Sign In
September 3, 2014 at 12:48 pm