Military Despatches Vol 46 April 2021

Coming to a battlefield near you 10 weapons and systems of the 21st century

Surrender? Forget about it Surprising responses to ultimatums to surrender

“Let’s go!” Yuri Gagarin - the first man in space

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler Hitler’s most loyal sycophant

For the military enthusiast CONTENTS April 2021 Page 10 Click on any video below to view

How much do you know about movie theme songs? Take our quiz and find out.

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 Special Forces - Iraqi Special Operations Force outside the military could hope to under- 44 stand. Some of the terms Features Importance of role models were humorous, some 6 were clever, while others Sea Cadets invest in the youth’s were downright crude. Ten weapons of the future future - Officer Training 2021. Military technology of the 21st By Lt Cdr Glenn von Zeil. century. Part of Hipe’s “On the 48 16 22 Rank Structure couch” series, this is an Happy birthday Uncle Syd Remembering Yuri Gagarin Pt 1 interview with one of Over the next few months we The South African Signals As- From humble beginnings to the will be running a series of ar- author Herman Charles sociation’s oldest member, first man in space! ByRegine ticles looking at the rank struc- Bosman’s most famous World War II veteran Sydney Lord. ture of various armed forces. characters, Oom Schalk Ireland celebrated his 100th 32 This month we look at the Iraqi Lourens. birthday in March. Armed Forces. A taxi driver was shot Hipe spent time in Is that a fact dead in an ongoing Hanover Park, an area 18 Some facts about World War I. Quiz war between rival taxi plagued with gang Surrender? Forget about it Short, sharp and to the point. organisations. violence, to view first- On given an ultimatum to sur- 35 hand how Project render, some responses have 36 been rather surprising to say the Remembering Yuri Gagarin Pt 2 Nicknames Ceasefire is dealing with We give you the nickname of a least. In this article we look at Memorial to Yuri Gagarin - the the situation. famous military figure and you some of them. First Man in Space – unveiled at the southern tip of Africa. Arti- tell us who they are. Some of Hipe TV brings you videos ranging from actuality to humour and every- these nicknames were ones that cle and photographs by Regine thing in between. Interviews, mini-documentaries and much more. the person did not approve of, Lord. but they stuck. Check out Hipe TV and remember to like, comment, share and subscribe. 00 3 CONTENTS Page 88

Editor’s PUBLISHER Sitrep Hipe Media EDITOR Matt Tennyson

PHOTO EDITOR ’m sure that many of our getting at, is that “for more than Regine Lord readers will remember the a year I’ve been living under CONTRIBUTORS hit song by Smokie “Living lockdown.” And so have you. April in military history I Regine Lord, Ryan Murphy, Next Door To Alice.” Can you still remember when Matt O’Brien, Lt Col Robbie The chorus ends with the line, the president appeared on tele- Roberts, Matt Tennyson, Lt “And for 24 years I’ve been liv- vision and informed us that the Head-to-Head Forged in Battle Book Review Cmd Glenn von Zeil. ing next door to Alice.” country would be going into 52 72 87 It was originally released by lockdown for three weeks? Military Despatches is pub- The Elite Australian vocal harmony trio I’m sure that I’m not the Weapons of the Falklands War lished on-line every month. T34 tank The story of the Rhodesian New World in 1972. But it was only one that is tired of wear- The articles used in Military We look at the weapons used by Rated as one of the best tanks of Special Air Service (SAS) from the Smokie version in 1976 ing a mask everywhere. Hell, Despatches are copyrighted the ground forces of both Brit- World War I, the Russian T34 their early days right through to that would go on to become a I’m starting to believe that I’m and may not be used without ain and Argentina during the was forged in battle. the end of the war. world-wide hit. Jesse James. And don’t even prior permission from the edi- Falklands War. Then, in 1995, Dutch novelty talk about sanitizing. Both my Battlefield tor. Front Cover act Gompie did their own ver- hands have become raving al- The views stated in this maga- Infamous Figures 78 Argentinian helmets and sion of the song. The chorus coholics. zine do not necessary reflect the Operation Nimrod equipment litter the battlefield of their version ended with the We’ve gone through a first views of Military Despatches, 66 The daring raid by the SAS that after the had surrendered to the words, “And for 24 years I’ve and second wave of COVID-19 the editor, the staff, or Hipe Heinrich Himmler was watched live by the world. British during the 1982 Falk- been living next door to Alice. and the experts warn that a third Media. One of Hitler’s most loyal sy- Alice? Who the f*#k is Alice?” wave is one the way. lands War. cophants and the architect of Gaming Now, every time this song The thing is we still need Hipe! the Holocaust. He rose to a po- is played anywhere the entire to take every precaution to P.O. Box 31216, Tokai, 7966 sition of power second only to 84 crowd will scream out the line keep safe. History tells us that South Africa. that of his Fuhrer. Call to Arms “Alice? Who the f*#k is Alice?” Dorchester native Charles Hav- Experience both RTS and simu- Now you’re probably won- lat was the last U.S. soldier to email lation in the same game. dering what I’m on about and be killed in World War II. He [email protected] why I’m telling you this. Well was shot by a sniper just min- Movie Review there are three reasons. utes before the cease fire was to Back Issues First of all it allows me to dis- take effect. To view any back issues of 86 play my amazing knowledge of I’d hate for any of our read- Military Despatches, go to American Sniper music. ers to be remembered as the last www.militarydespatches.co.za The true story of US Navy Secondly, it’s my editorial person to die of COVID. or click here. SEAL Chris Kyle, regarded as column and I can write what- Until next time. one of the best snipers of the ever I want. modern era. Thirdly, and the point I’m Matt 4 5 Top Ten Top Ten by Professor H. Kazerooni and his team at Ekso Bionics. 10 Weapons of the future It is intended to help soldiers Military technology of the 21st century, some of which is already being used. in combat carry a load of up to 90 kilograms at a top speed of riting this article was kilometres per hour and travel tons and is deployable from a 16 kilometres per hour for ex- not as easy as I first 800–1000 meters from its con- C-130; thus, the Black Knight tended periods of time. Wthought it would be. troller. It has a seven cameras can be airlifted by military HULC is also easy to put The problem was not finding for driving, situational aware- transport aircraft. on. It arrives folded in a small what to include in the article, ness, and for the weapon that Similar in appearance to a package, so soldiers just have but rather what to exclude from can operate in daytime or ther- tank, it is armed with a tur- to stretch out a leg and step into the article. mal modes. ret-mounted 30 mm gun and foot beds underneath the boot. In the end I came up with 22 MAARS is armed with an a 7.62 mm coaxial machine Straps then wrap around the items that could have easily M240B machine gun and four gun. The vehicle is fitted with thighs, waist and shoulders. made this Top Ten list. M203 grenade launcher tubes a 300-horsepower Caterpillar MAARS ON THE MOVE: This heavily armed bot can accom- Sensors in the foot pads relay The days of soldiers going on a 360 degree rotating tur- Inc. diesel engine. plish a multitude of task with no danger to the operator. information to an onboard mi- mano a mano against each oth- ret. It carries 450 rounds of The vehicle is currently being crocomputer that moves the hy- er have long passed. These days 7.62×51mm NATO bullets and evaluated by the US Army. inside a manned fighting vehi- speed of the missile leaves you draulic system to amplify and weapons and military systems four 40mm grenades in the four After initially being tested cle (Bradley Fighting Vehicle) with little time to react. enhance the wearer’s move- rely on the latest technology M203s. in 2007, BAE reintroduced the giving them protection. Now while this may sound ment. that evolves at an alarming rate. Grenades can include sponge, Black Knight in March 2017 as The Black Knight’s comput- like something out of a sci-fi The flexibility of the system With many modern military buckshot and tear gas for the Armed Robotic Combat Ve- er system allows it to perform novel, the X51A Waverider is allows soldiers to run, walk, conflicts it is a case of not who less-lethal purposes, while high hicle (ARCV). a variety of functions by itself very real. kneel, crawl, and even go into has the best men, but rather who explosive and air-burst can be The Black Knight is ideal for such as moving the turret, navi- The Boeing X-51 Waver- low squats. has the best gadgets. used for lethal purposes. Each missions deemed too dangerous gation, and planning a route. ider is an unmanned research It could be used as a frame- In this article we look at ten tube is loaded individually, al- for manned ground vehicles, scramjet experimental aircraft work for body armour or sensor weapons or systems that will lowing lethal and less-lethal including forward scouting, X51A Waverider for hypersonic flight. Its first arrays that would allow for bet- have a major impact on the way capabilities to be available and RSTA, intelligence gathering, Imagine you’re manning an test flight was back in 2010. ter situational awareness during war is fought. selected when needed. and investigating hazardous ar- Early Warning System (EWS), In May 2013, the U.S. Air combat. Lockheed Martin is Other features include an on- eas. sitting with a cup of coffee and Force planned to apply X-51 also exploring exoskeleton de- MAARS board loudspeaker to communi- Its biggest advantage is that looking forward to another qui- technology to the High Speed signs to support industrial and Why send a soldier to carry cate, a siren, a laser dazzler, and the unmanned vehicle can in- et day. Strike Weapon (HSSW), a mis- medical applications. out a dangerous task when a ro- a gunfire detection system. vestigate areas that are too haz- The next thing a buzzer be- sile similar in size to the X-51. bot can do it just as well? The weapons system can be ardous for a group of soldiers to gins to loudly sound and an The HSSW could fly in 2020 Quantum Stealth The Modular Advanced replaced with a manipulator see or check and it can be con- electronic voice starts to bleat, and enter service in the mid- camouflage Armed Robotic System arm that can lift 54 kg, making trolled by a Dismounted Con- “Warning, incoming missile. 2020s. In the Harry Potter series of (MAARS) is a heavily armed it able to pick up 155 mm artil- trol Device. Impact in...” The voice is inter- It is envisioned to have a films one of the nifty items is a bot designed to save lives and lery rounds, and can pull over These advantages allow op- rupted by the sounds of a large range of 1,100 nautical kilo- ‘cloak of invisibility’. Imagine handle situations too dangerous 140 kg, which means it can drag erators to receive data from un- explosion. metres, fly at Mach 5–6, and fit the fun you could have with to send real people into. a wounded soldier to cover. manned forward positions and You see this was no normal on an F-35 or in the internal bay that? The system weighs 167 kg verify their plan of attack by missile, but rather an X51A of a B-2 bomber. Still, it’s just a fictional item fully loaded with cameras, sen- BLACK KNIGHT ARVC utilizing the information they Waverider travelling at a speed right? No, not really. Canadian sors, weapons, and ammuni- The Black Knight is a proto- received from the map data to of Mach 6. HULC camouflage company Hyper- tion. Its battery can last 3–12 type unmanned ground combat check for unsafe conditions or Dropped from a B-2 stealth Human Universal Load Car- stealth Biotechnology has pat- hours, with a sleep mode to last vehicle (UGCV) designed by obstacles. bomber, the missile travels to rier, or HULC, is an untethered, ented the technology behind for up to one week. BAE Systems. The Black Knight can be con- its target at a speed of nearly hydraulic-powered anthropo- a material that bends light to The MAARS can move at 11 It weighs approximately 12 trolled by soldiers safely from 6,500 kilometres per hour. The morphic exoskeleton developed make people and objects near 6 7 Top Ten Top Ten invisible to the naked eye. Boeing is currently working The material, called Quantum on improving the system so that Stealth, is currently still in the it will be able to destroy incom- prototyping stage, but was de- ing rocket, artillery and mortar veloped by the company’s CEO rounds. Guy Cramer primarily for mili- Along the same lines Boeing tary purposes, to conceal agents also developed a smaller ver- and equipment such as tanks sion of the HEL MD. and jets in the field. The Boeing Laser Avenger is As well as making objects an aerial defence weapon that close to invisible to the naked can be mounted to a vehicle eye, the material also conceals and used to shoot down enemy them from infrared and ultravi- UAVs. olet viewing devices. SAFE IN COVER: The CornerShot allows you to fire at a target Unlike conventional anti-air- without exposing yourself to risk. craft weaponry, the Boeing Electro-magnetic Rail Gun Laser Avenger system doesn’t This monster cannon is actu- create a muzzle flare or smoke ally the culmination of over a MAHEM HEL MD trail when it fires. This means it CLOAK OF INVISIBILITY: The lower half of this person is cov- decade’s worth of development can be fired from concealed po- ered in Quantum Stealth material, showing how effective it is. The Magneto Hydrodynamic Boeing developed the High and testing. An electromagnetic Explosive Munition (MAHEM) Energy Laser Mobile Demon- sitions keeping friendly troops rail gun capable of firing pro- is a weapon being developed strator uses a 10-kilowatt laser safe and out of harm’s way. jectiles at over 7,200 kilometres themselves to risk. armed target, without exposing by the Defence Advanced Re- to bring down enemy UAVs or per hour and smashing through The Germans tried it during the operator to counter-attack. search Projects Agency (DAR- drones. Military technology is devel- concrete structures 160 kilo- World War II. The Krummlauf PA) of the United States De- Mounted on a truck and pow- oping at frightening pace and metres away. (curved barrel) was an attach- ADS amphibious rifle partment of Defence that would ered by lithium-ion batteries weapons and tech once consid- The result is a longer range ment for the Sturmgewehr 44 For many years the prime utilize molten metal to pene- and a diesel generator, it’s easy ered science-fiction may soon weapon with much greater ac- rifle, which was used by the weapon for a combat diver in trate enemy armour. to use and maintain. become a reality. curacy. They do, however, re- Germans in World War II. an underwater environment The molten metal would be quire a great deal of power and It allowed the shooter to aim was a knife. Not anymore. propelled by electromagnetic scientists are still working on and fire around corners with its The ADS is a Russian assault fields from explosions. The mu- perfecting the output for max- bent barrel and a periscope-style rifle specially made for com- nition would be delivered to a imum performance without ac- sight. A disadvantage of the de- bat divers. It is of a bullpup target as a warhead “packaged tually tearing the weapon apart vice was its short life, due to the layout and is chambered in the into a missile, projectile or oth- when it fires. stress of firing. 5.45×39mm M74 calibre. The er platform.” Electromagnetic rail guns are CornerShot is a weapon ac- ADS can adapt a suppressor It would penetrate the armour said to be the future of war- cessory invented by Lt. Col. and optical sights. It can also of an enemy vehicle then ex- fare as, like other weapons on Amos Golan of the Israeli De- carry a grenade launcher. plode when it gets inside, de- this list, they use laser energies fence Forces in cooperation The weapon uses 5.45×39mm stroying the vehicle from the rather than traditional explosive with American investors. bullets and fires at a firing rate inside out. DARPA predicts the materials and controlled explo- It was designed in the early of 700 rounds per minute with weapon will have greater effi- sions. 2000s for use by SWAT teams a range on land of 500 metres. ciency, control, and precision and special forces in hostile The weapon’s effective under- than conventional explosively CornerShot situations usually involving water firing range when using formed penetrators. Being able to shoot around terrorists and hostages. Its pur- the specially designed cartridge It is driven by a compressed corners is the military opera- pose is similar to that of the is about 25 metres at a depth of magnetic flux generator (CMFG). tor’s dream - meaning they can periscope rifle; it allows its op- five metres and 18 metres at a fire at a target without exposing erator to both see and attack an depth of 20 metres. BOEING LASER AVENGER 8 9 “Queen Alia Forces” in the itary from 1964 to 2003, pri- ciplined, equipped, and paid mid-1950s. marily during the presidency more than ordinary Iraqi sol- Special Forces - Iraqi Special It consisted of Sunni and Shia of Saddam Hussein. It later diers, receiving bonuses, new Arabs, as well as other compo- became the Republican Guard cars, and subsidized housing. Operations Forces nents of the Iraqi population. Corps, and then the Republi- Formed in 1969, it was orig- Part twenty-five of a series that looks at Special Forces around the world. This month we They were mainly used on an can Guard Forces Command inally created to be a Presiden- feature the Iraqi Special Operations Forces. emergency basis to carry out (RGFC) with its expansion into tial Guard. Its primary objective special missions inside of Iraq two corps. was to maintain the stability of raqi Special Operations invasion. the Iraq Ministry of Defence. and outside when the country The Republican Guard were the regime and provide protec- Forces (ISOF) are Iraqi spe- The forces, directed by the was at war. the elite troops of the Iraqi army tion against internal and exter- cial forces unit created by Iraqi Counter Terrorism Ser- History I directly reporting to Saddam nal enemies. During the Iran– coalition forces after the 2003 vice, consist of the Iraqi Coun- Special operations troops of Republican Guard Hussein, unlike the paramili- Iraq War, it was expanded into ter Terrorism Command, which the Iraqi Army were first estab- The Iraqi Republican Guard tary force Fedayeen Saddam, a large military force. has three brigades subordinate lished when Colonel Khaleel (Ḥaras al-ʿIrāq al-Jamhūrīy) and the ordinary Iraqi Army. Because of their elite status to it. Jassim Al-Dab- was a branch of the Iraqi mil- They were better trained, dis- Republican Guards received The Counter Terrorism Ser- bagh built the vice (Jihaz Mukafahat al-Irhab, first royal spe- originally translated as Counter cial units in Terrorism Bureau) is funded by the name of

10 11 better equipment and uniforms Army personnel, but as a dis- Operation Desert Storm ian soldiers and 194 Polish sol- The invasion was a quick and than their regular Army coun- tinctive marking a scarlet rib- The Iraqi Republican The diers from Special Forces unit decisive operation encounter- terparts, and could often be bon was often sewn to the right Gulf War (2 August 1990 – GROM sent to Kuwait for the ing major resistance, though identified by distinctive mark- of the National cap badge to 28 February 1991) was a war invasion. not what the U.S., British and ings or items of head dress. distinguish bravery in combat waged by coalition forces from The invasion force was also other forces expected. The Ira- Members of the regular Re- and/or loyalty to the Hussein 35 nations led by the United supported by Iraqi Kurdish mi- qi regime had prepared to fight publican Guards conventional- regime. States against Iraq in response litia troops, estimated to num- both a conventional and irreg- ly wore a scarlet-coloured trian- The Special Republican to Iraq’s invasion and annex- ber upwards of 70,000. ular, asymmetric warfare at the gle insignia on both shoulders Guards wore a maroon beret ation of Kuwait arising from The Republican Guard then same time, conceding territory of their uniforms (sometimes with the national eagle device, oil pricing and production dis- consisted of between 50,000 when faced with superior con- backed with white material to and a special variation of the putes. and 60,000 men (although ventional forces, largely ar- form a white border around the triangle shoulder insignia in It was codenamed Operation some sources indicate up to moured, but launching small- edge of the triangle); they also maroon with green Arabic let- Desert Shield (2 August 1990 – 80,000), all volunteers, and er-scale attacks in the rear using wore black berets as did some tering. The bright red qardoon 17 January 1991) for operations some 750 Soviet T-72 and Asad fighters dressed in civilian and Iraqi Special (shoulder cord) distinguished leading to the build-up of troops Babil tanks and scores of T-55 paramilitary clothes. Republican Guards as well. and defence of Saudi Arabia and T-62 tanks, along with oth- On 2 April 2003, U.S. Army Operations Force A similar cord with green and and Operation Desert Storm er mechanized vehicles. Brigadier General Vincent K. Army infantry battalion, and red bands was also worn by the (17 January 1991 – 28 February A further 90-100 T-72 tanks Brooks said that the Baghdad two support battalions. Special Republican Guards. 1991) in its combat phase. were operated by the Special Division of the Iraqi Republican By March 2008, the force Initially, the Guard had limit- The coalition won with min- Republican Guard. These forc- Guard had been “destroyed”. consisted of a single brigade ed capabilities; however, during imal losses while inflicting es were intentionally away from Iraq information minister Mu- which in turn was made up of the Iran–Iraq War, it was ex- heavy losses on the Iraqi Army, the capital to avert a possible hammed Saeed al-Sahaf re- an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism panded to five brigades, which but elements of the Republican rebellion against the regime. sponded that this was another Force (ICTF) battalion, three was initially being mostly used Guard divisions were able to Another unit that worked U.S. “lie”. Commando battalions, a sup- in counter-attacks, notably in withdraw back into Iraq. closely with the Republican The Republican Guard was port battalion and a special re- Operation Dawn 4. By 1986 the Guard was the Fedayeen Sadd- officially dissolved on 23 May connaissance unit. war had exhausted Iraq with 2003 Gulf War am (‘Men of Sacrifice’). 2003 per Order Number 2 of the Nicknamed the ‘Golden Di- both Iran and Iraq suffering At 05h34 Baghdad time on Although not a special forc- Coalition Provisional Authority vision’ their motto is “May you heavy casualties. 20 March 2003 (9:34 pm, 19 es unit as such, the paramilitary under Paul Bremer. sleep peacefully in your bed to- In 1986 the government March EST) the surprise mili- Fedayeen Saddam warrants a night for a mighty sword stands closed all colleges and tary invasion of Iraq began. special mention as they fought Formation of the ISOF ready to strike fear in the hearts universities and be- There was no declaration of alongside elements of the Iraqi After the 2003 Invasion of of those who would terrorize gan a mass mobiliza- war. The 2003 invasion of Iraq special forces in 2003 in a way Iraq, the Saddam Hussein-era us!” tion program to force was led by U.S. Army General that proved more successful Iraqi Army was disbanded by draft dodgers into the Tommy Franks, under the code- than any regular unit of the Ira- the occupation authorities. Be- Command structure Iraqi Popular Army. name Operation Iraqi Freedom, qi Army. cause of that, the current Iraqi By 2009, the 1st Special Op- This decision allowed the UK code-name Operation Formed in 1995 by Saddam commando force was recruited erations Brigade (ISOF-1) was for the drafting of thousands of Telic, and the Australian code- Hussein’s son Uday, the Feday- from scratch, mostly from Shia, based in Baghdad and had the university students, who were name Operation Falconer. een had an operational strength Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians 1st, 2nd, and 5th Battalions, a sent to military summer camps. Coalition forces also cooper- of some 40,000 members who and Turkmen. brigade support battalion and a In addition, the military be- ated with Kurdish Peshmerga were trained to mount opera- In November 2005, after training battalion/Iraqi Special gan accepting volunteers from forces in the north. Approx- tions against dissidents and for- training in Jordan with Jorda- Warfare Center and School. throughout Iraq. imately forty other govern- eigners alike. Some were even nian Special Forces and U.S. The 1st Battalion was the re- With this massive influx ments, the “Coalition of the trained by the Chechens to carry Army Special Forces (“Green named Iraqi 36th Commando of manpower the Republican Willing,” participated by pro- out suicidal attacks in the same Berets”), the Iraqi Special Op- Battalion. The 1st Brigade is Guard expanded to over 25 bri- viding troops, equipment, ser- manner as the Palestinian Fed- erations Force had 1,440 men often referred to as the Gold- gades which were led by loyal vices, security, and special ayeen. They managed several trained, composed of two com- en Division, and previously the officers drawn from the Iraqi forces, with 248,000 soldiers successful attacks against US bat battalions, considered equal Golden Brigade. Republican military. from the United States, 45,000 service personnel, who greatly in training and combat effec- The 2nd Special Operations Guard British soldiers, 2,000 Austral- feared them. tiveness to an average U.S. Brigade (ISOF-2) had four com- 12 13 mando battalions (1,440 men), Weapons used by the ISOF which were at Basra, Mosul, Diyala and Al Asad prior to the formation of the 3rd Brigade. The battalions at Basra and Mo- sul achieved Iraqi Operational Control (IOC) in January 2008 and conducted local operations. Regional CT Centers (RCCs), similar to Joint Interagency M4A1 Carbine Task Force (JIATF) organiza- tions, were to be established at all four regional commando bases to develop intelligence on terrorist networks in their re- gion. The 3rd Special Operations VHS-K2/D2 Brigade was established in Bas- ra by spring 2013, following an order by the prime minister in January 2012 that the forces expand by an additional bri- gade. It consisted of regional commando battalions in Basra, Diwaniya, Najaf, Maysan, Dhi Bush War Books has probably one of the finest Qar and Muthana provinces, a collections of military titles available. Especially Barrett M82A1 recon battalion, and a support battalion. A Special Tactics unit on the South African Border War. is also maintained. Operations conducted by the ISOF include; • Air assault • Airborne force Glock 19 • Close-quarters combat • Counter Insurgency • Counter intelligence Click here to visit their website. • Counter Terrorism • Direct Action • Hostage Rescue • Raiding • Special Operations • Special Reconnaissance

M249 LGM “War does not determine who is right - only who is left”

