Where was Raf NDOLA?

Answer 1

Ndola was not an RAF station as such but was an RAF detachment for the following reason. In 1965 Ian Smith was re-elected as prime minister of Rhodesia and declared UDI on 11th November. The British government established an oil embargo of Rhodesia which badly affected landlocked Zambia resulting in a decision to supply the country with oil. There was very poor communication by road so air lift was required using Bristol Britanias of 99 squadron from Lyneham and known as 'The Oil Lift'. A Javelin fighter squadron was sent to Lusaka airport together with radar and RAF Regiment for security. At the end of November aircraft and crews were detached to Nairobi. The emergency calmed and the aircraft and crews returned to UK, but they returned and the embargo was re-enstated on 21st December. Over 100 Britania air and ground crew left for Dar es Salaam to form the oil lift detachment, staying untill 31st August 1966. Six aircraft and 12 crews formed the air side and 50 technicians and air movements staff completed it.

At Lusaka the Javelins crews discovered the sub standard nature of the airfield if they did not fly, or at least, move the aircraft as they started to sink into the concrete! Ndola was a similar airfield 180 miles north of Lusaka which resulted in carrying loads alternately to both airfields. The Tanzanians were rather nervous with this activity so crews were told to wear civilian clothes until the UK withdrawal on January 4th to Nairobi which continued as the springboard to Zambia. The six aircraft flew2 sorties each day carrying 56 x 44 gallon drums each. It all ended in October 1966 with 10,000 hours flown.