Military Despatches Vol 35 May 2020

Warriors Ten exceptional warriors in history

RIP General Viljoen Soldier, scholar, politician and a gentleman

Erwin Rommel We take a closer look at the Desert Fox

Operation Thunderbolt One of the most audacious operations of all time

For the military enthusiast CONTENTS May 2020

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Hipe’s Wouter de The old South African Goede interviews former Defence Force used 28’s gang boss David a mixture of English, Williams. Afrikaans, slang and techno-speak that few Indian Special Forces outside the military could hope to under- stand. Some of the terms Features 34 were humorous, some A matter of survival were clever, while others 6 This month we look at setting were downright crude. Ten exceptional warriors up camp and making shelters. Every war produces leaders, heroes and great warriors. In Part of Hipe’s “On the this article we take a look at ten 36 couch” series, this is an great warriors in ancient histo- interview with one of ry. Ranks This month we look at the ranks author Herman Charles 20 26 of the Indian Army. Bosman’s most famous The Zimmerman Telegram Ninja - fact or fiction characters, Oom Schalk What was the Zimmerman Tele- Who were the ninja? Were they gram and why was it, probably, A taxi driver was shot Lourens. Hipe spent time in real, or something dreamt up by the most significant Intelligence Hanover Park, an area Hollywood script writers? In dead in an ongoing coup of World War I? Quiz war between rival taxi plagued with gang this article we look at the histor- violence, to view first- ic ninja and try to separate fact organisations. 24 from fiction. 13 hand how Project Show a little respect 32 Ranks Ceasefire is dealing with When Ryan Murphy had the This month we’re looking at the situation. opportunity to visit Auschwitz General Constant Viljoen military ranks. We show you 15 he was left feeling sick to the On 3 April 2020, South Africa tanks, you tell us what they are. Hipe TV brings you videos ranging from actuality to humour and every- stomach. Not just by what had lost a soldier, scholar, politician, And this one isn’t as easy as thing in between. Interviews, mini-documentaries and much more. happened at Auschwitz, but by and a gentleman when Constant you think. But, they’ve all been the behaviour of the tourists vis- Viljoen answered the Sunset featured in past issues. Check out Hipe TV and remember to like, comment, share and subscribe. iting this place of sorrow. Call. We will remember him. 00 3 CONTENTS Page 66

Editor’s PUBLISHER Sitrep Hipe Media EDITOR Matt Tennyson

PHOTO EDITOR t was Robert Burns that aid, He doesn’t even want to an- Regine Lord “The best-laid plans of mice swer his phone because he’s CONTRIBUTORS and men often go awry.” convinced that the virus can May in military history I Kevin Ashton, Raymond Fletch- I’m not sure if I’m a man or travel over the phone and infect er, Regine Lord, Ryan Murphy, a mouse, but lately I’ve had this him. Matt O’Brien, Matt Tennyson. strange craving for cheese. Eventually, in the early hours Head-to-Head Forged in Battle Book Review As you may have noticed, this of this morning, I decided to re- Military Despatches is pub- 40 50 65 issue of Military Despatches print three articles from past is- lished on-line every month. A Greater Share of Honour is only coming out on the 2nd sues. It was either that, or not get Strongest military forces Tiger 1 The articles used in Military The Memoirs of a Recce Officer of the month. This first time in an issue of Military Despatches Despatches are copyrighted This month we take a look at Tiger! The very name was enough to invoke fear, the Tiger by Major Jack Greef. An excel- nearly three years that this has out this month. and may not be used without the attack helicopters of the ten was both respected and feared. lent read. happened. And trust me, I’ve already had prior permission from the edi- strongest military forces in the What happened was that three a number of e-mails from read- tor. world. days before deadline I had a ers asking where the May issue The views stated in this mag- problem with the software that I is. Well here it is. azine do not necessary reflect Famous Figures Battlefield Front Cover use to do the layout of the mag- Talking about lockdown, I’m the views of Hipe!, the editor, 56 azine. getting a bit gatvol of it. Not the the staff, or Hipe Media. 46 General Constant Viljoen We’ve had problems before, actual lockdown, but the uncer- Erwin Rommel Operation Thunderbolt was guest speaker at the 2011 but we’ve always managed to tainty behind everything. First Hipe! One of the best generals of Israeli commandos travel 5,000 MOTH Border Boys Parade in get it sorted out before deadline. the government says one thing, P.O. Box 31216, Tokai, 7966 World War II, a man that was km to carry out an audacious Cape Town. This time, however, it was a dif- then they change their mind just South Africa. respected by both friend and hostage rescue. ferent story. as quickly. foe, the Desert Fox was a Normally I phone my comput- The president makes a state- email man to be reckoned with. Gaming er guy and tell him to come and ment and a few days later the [email protected] fix, pronto. And, to his credit, he minister of funny hats overturns 62 does. the decision. Who is actually Back Issues Jagged Alliance: BIA Now with our national lock- running the country? To view any back issues of Lead a group of mercenaries to down it is not that easy to get I should get my software sort- Military Despatches, go to free an island nation. things done. Especially with my ed out soon and the I guess I will www.militarydespatches.co.za Movie Review computer guy. have to start on the June issue. or click here. Look, he’s a nice enough fel- Until next time. low, but if you look up the word 64 paranoia in the dictionary you A Bridge Too Far will see a photograph of him Epic film about Operation Mar- there. Matt ket Garden. 4 5 Top Ten Top Ten from 336 to 323 BC, during battles of Issus and Gaugamela. its supremacy over Italy. A Ten exceptional warriors in history which he built one of the an- He subsequently overthrew lthough Rome had won the cient world’s largest, albeit Persian King Darius III and con- First Punic War, revanchism Every war produces leaders, heroes and great warriors. In this article we take a look at ten great short-lived, empires and was quered the Achaemenid Empire prevailed in Carthage, symbol- warriors in ancient history. one of the most successful mil- in its entirety. At that point, his ised by the alleged pledge that itary leaders in history, being empire stretched from the Adri- Hannibal made to his father undefeated in battle. atic Sea to the Beas River. never to be a friend of Rome. ars have been around At the Battle of Thermopylae At the Hot Gates the Greeks His was not one of those rags- Among the titles claimed by The Second Punic War broke as long as there has the Spartans make a stand in a under Leonidas held off the to-riches stories as he came Alexander were King of Mac- out in 218 after Hannibal’s at- Wbeen recorded his- narrow pass known as ‘The Hot Persians for a week before they from what we would term today edon, Hegemon of Hellenic tack on Saguntum, an ally of tory. And they were probably Gates’. were betrayed by a local resi- a privileged background. League, Strategos autokrator Rome in Hispania. He then around long before history be- The Spartans hold off the Per- dent who showed the Persians As a child he was tutored of Greece, King of Persia, and made his famous military ex- gan to be recorded. sian army for a week, inflicting a route whereby they could out- by none other than Aristotle, Lord of Asia. ploit of carrying war to Italy by And as long as there have huge casualties on them. They flank the Greeks. which will have no doubt giv- He died from a fever at the age crossing the Alps with his Afri- been wars they have produced are then betrayed by Ephialtes, At that point Leonidas sent en him exceptional abilities to of only 32. Unfortunately after can elephants. leaders and followers, heroes a deformed Spartan whose par- away all Greek troops and re- think well. his death his empire was torn In his first few years in Italy, and villains, and some great ents fled Sparta to spare him mained in the pass with his 300 After his father, Philip II, was apart by civil wars that ended in he won a succession of dramat- warriors. Some men, and wom- certain infanticide. Spartans. assassinated, Alexander suc- a number of states ruled by the ic victories at the Trebia, Lake en for that matter, seem to be Ephialtes asks to redeem his What the movie doesn’t tell ceeded his father to the throne. various surviving generals and Trasimene, and Cannae. He born for battle. father’s name by joining Le- us was that Leonidas also had He was just 20 at the time. Alexander’s heirs. distinguished himself for his In this article we will look at onidas’ army. Although sym- 900 helots, 400 Thebans and He was fortunate enough to However, Alexander’s legacy ability to determine his and his ten ancient warriors that have pathetic, Leonidas rejects him 700 Thespians. That adds up to inherit not only a strong king- lives on. Some 20 cities found- opponent’s respective strengths been immortalised in history. since his deformity physically 2,300 men. dom, but a highly experienced ed by him bore his name, nota- and weaknesses, and to plan All of them are before the prevents him from holding his Leonidas and most of the re- army as well. bly Alexandria in Egypt. Much battles accordingly. Hannibal’s fourteenth century. Back then shield high enough, potential- maining Greeks were killed but He spent most of his ruling of the Hellenistic civilisation well-planned strategies allowed their was no Kevlar body ar- ly compromising the phalanx they succeeded in allowing the years on an unprecedented mil- grew out of his spreading Greek him to conquer several Italian mour, automatic assault rifles formation, and Ephialtes is en- rest of the army to get away. itary campaign through western culture in the east, and his tac- cities allied to Rome. and smart bombs. Fighting was raged. The following year a return Asia and northeast Africa, and tics are still taught in military Hannibal occupied most of normally up close and personal, Ephialtes shows the Persians engagement saw the Greeks by the age of thirty, he had cre- academies around the world. southern Italy for 15 years, but using swords, bows, spears and a secret route that they can take soundly thrashing the Persians ated one of the largest empires could not win a decisive victo- axes. to outflank the Spartans and at the Battle of Plataea, ending of the ancient world, stretching 8. Hannibal Barca ry, as the Romans led by Fabius The list is in chronological eventually overwhelm them. their invasive tendencies for the from Greece to northwestern Born in 247 BC, Hannibal Maximus avoided confronta- order. History, however, tells the time being. India. came from a family of warriors. tion with him, instead waging a story a little differently. Leonidas reigned from 489 Alexander was awarded the His father, Hamilcar Barca, was war of attrition. 10. Leonidas I of Sparta There was a Battle of Ther- BC until the time of his death generalship of Greece and used a leading Carthaginian com- A counter-invasion of North Many of our readers will mopylae and it was where Le- in 480 BC. He was 60 years old this authority to launch his fa- mander during the First Punic Africa led by Scipio Afri- have no doubt seen the movie onidas proved his worth as a when he died. ther’s pan-Hellenic project to War (264–241 BC). His young- canus forced him to return to 300 in which the role of King warrior. lead the Greeks in the conquest er brothers, Mago and Hasdru- Carthage. Scipio eventually de- Leonidas of Sparta was played Leonidas led the combined 9. Alexander the Great of Persia. ba, and his brother-in-law, Has- feated Hannibal at the Battle of by Gerard Butler. armies of the alliance of Greek History usually doesn’t give In 334 BC, he invaded the drubal the Fair, all commanded Zama, having previously driven In the movie, Leonidas leads city states. An army of around someone the moniker “the Achaemenid Empire (Persian Carthaginian armies. Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal a group of 300 Spartans against 7,000 men. A total of 300 men great” without reason, and there Empire) and began a series of Hannibal lived during a pe- out of the Iberian Peninsula. the armies of Xerxes I in 480 of this army were from Sparta. were more than enough reasons campaigns that lasted 10 years. riod of great tension in the After the war, Hannibal suc- BC. They faced the armies of to give this title to Alexander. Following the conquest of western Mediterranean Basin, cessfully ran for the office of The film depicts Xerxes of Xerxes I which totalled around Alexander III of Macedon Anatolia, Alexander broke the triggered by the emergence of sufet (community leader). He having an army of over one 150,000 troops, and not one ruled his ancient Grecian state power of Persia in a series of de- the Roman Republic as a great enacted political and financial million troops. million as the movie suggests. of Macedon for thirteen years cisive battles, most notably the power after it had established reforms to enable the payment 6 7 Top Ten Top Ten of the war indemnity imposed Optimates within the Roman mental reforms, including the and her daughters raped. by Rome; however, those re- Senate, among them Cato the creation of the Julian calendar. Cassius Dio explains Boud- forms were unpopular with Younger with the frequent sup- He gave citizenship to many ica’s response by saying that members of the Carthaginian port of Cicero. Caesar rose to residents of far regions of the previous imperial donations to aristocracy and in Rome, and become one of the most pow- Roman Republic. He initiat- influential Britons were confis- he fled into voluntary exile. erful politicians in the Roman ed land reform and support for cated and the Roman financier During this time, he lived at Republic through a number of veterans. He centralized the and philosopher Seneca called the Seleucid court, where he his accomplishments, notably bureaucracy of the Republic in the loans he had forced on acted as military advisor to An- his victories in the Gallic Wars, and was eventually proclaimed the reluctant Britons. tiochus III the Great in his war completed by 51 BC. “dictator for life” (Latin: “dic- Now, as history recounts, against Rome. Antiochus met During this time, Caesar be- tator perpetuo”), giving him ad- Boudica was the wrong Celt defeat at the Battle of Magne- came the first Roman general to ditional authority. to mess with. She put together sia and was forced to accept cross both the English Channel His populist and authoritar- an army of the Iceni, the Trino- Rome’s terms, and Hannibal and the Rhine River, when he ian reforms angered the elites, vantes and others, determined fled again, making a stop in the built a bridge across the Rhine who began to conspire against to exact revenge on the Ro- Kingdom of Armenia. and crossed the Channel to in- him. On the Ides of March (15 mans. His flight ended in the court vade Britain. March), 44 BC, Caesar was In AD 60 or 61, when the Ro- of Bithynia. He was afterwards Caesar’s wars extended assassinated by a group of re- man governor Gaius Suetonius betrayed to the Romans and Rome’s territory to Britain and bellious senators led by Gaius Paulinus was campaigning on committed suicide by poison- past Gaul. These achievements Cassius Longinus, Marcus Ju- the island of Mona (modern ing himself. He was 64 years granted him unmatched mili- nius Brutus and Decimus Juni- WARRIOR QUEEN: A statue of Boudica in London, a city she Anglesey) on the northwest old. tary power and threatened to us Brutus, who stabbed him to once burned to the ground. She is regarded as a British folk coast of Wales, Boudica led the Hannibal is often regarded eclipse the standing of Pompey, death. heroine. Iceni, the Trinovantes, and oth- as one of the greatest military who had realigned himself with ers in revolt. Interestingly, most reports known from his own accounts ern era. strategists in history and one of the Senate after the death of They destroyed Camulo- that Caesar said nothing as he of his military campaigns the greatest generals of Medi- Crassus in 53 BC. dunum (modern Colchester), was stabbed, with some saying and from other contemporary 6. Boudica terranean antiquity. With the Gallic Wars conclud- he said “Et tu, puero?” (You earlier the capital of the Trino- sources, mainly the letters and Boudica or Boudicca was ed, the Senate ordered Caesar too, child?”). Yet none of the vantes but at that time a colo- speeches of Cicero and the his- a queen of the British Celtic 7. Julius Caesar to step down from his military reports claim that he said any- nia, a settlement for discharged torical writings of Sallust. The Iceni tribe who led an uprising command and return to Rome. thing about Brutus. It’s thought Roman soldiers and site of a Born June 100 BC, Gaius later biographies of Caesar by against the occupying forces of Leaving his command in Gaul that Shakespeare perpetuated temple to the former Emperor Julius Caesar was a Roman Suetonius and Plutarch are also the Roman Empire in AD 60 or meant losing his immunity from the phrase “You too Brutus?” Claudius. statesman and military gener- major sources. 61. being charged as a criminal for in his play simply because the Upon hearing of the revolt, al who played a critical role in Caesar is considered by many Boudica’s husband Prasuta- waging unsanctioned wars. phrase was popular when he Suetonius hurried to Londinium the events that led to the demise historians to be one of the great- gus, with whom she had two As a result, Caesar found him- wrote it. (modern London), the 20-year- of the Roman Republic and the est military commanders in his- daughters whose names are self with no other options but to A new series of civil wars old commercial settlement that rise of the Roman Empire. He tory. His cognomen was subse- unknown, ruled as a nominal- cross the Rubicon with the 13th broke out and the constitution- was the rebels’ next target. He was also a historian and author quently adopted as a synonym ly independent ally of Rome, Legion in 49 BC, leaving his al government of the Republic lacked sufficient numbers to of Latin prose. Both his fa- for “Emperor”; the title “Cae- and left his kingdom jointly to province and illegally entering was never fully restored. Cae- defend the settlement, and he ther and grandfather were also sar” was used throughout the his daughters and to the Roman Roman Italy under arms. This sar’s adopted heir Octavian, lat- evacuated and abandoned Lond- named Gaius Julius Caesar. Roman Empire, giving rise to emperor in his will. began Caesar’s civil war, and er known as Augustus, rose to inium. Boudica led a very large In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus modern cognates such as Kai- However, when he died, his victory in the war by 45 BC sole power after defeating his army of Iceni, Trinovantes, and and Pompey formed the First ser and Tsar. He has frequently his will was ignored, and the put him in an unrivalled posi- opponents in the civil war. Oc- others against a detachment of Triumvirate, a political alli- appeared in literary and artistic kingdom was annexed and his tion of power and influence. tavian set about solidifying his Legio IX Hispana, defeating ance that dominated Roman works, and his political philos- property taken. According to After assuming control of power, and the era of the Ro- them, and burning Londinium politics for several years. Their ophy, known as Caesarism, in- Tacitus, a Roman historian and government, Caesar began a man Empire began. and Verulamium. attempts to amass power as spired politicians into the mod- politician, Boudica was flogged Populares were opposed by the program of social and govern- Much of Caesar’s life is An estimated 70,000–80,000 8 9 Top Ten Top Ten

Romans and British were then ened Attila to invade the West. was the founder of his Ayyubid some sources, but not all) to be killed in the three cities by He also attempted to conquer dynasty and the first Sultan of a boy. those following Boudica, many Roman Gaul (modern France), Syria and Egypit. A Kurdish He said Richard had killed by torture. crossing the Rhine in 451 and Muslim who led the Muslim ar- his father and two brothers, and Suetonius, meanwhile, re- marching as far as Aurelianum mies victorious against the Eu- that he had killed Richard in re- grouped his forces, possibly (Orléans) before being stopped ropean Crusaders. At its height venge. He expected to be exe- in the West Midlands; despite in the Battle of the Catalaunian his empire included a large part cuted, but as a final act of mer- being heavily outnumbered, he Plains. of North African and a chunk of cy Richard forgave him, saying decisively defeated the Britons. He subsequently invaded It- the Middle East as well. “Live on, and by my bounty be- The crisis caused Nero to aly, devastating the northern Born a commoner, he worked hold the light of day”, before he consider withdrawing all Ro- provinces, but was unable to his way up the ranks of the gov- ordered the boy to be freed and man forces from Britain, but take Rome. He planned for fur- ernment by military successes. sent away with 100 shillings. Suetonius’ victory over Boudi- ther campaigns against the Ro- It also helped that he knew the Richard the Lionheart was only ca confirmed Roman control of mans, but died in 453. caliph al-Adid. 41 when he died. the province. After Attila’s death, his close He became vizier, then on the Boudica then either killed adviser, Ardaric of the Gepids, caliph’s death in 1171 he began 2. Genghis Khan herself to avoid capture (ac- led a Germanic revolt against to take over the government, at Genghis Khan was actually cording to Tacitus), or died of Hunnic rule, after which the the same time personally lead- WARRIOR QUEEN: The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in the his title, not his name. He was illness (according to Cassius Hunnic Empire quickly col- ing major military campaigns town of Ejin Horo Banner, Inner Mongolia, China born Temüjin Borjigin and he Dio). lapsed. that resulted in him being de- would go on to found the Mon- What is interesting is the clared ‘Sultan of Egypt and gol Empire. It would go on to 5. Attila the Hun manner in which Attila died. In Syria in 1175. itary leader and warrior. Following his accession, he become the largest empire ever Attila, frequently called Atti- 453 AD, Attila married a young Despite his warlike tenden- He is one of the few English spent very little time, perhaps known. la the Hun, was the ruler of the girl named Ildico. Despite his cies, his chivalrous and noble kings remembered mostly by a as little as six months, in Eng- After founding the Empire Huns from 434 until his death reputation for ferocity on the behaviour earned the respect of nickname rather than his num- land. Most of his life as king and being proclaimed Genghis in March 453. He was also the battlefield, he tended to eat and even the Christian Crusaders to ber. was spent on Crusade, in cap- Khan, he launched the Mongol leader of a tribal empire con- drink lightly during large ban- whom he was a nemesis. Besides being King of Eng- tivity, or actively defending his invasions that conquered most sisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, and quets. Saladin died of a fever on 4 land he also ruled as Duke of lands in France. of Eurasia. Campaigns initiat- Alans among others, in Central On his wedding night, howev- March 1193, at Damascus, not Normandy, Aquitaine and Gas- Rather than regarding his ed in his lifetime include those and Eastern Europe. er, he really cut loose, pigging long after King Richard’s de- cony, Lord of Cyprus, Count kingdom as a responsibility re- against the Qara Khitai, Cauca- By all accounts not the nicest out on food and drink. Some- parture. In Saladin’s possession of Poitiers, Anjou, Maine, and quiring his presence as ruler, he sus, and Khwarazmian, West- man to ever roam the earth. In time during the night he suf- at the time of his death were one Nantes, and was overlord of has been perceived as preferring ern Xia and Jin dynasties. fact Attila and his armies gave fered a nosebleed, but was too piece of gold and forty pieces Brittany at various times during to use it merely as a source of When it came to conducting a whole new meaning to the drunk to notice. He drowned in of silver. the same period. revenue to support his armies. warfare, Genghis Khan made words ‘rape and pillage’. his own blood and was found He had given away his great By the age of 16, Richard Nevertheless, he was seen as a Attila the Hun seem like a saint. During his reign, he was one dead the next morning. wealth to his poor subjects, had taken command of his own pious hero by his subjects. Genghis Khan and his horde of the most feared enemies of Attila had lived through hun- leaving nothing to pay for his army, putting down rebellions On 26 March 1199, Richard would often carry out large- the Western and Eastern Ro- dreds of battles, slaughtered funeral. He was buried in a in Poitou against his father. was hit in the shoulder by a scale massacres of the civil- man Empires. He crossed the thousands of people, and was mausoleum in the garden out- Richard was a central Chris- crossbow, and the wound turned ian populations, especially in Danube twice and plundered probably one of the most feared side the Umayyad Mosque in tian commander during the gangrenous. Richard asked to the Khwarazmian and Western the Balkans, but was unable to men of his generation. And yet Damascus, Syria. Third Crusade, leading the have the crossbowman brought Xia–controlled lands. They take Constantinople. it was his own nose that killed campaign after the departure of before him; called alternatively would kill every man, woman, His unsuccessful campaign him. 3. Richard the Lionheart Philip II of France and achiev- Pierre (or Peter) Basile, John child, chicken, goat and dog - in Persia was followed in 441 King of England for ten years, ing considerable victories Sabroz, Dudo, and Bertrand everything. by an invasion of the Eastern 4. Saladin Richard I was better known as against his Muslim counterpart, de Gourdon (from the town of So bad was their reputation Roman (Byzantine) Empire, An-Nasir Salah ad-Din Yusuf Richard the Lionheart because Saladin, although he did not re- Gourdon) by chroniclers, the that when a town or city heard the success of which embold- ibn Ayyub, known as Saladin, of his reputation as a great mil- take Jerusalem from Saladin. man turned out (according to that the Khan and his horde was 10 11 Top Ten on the way they would flee en 1. William Wallace parently fell in love with and masse. Genghis Khan was not Many of our readers will have married a young woman named known for his benevolence. seen the movie Braveheart. It Marion Braidfute. Genghis Khan died in August featured some Australian guy Wallace’s violent assassina- 1227, during the fall of Yin- wearing a dress and sporting tion of the High Sheriff of La- chuan, which is the capital of a face painted blue. Actually, nark was carried out as revenge Western Xia. The exact cause the movie starred Mel Gibson for the killing of his wife ac- of his death remains a mystery, wearing a kilt. cording to Blind Harry’s 15th and is variously attributed to Since his death, Wallace has century poem. being killed in action against obtained an iconic status far When King Alexander III of the Western Xia, illness, falling beyond his homeland. He is Scotland died his granddaugh- from his horse, or wounds sus- the protagonist of Blind Har- ter, Margaret, Maid of Norway, tained in hunting or battle. ry’s 15th-century epic poem was heir to the throne. She fell Years before his death, Geng- The Wallace and the subject ill and died while returning to his Khan asked to be buried of literary works by Sir Walter Scotland. without markings, according to Scott and Jane Porter, and of The lack of a clear heir led to the customs of his tribe. After the above mentioned Academy a period known as the “Great he died, his body was returned Award-winning film Braveheart. Cause”, with several families to Mongolia and presumably to Sir William Wallace was a laying claim to the throne. his birthplace in Khentii Aim- Scottish knight who became With Scotland threatening to Bush War Books has probably one of the finest ag, where many assume he is one of the main leaders during descend into civil war, King Ed- buried somewhere close to the the First War of Scottish Inde- ward I of England was invited in collections of military titles available. Especially Onon River and the Burkhan pendence. by the Scottish nobility to arbi- on the South African Border War. Khaldun mountain (part of the William Wallace was a mem- trate. Edward saw this as an op- Kentii mountain range). ber of the lesser nobility, but portunity to take over Scotland. According to legend, the fu- little is definitely known of He stormed Berwick-up- neral escort killed anyone and his family history or even his on-Tweed, sacking the anything across their path to parentage. The origins of the then-Scottish border town. In conceal where he was final- Wallace surname and its asso- April, the Scots were defeated ly buried. The Genghis Khan ciation with southwest Scotland at the Battle of Dunbar in East Mausoleum, constructed many are also far from certain, other Lothian and by July, Edward Click here to visit their website. years after his death, is his me- than the name’s being derived had forced John to abdicate. morial, but not his burial site. from the Old English wylisc Along with Andrew Moray, It is thought that because of (pronounced “wullish”), mean- Wallace defeated an English the size of his harem (around ing “foreigner” or “Welshman”. army at the Battle of Stirling 2,000-3,000 women) and the It is possible that all the Wal- Bridge in September 1297. He fact that his sons had similar laces in the Clyde area were was appointed Guardian of harems as rulers of their own medieval immigrants from Scotland and served until his kingdoms, around half of one Wales, but as the term was also defeat at the Battle of Falkirk percent of the entire current used for local Cumbric-speak- in July 1298. In August 1305, population of the earth may ing Strathclyde Welsh, it seems Wallace was captured in Ro- well be descended from this equally likely that the surname broyston, near Glasgow, and one man. refers to people who were seen handed over to King Edward I guess it adds a whole new as being “Welsh” due to their I of England, who had him meaning to the phrase, “Who;s hanged, drawn and quartered Cumbric language. “War does not determine who is right - only who is left” your daddy?” The identity of Wallace’s wife for high treason and crimes is not known for certain. He ap- against English civilians. 12 00 Forces Regiment. However, af- The total strength of the reg- cial reconnaissance. Special Forces - India ter several logistic and admin- iment stands at about 10,000, • Subversion and sabotage istrative obstacles, these plans this includes five airborne in- of vital enemy infrastruc- were abandoned, and they con- fantry battalions, one Rashtriya ture and communications Part fifteen of a series that takes a look at Special Forces units around the world. This tinue to be trained and recruited Rifles and two Territorial Army through deep penetration month we look at India’s Special Forces. by the Parachute Regiment. battalion personnel, while the and surgical strikes behind pecial Forces of the Re- structure. from World War II, with the Para (SF) operate in assault Para (SF) includes between enemy lines. public of India are specif- The Research and Analysis creation of the 50th Parachute teams, which work individual- 5,000 and 6,000 personnel. • Covert and overt/direct ac- ically organised, trained, Wing, the external Intelligence Brigade in October 1941. 9 Para ly behind enemy lines, where- They have to hide their identity tion special operations as S as the Paratroopers (Airborne) from general public. part of the Indian Army’s and are equipped to conduct agency of India, has its separate SF, raised in 1966 as 9th Para- and support special operations. special forces unit called Spe- chute Commando Battalion, is work in large teams and coor- The Special Group, a confi- counter-terrorist and coun- The three branches of the In- cial Group. the oldest among the eight Para dinate with other units as their dential special forces unit of the ter-insurgency operations. dian Armed Forces have sepa- SF units of the Indian Army. role involves occupying large Research and Analysis Wing, • Hostage rescue operations rate special forces units, name- Para (Special Forces) In the mid-1980s, there were areas behind enemy lines. recruits soldiers from the Para within and beyond Indian SF. territory. ly the Para SF of Indian Army, Para (Special Forces), com- plans to take the three para com- The functions of the Para The unit is tasked with mis- MARCOS of Indian Navy and monly known as Para SF, is the mando battalions from the Par- (SF) include: sions such as special opera- the Garud Commando Force of special operations unit of the achute Regiment and bring • Intelligence collection, spe- tions, direct action, hostage Indian Air Force. Indian Army. It is attached to them together under an rescue, counter-terrorism, un- However, small groups from the Parachute Regiment. individual specialized conventional warfare, special these units are deputed in the The unit’s heritage stems organisation, the Special Armed Forces Special Oper- reconnaissance, foreign internal ations Division, which has a unified command and control