14 00 South African Air Force as a wireless operator, he was on the Happy birthday Uncle Syd shuttle service bringing soldiers The South African Signals Association’s oldest member, World War II veteran Sydney Ire- back from Cairo to Pretoria by land celebrated his 100th birthday in March. aeroplane. Syd was demobilised in De- On Tuesday 9 March Sydney brother Lionel, plus two other regiment was ordered to Durban cember 1945 in Potchefstroom. Ireland, better known to all as brothers and two sisters. Af- where he boarded the Durban Syd went back to work at the Uncle Syd, celebrated his 100th ter primary school he attended Castle Liner which took him to General Post Office in Cape birthday. Cape Town High School, a high Mombassa in Kenya. The ship Town. Not only is he the oldest liv- school for boys that was situ- was escorted by two war ships. Before leaving for war, Syd ing member of the South Afri- ated in Buitenkant Street. At After arriving in Mobassa, they had met Olga at Holy Trinity can Signals Association he is school Sydney participated in boarded a train for Nairobi and church and kept in touch with also, to the best of our knowl- sports, mainly soccer and crick- continued on to a camp called her all through the war years. In edge, the last remaining South et. Gilgil. 1947 they married in the same African signaller from World Sydney left school and joined At Gilgil his regiment trained church. They raised three chil- War II. the Post Office, while his twin with the infantry. He was at- dren – Jennifer, Barbara and Sydney Thomas Ireland was brother joined the SA Railways. tached to the Natal Mounted Geoffrey. born on 9 March 1921 on a At the age of 18 he joined the Rifles as their signaller. Syd re- In 1975 Syd and Olga cruised dairy farm in the Parow dis- Union Defence Force (UDF) mained with the NMR through on the Reina Del Mar to South trict. At the age of six his fami- and was drafted into the South the East African and Egyptian America, visiting Brazil, Ar- ly moved to Green Point where African Signals Corps as a campaigns, and saw duty in gentina and Uruguay. The trip he attended Sea Point Primary wireless operator. His first camp Kenya, Abyssinia and Italian took four and a half weeks. School. was in 1939 at a place named Somaliland. From there he went What a wonderful holiday. The family consisted of his Klaasjagusfontein near Cape to the Western desert in Egypt. His next trip was to England TOP: Uncle Syd is presented with a printed copy of the March is- mother, father, Sydney, his twin Point. His second camp was at Syd escaped from Tobruk and for three months, staying with sue of ‘Jimmy’s Own’ by Signals Association Chairman Colonel Voortrekkerhoogte in Pretoria. linked up with his regiment at Jennifer, their eldest daugh- (Ret) Robbie Roberts. The March issue of the magazine was When World War Two El Alamein. ter who was living there at the dedicated to Uncle Syd. broke out he was mobi- Syd was sent home in 1943, time. Whilst there they went lised on 27 May 1940. three and a half years after he on a conducted tour of Europe BELOW: One of Uncle Syd’s birthday cakes. Syd embarked a train had left Cape Town. He became for two weeks. They returned at Monument Station, ill with pneumonia and pleurisy a hired a car to tour England, Scotland and Wales for three Cape Town, bound and was sent to Wynberg Hos- wonderful weeks. for Potchefstroom. At pital in Cape Town to be treat- Syd retired from the Post Of- Potchefstroom military ed and to recuperate. Thereafter fice in 1981 after 43 years. He camp Syd did signals he was sent to Saldanha Bay to bought a caravan in 1982 and training for four months. work on a radio station. for 13 years toured South Afri- In October 1940 his Back to Potchefstroom where ca as often as possible. he was seconded to the air force In the year 2001 Syd and as a wireless operator. This en- Olga visited their son Geof- tailed going to Tempe for a con- frey and his family in Toronto, version course from army to air Canada for three months. Olga force procedures and training at passed away in June 2001. Syd Swartkop. sold his house in Devil’s Peak, He was then posted to Bula- central Cape Town in 2001 and wayo in Rhodesia for his first moved in with his daughter Bar- duty, followed by a posting to bara and son-in-law Korky and Ndola in Northern Rhodesia their two children Nicholas and and then to Nchanga on the Adam until he moved to Huis copper belt. Attached to the Luckoff in Rosebank in 2015. 16 17 Commander John Paul Jones vessels in a surprising victory. cooperation with Axis occupa- Surrender! Forget about it Often referred to as the “Fa- The USS Bonhomme Rich- tion. Metaxas gave a clear and ther of the United States Navy”, ard sank the following day, and simple answer - “No!” On given an ultimatum to surrender, some responses have been rather surprising to say the John Paul Jones is perhaps best Jones took command of the cap- The Italians crossed the bor- least. In this article we look at some of them. remembered for his actions dur- tured HMS Serapis. The victory der and attacked Greece. This ing a scrap between the Con- not only enhanced Jones’ repu- initiated the Greco-Italian War hen I was in my late was also known as Artaxerxes Spartans, the Greeks united and tinental Navy and the British tation, it stunned the British and Greece’s brief participation teens, many years the not as great? successfully drove the Persians Royal Navy during the Ameri- Royal Navy. in World War II. ago, I had a tee-shirt During the First Greco-Per- out of the nation, winning the can Revolutionary War. That same day Greek citizens W Jones was a mere 13 years old Ioannis Metaxas poured into the streets shouting with a slogan on it that I really sian War the Greek victory at second Greco-Persian War in enjoyed. the Battle of Marathon put a one of the greatest military up- when he began his career at sea. To say that Ioannis Metaxas Ohi (No), in open defiance of It featured an eagle swooping spoke in the Persian’s wheels sets of all time. He served on private merchant was a controversial figure in the Italian invasion. down on a mouse. The mouse and brought the war to a close. Yet while “Come and take vessels before volunteering for Greek political history would It all ended with a decisive was sitting on its hind legs with King Xerxes I was not all that them” was a great response to a the Continental Navy in 1775. be putting it mildly. Axis victory, with Athens being its right paw in the air with the impressed with the defeat and demand to surrender, the Spar- Jones distinguished himself in His tenure as Prime Minin- captured on 27 April, 1941, and middle finger extended. The vowed to overthrow and de- tans really outdid themselves maritime military service and, ster of Greece was marred with the Battle of Greece ending on slogan read, “The last great act stroy Greece. He amassed an over a century later. as a result, was awarded com- uthoritarianism and elements of 30 April, 1941. of defiance.” invasion force which, accord- Once again the Spartans mand of the USS Bonhomme a fascist, strongman regime. To this day 28 October is ob- When faced with overwhelm- ing to the ‘Father of History’, found themselves threatened Richard, a rebuilt French mer- A former soldier, Metaxas served in Greece as Epeteios ing odds and greatly outnum- Horodotus, was the largest ever and imposed upon by the expan- chant cargo ship gifted to the was elected Prime Minister in tou “‘Ohi” (“No” Day). bered and given the ultimatum to have walked the earth. He sion of empire. This was in the Continental Navy by Jacques 1936. For the first four months to surrender, the logical thing to estimated the Persian army to mid 300s B.C. when the Mace- Donatien LeRay. he toed the line and complied Maor Digby Tatham-Warter do would be exactly that - sur- measure well over one million donian Kingdom under Phillip On 23 September 1779, Jones with Greek Constitutional Law. The following incident may render. men. II, predecessor of Alexander the ran into two escorts of the Bal- It didn’t last long and he soon or may not have taken place. The following people, how- In order to buy the Greek Great, approached the heavily tic merchant fleet, the HMS began to abuse his power as he But it’s worth a look at. ever, did not follow the rules. army some time, a contingent defended city of Laconia. Serapis and the Countess of observed the rise of fascism in In a scene from the epic film When given an ultimatum to of 300 Spartan troops gathered The Macedonian’s warned Scarborough. both Italy and Germany. What- A Bridge Too Far Lt Col John surrender, they had other ideas. in the narrow coastal path of that if the Laconians chose to Logic dictates that the wise ever Adolf and Benito could do, Frost and Major Harry Carlyle Thermopylae (The Hot Gates). resist, all inhabitants of the city thing for Jones do have done he could do just as well. of the British Parachute Regi- The Spartans The Persian generals ordered would be slain if the Spartans was cut and run. Instead he de- Yet his most famous moment ment watch as an SS panzer of- Many people will have seen them to lay down their arms. were defeated. cided to engage both British came during the early years of ficer approaches their position the film 300 where a mere 300 The Spartans’ reply was “Come The Spartan’s replied with a vessels. World War II, towards the very during a lull in the Battle of Spartans, wearing little more and take them!” single word: “If….” HMS Serapis was armed with end of his career. Arnhem. The SS officer is un- than tight little Speedo swim- And make no mistake, the 44 guns, while the Countess of As the German Wehrmacht der a white flag. suits, held out against hordes of Persian army did exactly that. Scarborough had 22 guns. The blitzkrieged their way across “Rather interesting develop- invading Persians. The thing is that it took them USS Bonhomme Richard had Europe, it soon became clear ment, sir,” says Major Carlyle While the movie was a bit more than three days to achieve. 42 guns. that the Nazi war machine was to Lt Col Frost. He then ad- over the top, it was based on a The Spartans achieved their ob- Not long after the battle be- unstoppable. dressed the German. “That’s far real battle - the Battle of Ther- jective of buying time for the gan, the USS Bonhomme Rich- The Germans had already enough! We can hear you from mopylae. Greek army. ard was badly damaged. The taken Luxembourg, France, there!” The battle took place during The Spartans were destroyed captain of the HMS Serapis Holland, and most of Belgium “My general says there is no the Greco-Persian Wars, which to the last man. A commemo- instructed Jones to surrender. by the time Italian forces un- point in continuing this fight- were ultimately little more than rative epitaph engraved on a Jones replied, “I have not yet der the command of Benito ing! He wishes to discuss terms a grudge match between the an- plaque marks the spot where begun to fight!” Mussolini, ally of the German of a surrender!” shouts the SS cient Greeks and the kings of the last of the Spartans per- And then, true to his word, state, arrived on the doorstep of officer. the Persian Empire. ished; it reads “Go tell the Spar- Jones did begin to fight. Mount- Greece. “Shall I answer him, sir?” The Persian kings were Xe- tans, thou who passest by, that ing a furious counterattack, the On 28 October, 1940, Italian Carlyle asks Frost. rxes the Great, and his subse- here, obedient to their laws, we DEFIANCE: The slogan on a listing and heavily damaged ambassador to Greece Emanu- “Tell him to go to hell,” says quent successor Artaxerxes I. lie…” tee-shirt that inspired this ar- USS Bonhomme Richard de- ele Grazzi demanded uncondi- Frost. I always wonder if Artaxerxes Inspired by the courage of the ticle. feated and captured both enemy tional Greek surrender and total “We haven’t the proper fa- 18 19 cilities to take you all prisoner! pany of the British Parachute grounded. The 101st were sur- Sorry!” Carlyle shouts to the SS Regiment. They were dropped rounded and outnumber by 5 to officer. kilometres away from Arn- 1.The Germans demanded that “What?” says the SS officer, hem Bridge, their intended McAuliffe surrender. Like the looking very confused. drop zone. To reach the bridge Spartans and Ioannis Metaxas “We’d like to, but we can’t ac- they had to go through Arnhem before him, McAuliffe’s replied cept your surrender! Was there where the streets were blocked with a single word - “Nuts!” anything else?” shouts Carlyle. by German forces. The demand to surrender had The German walks off shak- Digby led his men through been typed out and delivered ing his head. back gardens of nearby houses, by two German officers under a “Well, that’s that,” says Frost. avoiding the Germans. They white flag. McAuliffes response The German officers returns travelled nearly 13 kilometres had also been typed out. When to General Wilhelm Bittrich, in seven hours while also taking it was given to the two German commander of the 2nd SS Pan- 150 German soldiers, including officers they obviously did not zer Corps. members of the SS, prisoner. understand American slang and “They rejected our surrender During the battle, Digby wore asked if “nuts” was an affir- offer. What are your orders, his red beret instead of a helmet mative or negative response to Herr General?” he tells the gen- and waved his umbrella while their demand. Brigadier General Anthony Clement McAuliffe (middle) eral. walking about the defences de- NUTS: PFC Ernest Premetz, a Ger- LEGEND: Major Allison Digby poses with some of his officers at Bastogne. “Flatten Arnhem,” General spite heavy mortar fire. Tatham-Warter, British Para- man-speaking medic, told the Allies had advanced across the forces with utmost secrecy, with Bittrich says. When the Germans started chute Regiment. German officers, “Du kannst Now while this makes a great using tanks to cross the bridge, Rhine River and into Germany. minimal radio traffic and move- zum Teufel gehen.” (You can scene for the movie, there is de- Digby led a bayonet charge it fellow soldiers in hiding. At At the same time on the East- ments of troops and equipment go to hell.”). That they did un- bate as to whether this incident against them wearing a bowler one stage during his travels he ern Front, the Russians were under cover of darkness. Inter- derstand and they stormed off really occurred as it was por- hat. He later disabled a German helped push a German staff car pushing forward. It became cepted German communications to take the reply back to their trayed in the film. armoured car with his umbrel- out of a ditch. clear that they would have to do indicating a substantial German commanding officer. It is a fact that General Bit- la, incapacitating the driver by He managed to gather 150 something drastic if they were offensive preparation were not Against all odds, despite be- trich did give the British an ulti- shoving the umbrella through escaped British soldiers and not going to lose the war. acted upon by the Allies. ing surrounded, outnumbered matum to surrender at Arnhem. the car’s observational slit and led them towards the front line. The plan was Unternehmen The Germans launched their and outgunned, the 101st held What makes the dialogue poking the driver in the eye. Once there he used a torch to Wacht am Rhein (Operation attack on the morning of 16 De- Bastogne for a remarkable one above seem authentic was that When the Regiment Padre flash a V for Victory sign. Watch on the Rhine). The Ger- cember 1944. The Allies were month. the character in the film, Major was pinned down by enemy Members of XXX Corps then mans would launch an offen- overconfident and preoccupied Then the weather cleared and Harry Carlyle, was based on the fire, Digby walked over, opened ferried them across the river. sive through the densely forest- with their own offensive plans, the Allies were able to launch real life Major Allison Digby the umbrella as if to give him Upon return to the United King- ed Ardennes region of Wallonia so the Germans achieved total a counter-offensive. Bastogne Tatham-Warter. cover from the fire, and calmly dom, Digby was awarded the in eastern Belgium, northeast surprise. was relieved by General George Better known as Digby Ta- escorted the padre to safety. Distinguished Service Order. France, and Luxembourg. The Americans retreated in S. Patton and the US 3rd Army. tham-Warter, or simply Digby, Injured by shrapnel during the So considering the type of The offensive was intended disarray, causing a massive While officially known as the he was a legendary figure in the Battle of Arnhem, Digby was character that Digby Tatham- to stop Allied use of the Belgian bulge in their defenses. Ardennes Counteroffensive, it Parachute Regiment. captured. Because of his injury, Warter was, it would not have port of Antwerp and to split the The US 101st Airborne, the was also known as the Battle of He always had an umbrella Digby was sent to St. Eliza- been unusual for him to give Allied lines, allowing the Ger- “Screaming Eagles”, retreated the Bulge. with him which he carried into beth’s Hospital but escaped out the type of answer depicted in mans to encircle and destroy as far as the Belgian town of Patton rallied the Ameri- battle. When asked why, he said of a window with his second in the film. four Allied armies and force the Bastogne. It was here that the can troops, and, in a brilliant that he had trouble remember- command Captain Tony Frank. Western Allies to negotiate a commander of the 101st, Briga- counter thrust offensive, broke ing passwords and felt that any- Having made contact with Brigadier General Anthony peace treaty in the Axis powers’ dier General Anthony Clement through the German line and one who saw him with it would the Dutch Resistance, Digby Clement McAuliffe favour. McAuliffe, decided to make a pushed the German military think that “only a bloody fool was given a bicycle and a fake During the winter of late Once that was accomplished, stand. back across the border. of an Englishman” would carry Dutch identity card that allowed 1944 things were not looking Hitler believed he could fully While the Allies held over- The Germans never recov- an umbrella into battle. him to pose as Peter Jensen, a too promising for the Germans. concentrate on the Soviets on whelming air superiority, the ered, and continued retreating During Operation Market deaf-mute son of a lawyer. Since the D-Day landings in the Eastern Front. The offen- dense overcast weather meant back towards Berlin for the re- Garden he was part of A Com- Digby used the bicycle to vis- June 1944 in Normandy, the sive was planned by the German that they were effectively mainder of the war. 20 21 hen I was reading Humble beginnings mathematics. He was fascinat- Remembering Yuri Gagarin - about the life of the Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin ed by airplanes, and was part Wfirst man in space, was born on 9 March 1934, in of a group of children who Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, the small village of Klushino, built model aircraft. As a young Part One what struck me immediately is Smolensk Oblast [‘oblast’ is a child, he had witnessed a Yak- that this young man – he was type of administrative division], ovlev fighter plane crash-land- only 27 years old at the time about 200 km west of Moscow. ing near Klushino, and the sight of his space flight – came from His father Alexei Ivanovich of the pilot emerging from the such humble beginnings. was a carpenter, and his mother crashed plane reportedly made His family lived in a small Anna Timofeyevna was a dairy a huge impression on him, lead- village west of Moscow, in what farmer. Yuri was the third of ing to a lifelong love of flying. was then the Soviet Union. His four children. schooling was interrupted for When German Nazi forces Learning to fly several years during World War advanced towards Moscow in In 1950, at the age of 16, he II when occupying Nazi sol- November 1941, the village enrolled at a vocational school diers, on their way to Moscow, was captured. They evicted in Lyubertsy, a city on the evicted his family from their Gagarin’s family from their south-eastern outskirts of Mos- home. home and sent the two older cow, where he entered an ap- He worked hard to overcome siblings, Valentin and Zoya, as prenticeship as a foundryman at these challenges, throwing him- slave labour to Poland (they a steel plant. At the same time, self wholeheartedly into learn- escaped and returned home in eager to further his education, he ing how to fly, and becoming an 1945 after the War ended). The attended seventh grade evening From humble beginnings experienced fighter pilot. Ac- family was permitted to con- classes at a local ‘young work- to the first man in space! cording to reports from family, struct a 3m x 3m mud hut on the ers’ school. He graduated from friends, colleagues and fellow land behind their house, where both the following year. By REGINE LORD astronauts, he was a down-to- they lived for almost two years Next, he underwent training at earth young man who remained until the end of the occupation. the Industrial Technical School calm and kept his sense of hu- Yuri and his younger brother in Saratov, a city on the Volga mour even under intense pres- Boris did whatever they could River, some 700 km southeast sure. to sabotage the garrison, by of Moscow. Here, he studied After his return from space, scattering broken glass on the tractors, while earning money he rubbed shoulders with gov- roads, pushing potatoes up ex- on the side as a part-time dock ernment leaders, political of- haust pipes of military vehicles, labourer on the Volga River. ficials and influential people and generally causing mischief. More interestingly for around the world, but his fame In 1946, after the end of Gagarin, however, Saratov had as Cosmonaut No. 1 of the So- WWII, the family moved a local flying club, where he viet Union did not go to his their home to the nearby small volunteered as a Soviet air ca- head. town of Gzhatsk, 166 km from det. He learned how to fly in a With his friendly smile, in- Moscow. They ‘moved home’ biplane and a Yakovlev Yak-18, telligent eyes, and boyish good quite literally; they disassem- which was a tandem two-seat looks, and his easy ability to bled their house, physically military training aircraft. An connect with people, he cap- relocated it, and re-construct- amusing anecdote tells of how tured hearts and minds every- ed it in its new location. After Gagarin, who was quite short where. For the political lead- Gagarin’s death in 1968, the in stature, struggled to master ership at the time, he was the town of Gzhatsk was re-named smooth landings – until his in- embodiment of the ideal Soviet ‘Gagarin’, in honour of its most structor gave him a cushion to citizen – and the perfect poster famous resident. sit on so that he had a better boy for the Soviet space pro- Yuri and Boris started go- view of the runway! gram. ing to school here; his favour- After graduating from the ite subjects were science and Industrial Technical School in 22 23 1955, he was drafted into the He was a hard-working disci- lot, with his fellow cosmonaut first to pave the way into space Soviet Army and sent to study plined man who was devoted Gherman Titov as backup, and for mankind. This responsibili- at the Air Force pilots avia- to his work as chief engineer at Grigoriy Nelyubov in turn cho- ty is not toward one person, not tion school in Orenburg, from the Jet Propulsion Research In- sen as Titov’s backup. toward a few dozen, not toward which he graduated at the top stitute (RNII), which designed The son of a humble peasant a group. It is a responsibility to- of his class in 1957, with the and developed rockets. family, intelligent and bright, ward all mankind - toward its title of Air Force Fighter Pilot. In 1938, during Stalin’s ‘Great with a disarming smile and present and its future. On the day of his graduation, Purge’, Korolev was arrested calm demeanour, Gagarin was Am I happy as I set off on he married Valentina Ivanovna after being denounced by spite- the perfect poster child of the this space flight? Of course I’m Goryacheva, a medical techni- ful colleagues and accused of Soviet space program. happy. After all, in all times and cian, whom he had met earlier deliberately slowing down and Before his flight, Gagarin re- epochs the greatest happiness that year. They had two daugh- sabotaging the RNII’s work. corded the following stirring for man has been to take part in ters, Yelena Yurievna Gagari- Initially sentenced to death, he speech: new discoveries. na (1959) and Galina Yurievna was instead sent to a Soviet Gu- “Dear friends, both known It is a matter of minutes now Gagarina (1961). lag labour camp in the far east and unknown to me, fellow before the start. I say to you, His first posting was to the of Siberia for some time, and Russians, and people of all ‘Until we meet again,’ dear Luostari Air Base in Murmansk exposed to such horrific condi- countries and continents, in a friends, just as people say to Oblast, near the Norwegian bor- CLOSE STUDY: The cosmonaut training group, including Gh- tions that he almost died. few minutes a mighty spaceship each other when setting out der. This fell under the North- erman Titov (centre left) and Yuri Gagarin (centre 2nd left), are After repeated appeals, his will carry me into the far-away on a long journey. I would like ern Fleet, whose headquarters closely studying the equipment. sentence was reduced, and he expanses of space. very much to embrace you all, and main base are at Severo- returned to Moscow – but not What can I say to you in these people known and unknown to morsk in the Soviet Arctic. Two G-forces; they spent many days month before his death), after to be freed. Instead, he worked last minutes before the start? At me, close friends and strangers years later, in November 1959, on their own in sound-proofed successfully defending his aer- in a sharashka penitentiary for this instant, the whole of my life alike. See you soon!” he was promoted to the rank of isolation chambers to test their ospace engineering thesis on several years; these were se- seems to be condensed into one On the morning of 12 April Senior Lieutenant. psychological resilience. They the subject of spaceplane aero- cret research and development wonderful moment. Everything 1961, Yuri Gagarin settled were subjected to experiments dynamic configuration. laboratories operating from the I have experienced and done till into the small spherical Vostok Soviet space programme with weightlessness, their en- 1930s to the 1950s within the now has been in preparation for 3KA space capsule on top of Gagarin applied to join the durance in heat chambers was The ‘Chief Designer’ Soviet Gulag labour camp sys- this moment. You must realize a Vostok K rocket, preparing Soviet space program, joining assessed, and their reactions to The head of the Soviet space tem. Korolev continued to work that it is hard to express my feel- to be launched from Baikonur a pool of 3,000 of the best pi- stressful situations were care- program in the 1950s and 1960s in his field (rockets and rocket ings now that the test for which Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. lots from all over the USSR. fully monitored. was Sergei Pavlovich Korolev motors) until his discharge in we have been training long and According to official records, His small stature (1.57 m tall, During the intensive training (1907 – 1966), who was a lead- 1944. passionately is at hand. he had slept well the night be- weighing less than 72 kg) and that followed, Gagarin reported- ing Soviet rocket engineer and Thereafter, he was appointed I don’t have to tell you what I fore, his pulse rate was steady youthfulness (the Central Flight ly excelled at completing all the spacecraft designer during the at a newly established research felt when it was suggested that I and slow (64), and he seemed Medical Commission was look- required tasks, while keeping a Space Race between the US institute, which designed long- should make this flight, the first relaxed and calm. Korolev, in ing for pilots between 25 and 30 sense of humour and remaining and the USSR. range and intercontinental bal- in history. contrast, was fretting and wor- years old) counted in his favour. calm under pressure. He was His name and identity were listic missiles. Korolev’s pas- Was it joy? No, it was some- ried, closely monitoring all the The extensive and rigorous – exceptionally fit and healthy, as kept secret, to protect him from sion, however, was to get the thing more than that. Pride? No, preparations at ground control, even gruelling – medical, phys- well as mentally disciplined, in- assassination attempts by the Soviet Union’s space program it was not just pride. I felt great double-checking everything, ical and psychological testing telligent, curious, and eager to USA; he was officially only re- off the ground (quite literally), happiness. To be the first to en- and ensuring that no mishaps whittled this number down to learn. He was also very popular ferred to as ‘the Chief Design- and his work culminated in the ter the cosmos, to engage single occurred. 20 potential candidates. among his cohorts. er’ or by the initials ‘S.P.’. Only design of the R-7 Semyorka handedly in an unprecedented Gagarin was wearing his or- The experiments and ex- Because some of the candi- after his death was his name rocket, which would ultimately duel with nature - could anyone ange SK-1 space suit and a aminations included oxygen dates, including Gagarin, did revealed and did he receive the send Yuri Gagarin into space! dream of anything greater than helmet, with the letters CCCP starvation tests in which can- not have higher education de- public recognition for his ex- that? painted on in red paint at the last didates were locked into iso- grees, they enrolled in a corre- traordinary ground-breaking Preparing for the Vostok 1 But immediately after that I minute. Someone had suggest- lation chambers, while the air spondence course at the Zhuk- work in Soviet space explora- mission thought of the tremendous re- ed, partly as a joke, that Gagarin was slowly pumped out; they ovsky Air Force Engineering tion. A few days before the launch sponsibility I bore: to be the could be mistaken for the pilot were placed in a centrifuge Academy. He only graduated Korolev’s life had been turned of the Vostok 1 mission, Yuri first to do what generations of of an American spy plane if he to test their responses to high from this in February 1968 (a upside down early in his career: Gagarin was chosen as the pi- people had dreamed of; to be the landed somewhere unforeseen, 24 25 and officials promptly decided nue of trees behind the Cos- asked them to play some large mountain ranges, large to paint the letters CCCP (the monaut Hotel in Baikonur; Russian love songs while he rivers, large forest areas, shore- Russian abbreviation of the every person who has waited for the launch. lines and islands. USSR) onto the front of his hel- flown into space on a Sovi- The clouds which cover the met, just in case. et or Russian spacecraft has Lift-off and orbit Earth’s surface are very visible, The year before, on 1 May planted a tree here before Gagarin’s exuberant excla- and their shadow on the Earth 1960, an American U-2 spy departure. mation “Поехали!” (Poyekha- can be seen distinctly. The color plane performing aerial recon- • The Soyuz Launcher with li!) – “Let’s go!” – as the boost- of the sky is completely black. naissance deep inside Soviet the Soyuz capsule ontop is er rockets of Vostok 1 ignited The stars on this black back- territory had in fact been shot rolled out on a special rail- in a blinding flash of light and ground seem to be somewhat down by the Soviet Air Defence way carriage exactly 48 his spacecraft roared up into the brighter and clearer. The Earth Forces over Sverdlovsk (Yeka- hours before the launch; al- heavens – has become legend- is surrounded by a characteris- terinburg), and the pilot (Cap- though it is considered bad ary. tic blue halo. This halo is par- tain Francis Gary Powers) had luck for the crews to see The name of the spacecraft, ticularly visible at the horizon. been captured. The subsequent this happening, their fami- Vostok (Russian: Восток, trans- From a light-blue coloring, the cover-up by the Americans lies, personnel and visiting lated as “East” or “Sunrise”) sky blends into a beautiful deep had caused great international guests always put coins on and the timing of the launch in blue, then dark blue, violet, and embarrassment to the United the railway track for good the early morning symbolised finally complete black. States, and further strained re- luck. the dawning of a new age of When I left the Earth’s shad- lations with the Soviet Union. • The crew always gets a hair- space exploration. ow, the Sun’s rays penetrated So that was the reason why cut two days before launch. His flight was a single orbit the Earth’s atmosphere. At this Gagarin’s helmet sported the • The night before launch, around the Earth, its trajectory READY TO GO: Yuri Gagarin and back-up cosmonaut Gher- point, the Earth’s horizon was letters CCCP in red paint. they watch the 1970 Rus- taking him east across the So- man Titov on the way to the launchpad on 12 April 1961. dark blue, violet and finally On their way to the launch sian movie ‘White Sun of viet Union, southeast across it turned out, it wasn’t neces- the projected route; these used black. site, Gagarin apparently asked the Desert’. This tradition the Pacific Ocean, through the sary – and besides, both his in- either VHF (Tyuratam, Kolpa- The transition into the Earth’s the bus driver to stop in the dates back to the Soyuz 12 Straits of Magellan at the south- structor, as well as production shevo [Tomsk Oblast, central shadow took place very rapid- middle of the steppe so that he mission in 1973, when the ern tip of South America, then designer Oleg Ivanovsky who Russia], Yelizovo [Kamchat- ly. Darkness comes instantly could relieve himself. This sto- crew watched the movie northeast across Africa and the escorted Gagarin to the capsule ka Krai in the far east]) or HF and nothing can be seen. Ob- ry – possibly apocryphal – gave before take-off; as the pre- Middle East, before ending had revealed the secret code to (shortwave) (Novosibirsk [cen- viously, the spaceship passed rise to the tradition of all sub- vious Soyuz 11 mission had back in the Soviet Union. him, just in case! tral Russia] and Khabarovsk over the ocean during this pe- sequent astronauts flying out of resulted in the death of the Gagarin’s entire mission was During his flight, Gagarin [far eastern Russia]). Moscow riod of time. If the spaceship Baikonur relieving themselves entire three-man crew in automatically controlled from drank water, ate some space used both VHF and HF. The would have passed over large against the right rear tyre of the 1971 due to asphyxiation mission control on the ground, food from squeeze tubes, kept reason why HF needed to be cities, then I would have proba- bus transporting them to the when a breathing ventilation as medical staff and engineers notes in his notebook (using a used was because the Soviet bly been able to see the lights of launch site. Female astronauts valve had ruptured during were uncertain how the hu- pencil, which he lost at some Union at the time did not have a those cities. The stars were well instead splash a vial of their their descent, and the subse- man body would respond to the stage during the flight) and fleet of tracking ships that could visible. urine against the tyre. quent Soyuz 12 mission was particular challenges of space spoke into a tape recorder, de- follow Gagarin’s flight once he The exit from the Earth’s There are several other super- a success, the movie became flight, such as microgravity. scribing what he observed left Soviet territory. shadow is also rapid and sharp.” stitions and traditions that orig- a good luck charm! Doctors were apparently fear- through the capsule’s window During a press conference His entire speech can be inate from those early days of • On launch day, crew mem- ful that he might become men- and the tasks he completed. He a few days after his flight, found here. human space flight: bers sign the door of their tally unstable, unable to make used a high-frequency radio and Gagarin gave a speech, which His craft reached a maxi- • Soyuz crews visit the me- room at the Cosmonaut Ho- rational decisions, and act er- a telegraph key to communicate described in vivid detail what mum height of 327 km above morial wall on the Cosmo- tel, and sip a glass of cham- ratically. The engineers added with ground control. he saw through the window of the Earth’s surface, which is nauts’ Avenue of the Mos- pagne. a three-digit security code that Gagarin’s call sign was кедр his capsule: described as low earth orbit cow Kremlin to lay flowers. • Once the crew is sitting in- Gagarin would need to enter [‘Kedr’ – meaning Siberian ce- “The view of the Earth from (LEO). It only emerged many • They sign the visitors’ book side the capsule, and waiting to enable him to take manual dar], while the call sign for the an altitude of 175-300 km is years later that Gagarin’s orbit in Yuri Gagarin’s office, for the countdown to start, control of the spacecraft in an launch site at Tyuratam (Bai- very sharp. The Earth’s surface had overshot the planned apo- which is preserved as a mu- mission control plays some emergency; this was placed in konur) was Заря́-1 [‘Zarya-1’ looks approximately the same gee (its highest point) of 230 seum at Star City. music for them; this tradi- a sealed envelope that he was – meaning dawn]. There was a as seen from a high-flying jet km by almost 100 km; due to • They plant a tree in the ave- tion started when Gagarin handed just before take-off. As series of tracking stations along plane. Clearly distinctive are a faulty valve, the upper stage 26 27 engine worked longer than it mishap when Gagarin’s reserve achute, and separate from his later, in July 2011, a special should have. His spacecraft parachute partly deployed, as capsule rather than inside it – plaque commemorating this thus reached a height of 327 the two parachutes could easily that almost led to Gagarin los- visit was unveiled at Manches- km, which could have had se- have become entangled. Addi- ing the title of first man in space ter International Airport. rious repercussions for his safe tionally, he struggled for some on a technicality. All over, monuments were return to solid ground. six minutes to open a respira- The institution tasked with erected in his honour, and If the retrorocket system re- tion valve on his helmet to ena- certifying this achievement, the streets were named after him. sponsible for his reinsertion into ble him to breathe atmospheric Fédération Aéronautique Inter- The small town of Ghzatsk the atmosphere had failed at the air while floating down. Tense nationale (FAI, or in English, was renamed Gagarin. The crucial moment, the Vostok 1’s moments indeed! the International Air Sports launch pad from which Vostok orbit would not have decayed He landed in open country- Federation) had previously, in 1 carried him into space is still naturally within a week to ten side, near the village of Smelov- the 1950s, drafted guidelines called Gagarin’s Start. A crater days, but only after 30 days. As ka, just east of the Volga River. for what constituted a space- on the far side of the moon was Gagarin only had life support According to Gagarin’s own flight. These guidelines made it LIFT OFF: Take-off of the Vostok 3KA space capsule, mounted named after him; even an aster- – air, food and water – for 10 description, he almost touched clear that the pilot/cosmonaut/ ontop of a Vostok-K rocket, at Baikonur on 12 April 1961. oid in the asteroid belt, which days, he would not have sur- down in the river itself, but astronaut had to land with (in- Titov himself publicly admitted surrounded by party officials, was discovered in the year of vived this. luckily the wind gave him a side) his spacecraft (after all, that he had ejected from Vostok waved cheerfully to the crowds. his death, was given the name bit of a push. Gagarin tells this the same rule applied to con- 2 and landed by parachute. This He received the highest Sovi- 1772 Gagarin. And, more re- Re-entry and landing lovely story in his logbook, of ventional flights in an aircraft). implied that Gagarin too had et award from Premier Khrush- cently, in March 2005, NASA’s The mission almost ended in his encounter with a local wom- When the Soviet Union sub- not landed inside his craft but chev – Hero of the Soviet Un- Mars Exploration Rover Op- disaster. an, Anikhayat Takhtarova and mitted their official statement parachuted to safety separately. ion, as well as the Order of portunity used its rock abrasion After the de-orbiting burn, her five-year-old granddaughter to the FAI, they declared that This revelation naturally Lenin, and an impressive list of tool to expose the interior of a the re-entry module with Rumiya Nurskanova: Gagarin had landed with the caused a stir, leading to a spe- further medals and awards. rock called ‘Gagarin’, which Gagarin inside failed to discon- “Having stepped onto firm spacecraft. This was despite cial meeting of FAI delegates, During Gagarin’s subsequent is situated at a small crater that nect from the service or instru- ground, I saw a woman and a newspaper articles in the local who re-examined the records round-the-world tour of about was informally named ‘Vostok’ ment module beneath, to which girl who were standing near press, in which witnesses said – and subsequently decided to 30 countries, he was greeted by in memory of his flight. it was connected by ‘umbilical a spotted calf and who were they had seen him parachute change the guidelines rather cheering crowds everywhere. After his historic space flight cables’, and the two started to watching me with bewilder- to earth; these were hurried- than change the record books: Everywhere except the United and his tours around the world, spin at high speed about their ment. When they saw me in my ly confiscated by the KGB, as They acknowledged that the States, that is – US President Gagarin spent several years axes. At the same time, the space suit and the parachute it would have contradicted the greatest technological accom- John F Kennedy barred him working at Star City (Zvyozd- friction with the Earth’s atmos- dragging alongside as I walked, official story. Thus, Gagarin plishment of spaceflight was from visiting the country. ny gorodok), a closed military phere caused the heat shield to they started to back away in was officially recognised as the the launch, orbiting and safe During his visit to Manchester research and space training fa- start burning and temperatures fear. I told them, don’t be first man in space. Technical- return of the human being on- in the UK in July 1961, he made cility to the northeast of Mos- to rise rapidly inside the cabin; afraid, I am a Soviet like you, ly, however, he couldn’t have board, regardless of how they a huge impression on local resi- cow. Soviet and Russian cos- Gagarin almost lost conscious- who has descended from space landed inside the Vostok 1, as it landed. dents, when, despite a torrential monauts have lived and trained ness. Thankfully, the re-en- and I must find a telephone to did not have a braking system; downpour, he insisted on stand- here since the 1960s, and many try module eventually broke call Moscow!” so, the only and safest way to Hero of the Soviet Union ing in the car that was driving Russian cosmonauts, past and free and stopped spinning, and From lift-off (09h07) to land- land, was for him to eject from A few days after his historic him around, with the roof up, so present, and personnel of the Gagarin could re-orient it. ing (10h55), his flight lasted 108 his craft and for separate para- flight, Gagarin arrived in Mos- that the crowds could see him. training centre and their respec- About 7 km from the ground, minutes. A Russian docudrama/ chutes to deploy. cow, where he was greeted by He appealed equally to young tive families, live here. Gagarin the hatch opened and Gagarin biopic about Gagarin’s flight on It was only after Gherman massive crowds, loudly cheer- and old, men and women. The was working on designs for a was ejected. Both his parachute the Vostok 1 called Gagarin – Stepanovich Titov’s flight on ing and waving hand-drawn Foundry Workers’ Union even reusable spacecraft, received and that of the capsule de- First in Space, released in June Vostok 2 a few months later, on pictures and large photographs presented him with a medal and the rank of Colonel in 1963, and ployed, and both floated safe- 2013, has a running time of 108 6 August 1961, which involved of their heroic cosmonaut. They honorary membership, in rec- became deputy training direc- ly back down to Earth, about minutes, thus approximating a full day spent in orbit (17.5 or- lined the surrounding streets ognition of his apprenticeship tor of the Cosmonaut Training 26 km southwest of the city of the length of his flight. Other bits of Earth, to be precise), that and filled Red Square in front as a foundry worker. Gagarin’s Centre, which was later named Engels in the Saratov region sources have marked the land- flags were raised. Although the of the Kremlin, as a beaming natural warmth and openness after him. (where he had first learned to ing at 10h53, stating that the Soviet Union’s official state- Gagarin, standing on the balco- opened doors everywhere; he fly!). flight in fact lasted 106 minutes. ment to the FAI was that Titov ny above Lenin’s Tomb, next to also cut a fine figure in his dash- The Soyuz 1 disaster There was almost another It was this landing – by par- had landed with the spacecraft, Premier Nikita Khrushchev and ing military uniform! 