In May 1940, the squadron set off for East Africa. Numerous detachments saw action against the Italians, the squadron flying at various times, the Fury, Hurricane and Gladiator II. At the end of the East African campaign, it moved to Egypt in April 1941 to join the battles being fought in the Western Desert. Initially the squadron flew the Hurricane I, and later the IIa, II band I Ic; it then switched to Mk V, Mk VIII and Mk IX Spitfires, flying this type  until the end of World War II. By June 1943 No. 1 Squadron had left the desert and was in Malta.

From there it went to Sicily, and September 1943 was in Italy, where it remained until the end of hostilities. With 165 1/2 air victories, No. 1 was the SAAF's top-scoring squadron in the war. The squadron re-formed at Swartkop in 1946, flying Harvards until it moved to Waterkloof to take delivery of new Spitfire Xe's in June 1947. In 1950 these were replaced by Vampires, which were in turn replaced by Canadair Sabre 6s in September 1956. On January 1, 1951, No. 1 Squadron's Citizen Force element of part-time airmen broke away to be formed into No. 4 Squadron, flying Spitfires and Harvards. Late in 1963 No. 1 Squadron became the SAAF's sole Sabre operator when it received all those formerly flown by No. 2 Squadron, which had been re-equipped with Mirage lllCZs. Early in 1967 No. 1 Squadron moved from Waterkloof to AFB Pietersburg, flying a few Impala Mk Is in addition to its Sabres until the latter part of 1975, when it returned to Waterkloof - and was re-equipped with the new Mirage Fl AZs early in 1976. The first Officer Commanding the AZ squadron was Cmdt Willem Hechter. The first deployment to the operational area (SWA) was in November 1978. On January 14, 1981, it moved to AFB Hoedspruit where it remained until the retirement of the AZ in 1997. However, on 8 July 1981, two AZs were responsible for the interception of a Mig 17 of the Mozambique Air Force. The last flight in the Angola conflict was flown by a 1Sqdn AZ on 23 March 1988.  During the last deployment to South West Africa (lasting 7 months) the Mirages flew 683 sorties, conducted 144 air raids over a period of 191 days and delivered 3068 bombs. Remarkably more than 100 SAMs were fired at the South African Mirages, with only one fatality.  No 1 Sqdn received 2 awards for Operational Efficiency on squadron level in 1989 and 1994. On 22 September 1994, two AZs piloted by Maj Alan Brand and Capt Chris Pretorious took two examples of the New National flag, through twice the speed of sound. Afterwards the flags were presented to the Chief of the Air Force, Lt Gen James Kriel. One of the aircraft used was no 244. Only three pilots achieved more than a 1000 hours on the F1 AZ, Lt Col Normann Minni in June 1989, Lt Col Dolf Prinsloo in October 1995 and Maj Allan Brand on 20 January 1995.

"Ndizani":

Ndizani escorted by AZs from 1 Sqdn.

The "Billy Boys" nickname:

This is as a result of operations in the Western Desert during World War II. Whenever a South African pilot from 1 Sqdn, shot down an enemy aircraft, his fellow pilots would exultantly shout the Afrikaans expression "jou bielie" (roughly translated as "you clever chap"), over the radio. English been the language of the Allies this expression eventually became "billy" by the other Alled air forces. The nickname "Billy Boys" stuck to this day. One of the proud traditions of the Squadron was the call sign of the Officer Commanding the Squadron, namely: "Billy". Another tradition is the blue colour of the helmets - although under operational conditions this would be white (earlier years) and olive drab in recent years. 

In January 1997, 1 Sqdn from the RAF paid a courtesy call to 1 Sqdn SAAF at AFB Hoedspruit.