14 15 defence, counter-proliferation, spective battalion. Para (SF) isations overseen by the Par- on their right pocket below the all types of terrain but are spe- counter-insurgency, seek and selection takes place twice a achute Regiment Training name plate, which is similar to cialised in maritime operations. destroy and personnel recovery. year. Probationers undergo Centre and the Special Forc- the SAS beret insignia; only The force has undertaken nu- All Indian paratroopers are extreme physical and men- es Training School. Training para commandos are allowed to merous joint exercises with volunteers. Some enter the Para tal tests. The drop out rate is includes weapons handling wear the patch. Para (SF) per- special forces from around the regiments fresh from recruit- high. Those who fail go back training land navigation and sonnel may grow beards, as this world. ment, while others transfer in to their parent regiment. field craft training, infiltra- allows them to blend in with the The MARCOS has about from regular army units. Those who complete the tion, assault and ambush civilian population, especially 2,000 personnel though the They are put through a proba- probation are inducted into tactics; close quarter battle in Jammu and Kashmir. The exact number remains classi- tionary period / selection pro- the Parachute Regiment. 10 (CQB) training; urban war- insignia on their beret is drawn fied. Operations undertaken cess of three months for Para- Para (SF) selection: the pro- fare; counter-terrorism; un- from the near identical insignia by MARCOS usually remains troopers (Airborne) Battalions bation for the 10 Para (SF) armed combat training and of the British Special Air Ser- classified. and six months for Para. starts in the desert, with various other courses across vice. As a specialised force, the In order to be a Para (Spe- rigorous physical training training centres of the Indi- MARCOS is responsible for cial Forces) all personnel are being undertaken in desert an defence forces. MARCOS cover operations at the strategic first required to qualify as Para- climate. There is no training Courses are run at various The Marine Commandos, ab- and the tactical level. troopers; once selected the can- manual, so there is no spe- training centres which include: Para (SF) breviated to MARCOS and of- MARCO operations are usu- didates may choose to advance cific routine. Probationers • Commando Training Camp, ficially called the Marine Com- ally conducted in support of na- to the SF selection, which takes go without food for 4 days, Belgaum, Karnataka mando Force (MCF), is the val forces, although MARCOS place twice a year in the spring they have to minimize wa- • 4-week High-Altitude Com- special forces unit of the Indi- are also deployed in other do- and the autumn term. ter consumption up to 1 litre mando Course, Parvat Gha- an Navy that is responsible for mains. There are four phases to be- water for three days and be tak School in Tawang, Arun- conducting special operations. The responsibilities of MAR- come a Para (SF): able to go without sleep for achal Pradesh MARCOS was founded in COS has evolved with time. • Basic military training - to seven days. A 10 kg sandbag • Desert Warfare School, Ra- February 1987. MARCOS are Some of the duties of MAR- start the process a candidate become a permanent buddy jasthan capable of operating in all types COS include: first must join the Indian for the probationer. Routine • High Altitude Warfare of environments; at sea, in air • Providing support to am- Army and complete the ba- speed marches and runs of School (HAWS), Sonamarg, and on land. phibious operations. sic training requirements, 10 km, 20 km, 30 km and Kashmir The force has gradually ac- • Special surveillance and which vary according to the 40 km with full battle gears • Basic Combat Divers quired experience and an in- amphibious reconnaissance training centre and prospec- are conducted. Probationers course, Indian Navy’s Dive ternational reputation for pro- operations. tive role. must be exceptional naviga- School, Kochi fessionalism. The MARCOS • Clandestine operations in- • Pre-Selection - this stage tors in areas where there is • Counter insurgency, at the Marcos regularly undertake specialised side hostile territory, includ- encompasses administrative no network signal, no roads Counter Insurgency and maritime operations in Jam- ing diving operations and procedures and the soldier or landmarks and sand dunes Jungle Warfare School (CI- mu and Kashmir through the special raids. applying for the Para (Air) that keep shifting every JWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram Jhelum River and Wular Lake, • Direct action or Para (SF) and the neces- night. In Parachute training, • Indian Special Forces Train- a 65 square kilometres fresh- • Hostage rescue operations. sary medical requirements. candidates then complete ing School, Nahan, Him- water lake, and conduct coun- • Counter-terrorism opera- • Selection (encompassing a a 3-week Basic Parachute achal Pradesh ter-insurgency operations in the tions. selection process and basic Course at the Indian Army’s • Combat free-fall training region. • Asymmetric warfare. SF training) - the duration Parachute Training School (HAHO and HALO) at the MARCOS are reputedly • Foreign internal defence. of this stage has changed in Agra. Parachute Training School, called the Dadhiwala Fauj (The All MARCOS personnel are over the years. For the Para • Advanced SF Training - all Agra. Bearded Army) by militants in males selected from the Indian (Air) it was initially 28 days those who opt for Para (SF) Para (SF) personnel, like oth- Kashmir, owing to their beard- Navy when they are in their ear- which became 45 days after must first qualify for Para er parachute troops in the Indian ed disguise. ly 20s and have to go through a 1999 and is now 90 days (ap- (Air). Although this is also military, wear a maroon beret. Some MARCOS units are a stringent selection process and proximately 3 months). The a training phase, this is still In addition, they wear a “Spe- part of the tri-services Armed training. The selection stand- Para (SF) was 90 days long part of the selection process. cial Forces” tab on each shoul- Forces Special Operations Di- ards are extremely high. Train- and hasn’t been changed Here the soldiers undertake der. Personnel who serve in the vision. ing is a continuous process. All since. The intensity also various different kinds of Para (SF) are allowed to wear Garud The MARCOS are capable MARCOS personnel are free- differs according to the pro- training with various organ- the “Balidan” (Sacrifice) patch Commando Force of undertaking operations in fall qualified (HALO/HAHO). 16 17 The pre-training selection areas is generally performed like jungle and snow survival, Commando Battalion for Reso- process is made up of two parts. by the Air Force Police and the demolition, etc. Garuds also lute Action, is a specialized jun- Indian Navy personnel who Defence Security Corps (DSC). train at the diving school of the gle warfare unit of the Central want to join MARCOS must Garud personnel are enlist- Indian Navy and the Army’s Reserve Police Force (CRPF) undergo a three-day physical ed as Airmen within the Indian Counter Insurgency and Jungle to counter the internal insurgen- fitness and aptitude test. Within Air Force rank structure. The Warfare School (CIJWS). The cy in India. It is considered the this process, 80% of the appli- entire force is currently under final phase of training is active best paramilitary law enforce- cants are screened out. A fur- the command of a Wing Com- operations on being attached ment unit in India. ther screening process known mander rank officer. The Garud to Special Force Units of the It has been actively deployed as ‘hell’s week’ is similar to force is organized into fifteen Indian Army, which helps the to counter the Naxalite–Maoist the United States Navy SEALs’ “Flights” - a flight is roughly the Garuds in gaining operational insurgency in India across vari- “Hell Week”. equivalent of a company in an experience. ous states since its inception in This involves a high degree infantry battalion, and is com- After induction, the com- 2008. of physical exercise and sleep manded by a Flight Lieutenant. mandos also undergo advanced deprivation. After this process, Each flight is based at various training, including anti-hijack Force One (Mumbai Police) actual training begins. Around Air Force stations, where they and counter-insurgency train- Force One is a specialised 98% of the volunteers who en- train and provide security. ing, jungle and snow survival counter terrorism unit of the rol fail to fully qualify as MAR- Garud trainees undergo a techniques, specialized weapon Mumbai Police on the lines FREE FALLING: A member of Para (SF) jumps from an Indian COS. 72-week. The Basic Training handling and advanced driving of National Security Guards Army helicopter during a training jump. course, which is the longest skills. (NSG). Garud Commando Force among all the Indian special It is tasked with guarding the The Garud Commando Force forces but it also includes ba- Other Special Forces units The Special Group is con- the German GSG 9. Mumbai metropolitan area, one is the special forces unit of the sic training. The total duration The Special Group (SG) sidered to be the most capably The NSG are popularly re- of the largest metropolitan are- Indian Air Force. It was formed of training before a trainee can The Special Group (SG) is trained special forces unit of In- ferred to as the ‘Black Cats’ due as in the world, It was formed in September 2004 and has a qualify as a fully operational the special forces unit of India’s dia and is considered to be very to their distinct black uniforms. as a response to the 2008 Mum- current strength of over 1,500 Garud is around three years. foreign intelligence agency, Re- well equipped. It consists of the following two bai terror attacks. personnel. The unit derives its The initial phase is a three- search and Analysis Wing, and elements: name from Garuda, a divine month probationary training is tasked to undertake covert Special Frontier Force • SAG (Special Action Greyhounds (Police) bird-like creature in Hinduism. which filters in the promising operations. The Special Frontier Force, Group), which recruits Greyhounds is a police spe- Garud is tasked with the pro- candidates for the next phases The unit is considered to be also known as Establishment personnel from the Indian cial forces unit operating in the tection of critical Air Force bas- of training. This phase, which composed of the most elite sol- 22, is a confidential special Army. Indian states of Andhra Pradesh es and installations; search and usually has a high attrition diers of India and is responsible forces unit of the Research and • SRG (Special Rangers and Telangana and belongs to rescue during peace and hostil- (Drop-out) rate is conducted at for conducting operations with Analysis Wing which was cre- Group), which recruits per- the Andhra Pradesh and Telan- ities and disaster relief during the Garud Regimental Train- which the Government of India ated on 14 November 1962 to sonnel from the Central gana Police departments. Grey- calamities. Presently, Garuds ing Centre located at Hindon, may not wish to be overtly as- undertake operations against Armed Police Forces. hounds specialises in anti-in- are deployed in Congo as part Ghaziabad which is near to sociated. the Chinese People’s Liberation surgency operations against of the UN peace keeping oper- New Delhi. Since the unit is confidential Army. It consists primarily of Special Protection Group Naxalite and Maoist terrorists. ations. The subsequent phase of spe- in nature, most of the informa- Tibetan people who are tasked The Special Protection Group Several senior Indian par- Garuds have diverse responsi- cial operations training is im- tion about its activities is highly to undertake operations in the is a specialised unit which amilitary and police officers bilities. Besides base protection parted by the Special Group of classified. tough terrain of the Himalayas provides protection to former have described the Greyhounds force to protect airfields and key the Special Frontier Force, the The responsibilities of the and Tibet. Prime Ministers and the current as the best anti-insurgency force assets in hostile environments, army special forces and NSG. Special Group includes clan- Prime Minister of India, along that specialises in anti-Maoist some advanced Garud units are Those who qualify, proceed to destine intelligence operations National Security Guard with their family members for operations and as experts in trained like Army Para Com- the Parachute Training School and covert operations, with The National Security Guard, a minimum duration of 5 years. jungle warfare. mandos and the Naval MAR- (PTS) at Agra to complete the which the Government of In- which is a specialized coun- It was set up in 1985 after the COS to undertake missions basic airborne phase. Trainees dia may not wish to be overtly ter-terrorism Federal Contin- assassination of Prime Minister deep behind enemy lines. Note, are trained along with para- associated. The SG is also re- gency Force. The NSG was Indira Gandhi. that the security of IAF instal- troopers of the Indian Army. sponsible for developing tactics formally created in 1986. It is lations like radars, airfields and The remainder of the phas- and training procedures for oth- modelled on the basis of the COBRA other establishments in border es concentrates on niche fields er special forces of India. British Special Air Service and COBRA, which stands for 18 19 mediate between Japan and The Zimmerman Telegram ourselves. Please call the Pres- ident’s attention to the fact that What was the Zimmerman Telegram and why was it, probably, the most significant Intelligence coup of World War I? By Paul Rosslee. the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the pros- pect of compelling England in a efore we go to that fate- to make a negotiated peace be- had been cut, President Wilson few months to make peace. ful day, 17th January tween the powers but had been agreed, in the belief that such Signed, ZIMMERMANN 1917; let us begin on the rebuffed each time. The Ger- cooperation would create good B This proposal was not as far- 4th August 1914, the day that mans were prepared to accept relations with Germany, and that cical as it sounds. Japan had Britain declared war on Germa- peace terms, if they retained all more efficient German-Ameri- supplied arms and ammunition ny. that they occupied, the return of can diplomacy could assist Wil- to Mexico during her revolu- In the early hours of that their captured colonies and be son’s goal of a negotiated end tion in 1900 and Germany had, morning, the British cable-ship paid war reparation (this, from to the war. The Germans would since 1915, been attempting to Telconia, already stationed a a country that started the war!); hand in messages to the United promote a war between Mexico few kilometres off the Dutch the Allies were not prepared to States embassy in Berlin, which and the United States and had coast, cut the five main German accept less than total surrender. were relayed to the embassy in sent Victoriano Huerta (a Mex- transatlantic cables running In 1915 Germany began sink- Denmark and then to the United ican rebel leader) $12 million through the English Channel, ing unarmed merchant ships on States by American telegraph for that purpose, which would effectively cutting Germany’s the open seas in an attempt to operators. However, the United have again tied down American cable communication with the stop supplies reaching England. States placed the condition that forces and slowed the export of rest of the world. The burden As these were often American all messages had to be in clear. American arms to the Allies. of communication now fell on ships (with American crews) By 1917 both sides, the “Al- German High Command also Nauen, a powerful radio sta- President Wilson sent a sharp- lies” (Britain, France, Russia, believed that, if America joined tion on the outskirts of Berlin. ly worded Diplomatic Note to Italy) and the Central Powers the war, she would then be Unfortunately nothing stops an Germany, which was simply (Germany, Austria-Hungary, able “strangle” Britain before enemy from intercepting wire- ignored – as Lloyd George put Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire) an American army could be less messages, which is exactly it: “The click of the President’s were exhausted, millions had trained and brought to Europe. what the cryptanalysis section typewriter had no deadlier rat- died on either side without ap- Mexico was America’s main of the British Admiralty (Di- tle behind it”! preciable gains. Germany was trouble spot and where twice, rectorate Naval Intelligence), On the 7th May 1915 the Lusi- starving because of a successful The Zimmerman telegram since 1911, American forces known as “Room 40”, run by tania was sunk with the loss of naval blockade on shipping by in two parts. The first part, was neutral. In the event of this not had entered. General Pershing, Captain (later admiral) William over 100 American lives. Pres- Britain, who in turn, was slow- to inform Count von Bernstorff, succeeding, we make Mexico a with his force of 6,000 men, Reginald (“Blinker”) Hall, was ident Wilson again sent a Note ly being strangled by German’s German Ambassador in the proposal of alliance on the fol- had only been ordered out in able to do. of protest to Germany, Colonel submarine campaign which United States, of the German lowing basis: make war togeth- April 1916 after attempting to America’s chosen position House was in London at the was sending food and military intention to begin “unrestrict- er, make peace together, gen- capture Pancho Villa, another was one of strict neutrality time on another of his unsuc- supplies to the bottom of the ed” submarine warfare as from erous financial support and an Mexican rebel. which, however, did not stop cessful missions. His person- Atlantic Ocean. Fresh ideas 1 February 1917 (and only de- understanding on our part that On the 16th January 1917, her supplying Britain with arms al opinion was (by now) that were needed, which is exactly liver this intention on the morn- Mexico is to reconquer the lost the German Government ap- and ammunition which she so America should enter the war what Arthur Zimmerman, Ger- ing of 1 February to the US territory in Texas, New Mexico, proached the U.S. Ambassador, sorely needed, or, as Sir Cecil on the side of the allies. This man Foreign Minister, had. government) and part two was and Arizona. The settlement in James Gerard, with a request Spring-Rice, British ambassa- was not echoed by President DNI had intercepted a long, to be forwarded to Ambassador detail is left to you. You will in- to accept the telegram in cod- dor to America cynically said: Wilson who was determined to non-military signal, from Ber- Heinrich von Eckhardt, German form the President of the above ed form (and authorised by Col “The majority want to make end the war with a negotiated lin to the German Embassy in Ambassador to Mexico and to most secretly as soon as the House on behalf of the Presi- money and not make war” . peace. Washington and on the morn- inform him that: outbreak of war with the Unit- dent) was transmitted by diplo- President Woodrow Wilson Despite all this, when the Ger- ing of 17th January 1917, was We intend to begin on the first ed States of America is certain, matic cable first to Copenhagen had, through his personal en- man Foreign Office appealed handed to a cryptologist, Nigel of February unrestricted sub- and add the suggestion that he and then to London, for onward voy, Colonel Edward House, at- to the United States for use of de Grey, to decode. marine warfare. We shall en- should, on his own initiative, transmission over transatlantic tempted, on four separate occa- their cable for diplomatic mes- When eventually decoded, it deavour in spite of this to keep invite Japan to immediate ad- cable to Washington. sions between 1914 and 1916, sages, as their telegraph cable was found that the signal was the United States of America herence and at the same time At 16:00 on the 31st January 20 21 1917 Ambassador Bernstorff In any event Admiral Hall, ing that the public was told (the informed American Secretary on 19 February, Hall showed cover story) that the telegram Quiz of State, Robert Lansing, of the telegram to Edward Bell, had been stolen in Mexico. Germany’s decision to begin secretary of the United States This belief, which was not re- unrestricted submarine warfare Embassy in London. Bell was stricted to pacifist and pro-Ger- Military ranks from the next day 1st February at first incredulous and thought man lobbies, was promoted by ot an easy one this month. We show you 15 military ranks. You tell what rank it is, and which 1917. This caused diplomatic it to be a forgery. Once Bell was German diplomats as well as army, navy or air force it’s from. As a hint, all of these have featured in previous issues of relations to be broken off on the convinced the telegram was some American newspapers NMilitary Despatches. Answers on page 86. 3rd January 1917 when the Ger- genuine, he became enraged (especially the Hearst press man Embassy was sent back. and it was arranged that Lord empire, who on the 2nd March Many ask why, despite that Balfour would present the tel- 1917, personally told his ed- 1 2 3 the disclosure of the Telegram egram to Ambassador Page in itors that the telegram was “a would sway public opinion in person, so as to make it “coun- fake and a forgery)”. the United States further against try to country”. Confirmation came (ironi- Germany, Hall waited three Lord Balfour then handed the cally enough) via the Hearst weeks before he handed the de- telegram over to Ambassador newspaper, a few days later, ciphered copy to the Foreign Page on the 23rd February 1917, when William Bayard Hale, Office (Lord Balfour)? There in what he later said, “was the Berlin’s Hearst correspondent are two probable reasons : most dramatic moment of my (and a paid German agent on a 4 5 6 1. It took long to decipher; and life”. Page, in turn forwarded $15,000/year retainer) said to 2. it had to be handled in such it to Washington where it was Zimmerman : “Of course your a manner that the American received on 24th February at excellency will deny this sto- Government would not real- 09:00. Lansing, who had been ry!” to which Zimmerman an- ise that Britain was reading alerted to an important telegram swered: “I cannot deny it…it is her “mail”. was waiting and immediately true”. This was followed when, The telegram was then (alleg- took it to President Wilson; who on 29th March 1917, Zimmer- edly ) handed to Lord Balfour in turn told Lansing to thank mann gave a speech in the Re- 7 8 9 by Admiral Hall on the 5th Feb- Balfour for (the) “information ichstag in which he admitted ruary 1917 who then contact- of such inestimable value…..so the telegram was genuine. ed Walter Hines Page, the US marked an act of friendliness on On the 9th March 1917, after Ambassador to Britain and on part of the British government”. a further three ships were sunk “Friday, February 23 (1917), Wilson also instructed Lansing by German submarines, Wilson the Secretary of State for For- to inform the press and so Lan- invoked his Executive Authori- eign Affairs formally presented sing gave the draft to E. Hood ty, overthrew a Congress deci- the Zimmerman telegram to the of Associated Press. sion and ordered that merchant 10 11 12 American Ambassador” [The While popular feeling was ships were to be armed. Zimmerman Telegram, Barbara somewhat anti-German (Amer- On 2nd April 1917, at 20:30, W. Tuchman, May 1966]. ica just received news of the America declared war on Ger- On the 10th February 1917 loss of the Laconia), there was many……and the rest, so they Sir Thomas Hohler, (then Brit- also a notable Anti-British sen- say, is History. ish ambassador in Mexico, in timent in the United States, par- his autobiography) apparent- ticularly among German and ly obtained a copy of the tele- Irish Americans; many other 13 14 15 gram by bribing an employee Americans simply wished to of Western Union in Mexico avoid the conflict in Europe. City and forwarded it onto Adm When the story broke, Thurs- Hall. This copy could now be day 1st March 1917, it was shown to the American Ambas- widely believed at first, to be sador without any embarrassing an elaborate forgery perpetrat- confessions. ed by British intelligence, see- 22 23 immediately sent to the gas chambers. Show a little respect The others would be sent to When Ryan Murphy had the opportunity to visit Auschwitz he was left feeling sick to the stomach. Not just by what had happened at Auschwitz, but by the behaviour of the tourists visiting this place the labour camp where they of sorrow. would be worked to death. Those sent to the gas cham- ne of the major benefits This was committed by a na- Concentration camps housed bers would be stripped naked of being a journalist is tional that gave the world such German Communists, Social- and their hair was shaved off. Othat it gave me the op- great philosophers like Ein- ists, Social Democrats, Roma, They were told that they would portunity to travel. stein, Kant, Nietzsche, Hegel Jehovah Witnesses, homosex- be taking showers to disinfect While I never served in the and Heidegger. Musicians such uals, and persons accused of them. The gas chambers were military, I have spent a large as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, ‘asocial’ or socially ‘deviant’ disguised to give the appear- portion of my life in war zones, Mendelssohn, and Wagner. behaviour by the Germans. ance of being shower rooms. covering conflicts and wars. The genocide committed by They were guarded by At the end of the war, as the This has led to me having an the Nazi’s was not something SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV) Soviets approached, the Nazis interest, you could even call it a that happened in the frenzy of and the camps were later ex- destroyed the gas chambers to passion, for all things military. war. It was calculated, planned panded to hold Jews, Roman- try and conceal the evidence. And this includes military his- and carried out with ruthless ef- is/Sintis, Serbs, Soviet POWs, One destroyed gas chamber at tory. ficiency. And it’s primary goal Poles, disabled people, and Auschwitz was reconstructed I am a firm believer in the was the extermination of the clergymen. after the war to stand as a me- words of philosopher George Jewish population of Europe. The Nazis also built labour morial. Santayana who said, “Those The genocide of the Jews of camps and transit camps and by As I stood in this place of who cannot remember the past Europe was the Third Reich’s the end of the war there were DEATH CAMPS: A diagram shows the six extermination horror a young couple decided are condemned to repeat it.” “Final Solution to the Jewish camps in Germany, Poland, camps in occupied Poland. that this was the perfect time to One aspect of World War II question”. Serbia, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, start kissing and fondling. that I’ve had a morbid fasci- Many people do not realise Belgium, France, Estonia, Lat- camps) or Vernichtungslagers When I visited Poland one of When we visited the recon- nation with is the Holocaust. that there were different types via, Lithuania, Belarus, Czech (extermination camps) and my main goals was to travel to structed crematorium where It was not the first genocide in of camps used by the Nazis. Republic and the Netherlands. their purpose was the systemat- Auschwitz and experience in fifty-two ovens were used to history, and by no means the The first Nazi camps were It was in 1941 that the Nazis ic murder of those that entered person a place that I had read so burn the bodies of up to 6,000 last. erected in Germany in March started to build new camps as the camp. A total of six death much about. people every 24 hours, people Yet this crime against human- 1933 immediately after Hitler part of their ‘Final Solution’. camps were built in Poland. It is hard to describe my feel- were taking selfies and making ity was not committed by some became Chancellor. These camps were not built The first extermination camp ing as I walked up the train track insensitive comments. primitive tribe where the spoils to hold prisoners. They were built, and probably the most in- that leads through the main gate Later when we visited some of war included, rape, pillage known as Todeslagers (death famous, was Auschwitz. There into Auschwitz. The sign over of the buildings and were shown and eating the prisoners. were actually two camps - the gate reads Arbeit macht frei rooms filled with suitcases, Auschwitz, which was a labour (Work sets your free) gave me reading glasses and shoes, our camp, and Auschwitz II Birk- the shivers. guide asked us not to take any enau, which was an extermina- I stood on the ramp where photographs because these tion camp. the trains would arrive, usually items belonged to people that The other camps were Maj- packed with Jews. It was here had been murdered. Many peo- danek, Chełmno, Bełżec, So- that the selection took place. ple took our their phones and bibór and Treblinka. The arrivals would have to began snapping photographs. There were also two other ex- form two lines, one for the men People if you do visit termination camps, Maly Trost- and the other for the women Auschwitz please show some inets in Belarus and Sajmište in and children. They were given respect. It is not an amusement Serbia. a cursory examination by SS park or a place for a fun day’s Today Auschwitz is a UNES- doctors. Those considered un- outing. If you can’t show re- CO World Heritage Centre and fit for work, including young spect for those that suffered every year thousands of tourists children, the elderly, pregnant and died in this place of sorrow, visit the site. women and the infirm, were then don’t go there. 