50 years Even though Gagarin was 28 29 eager to return to space, the Gagarin’s death plunging it into the ground. revered by the Soviet people, government refused to allow After the Soyuz 1 crash, Gagarin, who had been born he became a hero for the entire it. However, he did train as Gagarin was permanently on 9 March 1934, died just a world. At a time when Cold War back-up crew for Soyuz 1 (the banned from participating in few weeks after celebrating his tensions between the USA and word Сою́ з means ‘Union’), any further spaceflights. But 34th birthday. His body and that the Soviet Union threatened to which was to be piloted by his they could not keep him away of fellow pilot Seryogin were boil over into mutual nuclear close friend and fellow cosmo- from his beloved planes. Sad- cremated and their ashes placed destruction, his amazing feat naut Vladimir Mikhaylovich ly, less than a year later, on 27 in the Kremlin Wall necropo- brought together and united Komarov. On 12 October 1964, March 1968, tragedy struck lis, where his friend and fellow people all around the globe. Komarov had successfully com- again. Yuri Gagarin and flight cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov As the inscription beneath his manded the three-man mission instructor Vladimir Seryogin had been interred in April the memorial reads, that now stands onboard Voskhod 1, which was were killed while piloting a previous year. The funeral was at the SANSA Space Science the first spaceflight with more MiG-15 jet fighter. attended by hundreds of thou- Centre in Hermanus: than one crew member. Koma- Out of the swirling mists sands of grieving mourners, and “Orbiting Earth in the space- rov and his fellow cosmonauts of speculation and secrecy people across the world shared ship, I saw how beautiful our Boris Yegorov and Konstantin emerged various theories about their grief. planet is. People, let us preserve Feoktistov completed 16 orbits HERO: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Yuri Gagarin the reasons for the crash. It was In his short but extraordinary and increase this beauty, not de- in space aboard Voskhod 1. arriving at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, on 14 April 1961, after only revealed many years later, life, Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin stroy it. – Y. Gagarin”. The launch date for the Soyuz Gagarin’s historic flight. in June 2013, that the accident had been the first human be- His flight onboard the Vostok 1 mission was 23 April 1967. A had most likely been caused by ing on the planet to fearlessly 1 burnt a blazing trail of fire plethora of serious problems to unfold, leading to a shortage It was an absolutely devastat- a Sukhoi fighter jet that, due launch himself into the darkness across the skies that, still today, with the spacecraft should have of power; orientation detectors ing loss of a talented, dedicated to bad weather, had been fly- of space beyond the protective inspires hundreds of cosmo- postponed the launch, but the malfunctioned; the automatic and experienced cosmonaut. ing too close to the MiG at su- embrace of Earth’s atmosphere nauts and astronauts who are new Premier Leonid Brezhnev stabilisation system failed; the Tragically, Komarov’s death personic speed; the turbulence – and return safely home. following in his footsteps. (who had replaced Khrushchev manual system was only partly had been avoidable – if more created by its backwash had Although he was a Soviet in a coup in 1964) and the Polit- working. Due to heavy storms at care had been taken with the sent Gagarin’s jet into a spiral, citizen by birth, and rightfully buro were very insistent that it Baikonur, the launch of Soyuz design and construction of the go ahead regardless. The Chief 2 was scrubbed. Komarov in spacecraft, if more checks and Designer of the Soviet space Soyuz 1 got the retrorockets to balances had been in place, if program, Sergei Korolev, had fire after 18 orbits and success- there hadn’t been such relent- died in 1966, leaving a pow- fully re-entered the atmosphere. less pressure put on the scien- er vacuum; Vasily Michin had But, tragically, things kept go- tists and engineers to launch been chosen as his successor. ing wrong. Although the drogue by a certain deadline, and if the The launch of Soyuz 1 was the parachute deployed, it did not politicians and people in power first crewed flight since Ko- detach as required; the main had bothered to listen to those rolev’s death. parachute did not unfold, and actually working on the space- The mission plan was com- the manually deployed reserve craft and well aware of the mul- plex and very ambitious: it in- parachute became entangled tiple fatal flaws and problems. volved the launch of a second with the drogue. As a result, the But then, politicians seldom craft – Soyuz 2 – the next day, capsule crash-landed on Earth do. a rendezvous in space during at 140 km/h – an impact no one And during the Cold War, which two astronauts from could survive. And finally, the with all its secrets and lies, Soyuz 2 were supposed to retrorockets, which should have propaganda and conspiracies, spacewalk to Soyuz 1, and then fired before touchdown to en- coupled with the political ur- the return of both capsules to sure a soft landing, only started gency of beating the USA in the Earth. firing once the craft had already conquest of outer space, it is Unfortunately, it all went crashed. When the raging infer- perhaps not surprising that this tragically wrong, with multi- no was finally extinguished by tragedy happened. ple system failures onboard the the ground crew, nothing much Soyuz 1. A solar panel failed remained of Komarov’s body. 30 31 behind the front in luxury and Is that a fact? out of touch with reality. Some facts about World War I. Short, sharp and to the point. There is an old joke about a British general addressing his officers just before an attack. t has been nearly 103 years soldiers mobilised, just over For over a year he spent his “Remember lads, I’ll be right since the Armistice was 700,000 were killed. Most of days stringing telegraph wires behind you. About 100 miles signed, bringing World War them during battles. along the western front, even behind you.” I It was claimed that generals I to and end. earning himself an Iron Cross It was known as ‘The Great A bit of Beethoven along the way. never went over the top with War’, or ‘The War to End All Most readers will know that Then, in 1915, he applied to their troops. The fact was that Wars’. Yet as we know, it didn’t after the Japanese attack on join the Imperial Air Service. standing orders stated that Gen- end all wars. A mere 21 years Pearl Harbour during World He became a legend and was erals were not allowed to go later the world was at it again in War II, America declared war both respected and feared by over the top as they were too an even more devastating war on Japan. Between 110,000 and the Allies. valuable to lose. Still, this didn’t stop more that would be named World 120,000 Japanese Americans In April 1918 he was shot RED BARON: A replica of the Red Baron’s Fokker Dr-1 War II. were incarcerated in internment down and he crash landed be- than 200 generals being killed, In this article we take a look camps. hind Allied lines where he was No doing the dirty 400,00 US soldiers were infect- wounded or captured. Most Generals visited the front lines at a few interesting facts about The ironic thing is that the found dead at the controls. The Come on, let’s get real. Most ed by STDs (Sexually Trans- every day. In battle, they were what became known as World US 442nd Infantry Regiment, British and Australians buried young men have one thing on mitted Diseases), with many of considerably closer to the ac- War I. comprising most of Japanese him with full military honours. their minds - the opposite sex them be rendered unfit for duty. tion than their counterparts are To begin with, let’s look at a American volunteers, became You can read a comprehen- (with a strong emphasis on today. few facts about the Great War. the most decorated unit in U.S. sive account of Manfred von the sex part). And just because Fake news is nothing new military history. Richthofen in the November is- When America entered World you’ve put them in a military Non sexist tanks A good chance of surviving What some readers may not sue of Military Despatches. uniform is not going to change War I in April 1917, the war The tank was a weapon that So you’re in the army now. know was that this was not the this. had already been going on more changed the face of warfare. Hope your last will and testa- first time it happened. Child Soldiers National servicemen in the than three years. When the tank first made its ap- ment is up to date. There’s a During World War I there During World War I many sol- old South African Defence In those three years while pearance on the battlefield they horde of nasty Huns sitting just were more than 250,000 Ger- diers, on both sides, lied about Force (SADF) would often talk America was not involved, Brit- came in two models - male and across no-man’s land from you, mans living in the USA who their age in order to enlist. about the importance of the ish agents were planting stories female. just waiting to ventilate your were forced to register at a post Sidney Lewis was the young- three Ps - Post, Pass and P***y. in US newspapers, stirring up The male version of the tank hide. Your chances of surviv- office and then carry a registra- est British soldier. He was just The Allied powers during anger against innocent German was armed with cannons. The al don’t look that good, right. tion card with them at all times. 12 years old when he joined World War I knew that there civilians living in the USA. female was armed only with Wrong! Of these, over 2,000 Germans the British Army. Naturally the was no ways they were going And here you thought that machine guns. It was rare for a British soldier were arrested and put in intern- recruiting sergeant must have to stop their troops from getting fake news was all new and In- By the end of the war tank to be in the firing line for long. ment camps. been myopic when Sidney frisky with the local females. ternet-generation based. Just technology had developed, es- Unless they were involved in a Many of the interned were the claimed that he was 18 years Condoms were standard issue look at the Bible (New Living pecially in British tanks. It was battle, a unit would only spend musicians from orchestras, and old. to all Allied troops in order to Translation). Ecclesiastes 1:9 - decided that tanks would be about 10 days a month in the in one camp they were able to And Sidney was not the only keep them protected. “History merely repeats itself. armed with both a cannon and trenches. And of those, only perform a piece of Beethoven. one to lie about his age. Thou- Did I say all? Well, with the It has all been done before. machine guns. This practice about three days were spent sands of underage boys lied exception of the United States. Nothing under the sun is truly continues to this day, so there is right up on the front line. The Red Signaller about their age to fight at the They were the only Allied pow- new.” not longer a need for tanks to be It was not uncommon for Manfred von Richthofen, front. er during World War I that did designated male or female. soldiers to be rotated out of better known as the Red Baron, Many of them were motivat- not provide its soldiers with Donkeys and Lions the trench line for as long as a was the top scoring fighter ace ed by patriotism, wanting to There is an old saying that the condoms. Not that it stopped Big Bang month at a time. of World War I with 80 kills. fight for their country. For oth- the troops. British soldiers in World War I One of the things that both The fact is that nine out of Yet he started off the war as a ers though, it was the only es- More than 204,000 Ameri- were lions led by donkeys. sides learnt during World War 10 British soldiers survived lancer in a cavalry unit. When cape from the poverty of their can troops were wounded dur- The brave soldiers (lions) I was that launching infantry the trenches. Out of the ap- this unit was disbanded, he was daily lives. ing World War I. Yet more than were led by incompetent gener- proximately six million British transferred to the Signal Corps. als (donkeys) who lived miles attack across no-man’s land 32 33 was generally a waste of time, and a waste of lives. Not that it Quiz stopped the generals from plan- ning the same type of attacks time after time. Nicknames An attack would normally be- his month’s quiz is by no means easy. We give you the nickname of a famous military figure gin with an artillery barrage on the and you tell us who they are. Some of these nicknames were ones that the person did not ap- opposing trenches. These would prove of, but they stuck. The answers are on page 107. often last for two or three days. T Once the barrage had ended the 1. 31-Knot. troops would then ‘go over the top’, climbing out of their trench- 2. Balaclava Ned. 1 es and advancing across no-man’s 3. The Bear. land towards the enemy. 4. The Big Fella. The problem was that the bar- rage let the enemy know that an BIG BANG: Actual footage of the explosion at Hawthorn Rdige 5. Black Baron. Redoubt during the Battle of the Somme. Click on the play but- attack was coming. They would 6. Black Jack. ton to view. sit in the relative safety of bunkers 7. Black Knight. 8 dug into the side of the trenches didn’t work, why not go under? gan shouting Christmas greet- and wait for the barrage to end. Miners from both sides would ings across the trenches. On 8. Blondie. As soon as it had ended the build tunnels towards enemy Christmas morning some of 9. Blood-n-Guts. trenches. Once under an enemy them began emerging from the troops would emerge from their 10. Bobs. bunkers, take up their positions, trench, the tunnel could be filled trenches into no-man’s land. set up machine guns, and wait for with explosives and detonated. Greetings and gifts were ex- 11. Bohemian corporal. the enemy to advance. On the first day of the Battle of changed and the opportunity 12. Bomber. The advancing enemy were the Somme, the British detonated was taken to bury the dead that 13. Boy. normally mown down before 19 mines under the German posi- had fallen in no-man’s land. 14. Brad. they even managed to get halfway tions. In one sector they even ar- 24 across no-man’s land. The mine beneath Hawthorn ranged a football match. The 15. Breaker. The Battle of the Somme start- Ridge Redoubt was detonat- truce lasted the entire day and 16. Bubi. ed with an artillery bombardment ed at 07h20, ten minutes before in some sectors continued to 17. The Desert Fox. that lasted for a week. 1,738,000 Zero Hour. The area beneath the New Year. shells were fired at the Germans. Germans had been packed with Naturally the top brass were 18. Dolfo. In the brilliant television series 18,000 kg of Ammonal and the not impressed with this. Didn’t 19. Ike. resulting explosion was heard in the soldiers realise that the en- Blackadder Goes Forth, which 20. Lion of the West. is set during World War I, Cap- London, 225 km away. The ex- tire purpose of war was to kill tain Edmund Blackadder (Rowan plosion was filmed by Geoffrey each other. 21. The Little Corporal. Attkinson) is talking to Lieutenant Malins. There are also reports of 22. Mad Mike. smaller truces in 1915 and even 29 The Honourable George Colthurst 23. Pappa. St. Barleigh (Hugh Laurie) and Truce 1916. In some trenches, the the dim witted Private Baldrick There was never any official soldiers adopted a “live and let 24. Sailor. (Tony Robinson). truce during World War I. That live” policy, trying not to open 25. Schneller Heinz. is not to say that they didn’t fire on the enemy so they would “Yes, but Jerry is safe under- 26. Silent Otto. ground in concrete bunkers,” he happen. not fire on them. tells them. “We’ve shot off over a The most famous one was the To counter this the command- 27. Stonewall. million cannon shells and what’s Christmas Truce of 1914 (See ers would rotate their soldiers 28. Tin Legs. the result? One dachshund with a the article ‘Silent Night’ in the all over the front line to stop 29. White Death. slight limp” December 2017 issue of Mili- them from becoming to famil- 30. Wild Bill. Both sides came to the con- tary Despatches). iar with the troops in the trench- clusion that if going over the top On Christmas Eve troops be- es across from them. 34 35 panded to include a network of measuring stations around the Remembering Yuri Gagarin - country. In order to understand the Earth’s magnetic field and Part Two its fluctuations, simultaneous Memorial to Yuri Gagarin - the First Man in Space – unveiled at the southern tip of Africa. observations need to be made Article and photographs byREGINE LORD. all over the world. It became well known internationally for hen we look back Agency’s (SANSA) Space Sci- tion on the southern coastline, its accurate observations. The at human history on ence Centre in the small coast- near the southern tip of South electrification of the railway this planet, it seems al town of Hermanus. The cer- Africa, SANSA Hermanus is network in the country in the W 1940s disturbed magnetic ob- that we have always raised our emony, held on 5 November ideally placed to monitor the eyes up to the skies, and longed 2020, was organised by the skies and the near-Earth space servations, and thus the obser- to soar among the birds and high Consulate of the Russian Fed- environment over the south- vatory relocated to the small above the clouds – and even to eration in Cape Town. ern hemisphere. It is also only town of Hermanus in 1940- venture far beyond Earth’s at- Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell, the 120 km away from Cape Town, 1941. The HMO now forms WORTH VISITING: Space Weather Regional Warning Centre at part of SANSA. mosphere, among the stars! Managing Director of SANSA making it easily accessible to SANSA Space Science in Hermanus. Humankind’s presence in Space Science, explained why tourists and travellers, both lo- Researchers and postgradu- space officially began in April SANSA Hermanus had been cal and international. Moreover, group of people could attend the etc.), space engineering (e.g., ates here study various topics, 1961, when Yuri Alekseyevich chosen to host this memorial, given that SANSA in Hermanus event. They included SANSA building satellites), space oper- such as space science, space Gagarin was chosen to be hu- referring to the good working has a community outreach pro- staff, local residents, Russian ations (monitoring of satellites, physics, space weather, atmos- mankind’s first emissary to relationship between South Af- gram and an interactive science diplomats, Russian compatri- etc.), and space science. pheric science, geomagnetism, space. rica and the Russian Federation centre that attracts visitors, both ots and members of the media. SANSA’s operations are communications, navigation On the morning of 12 April on various forums: young and old, the Yuri Gagarin Gunner Kevin Ashton and Lt spread across three main sites: and Antarctic science. SANSA 1961, Soviet Air Force pilot “Yuri Gagarin’s achieve- memorial provides a marvel- Cdr Glenn von Zeil (SA Navy) At the head office in Pretoria, has access to sensors through- Gagarin climbed into the small ment of being the first man in lous focal point for inspiring were among the attendees, and earth observation data is col- out Antarctica (where SANAE spherical Vostok 1 space cap- space provides inspiration for the next generation of space I was delighted to receive an in- lected, processed, archived and IV, the South African base, is sule, mounted ontop of a pow- young and old as to what can be scientists and explorers: vitation to join them. disseminated, and space engi- located), Southern Africa, and erful Vostok-K rocket, and pre- achieved, and what an incredi- “The Russian Consulate ap- The morning’s program in- neering facilities focus on de- the off-shore islands. There pared to be launched into orbit ble feat it was, given that this proached SANSA to host the cluded an introductory pres- veloping, building and testing are about 80 different pieces of around our beautiful planetary was 1961 – which pre-dates the sculpture, as the National Space entation, a guided tour, a vid- satellite systems. Hartebeest- equipment supplying data relat- home. technological advances we en- Agency seemed like an appro- eo of Yuri Gagarin’s historic hoek hosts the ground stations ed to the Earth’s magnetic field, Gagarin’s exuberant excla- joy today. priate home for a symbol of spaceflight, and the official cer- for satellite tracking, telemetry the Sun and the near-space en- mation “Поехали!” (Poyekha- South Africa and Russia have space achievement. In addition, emony. and command, as well as facili- vironment. li!) – “Let’s go!” – as the boost- had a long association in vari- it is anticipated that the sculp- ties for launch support, mission er rockets ignited in a blinding ous forums. The most formal ture will lead to additional ac- What does SANSA do? control, and space navigation. Space Weather Regional flash of light and his spacecraft one for space is the coordina- tive projects in space between SANSA was formally estab- And the site in Hermanus is Warning Centre roared up into the heavens – has tion and collaboration between the two countries. lished in 2010 to develop and specifically responsible for the We were shown the Space become legendary. From take- the BRICS countries, a group- SANSA Hermanus was also promote space research in the Space Science program. Weather Regional Warn- off to landing, his daring flight ing in which both South Africa chosen as the location due to country, as well as to foster in- SANSA Hermanus is part of ing Centre, which is current- – one orbit around the Earth – and Russia play an active role. the presence of the SANSA ternational cooperation in all a worldwide network of mag- ly a large room with a wall of lasted 108 minutes. In addition, both countries have Science Centre, which attracts kinds of space-related activities netic observatories. In fact, the monitors and screens, just in- 12 April 2021 thus marks the Regional Warning Centres for many learners and public vis- and research. It became opera- site used to be known as the side the entrance to the main 60th anniversary of the first Space Weather and as such sit itors throughout the year, and tional on 1 April 2011, and thus Hermanus Magnetic Obser- Space Science Centre building. manned space flight. together on many internation- thereby has the potential to celebrates its 10th birthday this vatory (HMO), which was the Plans are afoot to construct a In recognition of this historic al committees that deal with inspire many generations.” year. country’s national geomagnetic new centre in a separate build- milestone of space exploration, the global challenges of space (Source: Email interview with Its four operational programs observatory. ing that will operate 24/7. The a memorial honouring Gagarin weather.” (Source: Email inter- Dr McKinnell) include earth observation im- This had been established in ground-breaking ceremony for was recently unveiled at the view with Dr McKinnell) Due to the Covid-19 lock- agery (geographical informa- 1932-1933, initially at the Uni- this facility took place on 9 South African National Space Due to its geographical loca- down restrictions, only a small tion systems, remote sensing, versity of Cape Town, and ex- March 2021. 36 37 The Regional Warning Cen- ing Centres keep tabs on sunspot ovich (Soviet cosmonaut who even further in time. The first tre in Hermanus is the only one activity and monitor variations trained with Gagarin), Alexei African in space, South Afri- in Africa. In the southern hemi- in the Earth’s geomagnetic field Leonov (Soviet/Russian cosmo- can-born Mark Shuttleworth, sphere there are only two other and changes in the ionosphere. naut who became the first per- flew to the International Space countries with similar centres They prepare space weather son to do a spacewalk), Viktor Station (ISS) onboard the Rus- – Brazil and Australia. The oth- forecasts, and develop predic- Gorbatko (Soviet cosmonaut), sian Soyuz capsule in 2002! er thirteen are in the northern tion and warning models to help Boris Volynov (Soviet cosmo- In this regard, Acting Consul hemisphere (one of them is in mitigate the risks of extreme naut), and Valentina Tereshko- General Baskakov said: Moscow, Russia). space weather events. And they va (she flew a solo mission on “In 2011, the United Nations Space weather is a conse- issue alerts when solar flares or Vostok 6 in 1963, making her General Assembly declared quence of the behaviour of the coronal mass ejections occur. the first and youngest woman April the 12th as the Interna- Sun and its interactions with cosmonaut). tional Day of Human Space Earth’s magnetic field and at- Interactive Science Centre Flight. This is a tribute to the mosphere. We also visited the interac- Official ceremony courage and fearlessness of The Sun’s activity, in the form tive Science Centre. The morning’s program cul- the conquerors of space. Since of solar flares, solar winds and SANSA Hermanus has an minated in the ceremonial un- 1961, hundreds of people of PROUD MOMENT: Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell and Acting Consul coronal mass ejections (power- active outreach program and veiling of the memorial of Cos- different nationalities have General Mr Iakov Baskakov unveil the Memorial to Yuri Gagarin. ful blasts of plasma and mag- welcomes thousands of visitors monaut No. 1 – Colonel Yuri been in space. Among them is netic field), can influence the every year, especially learners Alekseyevich Gagarin, which ration to reach new heights. It inspiring the next generation.” Mark Shuttleworth, a South Af- performance and reliability of from surrounding communities, now stands proudly in the rear was a general breakthrough that (Source: SANSA) rican citizen, who performed space-borne and ground-based to this interactive Science Cen- courtyard of the Space Science combined the determination of The Yuri Gagarin memorial his space flight onboard the technological systems. tre. The large room is filled with Centre at SANSA Hermanus. mankind to stretch the bounda- thus also acts as a visual remind- Russian Soyuz spacecraft.” Although we are largely pro- all kinds of gadgets and hands- Attendees were welcomed by ries of science and technology er of the cooperation between (Source: Speech at event) tected by the Earth’s atmos- on displays and playful experi- Russian Consular Attaché Dmi- together with personal bravery the two countries, especially in Mark Shuttleworth had spent phere and geomagnetic field, ments that are intended to spark try Kryuchkov, who introduced of the individual.” (Source: De- the intertwined fields of space a year training and preparing for solar activity – and particularly an interest in science, space and the main speakers – Mr Iakov fenceweb) science, space exploration and his flight to the ISS, with seven solar superstorms – can cause technology. Baskakov, Acting Consul Gen- He emphasised that space space technology. months at Star City, the loca- devastating damage to highly In addition, there is a mobile eral of the Russian Federation in exploration and space research Three of South Africa’s four tion of the Yuri Gagarin Cos- sensitive modern technology. lab that can be requested by Cape Town, and Dr Lee-Anne required a global effort, with satellites have been launched monaut Training Centre north- They can damage – even shut schools in the area; such visits McKinnell, the MD of SANSA countries around the world col- from launch sites in the Russian east of Moscow, Russia, before down – our national power are always very popular among Space Science. All stood to at- laborating and combining their Federation: SumbandilaSat in the launch on 25 April 2002. grids, disable satellites, and dis- learners and teachers. tention during the playing of resources and expertise: September 2009 on a Soyuz-2 During his 10-day mission, he rupt the high frequency radio the Russian and South African “This monument reminds us launch vehicle from Baikonur conducted several experiments. communication, mobile phones Video of Gagarin’s space National Anthems, as the two we should be together in the Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, After his return, he spoke wide- and GPS systems on which our flight countries’ respective flags flut- exploration and use of space, ZA-Cube1 in November 2013 ly and passionately about his modern world relies. As part of the morning’s pro- tered in the breeze. (it) will undoubtedly serve to on a Dnepr launch vehicle from experiences in space, seeking Intense solar activity can af- gram, we watched a video of strengthen friendship and col- Yasny Launch Base (Dom- to inspire the next generation to fect the defence sector – e.g., Yuri Gagarin’s historic space Space research and explora- laboration between Russia and barovsky missile deployment follow careers in science, engi- radar and tracking systems, flight in 1961, titled “The First tion requires a global effort South Africa in this sphere.” area) in central Russia, and neering, technology and space. navigation, communication, Man in Space: Cosmonaut Yuri Acting Consul General (Source: SANSA) ZA-Cube2 in December 2018 aeronautics, and weapons con- Gagarin” and produced by Ros- Baskakov spoke about the or- Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell ech- on a Soyuz/Fregat-M vehicle Inspiring the youth and ignit- trol and targeting systems. Solar cosmos Studios. igins of the Soviet/Russian oed this sentiment: from Vostochny Cosmodrome ing excitement in science and energetic particles also present It included interviews with space programs and the context “Space research and explora- in Russia’s Far East. South Af- technology a serious health hazard to as- Oleg Ivanovsky (the Soviet of Gagarin’s spaceflight, and tion is global – and while rep- rica’s first satellite (SunSat) had It is this commitment to in- tronauts on space missions, and rocket scientist who described how the excitement and thrill resenting the African continent been launched by NASA from spire future generations that is can damage electronic systems his emotions on closing the of this achievement was shared we also look to our internation- Vandenberg Air Force Base, also shared by SANSA Her- on satellites, causing them to hatch on Gagarin before the by ordinary people all over the al stakeholders to partner with California, in 1999. manus. Dr Lee-Anne McKin- fail or to record incorrect data. launch), Boris Chertok (a con- world: us on an equal footing as we In fact, the association be- nell explained: Fortunately for us, these trol system designer in the So- “His feat united people take on the global challenge of tween South Africa and the “A significant part of achiev- Space Weather Regional Warn- viet space program), Pavel Pop- around the globe in their aspi- optimising space utilisation and Russian Federation goes back ing our dream for the African 38 39 continent is to inspire the youth So far, however, there has not ment in space development and clearly visible on the front. and ignite excitement in sci- been a black African astronaut, specifically in the preparations Gagarin, who was only 27 ence and technology. We are although Mandla Maseko, a for launching the Buran space years old at the time of his his- constantly looking for the fu- young South African township shuttle from Baikonur Cosmo- toric space flight, was a hand- ture space explorers, the future lad from Pretoria, came very drome in southern Kazakhstan some and charismatic young space environment research- close. in the 1980s. Baikonur had been man. ers, and the future space engi- Maseko was a candidate of- the launch site of Yuri Gagarin’s The bust perfectly captures neers. Our dream is a long-term ficer of the South African Air historic flight in 1961. his gentle smile and the almost one, which we know cannot Force. In 2013, he attended a She was only one year old wistful look in his eyes, sug- be achieved by our generation space camp in the Free State, when her parents moved to gesting his longing to return alone.” (Source: SANSA) where he excelled at complet- Baikonur to work at the space- to space. Reportedly, Gagarin Dr McKinnell recalled a vis- ing all the challenges. As one of port, and thus she spent her en- was eager to embark on anoth- it by an astronaut to the Space the top three winners, he flew tire childhood and adolescence er space mission – whether to Science Centre in 2011, and to the Kennedy Space Centre there. Her father, Vyacheslav the moon, Mars, Venus, or even the impact this space traveller in Orlando, Florida, where he – Khlebnikov, had recently beyond! However, his status as had on the awe-struck young- and more than 100 competitors passed away, on 29 September the first cosmonaut in the world sters who were listening to him from around the globe – partic- 2020, and thus telling his story – and Hero of the Soviet Union speak: ipated in a week of very tough was her way of paying tribute – made him too valuable for the “I will never forget it. It was a tests and challenges. to him. Cosmodrome: Mrs Anna Toma talking about her father’s work Soviet leadership, and he was Saturday during the school hol- He was chosen as one of the She spoke about how a shared on the Buran-Energia space shuttle at Baikonur in the 1980s. never permitted to fly another idays, and much to our surprise, winners to journey into space passion for space was able to on-a-heart-to-heart level be- completely safe fuel from the mission. because we were told nobody on an XCOR Lynx Mark II (de- bring together people from dif- cause people can really connect environmental point of view. The inscription beneath the would come, many members signed to carry one pilot and ferent countries and very differ- with each other’s stories across There are other technical speci- bust reads: of the public and school chil- one spaceflight participant) for ent life experiences: different generations. Through fications that I am not aware of “Orbiting Earth in the space- dren came to meet our guest a one-hour suborbital flight, “I find it also quite incredible these stories we learn more fully. ship, I saw how beautiful our and learn about how we work initially scheduled for 2015. that in spite of the distance – the about all the hard work behind What is remarkable is that planet is. People, let us preserve in space. Unfortunately, before work on physical distance – between our the scenes in the space realm thousands of people all over and increase this beauty, not de- The astronaut gave a special the plane could be completed, countries [Russia and South Af- and in turn respect and admire the former Soviet Union were stroy it. – Y. Gagarin”. presentation to the children, XCOR Aerospace went bank- rica] that we are standing here the people behind it.” (Source: working on various parts and This beautiful bust was sculpt- and as everyone was leaving rupt in 2017, and the flight nev- all together and celebrating this Email interview with Mrs Anna systems of this spacecraft in ed by his good friend and fel- at the end, there was a growing er happened. Maseko mean- man [Yuri Gagarin] who was Toma). different parts of the country, low cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. sense of wonder in the room. I while returned to the SA Air and still is an inspiration to so A huge amount of hard work in order to bring it all together Born in 1934, like Gagarin, Le- could feel it. Force and worked as a private many generations and to all of is necessary in order to prepare and to make it happen. Every onov was part of the group of A very young learner came up pilot. A few years after winning us. … a spacecraft and its occupants launch of any rocket requires 20 Soviet Air Force pilots who to me and said, ‘Do you think the competition, he died tragi- I was reading about his life for the spectacular event of the a lot of hard work and efforts had been selected for cosmo- it is possible for an African to cally in a motorbike accident on and biography. What struck me launch – and much of that work from many people that you naut training in 1960. On 18 be an astronaut?’ Of course, it 6 July 2019, aged only 30 years. is that Yuri’s journey was not happens invisibly behind the wouldn’t even think of.” March 1965, Leonov became is possible. But what makes it simple. It was full of challeng- scenes, involving a large num- the first man to conduct a space- possible are the seeds that we A shared passion for space es. He had a number of failures ber of people with different sets Unveiling the bust of the first walk; he was outside the Vosk- sow, that spark that desire. Ten unites people on a heart-to- on the way and yet he could of skills, across many different man in space – Yuri Gagarin hod 2 spacecraft for just over years later, I believe we have heart level overcome them and he could industries: And then, Mr Iakov Baskak- 12 minutes. He was also a tal- sown many seeds and sparked a After the speeches by Act- do this – probably one of the “When my father came to ov and Dr Lee-Anne McKin- ented artist, and his experienc- lot of desire. ing Consul General Mr Iakov most heroic things that you can Baikonur in 1983, he was part nell, standing on either side of es as a cosmonaut inspired him This monument will help us Baskakov and Dr Lee-Anne think of - with such bravery and of the launching preparations of the memorial, together unveiled to create many extraordinary to continue to sow seeds and McKinnell, a young Russian courage. This will always have one of the most unique Soviet/ the bronze bust. paintings about space explora- spark desire for a future that is woman, Mrs Anna Toma (née a special place in my heart and, Russian spacecrafts – Buran. It depicts Yuri Gagarin wear- tion - as well as this unique bust adventurous, technology driven Khlebnikova), stepped up to the I am sure, in the hearts of many It could go to space multiple ing his space helmet with the of Gagarin. It was donated by and innovative, and most of all, microphone. people in the world. times. It was a space shuttle that letters CCCP (the Russian ab- “Dialogue of Cultures – Unit- allows our children of Africa to She had been invited to tell So what I wanted to bring had a rocket that would carry a breviation of the Union of Sovi- ed World”, a charity fund that reach for the stars.” the story of her father’s involve- across is that space really unites cosmonaut. It would also use a et Socialist Republics [USSR]) was established in 2005. One 40 41 of their ongoing projects since ognition of the resourcefulness and Mr Jon Ward – for their 2011 has been the installation of of human beings, of courage input and the additional infor- memorials of Yuri Gagarin in ed- and fearlessness in the face of mation they kindly shared with ucational institutions, parks and adversity, and of the longing to me. Thank you to Mrs Anna streets of various cities around the reach beyond the known world. Toma for sending me a copy Journal of the South African Legion world. They have installed these It stands as a reminder of how of her speech and so generous- Tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Legioen memorials in about 37 countries humankind’s presence in space ly answering all my questions around the world (possibly more began, and of the many thou- during my email interview. And by now). On the African conti- sands of small steps that led to lastly, thank you to Mr Kevin The SA Legion is a national organisation, part of a world- nent, the first one was unveiled in where we are today. Ashton for the enjoyable drive wide family that addresses the needs of ex-service per- Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, And may it indeed inspire and thought-provoking conver- sonnel and their dependents by way of housing, pensions, on 6 June 2018, while the second the next generation of intrepid sations! employment and general welfare. It is apolitical, non-sec- one was installed at the Egyptian space travellers to follow in Yu- Next month tarian, non-racial, non-sexist and non-partisan. Space Agency’s headquarters ri’s footsteps! In the May edition of Military in New Cairo on 30 September Despatches there will be anoth- The Springbok is the official journal of the South African 2020. Acknowledgements er two articles by our Photo- Legion. Read the December issue of Springbok by click- These memorials thus now Thank you very much to the graphic Editor, Regine Lord. ing on the cover to the left. stand at the northern tip of Africa, Consulate of the Russian Feder- The first article is about 60 in the heart of the continent – and ation for inviting me to attend. years of space exploration - at the southern shores of Africa! Thank you to the staff at the from Gagarin’s first trip into The Yuri Gagarin memorial SANSA Space Science Cen- space to the race to Mars. is more than an acknowledge- tre – especially Dr Lee-Anne The second article looks at ment of a single individual’s McKinnell, Ms Catherine Web- some interesting facts and trivia heroic achievement. It is a rec- ster (Communications Officer) about space.

