DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Graham Pitchfork outlines the career of South Africa’s ‘Rosy’ du Toit
Colonel Stephanus F ‘Rosy’ du Toit was one of South Africa’s outstanding wartime fighter leaders who fought in Abyssinia, the North African desert and Italy, ending the war with his Spitfire Wing in Austria.
He was commissioned into the South African Air Force on September 6, 1939 and eventually joined 41 Squadron. At the time the unit flew Hawker Hartebeest biplanes in direct support of South African ground forces, throughout the little-known campaigns against the Italian East African Empire. For his services, du Toit was mentioned in despatches.
In July 1942, he joined 4 (SAAF) Squadron flying Kittyhawk fighter-bombers as part of the Allies’ Desert Air Force. In September he was promoted to major to command the squadron.
During the fierce fighting around Alam el Halfa, Egypt in September 1942 he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109. The following month he led his squadron to a notable victory when it intercepted a large force of Stuka dive-bombers with a heavy fighter escort. Two thirds of the Stukas were obliterated, one by du Toit. In a later attack against an enemy landing ground, his squadron dest…