F1 AZ retirement:

Originally, it was planned to keep the F1AZ flying until the SAAF's latest fighter arrived (South Africa selected the Gripen). However the axe fell far sooner due to down-sizing and the necessity to incorporate the many thousands of liberation force and former TBVC soldiers into the SANDF. This placed a large burden on the military budget and the SAAF experienced a number of budget cuts. The closure of 1 Sqdn was perhaps the heaviest blow to the SAAF as it was the most senior flying unit with more than 50 years of proud history. Fortunately for the aircraft enthusiasts, Mirage F1AZ no 229 flown by the last "Billy" of 1 Sqdn, Lt. Col J. Minnie gave the last public flying demonstration at the Silver Queen airshow on 20 September 1997 - AFB Swartkop.No 229 was for a number of years the "mascot" of 1 Sqdn and retained the original camouflage colour scheme. It was a sad feeling to watch this beautiful aircraft being put through its passes for the final time.

F1 AZ no 229 gave the last public flying demonstration at the Silver Queen air show, Swartkops AFB on 20 September 1997 - flown by the last Billy, Lt Col Jan Minnie.

The official retirement of the F1AZ and the disbandment of "the Billy Boys" was on 25 November 1997 - AFB Hoedspruit. It was done in typical SAAF style and was by invitation only - only fitting for such an aircraft. The ceremony started with a mock air refuelling display between two AZs and a Boeing 707, which transported the VIPs to Hoedspruit. This final in-flight refuelling was a tribute to the in-flight refuelling aircraft that assisted the AZ over the years - at first the Buccaneer and later the Boeing 707. A King-Air from 41 Sqdn flew the Parade Revue officer, Maj Gen Roelf Beukes to Hoedspruit. Lt Gen Willem Hechter was unable to attend as he was summoned by President Mandela for an urgent financial meeting. The parade started with an immaculate 5 ship flypast. In his address, Lt Col Jan Minnie paid tribute to what became known as the F1 team - pilots, Squadron members, base personnel, the backup from Denel Aviation, Air logistics command and TFDC. The F1 team ensured, despite the aircraft's age, that they were in beautiful condition - almost as if they were delivered the previous day. On completion of the parade the five F1 AZs carried out a slow speed, dirty configuration fly-past. Before landing they carried out individual low level, high speed fly pasts. The aircraft taxied in to form a half circle around the saluting platform, where they carried out a synchronised shutdown. Lt Col Jan Minnie, then took off from the readiness shelter in a simulated scramble, before returning for an impressive low level display. His chosen aircraft was no 217 - the second F1AZ to fly in South Africa! After landing he taxied through the semi circle and finally stopped with his pitot almost touching the saluting base. Following AZs took part in the retirement ceremony 237, 236, 241, 220, 217, 225, 239 and 219. No 241 was one of two static aircraft with 217 the solo display aircraft.

The pilots that flew the last 5 ship formation: l-r Capt Spencer, Capt Williamsen, Maj Pretorius, Lt Col Potgieter, Capt Vasiljevic. Lt Col Potgieter is the SAAF's most experienced Mirage III pilot, with flying hours on all types.

The last Billy Lt Col Jan Minnie with his solo display aircraft - AZ no 217. Call sign Billy appeared in red the day before and in yellow on the day of the retirement ceremony, under the cockpit frame.

The engine shut down brought home the sickening truth that this beloved aircraft would no longer thunder through the South African skies. It was a very moving occasion and some hard combat veterans and aviation enthusiast could not help to hide the tears.....

Who could blame them - No other aircraft represent the SAAF's ultimate goal as the Mirage F1 did - to protect her country..... and the Mirage F1 did this proudly for almost 22 years!

Lt Col Jan Minnie saying farewell to the beloved Mirage F1. No 241 one of two static AZs.

In both cases of the F1 namely the CZ and AZ, equipment and personnel were transferred to 2 Squadron - home of the Cheetah. To this day many believe the retirement of the Mirage F1 from the SAAF was unfortunate and premature. The "Billy Boys" were South Africa's oldest Squadron and it is hoped that when the Gripen enter service, the "Billy Boys" would once again thunder through the South African skies.....