Click on the photograph below to take a virtual tour of Warrior’s Gate and find out more about the Memorable Order of Tin Hats.

FIRST MAN IN SPACE: The bust of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin that was unveiled at the South Afri- can National Space Agency’s (SANSA) Space Science Centre in Hermanus in the Western Cape.

42 00 The importance of positive role models

Sea Cadets invest in the youth’s future - Officer Training 2021. By Lt Cdr Glenn von Zeil.

otivated and compe- fleet units, the Navy must place isn’t always seen immediately.” tent adult Instructors, great power, responsibility and This positive influence is also MOfficers and Com- trust in the hands of those lead- carried and impacts the fami- manding Officers are para- ers chosen for command. ly and the community the Sea mount to grow and develop the In each ship there is one man Cadet resides in and is schooled South African Sea Cadets. This who, in the hour of emergency in. week twelve Officers, repre- or peril at sea, can turn to no The course covered 9 mod- senting 6/12 units volunteered other man. There is one who ules necessary to effectively to take leave from their careers alone is ultimately responsible manage a Training Ship and to attend a week long Officers for the safe navigation, engi- comprised: course hosted at TS Woltemade. neering performance, accurate 1. Company environment & These men and women were gunfire and morale of the ship. Governance. coached by retired South Afri- He is the Commanding Officer. 2. Command & Control. ca Naval Captain’s Herman De He is the ship ! 3. Budget & Finance. Vries and Dr Chris Mertz who This is the most difficult and 4. Ceremonial. have many years of theoretical demanding assignment in the 5. Liaison. OFFICERS TRAINING: All the instructors, facilitators and participants of the first South African and practical naval and nauti- Navy. There is not an instant 6. Unit Administration. Sea Cadets Commanding Officers Course at TS Woltemade. PHOTOGRAPH: MIDSHIPMAN KELLY-MAREE CHITTER (TS WOLTEMADE) cal training themselves. Capt during his tour as Commanding 7. Risk & Safety. (SAN) Judy Rustin-Patrick, OC Officer that he can escape the 8. Policy & Regulations. tor Sea Cadets), Mr Malcolm course so that the standard and Thank you to Bart Reimann, SAS SIMONSBERG, and Adm grasp of command responsibil- 9. Training. Alexander (TETA) and Mr T uniformity of training can be an ex TS Woltemade Sea Cadet, (JG) Koos Louw (Retired) ity. His privileges, in view of The course culminated with Goduka (Deputy Chairman Sea enhanced in the South African for sponsoring the course and opened the course and shared his obligations, are almost lu- a syndicate project where each Cadets). Sea Cadet Corps. to Pick n Pay Rondebosch for a few thoughts on leadership, dicrously small; nevertheless, of the two syndicate teams pre- Adm (JG) Louw provided All the Sea Cadet Officers food vouchers. command and what being an this is the spur which has given sented a project of the forma- feedback to both syndicates. are volunteers, they receive no Bravo Zulu to the Sea Cadets officer entails. Joseph Conrad’s the Navy its great leaders. tion, opening and setting up of Each had provided a different salaries, their passion, commit- in investing in the volunteer “Command at Sea: the prestige, It is a duty which richly de- a new Training Ship “TS Port approach and when amalga- ment and enthusiasm are fun- adult Officers and future Com- privilege and burden of com- serves the highest, time-hon- Nolloth” to ensure that she can mated completed a 360 degree damental to the establishment manding Officers to ensure that mand” served as an anchor. oured title of the seafaring fulfil her mission of training insight. Adm Louw has con- and continuation of a Training the youth continue to live in “Only a seaman realizes to world - Captain.” Sea Cadets, making a positive firmed that a Training Ship will Ship. Should there be any ex hope. what great extent an entire ship Parents of youth from 13 difference in the community be opening soon in Port Nolloth Sea Cadets, SA Navy, SANDF For Noting: reflects the personality and abil- to 17 years entrust their chil- and the local youths lives. The and that the exercise was very or other trained and qualified Admiral (JG) Koos Louw is ity of one individual, her Com- dren to these Officers for a few teams were briefed that that relevant to the immediate fu- adults who wish to apply as a retired Naval Officer who re- manding Officer. To a lands- hours a week and on school a kind benefactor had made ture. adult instructors please contact tains a strong interest in things man, this is not understandable holidays to shape them while available a disused fish factory, All the Officers who attend- the Commanding Officer of maritime as well as a keen in- - and sometimes it is even diffi- providing maritime, leadership, offices and boat shed. ed the course reported that they your nearest Training Ship list- terest in maritime youth devel- cult for us to comprehend - but discipline and learning oppor- The two syndicate groups de- had learnt from the “Old Salts” ed below. opment. He is the Chairman of it is so ! tunities whilst having “serious livered a culmination of train- regarding officership, how to Capt / Dr (SAN) Chris Mertz the Board of the South African A ship at sea is a different fun”. Capt / Dr Chris Mertz ing to a panel including Adm command and manage a Train- acknowledged and reminded Sea Cadets. world in herself, and in con- acknowledged that Sea Cadet (JG) Koos Louw (Chairman of ing Ship effectively. They rec- all the Officers that they played Captain (SAN) Judy Rus- sideration of the protracted Officers make a difference to Sea Cadets Board), Capt (SAN) ommend that all the other Sea a vital role in being “positive tin-Patrick is the Officer Com- and distant operations of the the Sea Cadets lives – the effect Judy Rustin-Patrick (Direc- Cadet Officers attend the next role models” for the Sea Cadets. manding SAS SIMONBERG, 44 45 SA Navy’s training unit in Si- Those Sea Cadet Officers, shad – Officer in Command mon’s Town. She also serves their roles, units and civilian TS Tiburon – MD of own on the board of the South Afri- occupations who attended the company can Sea Cadets. Officer Course were: 7. WO1 (SAN) Noel Dreyer Captain (SAN) Dr Chris 1. Cdr (SCC) Paul Jacobs – (Retired) – OiC TS Birken- Mertz (Retired) served as a Executive Officer Sea Cadet head – Community Organ- Coming soon training Officers in the SA Corps & nominated Senior iser Navy. He has a PhD in educa- Officer – Operations Man- 8. SLt Jonathan van Reenen – tion and has also been involved ager Fish Processing Facto- Officer TS Knysna – Labour in the False Bay College. His ry Inspector, Department of expertise is developing curricu- 2. Lt Cdr (SCC) Chris Hand Labour lum. – Commanding Officer TS 9. Ens Mikaila Pillay – Officer Captain (SAN) Herman De Springs – Project Manager TS Woltemade - Adminis- Vies (Retired) served as an 3. Lt (SCC) Thurston – Com- trator Officer Commanding SAS manding Officer TS Outeni- 10. Ens Ruben Pillay – Officer Windhoek and as training of- qua – SAPS Detective TS Woltemade – Electrician ficer. After retirement he was 4. Lt (SCC) Lisa Spencer – 11. Mid Mario Aimes – Officer the director of a Maritime Col- Commanding Officer TS TS Woltemade – Production lege in Ethiopia for 3 years and Rook – Accountant Manager now manages a guest house in 5. Lt (SCC) Gaylene Pillay 12. Mid Irvin Sauls – Executive Kleinzee. His expertise is in – Officer in Command TS Officer TS Birkenhead – Military Despatches maritime training and develop- Woltemade – Accountant Fisherman ing curriculum. 6. SLt (SCC) Rajesh Sepwper- YouTube Channel

In April we will be launching our very own YouTube Channel.

It will include: • Interesting articles • Quizzes • Trivia • Video clips • And a whole lot more

We will send our subscribers an e-mail informing them of when the channel is active.

Please contact the Commanding Officer at the e mail address given OR the National Marketing Remember to subscribe to the channel to receive content that will Manager at [email protected]. not be available to everyone.

46 47 Rank Structure - Iraqi Armed Forces Over the next few months we will be running a series of articles looking at the rank structure of various armed forces. This month we look at the Iraqi Armed Forces. he Iraqi Armed Forces sistance from the United States consist of the Iraqi Army, Armed Forces. Since the im- Muqaddam Aqeed Amid Liwaa Tthe Iraqi Air Force, and plementation of the U.S.-Iraq (Lieutenant Colonel) (Colonel) (Brigadier General) (Major General) the Iraqi Navy. Status of Forces Agreement The armed forces of Iraq have on January 1, 2009, the Iraqi a long and very active history. Armed Forces and the forces They were initially formed in of the Iraqi interior ministry are the early 1920s. responsible for providing secu- The armed forces are admin- rity and upholding law and or- istered by the Ministry of De- der throughout Iraq. fence (MOD). Since the 2003 The Iraqi Army, in particular, Fareeq Fareeq awwal Maheeb invasion of Iraq, which toppled is one of the most trusted na- (Lieutenant General) (General) (Field Marshal) the Saddam Hussein regime, tional institutions of Iraq. the Iraqi Armed Forces have been rebuilt with substantial as- Iraqi Navy Non-commissioned Officers (NCO) Iraqi Ground Forces Non-commissioned Officers (NCO)

Jundi ‘Awwal Nāyīb arīf Arif Rayiys eurafa (Leading Seaman) (Petty Officer (Petty Officer (Chief Petty Second Class) First Class) Officer) Jondi awwal ‘arif Raqib Raqib awwal (Private First Class) (Corporal) (Sergeant) (Staff Sergeant) Officers Officers

Ensign Sub Lieutenant Captain Lieutenant Mulazim Mulazim awwal Naqeeb Rai’d Commander (Second Lieutenant) (First Lieutenant) (Captain) (Major)

48 49 Commander Captain Flotilla Admiral Rear Admiral Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Brigadier General Major General

Vice Admiral Admiral Admiral of Lieutenant General Colonel General Air Marshal the Fleet

Iraqi Air Force Non-commissioned Officers (NCO)

Senior Airman Corporal Sergeant Staff Sergeant Officers

Second Lieutenant First Lieutenant Captain Major Click here to visit the official website of the Signals Associa- tion.

50 00 head to head head to head Weapons & Equipment: Falklands War This month in the first of a series of three articles we look at the weapons used by the ground forces of both Britain and Argentina during the Falklands War.

he Falklands War (Span- territory that had been a Crown Argentina adopted a new Con- ish: Guerra de las Mal- colony since 1841. Falkland stitution, which declared the Tvinas) was a 10-week Islanders, who have inhabited Falkland Islands by law as an undeclared war between Argen- the islands since the early 19th Argentine province. However, tina and the United Kingdom in century, are predominantly de- the islands continue to oper- 1982 over two British depend- scendants of British settlers, ate as a self-governing British ent territories in the South At- and strongly favour British Overseas Territory. lantic: the Falkland Islands and sovereignty. Neither state of- its territorial dependency, South ficially declared war, although British Ground Forces Georgia and the South Sand- both governments declared the The British government had wich Islands. The result of the Islands a war zone. no contingency plan for an in- war was a British victory. The conflict has had a strong vasion of the islands, and the The conflict began on 2 April, effect in both countries and task force was rapidly put to- when Argentina invaded and has been the subject of vari- gether from whatever vessels occupied the Falkland Islands, ous books, articles, films, and were available. followed by the invasion of songs. Patriotic sentiment ran The nuclear-powered sub- South Georgia the next day. On high in Argentina, but the un- marine Conqueror set sail from 5 April, the British government favourable outcome prompted France on 4 April, whilst the dispatched a naval task force large protests against the ruling two aircraft carriers Invincible to engage the Argentine Navy military government, hastening and Hermes, in the company of L9A1 Browning and Air Force before making its downfall and the democra- escort vessels, left Portsmouth The Browning Hi-Power is a an amphibious assault on the tisation of the country. In the only a day later. On its return single-action, semi-automatic islands. The conflict lasted 74 United Kingdom, the Conserv- to Southampton from a world handgun available in the 9mm days and ended with an Ar- ative government, bolstered by cruise on 7 April, the ocean and .40 S&W calibres. The gentine surrender on 14 June, the successful outcome, was liner SS Canberra was requisi- British tended to use the 9mm returning the islands to British re-elected with an increased tioned and set sail two days lat- calibre. control. In total, 649 Argentine majority the following year. The er with 3 Commando Brigade It weighs one kilogram and military personnel, 255 British cultural and political effect of aboard. has a length of 197 mm. The military personnel, and three the conflict has been less in the The ocean liner Queen Eliz- semi-automatic pistol use a 13 Falkland Islanders died during UK than in Argentina, where it abeth 2 was also requisitioned or 15 round detachable box the hostilities. has remained a common topic and left Southampton on 12 magazine and is effective up to The conflict was a major ep- for discussion. May with 5th Infantry Bri- 50 metres. isode in the protracted dispute Diplomatic relations between gade on board. The whole task over the territories’ sovereignty. the United Kingdom and Ar- force eventually comprised 127 Argentina asserted (and main- gentina were restored in 1989 ships: 43 Royal Navy vessels, tains) that the islands are Argen- following a meeting in Ma- 22 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships tine territory, and the Argentine drid, at which the two govern- and 62 merchant ships. government thus characterised ments issued a joint statement. its military action as the recla- No change in either country’s British Infantry Weapons mation of its own territory. The position regarding the sover- Pistols British government regarded eignty of the Falkland Islands the action as an invasion of a was made explicit. In 1994, 52 53 Submachine guns CAR-15 Sterling Submachine Gun The Colt Automatic Rifle-15 The Sterling submachine gun Military Weapons System or remained in service with the CAR-15 was a family of AR-15 British until 1994. During the and M16 rifle–based firearms Falklands War the British used marketed by Colt in the late the L2A3 Sterling, the L34A1 1960s and early 1970s. suppressed Sterling, and the The CAR-15 carbine was fa- L2A2 submachine gun. voured by Special Forces units The Sterling weighs 2.7 kilo- because it was lighter and shorter than the M16. It weighs 3.72 kg unloaded and has a length of only grams and has a length of 686 853 mm. mm with the stock extended. It fired 9×19mm Parabellum cartridges up to an effective range of 200 It fires 5.56×45mm NATO rounds with a rate of fire of 700 to 900 rounds per minute. It uses a metres. It could fire 550 rounds per minute from a standard 32-round box magazine. 20-round detachable box magazine and is effective to about 500 metres. Rifles L42A1 The L42A1 was a British L1A1 Self-loading Rifle Army, Royal Marines and RAF The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle Regiment sniper rifle cham- is a British version of the FN bered for the 7.62×51mm FAL battle rifle produced by the NATO cartridge. Belgian armaments manufactur- It weighs 5.67 kg and has er FN Herstal. a length of 1,071 mm. This It was the standard issue rifle for British troops during the FalklandsWar. bolt-action rifle made use of a It weighs 4.337 kilograms empty and has a length of 1,143 mm. It fires 7.62×51mm NATO rounds 10 round box magazine and was effective to 730 metres. and is effective up to 800 metres. It uses a 20 or 30-round box magazine and has a firing rate of 675-750 rounds per minute. Support Weapons

M79 grenade launcher The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40×46mm grenade. Weighing in at 2.93 kg loaded and with a length of 730 mm, it has an effective range of 350 metres. M203 grenade launcher M16A1 The M203 is a single-shot The M16 family of military rifles was adapted from the ArmaL- 40mm under-barrel gre- ite AR-15 rifle for the United States military. It was a weapon nade launcher designed to favoured by the British Special Air Service (SAS). attach to a rifle, usually the It weighs 2.89 kg unloaded and has a length of 1,003 me- M16. tres. It fires the 5.56×45 mm NATO round from a 20-round It weighs 1.36 kg unload- detachable box magazine. It has an effective range of ed and fires a 40×46mm 550 metres and its rate of fire is 45–60 rounds per minute on SR grenade. has a length semi-automatic. of 380 mm. The effective range of 350 metres made the M203 a useful attachment to a rifle.

54 55 L4 Bren LMG L14A1 Carl Gustav The Bren was converted to The Carl-Gustaf recoilless ri- 7.62x51mm in the 1950s, and fle is an 84-mm man-portable designated the L4. reusable anti-tank weapon orig- L4 Brens can easily be identi- inally produced by Carl Gustafs fied by their straight magazine. Stads Gevärsfaktori in Sweden. It weighs 8.68 kg unloaded The Gustaf can be fired from and is 1,156 mm in length. It the standing, kneeling, sitting can fire 500–520 7.62×51mm or prone positions, and a bi-pod NATO rounds per minute. may be attached in front of the It has a 30-round detachable shoulder piece. box magazine and is effective up to 550 metres. The weapon is normally op- erated by a two-man crew, a gunner who carries and fires the weapon and a loader, carrying two L7A2 GPMG canisters for a total of four rounds of ammunition. Nicknamed ‘Gimpy’, the It weighs 14.2 kg and is 1,130 mm in length. It fires 84×246 mm R rockets at around six rounds L7A2 General Purpose Ma- per minutes. It has an effect range of 350 to 400 metres against moving vehicles and 500 metres chine Gun is the British ver- against stationary targets. sion of the Belgian FN MAG. MILAN ATGM It replaced the Vickers (in the Consisting of two main com- medium role) and the Bren (in the light role). ponents, the launcher and the It weighs 11.8 kg and is 1,263 mm in length. It uses the disintegrating M13 linked belt and fires missile, the MILAN system 7.62×51mm NATO rounds. Its rate of fire is 650–1,000 rounds per minute. Its effective firing range utilizes a semi-automatic com- is 800 metres when uses with a bipod and 1,800 metres when used with a tripod. mand to line of sight (SACLOS) L2A1 HMG command guidance system. Used mainly for air defence, It tracks the missile either by the L2A2 heavy machine gun is a tail-mounted infrared lamp the British licence-built version or an electronic-flash lamp, de- of the Browning .50 calibre ma- pending on the model. Because chine gun. it is guided by wire by an opera- It weighs 38 kg or 58 kg with tor, the missile cannot be affect- tripod and traverse and eleva- ed by radio jamming or flares. tion mechanism. It is 1,654 mm It weights 16.4 kg, is 1.2 me- in length. tres in length and has an effec- The belt-fed weapon uses 12.7×99mm NATO rounds and can fire at a rate of 750-850 rounds per tive firing range of two kilo- minute. It has an effective range of 1,800 metres. metres. L9A1 51 mm light mortar L1A1 The L9A1 51 mm light mortar Rocket 66 mm HEAT L1A1 was a man-portable platoon-level is the British name for the M72 mortar system used by the British LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weap- Army from the 1980s to 2007. on). It is a portable one-shot It weighed 6.275 kg and had a 66 mm unguided anti-tank barrel length of 700 mm. Its effec- weapon. tive firing range was 750 metres. Besides being very effective It was replaced by the Hirten- against vehicles, both armoured berger AG M6-895 60 mm Mortar. and soft-skin, they are also effective against bunkers and strongpoints. It weighs 2.5 kg and is 630 mm in length when unarmed. It has an effective firing range of 200 metres.

56 57 L16 81mm mortar Argentinian Ground Forces any military action. As the Launched on 2 April 1984, The L16 81mm mortar was Argentina had eight complete Royal Navy had submarines Operation Rosario was the ini- introduced in 1965–66, replac- infantry brigades: 4th Airborne patrolling the immediate tial invasion of the Falkland Is- ing the Ordnance ML 3 inch Infantry Brigade in Córdoba; 5th area, reinforcements had to lands (Las Malvinas). This was Mortar in UK service, where Mountain Brigade in Tucumán; be airlifted in, which limit- carried out by Amphibious Task it is used by the British Army, 9th Brigade in the Santa Cruz ed the heavy equipment that Group 40.1 under the command the Royal Marines and the RAF Province close to the Falklands; could be deployed. of Rear Admiral of the Marines Regiment. the well-equipped 6th and 8th • an attack was feared from Carlos Büsser. It consisted of: It weighs 35.3 kg and has a Mountain Infantry Brigades Chile due to the ongoing 84 men from the Amphibious barrel length of 1,280 mm. It is along the Chilean border; 11th Beagle Channel dispute. Commandos Group. operated by a crew of three and Brigade, (cold-adapted) in the As Chile was marshalling 15 frogmen from Buzos Tác- has an effective firing range extreme south; and 3rd (Jungle) troops close to its Southern ticos (the special operations (with HE shells) of between and 7th (Jungle) Brigades fac- Argentine border, the Ar- force of the Argentinian Navy). 100 and 5,675 metres. ing Brazil and Uruguay. gentinian High Command 2nd Marine Infantry Battal- The rate of fire for the mortar The Argentine Army also had had to deploy their better ion. is about 15 rounds per minute. the 10th Mechanized Infantry trained forces to deter a A 25th Infantry Regiment Brigade in the capital guarding Chilean attack. As a result, Company. against a theoretical seaborne neither the mountain war- Operation Georgias, the in- invasion along the Buenos fare regiments, nor the par- vasion of South Georgia, was Blowpipe Aires coastline. Two assump- atroop brigade were avail- launched the following day. It The Shorts Blowpipe is a tions governed the deployment able. Furthermore, only a consisted of: 1st Marine Infan- man-portable (MANPADS) sur- of the Argentine ground forces fifth of the cold-adapted ma- try Battalion. face-to-air missile that was in on the islands: rine infantry was sent to the 14 frogmen from Buzos Tác- use with the British Army and • the junta did not believe that islands. The majority of the ticos. Royal Marines from 1975. the British would use mil- troops deployed were from At a later stage Argentina First used during the Falk- itary force to retake the is- sub-tropical areas, the Ar- would commit more units to lands War, it demonstrated poor lands, so the initial landing gentine Mesopotamia region the fight, including units such performance with only two con- force had been withdrawn and Buenos Aires Province, as the 3rd (Jungle) Infantry Bri- firmed kills. shortly after April 3, and and not trained for action in gade, 10th Mechanised Infantry The complete system weighed 22 kg and it was 1.35 metres in length. Its effective firing range was not reinforced until af- the terrain (they were trained Brigade, 3rd Artillery Group, was between 0.5 to 3.5 km. ter the British recaptured to avoid snakes and sun- 4th Airborne Artillery Group, South Georgia. The intent stroke, not frostbite). These Reserva Z (Z Reserve), 5th FIM-92 Stinger was to place a large number two incorrect assumptions Marine Infantry Battalion, mis- The FIM-92 Stinger is a of troops onto the islands to led to inappropriate troops cellaneous army units, and the man-portable air-defence sys- dissuade the British from being sent to the islands. Gendarmería (Border Guards). tem (MANPADS) that operates as an infrared homing surface- Argentinian Infantry Weapons to-air missile (SAM). Unlike the British forces, the Argentinians tended to use a larger variety of personal weapons, There are three main vari- including small arms, submachine guns and even rifles. ants in use: the Stinger basic, This was because various units tended the favour different types of firearms. Many of the weapons STINGER-Passive Optical Seeker Technique (POST), and STINGER-Reprogrammable Micropro- that they used were exactly the same as the British were using. cessor (RMP). It weighs 15.19 kg and has a length of 1.52 metres. It has an outward targeting range of up to 4,800 metres and can engage low altitude enemy threats at up to 3,800 metres.

58 59 Pistols Submachine Guns Browning Hi-Power PAM-1 and PAM-2 This was the same weapon In 1954, a variant of the U.S. that the British were using, al- M3A1 submachine gun was de- though the British named it the signed at the Argentine FMAP L9A1 Browning. (Fábrica Militar de Armas It weighs one kilogram and Portátiles) factory in the city has a length of 197 mm. The of Rosario and put into produc- semi-automatic pistol use a 13 tion the following year as the or 15 round detachable box P.A.M. 1. magazine and is effective up to It was in essence a 7/8 scale 50 metres. replica of the U.S. weapon in 9 mm Parabellum calibre, but was lighter and had a higher rate of fire. Problems with accidental discharges and accuracy with the P.A.M. 1 led to an improved selec- tive-fire version with a grip safety on the magazine housing known as the P.A.M. 2, first introduced M1911A1 Colt in 1963. The M1911A1 is a single-ac- It weighed 6.31 kg and had a length of 740 mm with the stock extended. It fired 9×19mm Para- tion, semi-automatic, maga- bellum from a 30-round detachable box magazine. The rate of fire was 450 rounds per minute and zine-fed, recoil-operated pistol it was accurate up to 91 metres. chambered for the .45 ACP car- tridge. It served as the standard-issue side-arm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It weighs 1,100 grams empty and has a length of 216 mm. It used a 7 or 8-round box maga- zine. Sistema Colt Modelo 1927 was an M1911A1 made under license in Argentina. FMK-3 submachine gun Ballester–Molina The FMK-3 is a selective fire, blowback operated submachine This was yet another Argen- gun of Argentine origin and was designed by Fabricaciones Mil- tinian copy of the M1911A1 itares in 1974. Around 30,000 were produced for the Argentine Colt. military by 1991. It was, however, cheaper to It weighs 3.4 kg empty and has a length of 523 mm with the produce than the Sistema Colt stock folded and 693 mm with the stock extended. It can fire 650 Modelo 1927. 9×19mm Parabellum rounds at an effective range of 100 metres. It uses a 25, 32, or 40-round detachable box magazine.