24 25 taken advice before charging their own fighting skills as well skills based on the deception of into a battle that he knew he as their esoteric knowledge the senses became the ninja’s The Ninja - fact or fiction would lose. learnt over thousands of years. prime weapon, and the invisi- Who were the ninja? Were they real, or something dreamt up by Hollywood script writers? In this They decided that commit- It was not surprising that they ble warriors, once motivated by article we look at the historic ninja and try to separate fact from fiction. ting suicide was not a good teamed up with the yamabushi love for their families, came to idea. The problem was that this and ronin. From these com- be feared for the ruthlessness of atch any martial arts a Hollywood action movie it’s you could train to become a was considered a great loss of bined skills was born the art their determination. movie that features all a load of codswallop. Yet the samurai. face, and for a Japanese person that became known as ninjutsu. As a profession, ninjutsu Wninjas and you’re ninja really did exist in Japan. The Iga and Koga prefectures there is nothing worse than to These groups living in Iga drew on two primary bodies sure to learn a thing or two. Ninjutsu (the art used by the of Japan were left alone by the lose face. and Koga formed what were of knowledge as a basis for its First of all they are easy to ninja) was founded and devel- daiymos. Dominated by moun- These samurai would become known as ryu (schools or fam- teachings: spot. They are always dressed oped in Japan more than one tains and swamps, they were outcasts and would often be ily groups). Their prime goal • Hei-ho or combat strategy to in black, their face covered by a thousand years ago. not considered worth fighting killed on sight. They became was survival and they did what- the greater degree, and hood, and they wear tabi (split- At the time Japan was divided over. known as ronin (masterless ever was necessary to protect • Bu-jutsu or warrior arts to toed boots) on their feet. into many prefectures or prov- These two regions became samurai). themselves and their families. the lesser degree. They could jump from the inces. Each one of these was refuge to a group of people Most of the ronin fled to either Because they were not bound From the 13th through to the ground to the top of a five sto- ruled by a daiymo or warlord. known as yamabushi (moun- Iga or Koga where they met up by the code of bushido, they 17th centuries in Japan, count- rey building in a single leap. These warlords were the tain mystics). They studied an with the yamabushi. They be- would often employ tactics that less ninja families operated out In a puff of smoke they could heads of samurai families and art known as shugendo and they gan to form groups, exchanging the samurai would never dream of a wide range of motivations change into a bird and fly away they controlled large armies. devoted their lives to studying and sharing their knowledge of using. and levels of sophistication. from their enemies. They could The samurai lived by a very the forces of nature. They were and skills. As they ryu became more Each family or clan had its walk on water. strict code known as bushido experts in using plants to make During this time there was a powerful and had more influ- own specific requirements for They were ruthless and near- (the way of the warrior). medicines and potions. great deal of upheaval in China. ence, they began to come into status as a ninja agents. ly every one of them was evil. Although Japan had an em- If a daiymo was killed in bat- A revolution began and all the contact with various daiymo Some groups stressed physi- While it all sounds perfect for peror, he was a figure-head and tle it was considered as being a intellectuals and educated peo- and their armies. Many daiymo cal skills. Some stressed men- did not rule the country. The great disgrace for the samurai ple were being killed. Many of would hire ninja ryu to car- tal alertness, Other systems person that actually ruled Japan in his army. After all, they had them fled across the sea to Ja- ry out certain tasks for them. stressed political contacts. The was the shogun (supreme war- allowed him to be killed. pan. Tasks that, due to the strict code list is long and extensive. lord). Japan was in a constant As a way of atoning for this Much the same thing was of bushido, they were unable to There are, however, eight fun- state or war as various dai- disgrace, the samurai were sup- happening in Tibet, where the carry out themselves. damental areas in which all true ymo plotted and battled to posed to commit seppuku (ritu- Tantric monks were also being As the centuries of Japanese ninja seemed to be proficient, become shogun. al suicide). hunted down and killed. They history continued to unfold, regardless of family affiliation. The majority of daiymo To a samurai nothing was fled to China, and from there to the ninja families became more Tai-jutsu (Body skills) were ruthless and let noth- more important than giri (duty). Japan. and more involved in their rep- The ninja was trained in the ing stand in their way. If you First and foremost duty to his On arriving in Japan they utation as military specialists, techniques of unarmed combat, were not a samurai you were lord, then to his country, then to found that conditions were no and less attached to the origi- including strikes, throws, locks considered as being less than whichever god he believed in, better. If anything, they were nal mystical understanding that and escapes. His fighting sys- worthless. and finally to his family. worse. their ancestors fought to pro- tem was based on natural body If you were not born into The samurai had a saying, The Japanese regarded them tect. movements and knowledge of a samurai family there was “Gimu wa yama yori mo omoi, as being lower than scum and The increased demand for the human body’s weak points. no way that you could shi wa hane yori mo karui”. they were more often than not ninja agents, resulting from the Body skills also included leap- become one. (Duty is heavier than a moun- killed on sight. Those that did increased activity of daiymo, ing, tumbling, climbing and There was tain, while death is lighter than survive also found themselves required a training system that methods of silent movement. no school a feather). in the Iga and Koga regions. could produce espionage or Ken-po (Sword skills) where Most samurai would commit The Chinese brought with combat specialists in the short- The ninja’s sword was his pri- seppuku without thought. Yet them where fighting skills, as est amount of time. mary weapon and it was usually there were those few that had well as a vast knowledge of Physical tricks came to re- shorter in length that the cus- second thoughts. Especially if chemistry, including the use of place the developed natural tomary samurai katana swords they believed that their daiymo gunpowder. abilities of the original ninja of the period. Consequently a had been stupid and had not The Tibetans brought with warriors. Systems of combat special method of close fight- 26 27 ing developed with the short isations had their own chemists to generations. ningness and wit.” was a group of chunin mid- straight blade. produce large quantities of explo- Considered far below the Generations ago, when the dle men or executive officers. In addition the ninja sword sives. elite samurai status with its rig- ninja families of Japan were at These men were responsible for was often used for purposes In a culture such as Japan, id codes of honour and proprie- the height of their power, mem- interpreting and carrying out other than combat. The saya where wood, paper and rice straw ty, the ninja were free to apply bership in the ninjutsu tradition the orders of the jonin. (scabbard) had a steel tip that were relied upon for construction, the naturalist teachings of their was determined solely by birth. Acting as a go-between di- could be used for digging. the threat of fire was a potent one mystical heritage. The highly secret and invis- viding the field agents from the The ninja would often fill the well used by ninja agents. The philosophy of ninjutsu ible structure of the organisa- head of the organisation, the bottom of the saya with metsu- Yu gei (Traditional cultural stressed the interrelated one- tions prevented outsiders from chunin ensured the anonymi- bushi (blinding powder). This arts) ness of all things in the uni- working their way in, and left ty of the jonin, and prevented was made from crushed pep- The ninja was familiar with verse. Since man is not big only the offspring of the ninja double-crosses or dangerous percorns and iron fillings. As the traditional entertainment enough to view the entire uni- themselves as possible candi- breaches of security. the ninja drew his sword he arts of the time, and he was of- verse, the philosophy explains, dates for the roles of agent or The chunin possessed the would flick the scabbard across ten proficient in several of the the infinite number of its parts officer in the family profession. skills of knowing how to get his opponents face, spraying arts himself. appear to man as the “ten thou- At the head of each clan or or- things done and a familiari- the blinding powder into his Painting, the tea ceremony, sand things,” or everything that ganisation presided a jonin di- ty with the strengths and spe- eyes and blinding him. flower arranging, playing mu- seems to exist independently. rector or commander-in-chief. cialties of all the ninja field Yari-jutsu (Spear skills) sical instruments, telling jokes To give some perspective to Half philosopher, half warrior, agents at his disposal. Medium range fighting was and stories, and performing the view, all things were seen the jonin took on the responsi- Training for the role of chunin carried out with a spear - a two or Japanese dances are a few of in classifications of in and yo, bility for determining to whom included lessons in time and three edged blade mounted on a the arts popular in the ninja’s or negative and positive man- his ninja would lend their sup- logistics management and per- two to three metre pole. The Jap- realm. ifestations such as darkness port. sonnel motivation, as well as anese spear was rarely thrown, Besides the personal devel- and light, heaven and earth, THE SIGN: The symbol for In most ninja clans the iden- contemporary and unconven- and it was most often used in opment afforded by them, a male and female, firmness and ninjutsu. It comprises two tity of the jonin was concealed tional methods of warfare. straight, direct thrusts between knowledge and appreciation of softness, wetness and dryness, Japanese kanji (written char- from the ordinary agents and At the base of the organised the pieces of samurai armour. the arts was often needed to fill contraction and expansion, and acters). The top one is the operatives as a security precau- hierarchy were the genin opera- Shuriken-jutsu (Throwing out a character identity being as- endless combinations of ex- symbol for blade, the lower tion. The jonin could then ob- tives, or ninja field agents. Men blades) sumed for espionage purposes. treme polarities. one is the symbol for heart. It serve the workings of history and women possessing a wide For long range or individu- Kyo mon (Practical educa- More than merely grouping is pronounced as shinobi. from a viewpoint free from the range of espionage and combat al targets the ninja used small, tion) opposites under a simplistic bias of his expectations of oth- skills, the genin were the ones concealed blades which he During every active day of theory, the in and yo classifica- purpose in life places major ers, and free from concerns of responsible for getting the actu- threw at the hands or face of his a ninja’s life he was exposed tion scheme provided an under- emphasis on the total picture. personal safety. al work accomplished. And yes, adversary. to new and unfamiliar sur- standing to free the ninja from The ever-changing results are This role was passed down I did say women. The ninja’s throwing blades roundings and experiences. His the limits of viewing things as far more significant than their within the immediate family Japan was a very male-dom- could be straight (bo shuriken) learning system had to be gen- right or wrong, good and bad, means of attainment alone. of the original founder, gener- inated society. The role of or multi-pointed designs and eral enough and broad enough or fair and unfair. The historical ninja’s prima- ation after generation. As chil- women was to be subservient the could be thrown accurately in scope to provide him with a Any quality inherent in a thing ry political contribution was to dren of the jonin grew, they to men. The ninja, however, of distances up to nine metres. means of handling any situation or situation was based merely maintain balance and harmony were exposed to the teachings had no problem with training They were designed to injure that came along. on its relationship to other man- in society in the most effective and experiences which would and using women. They were or distract an opponent, not to Much of the ninja’s practical ifestations of the same quality. manner possible. If bold caval- then develop their abilities to known as kunoichi. kill them. knowledge of the world could It is sometimes difficult for ry charges involving thousands view the world in a philosoph- Because of their status in Jap- Ka-jutsu (Fire and explosives) be labelled as working com- westerners to accept or even of soldiers was considered pos- ical manner, understanding the anese society, women could Useful for creating diversions, mon sense or “awareness”. This understand this lack of rigidity itive aspects of war, capturing motivations of others, and di- easily move beneath the radar. forcing evacuations, and taking is not the type of information in what we would call morali- the battle codes of the enemy or rect the operations of a widely They could use their feminine out walls and doors, fire, smoke learnt from books or covered by ty or principles, and indeed this the enemy commander himself dispersed, highly illegal, and charm to seduce men and ex- and explosives found many uses conventional educational sys- concept of flexibility is in direct was considered a negative bal- heavily guarded organisation, tract information. They could in the arsenal of the ninja families. tems, and so ninja families re- opposition to the theories and ance in the war activity. What to which one of them would also get close to men without Many ninja were skilled at pre- lied on word-of-mouth teaching philosophies of many contem- the enemy would call “deceit, succeed as leader. being regarded as a danger. paring their own explosives and and instructional experiences to porary martial art systems. cowardice and treachery,” the Serving directly beneath the Trained from birth by their several of the larger ninja organ- pass on the knowledge of past The ninja’s outlook on his ninja would call “strategy, cun- jonin heading each ninja clan ninja families, genin inherited 28 29 a legacy of total service to the if they were operating at night would be covered by thick mist unknown jonin commander, the they would often were dark that came up to about the thighs. WWII veterans documentary lords to whom the jonin con- clothing, usually dark grey, and The ninja would step into two News of a new documentary series on World War II, including interviews from some South African tracted, and to the welfare of would sometimes cover their large cooking pots that were World War II veterans. the nation’s people as a whole. face with a hood. buoyant enough to support his The children of genin agents They could jump from the weight and allow him to float on began their training at an early ground to the top of a five storey the water or swamp. He would y now most people are in Northern Africa and Josef Unknown Stalingrad age, practicing leaping, running building in a single leap. then use his scabbard to row. running out of things Wilkinson, the Arctic Convoys and balancing exercises that were While the ninja were trained For anyone watching from Bto watch on television Veteran, who gave the inter- WWII and South Africa disguised as children’s games. in climbing and jumping tech- even a short distance it appeared or YouTube. If you’re one of views. Warm words of appre- As they moved into their teen niques there was no way in that the ninja was walking on them, here is some good news. ciation to their families for the years, the children began the which they could perform an water. They could not see that Dr. Elina Komarova Tagar, a support of the project and care study of combat techniques and action such as this. pots that covered his feet and regular reader of Military Des- of their special parents!” weapons, and the psychological In a puff of smoke they could lower legs. patches, sent us the following Short documentaries will be effects of the mental process on change into a bird and fly away They were ruthless and near- information. released in May and Russia is the body and its physical perfor- from their enemies. They could ly every one of them was evil. “Sending you a trailer of planning on celebrating Victory mance. walk on water. They could indeed be ruth- a short Documentary series, Day on 9 May when their lock- In the later teen years, skills No, they could not change into less, but they never thought in which are going to be released down is lifted. of the trade of espionage were a bird or any other animal. Yet terms of good or evil. The nin- in two weeks time. In the meantime you can get a taught, preparing the young genin the ninja were masters of the art ja would do whatever it took to The project is an initiative of taste of some of the footage by for a life of service as a ninja. of deception and illusion. Often ensure his survival, the surviv- a young journalists from Rus- clicking on the links below. Different ninja ryu specialised they would keep a small live al of his jonin and ryu, and the sian BRICS TV towards 75 in certain tactics. For example, animal, such as a rabbit, inside survival of his family. years Anniversary celebrations The Trailer. some were masters of hensojut- their jacket. When being pur- Not only were the ninja real, of a Great Victory in WWII. su, the art of disguise and imper- sued along a path through the they were truly exceptional I am deeply grateful to our Joseph Wilkinson’s interview sonation. woods they would turn around warriors. They were experts at South African Veterans Sydney Sydney Ireland Others specialised in kai ki, and throw a small flash bomb to the art of infiltration, espionage, Ireland, a Signaler, who fought Brazil in World War II techniques used to infiltrate se- the ground. sabotage, unarmed combat, es- cure locations. Some were mas- This would create a blinding cape and evasion, camouflage ters of koppojutsu, bone smash- flash of light and a billow of and disguise, and collection and ing techniques, while others were smoke, temporarily blinding coalition of intelligence. Many masters of saiminjutsu, ninja his pursuers. At the same time of their techniques are still used hypnotism. the ninja would remove the rab- today by the modern military. Click here to Now let’s go back to the very bit from his jacket and drop it Today it is no longer neces- beginning of this article and onto the path, rolling into the sary for ninja families to over- Listen Live take a look at the myths perpet- undergrowth at the same time. see the stability of benevolent uated by Hollywood. When the smoke cleared and and just governments. The art They are always dressed in sight returned to the pursuers of ninjutsu has returned its em- black, their face covered by a after a few seconds the ninja phasis to the original purposes Where the music does the talking hood, and they wear tabi on was gone and in his place was of its founding ancestors, and their feet. a rabbit. Their conclusion - the the system is now taught as a Catch Military Despatches editor Matt Tennyson on the Sunday Breakfast Zone from Walking around dressed in ninja had used jaho (magic) to method of personal enlighten- 09h00 to 12h00 every Sunday morning on Zone Radio 88.5 fm. black with a hood covering your turn himself into a rabbit. ment and mind-body-spirit har- face would make you just a little While the ninja could not mony. Matt brings you hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s - the hits we love and re- conspicuous. The ninja would walk on water, he used the art From the more than 200 ninja member. And you can WhatsApp your requests through on +27 72 447 8044 normally wear the same type of of illusion to make it appear ryu that once existed, only three clothing that was popular at the that he could. have survived. They are Ten- time. Sometimes they would be The swamps of Iga and Koga shin Shoden Katori ryu ninpo, The Voice of the Valley on 88.5 fm disguised as farmers, entertain- prefecture meant that until at Togakure ryu ninjutsu and Gen- ers, priests or even beggars. Yet least mid-morning the ground bukkan ninpo. 30 31 moderate. party outside Nelson Mandela’s General Constant Viljoen (1933-2020) Immediately prior to the 1994 Government of National Unity. Decorations On 3 April 2020, South Africa lost a soldier, scholar, politician, and a gentleman when Constant Vil- general elections Viljoen had a Although his supporters were joen answered the Sunset Call. We will remember him. force of between 50,000 and at odds with the government 1 60,000 trained paramilitary and the ANC, Viljoen praised onstant Laubscher Vil- rican Defence Force. It was a ‘swashbuckling’ front line lead- personnel at his command, with Mandela on the occasion of his 2 joen was born on 28 post he held until his retirement ership which earned him the re- the ability to seize large sec- retreat from politics in 1999, October 1933 in Stand- in 1985. spect of his troops. tions of the country. even ending his Parliamentary C speech speaking in Mandela’s erton, Transvaal in the then Un- During Operation Savan- When he retired from the The force was assembled in 3 ion of South Africa. He had an nah in 1975 he was the senior SADF in 1985 he had won the preparation for war with Um- native language, Xhosa: Go rest identical twin brother, Abraham SADF military officer directing respect of both friend and foe khonto we Sizwe, the military in peace. Go rest in the shadow (Braam) Viljoen. operations. alike. wing of the African National of a tree at your home. 4 Constant Viljoen would go In 1978 he was credited with In 1993, Viljoen and fellow Congress (ANC), as a potential In 2001, Viljoen handed over contingency to protect Afrikan- the leadership of the Freedom on to become the Chief of the having planned the first major retired generals formed the Af- 5 South African Defence Force, airborne assault in South Afri- rikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner er interests. Front to Pieter Mulder and re- while his brother came an an- can military history with Oper- People’s Front), an umbrella In March 1994, Viljoen led tired from politics, citing his ti-apartheid activist. ation Reindeer, the raid carried body for conservative Afrikan- an effort by several thousand frustration working with a par- 6 Viljoen matriculated from out at Cassinga against SWAPO ers. Volksfront militia to protect liament dominated by the ANC. Standerton High School in 1951 insurgents. However, Viljoen reportedly the bantustan president, Lucas In 2003, it emerged that Vil- and went on to study at the Uni- Despite his rank, Viljoen was had strained relationships with Mangope, in Bophuthatswana joen had been a target of the Bo- 7 versity of Pretoria. present during the battle, of- the leaders of other right-wing against a coup d’état. eremag paramilitary right-wing Upon completing a degree in fering what was described as a parties, who considered him too Despite being requested not group, which considered him a 8 military science, Viljoen joined to participate in the action be- traitor who had underhandedly the Union Defence Force in cause of extremist views, mil- sold out the Afrikaner people. 1956. He became a member itants of the Afrikaner Weer- Current Freedom Front Plus 9 of the South African Artillery standsbeweging also advanced leader Pieter Groenewald an- Corps. into Bophuthatswana, sparking nounced on 3 April 2020 that In 1962 Viljoen became the clashes with the security forces. Viljoen had died on his farm in 10 Chief Instructor Gunnery at the Immediately after the inci- Ohrigstad, Limpopo. He was School of Artillery. He held this dent, Viljoen split from the 86 and was surrounded by his 1. Star of South Africa post until 1963. In 1966 he took Volksfront and initiated a le- children. Viljoen died of natu- 2. Southern Cross Decora- over the post of Officer Com- gitimate election campaign, ral causes. He is survived by his tion manding School of Artillery co-founding and becoming wife Christina Susanna Heck- 3. South African Police from Hendrik Greyvenstein, leader of the Freedom Front roodt, four sons and a daughter. Star for Outstanding and served in this position until (Vryheidsfront), a new political I had the honour of meeting Service 1968. party representing white con- General Viljoen when I served 4. Southern Cross Medal In 1968 he replaced JW van servatives. His decision to take in the military. 5. Military Merit Medal Niekerk as Officer Command- part in the elections is believed In later years, as a journalist, 6. Pro Patria Medal ing South African Army Col- to have prevented armed re- it was my privilege to interview 7. Good Service Medal, lege and held the post until sistance by the far right and on him a number of times as a pol- Gold 1969. the occasion of his retirement itician. 8. Good Service Medal, In 1976 Viljoen was promot- from politics, the South African The last time I met with Gen- Silver ed to the rank of Lieutenant government recognised him for eral Viljoen was at the MOTH 9. Permanent Force Good General and replaced Lieuten- preventing bloodshed. Border Boy’s Parade in Cape Service Medal ant General Magnus Malan In the 1994 general election, Town in 2011. He was the guest 10. Order of the Cloud and as Chief of the South African the Freedom Front, under the speaker. Banner - with Grand Army. leadership of Viljoen, received Rest in peace sir. You were Cordon (2nd Grade) In 1980 Viljoen was promot- 2.2% of the national vote and always the living embodiment (Taiwan) ed to General and assumed the nine seats in the National As- of the phrase, “an officer and a post of Chief of the South Af- sembly. It became the strongest gentleman.” 32 33 rest in order to regain their A matter of survival - Making camp Bad places to camp strength, or where it is nec- essary to wait for the weather Over the next few months we will be running a series of articles looking at survival, something that 1. Hilltops exposed to wind (move down and look for to clear before attempting a has always been important for those in the military. This month we look at making camp. shelter on the leeside). journey. 2. Valley bottoms and deep hollows -could be damp and, Use the time to stockpile hether you are the way along a contour may especially when the sky is clear, more liable to frost at Where to camp equipment and provisions. victim of some sort bring you out of the wind. If you are on high ground night. W of a disaster such If no cave or crevice is avail- go lower down to find a shel- 3. Hillside terraces where the ground hold moisture. Hasty shelter as a plane crash, or wheth- able to give shelter, make use 4. Spurs which lead down to water, which are often routes tered spot, but on low, wet If no materials are availa- er you’re a soldier stuck out of any hollow in the ground. to animals’ watering places. ground you will need to climb ble for constructing a shelter in the bush, you’re going to Add to its height, if possible, higher to find somewhere se- make use of any cover and need to sleep at some stage. by piling up rocks. Just make curely dry. protection that is available - This is where shelter is vital. sure that it is stable - you Look for somewhere shel- water, however, may lead you Don’t camp across a game cliff faces, overhands, gradi- Shelter is necessary to give don’t want it to fall on you tered from the wind, on ris- to be troubled by insects, and trail - the last thing you need ents and so forth, which will shade, to repel wind and rain, during the night. ing ground that has no risk the sound of running water is marauding animals as un- will shield you from the wind and to keep in warmth. Sleep If you have one, you can use of flooding and is safe from can hide other noises which welcome guests or to find or rain. and adequate rest are essen- a backpack to add height and rock falls or avalanches. might indicate danger, or the your camp flattened by a herd Incorporate natural wind- tial and the time and effort increase your windshield be- Hot air rises, cold air sinks, sound of search or rescue par- of animals on their way to a breaks to quickly constructed you put into making your fore settling down on the lee- so valley bottoms will often ties. waterhole - but stay near to shelters. shelter will make them easier ward side. contain pockets of colder air On river banks look for the any obvious human tracks. In completely open plains, to obtain. If there is still daylight to and, in cold weather, be sus- high water mark. In mountain sit with your back to the wind If you are the victim of a see by and you have no inju- Types of shelter ceptible to frost and damp regions streams can become and pile any equipment be- plane crash or a vehicle that ries to handicap you, it will be mist. torrents in minutes, rising The type of shelter you hind you as a windbreak. has broken down in the mid- worth seeking better places In areas that get plenty of as much as five metres in an build will depend upon local dle of nowhere, they may in the vicinity. Just remember rainfall terraces across a slope hour. conditions and the materi- Next month we will look provide a shelter or materials that in some areas in can get will often be damper than the Even on plains keep out of als available - and upon how at building various types of from which one can be built. dark very quickly. So make steeper ground above and be- old watercourses, no matter long you expect to need it. shelters. If, however, there is a fire sure you select a spot before low them, for water collects how dry they are. Heavy rain For immediate protection or the threat of the fuel tanks darkness falls. there before flowing further in nearby hills can easily send from the elements, rig up a exploding, wait until it has For a long-term camp you downward. water rushing down them in makeshift shelter while you burned out before attempting should find a secure site with Ideally you should be near flash floods, with practically construct something better salvage. convenient access to your water, with a plentiful sup- no warning. and more permanent. If you are the unequipped major needs. ply of wood nearby at hand. Choose ground that is rea- If you decide to stay put victim of an accident, are Pitching camp too close to sonably flat and free of rocks and wait for rescue, a more trapped by unexpected mist and make sure that you have long-term shelter can be built or caught by nightfall in ter- space to lay out signals and and improved on as time and rain where it is not safe to that you can be easily spotted energy permit. proceed, or if exhaustion and by rescue parties. For those walking to safety, injury prevents you going fur- Check above your head for on the other hand, temporary ther, you may have to make bees’ or hornets’ nests and for shelters can be built at each do with any natural shelter dead wood in trees that could stopping point. They can even you can find for the night. Or come crashing down in the be carried with you if they are until you can at least access next storm or high wind. sufficiently light and there is the situation. Keep away from solitary significant risk that materi- In this case, virtually any trees, they can attract light- als may no be available at the protection from wind, rain ning, and in forest areas keep next camp site. and cold will be welcome. If to the edges, where you can A more permanent shelter movement down a slope is see what is going on around will certainly be worthwhile risky, traversing even a short you. for sick or injured, who must

