Hugo Petrus
| Petrus Hendrik Hugo | |
|---|---|
Petrus Hugo c.1940s
|
|
| Born |
20 December 1917 Pampoenpoort, Victoria West |
| Died | 6 June 1986 (aged 68) Victoria West, Cape |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939–1950 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands held |
No. 322 Wing RAF No. 41 Squadron RAF No. 615 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Croix de guerre (France) |
Petrus Hendrik Hugo DSO, DFC & Two Bars American DFC, Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm (20 December 1917 – 6 June 1986) was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
Petrus Hendrik Hugo was born 20 December 1917 on the farm Pampoenpoort in the Victoria West district, Cape Province. He attended the Witwatersrand College of Aeronautical Engineering and in 1938 he went to the United Kingdom to attend the Civil Flying School at Sywell.
Hugo was awarded a Short Service Commission in the RAF in April 1939. His Afrikaans origins and pronounced accent soon earned him the nickname "Dutch", and he was known by this throughout his RAF career.
He served at No.13 Flying Training School for six months and was assessed "exceptional" at the end of his course. He attended the Fighter School at RAF St. Athan in Wales, and in December 1939, joined No. 615 Squadron RAF at Vitry, in France, equipped with the Gloster Gladiator.
In April 1940, the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. During the Battle of France, Hugo shot down a Heinkel He 111 bomber on 20 May 1940. 615 Squadron returned to the UK and were stationed at RAF Croydon and RAF Kenley.
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