60 61 Halcón ML-63 Uzi The ML-63 is a submachine Designed by Israeli Army gun manufactured by the Bue- Major Uziel “Uzi” Gal, the Uzi nos Aires-based Halcon corpo- has become a popular weapon ration. around the world. The ML-63 is chambered It weighs 3.5 kg and has a in 9mm Parabellum and is fed length of 470 mm with the fold- from a 30-round magazine. The ing stock collapsed and 640 mm ML-63 also came with a fixed with the stock extended. wooden stock. The Argentinians favoured It appears to be based primar- the 9×19mm Parabellum ver- ily on the MAT-49 Submachine sion of the weapon. Gun and there is also a silenced It fires 600 rounds per minute variant. and has an effective firing range A number of ML-63 submachine guns were found by the British during the Falklands War. of 200 meters. It was normally It weighs 1,04 kg and is 91 mm in length. It fires at 600 rounds per minute and has an effective used with a 20 or 25-round detachable box magazine. firing range of 100 metres.

Rifles FN FAL 50.41 & FN FAL 50.61 L34A1 Sterling Like the British, the Argentin- Like their British opponents, ians used FN FAL assault rifle. the Argentinian Special Forces They, however, used two ver- made use of the Sterling sub- sions of the rifle. The FN FAL machine gun. 50.41 had a solid plastic stock, The used the L34A1 which while the FN FAL 50.61 had a is a suppressed version of the folding stock. weapon. It weighs 4.337 kilograms Like the British Sterling, it fired 9×19mm Parabellum rounds. empty and has a length of 1,143 mm. It fires 7.62×51mm NATO rounds and is effective up to 800 metres. It uses a 20 or 30-round box magazine and has a firing rate of 675-750 rounds per minute.

62 63 M16A1 M40 Recoilless rifle Like their British opposite The M40 recoilless rifle is a numbers, the Argentinian Spe- lightweight,[20] portable, crew- cial Forces made use of the served 105 mm recoilless rifle M16A1. made in the United States. Intended primarily as an an- ti-tank weapon, it could also be Beretta BM 59 employed in an anti-personnel The Beretta BM 59 is an Ital- role with the use of an anti-per- ian-made rifle based on the M1 sonnel flechette round. uses a Garand rifle, but chambered in 20-round detachable box maga- 7.62×51mm NATO, and modi- zine. It fires at 750 rounds per fied to use a detachable maga- minute. zine. It weighs 209.5 kg and has a It weighs 4.4 kg and is 1,095 mm in length. It fires the 7.62×51mm NATO round and uses a length of 3.04 metres. It fires 20-round detachable box magazine. It fires at 750 rounds per minute. 105×607mmR (HEAT, HEP, HEAP, Canister) ammunition and has an effective firing range of 1,350 metres. M14 Mortars The M14 rifle is an American The Argentinians made use of FM 60 mm, FM 81 mm and FM 120 mm mortars during the Falk- select-fire battle rifle that fires lands War. 7.62×51mm NATO ammuni- tion. Blowpipe It became the standard-issue The Shorts Blowpipe is a rifle for the U.S. military in 1959 replacing the M1 Garand rifle in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Ma- man-portable (MANPADS) rine Corps. surface-to-air missile was the The Argentinians used the M14 rifle fitted with a scope as a sniper’s rifle. It weighs 4.1 kg empty standard Argentinian defence and has a length of 1,126 mm. With a scope it has an effective firing range of 800+ metres and uses against aircraft. a 20-round detachable box magazine. Just like the British did, they found it was not a very effective Support Weapons weapon against aircraft.

FN Mag Like the British, the Argen- Next Month tinians used the FN Mag as In the next issue of Military their primary support weapon. Despatches we will take a clos- er look at the air power used by both the British and the Ar- gentinians during the Falklands War, as well as looking at the Browning M2HB various weapons that they were When it came to heavy ma- armed with. chine guns the Argentinians used the Browning M2HB. This was basically the same weapon as the British L2A1 HMG.

64 65 Infamous figures in military history Infamous figures in military history university Himmler was an- ents could no longer afford to Hitler’s arrest in the wake of ti-Semitic, but not exception- educate all three sons. Disap- the Beer Hall Putsch, Himmler Heinrich Himmler ally so. He remained a devout pointed by his failure to make took full advantage of the situa- One of Hitler’s most loyal sycophants and the architect of the Holocaust, he ruthlessly Catholic and spent most of his a career in the military and his tion to consolidate and advance despatched those that stood in his way as he rose to a position of power second only leisure time with members of parents’ inability to finance his his own position in the party. to that of his Fuhrer. Yet at the end he would spectacularly betray his master. his fencing fraternity. doctoral studies, he was forced From mid-1924 he worked as During his second year at to take a low-paying office job a party secretary and propagan- eichsführer of the In his youth he trained with with the royal family, was ac- university, Himmler increased after obtaining his agricultural da assistant, travelling all over Schutzstaffel and a lead- weights and exercised to be- cepted as an officer candidate. his attempts to pursue a mil- diploma. He remained in this Bavaria and agitating on behalf Ring member of the Nazi come stronger. He enlisted with the reserve itary career. While he was not position until September 1923. of the party. Party of Germany, Himmler From the age of ten he kept a battalion of the 11th Bavarian successful, he did extend his When the Nazi Party re- was one of the most powerful diary and it shows that he took a Regiment in December 1917. involvement in the paramilitary Himmler the Nazi activist formed under Hitler in 1925, men in Nazi Germany and one keen interest in current events, Himmler was keen to see ac- scene in Munich. In August 1923, with the Par- Himmler was placed in charge of the people most directly re- duelling and the serious discus- tion. His elder brother, Gebhard, It was during this period that ty number 14,303, Heinrich of the party office in Lower Ba- sponsible for the Holocaust. sion of religion and sex. served on the western front. He he first met Ernst Röhm. An Himmler became a member of varia. Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was awarded the Iron Cross and early member of the Nazi Party the Nazi Party. In 1925 Himmler joined was born in Munich on 7 Octo- Himmler the cadet later promoted to lieutenant. and co-founder of the Sturma- As a member of Röhm’s par- the Schutzstaffel (SS) as an ber 1900. He was the second of Himmler joined the Land- While Himmler was still in bteilung (Storm Battalion, SA), amilitary unit, Himmler was in- SS-Führer (SS-Leader); his SS three sons born to Joseph Geb- shut Cadet Corps in 1915 and, training, the war ended in No- Röhm was a decorated combat volved in the unsuccessful Beer number was 168. The SS, ini- hard Himmler and Anna Maria through his father’s connections vember 1918, denying him the veteran of World War I. This Hall Putsch. tially part of the much larger Himmler. opportunity to become an of- was something that Himmler He was questioned by the po- SA, was formed in 1923 for His father, known as Geb- ficer or to see combat. He was admired. lice about his role in the putsch, Hitler’s personal protection, hard, was a school teacher discharged on 18 December At Röhm’s suggestion, but was not charged because of and was re-formed in 1925 as while his mother was a devout and returned to Landshut. Himmler joined his anti-Semit- insufficient evidence. However, an elite unit of the SA. Roman Catholic. He completed his grammar ic nationalist group, the Bund he lost his job, was unable to Himmler’s first leadership He was named Heinrich after school education and, follow- Reichskriegsflagge (Imperial find employment as an agrono- position in the SS was that of his godfather, Prince Heinrich ing a brief apprenticeship on War Flag Society). mist, and had to move in with SS-Gauführer (district leader) of Bavaria, a member of the Ba- a farm, studied agronomy at His diary entries in 1922 his parents in Munich. Frustrat- in Lower Bavaria from 1926. varian royal family. The prince the Munich Technische Hoch- show that Himmler was be- ed by these failures, he became In September 1927, Himmler has been tutored by Gebhard. schule from 1919 to 1922. coming more interested in the ever more irritable, aggressive, told Hitler of his vision to trans- While his family was not rich, During the unification of “Jewish question”. His diary and opinionated, alienating form the SS into a loyal, pow- they were well off and respect- Germany in 1871 many regula- contained an increasing number both friends and family mem- erful, racially pure elite unit. ed within the local community. tions that discriminated against of anti-Semitic remarks and re- bers. Convinced that Himmler was Himmler attended a gram- non-Christians - including Jews corded a number of discussions During the following year the man for the job, Hitler ap- mar school in Landshut, where and other minority groups - had about Jews with his classmates. he abandoned Catholicism, in- pointed him Deputy Reichs- his father was the deputy head- been eliminated. His reading lists, as recorded stead focusing on the occult führer-SS, with the rank of master. Himmler did well Yet while the regulations in his diary, were dominated by and in anti-Semitism. German- SS-Oberführer. at school, although he may have been elimi- anti-Semitic pamphlets, Ger- ic mythology, reinforced by oc- Himmler met his future wife, struggled with sports nated, anti-Semitism man myths, and occult tracts. cult ideas, became a religion for Margarete Boden, in 1927. Sev- and athletics. continued to ex- After the murder of Foreign him. en years his senior, she was a He was a sick- ist and in fact Minister Walther Rathenau Initially Himmler was not all nurse who shared his interest in ly boy and suf- thrive in Ger- on 24 June, Himmler’s polit- that impressed with Hitler. Not herbal medicine and homoeop- fered from life- many and ical views veered towards the was he swept up in the cult of athy, and was part owner of a long stomach other parts of radical right, and he took part Führer worship. He did, how- small private clinic. They were complaints Europe. in demonstrations against the ever, regard him as useful for married in July 1928, and their and other By the time Treaty of Versailles. Hyperin- the party. only child, Gudrun, was born ailments. he went to flation was raging, and his par- Following the disarray of on 8 August 1929.

66 67 Himmler, Reichsführer-SS the plans for the “final solution Upon the resignation of SS to the Jewish question”. commander Erhard Heiden in Heydrich detailed how those January 1929, Himmler assumed Jews able to work would be the position of Reichsführer-SS worked to death; those unable with Hitler’s approval. to work would be killed out- One of his first responsibilities right. Heydrich calculated the was to organise SS participants number of Jews to be killed at the Nuremberg Rally that at 11 million, and told the at- September. tendees that Hitler had placed Over the next year, Himmler Himmler in charge of the plan. grew the SS from a force of Himmler took over leadership about 290 men to about 3,000. of the RSHA and stepped up By 1930 Himmler had persuad- the pace of the killing of Jews ed Hitler to run the SS as a sep- in Aktion Reinhard (Operation MEET AND GREET: Adolf Hitler (left) shakes hands with Hein- Reinhard), named in Heydrich’s arate organisation, although it rich Himmler, the Reichsführer-SS. was officially still subordinate ROGUES GALLERY: Himmler, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, and other honour. Heydrich had been as- to the SA. In 1931 he appointed Rein- Himmler, World War II SS officials visiting Mauthausen concentration camp in 1941. sassinated in Prague in an oper- In the 1932 election, the Nazis hard Heydrich chief of the new When Hitler and his army ation carried out by members of won 37.3 percent of the vote and Ic Service (intelligence ser- chiefs asked for a pretext for death squads - followed the tration camps had been con- Czechoslovakia’s army-in-ex- Hitler was appointed Chancellor vice), which was renamed the the invasion of Poland in 1939, Heer (army) into Poland, and structed in which inmates were ile who had been trained by the of Germany. After the Reichstag Sicherheitsdienst (SD: Security Himmler, Heydrich, and Hein- by the end of 1939 they had subjected to forced labour. Jews British Special Operations Ex- building was set on fire only a Service) in 1932. rich Müller masterminded and murdered some 65,000 intel- from all over Germany and the ecutive. He ordered the Aktion month after Hitler was sworn That same year, Hitler pro- carried out a false flag pro- lectuals and other civilians. occupied territories were de- Reinhard camps,the first ex- in, Hitler forced President Paul moted Himmler to the rank of ject code-named Operation Under Himmler’s orders via ported to the camps or confined termination camps, to be con- von Hindenburg to sign the Re- SS-Obergruppenführer, equal Himmler. the RSHA, these squads were to ghettos. structed at Bełżec, Sobibór, and ichstag Fire Decree, which sus- in rank to the senior SA com- German soldiers dressed in also tasked with rounding up As the Germans were pushed Treblinka. pended basic rights and allowed manders. Polish uniforms undertook Jews and others for placement back from Moscow in Decem- Himmler was a main archi- detention without trial. Hermann Göring had created border skirmishes which de- in ghettos and concentration ber 1941, signalling that the tect of the Holocaust, using his Von Hindenburg died on 2 a Prussian secret police force, ceptively suggested Polish ag- camps. expected quick defeat of the deep belief in the racist Nazi August 1934, and Hitler be- the Geheime Staatspolizei or gression against Germany. The When the German invad- Soviet Union had failed to ma- ideology to justify the murder came both head of state and Gestapo in 1933. Its main task incidents were then used in ed Russia in 1941, they were terialize, Hitler and other Nazi of millions of victims. head of government under the was to counteract the power of Nazi propaganda to justify the closely followed by the Ein- officials realised that mass de- title Führer und Reichskanzler the SA. Control of the Gestapo invasion of Poland, the opening satzgruppen who were tasked portations to the east would no Himmler, the beginning of (leader and chancellor). The was handed over to Himmler on event of World War II. with rounding up and killing longer be possible. As a result, the end Nazi Party’s rise to power pro- 20 April 1934. At the beginning of the war Jews and others deemed unde- instead of deportation, many On 20 July 1944, a group of vided Himmler and the SS an On 21 June 1934 Hitler de- against Poland, Hitler author- sirable by the Nazi state. Jews in Europe were destined German army officers led by unfettered opportunity to thrive. cided that Röhm and the SA ised the killing of Polish civil- In addition, 2.8 million So- for death. Claus von Stauffenberg and By 1933, the SS numbered leadership had to be eliminated. ians, including Jews and ethnic viet prisoners of war died of including some of the high- 52,000 members. Strict mem- In what became known as “The Poles. The Einsatzgruppen (SS starvation, mistreatment or ex- Himmler and the Holocaust est-ranked members of the Ger- bership requirements ensured Night of the Long Knives”, Special Action Squads) had ecutions in just eight months of After Germany had declared man armed forces attempted to that all members were of Hit- Röhm and between 80 and 200 originally been formed by Hey- 1941–42. war on America in December assassinate Hitler, but failed to ler’s Aryan Herrenvolk (“Aryan members of the SA leadership drich to secure government pa- As many as 500,000 Soviet 1941, Hitler finally resolved do so. master race”). Applicants were were killed between 30 June pers and offices in areas taken prisoners of war died or were that the Jews of Europe were to Though Himmler was embar- vetted for Nordic qualities. and 2 July 1934. With the SA over by Germany before World executed in Nazi concentration be “exterminated.” rassed by his failure to uncover Naturally no-one was brave thus neutralised, the SS became War II. camps over the course of the Reinhard Heydrich arranged the plot, it led to an increase in enough, or stupid enough, to an independent organisation Authorised by Hitler and un- war; most of them were shot or a meeting, held on 20 January his powers and authority. tell Himmler that, by his own answerable only to Hitler on 20 der the direction of Himmler gassed. 1942 at Wannsee, a suburb of He formed a special commis- standards, he did not meet the July 1934. and Heydrich, the Einsatzgrup- By early 1941, following Berlin. Attended by top Nazi sion that arrested over 5,000 requirements. pen units - now repurposed as Himmler’s orders, ten concen- officials, it was used to outline suspected and known oppo- 68 69 nents of the regime. Hitler or- who had moved to Sweden, act- the headquarters of the Second dered brutal reprisals that re- ed as an intermediary in negoti- British Army in Lüneburg. sulted in the execution of more ations with Count Folke Berna- Medical officer Doctor Wells than 4,900 people. dotte, head of the Swedish Red conducted a medical exam on On 6 June 1944 the West- Cross. Letters were exchanged Himmler. However, when the ern Allies launched Operation between the two men, and direct doctor tried to examine the in- Overlord, the amphibious in- meetings were arranged by Wal- side of Himmler’s mouth he vasion of northern France. In ter Schellenberg of the RSHA. was reluctant to open it. Him- response Heeresgruppe Ober- Himmler and Hitler met for mler jerked his head away and rhein (Army Group Upper the last time in Berlin on Hitler’s then bit into a hidden potassium Rhine) was formed to engage birthday, 20 April 1945. Once cyanide pill before collapsing and stop the advancing Allies. again Himmler swore unswerv- to the ground. In late 1944, Hitler appointed ing loyalty to Hitler. Within 15 minutes Heinrich Himmler commander-in-chief At a military briefing on that Luitpold Himmler, the man of Army Group Upper Rhine. day, Hitler stated that he would who had been responsible for On 26 September 1944 Hitler not leave Berlin, in spite of Sovi- millions of deaths, was dead. NEAR THE END: By early ordered Himmler to create spe- et advances. Along with Göring, 1945 Himmler realised that He was 44 years old. cial army units, the Volkssturm Himmler quickly left the city af- Germany had lost the war. Shortly afterward, Himmler’s (“People’s Storm” or “People’s ter the briefing. This photo was taken about a body was buried in an un- Army”). All males aged sixteen On 23 April, Himmler met month before Hitler committed marked grave near Lüneburg. to sixty were eligible for con- directly with Bernadotte at the suicide. The grave’s exact location re- scription into this militia. Swedish consulate in Lübeck. mains unknown to this day. By October 1944, children Representing himself as the Führerbunker. THE END: Heinrich Himmler lies died after committing suicide as young as fourteen were be- provisional leader of Germany, On the evening of 28 April, with a potassium cyanide pill. SS Symbolism ing enlisted. Because of se- he claimed that Hitler would be the BBC broadcast a Reuters or to his suicide - Hitler declared he headed south on 11 May to Himmler was interested in vere shortages in weapons and dead within the next few days. news report about Himmler’s both Himmler and Göring to be Friedrichskoog, without a final mysticism and the occult from equipment and lack of training, Hoping that the British and attempted negotiations with the traitors. He stripped Himmler of destination in mind. They con- an early age and he viewed the members of the Volkssturm Americans would fight the Sovi- western Allies. all of his party and state offices tinued on to Neuhaus, where SS as an “order” along the lines were poorly prepared for com- ets alongside what remained of Hitler, who had long consid- and expelled him from the Nazi the group split up. of the Teutonic Knights. bat, and about 175,000 of the Wehrmacht, Himmler asked ered Himmler to be second only Party. On 21 May, Himmler and When members of the SS them lost their lives in the final Bernadotte to inform General to Joseph Goebbels in loyalty (he two aides were stopped and were sworn in, they had to take months of the war. Dwight Eisenhower that Ger- called Himmler “the loyal Hein- Himmler, the end detained at a checkpoint set up an oath. “I vow to you, Adolf The Heeresgruppe Weichsel many wished to surrender to rich”), flew into a rage at this ap- Himmler came to the grim by former Soviet POWs. Over Hitler, as Führer and chancellor (Army Group Vistula) had been the West. Bernadotte asked parent betrayal. Hitler told those realisation that the Allies were the following two days, he was of the German Reich, loyalty hastily formed to stop the So- Himmler to put his proposal in who were still with him in the not interested in negotiating moved around to several camps and bravery. I vow to you and viet Red Army’s advance. On writing, and Himmler obliged. bunker complex that Himmler’s with him. In fact he had been and was brought to the Brit- to the leaders that you set for 25 January 1945, in spite of Meanwhile, Göring had sent act was the worst treachery he declared a war criminal. ish 31st Civilian Interrogation me, absolute allegiance until Himmler’s lack of military ex- a telegram, a few hours earlier, had ever known and ordered his Rejected by his former com- Camp near Lüneburg, on 23 death. So help me God” perience, Hitler appointed him asking Hitler for permission to arrest. Fegelein was court-mar- rades and hunted by the Allies, May 1945. The SS-Ehrenring (“SS Hon- as commander. assume leadership of the Reich tialed and shot. Himmler decided that it was Not suspecting for a minute our Ring”), unofficially called In early 1945 Himmler could - an act that Hitler, under the By this time, the Soviets had time to go into hiding. He had who he had in his custody, the Totenkopfring (“Death’s Head see that the writing was on the prodding of Martin Bormann, advanced to the Potsdamerplatz, not really prepared for it, but duty officer, Captain Thomas Ring”), was an award of Hein- wall. The German war effort interpreted as a demand to step only 300 metres from the Reich he had equipped himself with a Selvester, began a routine inter- rich Himmler’s Schutzstaffel was on the verge of collapse down or face a coup. Chancellery, and were preparing forged Wehrmacht paybook un- rogation of the prisoner. (SS). It was not a state decora- and Himmler’s relationship On 27 April, Himmler’s SS to storm the Chancellery. der the name of Sergeant Hein- For some reason Himmler tion, but rather a personal gift with Hitler had deteriorated. representative at Hitler’s HQ This report, combined with rich Hitzinger. admitted who he was. Perhaps bestowed by Himmler. The SS Himmler decided that it was in Berlin, Hermann Fegelein, Himmler’s treachery, prompted He shaved his moustache off, he though he would receive Honour Sword and SS Honour time to negotiate an independ- was caught in civilian clothes Hitler to write his last will and removed his glasses, and wore preferential treatment. Cap- Dagger were similar awards. ent peace settlement. preparing to desert; he was ar- testament. In the testament, com- a patch over one eye. With a tain Selvester had the prisoner His masseur, Felix Kersten, rested and brought back to the pleted on 29 April - one day pri- small band of companions, searched before he was taken to 70 71 Forged in the T-26 infantry tank and the tank designs of the time, of- had 32 mm of frontal armour, BT series of fast tanks. The T-26 ten burst into flames when hit a L-10 7.62 mm gun, and the battle was slow-moving, designed to by IJA tank-killer teams using same Model V-2-34 diesel en- keep pace with infantry on the Molotov cocktails. They were gine. ground. The BT tanks were even vulnerable to the low ve- An even heavier version of cavalry tanks: fast-moving and locity 37 mm gun of the Japa- the A-32, with 45 mm of front T34 Tank light, designed for manoeuvre nese Type 95 tank. armour, wider tracks, and a Introduced in 1940, the Soviet T34 medium tank was described by German general Paul Ludwig warfare. The use of riveted armour led newer L-11 7.62 mm gun, was Ewald von Kleist as “the finest tank in the world”. It was a weapon Forged in Battle. Both were Soviet develop- to a problem called “spalling”, approved for production as the ith an unprecedent- armoured forces during World own. ments of foreign designs from whereby the impact of enemy T-34. ed combination of War II and its design allowed During the Battle of Lake the early 1930s; the T-26 was shells, even if they failed to firepower, mobility, it to be continuously upgraded Khasan in July 1938 and the based on the British Vickers disable the tank or kill the crew Production W 6-Ton, and the BT tanks were on their own, would cause the The T-34 posed new chal- protection and ruggedness, the to meet the constantly evolving Battles of Khalkhin Gol in Soviet T-34 medium tank has needs of the Eastern Front. 1939, an undeclared border war based on a design from rivets to break off and become lenges for Soviet industry. It often been credited as being the Its development led directly with Japan on the frontier with American engineer J. Wal- projectiles inside the tank. had heavier armour than any most effective, efficient and in- to the T-54 and T-55 series of occupied Manchuria, the Sovi- ter Christie. In 1937 it was assigned to medium tank produced to date, fluential tank design of the Sec- tanks, which in turn evolved ets deployed numerous tanks Both tanks used pet- Red Army engineer Mikhail and there were problems with ond World War. into the later T-62, T-72, and against the Imperial Japanese rol engines which, Koshkin to lead a new team to defective armour plates. When first encountered in T-90 tanks that form the ar- Army (IJA). while common in design a replacement for the Due to their expense and 1941, German general Paul moured mainstay of many mod- The Soviet tank models were BT tanks. short supply, radios could only Ludwig Ewald von Kleist called ern armies. The prototype tank, designat- be fitted to company command- it “the finest tank in the world”. As the war ed A-20, had 20 mm of armour, ers’ tanks. The rest of the crews None other than Heinz Gude- went on, the a 45 mm gun, and the new in each company used flags to rian affirmed the T-34’s “vast T-34 be- Model V-2-34 engine, us- communicate. superiority” over existing Ger- came not only ing less-flammable diesel Another problem was the man armour of the period. more capable, but also fuel in a V12 configura- L-11 gun. It did not live up to It was the most produced quicker and cheaper to produce. tion designed by Kon- expectations, so the Grabin tank of the war, as well as the stantin Chelpan. Design Bureau at Gorky Fac- second most produced tanks of Origins A second prototype, the tory N.92 designed the superior all time (after its successor, the A few years before Adolph A-32, was developed. It F-34 76.2 mm gun. T-54/55 series) with more than Hitler set his sights to the east Production of this first T-34 80,000 being produced. and launched Unternehmen series - the Model 1940 It also suffered the most tank Barbarossa, the Sovi- - totalled only about losses of all time, with 44,900 ets were already in- 400, before produc- being lost during the war. volved in a few tion was switched It was the mainstay of Soviet wars of their to the Model 1941, with the F-34 gun, 9-RS radio

72 73 set (also installed on the SU- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 100), and even thicker armour. Subassemblies for the T-34 originated at several plants: Kharkiv Diesel Factory N.75 supplied the model V-2-34 en- gine, Leningrad Kirovsky Fac- tory made the original L-11 T-34/76 gun, and the Dinamo Factory 1943 model in Moscow produced electrical components. Tanks were initial- ly built at KhPZ N.183, in early 1941 at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ), and starting in July at Krasnoye Sormovo Fac- tory N.112 in Gorky. THE FINAL PUSH: A T-34/76 in action in the suburbs of Berlin After the Germans launched in April 1945. Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941, the Wehrmacht’s tank factories eastwards of the work them. After all, they were rapid advances forced the evac- Ural Mountains, an undertaking treated as little more than slave uation and relocation of Soviet of immense scale and haste that labour. presented enormous logistic Besides cutting costs, pro- T-34 Model 1941 difficulties and was extremely duction time was also cute in punishing to the workers in- half by the end of 1942, despite 22 volved. the fact that most of the skilled Weight: 26.5 tonnes 23 21 20 19 1817 16 15 14 13 12 11 Just weeks before the Ger- factory workers had been sent Length: 6.68 m mans surrounded Leningrad, to the front lines. They were re- Width: 3.00 m the Kirovsky Factory moved placed by a workforce that in- 1. Radio aerial. 9. Fuel tank. 17. Mudguard. Height: 2.45 m with the Kharkiv Diesel Fac- cluded 50% women, 15% boys, 2. Cast turret. 10. Idler wheel. 18. Driver’s seat. Crew: 4 tory to the Stalin Tractor Fac- and 15% invalids and old men. 3. Lifting eye (x4). 11. Road wheel. 19. 7,62 mm DGT machine gun. Hull front armour: 47 mm tory in Chelyabinsk, soon to be In 1943, T-34 production had 4. Gunner’s hatch. 12. Cast manganese steel tracks. 20. Machine gun mantlet. Hull side: 40 mm nicknamed Tankograd (Tank reached an average of 1,300 per 5. Viewing periscope. 13. Tool box. 21. Combined towing and lift- Hull rear: 45 mm City). month; this was the equivalent 6. Commander’s cupola. 14. Horn. ing hooks. Hull top: 20 mm Soviet designers were aware of three full-strength Panzer di- 7. Air louvres. 15. Headlight. 22. L11 76,2 mm F-34 gun. Hull bottom: 15 mm of design deficiencies in the visions. 8. Engine grille. 16. Drive sprocket. 23. Glacis plate. Turret front armour: 60 mm tank, but most of the desired Turret side: 52 mm the Panzer IV. It was, however, APCR shells, it could pierce 92 that were unsuitable for snow remedies would have slowed Overview Turret rear: 30 mm no match for the Panzer V (Pan- mm of armour at 500 m. and mud. With its coil-spring tank production and so were not The T-34 had well-sloped ar- Turret top: 16 mm ther), which was technically a The problem with the gun Christie suspension and wider implemented: the only changes mour, a relatively powerful en- Main armament: F-34 76.2 medium tank, or the Pazer VI were that the sights and range tracks, the T-34 could handle allowed on the production lines gine and wide tracks. mm tank gun (Tiger I). finding were rather crude. Espe- the conditions without becom- through to 1944 were those to The initial T-34 version had a Secondary armament: 2 x The heavily sloped armour of cially when compared to those ing bogged down. make production simpler and powerful 76.2 mm gun, and is 7.62 mm DT machine guns the T-34 offered far more pro- of their German foes. This ef- Another advantage of the cheaper. often called the T-34/76. Engine: Model V-2-34 38.8 tection than the armour thick- fected both their accuracy and T-34 was the Model V-2-34 38.8 Over a period of two years In 1944, a second major ver- L V12 Diesel engine 500 hp ness alone would indicate. ability to engage at long ranges. L V12 Diesel engine. It could the production cost of the T-34 sion began production, the (370 kW) The F-34 76.2 mm gun that During the winters of 1941- handle harsh weather condi- was reduced from 269,500 T-34-85, with a larger 85 mm Ground clearance: 0.4 m was fitted on the majority of T- 42 and 1942-43, the T-34 had tions far better than the German roubles in 1941, to 193,00, and gun intended to deal with newer Operational range: 250-300 34s until the beginning of 1944 a marked advantage over Ger- Maybach engine, which would then 135,00. This was achieved German tanks. km was able to penetrate any Ger- man tanks. The German Panzer often freeze in extreme cold. by a simple solution - underpay The T-34 was an even match Speed: 53 km/h man tank’s armour at normal IV used an inferior leaf-spring Yet the T-34 did suffer a num- the factory workers, and over- for the German medium tank, combat ranges. When firing suspension and narrow tracks ber of disadvantages over the 74 75 German armour. The Russians Combat History equipped with these new tanks meters and the turret side from shipped eighty T-34-85s to An- as the Soviet Union’s top tank used a four man crew with the When German invaded Rus- lost most of them within weeks. a distance of 600 meters. It was gola as part of its support for aces of World War II. T-34, while the Germans used a sia in 1941, the existence of the The combat statistics for 1941 still not enough to match the Ti- the ongoing Cuban military in- • 1st Lt. Lavrinenko Dmi- five man crew. This meant that T-34 proved a psychological show that the Soviets lost an ger, as a Tiger could destroy the tervention there. triy Fyodorovich, 4th [1st with the Russian tanks, the tank shock to German soldiers, who average of over seven tanks for T-34 from a distance of 1,500 to Today 11 countries still use Guards] tank brigade -52 commander also acted as the had expected to face an inferior every German tank lost. 2,000 meters, but it was a no- the T-34/85. kills. gunner. enemy. The problem for the Germans ticeable improvement. • Lt. M. Kuchenkov, 10th The German tanks had a dedi- The T-34 was superior to any was that the Soviets were build- During the Korean War Soviet Tank Aces Guards tank corps - 32 kills. cated tank commander. He was tank the Germans then had in ing tanks faster than the Ger- (1950-53) the Soviets supplied It is not easy to obtain accu- • N. Moiseyev, 6th Guards able to spot targets and indicate service. Initially, the Wehrmacht mans could knock them out. 120 T-34/85 tanks to the North rate statistics regarding indi- tank brigade - 31 kills. them to the gunner. He would had great difficulty destroying In 1944 a new version of the Koreans. vidual Soviet tank aces because • Captain N. Dyachenko, 10th also tell the loader what type T-34s in combat, as standard T-34, the T-34/85, was pro- One of the last modern con- Russia was more concerned Guards tank corps - 31 kills. of ammunition to load (i.e. AP German anti-tank weaponry duced. Armed with a 85 mm flicts which saw the extensive about overall statistics rather • Captain Samohin Konstan- or HE rounds). The Germans proved ineffective against its ZiS-S-53 gun, it could pen- combat deployment of the than individual ones. tin Mihaylovich, 4th [1st could typically get off three heavy, sloped armour. etrate the side armour of the T-34/85 was the Angolan Civil However the following five Guards] tank brigade - 30+ rounds for every one fired by Despite this, the Soviet corps Tiger I from a distance of 800 War. In 1975, the Soviet Union people are commonly regarded kills. the T-34. Another problem was the lack of radio com- munication in the Rus- sian armour. Only the compa- ny commander’s tank was fitted with a radio. All German tanks were fit- ted with radios, which meant that they could adapt their tac- tics and were more fluid on the battlefield.