34 35 Havildar (Infantry) Rank Structure Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments) Indian Army Promotion is by selection. Over the next few months we will be running a series of articles looking at the rank structure of Retirement – After 26 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is earlier. various armed forces. This month we look at the Indian Army.

he Indian Army is the third largest standing Quarter Master Havildar (Infantry) Tarmy in the world, with Quarter Master Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments) over 1,325,000 active troops and 2,143,000 reserve troops. Promotion is by selection. Their ranks structure is based on that of the British Army. Retirement – After 26 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is earlier.

Sepoy Junior Commissioned Officers The Sepoys identify themselves according to the Corps that they serve in. For example, a sepoy from Signals will identify him as Signalman, from Infantry as Naib Subedar (Infantry) Rifleman and from the Armoured Corps as Gunner. Naib Risaldar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)

Promotion by selection.

Retirement – After 28 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is earlier. Non-Commissioned Officers

Lance Naik (Infantry) Subedar (Infantry) Acting Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments) Risaldar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)

Promotion is by selection. Promotion by selection.

Retirement – After 22 years service or at the age of 48, whichever is earlier. Retirement – After 30 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is earlier.

Naik (Infantry) Subedar Major (Infantry) Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments) Risaldar Major (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)

Retirement – After 24 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is earlier. Promotion by selection.

Retirement – After 34 years service or at the age of 54, whichever is earlier

36 37 Commissioned Officers Brigadier Brigadiers are promoted by selection (after 25 years of commissioned ser- Lieutenant vice).

Rank achieved on commissioning into Indian Army as an Officer. Retirement – At the age of 56.

Major General

Major Generals are promoted by selection (after 32 years of commissioned Captain service).

Time-bound promotion on completion of two years commissioned service. Retirement – At the age of 58.

Lieutenant General

Lieutenant generals are appointed only by selection (after 36 years of com- Major missioned service) and may hold the position of a Vice Chief of Army Staff or Army Commanders. Time-bound promotion on completion of six years commissioned service. Retirement – At the age of 60.

General

Apart from the honorary rank of Field Marshal, this is the highest rank held Lieutenant Colonel by an Army officer. It is only the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) who holds this rank. Time-bound promotion on completion of 13 years commissioned service. Retirement – After three years as COAS or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

Field Marshal

The Field Marshal rank is the highest rank in the Indian Army. It is a cere- monial or wartime rank and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Field Marshal Colonel KM Cariappa have been the only two officers to be elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. Colonels may be promoted by selection (after 15 years of commissioned ser- vice) or may be promoted (time-scale) after 26 years of commissioned service. Time-scale Colonels may, however, only hold the portfolio of a Lt. Colonel.

Retirement – At the age of 54.

38 39 head to head head to head

Military Strength 9. Turkey In the eighth of a series of articles, we examine attack helicopters used by the ten Total military personnel – 891,300 strongest current military forces. ast month we looked at armed helicopter with the pri- Weapons used on attack hel- T129 ATAK the self-propelled artil- mary role of an attack aircraft, icopters can include auto-can- The TAI/AgustaWestland lery of the ten strongest with the capability of engaging nons, machine guns, rockets, T129 ATAK is a twin-en- L gine, tandem seat, multi-role, military forces. targets on the ground, such as and guided anti-tank missiles This month we turn our atten- enemy infantry and armoured such as the Hellfire. Many at- all-weather attack helicop- tion to the skies as we look at fighting vehicles. Due to their tack helicopters are also capable ter based on the Agusta A129 the attack helicopters used by heavy armament they are some- of carrying air-to-air missiles, Mangusta platform. The T129 these forces. times called helicopter gun- though mostly for purposes of was developed by Turkish Aer- An attack helicopter is an ships. self-defence. ospace Industries (TAI) with partner AgustaWestland. The helicopter is designed for ad- 10. Germany vanced attack and reconnais- Total military personnel – 210,305 sance missions in hot and high environments and rough ge- • Height: 3.4 metres CTS800-4A turboshaft, ography in both day and night • Crew: Two (pilot and co-pi- 1,014 kW conditions. lot/gunner) • Operational range: 561 km Eurocopter Tiger • Armament: 1× M197 • Service ceiling: 6,096 me- The Eurocopter (now Air- • Manufacturer: Turkish Aer- 20x102 mm three-barrel ro- tres bus Helicopters) Tiger is a ospace Industries tary cannon (500 rounds); • Rate of climb: 14.0 m/s four-bladed, twin-engined at- • Gross weight: 5,000 kg various rockets and missiles • Max Speed: 278 km/h tack helicopter which first • Length: 13.45 metres • Powerplant: 2 × LHTEC entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), the successor company to Aérospa- 8. United Kingdom tiale’s and DASA’s respective Total military personnel – 157,500 helicopter divisions, which des- ignate it as the EC665. Development of the Tiger Apache AH1 started during the Cold War, The AgustaWestland Apache and it was initially intended readiness in 2008. various rockets and missiles is a licence-built version of the as an anti-tank helicopter plat- • Powerplant: 2 × MTR Boeing AH-64D Apache Long- form to be used against a Sovi- • Manufacturer: Eurocopter MTR390 turboshaft en- bow attack helicopter for the et ground invasion of Western • Gross weight: 5,090 kg gines, 972 kW British Army Air Corps. Europe. During its prolonged • Length: 14.08 metres • Operational range: 800 km The Apache was a valued development period the Sovi- • Height: 3.83 metres • Service ceiling: 4,000 me- form of close air support in the et Union collapsed, but France • Crew: Two (pilot and weap- tres conflict in Afghanistan, being and Germany chose to proceed on systems officer) • Rate of climb: 10.7 m/s deployed to the region in 2006. with the Tiger, developing it in- • Armament: 1× 30 mm (1.18 • Max Speed: 290 km/h stead as a multi-role attack hel- in) GIAT 30 cannon in chin • Manufacturer: Westland icopter. It achieved operational turret, with up to 450 rounds; Helicopters 40 41 head to head head to head • Gross weight: 8,006 kg Gun, 1200 rounds; various • Operational range: 537 km • Length: 17.7 metres rockets and missiles • Service ceiling: 6,400 me- • Height: 3.87 metres • Powerplant: 2 × Rolls- tres 6. Japan • Crew: Two Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 • Rate of climb: 12.7 m/s Total military personnel – 310,457 • Armament: M230 Chain turboshaft, 1,693 kW • Max Speed: 293 km/h Bell AH-1 Cobra The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a 7. Republic of Korea two-blade rotor, single-engine Total military personnel – 3,699,000 attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was de- veloped using the engine, trans- AH-64 Apache mission and rotor system of the The Boeing AH-64 Apache Bell UH-1 Iroquois. (/əˈpætʃi/) is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicop- • Manufacturer: Bell Helicop- ter with a tailwheel-type land- ter ing gear arrangement and a tan- • Gross weight: 4,309 kg dem cockpit for a crew of two. • Length: 16 metres It features a nose-mounted sen- • Height: 4.11 metres sor suite for target acquisition • Crew: Two (pilot, and co-pi- • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming tres and night vision systems. lot/gunner) T53-L-13 turboshaft, 820 • Rate of climb: 6,2 m/s The AH-64 has significant • Armament: 2 × 7.62 mm kW • Max Speed: 276 km/h systems redundancy to improve multi-barrel Miniguns; vari- • Operational range: 570 km combat survivability. ous rockets and missiles • Service ceiling: 3,500 me-

• Manufacturer: Boeing De- lot/gunner) Electric T700-GE-701 tur- fense, Space & Security • Armament: 1 × 30 mm boshaft engines, 1,260 kW 5. France • Gross weight: 8,006 kg M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 • Operational range:480 km Total military personnel – 426,265 • Length: 17.73 metres rounds; various rockets and • Service ceiling: 6,000 me- • Height: 3.87 metres missiles tres • Crew: Two (pilot, and co-pi- • Powerplant: 2 × General • Max Speed: 293 km/h Eurocopter Tiger Like Germany, France uses the Eurocopter Tiger.

Rooivalk • Manufacturer: Eurocopter The Rooivalk project began in early 1984 under the auspices of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, • Gross weight: 5,090 kg a predecessor of Denel Aviation. Faced with the increasingly conventional nature of the South • Length: 14.08 metres African Border War, the South African Defence Force recognised the need for a dedicated attack • Height: 3.83 metres helicopter and accordingly set along the process of developing a suitable aircraft. • Crew: Two (pilot and weap- The Atlas XH-1 Alpha was the first prototype to emerge from the program. It was developed on systems officer) from an Aérospatiale Alouette III airframe, retaining that helicopter’s engine and dynamic com- • Armament: 1× 30 mm (1.18 ponents, but replacing the original cockpit with a stepped tandem one, adding a 20 mm cannon in) GIAT 30 cannon in chin on the nose and converting the undercarriage to tail-dragger configuration. The XH-1 first flew turret, with up to 450 rounds; on 3 February 1985. The results were ultimately good enough to convince Atlas and the SAAF various rockets and missiles that the concept was feasible, opening the door for the development of the Rooivalk. gines, 972 kW tres • Powerplant: 2 × MTR • Operational range: 800 km • Rate of climb: 10.7 m/s MTR390 turboshaft en- • Service ceiling: 4,000 me- • Max Speed: 290 km/h 42 43 head to head head to head

4. India 2. Russia Total military personnel – 2,598,921 Total military personnel – 3,586,128

AH-64 Apache Mil Mi-28 The Indian military have be- The Mil Mi-28 (NATO re- gun using the AH-64 Apache. porting name “Havoc”) is a Russian all-weather, day-night, • Manufacturer: Boeing De- military tandem, two-seat an- fense, Space & Security ti-armour attack helicopter. • Gross weight: 8,006 kg • Length: 17.73 metres • Manufacturer: Mil • Height: 3.87 metres • Gross weight: 10,700 kg • Crew: Two (pilot, and co-pi- • Length: 17.01 metres lot/gunner) • Height: 3.82 metres • Armament: 1 × 30 mm • Crew: Two (pilot, and weap- M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 ons officer) rounds; various rockets and • Armament: 1× chin-mount- • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov • Service ceiling: 5,700 me- missiles boshaft engines, 1,260 kW tres ed 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 TV3-117 turboshaft en- tres • Powerplant: 2 × General • Operational range:480 km • Max Speed: 293 km/h cannon with 250 rounds; gines, 1,636 kW • Max Speed: 320 km/h Electric T700-GE-701 tur- • Service ceiling: 6,000 me- various rockets and missiles • Operational range:435 km

3. China Total military personnel – 2,545,000 1. United States Total military personnel – 4,397,128 CAIC Z-10 The CAIC Z-10 is designed AH-64 Apache primarily for anti-tank warfare The US Military are still us- missions but has secondary air- ing the AH-64 Apache as their to-air capability as well. front-line attack helicopter.

• Manufacturer: Changhe Air- • Manufacturer: Boeing De- craft Industries Corporation fense, Space & Security • Gross weight: 5,100 kg • Gross weight: 8,006 kg • Length: 14.15 metres • Length: 17.73 metres • Height: 3.85 metres • Height: 3.87 metres • Crew: Two • Crew: Two (pilot, and co-pi- • Armament: 1 x 25 mm lot/gunner) M242 Bushmaster chain • Armament: 1 × 30 mm gun; various rockets and 1,000 kW • Rate of climb: 10 m/s M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 Electric T700-GE-701 tur- tres missiles • Operational range:800 km • Max Speed: 270 km/h rounds; various rockets and boshaft engines, 1,260 kW • Max Speed: 293 km/h • Powerplant: 2 × WoZhou-9 • Service ceiling: 6,400 me- missiles • Operational range:480 km (WZ-9) turboshaft engines, tres • Powerplant: 2 × General • Service ceiling: 6,000 me- 44 45 Famous figures in military history Famous figures in military history Hearing of Rommel’s reputa- tion as an outstanding military Erwin Rommel instructor, in February 1937 Hit- One of the best generals of World War II, a man that was respected by both friend and foe, ler assigned him as the War Min- the Desert Fox was a man to be reckoned with. istry liaison officer to the Hitler Youth, in charge of military egarded as one of the 9 November 1917, Rommel actions, he received the order training. Here he clashed with most able tank com- decided to attack with a much of Pour le Mérite, also known Baldur von Schirach, the Hitler Rmanders of the war, re- smaller force. Convinced that as the Blue Max. Youth leader, over the training spected by friend and foe alike, they were surrounded by an In January 1918, Rommel that the boys should receive. Erwin Rommel earned the entire German division, the was promoted to Hauptmann Consequently, Rommel was nickname der Wüstenfuchs or 1st Italian Infantry Division – (captain) and assigned to a quietly removed from the proj- the Desert Fox. 10,000 men – surrendered to staff position with XLIV Army ect in 1938. He was promoted Johannes Erwin Eugen Rom- Rommel. For this and earlier Corps, where he served for the to Oberst (colonel) on 1 August mel was born on 15 November remainder of the war. 1937, and in 1938 Rommel, 1891 in Heidenheim, Kingdom was appointed commandant of of Württemberg, German Em- RISING STAR: Rommel (right) had already made a name for the Theresian Military Acad- pire. himself by the end of World War I. emy War Academy at Wiener At the age of 18 Rommel de- Yet Rommel paid a heavy frontations. He decided against Neustadt. cided to join the army. He was In October 1938 Hitler spe- rejected by both the artillery price during the war. In Septem- storming the city of Lindau, ber 1914, for example, Rommel which had been taken by revo- cially requested that Rommel and engineers. In 1910 he was be seconded to command the accepted into the infantry and charged three French soldiers lutionary communists. Instead, with a bayonet after running Rommel negotiated with the city Führerbegleitbrigade (his es- joined the local 124th Würt- cort battalion). This unit ac- temberg Infantry Regiment as out of ammunition, only to be council and managed to return shot in the thigh so badly that a it to the legitimate government companied him whenever he a Fähnrich (ensign), studying traveled outside of Germany. at the Officer Cadet School in hole opened up as big as his fist. through diplomatic means. Three years later in Romania, He was assigned as an in- Danzig. World War II He graduated in November he lost a considerable amount of structor at the Dresden Infantry blood from a bullet to the arm, School from 1929 to 1933, and Rommel was promoted to 1911 and was commissioned Generalmajor on 23 August as a lieutenant in January 1912 and he also continuously suf- was promoted to major in April fered from stomach ailments, 1932. 1939 and assigned as com- and was assigned to the 124th mander of the Führerbegleit- Infantry in Weingarten. fevers and exhaustion. While at Dresden, he wrote a manual on infantry training, brigade battalion, tasked with Between the wars published in 1934. Rommel guarding Hitler and his field World War I headquarters during the inva- Rommel would go on to dis- Rommel remained with the was promoted to Oberstleutnant 124th Regiment until 1 October (lieutenant colonel) in October sion of Poland, which began on tinguish himself during World 1 September. War I. Rommel was awarded the 1920, when he was named com- 1933, and given his next com- pany commander of the 13th mand, the 3rd Jäger Battalion, Following the Poland cam- Iron Cross, Second Class,and paign, Rommel was keen to take was promoted to Oberleutnant Infantry Regiment in Stuttgart, 17th Infantry Regiment, sta- a post he held with the rank of tioned at Goslar. command of one of Germany’s (first lieutenant) and trans- panzer divisions, of which there ferred to the newly created captain for the next nine years. Here he first met Hitler, who His regiment was involved inspected his troops on 30 Sep- were only ten. Despite being Royal Wurttemberg Mountain turned down by the army’s per- Battalion of the Alpenkorps in in quelling riots and civil dis- tember 1934. In September turbances that were occurring 1935 Rommel was moved to the sonnel office, Rommel was giv- September 1915, as a company en command of a panzer divi- commander. throughout Germany at this time. War Academy at Potsdam as an Wherever possible, he avoided instructor, a post he held for the sion. Some say on the personal Acting as advance guard in intervention of Hitler. the capture of Longarone on the use of force in these con- next three years. 46 47 His outstanding leadership was returning from visiting the in France seemed to justify headquarters of the I SS Panzer his appointment as a general Corps. His car was attacked by and commander of a tank di- a Spitfire and a 20 mm round vision. During the invasion of shattered the driver’s left arm, Belgium and France, Rommel causing the vehicle to come off had proved himself to be a dar- the road and crash into some ing and resourceful leader. For trees. Rommel was thrown from his actions he was awarded the the car, suffering injuries to the Knight’s Cross. left side of his face from glass shards and three fractures to his North Africa skull. He was hospitalised with On 6 February 1941, Rom- major head injuries. mel was appointed commander On 20 July an attempt was of the newly created Deutsches made on Hitler’s life by senior Afrika Korps (DAK), consisting NAZI FARCE: Rommel was given a State Funeral and mourn- German army officers. Rommel of the 5th Light Division (later ed as a hero. Even though Hitler had ordered his death. was implicated in the plot. CHEERS: Rommel (left) shares a drink of water with one of his redesignated 21st Panzer Divi- officers somewhere in the Western Desert. marschall for this victory. formed Army Group B. Hitler knew that having Rom- sion) and of the 15th Panzer Di- Allied strategists feared that On 16 August 1943 Rommel’s mel branded and executed as a vision. Greece. They fell back to Mersa Battle of Gazala began. if Rommel captured Egypt, the headquarters moved to Lake traitor would severely damage He was promoted to the rank of El Brega and started construct- Threatened with being cut off, Middle East and possibly the Garda in northern Italy and for- morale on the home front. He Generalleutnant three days later ing defensive works. the British began a retreat east- Caucasus would be next to fall. mally assumed command of the decided to offer Rommel the and flew to Tripoli on 12 Feb- Rommel continued his attack wards towards Egypt in what However, Hitler viewed the army group, which consisted chance to take his own life. ruary. The DAK had been sent against these positions to pre- became known as the “Gazala North African campaign primar- of 44th Infantry Division, 26th If he took his own life Rom- to Libya in Operation Sonnen- vent the British from building up Gallop”. ily as a way to assist his Italian Panzer Division and SS Division mel would be given a full mili- blume, to support Italian troops their fortifications. After a day With this task completed, allies, not as an objective in and Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. tary funeral and his family that had been severely defeated of fierce fighting on 31 March, Rommel struck for Tobruk of itself. He would not consider On 21 November Hitler gave would receive a full pension. by British Commonwealth forc- the Germans captured Mersa El while the enemy was still con- sending Rommel the reinforce- Kesselring overall command of If not he would be tried and es in Operation Compass. Brega. fused and disorganised. ments and supplies he needed the Italian theater, moving Rom- executed and his family would His efforts in the Western Des- Splitting his force into three Tobruk’s defenders were at to take and hold Egypt, as this mel and Army Group B to Nor- have suffered. Rommel took a ert Campaign earned Rommel groups, Rommel resumed the this point the 2nd South Afri- would have required diverting mandy in France with responsi- cyanide capsule. the nickname the “Desert Fox” advance on 3 April. Benghazi can Infantry Division, 4th An- men and supplies from his pri- bility for defending the French The German public were told from British journalists. fell that night as the British tiaircraft Brigade, 11th Indian mary focus: the Eastern Front. coast against the long anticipat- that Rommel had died as a re- Rommel and his troops were pulled out of the city. Infantry, 32nd Army Tank, and From then on the tide turned ed Allied invasion. sult of the injuries he suffered technically subordinate to Ital- The port city of Tobruk held 201st Guards Brigades, all un- against Rommel in North Africa. after the air attack. ian commander-in-chief Gen- out. Even though it was sur- der command of General Hen- His defeat at the Second Battle The death of Rommel Erwin Rommel died on 14 eral Italo Gariboldi. Disagree- rounded on land, they still had drik Klopper. The assault on of El Alamein was followed by Upon arriving in Northern October 1944 at the age of 52. ing with the Oberkommando access to supplies coming in by Tobruk began at dawn on 20 a series of defeats. Eventually France Rommel was dismayed Rommel’s grave is located in der Wehrmacht (OKW)’s orders boat. June, and Klopper surrendered Rommel had to retreat all the by the lack of completed works. Herrlingen, a short distance to assume a defensive posture Rommel launched two at- at dawn the following day. way to Tunisia. He set out to improve the for- west of Ulm. For decades after along the front line at Sirte, tacks on Tobruk. One on 14 With Tobruk, Rommel On 23 July 1943 Rommel was tifications along the Atlantic the war on the anniversary of Rommel resorted to subterfuge April and another on 30 April, achieved the capture of 32,000 moved to Greece as command- Wall with great energy and en- his death, veterans of the Africa and insubordination to take the but both failed. defenders, the port, and huge er of Army Group E to counter gineering skill. He had millions campaign, including former op- war to the British. A series of attacks and coun- quantities of supplies. Only a possible British invasion of of mines laid and thousands of ponents, would gather at Rom- In March 1941 Rommel went ter-attacks followed. First one at the fall of Singapore, ear- the Greek coast. He arrived in tank traps and obstacles set up mel’s tomb in Herrlingen to pay on the offensive against the Brit- side then the other was forced lier that year, had more British Greece on 25 July but was re- on the beaches and throughout their respects. ish. The British Western Desert to retreat. Commonwealth troops been called to Berlin the same date the countryside, including in Force had been weakened by On 26 May 1942, Rommel captured at one time. due to the overthrow of Musso- fields suitable for glider aircraft the transfer in mid-February of launched an attack on the Allied On 22 June, Hitler promot- lini. Rommel was to be posted to landings. three divisions to help defend fortifications at Gazala and the ed Rommel to Generalfeld- Italy as commander of the newly On 17 July 1944, Rommel 48 49 Forged in that it was over-engineered, Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road design in January 1937 when using expensive materials and wheels, often jamming them the Waffenamt (German Army battle labour-intensive production solid. This was a problem on Weapons Agency) requested methods. the Eastern Front in the muddy Henschel to develop a Durch- The Tiger was prone to cer- rasputitsa season and during bruchwagen (“breakthrough Tiger I tain types of track failures and periods of extreme cold. vehicle”) in the 30–33 tonne breakdowns, and was limited in Some 1,347 were built be- range. Only one prototype hull range by its high fuel consump- tween August 1942 and Au- was ever built and it was never Tiger! The very name was enough to invoke fear. Regarded as one of the best tanks during World tion. gust 1944. After August 1944, fitted with a turret. War II, the Tiger tank was forged in battle. It was expensive to production of the Tiger I was Combat experience against maintain, but generally phased out in favour of the Ti- the French SOMUA S35 cav- esignated the Panzer- Porsche, and the Roman nu- Sd.Kfz. 182. The tank was lat- mechanically reliable. ger II. alry tank and Char B1 heavy kampfwagen VI Ti- meral was added after the later er re-designated as PzKpfw VI It was difficult to trans- tank, and the British Matilda II Dger Ausf, it was often Tiger II entered production. The Ausf. E in March 1943, with port, and vulnerable to Early history infantry tanks during the Battle shortened to just ‘Tiger’. initial designation was Panzer- ordnance inventory designation immobilisation when Henschel & Sohn began the of France in June 1940 showed It was the first German - ar kampfwagen VI Ausführung H Sd.Kfz. 181. mud, ice, and snow froze development of a large tank that the German Army need- moured vehicle that mounted (‘‘Panzer VI version H’’, ab- While the Tiger I was an out- between its overlapping ed better armed and armoured the 8.8 cm KwK 36 gun (not breviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) standing design for its time and and interleaved tanks. to be confused with the 8.8 cm where ‘H’ denoted Henschel as devastating on the battle field, it Flak 36). the designer/manufacturer. was not without its faults. The tank was given its nick- It was classified with ord- One of the problems was name “Tiger” by Ferdinand nance inventory designation

