Flight to Poland for WWII veteran

Mills Bomb Shellhole’s, Euverard Coetzee has been invited to Poland by the Warsaw Flight Commemoration organising committee to attend the anniversary commemoration on 1 August for all those who died for the freedom of Poland and its capital city during World War II. Euverard was ground crew chief of the South African Air Force’s 34th Squadron. “I was just doing my job, I never hated the Germans but I didn’t like the Nazis very much,” said Euverard.

The Warsaw Uprising was a 63-day long effort to liberate Warsaw from Nazi occupation.

At 24-years of age, Euverard joined the South African Air Force as an aircraft engineer to help in the war effort. He was a part of the team that dropped supplies off to citizens of Poland. “I remember not getting much sleep and the nostalgic part of the war was sending an aircraft into battle at midnight. Sometimes it wouldn’t return to its base,” said Euverard.

The young war recruit helped build landing barges for the Normandy landings in June 1944. Euverard also served in Palestine, Italy and Egypt. “A highlight for me was visiting the Holy City and swimming in the Dead Sea,” said Euverard. He wears his war medals with pride which includes an Italian Star, British war medal, SA Air Force medal, a medal for his war-time service (1939-1945) and a medal for long service.

Now, at 92-years old, Euverard is looking forward to taking his first flight on an aeroplane since 1946. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the commemoration,” said the veteran. Euverard’s son Rodney is really proud of his father’s achievements. “My dad has achieved so much in his life, not only as an aircraft engineer but also as a businessman running his own transport business,” said Rodney.
In June 1942, Euverard married Audrey and together they three children. Euverard moved to Flame Lilly in May 2012.