76 77 On 30 April 1989 six armed men stormed the Iranian Day 2 - 1 May 1980 him. Embassy in London, taking 26 people hostage. A small While the COBRA meetings As the noon deadline ap- group of elite soldiers were put on standby. Six days continued through the night, proached the police negotiated battlefield later this group launched an assault as the entire world two teams were dispatched for a new deadline of 14h00. They were convinced the gun- watched. from the Special Air Service (SAS) near Hereford. men did not have the capability he Iranian Embassy was situated on Oan demanded the release The teams were from B to carry out their threat of blow- Princes Gate, South Kensington, Lon- of 91 Arabs held in prisons in Squadron, with specialists from ing the building up. don. On Wednesday 30 April 1980 at Khūzestān, and threatened to other squadrons. They were un- The police allowed the 14h00 T der the command of Lieutenant deadline to pass. Later that after- 11h30 the building was stormed by six heavily blow up the embassy and the armed men. hostages if this were not done Colonel Michael Rose, the offi- noon Oan altered his demands, O The men were members of the Democratic by noon on 1 May. cer commanding 22 SAS Regi- now requesting that the British Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Ara- A large number of journal- ment. media broadcast a statement of p bistan (DRFLA), Iranian Arabs protesting for ists and television crews were They set up at a holding area their grievances and for ambas- the establishment of an autonomous Arab state on the scene quickly and they in Regent’s Park Barracks. At sadors of three Arab countries in the southern region of the Iranian province of were moved into a holding area 03h30 one of the SAS teams to negotiate the group’s safe e Khūzestān. to the west of the front of the moved into the building next passage out of the UK once the Oan then demanded to speak to Police Constable (PC) Trevor Lock of the embassy. door to the embassy. They were statement had been broadcast. somebody from the BBC who r Metropolitan Police’s Diplomatic Protection The British government’s briefed on Colonel Rose’s “im- At about 20h00, Oan became knew Sim Harris. Group (DPG) was on duty at the time. He was emergency committee CO- mediate action” plan, to be agitated by noises coming from The police agreed and pro- a quickly overpowered, but he managed to press BRA (Cabinet Office Briefing implemented should the SAS the Ethiopian Embassy next duced Tony Crabb, managing the panic button on his radio. Rooms) was assembled. CO- be required to storm the build- door. PC Lock was asked to director of BBC Television t Lock was armed with a concealed Smith & BRA is made up of ministers, ing before a more sophisticated identify the sounds. He claimed News and Harris’s boss. Wesson .38 calibre revolver. Although he was civil servants and expert ad- plan could be formed. that it was probably mice in the Oan repeated his earlier de- i searched, the weapon was not discovered. visers, including representa- Early on the morning of 1 walls. mands for safe passage out of A total of 26 people, mostly embassy staff, tives from the police and the May, the gunmen ordered one The sounds were actually the UK, to be negotiated by o but also a number of visitors, were taken hos- armed forces. The meeting was of the hostages to telephone the technicians drilling holes in the three ambassadors from Arab tage. This included PC Lock. Also among the chaired by William Whitelaw, BBC’s new’s desk. wall to implant listening devic- countries to Crabb from the hostages were two BBC journalists. Simeon the Home Secretary, as Marga- Oan took the receiver and es. COBRA decided to crate a first-floor window, and instruct- n “Sim” Harris and Chris Cramer were at the em- ret Thatcher, the Prime Minis- spoke directly to a BBC journal- distraction and instructed Brit- ed that they should be broad- bassy attempting to obtain visas to visit Iran. ter, was unavailable. ist, identifying who they were ish Gas to commence drilling cast along with a statement of The gunmen released their and stating the non-Iranian hos- in an adjacent road, under the the hostage-takers’ aims by the Day 1 - 30 April 1980 first hostage, embassy press tages would not be harmed. guise of repairing a gas leak. BBC. Almost immediately after the first reports of officer Frieda Mozaffarian, at Not long after that the police The drilling further agitated The British Foreign and Com- gunfire were reported, seven DPG officers were 16h30. She had been unwell cut the phone lines to the em- the gunmen, and instead British monwealth Office informally N on the scene. They surrounded the building but since the start of the siege and bassy, leaving the field tele- Airports Authority, owner of approached the embassies of had to retreat when a gunman appeared at a the other hostages convinced phone as the only means of London Heathrow Airport, was Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Leba- i window and threatened to open fire. Oan that she was pregnant and communication. told to instruct approaching air- non, Syria and Qatar to ask if Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Dellow needed medical treatment. BBC journalist Chris Cramer craft to fly over the embassy at their ambassadors would be arrived half an hour later and took command of Margaret Thatcher, kept became ill and his colleague, low altitude. willing to talk to the hostage- m the situation. apprised of the situation by Sim Harris, was taken to the takers. The Jordanian ambas- Dellow coordinated the police response, Whitelaw, determined that Brit- field telephone and told to ne- Day 3 - 2 May 1980 sador immediately refused and r which included the deployment of D11, the ish law would be applied to the gotiate for a doctor. The police At 09h30 Oan appeared at a the other five said they would Metropolitan Police’s marksmen and officers embassy, despite the Vienna refused. first-floor window and demand- consult their governments. o with specialist surveillance equipment. Convention, under which the Most of the morning was tak- ed access to the telex system, While the BBC did broad- Police negotiators made contact with Oan Ali embassy is considered Iranian en up with negotiations before which had been cut along with cast the statement that evening, d Mohammed, the leader of the group. Contact soil. Cramer was released at 11h15. the phone lines. Oan was not happy with it. He was made via a field telephone passed through He was rushed to hospital in The police refused and Oan claimed that it was truncated one of the embassy windows. an ambulance, accompanied by threatened to kill Abdul Fazi and incorrect. police officers sent to question Ezzati, the cultural attaché. Meanwhile SAS plans to en- 78 79 ter the embassy by battering 4 3 the front door and ground-floor 2 SAS CRW Kit windows were quickly scrapped 20 when it was discovered that the 1. Nomex III Assault Suit. embassy’s front door was rein- 2. AC200 Kevlar Assault forced by a steel security door, Helmet. and that the windows on the 3. AC900 Kevlar Assault ground floor and first floor were Helmet. fitted with armoured glass. 4. Avon SF10 Respirator. 6 5 5. Nomex Hood. Day 4 - 3 May 1980 18 6. Nomex Gloves. Oan, angered by the BBC’s 7. Assault Vest. incorrect reporting of his de- 8. PE Assault Belt. mands the previous evening, 7 9. GQ Abseil Harness. contacted the police negotiators 1 10. Adidas GSG9 Assault shortly after 06h00 and accused Boots. the authorities of deceiving him. 13 11. MBITR Radio. He demanded to speak with an 12. Earpiece/Throat Mike. Arab ambassador, but the nego- GO: Having abseiled down from the roof, an SAS team enters 11 13. Calumite Light Sticks. tiator on duty claimed that talks the embassy. 14. Aircrew Knife. were still being arranged by the 15. Leatherman Tool. Foreign Office. Later in the evening, at ap- ered this option, it was not done 16. Cable Ties. Oan saw through the delay- proximately 23h00, an SAS on the advice of a doctor who 17. Claymore Clacker. ing tactic and threatened that a team reconnoitred the roof of dismissed it as “impracticable”. 18. Rope Bag (Leg). hostage would be killed unless the embassy. They discovered a The SAS officers involved in 8 9 19. 11 mm Abseil Rope. Tony Crabb was brought back skylight, and succeeded in un- the operation, including Briga- 20. Petzl Descender. to the embassy. locking it for potential use as an dier Peter de la Billière, Direc- 21. Stun Grenade. Crabb did not arrive at the access point, should they later tor Special Forces; Lieutenant 22. CS Gas Grenade. embassy until 15h30, nearly be required to storm the build- Colonel Mike Rose, Command- 23. H&K MP5K. ten hours after Oan demanded ing. They also attached ropes to er of 22 SAS; and Major Hec- 15 17 24. H&K MP5A5. his presence. Oan then relayed the chimneys to allow soldiers tor Gullan, commander of the 16 25. H&K MP5SD6. another statement to Crabb via to abseil down the building and team that would undertake any 26. Remington 870. Mustapha Karkouti, a journalist gain access through the win- raid, spent the day refining their 14 27. Browning L9A1. also being held hostage in the dows if necessary. plans for an assault. embassy. 10 12 Nomex is a registered trade- The police guaranteed that Day 5 - 4 May 1980 Day 6 - 5 May 1980 mark for flame-resistant me- the statement would be broad- Throughout the day the For- PC Lock was woken by Oan ta-aramid material developed cast on the BBC’s next news eign Office were in talks with at dawn. Oan was convinced 19 in the early 1960s by DuPont. bulletin, in exchange for the re- diplomats from Arabian coun- that there was an intruder in the They also wear Nomex un- lease of two hostages. tries in an effort to get them to building and sent Lock to in- derwear, which the SAS nick- The hostages decided talk to the hostage-takers. The vestigate. No-one was found. 23 name ‘Vindaloo’, a hot Indian amongst themselves that the talks ended in a stalemate. Later that morning Oan told 24 curry dish. two to be released would be Karkouti, the journalist, be- Lock to examine a bulge in the The Remington 870 shot- Hiyech Kanji and Ali-Guil came increasingly ill through- wall separating the Iranian em- gun is loaded with breaching Ghanzafar; the former as she out the day and by the evening bassy from the Ethiopian em- 26 rounds, used to blow a door was pregnant and the latter for was feverish. This led to specu- bassy next door. 25 22 off its hinges. no other reason than his loud lation that the police had spiked The bulge was actually The H&K submachine snoring, which kept the other the food that had been sent into caused by the removal of bricks 27 guns will normally have a hostages awake at night and ir- the embassy. to allow and assault team to 21 torch and laser sight attached. ritated the terrorists. While the police had consid- break through the wall, and to 80 81 implant listening devices. tice. to cover. They were not to stray up in his rope, was severely terrorist leader to the ground Lock told Oan that he didn’t The police had recruited an beyond these, to avoid friendly burnt. A second wave of ab- and grappled with him. Despite think that the police were about imam from a local mosque at fire incidents. seilers cut him free and he fell suffering from the effects of to storm the building, but Oan 18h20 and asked him to talk to At the ‘Go’ signal men burst to the balcony floor below. He CS gas, Lock kept the terrorist was not convinced. the gunmen. in through the French windows stood up and followed the rest from firing his gun, then rolled At 13h00 Oan told the police While the imam was talking at the rear of the building while of his team into the building. clear at a shout from the SAS, that he would kill a hostage if he to Oan via the field telephone, others came in through a sky- The aggressive plan paid who shot the terrorist before he was unable to speak to an Arab another three shots rang out. light on the roof while abseil off. Taken by surprise the gun- could fire. ambassador within 45 minutes. Oan announce that another hos- teams reached the floors in be- men were only able to kill one PC Lock was later awarded At 13h40, PC Lock informed tage has been killed and that the tween. of their hostages before being the George Medal, the United the negotiators that the gunmen rest would die in 30 minutes Not everything went off gunned down, most in a hail of Kingdom’s second-highest civil had taken the embassy chief unless his demands were met. smoothly. The staff sergeant bullets from several SAS troops honour, as well as the Freedom press officer, Abbas Lava- Police believed that two hos- leading the abseiling team be- at once. of the City of London. sani, downstairs and tages had been killed, although came entangled in his rope. Two of the gunmen were tak- Most of the raid, which lasted were preparing to only Lavasani had been shot. Some of the hostages were not en alive, but as they were passed for 17 minutes, was watched execute him. Lavasani’s body was dumped where the SAS expected. One hastily from man to man down live on television. It made the Exactly 45 out of the front door and was re- of the entry rooms turned out to the stairs, the SAS realised that SAS a household name. minutes covered by the police. have been barricaded shut, and one of them was clutching a Many Special Forces units after Sir David McNee, Commis- a soldier had to leave through grenade. He was flung to the around the world would go on sioner of the Metropolitan Po- the window and re-enter across ground and shot dead before he to base their weapons, equip- lice, contacted the Home Secre- the balcony to get around the could pull the pin. ment and tactics on those of the tary to request approval to hand blockage. Stun grenades ignit- The success was aided by PC Special Air Service. control of the operation over to ed fires, which quickly spread. Lock. Realising that the assault the British Army, under the pro- The staff sergeant, still hung had begun, Lock knocked the visions of Military Aid to the Civil Power. Oan’s demand to speak to This request was relayed by an ambassador, three shots Whitelaw to Margaret Thatcher The Sunday Breakfast Zone were heard from inside the would immediately agreed. embassy. At 19h07, John Dellow signed Catch Military Despatches edi- Home Secretary Willie over control of the operation to Whitelaw rushed through Lieutenant Colonel Mike Rose, tor Matt Tennyson every Sunday and was briefed on the authorising Rose to order an as- morning from 09h00 t0 12h00 SAS plan by de la Bil- sault at his discretion. on the ‘Sunday Breakfast Zone’ lière, who told him to The police negotiators began on Zone Radio. Bringing you the expect that up to 40 stalling Oan, offering conces- best music of the 60s, 70s and 80s. percent of the hostages sions in order to distract him would be killed in an and prevent him from killing assault. further hostages. At the same De la Billière was time the SAS made their final On Sunday morning at 09h30 you can catch the Retro Top 20 and instructed to prepare preparations. listen to the Top 2o hit singles on the South African charts for a to assault the build- particular week or even a particular year. ing at short notice. He The Assault passed this on to Mike Two SAS teams, Red Team Rose at 15h50 and and Blue Tea, were ordered to by 17h00 the SAS begin their simultaneous as- were in a position saults at 19h23. Click here to listen live to carry out the While snipers provided cover, assault at ten 32 men stormed the embassy. minute’s no- Each assault team had a set area 82 83 Gaming

Matt O’Brien hears the sound of the trum- pet and the howling of the dogs of war as he hurries to answer the Call to Arms. Although his team mates often feel that it would be better if he had stayed at home.

