Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare and well documented Rhodesia Defence Cross for Distinguished Service pair awarded to Wing Commander J. E. Bennie, Rhodesian Air Force, a highly experienced pilot who took part in a number of operational sorties between 1974-76, and was directly involved in the deaths of over 20 terrorists

Rhodesia, Defence Cross for Distinguished Service, silver and enamel, reverse officially named ‘Wing Commd. J. E. Bennie’; Rhodesia, General Service Medal (Fg. Off. J. E. Bennie) generally very fine or better (2) £1800-2200

Defence Cross for Distinguished Service Rhodesia Government Gazette Extraordinary 1979:

‘Wing Commander J.E.Bennie, as a Squadron Leader commanded No 4 Squadron from August 1978 until June 1979. Earlier, as a Flight Lieutenant he served as the A Flight Commander on the Squadron from May 1975 until July 1976. During both these periods he was involved in the control and execution of many successful operations. Although he was faced as Squadron Commander with a growing administrative burden, as a result of the increasing involvement of his Squadron in the war effort, he maintained a high standard of operational efficiency in the Unit. His total commitment to the service has contributed significantly to the overall military effectiveness of the Security Forces.’

John E. Bennie joined the Royal Rhodesian Air Force, as an Officer Cadet, in 1964. He carried out initial training as a pilot with 4 Squadron (Provosts) at Thornhill, from August 1964. Bennie was posted to 2 Squadron (Vampires), also based at Thornhill, in January 1965. He gained his ‘Wings’, 1 July 1965, winning the Sword of Honour during the process. Bennie returned to 4 Squadron having advanced to Pilot Officer, and served with the Squadron until his transfer to 1 Squadron (Vampires and Hunters) in December 1966.

Having advanced to Flying Officer, Bennie transferred to 6 Squadron (Vampires) in September 1968. He was posted as Flight Lieutenant to 5 Squadron (Canberras) in February 1972, and was responsible for Ground Training/Survival from May 1973 as well as carrying out his flying duties. He flew operationally between 1974-1976, transferring back to 4 Squadron in February 1975. Bennie served as a Flight Commander from May 1975, and Rhodesian Air Force - Air Strike Log records several sorties in which he was involved, including as pilot of one of seven aircraft, 14 May 1976:

‘north west of Mt. Darwin. 38 x 20mm cannon shells, 8 frantan, 140 x 37mm SNEB rockets, 300 x 7.62mm MAG. Six terr. killed, one captured. G-Car 5773 was hit twice by ground fire. Provost 3163 was also hit. Captain Len Pitch wounded, but died subsequent to his casevac.’

Four days later, still flying a Reims Cessna Lynx, Bennie flew solo over the same position and killed a terrorist. Later the same day he flew with three over aircraft south east of Rushinga, and killed a further two terrorists. Bennie flew in a number of operations throughout June 1976, and was involved in killing at least 17 terrorists.

Bennie was promoted Squadron Leader, and was engaged in training the British South Africa Police Air Wing for air reconnaissance in 1977. The Commissioner of Police wrote to Air Marshal Mussell as follows:

‘As you know, members of the Air Wing have been training in air reconnaissance for the past six months under a team commanded by Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer.

Some 80 personnel have completed training and we now have a viable reconnaissance unit within our Air Wing organisation. These operations have exceeded all expectations, some 50 terrorists having been eliminated as a direct result of air reconnaissance.

My staff and our Air Wing crews cannot speak too highly of the enthusiasm with which Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer and his team went about their task and their untiring efforts were most appreciated.

Please convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer and those other Air Force members for a job well done.’

The above was appended by Mussell to Bennie, ‘I congratulate you on your performance, and thank you for your efforts on behalf of this Force.’

Bennie commanded 4 Squadron from August 1978 - June 1979. He retired as Wing Commander 10 December 1979, having flown Vampire, Provost, Canberra, Hunter, Trojan and Cessna aircraft during the course of his career. He was also a member of the Combined Services Shooting Team.

1 of only 19 Defence Cross’s for Distinguished Service awarded, 12 of which were awarded to the Air Force.

Sold with the following original items and documents: three Pilots Flying Log Books (10 October 1964 - 28 February 1968, 23 September 1968 - 27 February 1973 and 1 March 1973 - 28 August 1979), 1st R.A.F. issue, others Royal Rhodesian Air Force issue, the 2nd has had several unused pages at the back coloured in by a child; Rhodesian Air Force Pilot’s Certificate of Competence; signed Government House enclosure for the award of the D.C.D., dated 9 October 1919; letter of congratulation from Air Vice-Marshal C. W. Dams, O.L.M. on the occasion of the recipient’s award of the D.C.D., dated 8 November 1979; letter of congratulation from Group Captain H. Slatter on the occasion of recipient’s promotion as Officer Commanding Air Det Grapple, dated 2 July 1979; letter of appreciation from Air Marshal F. W. Mussell, O.L.M., dated 4 October 1977; and copied research including photographic images of recipient in uniform.