“The Winning Post”

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UP NORTH SHELL HOLE

CONFIDENTIAL TO MOTH UNITS---NOT FOR PUBLICATION ISSUE NO 221 FEBRUARY 2017 Old Bill Roy Lilford 033 3472579 Wee Bill Trevor Thompson 083 6288 485 Adj André Boshoff 033 3431759 Pay Bill Mark Lederle 079 4944 339 S/Maj (Day) S.Scheepers 078 1368686 Night Eddie Parkin 033 3424 971

January Meetings DAY 24 + (3 exec) NIGHT 12+ (3 exec) On Parade (Inc. 4 exec) 57% attendance R. Lilford, T.Thompson, A. Boshoff, M.Lederle, E.Kloka, T.Scheepers, M.Smuts , P.Kirsten, R.Pieterse, P.Scheepers, G.Snyman, D.Rogers, E.Hoffman, P.Allanby, J.Ehmke, W.Stening, S.Erasmus, C.Aucamp, C. Rudman, M. Bromfield, C.Thompson, E.O’Halloran, E.Payne, S.Scheepers, J.Klaassen,, W.Summerlee, E.Parkin, P.Erasmus, M.McLennan, D.Meadows, J.Putterril, N.Smart, S.Fitton, P.Nicolle, M.Gill, C. Erasmus, N. Van Vuuren, Apologies 7 (As per register).

Operation Frankton – “Canoe Marathon”- With the annual Duzi Canoe Marathon on our doorstep, we should pause to reflect on other notable canoeists of yester-year. For Duzi canoeists, the annual destination is Durban, 120 Kilometres’ (75 Miles) down the Duzi River; but in 1942, the objective for 12 specially trained commandos was in occupied France. A port, which lay 62 miles inland, along the winding Garonne estuary. Bordeaux’s significance stemmed from it being a haven for German ships - fast freighters, raiders and - and a thorn in the side of the Royal Navy. This five-day mission, code-named Operation Frankton, required the commandos to skilfully manoeuvre their frail canvas canoes in rough water while using the stars to navigate at night. If that weren’t enough, they had to squeeze through narrow channels and haul their “Cockles” semi-rigid canoes over mud banks, to camouflage them during the day. The course required that they also paddle the gauntlet of a formidable coastal defence system and finally, a boomed Bordeaux harbour with floodlights continuously sweeping across its entrance.

Despite making all precautions, the raiders were hounded by misfortune from the start. Of the six boats, one could not be launched, and two more capsized, overwhelmed by the foaming torrents and 5ft-high waves of a tide-race. Two Marines drowned, two were captured. In total only 2 canoes where able to reach the objective. Once in the harbour, raid leader, Blondie Hassler and crewman , along with the other canoe crew, then had to work fast to catch the ebbing tide. Against all odds, they succeeded in fixing their time- bombs to several cargo ships, before stealing away. The success of the raid was later measured in the extensive damage done to Bordeaux harbour and the disruption of normal operations for several months afterwards. The cost of that success though lay in the loss of life to 8 of the original 12 commandos - with only Hassler and his partner, Sparks ultimately escaping capture. In the context of war, this form of endurance in the face of adversity, surely commands our deepest respect.

Sunset call: Prospective Moth Louis Louw who was to be inducted at the next meeting passed away last week. We will remember him.

Sick Parade: Moths Nigel McFarlane, Clive Lucarne, Alf James, Fred Tromp, Shae Ehmke, & Clive Brooking & Attie Van den Bergh .

Birthdays February 2017: Moths Mavis Gill, Mark Bromfield, Joyce Freeman (95), Jay Klaassen, Mike Smuts, Eddie Kloka.

Meat swindle for January: The Old Bill

Newspapers: Thank you to all of you for bringing in old newspapers, remember we are always looking for more. The new price is R1.20/kg regardless the weight of the load. Many thanks to Bluff Meats for transporting newspapers. With the silly season over we can start collecting newspapers in earnest once more. The more we collect the lower our subs!!!!

Forthcoming events: There will be a Shellhole lunch on Sunday the 26th of February. PMB District meeting on the 25th of February at Pill Box Shellhole. We encourage members to come to the pub on Friday nights where wors rolls are served. Come and enjoy some comradeship with fellow Moths and friends.

Mutual Help: Our programme continues in earnest. A successful distribution of dairy products, kindly donated by Fairfield dairies took place on Friday 27th of January at the hall for Moth and Legion cottage residents as well as Shellhole members..

There are still a few subs outstanding so please make arrangements to pay the Paybill. Remember no payment and you are not in good standing with the Shellhole and the Order. Thank you to those loyal members who always pay their subs timorously. If you need stores please speak to the Paybill. Only a couple of Anniversary shirts are available size XL & XXL. We are negotiating to have badges made, so new members can put onto any white shirt. We have a good selection of second hand blazers & ties for sale.

THE NEXT MEETINGS 13th March, 2017 DAY 2.00 for 2.30pm NIGHT 14th March, 2017 6.30 for 7.00 pm.