jblaverick
August 4, 2013 at 8:35 am

Kalahari Killings – 1943 murders in Botswana

Dear All,

I am writing a book about the two RAF trainee pilots that were allegedly murdered by a family of Basarwa (Bushmen) after a forced landing in Bechuanaland, now Botswana. They had taken off from Kumalo, near Bulawayo, on a navigation exercise but got lost and ran out of petrol and landed on a salt pan.

The story then gets more interesting, though with little proof. The accepted version is that they were given shelter by the bushmen, before being killed the next morning – apparently so they could not pass on info on illegal hunting. Eight people were tried but acquitted due to lack of evidence. This then led to a backlash against the bushmen in the Nata area and some of the first forced re-settlements.

The pilots concerned were LAC Grodon Edwards, who had served as a Mechanic with 134 in Russia and Egypt, and Sergeant Walter Adamson.

If anybody has any information on these two pilots, memories of flight training in Rhodesia, or memories of being ground crew in Russia or Egypt, I would love to hear from you.

Jonathan Laverick
Gaborone, Botswana

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By: jblaverick - 4th August 2013 at 14:50

Thanks again Resmorah, much appreciated. Gives me somewhere else to look, if only I didn’t have a day job…… 🙂

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By: jblaverick - 4th August 2013 at 14:48

It will make a nice Christmas present – for 2014!

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By: Sopwith - 4th August 2013 at 14:21

Thanks Sopwith – I’ll put you down for a copy 😉

Yes sounds good, I’ll have one.

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By: Resmoroh - 4th August 2013 at 13:57

There were far too many Walter Adamson’s in the BMD indices to even try at who he might have been. Interestingly, though, his Service Number is in the Block 934900 to 943999 issued from Jun 1940 to English residents in Malta! Might help in unearthing him?!!!! Father might have been a Serviceman? But Walter might have had to get his backside out of Malta fairly quickly. It soon became a fairly unhealthy place to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HTH
Resmoroh

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By: jblaverick - 4th August 2013 at 13:44

Thanks for that Resmorah,

Strangely enough I am working with Gordon’s family on this and have his records and I’ll let you know which one he was when I am back in front of my own computer! Unfortunately, I am finding it harder to track down Walter Adamson (943246 RAFVR)or any info on him at all. Next week I hope to have the trial documents which will post a bit more light on his history.

Thanks again,

Jonathan

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By: Resmoroh - 4th August 2013 at 13:29

jblaverick, Hi,

IF 1255157 LAC Gordon Francis EDWARDS was at least 18 when he Enlisted at Uxbridge, Gloucester, or Penarth, fairly soon after May 1940 (Block 1250001 to 1299800), then he was born before 1922. There are 3 G F Edwards’ that I can find that might be him. They are:

EDWARDS Gordon F St. Thomas Devon 1918
EDWARDS Gordon F Salford Lancashire 1920
EDWARDS Gordon F Pontypridd Glamorganshire 1921

If I had to go for any of those it would be the Pontypridd G F Edwards Enlisting at Penarth. But this is just grasping at straws!!!
HTH
Resmoroh

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By: jblaverick - 4th August 2013 at 11:49

Thanks Sopwith – I’ll put you down for a copy 😉

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By: Sopwith - 4th August 2013 at 11:17

Sounds interesting Jonathan, good luck with it and let us know how you get on. I for one would be interested to read it. Only sorry that I have no information to help.