50 51 On 26 May 1941, Henschel line-electric hybrid power unit because they had suffered a and Ferdinand Porsche were which needed large quantities Specifications mechanical breakdown, or had asked to submit designs for of copper for manufacture of become stuck in the mud or a a 45-tonne heavy tank, to be its electrical drivetrain compo- • Designer - Erwin Aders, swamp and couldn’t be recov- ready by June 1942. nents, a strategic war material Henschel & Son ered. Porsche worked on an updat- of which Germany had limited • Designed - 1938–41 A total of 868 Tigers were ed version of their VK 30.01 supplies with acceptable elec- • Manufacturer - Henschel lost due to reasons other than (P) Leopard tank prototype trical properties for such uses. • Weight - 54 tonnes. 57 combat. while Henschel worked on an Production of the Panzerkamp- tonnes (Ausf. E) The Tiger I had an advantage improved VK 36.01 (H) tank. fwagen VI Ausf. H began in Au- • Length - 6.316 m. 8.45 m over most British, American Henschel built two prototypes: gust 1942. gun forward and Russian tanks in that was a VK 45.01 (H) H1 with an Expecting an order for his • Width - 3.56 m effective at a greater range than 8.8 cm L/56 cannon, and a VK tank, Porsche built 100 chassis. • Height - 3.0 m they were. 45.01 (H) H2 with a 7.5 cm After the contract was awarded • Crew - 5 (commander, The other major advantag- gunner, loader, driver, as- PANZER MARCH: German Tiger I’s roll across the Russian L/70 cannon. to Henschel, they were used for steppes. es they held over the Russians a new turretless, casemate-style sistant driver) was that they had a crew of five, Design tank destroyer; 91 hulls were • Armour - 25-120 mm fully available; the PzGr 40 Early versions of the Tiger I’s while the Russians used a crew On 22 June 1941, Germany converted into the Panzerjäger • Main armament - 1 x 8.8 shell used tungsten, which was turret included two pistol ports of four. In Russian tanks the launched Operation Barbaros- Tiger (P) in early 1943. cm KwK 36 L/56. 92 AP in short supply as the war pro- however one these was replaced crew commander also acted as sa, the invasion of the Sovi- The Tiger I had frontal hull and HE rounds gressed. with a loader escape hatch and the gunner. et Union. The Germans were armour 100 mm thick, frontal • Secondary armament - 2× • PzGr. 39 (armour-piercing, the other deleted from later de- The Germans had a separate shocked to encounter Soviet turret armour of 100 mm and a x 7.92 mm MG 34. 4,500 capped, ballistic cap) signs. crew commander and he was T-34 medium and KV-1 heavy 120 mm thick gun mantlet. rounds. 4,800 rounds • PzGr. 40 (armour-piercing, able to search for targets with- tanks, and, according to Hen- The Tiger had 60 mm thick (Ausf. E) composite rigid) Combat out also having to concentrate schel designer Erwin Aders: hull side plates and 80 mm ar- • Engine - Maybach HL230 • Hl. Gr. 39 (high explosive German doctrine placed great on firing the main gun. “There was great consternation mour on the side superstruc- P45 V-12 690 hp, 515 kW) anti-tank) emphasis upon the heavy tanks All the German tanks also when it was discovered that the ture/sponsons, while turret • Power/weight - 9.5 kW / • sch. Sprgr. Patr. L/4.5 (in- destruction of enemy tanks in had radios, so they were able Soviet tanks were superior to sides and rear were 80 mm. The tonne cendiary shrapnel). both the defence and the of- to communicate with each con- anything available to the Heer top and bottom armour was 25 • Suspension - Torsion bar The internal layout was typ- fence. stantly. Only the lead Russian (Army).” mm thick; from March 1944, • Ground clearance - 0.47 m ical of German tanks. Forward The Germans based their fig- tanks had radios and they com- An immediate weight in- the turret roof was thickened to • Operational range - Road: was an open crew compartment, ures on the number of enemy municated with the other tanks crease to 45 tonnes and an in- 40 mm. 195 km. Cross country: with the driver and radio-opera- tanks killed against the number using a system of flags. crease in gun calibre to 8.8 cm Armour plates were mostly 110 km tor seated at the front on either of German Tiger tanks lost. This meant that the crew was ordered. The due date for flat, with interlocking construc- • Speed - Maximum, side of the gearbox. If you use this method to de- commander had to stand up in the new prototypes was set for tion. The armour joints were of road: 45.4 km/h. Sus- Behind them the turret floor termine the effectiveness of the the cupola to do this, not an ide- 20 April 1942, Adolf Hitler’s high quality, being stepped and tained, road: 40 km/h. was surrounded by panels Tiger tank, then they did very al situation in the heat of battle. 53rd birthday. Unlike the Pan- welded rather than riveted and Cross country: 20–25 forming a continuous level sur- well in combat. For all of it’s faults, the Tiger ther tank, the designs did not were made of maraging steel. km/h face. This helped the loader to A total of 713 Tiger tanks were was still regarded as one of the incorporate sloped armour, an The 56-calibre long 8.8 cm rior penetration to the 7.5 cm retrieve the ammunition, which lost in combat. This number in- best tanks of World War II. It innovation taken from the T-34. KwK 36 was chosen for the KwK 40 on the Sturmgeschütz was mostly stowed above the cludes the Tiger I, Tiger II and was a weapon that was forged Porsche and Henschel sub- Tiger. A combination of a flat III and Panzer IV but inferior to tracks. Three men were seat- the King Tiger. In contrast Ti- in battle. mitted prototype designs, each trajectory from the high muz- the 7.5 cm KwK 42 on the Pan- ed in the turret; the loader to ger’s killed 8,600 enemy tanks. Today, only seven Tiger I making use of the Krupp-de- zle velocity and precision from ther tank under ranges of 2,500 the right of the gun facing to That is a ratio of 11.52 enemy tanks survive in museums and signed turret. They were Leitz Turmzielfernrohr TZF 9b metres. At greater ranges, the the rear, the gunner to the left tanks destroyed for every Tiger private collections worldwide. demonstrated at Rastenburg in sight (later replaced by the mo- 8.8 cm KwK 36 was superior in of the gun, and the command- lost. Tiger 131 at the UK’s Tank front of Hitler. nocular TZF 9c) made it very penetration and accuracy. er behind him. There was also a Yet this doesn’t taken into ac- Museum, which was captured The Henschel design was accurate. The ammunition for the Ti- folding seat on the right for the count the number of Tiger tanks during the North Africa Cam- accepted, mainly because the Compared with the other con- ger had electrically fired prim- loader. that were lost due to other rea- paign, is currently the only one Porsche VK 4501 (P) prototype temporary German tank guns, ers. Four types of ammunition The turret had a full circular sons. restored to running order. design used a troubled gaso- the 8.8 cm KwK 36 had supe- were available but not all were floor and 157 cm headroom. Tigers would be abandoned 52 53 32. Shock absorber 40. MG Ammo pouch PzKpfw VI Tiger (SdKfz 181) Ausf E 33. Torsion bar suspension 41. Zimmerit anti mine protection, 34. Overlapping bogie wheels 200 kg over whole tank 1. 88 mm L/56 gun 20. 88 mm bins 35. Commanders cupola 2. 7.92 mm MG34 21. Hydraulic traverse foot pedal 36. Fan drive clutch lever 3. 7.92 mm MG34 22. Hydraulic traverse control 37. Air intake valve control 4. MG34 Ammo pouch 23. Disc brake drum 38. Petrol primer 5. Smoke dischargers 24. Steering unit 39. Petrol tap 6. Escape hatch 25. Steering wheel 7. Commanders seat 26. Gearbox 8. Traverse handwheel 27. Drivers seat 9. Pistol port 28. Handbrake 10. Traverse gearbox 29. Accelerator 11. Commanders shield 30. Foot brake 12. Gunners traverse handwheel 31. Clutch 13. Gunners elevating handwheel 35 14. Gunners seat 15. MG Firing pedal 16. Binocular telescope 17. Air cleaning system 5 6 18. Maybach engine 4 19. Fug 5 radio 2 7 17 9 16 11 8 10 12 1 41 18 38 4 14 36 40 13 37 19 20 39 3 20 4 22 15 21 23 24 25 27 26 32 28 33

30 31 29 34

54 55 On the night of 3 and 4 July, 1976, a group of Israeli asking him to request Amin to The plan was abandoned be- Kenya for the IDF task force to commandos carried out one of the most audacious spe- release the hostages. cause of three important fac- cross Kenyan airspace and re- cial forces raids in history - and they travelled more than Meanwhile the IDF was tors. First of all they lacked the fuel at what is today Jomo Ke- battlefield 5,000 kilometres to carry it out. tasked to prepare a military so- necessary time to plan the oper- nyatta International Airport. lution. ation. Secondly, Amin was sup- The Mossad, the Israeli intel- On the 1 July deadline the Is- porting the hijackers and would ligence agency, built an accu- raeli cabinet said that they were probably have not been pre- rate picture of the whereabouts n the morning of 27 June, 1973, Air eral non-Israeli Jews from the willing to negotiate with the hi- pared to give the commandoes of the hostages, the number of France Flight 139 departed from Ben larger group and forced them jackers if they were prepared to safe passage out of the country. hijackers, and the involvement O Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. into a separate room. O extend the deadline to 4 July. The third reason was because of Ugandan troops from the re- There were 246 passengers and a crew of 12 Over the following two days, Unknown to the Israelis, the Israelis received word that leased hostages in Paris. p on board. Most of the passengers were Israeli. 148 non-Israeli hostages were Amin had also asked the hi- Lake Victoria was infested with Then the Israelis had a lucky The plane flew to Athens, Greece, where it released and flown out to - Par jackers to extend the deadline crocodiles. break. The terminal where the e picked up another 58 passengers, including is. Ninety-four, mainly Israeli, to 4 July. He needed to take a The plan that was adopted hostages were being held had four hijackers. passengers along with the 12 diplomatic trip to Port Louis, was simple. Fly a rescue force actually been build by Solel r Flight 139 departed for Paris at 12h30. Acting member Air France crew, re- Mauritius, to officially hand from Israel to Entebbe, rescue Boneh, a large Israeli construc- under the orders of Wadie Haddad (who had mained as hostages and were over chairmanship of the Or- the hostages, and fly back to Is- tion company. While planning a earlier broken away from the Popular Front for threatened with death. ganisation of African Unity to rael. the military operation the IDF the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) of George On 28 June, a PFLP-EO hi- Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. The planes selected to be used erected a partial replica of the Habash), two Palestinians from the Popular jacker issued a declaration and t This extension of the dead- were Lockheed C-130 Hercules airport terminal with the as- Front for the Liberation of Palestine – External formulated their demands: In line would prove crucial in giv- aircraft. The problem was that sistance of civilians who had Operations (PFLP-EO), and by two Germans, addition to a ransom of five mil- i ing the IDF enough time to get they would have to be refueled helped build the original. Wilfried Böse and Brigitte Kuhlmann, from the lion US Dollars for the release to Entebbe. during the journey. The Israelis One of the French-Jewish pas- German Revolutionary Cells, sprung into ac- of the airplane, they demanded o did not have the capacity to re- sengers that had been released tion shortly after takeoff. the release of 53 Palestinian and fuel four to six aircraft in flight by the hijackers had a military The hijackers diverted the flight to Benghazi, Pro-Palestinian militants, 40 of The raid n so far from Israeli airspace. background and a ‘phenomenal Libya. It remained on the ground for seven whom were prisoners in Israel. Even though the Israelis were They would have to find some- memory’. He was able to pro- hours while it was refueled. They threatened that if these trying to negotiate a political where they could land and re- vide Mossad with detailed in- During this time the hijackers released Brit- demands were not met, they solution, they realised that their fuel. formation about the number of ish-born Israeli citizen Patricia Martell who would begin to kill hostages on only real option was a military T While several East African weapons carried by the hijack- pretended to have a miscarriage. 1 July 1976. operation to rescue the hostag- nations, including the logisti- ers, their number, and the loca- The flight left Benghazi and at 15h15 touched es. h cally preferred choice Kenya, tion of where the hostages were down at its final destination - Entebbe Airport Plans are prepared Naturally a rescue mission posed certain problems. First were sympathetic, none wished being kept. in Uganda. Israel tried using political av- u of all Entebbe was more than to incur the wrath of Amin or enues to obtain the release of 5,000 km away from Tel Aviv. the Palestinians by allowing Hostage situation the hostages. A retired Israeli Task Force n They would have to cross the the Israelis to land their aircraft On 3 July, at 18h30, the Israeli It soon became evident that not only was the Defence Force (IDF) officer, airspace of at least three coun- within their borders. cabinet approved a rescue mis- Ugandan government supporting the hijackers, Baruch “Burka” Bar-Lev, had tries to get there. The raid could not proceed sion, presented by Major Gen- d they were expecting them. They were person- known Idi Amin for many years They initially conceived a without assistance from at least eral Yekutiel “Kuti” Adam and ally welcomed by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. and was considered to have a plan that involved dropping na- one East African government. Brig. Gen. Dan Shomron. The e The four original hijackers were met at En- strong personal relationship val commandos into Lake Vic- The Jewish owner of the Block rescue mission was code named tebbe by at least four others. with him. At the request of the toria. hotels chain in Kenya, along ‘Operation Thunderbolt’. r The passengers and crew were transferred cabinet, he spoke with Amin on Entebbe Airport is located on with other members of the Jew- The Israeli ground task force to the transit hall of the disused former airport the phone many times, trying to the edge of the huge lake. The ish and Israeli community in would comprise of approxi- b terminal where they were kept under guard for gain the release of the hostages, commandos would then use Nairobi, may have used their mately 100 personnel. They the following days. Amin came to visit the hos- without success. rubber boats to travel to the air- political and economic influ- would be made up as follows: o tages almost on a daily basis, updating them on The Isrealis also approached port. They would then kill the ence to help persuade Kenya’s The ground command and developments and promising to use his efforts the United States government hijackers and free the hostages. President Jomo Kenyatta to control element l to have them freed through negotiations. to deliver a message to Egyp- They would then ask Amin for help Israel. The Israeli govern- This small group comprised The hijackers separated all Israelis and sev- tian president Anwar Sadat, t safe passage home. ment secured permission from the operation and overall 56 57 ground commander, Brigadier General Dan Shomron, the air force representative Col. Ami Ayalon and the communica- tions and support personnel. The assault element A 29 man assault unit led by Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanya- hu – this force was composed entirely of commandos from Sayeret Matkal (The Unit), and was given the primary task of assaulting the old terminal and rescuing the hostages. AMIN’S WHEELS: The black Mercedes Benz used during the The securing element raid stands in front of one of the C-130s that took part. The Paratroopers force led by Col. Matan Vilnai – tasked Near the south outlet of the the vehicles would allow them with securing the civilian air- Red Sea the C-130s turned to bypass security checkpoints. port field, clearing and securing south and passed south of Dji- The vehicles drove to the termi- the runways, and protection and bouti. From there, they went nal building just as Amin him- SCRAP METAL: Some of the remains of the Ugandan Air Force that were stationed at Entebbe. fuelling of the Israeli aircraft in to a point northeast of Nairobi, self would do. Entebbe. Kenya, likely across Somalia At they approached the ter- down! We are Israeli soldiers,” remaining hijackers, ending the The departure The Golani force led by Col. and the Ogaden area of Ethio- minal two Ugandan sentries in both Hebrew and English. assault. After the assault was com- Uri Sagi – tasked with securing pia. They turned west, passing ordered them to stop. The sen- Jean-Jacques Maimoni, a 19 In the meantime the run- pleted the Israelis began load- the C-130 Hercules aircraft for through the African Rift Valley tries were aware that Amin had year old French immigrant to way lights had been switched ing the hostages onto the wait- the hostages’ evacuation, get- and over Lake Victoria. recently purchased a new white Israel, stood up and was killed off. This was not a problem as ing C-130. ting it as close as possible to the Following the C-130s were Mecedes Benz. when Israeli company com- the Israelis had placed infra- Ugandan soldiers began to terminal and boarding the hos- two Boeing 707 jets. One con- The commandos shot the sen- mander Muki Betzer and an- red markers along the runway. shoot at them from the airport tages; also while acting as gen- tained medical facilities and it tries with silenced pistols, but other soldier mistook him for a Two more C-130s landed. Each control tower. A brief but in- eral reserves. landed at Jomo Kenyatta In- did not kill them. As they pulled hijacker and fired at him. of the C-130s carried two ar- tense fire-fight took place as the The Sayeret Matkal force led ternational Airport in Nairobi, away, an Israeli commando in Another hostage, Pasco Co- moured personnel carriers. Two Israelis returned fire with the by Major Shaul Mofaz – tasked Kenya. The commander of the one of the following Land Rov- hen, 52, a region manager at were used to guard against a AK-47s. with clearing the military air- operation, General Yekutiel ers killed the sentries with an the Meuhedet health fund, was possible attack by Ugandan At least five commandos were strip, and destroying the squad- Adam, was on board the second unsuppressed rifle. also fatally wounded by gunfire forces. wounded and the Israeli unit ron of MiG fighter jets on the Boeing, which circled over En- The task force now feared that from the commandos. In addi- The Israelis were worried that commander, Lt. Col Yonatan ground, to prevent any possible tebbe Airport during the raid. the hijackers would have been tion, a third hostage, 56 year the Ugandans might scramble Netanyahu was killed. His sec- interceptions by the Ugandan The first C-130 landed at En- alerted by the gunfire, so the as- old Ida Borochovitch, a Rus- the squadron of MiG fighters ond in command, Major Muki Air Force; also with holding off tebbe on 3 July at 23h00 with sault team quickly approached sian Jew who had emigrated to based at Entebbe. They could Betzer, then took command. hostile ground forces from the their cargo bay doors already the terminal. Israel, was killed by a hijacker have pursued the Israeli C-130s They returned fire at the city of Entebbe. open. The control tower had in the crossfire. and attacked them. To prevent control tower with light ma- turned the landing lights on. The hostage rescue At one point, an Israeli com- this the other two armoured chine guns and a rocket-pro- The route in The aircraft stopped at the The Israelis leapt from their mando called out in Hebrew, personnel carriers were used pelled grendade, suppressing The task force took off from end of the runway and three vehicles and sprinted towards “Where are the rest of them?” to destroy the MiGs. They then the Ugandans fire. One of Idi Sharm el-Sheikh and flew along vehicles were driven out. One the terminal. referring to the hijackers. The conducted a sweep of the air- Amin’s sons later said that the the international flight path was a black Mercedes Benz that The hostages were in the hostages pointed to a connect- field to gather intelligence. soldier who shot Netanyahu, a over the Red Sea. The flew at a looked like Idi Amin’s vehicle. main hall of the airport build- ing door of the airport’s main The forth C-130 landed and cousin of the Amin family, was height of no more than 30 me- It was accompanied by two ing, directly adjacent to the run- hall, into which the comman- taxied directly up to the termi- killed in the return fire. tres to avoid radar detection by Land Rovers that usually acted way. Entering the terminal, the dos threw several hand gre- nal building. It would be used The Israelis finished evacuat- Egyptian, Sudanese, and Saudi as his escort. commandos shouted through a nades. Then, they entered the to evacuate the assault team and ing the hostages, loaded Netan- Arabian forces. The Israelis were hoping that megaphone, “Stay down! Stay room and shot dead the three the hostages. yahu’s body onto the plane, and 52 53 one by one the planes took off. They flew to Nairobi, Kenya, where they refueled before set- ting off on the return leg of the Journal of the South African Legion journey. Tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Legioen The C-130 carrying the hos- tages arrived in Tel Aviv short- ly after midday on 4 July. They The SA Legion is a national organisation, part of a world- were given a rapturous wel- wide family that addresses the needs of ex-service per- come by family and friends. sonnel and their dependents by way of housing, pensions, Spontaneous celebrations broke out all over Israel as the news of employment and general welfare. It is apolitical, non-sec- the rescue spread. tarian, non-racial, non-sexist and non-partisan. The Springbok is the official journal of the South African The Ugandan reaction This was the flight path followed by THE ROUTE TO ENTEBBE: Legion. Read the February issue of Springbok by clicking Dora Bloch, a 74 year old the Israelis on their way to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. Israeli who also held British on the cover to the left. citizenship, was left behind in bolt, of which the actual assault praise, calling the Entebbe raid Uganda. lasted only 30 minutes, All sev- “an impossible operation”. During the hostage drama she en hijackers were killed, as were It was an audacious military Editor’s Note had choked on a chicken bone between 33 and 45 Ugandan operation, planned and execut- The SA Legion is an organisation that all South African military veterans should consider becom- while eating. She was taken to soldiers. Eleven Soviet-built ed in only six days and carried ing a member of. Mulago Hospital in Kampala. MiG-17 and MiG-21 Ugandan out more than 5,000 km away. The SA Legion is dedicated to: After the raid she was mur- Air Force fighter planes were Something that is interesting • Fostering the spirit of self-sacrifice, comradeship and co-operation that inspired members of the dered by officers of the Ugan- destroyed on the ground at En- to note is that no fewer than armed forces to work together in the common interest of their country. dan Army, as were some of her tebbe Airport. three future Israeli prime min- • Perpetuating the memory of those who fell and were left behind to lie in foreign fields. doctors and nurses that had Of the 106 hostages, three isters played a role in the raid. Find out more about the SA Legion by visiting their website by clicking here. tried to intervene. were killed, one was left in Yitzhak Rabin was the serv- Amin also ordered the killing Uganda, and approximately 10 ing prime minister who signed of hundreds of Kenyans living were wounded. The Israeli ca- of on the rescue. His Defence Click on the photograph below to take a virtual tour of Warrior’s Gate in Uganda in retaliation for Ke- sualties were one dead and five Minister was Shimon Peres, and find out more about the Memorable Order of Tin Hats. nya’s assistance to Israel in the wounded. a future PM, and Ehud Barak, raid. The new Chairman of the Or- yet another future PM was dis- It was Kenyan Minister of ganisation of African Unity laid patched to Keya to make the ar- Agriculture Bruce MacKen- a charge with the United Na- rangements for the refueling on zie that had persuaded Kenyan tions Security Council, accus- the C-130 aircraft on the way President Kenyatta to permit ing Israel of an “act of aggres- home. Mossad to collect intelligence sion.” Finally, Benjamin Netan- prior to the operation, and to al- The resolution failed to re- yahu, the current Prime Minis- low the Israeli Air Force access ceive the required number of ter of Israel, was a member of to the Nairobi airport. affirmative votes due to two ab- Sayeret Matkal at the time of In retaliation, Ugandan Presi- stentions and seven absences. the raid. He did not take part dent Idi Amin ordered Ugandan Western nations, however, in the raid because his elder agents to assassinate MacKen- spoke in support of the raid. brother, Lt. Col Yonatan “Yoni” zie. He was killed on 24 May West Germany called the raid Netanyahu, was already taking 1978 when a bomb attached to “an act of self-defence”. Swit- part. his aircraft exploded. zerland and France praised the operation. Representatives of The Aftermath the United Kingdom and Unit- During Operation Thunder- ed States offered significant 60 61 Gaming

