Jimmy Durrant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Thom Durrant
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| Nickname(s) | Jimmy |
| Born | 5 May 1913 |
| Died | 15 October 1990 (aged 77) Parktown North, Johannesburg |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service/ |
 South African Air Force |
| Years of service | 1933–1952 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
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| Awards |     |
| Relations |
Margaret Durrant
(no value)Two sons, a stepson and stepdaughter |
| Other work |
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Major General James Thom Durrant (1913 – 15 October 1990) was a very successful South African pilot. He flew planes during World War II. He later became the head of the South African Air Force (SAAF).
Durrant commanded both South African and British (RAF) bomber groups. At just 32 years old, he was the youngest Major General among the Allied forces. He left the SAAF because of new government policies after 1948.
Contents
Early Life and Training
James Thom Durrant was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He went to school at St John's College.
He joined the South African Air Force Reserve when he was 19. In 1933, he finished a special cadet course. After that, he became a pilot in the South African Air Force. He also took a special photography course at the British RAF Photographic School.
He returned to South Africa to do aerial survey work. This means he flew planes to take pictures of the land. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in November 1934.
Military Career Highlights
Before World War II started, Durrant held several jobs. He was a very good flying instructor. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1936 and to Flight Commander in 1937. In 1938, he became a Captain and moved to Waterkloof Air Station.
When World War II began, he became a Major. He led a Photo Flight unit. Later, he commanded No. 40 Squadron SAAF. He led this squadron in East Africa from May 1940 to September 1941.
He was then promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. He took command of 24 Squadron SAAF. He led this squadron during tough battles in the Western Desert Campaign from 1941 to 1942.
Next, he became a Colonel. He was put in charge of the 3 (Bomber) Wing SAAF. This group fought in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.
In 1944, he joined the British RAF Bomber Command. He was given command of 205 Group RAF as a Brigadier.
In 1945, he moved to the Far East. He became the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of No. 231 Heavy Bomber Group, RAF. He held the rank of Major-General. At 32, he was the youngest Major General in all the Allied forces.
In 1946, he became the Director-General of the South African Air Force. He also completed a special course at the Imperial Defence College in 1951.
Helping Warsaw During the War
In August 1944, people in Warsaw, Poland, started an uprising against the German army. The Polish Home Army fought bravely. They took control of most of Warsaw in five days. But the promised help from Russia never came. The Germans got stronger, and the Polish fighters ran low on food and ammunition.
The Polish people asked for help from the Allies. But the leader of Russia, Stalin, would not let British planes land behind Russian lines. This made it very hard to get supplies to Warsaw.
Warsaw was about 1,460 kilometers (910 miles) from the United Kingdom. Flying there and back, avoiding German defenses, was too far for planes. So, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered supplies to be flown from Italy. Italy was closer, about 1,310 kilometers (815 miles) away. This flight was still very dangerous, as it went over heavily defended areas.
Major General Durrant met with Churchill. He explained that flying supplies 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) over enemy land was very risky. He said many planes and pilots would be lost. Churchill told him that even though it was hard militarily, it was important politically. He ordered Durrant to continue the missions.
So, Durrant and his volunteer pilots made 196 trips to Warsaw. They flew for 11 hours over mountains. Then they flew very low, at rooftop height, to drop containers. These containers held guns, ammunition, and food for the Polish fighters.
Out of 80 aircraft that took part, 31 were shot down. Seventeen of these planes were lost in just one weekend in August.
Leaving the Air Force
Major General Durrant left the South African Air Force on February 29, 1952. He said he had "irreconcilable differences with the Minister of Defence." This means he had strong disagreements with the government's defense minister, Frans Erasmus.
Durrant felt that politics were unfairly influencing the military. He heard a senior officer say he was "100 percent Nationalist" and acted in the minister's interest. When Durrant objected, he was told such political statements were allowed.
Awards and Recognition
James Durrant received several important awards for his bravery and service.
He earned the DFC for his actions in the Abyssinian campaign. He was also made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, known as CB.
In 1946, a top British Air Marshal, Sir Keith Park, praised Durrant. He mentioned Durrant's success in sinking a large Japanese tanker.
In 1994, the Polish Ambassador to South Africa gave Durrant's wife the Warsaw Insurrectionary Cross. This was to honor Durrant's help during the Warsaw Uprising. He also received the American Legion of Merit.
Order of the Bath (Companion) (CB)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) (DFC)
War Medal 1939 – 1945 (Mentioned in Dispatches) (MID)
Legion of Merit (LOM) (USA)
Other Important Roles
After leaving the Air Force, Durrant became successful in business. He also served as a trustee for the South African National War Museum. He held this role from 1946 to 1950.
He was elected as a Councillor in the Johannesburg City Council. He served on the Council from 1969 to 1977. In 1970, he rejoined the museum's board of trustees as a city representative.
Durrant cared deeply about military history. He was very active in a committee that wrote histories of South Africa's role in World War II.
Death
James Thom Durrant passed away at his home in Johannesburg on October 15, 1990. He was 77 years old. He had a short illness.
He was buried with full military honors on October 19. His wife, Margaret, two sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter survived him.
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