Going Solo

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the British Armed Forces, established toward the end of World War I. Its primary purpose is to defend the United Kingdom and its interests through air power. While the RAF is more known for defending England during the Battle of Britain, the war had multiple fronts. Dahl served in the RAF as a fighter pilot in the Middle East, a region where the RAF’s presence was crucial in maintaining Allied control and disrupting Axis operations.

Dahl expected to fly Hurricanes and Spitfires from the beginning, but defending England was considered the highest priority, and therefore, he was given an older plane. The RAF was stretched thin; at one point, the entirety of Greece was protected by seven planes. This scarcity of resources meant that pilots often faced overwhelming odds and had to rely on their wits and flying skills to survive.

The RAF insignia commanded respect and often provided its members with privileges that others did not have. Serving in the RAF was prestigious, even among other soldiers in the war. When Dahl returned to England, a group of soldiers was ready to attack him until they saw that “’Ee’s got ruddy wings on ’im!’” (207). It was also how he was able to get a free telephone call to his mother when he was invalided home in 1941.

David Coke was a fighter pilot in 80 Squadron, and he was Roald Dahl’s closest friend in the squadron. They shared moments of camaraderie and mutual support, from quiet conversations and shared meals under the olive trees to intense discussions about the grim reality of their missions. Coke’s wry sense of humor brought much-needed levity to their situation, even when they faced imminent danger.

Coke, showing his unwavering support and trust in Dahl’s judgment, was the only one to join him in flying out of Argos early. Though Coke believed that the pilots would be “dead within twenty four hours” (175), he was still willing to follow Dahl’s lead. As a result, he left Argos alive. His resilience and dedication were unwavering, but, like many of their comrades, Coke was eventually shot down and killed.

Mdisho was a young man from the Mwanumwezi, or Nyamwezi, tribe in East Africa. He served as Roald Dahl’s personal servant when Dahl worked for the Shell Company in Dar es Salaam, and Dahl considered him a close friend. Following the death of his parents before he turned 12, Mdisho was taken in by a District Officer and eventually became a house servant for the British, earning a valuable reference that helped him secure his position with Dahl.

His warrior instincts and loyalty to Dahl led him to interpret the impending war with Germany in a very direct and violent manner. This culminates in a dramatic incident where, believing he is aiding the war effort, Mdisho decapitates a German using Dahl’s sword. This act, while intended as a patriotic gesture, shows the cultural chasm between his understanding of conflict and the European rules of engagement Dahl tries to explain to him.

Dahl’s portrayal of Mdisho is imbued with a paternalistic racism that was typical of the colonial attitudes of the time. He often describes Mdisho in a manner that emphasizes his simplicity and naivety, positioning himself as the enlightened mentor who must guide the young African. This dynamic is evident in how Dahl takes credit for educating Mdisho, showcasing his benevolence while reinforcing a sense of superiority. Even as he expresses genuine affection for Mdisho, Dahl undermines his agency by framing his violent act against the German as a misguided but loyal gesture. Dahl’s mixed feelings of pride and horror at Mdisho’s actions reflect the broader ambivalence of colonial rule, where European powers simultaneously relied on and misunderstood their colonial subjects.

On Dahl’s voyage to Mombasa in 1938, he was joined by other British passengers, whom he named “Empire-builders.” Dahl’s interactions with them provided an early glimpse into the colonial world he would soon become a part of in East Africa. The Empire-builders included U. N. Savory, Major and Mrs. Griffiths, and Miss Trefusis.

U. N. Savory was Dahl’s bunkmate on the ship. He was the manager of a cotton mill in the Punjab, known for his peculiar habits, such as sprinkling Epsom salts on his shoulders to mimic dandruff, which he believed added authenticity to the wig he wore to cover his baldness. His behavior highlighted the eccentricities that Dahl found amusing and baffling among the Empire-builders.

Major and Mrs. Griffiths were another eccentric couple aboard the SS Mantola. Major Griffiths, a veteran of 36 years in India, engaged in naked morning runs around the deck, displaying a carefree and unembarrassed attitude that both shocked and fascinated Dahl. His wife, Mrs. Griffiths, joined him in these runs, equally unselfconscious, showing the couple’s adaptation to the isolated and permissive environment of the colonies.

Miss Trefusis owned a small coffee farm in Kenya. Her meticulous method of peeling an orange with a knife and fork, coupled with her disdain for using her fingers due to their “filth,” is included to show the peculiarities of the colonial elite. She taught Dahl about the role of native servants, or “boys,” who were essential to the daily lives of colonists, managing household tasks and ensuring the comfort of their employers.

Robert and Mary Sanford were a British couple living in a large house on a hill outside Tabora. Robert Sanford was a District Officer responsible for administering a vast area and maintaining law and order. He was well-educated and enjoyed the freedom and authority his position provided, although he missed the company of other Europeans. Mary Sanford, his wife, shared his adventurous spirit and practical approach to life in Africa. Together, they exemplified the self-reliant and authoritative nature of British colonial administrators. However, Robert Sanford also exhibited casual racism in his interactions with the local African population, viewing them as inherently inferior and often addressing them in a condescending manner. This attitude was reflective of the widespread racial prejudices that permeated the colonial mindset.