BATTLEDRESS SHELLHOLE CENTRAL CIRCLE, FISH HOEK PO BOX 22033 FISH HOEK 7974 Email [email protected] BATTLECRY! SEPTEMBER 2020 80TH ANNIVERSARY- BATTLE OF BRITAIN ADOLPH GYSBERT ‘SAILOR’ MALAN RAF GC DSO & BAR, DFC & BAR, MID, MC, CROIX DE GUERRE (BELGE) Hello, to you all Welcome to Spring and Level 1! It was in March 2020 when the enormity and somewhat disbelief that we were told that we would have to endure a 5 level lockdown over a period of 6 months. Some were obedient and followed the strict regulations whilst others thumbed their noses at the ruling with “we all have to die sometime” attitude, flaunting the ban on the sale of tobacco, liquor, social distancing and the wearing of masks. It has been alleged that South Africans do not like being told what to do and perhaps the ancestors have had a large part in that, be they Indigenous, French, Dutch, British and Afrikaaner - we are at heart a rebellious nation of black, white, and/or mixed race. What we are as a nation, however, is passionate, fair- minded and a sports and braai-loving country. Well, let’s hope so! As we now celebrate the passing of Winter and celebrate the arrival of Spring and Lockdown Level 1, let us find it in our hearts to move forward. Stronger together, with acts of kindness because this Covid pandemic is far from over. Sunset Call There have been no calls to Higher Service this month and as always we remain grateful, counting our blessings with each new day. Sick Parade Please remember the following Moths and FOFR who are not as well as they could be and are perhaps struggling to return to good health. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers: Moth Donald Oliver (UK) has had recurring heart problems but is now on the mend. Donald is looking forward to re-visiting Cape Town and Battledress Shellhole in particular as soon as he gets the all-clear signal for Covid and an airline to fly here on. Moth Les Smith Moth Richard Evans Liz Killian (widow of Battledress Moth Bill Killian) Pam Kirkpatrick (widow of “Kirk” Kirkpatrick). Denise Lamont (wife of Moth John Lamont) FOFR Alan Godsiff Eileen Cruywagen (Partner of Moth Albert Massyn) Mothwa Alice Laubscher Some Moths/FOFR do not like a ‘fuss’ if they are unwell. No one knows their date of departure on a cruise to ‘Somewhere’ but remember, there are nearest and dearest friends who will always want the best for you. If anyone on the Sick Parade list is indeed back in good health, or perhaps someone has recently become ill, please confirm your health status with Padre Moth Errol Sadler and/or the Welfare Officer, Moth Ian Scott. You can also send the Rag Bill an email at [email protected] BIRTHDAYS Just a reminder of who has/will be celebrating birthdays in September and October. Now that prohibition has ended, please raise a glass (or two), in birthday wishes to the following: September 10 Denise Lamont (wife of Moth John Lamont) 20 Moth Chris Smith 28 Moth Richard Evans October 08 Moth Robbie Abrahamse 09 Moth Dirk Slingerland 10 Moth Charlie Phillipson 12 Moth Jacques Taljaard 15 FOFR Alan Godsiff 19 FOFR Robbie Reel 23 FOFR Gladys Currie 26 Mothwa Nikki Warwick Congratulations Champagne corks have popped for new grandparents, FOFR Deon and Cecelia van den Berg. Congratulations VJ Day Competition Congratulations too to Tracey O’Neill, the VJ Day Competition winner. A number of answers were submitted with Tracey pipping others to the post! Presenting the R100 Woolworths gift voucher to Tracey is Rag Bill Vanessa Chambers (right). It is most encouraging to get feedback on the newsletters (good, or bad) because at least they are being read. More people are sharing their stories and especially their life memories and experiences. Congratulations to Moth Leonard Marais Up-grading from his tricycle to motor bike, congratulations to Moth Leonard Marais who has earned his wheels and has officially become a member of the MOTH Motorcycle Association (MMA). Visitors/Recruits & Transfers Battledress Shellhole welcomed visitor and potential recruit Michael