Wartime partnership between Lesotho and United Kingdom is rekindled
SEVENTY years ago, Britain was fighting for it’s life against the forces of Nazi Germany. A small outpost of Empire in Southern Africa decided to help in a most unusual way. Basutoland, a land-locked colony surrounded by it’s much larger neighbour, South Africa, raised enough money to purchase 24 Spitfire aircraft for the Royal Air Force, at a cost of £5000 each (£200,000 each today). Many of these – 17 in total – were presented to 72 Squadron, now based at Linton-on-Ouse.
Basutoland gained independence from Britain in 1966 and is now known as Lesotho. The current High Commissioner of Lesotho in the UK, His Excellency Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso visited RAF Linton-on-Ouse to re-kindle the links between his country and their generous wartime gift of Spitfires and some of the veterans who flew them. Prince Seeiso said ”The people of Lesotho donated the Spitfires a long time ago but there is still a strong connection between Lesotho and 72 Squadron. I think it is important that history is brought to life and links are maintained through events like this and I’m delighted to be here”.
The wartime Spitfires gifted by the generous people of Basutoland were given commemorative names. The most obvious was Basuto – currently sported by a Tucano of modern day 72 Sqn – but some of the names were more unusual. The Royal Family of Lesotho was commemorated with the name “Moshoeshoe”, the name of Basotho’s first King, and also the Bantu word for a sharp blade. Makesi – “Hunting Dog” in Bantu, and Qacha’s Nek – a district of Basutoland – also made an appearance on the sides of Spitfires, post-war Wessex and Puma helicopters and modern day Tucano’s operated by 72 Sqn.
The Prince visited RAF Linton-on-Ouse as the guest of the 72 Squadron Association, which meets annually to re-unite old comrades and keep in touch with the current day members of the squadron. Flt Lt Rodney Scrace DFC RAF (Retd) who flew Spitfires with 72 Sqn during world war two said: “I think it is important for the people of Lesotho to be aware of the significance of their efforts. We were extremely grateful to them and appreciated very much all that they did to supply us with Spitfires. It’s wonderful that we have the Prince here and are able to keep the links alive from all those years ago.”
SOURCE: Royal Airforce Linton-on-Ouse
