Christoffel Venter
Major-General Christoffel 'Boetie' Venter, was a South African military commander.
Military career
He joined the 7 Mounted Rifles in 1912 then the 5 SAMR in August 1914 for service in South West Africa. He joined 1 South African Infantry Battalion in 1916 and served in France until he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in February 1917. He was shot down and captured in 1918. He won the DFC and bar and was credited with 16 aerial victories, and joined the South African Air Force in 1922.He commanded 1 Squadron SAAF and served as Officer Commanding Wits Command in 1936.
He was from 1940 to 1945. After World War II, he was managing director of South African Airways.
Honours and awards
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Then Major General Venter was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath on 1 January 1944The notice in the London Gazette reads as follows:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant Venter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1918. The notice in the London Gazette reads as follows:Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
In November 1918 he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying CrossThe notice in the London Gazette reads as follows: