Edwin Swales was born on July 3rd 1915 at Inanda near Durban, to Harry E and Olive M Swales one of twins the other being his brother John, his parents farmed at a farm called "Fairview" at a town called Ntambanana , which is now called Heatonville, the father Harry E Swales died 3 years later in the great flu epidemic of 1918, after this the family moved to Durban, Edwin attended Durban High School where he excelled at cricket and rugby, he played for the first cricket team and the second rugby team, there is a Swales house in commemoration of him at the school to this day. After leaving school Edwin joined Barclays Bank, and in his spare time did duty with the Natal Mounted Rifles, his twin brother John was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1935. Just one day after the second world war broke out young Edwin joined the Natal Mounted Rifles full time, he first saw active service in the Abyssinian campaign in Africa with rank of warrant officer 2nd class, his unit then went on to the Middle East with the 1st South African Infantry Division, Edwin fought in Egypt in 1942 with the rank of sergeant major.

It was while serving in Egypt that he became more and more fascinated with the idea of flying, he then applied for a transfer to the S.A.A.F which was granted on the 17th January 1942, sometime after this he returned to South Africa and transferred to the South African Air Force, he passed his training at No.4 Air Training School at Benoni, South Africa, with top marks. Edwin received his wings on 26th June 1943 at Kimberley, and was promoted to lieutenant on the same day; in August 1943 he was seconded to join the RAF in England. On 4th November 1943 he was promoted to Captain, he then travelled to England via Montevideo and eventually joined 582 squadron at Little Staughton, Bedfordshire, in mid -1944. During his active service Edwin Swales was twice forced to crash land his Lancaster bomber, on one occasion three of his engines were put out of action when he was over the Ruhr valley, but he struggled on and made it back to Belgium and landed safely. In 1944 he was promoted to acting Major and it was about this time that the well-known English artist Sir W Rothenstein chose Edwin Swales as a subject for a portrait of a typical airman.

On Dec 23rd, 1944 - his 33rd sortie - he was in the bomber formation led by Sqn Ldr Robert Palmer raiding Cologne. Attacked five times by Luftwaffe fighters, Swales coolness under fire permitted his gunners to destroy at least one German fighter; and he was awarded a DFC. On the night of February 23rd/24th, 1945 - his 43rd operational sortie - Swales was selected as master bomber for a concentrated attack on Pforzheim near Karlsruhe, Germany, flying Lancaster PB538, '60-M', which was equipped with top-secret navigational equipment, he was no stranger to this task, and he had already seen his best friend and fellow master bomber pilot, Squadron-Leader Robert Palmer DFC, shot down in flames over Cologne, for this Palmer was to receive a posthumous VC. Swales bomber took off 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the group, but they were no sooner over the target than they were attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf110, whose fire shattered one engine and holed the fuel tanks. Continuing his bomb run, Swales was again hit by the night fighter, which knocked out a second engine.

Almost defenceless, he stayed over the target area issuing his aiming instructions until he was satisfied that the attacked had achieved its purpose, he was determined not to let any of his crew fall into enemy hands so with a badly damaged aircraft he then turned for home but his crippled Lancaster steadily lost height. He had twice before crash landed successfully and may have thought he could do it again, but the blind flying instruments were knocked out, so finally he ordered his crew to bale out, the last one to bale out was his friend Dudley Archer , but Swales remained at his controls in order to give them the best chance of escaping. The aircraft nosed into some high-tension cables and exploded, the wreckage was strewn across two fields at the village of Chappelle-aux-Bois on the outskirts of Valenciennes.

Early the next morning the crew gathered at the crash site, in the twisted wreckage of the cockpit they found the body of their friend and Captain his hands still around the control column, he had stayed at his post until it was to late to save himself, instead he chose to save his crew, he was just 5 months short of his 30th birthday. For his selfless sacrifice, attempting to save the lives of his crew, Edwin Swales was awarded a posthumous VC on April 24th, 1945 - the only South African Air Force member ever to receive this supreme honour.  Edwin Swales VC DFC was buried in the War Cemetery at Leopoldsburg on the Belgium border with Germany.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris sent a telegram to Edwin’s mother soon after, it read: -

"His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross upon your Son, Edwin. On every occasion your son proved himself a determined fighter and a most gallant and resolute captain of his crew. On his last mission he successfully completed a vital task allotted to him with great coolness and courage, despite severe damage to his aircraft. Thereafter his only thought was for the safety of his crew. This he achieved at the cost of his own life. His devotion to duty and complete disregard for his own safety will remain an example and inspiration to us all. I send you my most heartfelt sympathy in the loss of such a gallant son and trust that this supreme award, so heroically earned, will serve in some measure to comfort you in your great sorrow."

Edwin Swales VC, has been been commemorated in his home City of Durban in many ways, there is an Edwin Swales VC Drive, a double highway connecting two parts of modern day Durban, there is also an annual Edwin Swales scholarship at Durban High School, and the Sam Browne belt worn by Edwin in his Natal Mounted Rifle days is displayed in a case in the High School.  Edwin’s uniform and replica medals are on display at the Military Museum at Johannesburg (his actual medals are also kept there locked in a safe). More recently, in 1990, a new branch of the Bank, where Edwin worked after he left school, now called the First National Bank was named after him.

Details of Last Operation:
Lancaster Mk III PB538 of No 582 (Pathfinder) Squadron markings 60-M.

Date: 23-Feb-1945 / 24-Feb-1945
Target: Pforzheim
Aircraft Based: RAF Little Staughton

Captain: Capt Edwin Swales DFC SAAF (Killed)
Crew: Flight Sergeant G W Bennington DFM
Squadron Leader D P D Archer DSO DFC
Pilot Officer R A Wheaton RAAF
Flight Sergeant C Dodson DSO DFC
Pilot Officer A V Goodacre RAAF
Flight Sergeant B Leach
Pilot Officer N Bourne RCAF

Details: Took off at Little Staughton as Master Bomber. Attacked over the target by an Me110 (possibly, Hptm Gerhard Friedrich, II/NJG1) whose fire shattered one engine and holed the fuel tanks. Attacked again by the fighter, which knocked out a second engine. Homebound, lost height and eventually ordered the crew to bale out, holding the aircraft steady as they did so. Hit high-tension cables and exploded at Valenciennes, before the pilot could escape. Posthumous VC gazetted 24 April 1945, the only SAAF airman to be so decorated. Buried Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.

Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
(Extract from the London Gazette of 23rd February 1945)

'This officer was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne in December 1944.  When approaching the target intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered.  Despite this a good bombing attack was executed.  Soon afterwards the aircraft was attacked by five aircraft.  In the ensuing flights, Captain Swales manoeuvred with great skill.  As a result his gunners were able to bring effective fire to bear upon the attackers, one of which is believed to have been shot down.  Throughout this spirited action Captain Swales displayed exceptional coolness and captaincy, setting a very fine example.  This officer has completed very many sorties during which he has attached a variety of enemy targets.'

Citation for Victoria Cross (VC)
(Extract from the London Gazette of Friday 24th April 1945)

'The King has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the under mentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: - Captain Edwin Swales, DFC (610IV), South African Air Force, No.582 Squadron (Deceased)  Intrepid in the attack, courageous in the face of danger, he did his duty to the last, giving his life that his comrades might live.

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