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. Although in this case Matt O’ Brien is more a mangy mutt than a thoroughbred as he plans to overthrow a dictator with his force of motley mercenaries.

ay back in the mid have up to three squads. You where any new weapons, am- 1990s I used to play can contact each mercenary via munition and equipment will be Wa game called Jagged a video call on the AIM web- delivered. Alliance. It was a turn-based site. You can then hire them or Talking about weapons and game, the graphics were not hang up the call. the like, each mercenary has a that great, but damn it was fun Now the obvious thing to do load-out screen. This is where to play is hire the best 18 mercenaries, you will equip them. There are Then, in 2012, a revamped and off you go. Nope, that’s not slots for headgear (helmet, bush version of the game, “Jagged going to happen. hat, beret, etc), eye wear such Alliance: Back in Action”, was First of all, some mercenar- as night vision or sunglasses, released. While the game is ies may not be currently avail- shirt, pants, footwear, and pro- around that buy and sell stuff. take down a door or wall. their own unique characteris- now six years old, it’s still a lot able. They may already be on tection gear such as a Kevlar Their stock is often limited. The Weapons and equipment will tics, it means that each team of fun to play. an assignment somewhere, and vest and pants. best place to buy stuff is online deteriorate with use, to the will be different. Some of them The concept of the game is you’ll have to wait until they There are also three weap- at Bobby Ray’s Guns. He has a point where weapons will jam. refuse to work with each other that the king of a fictitious is- are available before you can on slots and 15 slots for other wide range of stock to choose A merc with high mechanical because of past incidents. land called Arulco has been hire them. equipment. The range of weap- from, but it comes at a cost. You skills can repair them or make Jagged Alliance is well worth overthrown by his wife, Queen Then there’s your budget. ons is vast. They range from order what you want from him, modifications to them. They are the price. Dedriana. She is not a nice lady The better mercenaries do not knives, axes, machetes, pistols, pay for it, and he will deliver also able to pick locks. by any means. The king wants come cheap. When you start revolvers, submachine guns, as- it to Drassen Airport. This will The game play consists of two his crown back, and he has the game there is no ways that sault rifles, light machine guns, often take a few days. You can parts. You can give your team hired you to do the job. you can afford them. And even sniper rifles, and rocket launch- pay extra for priority delivery. orders to move to a certain lo- You begin the game with a if you can afford them, many of ers. Some weapons can be fitted When putting a team together cation on the map, and off they laptop and a budget. The first them will refuse to work with with items such as silencers or you need to make sure that it is go. When there are enemy near- thing you need to do is go onto you. They consider you an am- scopes. balanced. A mercenary with a by you enter the combat phase a website called AIM. This ateur and a danger to yourself. Other items include ev- high marksmanship value will of the game. stands for Association of Inter- When you’ve earned a bit of a erything from grenades (HE, be excellent in combat or for You can use a pause function national Mercenaries. reputation they may then con- smoke, stun & gas), first aid long range sniping. While all to give each member of your There are a large number of sider working for you. kits, medical kits, weapon mercenaries are able to patch team specific orders, such as mercenaries available to choose So you’ll probably end up cleaning kits, tool box, explo- themselves up with a first aid go prone, crawl to there, aim at from. Each of them comes with starting with two or three mer- sives, lock pick kit, crowbar kit, those with high medical that enemy, and fire. a background story and certain cenaries that would battle to and much more. skills will be able to treat se- When you kill all the enemy attributes and skills. shoot themselves in the foot. You will want to equip your rious wounds with a medical in an area you take control of it. The attributes are: agility, Your first objective is to cap- team with the best weapons and kit. The last thing you want is But be aware that they will of- dexterity, strength, intelligence, ture Drassen Airport. The map gear. This costs money. You can for one of your better mercs to ten launch a counter-attack and and perception. The skills are: of the island is divided up into loot the corpses of enemies and bleed out because there is no- retake an area. Publisher - Kalypso medical, explosives, mechani- sectors and you will need to often you will find ‘cases’ with one able to treat them. Jagged Alliance is a pretty cal, marksmanship, and stealth. capture them to control them. items in them. But the real good A mercenary with high explo- decent game that will keep you Genre - RTS You can have up to six mer- Drassen is vital. This is where stuff needs to be bought. sive skills can defuse landmines occupied for hours. Score - 8.5/10 cenaries in a squad, and you can new mercenaries will arrive and There are various merchants or use an explosive charge to With each mercenary having Price - R219 (on Steam)

62 63 Book Review Movie A Bridge too Far Review Released: 1977 Running time: 176 minutes A Greater Share of Honour Director: Richard Attenborough Greater Share of Honour After five years service with 5 irected by Richard At- of the bridge there, backed by able cast. - The Memoirs of a Rec- South African Infantry Battalion, tenborough, A Bridge a brigade of Polish paratroop- Ace Officer by Major Jack both as an instructor and as a pla- Too Far is a 1977 Brit- ers under General Stanisław Cast Greef is one of the better books toon sergeant in the operational D about the elite Reconnaissance area, he passed selection for the ish-American war film based Sosabowski. XXX Armoured on the 1974 book of the same Corps are to push up the road Dirk Bogarde - Lieutenant-Gen- Regiment - the Recces. Recces and qualified as a combat name by Cornelius Ryan. over the bridges captured by eral Frederick “Boy” Browning As a young Staff Sergeant operator. He served in the Recces The film tells the story of Op- the American paratroopers and James Caan - Staff Sergeant Ed- in the Recces, Jack Greeff be- for 11 years and was the recipient eration Market Garden, a bold reach Arnhem two days after die Dohun came one of the most decorated of the Golden Operator’s Badge plan by the Allies during World the drop. Michael Caine - Lieutenant- soldiers in the SADF. Leading for 10 or more years as a combat War II to break through German two-man reconnaissance patrols operator in Special Forces. He be- lines and seize several bridges Speed is the vital factor. Arn- Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur hem’s is the crucial bridge, the Sean Connery - Major General deep into enemy held territories came one of the most decorated in the occupied Netherlands, and operating under the noses of soldiers in the SADF - all award- including one at Arnhem, with last means of escape for the Roy Urquhart German forces in the Nether- Edward Fox - Lt. Gen. Brian the enemy, they collected vital ed for achievements and bravery the main objective of outflank- strategic information on enemy during special operations. This ing German defences in order lands and an excellent route to Horrocks movements and installations. included a well-deserved Hono- to end the war by Christmas of Germany for Allied forces. The Elliott Gould - Col. Robert Stout 1944. road to it, however, is only a sin- Gene Hackman - Maj. Gen. Using the information gathered, ris Crux. After rising to the rank Kruger National Park and later The name for the film comes gle highway linking the various Stanisław Sosabowski he led raiding parties to the tar- of major he resigned to pursue a elsewhere in Africa. from an unconfirmed comment key bridges - trucks and tanks Anthony Hopkins - Lt. Col. John gets to execute what were prob- career as a game ranger. He has A Greater Share of Honour - attributed to British Lieutenant- have to squeeze to the shoulder Frost ably the biggest and most daring since successfully directed an- Major Jack Greef General Frederick Browning, to pass. The road is also elevat- Hardy Krüger - Generalmajor acts of sabotage in recent military ti-poaching operations, firstly in Softcover, 390 pages deputy commander of the First ed, causing anything moving on der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig history. South Africa’s world-renowned Cost: R375 Allied Airborne Army, who told the road to stand out. Ryan O’Neal - Brig. Gen. James Field Marshal Bernard Mont- The British are told that re- Gavin gomery, the operation’s archi- sistance at Arhem will con- tect, before the operation: “I sist entirely of “Hitler Youth think we may be going a bridge or old men on bicycles”. They too far”,in reference to the in- are wrong. The 9th and 10th tention of seizing the Arnhem SS Panzer Divisions have been bridgehead over the Rhine river. withdrawn from the front and The plan sees 35,000 men placed near Arnhem for rest and being flown 480 kilometres refitting. from air bases in England and The ground forces are held dropped behind enemy lines in up when Son bridge is blown the Netherlands. Two divisions up by the Germans just before of U.S. paratroopers, the 82nd the 101st Airborne secures it. and 101st Airborne, are respon- Meant to capture and hold the sible for securing the road and bridges at Arnhem for just two bridges as far as Nijmegen. A days, the British paratroopers British division, the 1st Air- hold out for nine days before Battle for Cassinga Shred when Read We fear naught but God borne, under Major-General the outgunned troops are cap- R220 R300 R395 Roy Urquhart, is to land near tured or forced to withdraw. Click on the poster to watch a Arnhem and hold both sides A great movie with a remark- trailer of the film. All books are available from Bush War Books 64 65 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY Some of the significant military events that happened in May. Highlighted in blue are the names was killed in military vehi- • 1943 - US 1st Armoured Di- (FNLC) invade Zaire’s Sha- of those members of the South African Defence Force (SADF) that lost their lives during the month cle accident at Vereeniging. vision captures Mateur, Tu- ba Province from Angola. of May. He was 22. nisia. • 1979 - Captain Gabriel Jo- • 2011 - U.S. Special Opera- • 1945 - British troops liberate hannes Jacobus Basson from 1 May • 1984 - Corporal Johannes surgency Wing: Ops K Divi- tions Forces killed Osama Rangoon from the Japanese. 4 SAI accidentally drowned • 1915 - A German U-boat Gerhardus Terblanche from sion (Koevoet) was Killed in bin Laden during a raid on • 1945 - Polish 10th Armoured when his boat struck an un- sinks the American tanker 1 SAI was killed instant- Action during a contact with his secret compound in Ab- Brigade captures Wilhelms- derwater obstruction and he ‘Gulflight’, three killed. ly when his Ratel Infantry SWAPO/PLAN insurgents bottabad, Pakistan. hafen. was thrown overboard by the • 1936 - Emperor Haile Se- Fighting Vehicle overturned in Northern Owamboland. • 1945 - RAF sinks sever- impact. He was 28. lassie leaves Ethiopia as the during exercises at the De He was 37. 3 May al German prison-ships in • 1982 - Falklands War: Ar- Italians rout his army. Brug Training Area. He was • 1985 - Rifleman Piet De- • 1846 - The Mexican Army Lubeck Bay. About 7,500 gentine Exocet missile sinks • 1941 - German assault on 20. fransa from 201 Battalion invades Texas. are killed. HMS ‘Sheffield’. Tobruk. SWATF was killed in a mil- • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- • 1946 - The Allied Military • 1987 - Corporal Cornelius • 1947 - Vice Adm Roscoe 2 May itary vehicle accident. He er War: A battle takes place Tribunal in Tokyo begins Johannes Du Toit from Regi- Hillenkoeter becomes 1st • 1863 - Stonewall Jackson is was 21. between the British forces war crimes trials. ment Bloemspruit died from CIA director. wounded by his own men at • 1987 - Three members from under Lord Roberts and the • 1961 - Defence legislation is a gunshot wound resulting • 1960 - An American U-2 Chancellorsville, he dies on 5 Reconnaissance Regiment Boers under Gen. De la Rey amended to enable use of the from an accidental discharge spy plane was shot down 10 May. were Killed in Action during at Brandfort OFS. De la Rey armed forces for the suppres- of a fellow soldier’s rifle over Sverdlovsk in central • 1943 - Japanese aircraft a contact with enemy forc- retreats at nightfall. sion of internal disorder and while at Fouriesburg. He Russia on the eve of a sum- bomb Darwin, Australia. es at Otchinjau in Southern • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer reorganise the police so as was 24. mit meeting between Presi- • 1945 - Berlin formally sur- Angola during Ops Bauwer. War: General Lord Roberts to co-ordinate its command • 1988 - Representatives of dent Dwight D. Eisenhower renders to the Red Army. They were: Corporal Augus- departs from Bloemfontein headquarters with that of the South Africa, United States, and Soviet Russia’s Premier • 1945 - German forces in Ita- ta Fernando (26). Corporal and begins the ‘March to military. Angola and Cuba meet in Nikita Khrushchev. The pi- ly surrender. Martin Nyamhunga (24). Pretoria’ with almost 44,000 • 1969 - Lieutenant Andre London (3-4 May) in search lot, CIA agent Francis Gary • 1982 - Falklands War: Brit- Corporal Obadiah Malose men, 18,000 horses, and Weilbach from 4 Squadron of a solution to the Angolan Powers, survived the crash, ish sub HMS ‘Conqueror’ Sebata (25). 1,200 field-guns. He leaves was killed when his AT-6 war and independence for and was tried, convicted sinks Argentine light cruis- • 1988 - A self-confessed SA to the strains of “We are Harvard failed to recover Namibia. and sentenced to 10 years in er ‘General Belgrano’, 323 spy of the security police in marching to Pretoria” which from a spin and crashed near prison by a Russian court. members of the crew are the ANC, Olivia Forsyth, is heard for the first time. Hartebeespoortdam during a 4 May • 1962 - First French under- killed. who was held prisoner at • 1941 - US supply ships final- routine general flying train- • 1860 - The Orange Free ground nuclear blast, in the • 1982 - Rifleman Karel Titus ANC Quatro prison camp ly reach the British Middle ing sortie. He was 25. State signs a peace treaty Sahara. from the South African Cape for seven months and spent East army at the Suez Canal. • 1976 - Two members of the with Moshesh at Witteber- • 1982 - Two members from Corps was killed when he another fifteen months un- Kempton Park Comman- gen, near Winburg, after the Infantry School were killed was knocked down and run der ANC guard in Luanda, do were killed in a military first Basuto war. in a private motor vehicle over by a civilian vehicle evades her guards and takes vehicle accident in Pretoria. • 1902 - General Smuts, on his accident between Edenburg while carrying road block refuge in the British embassy They were: Lance Corpo- way to the national delega- and Bloemfontein while on duties at Eersterivier. He was in Luanda. ral Johannes Petrus Hen- tion at Vereeniging to start weekend pass. The casual- 29. • 1990 - Two members from drik Barnard (20). Rifleman peace negotiations, meets ties were: Rifleman Marnes • 1982 - Captain Leon van the Cape Regiment were Lawrence William Custard with General Lord Kitchener van Jaarsveld (18). Rifle- Wyk from 1 Parachute Bat- accidentally killed when (24). at Kroonstad, OFS. man Jurgen Swaak (18). talion was Killed in Action their Buffel Troop Carrier • 1978 - Three thousand • 1916 - Germany abandons • 1982 - Rifleman Hans Ju- east of Otavi during a con- overturned in Mpumalanga. members of the Congolese unrestricted submarine war- rie Storm from 1 Parachute tact with SWAPO/PLAN in- They were: Corporal An- National Liberation Front fare, at the “request” of the Battalion was killed in a pri- surgents. He was 26. drew Afrika (23). Rifleman US. vate motor vehicle accident • 1984 - Special Warrant Of- Jan Geduld (36). • 1945 - German troops in the • 1990 - Lieutenant Mike Netherlands, Denmark, and near Bloemfontein while on ficer Benyamen Joseph from Osama bin Laden weekend pass. He was 19. the SWA Police Counter-In- Schillings from Group 17 Norway surrender 66 67 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY

• 1965 - Units of the SADF 90 Armoured Car Crew Technical Service Corps was etersen drowned while on than 300 the number of UN main unaccounted for. They are now being equipped with Commander from 2 Spe- captured during this encoun- Observation Post duties on personnel they are believed were: Major Raymond Hall a rifle made completely in cial Service Battalion “D” ter and later taken to Cuba. the Kavango River. He was to be holding captive and Carter (52). Captain Gideon South Africa. It is the R1- Squadron Walvis Bay, was He was released a few years 20. dealing another blow to UN Machiel Albertus Rossouw 7.62 mm rifle, developed Killed in Action. He was 19. later. The casualties were: • 1980 - Rifleman Simon Ka- peacekeeping efforts in Afri- (25). from the Belgian FN rifle, • 1978 - Corporal Herbert Lance Corporal Hendrik puna from (35 Battalion) ca. • 1978 - South Africa is con- with improvements. Charles Truebody, an Eland Jacobus Venter (20). Lance 101 Battalion SWATF was • 2011 - Claude Stanley demned by the United States • 1970 - At Kent State Uni- 90 Armoured Car Crew Corporal F. Petrus (22). Ri- Killed in Action during a Choules dies in Australia at of America for its recent versity, four students were Commander from 2 Spe- fleman L. Haifiku (24).Ri- contact with SWAPO/PLAN the age of 110. He was the raid into Angola (Operation killed by National Guards- cial Service Battalion “D” fleman H. Haimbodi (22). insurgents in Southern An- last combat veteran of World Reindeer). men who opened fire on Squadron Walvis Bay, was Rifleman W. Robert (23). gola. He was 24. War I and also the last vet- • 1982 - Lieutenant Raymond a crowd of 1,000 students Killed in Action when his Rifleman J. Petrus (20). • 1980 - Two members of eran to have served in both Roderick Hughes from 6 protesting President Richard Eland 90 armoured car was 8 SAI were Killed in Ac- World Wars. Squadron was killed near Nixon’s decision to invade hit by a Soviet 82mm B10 5 May tion after suffering multiple Port Elizabeth while ap- Cambodia. recoilless anti-tank rocket. • 1821 - France’s Napoleon shrapnel wounds when their 6 May proaching to land in Atlas • 1978 - South African air- He was 19. Bonaparte dies in exile on TB came under attack from • 1906 - British troops kill MB326M Impala Mk I while borne attack on a South • 1981 - Signaller Ronald the island of St. Helena. SWAPO/PLAN insurgents over sixty Zulus during a pu- returning from a routine West Africa People’s Organ- Christo van Hamersveld • 1941 - Emperor Haile Selas- using mortars and RPG- nitive expedition near Dur- training flight. He was 25. ization (SWAPO) military from 2 Signal Regiment was sie returns to Addis Ababa. 7 Anti-Tank Rockets. The ban, Natal. • 1983 - Rifleman Louis Smit base at the former town of killed in Military Vehicle • 1942 - US begins rationing casualties were: Rifleman • 1915 - Gallipoli: Allies at- from Regiment Westelike Cassinga, Angola. Conduct- Accident in Pretoria. He was sugar during WW II. Derek van den Berg (21). tack Cape Hellas. Provinsie suffered a fatal ed as one of the three major 21. • 1942 - A combined British Rifleman Andre Johannes • 1942 - Corregidor and the heart attack and died while actions of Operation Rein- • 1982 - Special Sergeant N. military and naval force land Redelinghuys (20). Philippines surrender to the on a foot patrol in the Opera- deer during the South Afri- Tamunila from the South on Madagascar and by the • 1987 - Lance Corporal Rod- Japanese tional Area. He was 25. can Border War, it was the West Africa Police Coun- afternoon the town of Diego ney Abraham Scott from • 1943 - Allied forces on their • 1991 - Gunner Phillipus An- South African Army’s first ter-Insurgency Wing: Ops Suarez is captured. Group 39 was killed in a way to Tunis wipe out Ger- dries van der Merwe from 25 major air assault. K Division (Koevoet) was • 1945 - Okinawa: 131 Kami- motor vehicle accident at man 15th Panzer Division. Field Regiment was killed • 1978 - Four members from Killed in Action during kaze sink 17 ships. Barkley East. He was 21. • 1945 - Axis Sally makes her when his Buffel Troop Carri- 2 and 3 Parachute Battalion a contact with SWAPO/ • 1945 - German troops in the • 2000 - Sierra Leone rebels last broadcast. er overturned at Batavia. He were Killed in Action dur- PLAN insurgents in North- Netherlands surrender to the seize peacekeepers from • 1955 - West Germany joins was 18. ing Operation Reindeer and ern Owamboland. He was Allies. Zambia, raising to more NATO. • 1992 - Rifleman Ralph Jef- the subsequent assault on 32. • 1965 - First large US ground • 1962 - USS ‘Ethan Allen’ frey Steyn from 3 SAI was Cassinga in Southern An- • 1983 - Lance Corporal Ger- units arrive in South Viet- (SSBN-608) fires the first killed at Imbali Township gola. The casualties were: hardus Daniel Blignaut from nam. nuclear warhead from a sub- near Pietermaritzburg when Rifleman Edward James 6 SAI was Killed in Action • 1969 - P.W. Botha, the Min- merged submarine. his Buffel Troop Carrier suf- Backhouse (22). Rifleman after suffering fatal gun- ister of Defence, announces • 1976 - Two crew members fered brake failure and over- Martin Kaplan (25). Rifle- shot wounds when his pa- that an air-to-air projectile from 27 Squadron were Re- turned. He was 22. man Jacob Conrad De Waal trol walked into a SWAPO/ has been perfected by South ported Missing when their (23). Rifleman Andries PLAN ambush. He was 21. Africa. Piaggio P166S Albatross 7 May Petrus Human (29) was re- • 1988 - Six members from • 1977 - Rifleman Hendrik disappeared south of Dassen • 1915 - The British passenger ported Missing in Action af- 101 Battalion SWATF were Johannes Jordaan from Reg- Island while returning from ship Lusitania was torpedoed ter jumping from the aircraft Killed in Action during a iment Westelike Provinsie a long range West Coast by a German submarine off at Cassinga. It was later contact with a numerical- was Killed in Action when Sea Patrol. The crew have the coast of Ireland, losing learnt that he had landed in ly superior enemy force at he detonated a landmine no known grave and re- 1,198 of its 1,924 passen- the river and drowned. Donguena, North of Cal- while on patrol in the Jati gers, including 114 Amer- • 1978 - Corporal Terence Mi- ueque in Southern Angola. Strip. He was 21. Claude Choules icans. The attack hastened chael Bridgeman, an Eland Private Papenfus from the • 1977 - Willem Johannes Pi- neutral America’s entry into 68 69 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY

World War I. was Killed in Action dur- pher George Docherty from render ceremony was held in ion) SWATF were Killed in • 1945 - German troops in the • 1937 - Germany’s Condor ing a contact with SWAPO/ 7 SAI was killed when his Berlin. Soviet Russia’s lead- Action during a contact with Channel Islands surrender to Legion arrives in Spain to PLAN insurgents at Tsumeb. Buffel Troop Carrier over- er Josef Stalin had refused to SWAPO/PLAN insurgents the British. help the Nationalists. He was 20. turned at Barberton. He was recognize the German sur- in Northern Owamboland. • 1975 - Sergeant (Flight En- • 1939 - Germany and Italy • 1982 - Private Barry Andre 23. render document signed a They were: Rifleman Kum- gineer) Jacobus Johannes announce a military and po- van Tonder from the Tech- • 1997 - Former Defence Min- day earlier at Reims. sa Ntamshe (22).Rifleman Crause from 16 Squadron litical alliance known as the nical Service Corps was ac- ister Magnus Malan takes • 1950 - General Douglas David Twi (20). was killed when his Alou- Rome-Berlin Axis. cidentally electrocuted at full responsibility for secret MacArthur is appointed • 1981 - Two members from ette III Helicopter ditched • 1942 - World War II: East Lohatla and could not be re- apartheid raids into neigh- commander of the United 2 SAI were Killed in ac- into the sea off Port Eliza- Africa. Naval bases on Mad- vived. He was 22. bouring countries but says Nations (UN) forces in Ko- tion in a landmine explosion beth after suffering engine agascar are surrendered to • 1983 - Two members from they were all state-sanc- rea, including South Afri- in Northern Owamboland. failure. He was 28. the British by Vichy forces. the South West Africa Po- tioned and legal. cans. They were: Lance Corporal • 1977 - A Second Defence • 1943 - World War II: Final lice Counter-Insurgency • 2000 - Rebels in Sierra Le- • 1952 - US conducts the first Johannes Petrus Botha (19). Amendment Bill passes its Allied Offensive, Tunisia. Wing: Ops K Division (Ko- one use civilians as shields H-Bomb test at Eniwetok Rifleman Johannes Willem final stages in the House General Sir Harold Alexan- evoet) were Killed in Ac- while fighting UN forces. Atoll. Hanekom (22). of Assembly, with the sup- der’s 18th Army Group cap- tion during a contact with • 1966 - WO1 Louis Matthys • 1985 - Rifleman Petrus Jo- port of the entire opposi- tures Bizerte and Tunis. All SWAPO/PLAN insurgents 8 May Jakobus Pienaar from the hannes Theron from the tion. The existing twelve that remains of the German in Northern Owamboland. • 1902 - A combined force of Artillery School was killed Germiston Commando was months’ maximum national force is General Gustav von They were: Special Warrant British soldiers and armed when his Landrover was in- killed in a head-on collision service will be increased to Vaerst’s 5th Panzer Army on Officer Lebeus Vilho (36). Blacks attempts to surround volved in a head-on collision between two Buffel Troop twenty-four months and the the Cape Bon peninsula. Constable Nico Johannes General C.H. Muller’s com- with a civilian vehicle near Carriers in the Kathlehong subsequent period of service • 1945 - World War II: Ger- Swiegers (22). mando, commanded in his Heidelberg. He was 45. Township. He was 26. increased to a maximum of many signs an uncondition- • 1984 - Special Sergeant Fi- absence by Col. Trichardt, • 1980 - Rifleman Simon • 1985 - Special Constable 240 days. al surrender at Allied head- lupus Matheus from the near Belfast. The attackers Kanunu from 35 Battal- Linus Abraham from the • 1986 - Sapper Jacobus quarters in Rheims, France, South West Africa Police are repulsed. ion (Later 202 Battalion) South West Africa Police Petrus van den Berg from to take effect the following Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1940 - The Cape Corps, con- SWATF was Killed in Ac- Counter Insurgency Wing: 25 Field Engineer Squadron day, ending the European Ops K Division (Koevoet) sisting of Cape Coloured tion during a contact with Ops-K Division (Koevoet) was killed at Oshakati after conflict of World War II. was Killed in Action dur- men, is reformed under Col. SWAPO/PLAN insurgents was Killed in Action dur- being struck by a bullet re- • 1946 - British Prime Min- ing a contact with SWAPO/ C.N. Hoy. in Northern Owamboland. ing a contact with SWAPO/ sulting from the accidental ister, Clement Attlee, an- PLAN insurgents in North- • 1941 - Royal Navy captures He was 22. PLAN insurgents in North- discharge of a fellow sol- nounces plans to withdraw ern Owamboland. He was ‘U-110’, with an intact Enig- • 1980 - Two members of 36 ern Owamboland. He was diers rifle. He was 19. British troops from Egypt, 28. ma machine. Battalion (Later 203 Battal- 24. dependent upon agreement • 1985 - Gunner Conrad • 1942 - During World War II 10 May for a military alliance for the Heathcote from 10 Light in the Pacific, the Battle of 9 May • 1857 - Sepoy uprising at protection of the Suez Canal. Anti-Aircraft Regiment col- the Coral Sea began in which • 1936 - Five days after Italy Meerut initiates the Indian • 1954 - The French Indochi- lapsed and died after suffer- Japan would suffer its first captured the Ethiopian cap- Mutiny. na War ended with the fall of ing a fatal heart attack dur- defeat of the war. ital of Addis Ababa, Mus- • 1918 - Royal Navy com- Dien Bien Phu, in a stunning ing Junior Leaders Course at • 1943 - World War II: Fi- solini annexes Ethiopia and mando raid on Ostend: HMS victory by the Vietnamese Youngsfield. He was 24. nal Allied Offensive, Tu- announces that Abyssinia is ‘Vindictive’ is sunk to block over French colonial forc- • 1985 - Rifleman A.H. Am- nisia. Admiral Sir Andrew now part of the Italian Em- the Harbour. es in northern Vietnam. The brosius from 101 Battalion Cunningham, Command- pire. • 1940 - British form the Home country was then in divided SWATF was Killed in Ac- er-in-Chief of the Mediterra- • 1945 - Czechoslovakia lib- Guard (Dad’s Army). in half at the 17th parallel, tion during a contact with nean Fleet launches Opera- erated from Nazi occupa- • 1940 - Germany invades with South Vietnam created SWAPO/PLAN insurgents tion ‘Retribution’, to prevent tion. France, the Netherlands, in 1955. near the Cut-Line. He was Axis forces from evacuating Belgium, and Luxembourg. • 1982 - Corporal Hercules 19. North Africa. Joseph Stalin • 1940 - Kurt Student becomes Petrus Bester from 5 SAI • 1987 - Rifleman Christo- • 1945 - A second German sur- the first general to a make 70 71 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY combat parachute jump, over Africa enters Windhoek, • 1985 - Corporal Mark An- the ground near the Sundays • 1988 - Rifleman Dean An- • 1988 - Foreign Affairs Min- Rotterdam. capital of South West Africa. thony Pond from 905 Spe- River during a routine gen- thony Lones from Regiment ister Pik Botha and Defence • 1940 - Luftwaffe bombs • 1943 - World War II: Final cial Services Company was eral flying training flight. He Dan Pienaar was killed in a Minister Magnus Malan hold Freiburg, Germany, by mis- Allied Offensive, Tunisia. Killed in Action during a was 21. military vehicle accident at talks in Brazzaville, Congo, take; Goebbles blames the General Gustav von Vaerst’s contact with SWAPO/PLAN • 1975 - Trooper Pieter Ga- Hazyview near White River. with an Angolan delegation RAF. 5th Panzer Army finally sur- insurgents in Southern An- briel Eybers from 2 Special He was 25. headed by Minister of Jus- • 1940 - Winston S. Churchill renders on the Cape Bon gola. Service Battalion was acci- • 2000 - Ignoring international tice Fernando van Dunem. becomes Prime Minister of peninsula, Tunisia. • 1986 - Three members from dentally killed when he fell pleas to end their two-year the UK. • 1943 - RMS ‘Queen Mary’ the South West Africa Police out of a patrol observation border conflict, Ethiopia and 14 May • 1941 - Rudolf Hess, Adolph arrives at New York with Counter-Insurgency Wing: post in the Operational Area. Eritrea return to open war • 1942 - During World War II, Hitler’s deputy, parachutes Winston Churchill and the Ops K Division (Koevoet) He was 20. with fighting reported on an Act of Congress allowed into Scotland. British Chiefs of Staff, en were Killed in Action during • 1980 - Rifleman Cornelius three fronts. women to enlist for non- • 1946 - Italy’s former colo- route to Washington, as well a fierce contact with heavi- Johannes Nortje from 1 SAI combat duties in the Wom- nies in North Africa are to be as 5,000 Afrika Korps veter- ly armed PLAN insurgents attached to 61 Mech Battal- 13 May en’s Auxiliary Army Corps placed under UN control. ans bound for POW camps, in Northern Owamboland ion was killed when his Buf- • 1940 - Churchill promis- (WAAC), the Women Ap- • 1956 - France sends 50,000 and the 300 troops guarding when their Z5S Casspir was fel Troop Carrier overturned es “blood, toil, tears, and pointed for Voluntary Emer- reservists to Algeria. them. hit by a Soviet RPG-7 An- in Northern Owamboland. sweat.” gency Service (WAVES), • 1968 - Vietnam War: Paris • 1955 - Israeli raid on Gaza. ti-Tank Rocket. The casual- He was 19. • 1940 - Queen Wilhelmina Women’s Auxiliary Ferry- peace talks begin, as does the • 1960 - Israeli agents capture ties were: Constable Igna- • 1982 - Lance Corporal Mi- of the Netherlands flees to ing Squadron (WAFS), and Battle of Hamburger Hill. Adolf Eichmann in Buenos tius Francois van Zyl (25). chael Simon Ngoma from 5 England to avoid capture by Semper Paratus Always • 1983 - Four members from Aires. Special Constable Simeon Reconnaissance Regiment the Germans. Ready Service (SPARS), the South West Africa Police • 1966 - Lieutenant Ian Pieter Shindele (25). Special Con- died from gunshot wounds • 1943 - World War II: The the Women’s Reserve of the Counter-Insurgency Wing: Roos from 1 Squadron was stable Simon Toivo (24). accidentally sustained. He Italian commander-in-chief Marine Corp. Ops-K Division (Koevoet) killed when his Canadair was 24. in Tunisia surrenders a day • 1943 - Japanese submarine were Killed in Action dur- CL13B Sabre crashed near 12 May • 1983 - Rifleman Frank Paul after his German counter- sinks Australian hospital ing fierce engagement with Waterkloof during a routine • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- Couvelis from 912 Battalion part, with the Allies holding ship ‘Centaur’ off Brisbane, a numerically superior force general flying training flight. er War: Lord Roberts enters SWATF was Killed in Action some 250,000 prisoners of 268 of 332 persons aboard of SWAPO/PLAN insur- He was 21. Kroonstad. President M.T. in Southern Angola when his war. die; wreck is found in 2009, gents in Northern Owam- • 1978 - Private Pieter Benade Steyn proclaims Heilbron in convoy was ambushed by a • 1946 - US sentences 58 with the Red Cross still boland. They were: Sergeant from 84 Technical Stores the Orange Free State as his numerically superior enemy Mauthausen concentration prominent on her sides. A. Willem (27). Special Depot was killed in a mili- new capital. force. camp guards to death. • 1976 - 2nd Lieutenant Li- Constable U. Maundu (25). tary motor vehicle accident • 1941 - Urgent supplies, in- • 1964 - Rifleman Paul Jaco- onel John Kidson from 6 Special Constable T. Mben- at Grahamstown. He was 20. cluding tanks and aircraft ar- bus Krogh from 1 Parachute SAI was critically injured dura (28). Special Constable • 1982 - Rifleman Jaques rive at the Egyptian port of Battalion was accidentally when his Unimog vehi- J. Musaso (24). Samuae Du Preez from the Alexandria with the convoy, shot dead by a fellow soldier cle overturned on the “Wit Army Intelligence Corps code-named ‘Tiger’. Gener- in the Barracks in Tempe, Pad”, close to Eenhana. He 11 May was Killed in Action during al Wavell can now prepare Bloemfontein. He was 20. and the other injured were • 1862 - To prevent its capture an attack on the “Kanjimi for operation ‘Brevity’, and • 1981 - Rifleman Mike Wil- airlifted to the Grootfontein by Union forces advancing Marenga” school where he the push against Rommel’s liams from the South Afri- Hospital where he died dur- in Virginia, the Confederate was serving as a teacher. He forces on the Egypt–Libya can Intelligence Corps was ing the night. He was 19. Ironclad Merrimac was de- was 19. border. killed in a Military Vehicle • 1978 - Communist-backed stroyed by the Confederate • 1982 - Corporal Don Stof- • 1949 - Soviet Russia lifted Accident, at Madimbo. He Katangan gendarmes, who Navy. fel Olyn from 911 Battalion its blockade of Berlin. was 21. had been living in neigh- • 1914 - Taza, Morocco, is oc- SWATF was killed when his • 1973- 2nd Lieutenant Jaco- bouring Angola, invade cupied by French troops. Buffel Troop Carrier over- bus Petrus Kolver from 6 the region around Kolwezi • 1915 - World War I: The turned during a patrol in the Squadron was killed when Kurt Student in southern Zaire. Zairian force of the Union of South Etosha Pan. He was 18. his AT-6 Harvard spun into troops are sent into quell the 72 73 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY violence. py Amsterdam as the Dutch • 1985 - Special Constable K. ing from a sports event at than 30 years, looting it of adier J. Bosman, reveals in • 1980 - Three members from Army surrenders. Tjindunda from the South Uniondale. The casualties billions of dollars, flees the Parliament that one third of 8 SAI were killed after re- • 1941 - World War II:Opera- West Africa Police Coun- were: Staff Sergeant Abra- capital city as rebel forces the 3 000 troops involved in ceiving multiple shrapnel tion ‘Brevity’. British forces ter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K ham Carel Prinsloo (30). advance. The rebels enter the SA’s operation in south-east wounds in an accidental regain Halfaya Pass and cap- Division (Koevoet) was Sergeant Johannes Hendrik city the next day and Laurent Angola are not White. In M26 hand grenade explo- ture the towns of Sollum and Killed in Action during a August Agenbach (22). Cor- Kabila declares himself head addition 65% to 70% of the sion at Okalongo in North- Capuzzo on the Egypt–Lib- contact with SWAPO/PLAN poral Pieter Johannes Kotze of state. soldiers in the operational ern Owamboland. They ya border. insurgents in Northern (22). Trooper Izak Sybrand area were ‘people of colour’. were: Lance Corporal Andre • 1944 - Eisenhower & Mont- Owamboland. He was 27. Visagie (20). Bombardier 17 May • 1989 - A military coup fails David Naude (21). Rifleman gomery brief George VI & • 1986 - Lance Corporal Isaac Johannes Adrianas Du Toit • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer to remove Mengistu Haile Frederick Engelbrecht (18). Churchill on the D-Day plan. Londo from 101 Battalion (21). Rifleman Johannes War: After 216 days Boer Mariam as president of Ethi- Rifleman Willem Johannes • 1957 - First British A-bomb SWATF was Killed in Action Frederick Wepener (18). forces abandon the siege of opia. Landman (20). explosion, Christmas Island, in a landmine explosion in • 1981 - WO II Isak Phil- Mafeking and Colonel Ma- • 1991 - Rifleman Antonio • 1982 - Rifleman Andre Jodt the Pacific. Northern Owamboland. He lipus Venter from North hon’s relief column enters Joao Sampaio from 32 Bat- from the South West Africa • 1973 - Private Harry Cor- was 26. West Command Headquar- the town. talion was Killed in Action Territory Force Gymnasium nelius Theron from 1 Main- ters was accidentally killed • 1940 - Germans capture after being struck in the neck was killed in a military vehi- tenance Unit was acciden- 16 May at Stilfontein when he was Brussels. by an AK-47 bullet fired cle accident. He was 29. tally shot dead by a fellow • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer knocked down by a civilian • 1941 - World War II: North from an unknown gunman • 1986 - Staff Sergeant Jan soldier at the 1 Maintenance War: A ‘flying’ column that vehicle during the Republic Africa. Rommel is instructed while he was on patrol in Carl Bergh from the Sout- Unit weapons store while has sped its way straight Day preparation festivities. by Berlin to leave Tobruk to Tokoza Township. He was pansberg Commando was they were in the process of from Kimberley (reinforced He was 47. the Italians and concentrate 34. killed in a private vehicle cleaning and checking fire- further by Canadian troops) • 1981 - Rifleman Benjamin his Deutsches Afrika Korps accident while on his way to arms. He was 18. comes to the aid of Mafeking Buys from 16 Maintenance on the fight along the Egypt– 18 May the Unit Headquarters after • 1980 - Rifleman Glen An- who is under siege by Boer Unit was killed when his Libya border. • 1804 - Napoleon Bonaparte being called up for duty dur- drew Paul from 8 SAI was forces. private motor vehicle over- • 1943 - Operation Chastise: became Emperor of France, ing the state of emergency. critically wounded after re- • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer turned at Grootfontein. It RAF 617 Squadron (“The snatching the crown from He was 42. ceiving multiple shrapnel War: General Hunter occu- appears that he had fallen Dam Busters”) destroys the the hands of Pope Pius VII • 1987 - Rifleman L. Emma- wounds in an accidental hand pies Christiana, the first ZAR asleep behind the wheel. He Ruhr Valley dams. during the actual coronation nuel from 201 Battalion grenade explosion at Oka- town to be captured. was 20. • 1981 - Signaler Albert Pe- ceremony, and then crown- SWATF was Killed in Ac- longo in Northern Owam- • 1941 - World War II: North • 1997 - Mobutu Sese Seko, ter Jordaan from the Army ing himself. tion during a contact with boland on 14 May 1980, he Africa. Believing that previ- who has ruled Zaire for more Signals Training Centre at • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer SWAPO/PLAN insurgents unfortunately succumbed to ous day’s advance by British Heidelberg was killed in a War: Boer negotiators, Gen- in Northern Owamboland. his wounds on 15 May 1980. forces into Sollum and Fort private motor vehicle ac- erals Botha, De Wet, De la He was 24. He was 20. Capuzzo was the start of an cident between Heidelberg Rey, Smuts and Hertzog at- • 1981 - Rifleman Willie Ele- attack on Tobruk, General and Grootvlei, on the N3. tend peace talks in Pretoria 15 May fante from 201 Battalion Rommel attacks and forces He was travelling home on with Lord Milner and Lord • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- SWATF was Killed in Ac- the British back to Halfaya weekend pass after standing Kitchener. They are still ask- er War: General Buller and tion during a contact with Pass. guard duty the whole night. ing for a continued independ- Lord Dundonald enter Dun- SWAPO/PLAN Insurgents • 1943 - German troops de- He was 18. ence of the former republics. dee. Lyttelton’s division cap- in Northern Owamboland. stroy the main synagogue of • 1987 - USS ‘Stark’ (FFG-31) • 1941 - World War II: East tures Glencoe. He was 22. Warsaw. hit by Iraqi missiles, 37 sail- Africa. The 5th Indian Divi- • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer • 1984 - Rifleman Malekudu • 1964 - Six members of the ors die. sion, part of General William War: Vereeniging confer- Johannes Nkada from 113 SADF were killed when • 1988 - Former information Platt’s Northern Force, takes ence begins. The sixty Boer Battalion was killed when their Military Vehicle was officer of the SADF, Brig- Amba Alagi after eighteen representatives elect General his Buffel Troop Carrier involved in a head-on col- days of fighting. The Italian C.F. Beyers as chairman. overturned while on patrol lision with a Military Re- Mobutu Sese Seko commander, Duke d’Aosta, • 1940 - German troops occu- near Messina. He was 23. covery vehicle while return- is the last one to leave the 74 75 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY fortress. Council unanimously ap- carry out raids in Botswa- Corps. Soloman Hansen (19). Sap- cle accident at Nelspoort. He • 1944 - The Polish II Corps proves an arms embargo na, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, • 1942 - Japanese subma- per Jan Hendrik Smith (19). was returning from Simons- storms Monte Cassino. against Ethiopia and Eritrea killing three people. rine-borne aircraft recon- Sapper Anthonie Christoffel town after collecting sports • 1967 - UN agrees to Egyp- following the latest flare-up • 1987 - Rifleman John -Bar noiter Durban, South Africa. Strydom (19). equipment when his vehicle tian demand to withdraw UN in their two-year border war. nard from Regiment Bloem- • 1970 - Two members from • 1982 - Corporal Brian Ger- overturned. He was 38. forces from Gaza Strip. spruit was killed in a military Flying Training School ald Peterson from 701 Bat- • 1987 - Private Clifton Bri- • 1973 - Staff Sergeant Kevin 19 May vehicle accident at Van Sta- Langebaanweg were killed talion SWATF was Killed in an Kilian from 97 Ammu- Everitt Potgieter from 1 Par- • 1931 - “Pocket Battleship” densrus. He was 25. when their Atlas MB326M Action during a contact with nition Depot was killed in a achute Battalion was killed ‘Deutschland’ launched in • 1996 - French troops move Impala Mk I flipped over on SWAPO/PLAN insurgents military vehicle accident at in a parachute accident at Germany. into downtown Bangui, Cen- the runway during a landing in Northern Owamboland. Mokerong. He was 19. Tempe. He was 27. • 1935 - T. E. Lawrence, bet- tral African Republic, to help at Air Force Base Lange- He was 19. • 1988 - Rifleman Motsemo- • 1980 - Four members from ter known as ‘Lawrence of quell an army uprising. baanweg. They were: Major • 1983 - A powerful car bomb holo Joseph Mpembe from 41 Battalion were Killed Arabia’, is killed in a motor- • 1998 - The name of the mili- Gabriel Hendrik van Dyk placed by MK Operatives 5 Reconnaissance Regiment in Action during a contact cycle accident at the age of tary base, Voortrekkerhoogte (31). Captain Phillip Spen- exploded outside the Air was killed in a parachuting with a numerically superior 46. is officially changed to Tha- cer Weyer (25). Force Headquarters build- accident at Kenilworth. He force of SWAPO/PLAN in- • 1940 - Charles De Gaulle’s ba Tshwane. • 1979 - Special Constable ing in Church Street during was 23. surgents in Northern Owam- 4th Armoured Division Petrus Mabashe from the the afternoon rush-hour pe- • 1988 - Rifleman Andre boland. The casualties were: counter-attacks the Germans 20 May South West Africa Police riod killing seven members Petrus Prinsloo from 16 Rifleman Hendrik Balie at Péronne. • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer Counter-Insurgency Wing: of the SADF and 10 civil- Maintenance Unit was killed (21). Rifleman Dawid Go- • 1951 - UN begins counter War: A squadron of Colo- Ops-K Division (Koevoet) ians. Another 197 SADF in a military vehicle accident liath (29). Rifleman Vincent offensive in Korea. nel E.C. Bethune, under was Killed in Action dur- personnel and civilians were 10km South of Windhoek. Sekopomashe (25). Rifle- • 1958 - The North American Captain Geoff, runs into a ing a contact with SWAPO/ wounded in the explosion He was 21. man Joseph Tjipuna (22). Aerospace Defense Com- well-placed ambush under PLAN insurgents in North- that also killed the two MK • 1998 - Ethiopia and Eritrea • 1982 - Rifleman Likam- mand (NORAD) is estab- Commandant Blignaut at ern Owamboland. He was Operatives who had placed amass thousands of troops bo Zecks Maxwell from lished. Scheepers Nek, ten km south 26. the bomb. The SADF casu- along their border, ready to 701 Battalion SWATF was • 1967 - US bombs Hanoi. west of Vryheid. The Brit- • 1981 - Three members of alties were: Colonel Ste- fight over a 640-square km killed after suffering multi- • 1978 - Rifleman Adriaan ish lose twenty-seven killed, the SADF were Killed in fanus Sebastiaan Walters triangle of disputed land. ple shrapnel wounds in an Adolf Jonker from the Mid- twenty-five wounded, elev- Action while on a vehicle (43). Commandant Johan accidental mortar bomb ex- lands Commando died from en taken prisoner and twen- patrol from Okankolo north- de Villiers (47). Comman- 21 May plosion at Nkongo Base. He a gunshot wound acciden- ty-nine horses killed. The east along the Odilla River dant Izak Johannes Henning • 1902 - Second Anglo-Bo- was 21. tally sustained as a result of Boers capture a machine gun bed. The casualties were: (60). Captain Rian Hendrik er War: The proposed peace • 1994 - Military observers an accidental discharge of and twenty-six horses, while 2nd Lieutenant Stephen Liebenberg (26). Flight Ser- proposals agreed on by a returning to the Rwandan a fellow soldiers rifle while losing one burgher killed, geant Jacob Johannes Ras commission of five, Botha, countryside report ethnic he was serving in the Opera- one wounded and one cap- (38). Corporal Anton Nel De la Rey, De Wet and Hertz- killings of at least 200,000. tional Area. He was 24. tured by the British. (22). Airman Wayne Law- og, with Kitchener and Mil- • 1997 - Rebels led by Laurent • 1983 - Lance Corporal Col- • 1902 - US military occupa- rence Kirtley (19). ner, are received in London. Kabila take control of Kin- in Watson Kindness from 4 tion of Cuba (since June of • 1983 - Rifleman John Phil- • 1941 - SS ‘Robin Moore’ is shasa, capital of Zaire now SAI, attached to 61 Mecha- 1898) ends. lip Olivier from Regiment sunk off Brazil, first U-boat the Democratic Republic of nised Battalion Group died • 1940 - German tanks reach Groot Karoo was Killed in kill of an American ship in the Congo, after overrunning from a gunshot wound acci- the Channel. Action near Mupa. He was World War II. the country in seven months. dentally sustained as a result • 1940 - World War II: The 1st 24. • 1944 - World War II: Allied • 1999 - Sierra Leone’s gov- of an accidental discharge of SA Infantry Brigade is called • 1987 - Chief Petty Officer forces break through the Hit- ernment and the country’s a fellow soldiers rifle while up for continuous train- Jan Johannes Barend Mostert ler Line in Italy. rebels agree to a cease-fire the platoon was ‘Falling In” ing, to be followed by other was killed in a military vehi- • 1951 - USSR announces it to end seven years of savage during musketry training. units, including the SA Artil- will sell arms to Egypt. fighting. He was 22. lery Corps, Engineer Corps T E Lawrence • 1956 - US explodes the first • 2000 - The UN Security • 1986 - South African troops and the newly formed Tank airdropped hydrogen bomb, 76 77 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY Bikini Atoll dre Erasmus (28). Lieuten- were Killed in Action dur- East Africa; only Gondar, to vehicle accident near Coles- killed instantly when a So- • 1974 - The British Prime ant Charl de Jongh Muller ing a Reconnaissance Oper- the north, still remains under burg and later succumbed to viet PG-7 Anti-Tank Rocket Minister, Harold Wilson, (23). 2nd Lieutenant Timo- ation in Cabinda Province of Italian control. his injuries in the Universitas was accidently detonated in- states in the House of Com- thy Simmons Patrick (18). Northern Angola. Captain • 1941 - British troops take Hospital, Bloemfontein. He side their Buffel Troop Car- mons that the export license 2nd Lieutenant Johannes Wynand du Toit is captured. Baghdad, deposing pro-Nazi was 22. rier while travelling on the for a Westland Wasp heli- Mattheus Heyns Muller The casualties were: Corpo- Iraqi regime. • 1985 - Major Jan Pen Wes- Oshakati-Oshikuku road. copter to South Africa will (19). Corporal Eduard Coet- ral Rowland Ridgard Lieb- • 1942 - Mexico declares war sels from 85 Combat Fly- He was 24. be revoked. zee Engelbrecht (19). Lance enberg (25). Corporal Louis on Nazi Germany and Japan. ing School was killed when • 1983 - 2nd Lieutenant Jaco- • 1976 - Private Adriaan Jo- Corporal Andrew Jeremy Pieter van Breda (25). • 1945 - The Allies dissolve his Dassault Mirage IIID2Z bus Edward Visser from 202 hannes van der Merwe from Falkus (20). Lance Corporal • 1985 - Three members from the “Dönitz Government,” crashed near Pietersburg. He Battalion SWATF was killed the 4th Provost Company, Joao Kaumba (21). Rifle- 101 Battalion SWATF were and abolish German sover- was 36. in a motor cycle accident at South African Corps of Mil- man Rodrigues Alberto (27). killed when their Caspir Ve- eignty. • 1994 - Rwandan rebels seize Rundu. He was 23. itary Police was killed in Rifleman Benedito Albino hicle overturned at Ondan- • 1945 - After being captured the key government army • 1983 - In response to a car Military Vehicle Accident at (25). Rifleman Sebastiao gwa. They were: Rifleman by the British, Heinrich barracks in Kigali, removing bomb attack in Pretoria on Grootfontein. He was 19. Angelo (22). Rifleman Ma- J Kandjii (27). Rifleman M Himmler commits suicide. the biggest obstacle in their 20 May, the South African • 1978 - French and Belgian nuel Augusto (26). Rifleman Domingos (26). Rifleman J He was 44. drive to capture the capital. Air Force bombs ANC bases paratroopers who were flown Antonio Caliango (31). Ri- Felosiano (25). • 1960 - Israel announces the in a Maputo suburb, Mozam- into Kolwezi, Zaire’s main fleman Abel Livingue (23). • 1986 - Rifleman Gabriel capture of Nazi Adolf Eich- 23 May bique, killing six. copper producing town, Rifleman Casto Marceli- Gerhardus Malan from 7 mann in Argentina. • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer • 1998 - General Andreas to rescue the 3,000 White no (24). Rifleman Joaquim SAI was killed in a Military • 1965 - Minister of Defence War: British troops arrive at “Kat” Liebenberg, ex-chief residents, have discovered Matamba (22). Vehicle Accident at Kwan- Jim Fouché announces that the Renoster River only to of the SA defence force, dies over 150 bodies lying in the • 1985 - Three members of the debele. He was 19. R12m. has been spent on the find that the Boers have de- of cancer in Pretoria. town’s main streets. Most Air Force Base Waterkloof • 1986 - Corporal D Mauriocu defence radar screen in the stroyed the bridge. have been badly mutilated. Fire Section were Killed in from 5 Reconnaissance Reg- Transvaal. • 1966 - The Fort Klapperkop 24 May Communist-backed Katang- Action after being called to iment was Killed in Action • 1969 - Trooper Hendrik Er- military museum, Pretoria, • 1870 - Jan Christian Smuts, ese gendarmes, who had in- assist the Pretoria Fire De- during a contact with enemy lank Pieterse from 84 Tech- mainly illustrating the period who was to become the Un- vaded the region earlier this partment in extinguishing a forces in Southern Angola. nical Stores Depot was killed from the Great Trek to 1902, ion of South Africa’s second month, are blamed. Zairian massive fire at the SASOL He was 24. in a military vehicle acci- is opened by President C.R. prime minister, is born on troops, who had been sent in Bulk Storage Depot in Pre- dent. He was 19. Swart. the farm Bovenplaats near a week ago, appear to have toria West after Soviet SPM 22 May • 1983 - Rifleman Johannes • 1979 - Two members from Riebeeck West in the Cape. joined with the Katangese limpet mines planted by • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer Engelbrecht from the In- 5 Reconnaissance Regi- • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer gendarmes, getting high on MK Operatives had explod- War: USA President McKin- fantry School was critically ment were Killed in Action War: Britain annexes the Or- drugs and going on the mur- ed and damaged some of the ley says he will not intervene injured in a private motor at Shona Mutamanjamba in ange Free State. Lord Rob- der spree. large fuel storage tanks. The in the war in South Africa Southern Angola while car- erts changes the name to Or- • 1980 - Fifteen members casualties were: Sergeant despite direct requests by rying out reconnaissance ange River Colony. from 32 Battalion were Wynand Jacobus Hawkins Boer representatives visiting mission to locate a suspected • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- Killed in Action during (30). Corporal Donald Gra- the White House. SWAPO/PLAN Base in the er War: Colonel Robert heavy close-quarter fighting ham Clench (22). Airman • 1915 - Italy declares war on area. The casualties were: Baden-Powell occupies against a vastly numerical- Michael Sydney Knoetze Austria-Hungary. Captain Johannes Cornelius Zeerust. ly superior enemy force of (23). • 1941 - World War II: East van Wyk HC (27). Corporal • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer FAPLA troops and PLAN • 1985 - A SADF unit is am- Africa. Caught between a Johan Kloosterziel (22). War: British General Sir Ian insurgents during an engage- bushed at the Cabinda oil re- pincer movement of the 11th • 1983 - Rifleman Coenraad Hamilton attends General ment to neutralise an ene- finery in Angola and Special and 12th African Divisions, Jacobus Bezuidenhout from Jan Christiaan Smuts’ birth- my base complex at Savate Forces Captain Wynand du the Abyssinian town of Sod- Regiment De La Rey was day party: “I sat between in Southern Angola during Toit is taken captive. du is captured. It was the pe- Botha and De la Ray. On Operation Tiro a Tiro. The • 1985 - Two members from nultimate point of resistance Kat Liebenberg Botha’s right was De Wet, on casualties were: Captain An- 4 Reconnaissance Regiment to the Allied campaign in De la Ray’s left sat Smuts. 78 79 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY I had the most enchanting military advisers in Ethiopia. in Action during a contact • 1967 - Egyptian premier Ga- Gerhardus Hermanus Was- mand was killed in a military evening, and never wish to • 1977 - Sergeant William with SWAPO/PLAN Insur- mal Abdel Nasser vows to serman (21). motor cycle accident at Cull- eat my dinner in better com- Henry Bernard Gildenhuys gents in Northern Owam- destroy Israel if war is pro- • 1972 - US-USSR sign SALT inan. He was 21. pany.” HC (Posthumous) from the boland. He was 25. voked. I (Strategic Arms Limitation • 1989 - WO1 Roland Stan- • 1916 - Britain introduces Cape Town Highlanders was • 1984 - Rifleman Craig Ru- • 1971 - Eleven SAAF mem- Treaty). ley Sheppard from South conscription. killed after suffering multi- dolph Olivier from the Dur- bers, nine from 21 Squadron • 1973 - Rifleman Jeffrey Ger- West Africa Medical Com- • 1916 - Germans capture Ft. ple shrapnel wounds while ban Light Infantry died in 1 and two from 24 Squadron ald Holm from 1 Parachute mand was killed in a Mili- Douaumont, Verdun, from detached to Alpha Compa- Military Hospital after being were killed when a formation Battalion was killed in a tary Vehicle Accident on the the French. ny, 1 Parachute Battalion for critically injured in a mil- of three Hawker Siddeley military vehicle accident, in Tsumeb-Ondangwa Road. • 1921 - The British Legion, special duties. He was 28. itary vehicle accident. He Mercurius HS125 aircraft Eastern Caprivi. Jeffrey was He was 50. now the Royal British Le- • 1981 - Special Warrant Of- was 22. flew into the side of Dev- the first SADF soldier to die • 1991 - South African Air gion, is formed by Great War ficer Antonio Chiwale from • 1987 - Two members from il’s Peak during an aircraft on service in the Border area Force pioneer Major-Gener- veterans. the South West Africa Police 111 Battalion were killed formation practice rehearsal after the SADF took over the al Ken van der Spuy, veteran • 1941 - Battle of the Denmark Counter-Insurgency Wing: in a military vehicle acci- for the Republic Day 10th border area protection role of both world wars and hold- Straits: the ‘Bismarck’ sinks Ops-K Division (Koevoet) dent on the Carolina Road Anniversary celebrations in from the South African Po- er of fourteen decorations HMS ‘Hood’, 1,416 are was Killed in Action dur- approximately 30 km from Cape Town. The casualties lice. He was 19. from several countries, dies killed. There are only three ing a contact with SWAPO/ Amsterdam. They were: Ri- were: Major Michael Chris- • 1977 - Rifleman Charles at the age of 99. survivors. PLAN Insurgents in North- fleman Menzie Albert Moyo tiaan de Graaff Genis (37). Henry Janse van Noordwyk • 1979 - Private Albertus Mun- ern Owamboland. (22). Rifleman Passport Jo- Captain Daniel du Plessis from 3 SAI was killed after 27 May dy from 16 Maintenance • 1982 - Rifleman Daniel de hannes Zulu (21). Lombard (37). Comman- suffering multiple shrap- • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer Unit was killed in a military Klerk from 4 SAI was Killed • 1994 - The UN arms embar- dant Lourens Adrian Fran- nel wounds in an accidental War: General Lord Roberts vehicle accident at Groot- in Action during a contact go on South Africa is finally cois Henning (40). Major hand grenade explosion at crosses the Vaal River and fontein. He was 21. with SWAPO/PLAN insur- lifted following the election George Johannes Euvrard Potchefstroom. He was 18. occupies the town of Ver- • 1991 - Corporal Revis Omie gents. He was 19. of Nelson Mandela as pres- (32). Major Nico Beetge • 1977 - The Shaba War in eeniging. Khoza from the Kruger Park • 1982 - Private Wayne Peter ident of the government of (31). Captain Gerald Nicol Zaire comes to an end. • 1918 - Battle of the Aisne: Commando was killed after Lourens from 86 Technical National Unity. Snyman (27). Major Herwie • 1980 - Rifleman Johannes Allies begin pressing back he was attacked and tram- Stores Depot went for dental • 1997 - Rebels topple the Herman Albert Cornelius Stephanus van der Merwe the Germans. pled to death by an enraged treatment in Bloemfontein. government of Sierra Leone Lamoral (37). Major Willem from Sector 10 Headquar- • 1941 - World War II: North buffalo while on patrol in the After receiving a dental in- in a violent coup. Abram Prinsloo (37).Corpo- ters was killed when he was Africa. General Erwin Rom- Kruger National Park. He jection, he suddenly lapsed ral Reiner Nicolaas Grobler struck by a bullet resulting mel, now reinforced with the was 35. into a coma and was rushed 26 May (24). Lance Corporal Eu- from an accidental discharge 15th Panzer Division, recap- to hospital where he later • 1940 - The Dunkirk evacu- gene Hayes (22). Private of a fellow soldiers rifle tures Halfaya Pass. 25 May died. He was 21. ation began in order to save while serving at Oshakati. • 1941 - The Royal Navy sinks • 1857 - In an attempt to • 1982 - Three members from the British Expeditionary He was 20. the ‘Bismarck’. unite the two Boer repub- 202 Battalion SWATF were Force trapped by advancing • 1986 - Rifleman Ivan Con- • 1956 - The Casbah area lics, the commandoes of the Killed in Action during a German armies on the north- radie from the South Afri- of Algiers is sealed off as Free State and Transvaal contact with enemy Forces ern coast of France. Boats can Cape Corps, attached to French troops search for (Zuid-Afrikaansche Repub- in Southern Angola. They and vessels of all shapes and Sector 10 Headquarters, was weapons caches. liek) confront each other were: Rifleman G. Muronga sizes ferried 200,000 Brit- killed in a military vehicle • 1969 - Two members of 28 at the Renoster River, but (24). Rifleman A.H. Kudu- ish and 140,000 French and accident at Oshakati. He was Squadron were killed in- an armed clash is averted mo (25). Rifleman L. Kudu- Belgian soldiers across the 21. stantly when the private through mediation of Paul mo (26). English Channel by 2 June. • 1987 - Corporal Willem Jo- motorcycle they were rid- Kruger and others. • 1983 - Sergeant Alberto • 1940 - The Crown detains hannes Gysberg Venter from ing crashed at the notorious • 1940 - German troops reach Costa from the South West British Fascist Oswald Mo- Northern Transvaal Com- “Death Bend” in Johannes- the Channel near Boulogne. Africa Police Counter-In- seley. burg. They were: Air Ser- surgency Wing: Ops-K Di- • 1977 - US raises concern • 1942 - North Africa: Rom- Oswald Moseley geant Terence McKelvin over the presence of Cuban vision (Koevoet) was Killed mel attacks the Gazala Line. (24). Air Mechanic Anthony 80 81 This month in military history ... MAY This month in military history ... MAY