kay I admit it. Even in their original boxes. and published by Digitalmind- though I’m now in my The PC or Personal Com- soft back in 2015. It’s called Omid-60s I still enjoy puter and game consoles were “Call to Arms.” gaming as much as I did when I to change the face of gam- Call to Arms offers an inno- was still a kid. ing. These days the number of vative mix of real-time strate- At a fairly young age I be- games available is mind blow- gy and 3rd, as well as 1st per- came interested in chess, which ing. son controls. Set in the time of I guess you could call one of There are games that cov- modern warfare, the game of- the first war games. er almost any topic you can fers realistically modelled ve- I also became interested in think of. There is even a game hicles and heavy weaponry, as board games. And not tradi- called ‘Thief Simulator’ where well as dozens of firearms and to switch over to simulation ciate about Call to Arms is that fun game to play and, with the tional games such as Cluedo you get to break into people’s customizations. mode. Select any of your indi- they allow modding support ability to set up your own cus- and Monopoly, but rather war homes, steal stuff, and then sell What I enjoy about the game vidual soldiers or vehicles and both via the Steam Workshop tom scenarios, it’s a game that games. it. Although in South Africa is that its a combination of sim- control them in 3rd person or and other external modding will keep you busy for a long And, in case you’re wonder- this is probably not regarded as ulation and real-time strategy 1st person mode. websites. time. ing, I was not some sort of nerd a game but more of a training (RTS). It fun to take control of an There are a number of good So I would have no hesitation that sat indoors everyday play- tool. In other words you can con- IFV or a tank. Even more fun mods out there that will offer in recommended this game. ing games. As a teen I played I must confess to owning a trol several dozen units at the is to take control of a helicopter additional units, maps, scenar- rugby, cricket and hurling. cupboard full of games. same time, moving them and gunship. ios and weapons. Gaelic hurling is an Irish sport I play a vast array of games giving them orders. This is the There are numerous maps More good news is that they that can be regarded as a cross and my favourites tend to be RTS component of the game. and scenarios that you can play will soon be releasing Call to between rugby, soccer, hockey simulation type games. Espe- And while on the subject of either in single player, online Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront. and murder. cially military strategy or sim- moving squads and giving them against other players, or online This sets the game on the East- Yet I still enjoyed playing ulation games, many of which orders, this is vital to doing well co-op where you and a partner ern Front during World War II, games. Back in those days we I have reviewed right here in in the game. Be sure to make use go up against the AI (Artificial so it will be great for those that did not have computers so if Military Despatches. of cover when moving them. Intelligence). enjoy this era. you wanted to play games, they So I am always on the look There is a lot you can do in Maps cover areas such as To play the game you will were traditional board games. out for military simulation the RTS mode. For example open areas, rural areas, facto- need a 64-bit processor with I remember than one of the games that I feel our readers you could tell a squad or squads ries and towns. What I do enjoy either Windows 7, 8 or 10. You games I was hooked on was may be interested in. to set up an ambush. Choose a is the fact that cover can be de- will also need 4 GB RAM mem- Squad Leader. It was made by Now I know that gaming is killing ground, have them plant stroyed. I’ve often seen games ory and a graphics card that can Avalon Hill in 1977. It was an not everyone’s cup of tea. Then claymores, take up position, where someone takes cover support DirectX Version 11 and excellent game and I also ob- again, I have a glass which has and wait for the enemy. behind a thin wooden wall and 40 GB of available hard drive tained the add-on games that an inscription that reads, “I’d Decide what weapons and you can’t touch them. This is space. came out later - Cross of Iron, rather be someone’s shot of equipment your squads or indi- not the case with Call to Arms. If you’re going to play on- Publisher - Digitalmindsoft Crescendo of Doom, and GI: whiskey than everyone’s cup of viduals in the squad will carry, A well place RPG rocket or a line, either P vs P or co-op, then Genre - Simulation/RTS Anvil of Victory. tea.” including the type of ammuni- HE round from a tank will sort you’re going to need a broad- Forty-four years later and I So, on to this month’s review. tion they will use. out most buildings. band Internet connection. Score 7/10 still have all four of these games It’s a game that was developed At any stage you can choose Something else that I appre- All in all, Call to Arms is a Price - R105 (on Steam) 84 85 Book Review Movie American Sniper Review Released: 2014 Running time: 132 minutes Directed by: Clint Eastwood The Elite he Rhodesian Special Air and finally the decolonization of Service, one of the most Rhodesia by the British in 1980. eleased in 2014, Amer- after the September 11 attacks. in war. When he replies that it is Tformidable fighting forc- This is the first book to detail ican Sniper is an Amer- His first kills are a woman and “all the guys [he] couldn’t save” es in the world, operated almost the secret exploits of this elite ican biographical war boy who attacked U.S. Marines that haunt him, the psychiatrist exclusively across the borders regiment and it has been based R during the long bitter bush war, on rare first-hand interviews drama film directed by Clint with a Russian made RKG-3 an- encourages him to help severe- Eastwood and written by Jason ti-tank grenade. Kyle is visibly ly wounded veterans in the VA undertaking deep-penetration with operators themselves. Some Hall. upset by the experience but lat- hospital. After that Kyle grad- missions against insurgents being of their exploits may seem far- It is loosely based on the mem- er earns the nickname “Legend” ually begins to adjust to home harboured inside neighbouring fetched, even impossible, but oir American Sniper: The Auto- for his many kills. life. Mozambique and Zambia. then, truth is often stranger than biography of the Most Lethal Assigned to hunt for the Years later, on February 2, There were missions into Bot- fiction. It is a history of high ad- Sniper in U.S. Military History al-Qaeda leader, Abu Mus- 2013, Kyle says goodbye to his swana too, and at one stage, SAS venture and daring, courage and (2012) by Chris Kyle, with Scott ab al-Zarqawi, Kyle is pinned wife and family as he leaves in men were operating without humanism, be it driving through McEwen and Jim DeFelice. down by a sniper using a Roma- good spirits to spend time with benefit of passports in all three the streets of a neighbouring cap- The film follows the life of nian PSL sniper rifle. This sniper a veteran at a shooting range. neighbouring territories at the ital, knocking out trains, bridges Kyle, who became the deadliest goes by the name Mustafa and An on-screen subtitle reveals: same time. and installation or swooping out marksman in U.S. military histo- is an Olympic Games medalist “Chris Kyle was killed that day The writer takes the reader of the morning skies then, with ry with 255 kills from four tours from Syria. Meanwhile, the in- by a veteran he was trying to from the early days in the West- the ability to hit hard and fast, since out of print - is presented in the Iraq War, 160 of which surgents issue a bounty on Kyle. help”, followed by archive foot- ern Desert to the formation of attacking and taking their leave, in a modern, attractive, upgraded were officially confirmed by the When he returns home to a age of crowds standing along the Rhodesian SAS for service the devastation complete, the format and contains pictures pre- Department of Defence. newborn daughter after his sec- the highway for his funeral pro- in Malaya, then back to Africa mission accomplished. viously not seen in colour. While Kyle was celebrated for ond tour, Kyle becomes increas- cession. where the action spans the days This edition - originally pub- Paperback: 512 pages his military successes, his tours ingly distant from his family. You can catch American Snip- of the Federation, the UDI era lished in the mid-1980s and long Cost: R495 of duty took a heavy toll on his On Kyle’s third tour, Mustafa er on Netflix. personal and family life. seriously injures a unit member, Growing up in Texas, Chris Ryan “Biggles” Job, and the unit Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is taught is evacuated back to base. When by his father how to shoot a rifle they decide to return to the field and hunt deer. Years later, Kyle and continue the mission, anoth- has become a ranch hand and er SEAL, Marc Lee, is killed by rodeo cowboy, and returns home gunfire. early, to find his girlfriend in bed Guilt compels Kyle to under- with another man. take a fourth tour, and Taya tells After telling her to leave, he is him that she may not be there mulling it over with his brother when he returns. when he sees news coverage of On this tour he finally kills the 1998 U.S. embassy bomb- Mustafa with a shot from 1,920 ings and decides to enlist in the metres. During his escape he is Navy. He qualifies for special wounded and almost left behind. training and becomes a U.S. After Kyle gets back, on edge Navy SEALs sniper. and unable to adjust fully to ci- Enduring Valour Winds of Destruction Dirty War Kyle meets Taya Studebaker vilian life, he is asked by a Vet- R275 R450 R550 (Sienna Miller) at a bar, and the erans Affairs psychiatrist if he is Click on the poster to watch a two soon marry. He is sent to Iraq haunted by all the things he did trailer of the film. All books are available from Bush War Books 86 87 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April Some of the significant military events that happened in April. Highlighted in blue are the names Erwin Rommel, take Ageda- from H Company, 1 Para- porting military equipment of those members of the South African Defence Force (SADF) that lost their lives during the month bia and Zuetania, Libya. chute Battalion was acciden- to South Africa. of April. • 1941 - Nazi occupiers dis- tally killed after he and his • 1987 - A US State Depart- band the Dutch Boy Scouts. section were extracted from • 1967 - JARIC, voted best sa (27). Special Constable ment report says Israel, 1 April • 1943 - Allied air raid on Tu- a contact with SWAPO/ support unit of the SA Air Daniel Sakaria (28). Special France and Italy have contin- • 1865 - During the Ameri- nis causes considerable dam- PLAN insurgents. Their Buf- Force 2003, is established Constable Zaako Uaapulate- ued to maintain and upgrade can Civil War, Confederate age just before Axis troops fel Troop carrier overturned as a section of the Central na (25). a major weapons systems for troops of General George start their final withdrawal while travelling at high Phototechnical Establish- • 1994 - Soldiers roll into Na- South Africa since the 1977 Pickett were defeated and from Tunisia. speed and he was thrown out ment (CPE), initially based tal to quell unrest threatening UN arms embargo was im- cut off at Five Forks, Vir- • 1952 - The United States and crushed by the vehicle at AFB Swartkop. the national election. posed. ginia. This sealed the fate of posthumously awards SA when it rolled onto him. He • 1977 - An unsuccessful mil- • 1997 - The strike crafts SAS • 1987 - Rifleman Domingos Confederate General Robert Cheetah Squadron pilot, was 19. itary coup is staged in Chad. Kobie Coetzee, P.W. Botha Cassela from 32 Battalion E. Lee’s armies at Petersburg Lieutenant R.M. du Plooy, • 1982 - The beginning of • 1985 - Rifleman Daniel and Frederic Creswell are was Killed in Action in a and Richmond and hastened with the Silver Star for “gal- the Falkland Islands War as Aupini from 201 Battalion renamed SAS Job Maseko, contact with enemy forces the end of the war. lantry in action”. Du Plooy troops from Argentina in- SWATF was killed when SAS Shaka and SAS Adam near Evale in Southern An- • 1893 - USN establishes was killed the previous year vaded and occupied the Brit- struck by a bullet resulting Kok on the occasion of the gola during Operation Kake- the rate of Chief Petty Of- in the Korean War. ish colony located near the from an accidental discharge Navy’s 75th anniversary. been. He was 27. ficer. • 1957 - The Union Jack is tip of South America. The of a fellow soldier’s rifle. He • 2002 - The South African • 1987 - Rifleman N. Ngombe • 1913 - South African Police lowered and British occupa- British retaliated and defeat- was 22. Navy (SAN) is 80 years old. from 102 Battalion SWATF (SAP) is founded. tion of Simon’s Town comes ed the Argentineans on June • 1985 - Rifleman D. Haupindi • 2003 - USMC Task Force was Killed in Action dur- • 1922 - The South African to an end after 143 years. 15, 1982, after ten weeks of from 202 Battalion SWATF Tarawa secures An Nasiri- ing a contact with SWAPO/ Naval Service is founded. South Africa takes formal combat, with about 1,000 was Killed in Action during a yah in Iraq after a hot week- PLAN insurgents in South- With the ships the Protea, possession of the historic lives lost. contact with SWAPO/PLAN long fight. ern Angola. He was 23. Sonneblom and Immortelle base. • 1983 - Gunner Lodewyk • 1988 - 2nd Lieutenant Jaco- it formed the nucleus of a insurgents. He was 21. • 1986 - Special Constable An- 2 April • 1978 - Rifleman Carvalho Jozef Engelbrecht from 4 bus Hendrick Diedericks South African navy. Esals from 32 Battalion was Artillery Regiment attached from 101 Battalion SWATF drek Mwandinovanhu from • 1879 - Relief of British gar- • 1933 - Heinrich Himmler Killed in Action in Southern to 61 Mechanised Battalion was Killed in Action in a the South West Africa Police rison besieged by Zulus at becomes Police Commander Angola during a contact with Group was Killed in Ac- landmine explosion during a Counter-Insurgency Wing: Eshowe. of Germany. enemy forces near Omalapa- tion in a landmine explosion contact with SWAPO/PLAN Ops K Division (Koevoet) • 1879 - The battle of Gingind- • 1943 - Japanese aircraft pa. He was 26. during operations against insurgents. He was 24. was Killed in Action during lovu during the Anglo-Zulu attack the Russell Islands. • 1981 - Lance Corporal Ean SWAPO/PLAN insurgents • 1988 - Two members from a contact with SWAPO in- War takes place. The British • 1945 - Okinawa: 60,000 U.S. Andrew Chapman Pettit in the Tsumeb area. He was the South West Africa Police surgents in Northern Owam- defeat Cetshwayo and the soldiers and Marines land, 19. Counter-Insurgency Wing: boland. He was 27. kraal is destroyed. on Easter Sunday. • 1984 - Gunner Alfred Lok- Ops K Division (Koevoet) • 1989 - South Africa reports • 1904 - Herero tribesmen • 1945 - US First & Ninth Ar- ington Tomes from 17 Field were Killed in Action dur- major clashes with guerrillas near Okaharui, German West mies meet to form the Ruhr Regiment was critically ing a contact with SWAPO/ in Namibia on eve of cease- Africa (now Namibia) defeat Erwin pocket. wounded during a contact PLAN insurgents in Northern fire. German forces under Major • 1954 - The US Army forms Rommel with the enemy forces in Owamboland. They were: • 1989 - Five members from Von Glasenapp. its first helicopter battalion at Southern Angola on 29 Mar Special Sergeant Kandjunga the South West Africa Police • 1916 - German Zeppelins Fort Bragg. 1984. He was evacuated to 1 Tenaseu (27). Special Ser- Counter-Insurgency Wing: bomb a distillery in Rosyth, • 1955 - The Greek national- Military Hospital in Pretoria geant Usebiu Ndemwimba Ops-K Division (Koevoet) causing a flood of fine whis- ist EOKA movement makes where he succumbed to his (29). were Killed in Action. The key. several bomb attacks against wounds on 2 April 1984. He • 1989 - Rifleman Marius van casualties were: Special • 1917 - US President Wilson British facilities in Cyprus. was 27. der Merwe from 32 Battalion Constable George Daw- asks Congress to declare war • 1960 - France detonates • 1984 - Four South Afri- was Reported Missing while id (24). Special Constable against Germany. her second atom bomb, in cans and a British national on patrol near Buffalo. He Mathais Lukas (29). Special • 1941 - German Afrika Ko- the Sahara. charged with illegally ex- went for a swim amongst the Constable Uutafehe Rjipo- rps, commanded by General 88 89 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April reeds and it is thought that he heights of Mostertshoek. De ceived when his patrol was • 1986 - Lance Corporal Jan Shelton, commander of the lice Station, Johannesburg. was taken by a crocodile. He Wet sends a note to the Brit- ambushed by SWAPO/ Hendrik Labuschagne from British forces. Pamphlets are scattered de- remains unaccounted for and ish demanding their surren- PLAN insurgents. the Technical Service Corps • 1940 - Katyn Forest: The So- manding the release of Wal- has no known grave. He was der and claims to have three • 1981 - Rifleman Hendrik was killed when struck by a viets begin mass executions ter Sisulu from Robben Is- 21. Krupp guns and reinforce- Kasper Jordaan from SWA bullet resulting from an acci- of Polish military officers, land. • 1989 - Ten members of the ments on the way. SPES Unit SWATF was dental discharge of a fellow police officials, and intellec- • 1986 - Second Lieutenant South West Africa Police • 1900 - General P.A. Cronje Killed in Action while at- soldier’s rifle. He was 23. tuals, about. 20,000 die over Izak Johan Lourens from Counter-Insurgency Wing: and his wife, with Colonel tached to 53 Battalion out on • 1989 - Constable Daniel Jo- several weeks. 911 Battalion SWATF died Ops-K Division (Koevoet) Adorf Schiel and about 1,000 a patrol north of Etale. When hannes Jacobus Fourie from • 1941 - Rommel takes Beng- in the Opuwa Hospital after Units were killed during Republican prisoners of war, returning to base, the patrol Ops-K Division (Koevoet) hazi. contracting Meningitis & a number of contacts with sails from Cape Town for St crossed Oom Willie se pad was killed in action. He was • 1943 - The US 4th Marine Malaria. He was 19. SWAPO/PLAN insurgents Helena. and one of the horses deto- 25. Division is established at • 1986 - Corporal Alfonso Al- in Northern Owamboland. • 1941 - The British forces nated an Anti-Tank mine, San Diego. berto from 32 Battalion died The casualties were: Spe- evacuate Benghazi, major killing him instantly. He was 4 April • 1945 - Heavy fighting begins from causes unknown. He cial Warrant Officer Leonard seaport of north-eastern Lib- 20. • 1884 - Japanese Admiral in southern Okinawa. was 27. Benjamin (34) Sergeant Sar- ya, in the face of the German • 1982 - Rifleman Lourens Isoroku Yamamoto was born • 1945 - Hungary liberated • 1987 - Corporal Fernandez el Hercules van Tonder (25). advance. Date given as 7 Maritz Bieldt from Infantry in Nagaoko, Honshu. from Nazi occupation. Andre from 32 Battalion Special Sergeant Daniel April 1941 in another source. School was killed when his • 1900 - The battles of Red- • 1949 - Twelve nations signed was Killed in Action during Teteiko (25). Constable Jo- • 1942 - Bataan: Japanese Buffel Troop Carrier over- dersburg, where the Boers the treaty creating NATO, a contact with enemy forces hannes Jacobus Badenhorst launch a major offensive. turned approximately 20 km under Gen. De Wet defeat the North Atlantic Treaty near Evale in Southern An- (24). Constable Leon Thorne • 1944 - British bombers at- outside Oshakati. He was 21. the Royal Irish Rifles, and Organization. The nations gola during Operation Kake- (21). Special Constable tack the German battleship • 1982 - Captain Michael Nor- Mostertshoek, take place. united for common military been. He was 26. Nambahu Abiatal (27). Spe- ‘Tirpitz’ in Norwegian wa- man Amos Giani from Army British surrender at Mostert’s defense against the threat of • 1988 - SADF Gaborone raid cial Constable Joseph An- ters. Intelligence, attached to 72 Hoek. Boer forces capture expansion by Soviet Russia kills four. dreas (29). Special Consta- • 1945 - USSR renounces Apr Motorised Brigade, was nearly 500 Lee-Metford ri- into Western Europe. • 1989 - Corporal Hermann ble Thomas Johannes (26). ‘41 non-aggression pact with killed in a military vehicle fles. • 1961 - UN troops defending Carstens from 1 Reconnais- Special Constable Filippus Japan. accident at Muldersdrift. He • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer an airfield in Katanga prov- sance Regiment was Killed Joseph (24). Special Consta- • 1974 - Ordinary Seaman was 30. War. The siege of Okiep in ince, Congo (now Demo- in Action during fierce fight- ble Muyunga Kakonyi (28). Leonard Arthur Farmer from • 1982 - Security Council de- Namaqualand starts as Gen. cratic Republic of Congo), ing with a numerically supe- Special Constable Fernendo SAS Saldanha was acci- mands Argentina withdraw Smuts demands the surren- are attacked by ‘mobs’. rior force of heavily armed Tyipoya (25). Special Con- dentally killed during basic from the Falkland Islands. der of the town but is curt- • 1978 - Barend Hendrik Janse SWAPO/PLAN insurgents stable Aktofel Silvanus (26). training while doing pole PT. • 1985 - Rifleman Heilia Mi- ly rejected by Col. W.A.D. van Rensburg (Ben) (80), near Eenhana. He was 20. He had to hold the pole be- kael from 101 Battalion founder of the War Museum • 1989 - Three members from 3 April hind his head and do press- SWATF was accidentally in Bloemfontein, dies. 101 Battalion Romeo Mike, • 1865 - The Confederate ups. The pole slipped and killed in Southern Angola • 1978 - Two members of SWA SWATF were Killed in Ac- capital of Richmond surren- fell on his head, severely in- when a Casspir Armoured SPES accidentally drowned tion during fierce fighting in dered to Union forces after juring him. He died a short Vehicle drove over him while in the Olifants River near Northern Owamboland as the withdrawal of General while later. He was 18. he was sleeping. He was 19. Doornkop. They were: Rifle- 101 Battalion Romeo Mike Robert E. Lee’s troops. • 1977 - Rifleman Carel Hen- • 1985 - Special Constable man Wayne Darrell Norman and Koevoet elements con- • 1900 - The battle of Mostert- drik Kotze from the South Johannes Tjiposa from the Meyers (18). Rifleman Mari- tinued to intercept and en- shoek, near Reddersburg, Coast Commando was acci- South West Africa Police us van Zyl (20). gage large groups of very takes place. The beginning dentally killed during train- Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1980 - ANC insurgents heavily armed SWAPO/ of a two-day battle between ing manoeuvres at Umtent- Ops-K Division (Koevoet) launch a rifle, rocket and gre- PLAN insurgents cross- General De Wet’s forces weni. He was 32. was Killed in Action during nade attack on Booysens Po- ing into Owamboland from (400 men, no artillery) and • 1978 - Rifleman Steven a contact with PLAN insur- Southern Angola. The casu- British encamped behind Dennis Oscar Pearson from gents in Northern Owam- Isoroku Yamamoto alties in this contact were: stone breastworks on the 5 SAI Died of Wounds re- boland. He was 26. Rifleman E. Anunyela. (26). 90 91 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April Rifleman J. Mandume (24). • 1964 - Douglas MacArthur air strike against Libya. from 32 Battalion was Killed • 1996 - Thousands of Libe- section were swimming. He Rifleman N. Kapentse (23). dies at the age of 84. • 1988 - Special Constable in Action during a contact rians flee their homes amid has no known grave and re- • 1989 - Lieutenant Christiaan • 1979 - Special Constable Uakandjangu Tjiumbu from with enemy forces in South- fierce fighting between gov- mains unaccounted for. He Phillipus Els from 1 Special Wilino Shamoketa from the the South West Africa Police ern Angola. He was 29. ernment troops and members was 20. Service Battalion Died in South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1981 - Rifleman Petrus Jaco- of an ethnic faction. • 1989 - Soviet submarine ‘K- Hospital at Ruacana from Counter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K Division (Koevoet) bus Venter from SWA SPES 278 Komsomolets’ sinks af- Wounds sustained during a Ops-K Division (Koevoet) was Killed in Action dur- Unit SWATF was Killed in 7 April ter a fire in the Norwegian contact with SWAPO/PLAN was Killed in Action dur- ing a contact with SWAPO/ Action during a contact with • 1917 - US Navy takes over Sea, 42 die. insurgents near Ongandjera ing a contact with SWAPO/ PLAN insurgents in North- SWAPO/PLAN insurgents all wireless stations for the • 1994 - Rampaging troops on 03 April 1989. He was 20. PLAN insurgents in North- ern Owamboland. He was near the Cut Line. He was duration of World War I. kill Rwanda’s acting premier ern Owamboland. He was 26. 23. • 1945 - The Japanese bat- and eleven Belgian UN sol- 5 April 28. • 1996 - Heavy fighting in • 1982 - Rifleman Hymje tleship Yamato is sunk by diers and civil war erupts in • 1900 - Combat-General • 1979 - Captain Martin Mogadishu, the capital of Landsman from 8 SAI was American carrier-based Rwanda, a day after a mys- Georges-Henri Anne Ma- Charles Silberbauer from 85 Somalia, leaves seventeen killed in a Military Vehicle bombers and torpedo bomb- terious plane crash claimed rie Victor Compte de Vil- Combat Flying School was dead. Accident in Eastern Kavan- ers with the loss of most of the lives of the presidents of lebois-Mareuil, a former killed during a training exer- goland. He was 19. her crew. Rwanda and Burundi. commander in the French cise at the Roodewal Bomb- 6 April • 1983 - Corporal I.S. Kamu- • 1966 - US recovers lost • 1997 - Government soldiers Foreign Legion, makes a ing Range near Pietersburg • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer noko from 202 Battalion H-bomb from sea off Palo- in Lubumbashi, Zaire’s sec- valiant last stand against when his Dassault Mirage War: General Lord Methuen SWATF was Killed in Ac- mares, Spain. ond largest city lay down the British at Boshof and is IIID2Z struck the ground buries Combat-General De tion during a contact with • 1984 - Rifleman Daniel their arms and join the cause killed. He tried to attack the while trying to recover after Villebois-Mareuil with full SWAPO/PLAN insurgents Stephanus Venter from 1 Par- of rebels advancing on the nearby railway with a force carrying out a practice rocket military honours. 1500 men in Northern Owamboland. achute Battalion was Killed city. of 75 foreign volunteers attack. He was 28. of the Loyal North Lanca- He was 23. in Action in a landmine ex- (mostly French and Dutch) • 1983 - Private Patrick Cor- shires form the Guard of • 1984 - The elite republican plosion during anti-insurgent 8 April and eleven burghers but was nelius Engel from 16 Main- Honour. guard mounts an unsuccess- operations just north of the • 1940 - Royal Navy destroy- trapped by General Lord tenance Unit was killed • 1916 - German parliament ful coup against President Cut-line. He was 22. er HMS Glowworm is sunk Methuen and a force of over when his Withings recov- approves unrestricted sub- Paul Biya of Cameroon. • 1985 - Special Sergeant after a gallant fight with the 750, assisted by four field- ery vehicle collided into the marine warfare • 1987 - Private Russell Joseph Sakaria Naholo from the German heavy cruiser Admi- guns. De Villebois-Mareuil’s rear of a stationary vehicle at • 1917 - Following a vote by Brissett from 1 Medical Bat- South West Africa Police ral Hipper. men attempt to escape whilst Oshivello. He was 19. Congress approving a dec- talion Group was killed in a Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1945 - Okinawa: Marines he makes his stand but are • 1984 - Rifleman Joseph Sin- laration of war, the U.S. en- Military Vehicle Accident in Ops-K Division (Koevoet) probe Japanese lines on the captured. dimba from 202 Battalion tered World War I in Europe. Mamelodi during Operation was Killed in Action dur- Motobu Peninsula. • 1916 - Battle of El Hanna: SWATF was Killed in Ac- • 1939 - Great Britain & Po- Xenon. He was 23. ing a contact with SWAPO/ • 1950 - Unarmed US Navy Unsuccessful British attempt tion during a contact with land sign military pact. PLAN insurgents in North- patrol plane is shot down to break the Turkish siege of SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. • 1941 - The SA Brigade en- ern Owamboland. He was over the Baltic Sea by Soviet Kut. He was 23. ters Addis Ababa during 32. aircraft. • 1939 - Germany: “Aryan” • 1986 - A bomb exploded at World War II. • 1985 - Rifleman Willem • 1958 - Corporal Francois youth ordered to join the Hit- a popular discotheque fre- • 1941 - Germans bomb Bel- Jacobus Du Randt from 3 Willem Bornman from 4th lerjugend. quented by American mili- grad, 17,000 reportedly die. SAI Oscar Company (Mor- Field Regiment died from • 1942 - Eighty-six South Af- tary personnel in West Ber- • 1943 - The British and US tars) was Reported Miss- injuries received in a col- ricans survive a Japanese at- lin, killing two U.S. soldiers armies link up in Africa. ing after being attacked by lision between a car and a tack on the HMS Cornwall and a Turkish woman. Amer- • 1944 - The Supreme Allied a crocodile approximately train at the Meyer Street lev- near the coast of Ceylon ican intelligence analysts at- Commander cancels all fur- 1km below the Epupa Falls el crossing at Potchefstroom. (now Sri Lanka). tributed the attack to Muam- ther military leaves through- where he and others in his He was 22. • 1948 - As riots rage around mar Qaddafi of Libya. Nine out the British Isles, in prepa- • 1980 - Lieutenant Christo Cairo, the Egyptian army days later, President Ronald ration for D-Day. Stephan Grundling from 2 kills twenty-five civilians. Reagan ordered a retaliatory • 1977 - Rifleman S. Henrique Paul Biya Field Engineer Regiment 92 93 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April was killed in a military vehi- home of Wilmer McLean. • 1976 - Corporal Michael largest city in the country. were forced to walk 60 miles Shitelgipo Hamukwaya from cle accident at Impala Base. Terms of the surrender, writ- Barnett from 2nd Battalion, • 1999 - Members of his own under a blazing sun without the South West Africa Police He was 20. ten by General Grant, al- Regiment Bloemspruit was Presidential Guard gun down food or water to the POW Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1980 - Rifleman Lesley An- lowed Confederates to keep killed when the bus he was Niger’s president, Ibrahim camp, resulting in over 5,000 Ops K Division (Koevoet) drew Scholtz from 3 SAI their horses and return home. driving was involved in a Bare Mainassara. American deaths. was Killed in Action dur- was Killed in Action during a Officers were allowed to head-on collision with a ci- • 2003 - CorporalEdward • 1945 - The Nazi concentra- ing a contact with SWAPO/ contact with SWAPO/PLAN keep their swords and side vilian vehicle approximately Chin, US Marine Corps, tion camp at Buchenwald PLAN Insurgents in North- insurgents in Kavangoland. arms. 100km from Grootfontein. plants the US and Free Iraq was liberated by U.S. troops. ern Owamboland. He was He was 20. • 1917 - After a massive mine He was transporting school flags on the statue of Sadam • 1972 - The Convention on 27. • 1981 - Omar Bradley, the explosion, Canadian troops children from Grootfontein Hussein in Firdos Square, the Prohibition of the De- • 1983 - Rifleman John Kern- “Soldier’s General,” last US storm Vimy Ridge, initiating back to Rundu at the time of Baghdad, which is then velopment, Production and eels Samson from the South 5-star officer, dies at the age the Battle of Arras. the accident. He was 22. pulled down. Stockpiling of Bacteriolog- African Cape Corps died of 88. • 1940 - Germany invades • 1977 - Rifleman Graham ical (Biological) and Toxic from a gunshot wound acci- • 1986 - Two members from Denmark, which promptly Werner Hempstead from 8 10 April Weapons and their Destruc- dentally sustained. He was 101 Battalion were Killed in surrenders. SAI was killed in a non-op- • 1918 - Near Toul, in eastern tion, to which SA is a party, 19. Action during a Contact with • 1940 - Germany invades erational military vehicle France, the 104th Infantry is signed in Moscow, Lon- • 1985 - Rifleman Douw Ger- SWAPO/PLAN insurgents Norway. accident in Northern Owam- begins four days determined don and Washington. brand Du Plessis from 4 Re- in Southern Angola. They • 1944 - Japan offers to medi- boland. He was 20. defense against a German • 1975 - Sergeant Nicolaas connaissance Regiment ac- were: Corporal Noag Kavari ate peace between Germany • 1978 - Candidate Officer assault, to become the first Johannes Steyn from the cidentally drowned during a (23). Rifleman Joao Domin- and Russia. Fred Johan Forster from 1 American regiment to be Technical Service Corps, training exercise. He was 19. gos (26). • 1945 - RAF sinks Pocket Reconnaissance Regiment awarded the Croix de guerre. attached to the Rundu Mili- • 1986 - Petty Officer Des- • 1988 - Staff Sergeant Marius Battleship Admiral Scheer’in was accidentally shot and • 1940 - First Battle of Narvik: tary Base was killed instant- mond John Pekeur from Horn from 5 SAI was killed port. killed at Katima Mulilo Royal Navy destroyers de- ly while travelling between SAS Wingfield was killed while returning in a convoy • 1945 - Wilhelm Canaris, while participating in a “live feat German destroyers, two Rundu and Katima Mulilo near Schmidtsdrift when the from Eshowe. He was 27. German admiral and chief fire” shooting exercise. He of which are lost. when, approximately 20km rear tyre of his Landrover • 1988 - Lance Corporal Car- of the Abwehr, the German was 20. • 1942 - During World War II in from Rundu, the rear tyre on burst causing the vehicle to los Thomas Moon from the military intelligence service, • 1981 - Private Jacob Jo- the Pacific, the Bataan Death his vehicle burst, causing the overturn. He was 29. South African. Cape Corps was executed in Flossenbürg hannes Kotze from 61 Mech- March began as American vehicle to leave the road and • 1991 - Though the govern- was Killed in Action dur- concentration camp for high hanised Battalion Group and Filipino prisoners were overturn. He was 27. ment refused to comply with ing a contact with SWAPO/ treason on the orders of Ad- was killed when his Buffel forced on a six-day march • 1978 - Rifleman S.M. Chico- the ANC ultimatum issued PLAN insurgents in South- olf Hitler. Troop Carrier overturned at from an airfield on Bataan to from 32 Battalion was on 5 April, defence minister ern Angola. He was 21. • 1965 - Lance Corporal Jo- Tsumeb. He was 19. to a camp near Cabanatuan. Killed in Action during a Magnus Malan offers to re- • 1997 - Zaire’s President hannes Burger from the • 1984 - Trooper Jacobus Fran- Some 76,000 Allied POWs contact with enemy forces in sign if it is in the interests of Mobutu Sese Seko declares South African Corps of Mil- cois Engels from 202 Battal- including 12,000 Americans Southern Angola. He was 27. SA or the SADF. He also an- a nationwide state of emer- itary Police was killed at Fo- ion SWATF was Killed in • 1982 - Major Helmuth Ad- nounces the firing of Civilian gency in response to rebel chville when his motorcycle Action during a contact with olf Kessler from 1 South Co-operation Bureau (CCB) advances. was involved in a collision SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. West Africa Air Comman- head, Joe Verster and twen- with a vehicle while he was He was 19. do Squadron SWATF was ty-seven other members of 9 April doing military convoy duty. • 1987 - Corporal Charles Killed in Action during Op- the CCB. • 1868 - After over 500,000 He was 33. Pierre Du Plessis from eration Yahoo while flying • 1993 - Chris Hani, the leader American deaths, the Civ- • 1969 - Candidate Officer Walvis Bay Command was in support of Koevoet an- of the South African Com- il War effectively ended as Marthinus Jacobus Hendrik accidentally killed when he ti-insurgent operations in the munist Party and chief of General Robert E. Lee sur- Krugel from 4 Squadron was was crushed between two Elundu area. He was 52. staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe, rendered to General Ulysses killed when his AT-6 Har- vehicles at Walvis Bay. He • 1982 - Special Constable the armed wing of the Afri- S. Grant in the village of Ap- vard crashed near Leslie dur- was 27. can National Congress, is pomattox Court House. The ing a routine training flight. • 1997 - Rebels in Zaire con- Omar Bradley gunned down as he steps out surrender occurred in the He was 22. quer Lubumbashi, second of his car in the driveway of 94 95 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April his Boksburg home. the Army Battle School was South Carolina. attached to 2 Special Service Warspite and accompanying • 1976 - Captain Granville killed instantly at Olifant- • 1902 - Second Anglo-Bo- Battalion was accidentally destroyers sink eight Ger- Duvenhage from Benoni 11 April shoek after receiving mul- er War: Peace negotiations killed in Zeerust after being man destroyers. Commando suffered a fatal • 1838 - Zulu warriors ambush tiple shrapnel wounds in an commence in Pretoria be- knocked down by a civil- • 1941 - Heavy German attack heart attack while on duty at Petrus Lafras (Piet) Uys and accidental rifle grenade ex- tween delegations of the ian bus while on a weekend on Tobruk. Leydsdorp and died shortly his men at Italeni. Uys, his plosion. He was 19. Boer Republics and General pass. He was 19. • 1942 - Burma: the British afterwards. He was 26. son Dirkie and seven of his • 1982 - Special Consta- Lord Kitchener and Alfred • 1979 - Prime Minister P.W. Burma Corps breaks. • 1976 - Rifleman Eugene followers are killed in battle. ble Pedro Sakaria from the Milner. An initial request by Botha announces that three • 1943 - Katyn: Nazis find Medhurst from 5 SAI was • 1898 - US President McK- SWA Police Counter-Insur- the Boers to retain their inde- members of the staff of the graves of 13,000 Polish of- Killed in Action during a inley asks for Declaration of gency Wing: Ops K Divi- pendence is met with incre- United States Embassy in ficers killed by Soviets. contact with enemy forces in War against Spain. sion (Koevoet) was Killed dulity. South Africa have been giv- • 1945 - Soviets capture Vien- Southern Angola. He was 19. • 1902 - Second Anglo-Bo- in Action during a contact • 1945 - Okinawa: 150 kami- en a week to leave the coun- na. • 1979 - Corporal Rian Rix er War: General Kemp, in with SWAPO Insurgents in kaze attack the Allied fleet, try. They have photographed • 1950 - The Arab League from 11 Commando Reg- charge of the Lemmer, Du Northern Owamboland. He sinking one destroyer. sensitive military installa- signs a mutual defence treaty iment was Killed in Ac- Toit, Liebenberg, Celliers, was 28. • 1966 - First B-52 raids on tions by a secret camera in- in Cairo. tion during a contact with and Potgieter comman- • 1986 - Special Consta- North Vietnam. stalled in a diplomatic air- • 1960 - France becomes SWAPO/PLAN insurgents dos (approximately 2,600 ble Matias Vilho from the • 1972 - Private Willem Ockert craft. fourth nuclear power, with near Okatope Base south of burghers), suffers a defeat at SWA Police Counter-Insur- van den Heever from North • 1986 - Rifleman Kefas an atomic bomb test in the Ondangwa. This was his last Roodewal, Transvaal, after gency Wing: Ops K Divi- West Command Headquar- Kalenga Dala from 32 Bat- Sahara. patrol before going home attacking a British force of sion (Koevoet) was Killed ters was killed in a military talion died from Meningitis • 1974 - Two members of 11 from the Border. He was 18. 11,000 men. Cmdt Potgieter in Action during a contact vehicle accident at Kroon- in the hospital at Buffalo. He Squadron SAAF were Killed • 1979 - An attempt is made and fifty burghers are killed. with SWAPO Insurgents in stad. He was 19. was 24. when their Cessna 185D by Rhodesian forces to kill • 1942 - Burma: Japanese be- Northern Owamboland. He • 1972 - Sergeant Martin crashed shortly after take- guerrilla leader Joshua Nko- gin a major offensive against was 26. Christoffel Klue from the 13 April off from Mpalela Island in mo. the British. • 1990 - Angolan Government Army Service Corps, at- • 1846 - Xhosa tribesmen at- Eastern Caprivi during a ra- • 1982 - Rifleman Eugene • 1956 - France sends 200,000 agrees to begin peace talks tached 4 Artillery Regiment tack British forces at Burn’s tion re-supply flight for the James Ashford from 8 SAI reservists to Algeria. with rebel group Unita in Headquarters was killed af- Hill in the Amatola, in the South African Police. The was accidentally shot dead • 1961 - Trial of Adolf Eich- Portugal. ter being knocked down by a War of the Axe. casualties were: 2nd Lieu- during live firing exercises at man begins in Israel. • 1991 - Major Robert Michael civilian vehicle while stand- • 1868 - British forces under tenant (Pilot) Jacobus Hen- Riemvasmaak. He was 18. • 1979 - Signaller Gerhardus Turner from 85 Combat Fly- ing by the roadside when Robert Napier capture Mag- drik Louw Bonthuys (23). • 1983 - A Defence Amend- Johannes Jacobus Senekal ing School was killed after their convoy stopped for a dala in Ethiopia. Private Johan Hugo Human ment Bill provides for an from Grootfontein Head- his Atlas MB326KM Impala rest break while travelling • 1906 - Battle of Oviumbo: (19). alternative form of national quarters Signal Unit, at- Mk II suffered engine failure between Bloemfontein and The Herero defeat the Ger- • 1975 - A military coup in service for conscientious ob- tached to 52 Battalion was while on final approach to Potchefstroom. He was 46. mans. Chad overthrows President jectors, who oppose military critically wounded while sit- land at AFB Pietersburg. He • 1975 - Atlas Corporation • 1940 - Second Battle of Nar- Ngarta Tombaloaye, who is service on religious grounds. ting on his bed at the Unit. ejected from the aircraft too completes deliveries to the vik: Royal Navy battleship killed. Felix Malloum takes The offer is not extended to He was 19. late and directly into trees South African Air Force over at the head of a sev- objectors motivated by polit- • 1980 - Rifleman John Ed- that killed him instantly. He (SAAF) of a first series of en-member junta. ical values. ward McEwan from 5 SAI was 34. Impala MK-2 jet fighters. • 1976 - Corporal Anton Leon • 1987 - Private Frederick was Killed after suffering a • 1978 - Gunner William Ar- Broodryk from 1 Parachute Wayne Childsmith from the gunshot wound accidentally 12 April thur Wienand from 10 An- Battalion Died of Wounds Provost School was killed inflicted while attached to • 1861 - The American Civil ti-Aircraft Regiment was received in a landmine ex- while standing in a “Ride Alpha Company, 5 SAI. He War began as Confederate killed when his Unimog ve- plosion in Southern Angola Safe “ zone on his way back was 18. troops under the command hicle overturned in Kavan- while on patrol near the Cut- from Weekend pass after • 1982 - Sapper Brian Robert of General Pierre Beaure- goland. He was 18. line. He was 20. completion of Basic Train- Gibbs from 2 Field Engi- • 1979 - Corporal Willem Jo- ing when he was run over by gard opened fire at 04:30 on PW Botha neer Regiment attached to Fort Sumter in Charleston, hannes de Beer from 3 SAI, an South African Police ve- 96 97 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April

