Jimmy Durrant

Major General James Thom Durrant (191315 October 1990) was a highly successful South African pilot during World War II who eventually became the Director-General of the South African Air Force. In addition to commanding SAAF squadrons and wings, he also commanded RAF bomber groups. At the age of 32, he was the youngest Major-General in the Allied forces. He resigned from the SAAF as a result of the de-anglicisation policy instituted by Frans Erasmus of the National Party after they took power after the 1948 general election.

Early life James Thom Durrant was born in Johannesburg and educated at St John's College.

Military career He joined the South African Air Force Reserve at the age of 19. In 193334, he successfully completed a Permanent Force Cadet Course, whereafter he served in the South African Air Force and qualified as a pilot. He passed a special course at the at RAF Farnborough, the school which TE Lawrence had attended in 1922.

He returned to the Union, where he did aerial survey work. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in November 1934. which he commanded in East Africa from May 1940September 1941 when he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and appointed officer commanding 24 Squadron SAAF. He commanded this squadron throughout the bitter fighting in the Western Desert Campaign in 194142. he was seconded to RAF Bomber Command and placed in command of No. 205 Group RAF with the rank of brigadier.

In 1945, he was posted to the Far East as AOC No. 231 Heavy Bomber Group, RAF, with the rank of major-general.

Warsaw was about from the UK on the great circle course, but in order to avoid the defences of the Reich a detour would be near to 1100, and a return journey of was out of the question. Churchill then ordered that relief be flown to Warsaw from Italy which is a little closer, some on the great circle thus requiring a return journey of almost . This would have led right over heavily defended points but was the most realistic compromise.

Resignation He resigned from the South African Air Force on 29 February 1952

Honours and awards It was for his participation in the Abyssinian campaign that he gained the DFC.

He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath, CB.

In August 1946, Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park , Allied Air Commander-in-Chief, South East Asia included the following in his report, Air Operations in South East Asia 3 May 1945 to 12 September 1945, to the Secretary of State for Air commenting on the successful sinking of a 10 000 ton Japanese tanker by the air forces of 231 Group:

For this outstanding success I sent a message of congratulation to Major-General JT Durrant, SAAF, who, on June 15th, had assumed Command of 231 Group.

In 1994, the Polish Ambassador to South Africa, Mr S Cieniuch presented the to Durrant's widow.

He was also awarded the American Legion of Merit.

Other roles He served as a trustee of the South African National War Museum from October 1946December 1950. He was buried with full military honours from the Parktown Presbyterian Church on 19 October.

He was survived by his wife, Margaret, two sons and a stepson and stepdaughter.