Edward Dwyer (20). Africa. Colonel General Er- • 1984 - Signaller Daniel Hen- John van der Wath from 42 SWAPO/PLAN insurgents • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer • 1980 - RENAMO denies in win Rommel begins his third drik Klue from the South Af- Squadron was killed instant- near the Cut-Line. He was War: The officially report- Lisbon that the movement is offensive to push the British rican Corps of Signals was ly while flying Atlas AM3C 23. ed camp population of the receiving assistance or sup- back into Egypt: Operation killed in a military vehicle Bosbok, Serial No. 958. The • 1984 - WO1 Willem de White concentration camps plies from South Africa. ‘Venezia’. accident at Olifantshoek. He aircraft crashed near Eenha- Ruyter Genis from North- is 116, 572 and the deaths for • 1981 - Rifleman Terence • 1970 - Private Bartholomeus was 19. na while flying low level ra- ern Logistics Command was May are 196. Rodney le Roux from 5 SAI Stephanus Diedericks from • 1985 - Lieutenant Michael tion drops over a shona. He killed in a military vehicle • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer was Killed in Action while the Technical Service Corps Robert Borthwick from the was 20. accident at Grootfontein. He War: The officially reported on patrol from Etale base was killed in a military vehi- Personnel Services Corps • 1981 - Lieutenant Immo was 48. Black concentration camp close to the Charlie pipeline. cle accident. He was 18. was killed in a Military Vehi- Klaus Kruger from 32 Battal- • 1990 - Private Charl de Vil- population in the sixty-six He was 22. • 1978 - Candidate Officer cle Accident on the Pieters- ion was killed after suffering liers from the Technical Ser- Black camps reach 115,700. • 1990 - Signaller Alan Ver- Stephanus Rudolph Strydom burg Highway. He was 27. multiple shrapnel wounds in vice Corps was accidentally 523 deaths are recorded for non Campbell from 2 Sig- from the Infantry School In- • 1985 - Two members from an accidental hand grenade killed in Pretoria when his May. The total recorded nal Regiment was killed in a structor Group was killed the SWA Police Counter-In- explosion in the 32 Battalion Ratel overturned on the road deaths are calculated at a military vehicle accident on after being struck by a bullet surgency Wing: Ops K Divi- training area. He flung him- in front of Special Forces minimum of 14, 154 (more the Pietersburg Highway. He resulting from an accidental sion (Koevoet) were Killed self onto the hand grenade to Headquarters. He was 19. than 1 in 10). 81% of the fa- was 21. discharge of a fellow sol- in Action during a contact protect those around him. He • 1998 - Accepting a seven- talities are children. dier’s rifle while at Groot- with SWAPO/PLAN insur- was 25. teen-gun salute, outgoing • 1941 - The Luftwaffe bombs 28 May fontein. He was 20. gents in Northern Owam- • 1982 - Lance Corporal Adam South African National De- Dublin. • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- • 1979 - Special Warrant Of- boland. They were: Con- Cecil Lennox from 5 Recon- fence Force (SANDF) chief, • 1942 - First Allied air raid on er War: The annexation of ficer David Gabriel from the stable Johannes Jurgens naissance Regiment died at General Georg Meiring, for- Cologne. the Orange Free State is an- SWA Police Counter-Insur- Vos (20). Special Constable Phalaborwa as a result of mally hands over command • 1942 - World War II: East nounced by Lord Roberts, gency Wing: Ops K Division Frans Bajiyu (24). an accidentally self-inflicted of the SANDF to Lt Gen. Africa. Japanese submarines and back-dated to coincide (Koevoet) was driving from • 1986 - Trooper Johann Pre- gunshot wound to the head Siphiwe Nyanda in the sports shell Sydney and Diego Su- with the Queen’s birthday on Ondangwa to Oshakati and torius from 1 Special Ser- while playing with a private- stadium in Thaba Tshwane, arez naval bases on Mada- 24 May. gave a lift to a man who, un- vice Battalion was Killed in ly owned revolver. He was Pretoria. gascar. • 1924 - A serious peacetime known to him, was a member Action when his armoured 18. • 1966 - 300 US airplanes air force accident takes place of SWAPO/PLAN. Halfway car detonated a landmine • 1983 - Rifleman Noreneus 30 May bomb North Vietnam. when a 20-lb bomb falls to Oshakati Warrant Gabriel near the Cut-line. He was Philipus from 101 Battalion • 1815 - The British troopship • 1967 - Egypt’s President from a military DH9 bomber, stopped alongside the road to 21. SWATF was Killed in Ac- Arniston is wrecked on the Gamal Abdel Nasser and which was damaged during a relieve himself, leaving his • 1991 - Ethiopian rebels seize tion during a contact with rocks at Waenhuiskrans (lat- Jordan’s King Hussein sign forced landing at Kuruman. FN rifle in the vehicle with Addis Ababa. er called Arniston). 372 of a mutual defence treaty, The bomb explodes among the passenger. The SWAPO/ the 378 people on board are prompting Israel to strike a crowd of spectators, kill- PLAN passenger took the ri- 29 May drowned. pre-emptively a week later, ing three and injuring thir- fle and shot him dead before • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer starting the Six-Day War. ty-nine. successfully making his es- War: General Louis Botha War: Lady Edward (Violet) • 1970 - 2nd Lieutenant Jo- • 1940 - King Leopold III sur- cape. He was 36. visits Johannesburg two days Cecil writes to Lord Salis- hannes Jacobus Theron from renders Belgium to the Ger- • 1980 - The first 55 women before British occupation bury on the conditions in 4 Artillery Regiment was mans. graduate from the U.S. Na- and asks the residents not to Bloemfontein: “Far more killed in a military vehicle • 1940 - Norway: An- val Academy. resist and not to destroy the people have been killed in accident at Messina. He was glo-French forces capture • 1983 - Lance Corporal Frank gold mines. our hospitals than by Boer 19. Narvik. Pieter Leendert van der Bijl • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer bullets... Men are dying by • 1974 - South Africa tells • 1941 - World War II: Gener- from 101 Field Workshops War: The Battle of Klipriv- the hundreds who could eas- Britain that unless the Wasp al Jan Smuts, premier of SA, was killed after he acciden- iersberg or Doornkop starts. ily be saved.” helicopter is delivered, the becomes a field marshal of tally fell under the wheels • 1945 - Okinawa: the 5th Ma- Simonstown Agreement on the British army. of a moving Samil truck. He rines storm Shuri Castle. Georg Meiring naval cooperation will have • 1942 - World War II: North was 20. • 1981 - Lieutenant Jeremy to be reviewed. 82 83 This month in military history ... MAY • 1982 - Spain becomes the • 1916 - The Battle of Jutland: multiple shrapnel wounds 16th member of NATO. The British Grand Fleet wins in an accidental hand gre- • 1997 - US Marines evacuate a strategic victory over the nade explosion in Northern 900 civilians from Freetown, German High Sea Fleet, Owamboland. He was 20. the capital of Sierra Leone, which never goes to sea • 1982 - Corporal Mario Jose wracked by looting and vio- again. from 32 Battalion was Killed lence after a military coup. • 1937 - German ships bom- in Action during a contact • 2003 - The UN Security bard Almeria, Spain, retal- with enemy forces in South- Council votes unanimously iating for an accidental air ern Angola. He was 26. to send a peacekeeping force attack on a German warship. • 1984 - Rifleman Kevin James to Congo’s north-eastern Itu- • 1943 - World War II: North Morrow from Regiment Port ri province. The European Africa. Charles de Gaulle Natal was killed in a military Union approves the force to and Henri Honoré Giraud vehicle accident on the road restore order and security in set up the Committee of Na- to Ondangwa. He was 29. a region plagued by violence tional Liberation in Algiers • 1991 - The civil war in An- among ethnic militias. to represent France until the gola ends officially after sev- end of the war. enteen years, though fighting 31 May • 1962 - Adolf Eichmann, war still occurs occasionally. • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer criminal, is hanged in Israel War: British troops under at the age of 55. Lord Roberts enter Johan- • 1966 - The Republic of South nesburg as the Boers with- Africa celebrates its fifth an- draw to Pretoria. The British niversary with a massive mil- flag is hoisted in Johannes- itary demonstration in Pre- burg. toria. A crowd of more than • 1901 - Second Anglo-Bo- 500,000 sees nearly 20,000 er War: At Vlakfontein (the troops and 200 aircraft take present day Derby), Gen- part in the proceedings. eral Kemp attacks Briga- • 1966 - Brigadier Jan Harm- dier-General Dixon and cap- se Burger SM OBE from tures the field guns. Dixon 16 Combat Group collapsed launches a counter-attack and died after suffering a fa- and Kemp withdraws. tal heart attack while attend- • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer ing a Parade at Voortrekker- War: Boer delegates at the hoogte. He was 49. Vereeniging national delega- • 1977 - Salisbury announces tion agree fifty-four to six to that Rhodesian troops have accept the British proposals captured and occupied the for peace. Representatives of town of Mapai, 100 km in- both sides at Melrose House, side Mozambique. Pretoria, sign the Treaty of • 1978 - Lance Corporal Yvan Vereeniging. Mark L’Hoest from 1 SAI • 1915 - Zeppelin ‘LZ-38’ Died of Wounds in 1 Mili- makes the first airship raid tary Hospital after suffering on London, dropping 1.5 tons of bombs, killing seven Adolf Eichmann people 84 00 quiz Military Military Ranks Despatches 1. Flight Sergeant (SADF) Army) 2. Master Sergeant (US Army) 12. Epilochias - Staff Sergeant 3. Samal - Sergeant (Israeli De- (Greek Army) Website fence Force) 13. Wonsa - Sergeant Major 4. Colonel (French Foreign Le- (South Korean Army) gion) 14. Corporal (People’s Libera- 5. Naik - Corporal (Indian tion Army - China) 3 Army) 15. Sargento Primero - First “Things don’t have to 6. Sierzant - Sergeant (Polish Sergeant (Columbian Army) change the world to be Army) important.” 7. Teniente Primero - First Steve Jobs Lieutenant (Argentinian Army) 1 8. Cabo - Corporal (Brazilian Army) 9. Raqib awwal - Staff Sergeant (Egyptian Army) 10. Oberst - Colonel (German Army) 11. Sergent - Sergeant (French

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Online Magazines Flip book magazines with pages that can be turned.

E-books Produced in any electronic format required.

2D & 3D Animation Produced in any video format.

Video Production Scripting, storyboard, filming and edit- ing done to any video format required. We also do aerial and underwater video and stills.

Still Photography

If you’re thinking digital media then think Hipe Media.