hicle driven by an underage in Laos. 25. strike at Colonel Muammar • 1971 - Major Jan Wilhelm • 1916 - General Jan Chris- scholar (the Senior Police • 1983 - Rifleman Barend • 1982 - Eight SADF and Kadhaffi’s home in Libya Arnhem Loubser from 1 tiaan Smuts, in charge of Superintendant’s son) who Christoffel Dippenaar from SWATF members attached in the biggest US air strike Maintenance Unit was acci- British, South African and was not authorised to drive the Infantry School was to 61 Mechanised Battalion since the Vietnam War. Lib- dentally killed in a train ac- Indian troops in Kenya, fi- the vehicle. He was 18. killed in a private vehicle ac- Group were Killed in Ac- ya claims forty people have cident at Kimberley. He was nally has the Germans on the • 1988 - Captain H Pienaar cident on the Clocolan - La- tion when their Ratel was been killed. The US says the 42. run. Colonel Paul von Let- from the South African In- dybrand road. He was 21. ambushed and knocked out raids are in response to an • 1981 - Two members from tow-Vorbeck’s troops (3,000 fantry Corps, attached to • 1986 - U.S. warplanes, on by RPG-7 anti-tank rockets explosion at a Berlin disco- Infantry School were killed Europeans and 11,000 Aska- Group 70 Headquarters at orders from President Ron- near Tsintsabis by a group theque in which two Ameri- in a private vehicle accident ri) had heavily outnumbered Katima Mulilo was killed ald Reagan, bombed the of heavily armed SWAPO/ cans were killed on 5 April. on the National Highway the British East African Ri- instantly after suffering fatal Libyan cities of Tripoli and PLAN insurgents during • 1990 - Rifleman Stoney van near Richmond while on fles. head injuries while driving Benghazi in retaliation for Ops Yahoo. The casualties Wyk from the Cape Regi- weekend pass. The casualties • 1941 - Yugoslavia surrenders to Windhoek to attend an In- the April 5th terrorist bomb- were: 2nd Lieutenant Dan- ment was Killed in Action were: Corporal Cornelius Jo- to the Germans. formation/Intelligence Con- ing of a discotheque in West iele Rudolf van der Westhu- after being shot dead by per- hannes Potgieter (19). Rifle- • 1942 - Germans begin to de- ference. He was 25. Berlin in which two Ameri- izen (49). Corporal Maartin sons unknown while on foot man Jacobus Albertus Cilli- stroy the Sobibor Concentra- can soldiers were killed. Jacobus van Jaarsveld (20). patrol during anti-riot opera- ers (18). tion Camp. 14 April • 1994 - Dissident soldiers Lance Corporal Johannes tions in a township in Mpu- • 1982 - Rifleman Jan Dan- • 1945 - Mussolini flees from • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer shoot dead Lesotho’s deputy Jacobus van den Berg (20). mulanga. He was 24. iels Gerhardus Du Toit from Salo, heading for Milan. War: The first Boer prisoners prime minister and seize four Rifleman Leonard Patrick 1 SAI, attached to 61 Mech • 1961 - A U.S.-backed at- of war arrive at St Helena, on cabinet ministers in a mutiny Hough (20). Rifleman Mar- 16 April Battalion was Killed in Ac- tempt to overthrow Premier board of the Milwaukee. over a planned government ius Petersen (19). Rifleman • 1916 - The French Army tion during Ops Yahoo when Fidel Castro of Cuba failed • 1902 - Second Anglo-Boer probe into the army. Johan Hendrik Potgieter forms the Escadrille Amer- he detonated a landmine dur- disastrously in what became War: Cmdt Jan H. Theron, (30). Rifleman Barend Jaco- icaine. ing a contact with SWAPO/ known as the Bay of Pigs fi- Danie Theron’s successor 15 April bus Wolfaardt (19). Rifleman • 1938 - Britain recognizes PLAN insurgents. He was asco. as commander of Theron’s • 1936 - Italian forces occu- Jan Kouswab (40). the Italian annexation of Ab- 18. • 1975 - Khmer Rouge cap- Scouts, dies of gastric fe- py the Abyssinian town of • 1983 - Nine recruits from yssinia. • 1998 - The military com- ture Phnom Penh, initiating ver in the Calvinia district, Dessye, having advanced 202 Battalion SWATF were • 1944 - US begins planning mander of the Palestine Lib- a reign of terror. Namaqualand. 201 kilometres in five days. murdered by SWAPO/PLAN “Operation Olympic” - the eration Organisation (PLO), • 1980 - Sergeant Carel Petrus • 1914 - The first air attack on • 1942 - George VI awards the Special Forces Typhoon invasion of Japan. Khalil al-Wazir, is assassi- Greyling HC from 1 Re- a warship: Mexican revolu- George Cross to the people Unit members in a Kraal in • 1945 - US troops enter nated in Tunisia. Israeli gun- connaissance Regiment was tionary pilot Gustavo Adolfo of Malta. Northern Owamboland. The Nuremberg. men are blamed. killed in a military vehicle Salinas Camiña bombs the • 1943 - US code breakers casualties were: Rifleman T. • 1947 - Rudolf Höss, 45, accident in the Eastern Ca- Federalista gunboat ‘Guerre- discover Admiral Yamamo- Sikwaya (18). Rifleman A. German SS commandant of 17 April privi. He was 33. ro’, at Topolobampo, Mexi- to will visit the Solomon Is- Mushambe (19). Rifleman V. Auschwitz, is hanged in Po- • 1838 - Zulu warriors near • 1981 - Corporal Clive Fisher co, causing slight damage. lands. Muyota (19). Rifleman T.K. land. the Tugela River overwhelm from the Infantry School was • 1940 - British and French • 1945 - British Army liber- Mukwambi (20). Rifleman Robert Biggar, leader of a killed in a private vehicle ac- troops land in Norway to ates Bergen-Belsen concen- M. Matamu (19). Rifleman force of about seventeen cident on the National road help fight Germans. tration camp. V. Tobias (21). Rifleman L. Englishmen, twenty Khoi near Mossel Bay. He was 21. • 1943 - The German Fifth • 1952 - First test flight of a Sindere (20). Rifleman F. with guns and about fif- • 1982 - Rifleman Derek -Jur Panzer Army under General prototype B-52. Shikusho (20). Rifleman J. teen hundred Africans from gens Deysel from 5 SAI was Gustav von Vaerst begins to • 1982 - Rifleman Brian Rich- Muyevu (19). around Port Natal. Thirteen accidentally killed at the Joz- evacuate from Tunis. Rom- ard Buttland from the South • 1985 - South Africa’s For- of the English and most of ini Training Base when he mel departed on 9 March. African Cape Corps, at- eign Minister announces that their African followers are was struck by a bullet result- • 1945 - Tokyo fire bomb tached to the Army Catering South African troop with- killed. ing from the accidental dis- raids: B-29s damage Imperi- Corps died in hospital after drawal from Angola is to be charge of a fellow soldier’s al Palace. contracting malaria in the completed within a week. Ronald Reagan rifle. He was 20. • 1953 - Viet Minh offensive Operational Area. He was • 1986 - US attempts an air • 1983 - General Mark W 98 99 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April Clark, dies at the age of 87. boland. They were: Special wounded. in Northern Owamboland. enemy anti-tank mine that in Action during a contact • 1984 - Rifleman Johann Sergeant Jacob Saulo (34). • 1906 - Bambatha Rebellion: He was 19. was booby-trapped with an with enemy forces in South- Christiaan Rheeder from the Special Constable Thimo- Over 7,000 British troops are • 1981 - Rifleman Karel Jo- anti-lifting device. He was ern Angola. He was 18. Infantry School was killed theus Maritina (25). called out to quell Zulu ag- han Cronje from 5 SAI was 20. • 1981 - Leading Seaman Pe- in a private vehicle accident • 1988 - Lance Corporal Piet- gression in Natal. based at Okalongo and had • 1990 - Truce ends the Nica- ter James Henderson from on the Beaufort West - Rich- er Gerhardus Viljoen Du Toit • 1915 - World War I: West been feeling ill for approx- raguan Civil War. SAS Inkonkoni accidentally mond road. He was 19. from the South African Med- Africa. Combined An- imately two weeks. He was drowned in Durban during a • 1984 - Two members from ical Corps, attached to 201 glo-French forces take Man- evacuated to 1 Military Hos- 20 April naval training exercise. He 7 SAI were killed at Nehone Battalion SWATF was killed dera, Cameroon. pital after being diagnosed • 1889 - Adolf Hitler was born was 22. in Southern Angola after in action. He was 19. • 1919 - Britain sends more with cerebral malaria. He in Braunau am Inn, Austria • 1982 - Rifleman Gerhardus suffering multiple shrapnel • 1988 - Major Lucas Freder- troops to Egypt to help quell succumbed not long after ad- on this day. Petrus Cornelius Hattingh wounds in an accidental ri- ick Lotter, the 53 Battalion nationalistic unrest. mission. He was 19. • 1934 - Heinrich Himmler from 1 SAI, attached to 61 fle grenade explosion. The SWATF Intelligence Of- • 1941 - US Marines begin • 1984 - Rifleman Frank Cor- becomes head of the Prus- Mechanised Battalion Group casualties were: Corporal ficer, was Killed in Action in construction of an airfield on rie from the South African sian secret police. was killed at Tsumeb when a Phillipus Botha (20). Rifle- Southern Angola just north Wake Island. Cape Corps was killed after • 1941 - German bombers raid Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehi- man Cecil Rhodes Dippe- of Alpha Tower early / mid- • 1943 - Jews in the Warsaw being struck by a bullet re- Athens. cle accidentally drove over naar (19). evening while following en- Ghetto staged an armed re- sulting from the accidental • 1945 - Okinawa: U.S. forces him. He was 20. • 1994 - Lance Corporal W.Z. emy spoor. He was 29. volt against Nazi SS troops discharge of a fellow sol- capture Motobu Heights, in • 1982 - Sergeant Frederick Matwa from 61 Mechanised • 1988 - Rifleman Alberto attempting to forcibly deport dier’s rifle. He was 21. the north. Albertus Francois Claasen Battalion Group was acci- Nunes Dinu from 32 Bat- them to death camps. • 1985 - Special Warrant Of- • 1947 - Peleliu: 27 Japanese from the South West Africa dentally killed during opera- talion was Killed in Action • 1960 - The South West Af- ficer Alfons Kumulo from troops surrender, 18 months Police Counter-Insurgen- tions connected with Opera- during a contact with enemy rican People’s Organisation the South West Africa Police after World War II ended. cy Wing: Ops K Division tion Jumbo. He was 22. forces in Southern Angola. (SWAPO) is founded in Counter-Insurgency Wing: • 1976 - Two members from (Koevoet) Died of Wounds He was 29. Windhoek with Sam Nujo- Ops K Division (Koevoet) Regiment President Steyn received on 10 April 1982 18 April • 1989 - Lance Corporal Ber- ma as leader. was Killed in Action dur- and one member of the during Operation Yahoo. He • 1934 - The U.S. Army ends nardus Lambertus Saayman • 1961 - Portuguese forces are ing a contact with SWAPO/ South African Police were was 25. use of sabers as a combat from 110 Air Commando reinforced for continuing PLAN insurgents in North- killed when their Eland Ar- • 1987 - Rifleman Wilson Ad- weapon for the cavalry. Squadron SAAF was killed conflict against the Movi- ern Owamboland. He was moured Car was involved ams from the South African • 1942 - The first air raid on while participating in a 2-day mento Popular de Libertação 37. in a head-on collision with a Cape Corps was accidentally mainland Japan during World Commando Camp when his de Angola (MPLA, Popular • 1988 - Corporal Edward South African Police vehicle shot dead by a fellow soldier War II occurred as General Cessna 182 flew into high Liberation Movement of An- Clive Yeo from the South at Ruacana. They were: Staff while he was standing guard James Doolittle led a squad- ground in the Montague gola) based near Luanda. African Engineer Corps was Sergeant Leon Blaauw (21). at the Van Der Stel Shooting ron of B-25 bombers taking Mountains east of Robert- • 1976 - Guerrillas launch two attached to 101 Battalion Trooper Denis Aden Naude Range. He was 17. off from the carrier Hornet to son. He was 39. separate raids in the far south SWATF. He was Killed in (22). SAP Constable Coen- bomb Tokyo and three other 19 April of Rhodesia near the Trans- Action while disarming an raad Hermanus Dreyer (21). 21 April cities. Damage was minimal, • 1775 - At dawn in Massa- vaal border, killing three • 1979 - Lieutenant Com- • 1836 - The Battle of San Ja- but the raid boosted Allied chusetts, about 70 armed mi- Easter holidaymakers from mander Dennis Mallalieu cinto between Texans led by morale following years of litiamen stood face to face South Africa and blowing up from the Simonstown Naval Sam Houston and Mexican unchecked Japanese military on Lexington Green with a a Rhodesian Railways train Base died after suffering a forces led by Santa Anna advances. British advance guard unit. and part of the track on the fatal heart attack while at the took place near present day • 1983 - Two members from An unordered ‘shot heard Rutenga link to Beit Bridge. Base. He was 57. Houston. The Texans deci- the SWA Police Counter-In- around the world’ began • 1980 - Rifleman Jacobus • 1980 - Rifleman Simon sively defeated the Mexican surgency Wing: Ops K Divi- the American Revolution. Petrus Koekemoer from 7 Stumbo from 5 Reconnais- forces thereby achieving in- sion (Koevoet) were Killed A volley of British rifle fire SAI was killed after suffering sance Regiment was Killed dependence. in action during a contact was followed by a charge multiple shrapnel wounds • 1918 - During World War I, with SWAPO/PLAN insur- with bayonets leaving eight in a mortar bomb explosion Adolf Hitler the Red Baron (Manfred von gents in Northern Owam- Americans dead and ten during a live firing exercise Richtofen) was shot down 100 101 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April and killed during the Bat- • 1987 - Two members of the were escorting a work team, • 1945 - Allies in Italy reach pa when their Romeo Mike of the Defence Force will tle of the Somme. He was SADF were killed when busy on the Ruacana to the Po River. Teams were ambushed by a have equal status. credited with 80 kills in less their military vehicle was Ovamboland pipeline, back • 1979 - Rifleman Alfredo Ma- superior force of SWAPO/ • 1980 - “Desert One”: US op- than two years, flying a red involved in a head-on colli- to Etale Base. The casualties nuel Tchizondo from 32 Bat- PLAN and FAPLA troops. eration to save 52 hostages Fokker triplane. British pi- sion with a civilian vehicle at were: Lieutenant Douglas talion was Killed in Action The casualties were: Lance in Iran, fails, eight die. lots recovered his body and Rundu. The casualties were: Gerald Hinds (20). Rifleman during a contact with enemy Corporal I. Handura (23). • 1982 - One member from 5 buried him with full military Lance Corporal Clifton Da- Johannes Roelof Fouche forces in Southern Angola. Rifleman K. Kapulke (19). SAI and one member from honours. vid Kilroe (21). Rifleman (26). Rifleman Jozua Fran- He was 26. Rifleman U. Mbinge (20). 101 Battalion SWATF were • 1941 - Greece surrenders to Hans Harold Scheepers (25). cois Naude (21). • 1980 - Soviet sub catches • 1988 - Sapper Carl Sachse killed when the Buffel Troop Nazi Germany. • 1992 - Three members of • 1983 - Corporal Jan de Klerk fire off Japan, nine die. from 13 Field Engineer Reg- carrier in which they were • 1945 - Red Army reaches the the South African Medical Botha from 5 SAI was Killed • 1982 - Rifleman Noe Vasco iment was killed when he traveling overturned near outskirts of Berlin. Corps Training Centre were in Action during a contact from 32 Battalion was killed accidentally detonated an Eenhana in Northern Owam- • 1956 - A military pact be- killed in a Military Vehicle with SWAPO/PLAN insur- when he was accidentally anti-personnel mine while boland. The Casualties were: tween Egypt, Saudi Arabia Accident on the Potchef- gents near the Cut-Line. He run over by a military vehi- in the process of laying out a Rifleman Glen Bjorn Du and Yemen is finalised. stroom to Westonaria Road. was 20. cle at Buffalo Base. He was minefield. He was 26. Plooy (21). Rifleman Ronald • 1966 - Two members of 17 They were: Lance Corporal • 1988 - Lance Corporal Ste- 32. Andreas (26). Squadron and three passen- Efstratios Kladis (18). Pri- ven Charles Trollip from the • 1984 - Rifleman Johannes 24 April gers were drowned when vate Bradley John Gordon 2nd Battalion Regiment De Kankara from 202 Battalion • 1900 - Second Anglo-Bo- 25 April their Alouette III, Serial No. (19). Private Roelof Freder- La Rey drowned after falling SWATF was Killed in Ac- er War: A dynamite factory, • 1900 - Second Anglo-Boer 65 suffered engine failure ick Malan (19). into a crocodile infested riv- tion during a contact with which forms part of the Beg- War: Relief of Jammersberg and crashed into the sea off er near Skukuza in the Kru- SWAPO/PLAN insurgents bie Engineering Workshop, Drift: The relief columns Terrace Bay, South West Af- 22 April ger National Park while on in Northern Owamboland. Johannesburg, is destroyed under Generals Hart and rica. They Air Force casual- • 1915 - Second Battle of patrol. He was 26. He was 22. in an explosion. The destruc- Barbazon arrive at Wepener. ties were: Lieutenant Tobias Ypres: Germany introduces • 1990 - Nigeria’s ruling gen- • 1987 - Rifleman Kobus tion is blamed on British General De Wet returns to Johannes Winterbach (22). poison gas. erals crushed a six-hour re- Christopher Du Preez from sabotage. his primary goal of disrupt- Air Corporal Henry George • 1941 - World War II: Tripoli bellion by junior officers. the South African Cape • 1916 - The Irish “Easter Re- ing British supply lines. Morton (21). comes under bombardment Corps was killed in a Mili- bellion” begins. • 1902 - Second Anglo-Bo- • 1967 - Military coup in by British warships. 23 April tary Vehicle Accident on the • 1942 - Japanese troops ad- er War: General Jan Chris- Greece. • 1944 - Hitler & Mussolini • 1873 - Ashanti War breaks Ben Rossouw Highway at vance on all fronts in Burma. tiaan Smuts surrenders to the • 1977 - Corporal Heinrich confer at Berchtesgarten. out in Africa. Kuilsriver. He was 18. • 1954 - Security forces round British under a flag of truce. Rudolph Bigalke from 3 SAI • 1945 - Soviet and Polish • 1911 - French, Algerian, and • 1988 - Three members of up more than 10,000 men in Deneys Reitz who agrees to was killed when his military troops liberate the Sachsen- Senegalese troops are to be 102 Battalion SWATF were the biggest anti-Mau Mau act as Smuts’ orderly joins vehicle overturned 20km hausen Concentration sent to help put down the Killed in Action in Southern operation since the state of him. However, on discov- from Rundu. He was 19. Camp, near Oranienburg in tribesmen revolt in Moroc- Angola, South West of Techi- emergency was declared in ering that orderlies are not • 1978 - Private Barry Craig Brandenburg, which held co. However, Germany has Kenya eighteen months ago. treated as officers, Reitz is Rieder from SWA SPES many political leaders from protested that France will • 1969 - US B-52s drop 3,000 instantly promoted to chief- Unit SWATF was accidental- Captive Nations and special be breaking the terms of the tons of bombs on VC posi- of-staff. ly killed at Oshivello during military prisoners. 1906 Algerias accords on tions inside Cambodia. • 1915 - Gallipoli Campaign: a night practice ambush. He • 1961 - French army rebels Moroccan independence. • 1975 - Under an amendment 78,000 British & ANZAC was 20. seize Algiers. • 1918 - The Zeebrugge Raid: to the Defence Act the defi- troops undertake an amphib- • 1983 - Glen Joseph Fleischer • 1976 - Three members from At heavy cost the Royal nition of superior officer is ious landing from 3 SAI was found dead the Regiment Christiaan Navy & Royal Marines earn changed with the effect that • 1941 - General Erwin Rom- at Potchefstroom with a gun- Beyers were Killed in Ac- eight Victoria Crosses block- White and Black members mel’s Deutsches Afrika Ko- shot wound to the head, ap- tion when their patrol was ing the harbour exit rps forces the British out of parently self-inflicted as no ambushed by a numerically • 1925 - Rebel leader Abdel Halfaya Pass, just south- foul play was suspected. He superior force of SWAPO/ Krim’s troops enter French Manfred von Richtofen east of Sollum, and back to was 18. PLAN insurgents while they Morocco. the Buq Buq–Sofafi line in 102 103 This month in military history ... April This month in military history ... April Egypt. • 1975 - Corporal John Cor- capture Mussolini and Clara representatives of the Un- rie van Vuuren from 4 SAI • 1945 - The Red Army com- 26 April nelius Hanekom from 5 Petacci, near Lake Como. ion of South Africa. Smuts was accidentally killed out- pletely surrounds Berlin. • 1679 - The Castle of Good Military Works Unit was • 1984 - Corporal Reginald played an important role in side Amsterdam when Ra- • 1945 - US & Soviet forces Hope, oldest and most his- accidentally drowned while Patrick Briggs from 1 SWA the drafting of the Covenant tel 22C drove into the rear meet at Torgau on the Elbe toric building in SA, is com- swimming at Rundu. He was SPES Unit, SWATF was crit- of the League. of Ratel 22B in conditions River. pleted. 27. ically injured when his Buffel • 1945 - Twenty-three years of extremely poor visibility • 1961 - Fourth nuclear bomb • 1936 - Italian troops assem- • 1982 - Lance Corporal Gert Troop Carrier was involved in of Fascist rule in Italy ended during a sandstorm. He was test by France in the Sahara. ble for an attack on Addis Gotlieb Gouche from 1 Para- a collision with civilian vehi- abruptly as Italian partisans 19. • 1977 - The Chief of Staff Ababa, Ethiopia. chute Battalion was acciden- cle on the Ondangwa-Oshiv- shot former Dictator Benito • 1998 - Nigeria’s former dep- (Operations) says that the • 1937 - During the Spanish tally killed when his Buffel ello road causing the Buffel to Mussolini. Other leaders of uty leader, General Oladipyo development of South Af- Civil War, the ancient town Troop Carrier overturned at overturn. He was 20. the Fascist Party and friends Diya, and five others are rica’s defence has made the of Guernica was attacked Kombat near Grootfontein. • 1984 - Rifleman Glen Scott of Mussolini were also killed sentenced to death by firing country completely self-suf- by German warplanes. Af- He was 20. Maitland Clark from 5 SAI along with his mistress, Clara squad for plotting to over- ficient from an arms point of ter destroying the town in a • 1982 - Rifleman Dawid contracted malaria while on Petacci. Their bodies were throw military leader Gener- view. three hour bombing raid, the Lukas from SWA SPES Unit, operations in South Eastern then hung upside down and al Sani Abacha. • 1978 - Private Alan David planes machine-gunned flee- SWATF was killed when his Angola and was admitted to pelted with stones by jeering Dixon from 16 Maintenance ing civilians. Buffel Troop carrier over- the Rundu Sickbay where he crowds in Milan. 29 April Unit at Grootfontein was • 1941 - East Africa: The Ab- turned in Owamboland. He unfortunately died. He was • 1956 - The French leave Vi- • 1781 - French fleet under killed just outside the town yssinian fortress of Dessie, was 22. 21. etnam. Admiral Suffren prevents of Rundu when his Magi- roughly half-way between • 1982 - The Falklands War: • 1987 - Special Constable • 1966 - Seven guerrillas are Britain from seizing Cape of rus Deutz truck, loaded with Addis Ababa and Amba Ala- Argentine forces on South Stefanus Willem Kanghende killed in Rhodesia (now Good Hope. supplies for the 32 Battalion gi, is captured by General Georgia surrender to the from the South West Afri- Zimbabwe) at Sinoya in the • 1916 - The Irish “Easter Re- element stationed at Nkuren- Alan Cunningham’s South British. ca Police Counter-Insurgen- first engagement of the bush bellion” ends. kuru, overturned when the African divisions. • 1983 - Rifleman Thomas An- cy Wing: Ops-K Division war. • 1918 - Germany’s main of- vehicles front tyre suffered • 1941 - North Africa: Follow- drew Ross from 1 SWA Spes (Koevoet) was Killed in Ac- • 1967 - Muhammad Ali re- fensive on the Western Front a blow-out, causing him to ing the fall of the Halfaya Unit, SWATF was Killed in tion during a contact with fuses induction into the US in World War I ends. lose control of the vehicle. Pass, three columns of Rom- Action in Northern Owam- SWAPO/PLAN Insurgents in Army. • 1945 - German representa- He was 19. mel’s Deutsches Afrika Ko- boland when he accidentally Northern Owamboland. He • 1971 - Samuel Lee Gravely, tives in Italy surrender dur- • 1980 - Lieutenant Peter Hen- rps have crossed the border detonated a booby-trap in an was 28. Jr., is promoted to rear admi- ing World War II. ry Hollis from 8 Squadron from Libya to Egypt. enemy weapons cache that ral; the first black admiral in • 1945 - The SA 6th Division was Reported Missing in • 1943 - North Africa: Access his patrol had located. He 28 April the US Navy. crosses Brenta River and is Action over Southern Ango- to the Tunisian plain is open was 20. • 1919 - The League of Nations • 1975 - Signaler Josef Jaco- then redirected to Milan in la while flying an Impala Mk to the Allies following the • 1994 - Rifleman Shadrack is established, with General bus Mare’ from 2 Signal Italy in World War II. II. His body was later recov- capture of Longstop Hill. Vusi Mnisi from 121 Battal- Jan Smuts and Prime Min- Regiment was killed in a • 1945 - US troops liberate the ered. He was 25. • 1944 - Allied troops begin ion was shot dead by persons ister Louis Botha as the two military vehicle accident. He Nazi concentration camp at • 1980 - Sapper Adeo Marais concentrating at assembly unknown while on foot pa- was 18. Dachau. from the School of Engi- areas in Britain for D-Day. trol during anti-crime opera- • 1982 - Corporal Marcus An- • 1946 - Tokyo: 28 former Jap- neers was killed instantly in • 1961 - French Army rebels tions at Loskop in KZN. He thony Harris-Dewey from anese leaders indicted as war an accidental explosion at once again try to take power was 33. 701 Battalion SWATF was criminals. the Units ammunition store. in Algeria. Killed in Action during a • 1970 - US & South Vietnam- He was 17. • 1966 - Lieutenant Herman 27 April contact with SWAPO/PLAN ese troops invade Cambodia. • 1981 - Corporal Barend Fred- Alan Day from 1 Squadron • 1940 - Himmler orders es- insurgents. He was 20. • 1975 - Last US personnel erick Burger from the South was killed when his Cana- tablishment of the Auschwitz • 1984 - Rifleman Phillip Fou- pull out of Vietnam. African Catering Corps was dair CL13B Sabre crashed Concentration Camp. • 1978 - Two members from killed in a military vehicle near Pilansberg during a rou- • 1941 - German troops occu- 5 Reconnaissance Regiment Accident at Elandsfontein. tine training flight. He was py Athens. Muhammad Ali were accidentally killed at He was 20. 24. • 1945 - Italian partisans Fort Rev, the Special Forces 104 105 This month in military history ... April quiz

base at Air Force Base On- War: The ZAR’s fourth and Vrede and Standerton on 09 dangwa, when an explosive last Creusot ‘Long Tom’ is March 1979. He succumbed Nicknames device they were preparing dynamited before falling into to his injuries in 1 Mil Hos- 1. Arleigh Burke, U.S. Navy for an external operation, British hands, only 200 me- pital on 30 April 1979. He 24. Adolph G. Malan, South Af- destroyer commander. He 17 detonated prematurely. The tres from the charging enemy. was 19. rican fighter ace in the RAF was known as 31-Knot casualties were: Warrant Of- • 1902 - Second Anglo-Bo- • 1980 - Terrorists seize the in the Second World War. Burke. ficer Class 1 Johannes Lam- er War: An official report Iranian Embassy in London. 25. Heinz Guderian, World War 2. Edwin Hughes, last survivor bertus Conradie HC VRM states that British columns • 1982 - Rifleman Eddie II German panzer general. of the Charge of the Light (34). Corporal Cecil James have completely or partially James Barnard from 4 SAI 26. Otto Kretschmer, World Brigade. Eayrs (23). destroyed 158 farms and an was critically wounded by a War II German ace subma- 3. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., • 1980 - Rifleman S.D. Ernesto unknown number of Black fellow soldier while on duty rine commander. United States Army general from 5 Recce Regiment was villages. in Northern Owamboland. 27. Thomas J. Jackson, Confed- (the nickname he preferred Killed in Action during a con- • 1936 - The Ethiopian capital, He was 19. erate general. over “Stormin’ Norman”) tact with enemy forces while Addis Ababa, is lost to the • 1983 - Sergeant B. Mukosho 28. Sir Douglas Bader - Second 4. Michael Collins, Irish gen- on operations in Southern An- Italians. from 202 Battalion SWATF World War RAF ace. eral. gola. He was 25. • 1942 - British troops evacu- was Killed in Action during a 29. Simo Häyhä, Finnish Sniper 5. Michael Wittmann, WW II • 1980 - Rifleman Albertus Jo- ate Mandalay in Burma. contact with SWAPO/PLAN during the Winter War. German tank ace. hannes Oosthuizen from 1 • 1943 - Bergen-Belsen Con- insurgents. He was 27. 30. William J. Donovan, Army 6. John J. Pershing, U.S. Army 12. Arthur T. Harris, British Air SAI was killed in a military centration Camp for Jews es- • 1987 - Three members from major general and first di- World War I general. Chief Marshal during the vehicle accident in Bloem- tablished. 5 Maintenance Unit were rector of the Office of Stra- 7. Gerd von Rundstedt, Ger- Second World War. fontein. He was 19. • 1945 - Red Army liberates killed in a military vehicle tegic Services. man Army field marshal. 13. Frederick A. M. Browning, • 1983 - Rifleman Tjaart Jacobs the Ravensbruck concentra- accident at Ondangwa. The 8. Herbert Hasler, WW II Roy- Second World War British from 6 SAI was accidentally tion camp. casualties were: Private Booi al Marines officer. airborne general. killed when a bunker wall • 1945 - The Red Banner is Julies (21). Private Nicolaas 9. George S. Patton, Jr., Amer- 14. Omar Bradley, U.S. general collapsed on top of him. He raised over the Reichstag Koopman (18). Private Esau ican general in World War II 15. Harry Harbord Morant, Aus- was 20. Building in Berlin. Oosthuizen (19). (a nickname he rejected). tralian Boer War soldier and • 1984 - Rifleman Antonio • 1945 - Adolf Hitler (56) • 1991 - A military coup is ex- 10. Frederick S. Roberts, British convicted war criminal. Paulus from 101 Battalion commits suicide in his bun- ecuted in Lesotho. 28 field marshal. 16. Erich Hartmann, WW II SWATF was Killed in Ac- ker. • 1996 - In Liberia, shells and 11. Adolf Hitler (a derogatory German fighter ace, highest tion during a contact with • 1979 - Private Martinus Jo- gunfire rip through central nickname given to him by scoring ace of the war. SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. hannes Schroeder from the Monrovia and a diplomatic Field Marshal Erich von 17. Field Marshal Erwin Rom- He was 26. Technical Service Corps was enclave. US Marines shoot Manstein). mel. • 1987 - Lance Corporal Paul critically injured in a private and kill three Liberians firing 18. Adolf Galland, German Douglas Elliot Hayes from vehicle accident between toward the US Embassy. fighter ace of World War II the South African Medical 3 and General der Jagdflieg- Services College, was killed er. in a private motor vehicle ac- 19. Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. cident. He was 20. general and later President of the United States. 30 April 20. Koos de la Rey, Boer gen- • 1881 - France invades Tunisia eral. from Algeria on a pretext, and 21. Napoleon Bonaparte. later establishes a protector- 22. Mike Hoare, British officer ate. and mercenary leader. • 1828 - King Shaka is mur- 23. Karl Dönitz, German admi- dered by his brothers. ral. • 1901 - Second Anglo-Boer 106 107 Military Despatches Website

“Things don’t have to change the world to be important.” Steve Jobs

Happy 100th Birthday Uncle Syd.

Useful links Our aim is to make the Military Despatches website easy to use. Even more important to us, we Every month we will be featuring a few useful links to military websites, newsletters and on- want to make the website informative and interesting. The latest edition of the magazine will be line magazines. Stuff that we think our readers will appreciate. available, as will all the previous editions. More over, there will be links to videos, websites, and Here are two of our favourites. The first one is Nongqai, the unofficial police newsletter for articles that our readers may find interesting. So check out the website, bookmark it, and pass the veterans of the former South African Police Force and for those interested in Police History. The URL on to everyone that you think may be interested. second is Jimmy’s Own, the official newsletter of the South African Signals Association. Click on the magazine covers to go to the respective websites. Have you checked out the bookshelf on the website? Here you can open and read individual articles on screen with no need to download anything.

You will find articles on numerous differ- ent topics that have been published over the past two years as well as video clips and documentaries.

108 109 E-mail [email protected]

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.