Sellick, ex Rhodesian Army (RLI), and also Moth Vincent “Vin” York who is transferring from Mafeesh/Oribi Shellhole in Southern KZN. Training: by Adjutant/Training Officer Moth Keith Galvin Moth Summer Dress Code Summer will soon be on its way and from 01 October, summer dress may be worn at Moth gatherings from 01 October 2020 until 30 April 2021, GHQ circular 37 of 2005 refers. Dugout Standing Orders clauses 10.3 and 10.4 stipulate Summer Dress as (Males) Short sleeved, open necked white shirt with MOTH breast pocket badge and the registered badge of membership (Tin Hat) on the left collar; grey/charcoal trousers with matching socks; black shoes; MOTH cravat (optional) and no headdress. (Females) Short sleeved, open necked white shirt with MOTH breast pocket badge and the registered badge of membership (Tin Hat) on the left collar; grey/charcoal trousers with matching socks, or grey/charcoal skirt with stockings (optional); black shoes; MOTH cravat (optional) and no headdress. Lockdown Snippet: Social Distancing Social Distancing was once used as a euphemism for class and race distancing in the 19th century. In the 1920’s the SD Scale described ‘comfort levels’ between people of different races and became a social science measurement. It was also used to justify ‘elites’ from marginalized or disenfranchised people across the USA for 200 years. Only in 2004 did the CDC refer to social distancing in relation to airborne illnesses. Between 1918-1919 the Spanish Flu known as “Black October” killed 300 000 people in South Africa in six weeks (6% of the entire population). It was spread by returning infected troops from the Middle East and German East Africa travelling from Cape Town inland by train. The 1918 flu killed about six times the number of Americans killed in World War I. 80TH ANNIVERSARY – BATTLE OF BRITAIN There was no official Battle of Britain Church Service in Simon’s Town this year. As with many Moth events the 80th anniversary celebrations have passed relatively quietly. In England the commemoration service which would have attracted over 2 000 international attendees but only 100 dignitaries and representatives of the Royal Air Force attended. Yet, we remember and honour the bravest who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting the decisive air campaign over southern England, changing the course of history which in the Prime Minister’s words “ Never was so much owed by so many to so few”. “The Few and the Many” were the Fighter Command pilots, the ‘teeth’ of a sophisticated defense system which was reliant on the thousands of Royal Airforce, WAAF, ground crew force and volunteers which kept the planes flying. One fifth of all aircrew were from Commonwealth countries with 16 of these nations represented in the squadrons. The Commonwealth produced excellent pilots such as Flight Lieutenant Ian Smith of Rhodesia (left) and Flight Lieutenant Adolph (no, not him!) Gysbert ‘Sailor’ Malan* from South Africa (cover) who was the leader of 74 Squadron. Sailor Malan served in the RAF from 1932- 1946, having originally served on the ship General Botha as a junior cadet deck officer (RNR) until he enlisted in the RAF on a short service commission in 1935. ‘Sailor’ to his flying mates was posted to 74 Squadron in 1936. He retired from the RAF as a Group Captain in 1946 and is remembered not just for his flying skills but also for the leadership of the Torch Commando, a strong anti-Apartheid movement in the 1950’s. Sailor Malan was also remembered for his “My 10 Rules for Air Fighting” and the court martial of a friendly fire incident, “The Battle of Barking Creek”. He died in Kimberley in 1963. Other Ace pilots renowned for their high number of ‘kills’ were pilots in the Polish 303 (Dywizjon) Fighter Squadron. Many Polish pilots were in exile after Germany invaded Poland in 1939. They formed 302 and 303 Squadrons flying Hawker Hurricanes and Spitfires. Out 66 fighter squadrons, 303 Squadron claimed the highest number of enemy planes shot down. Not without controversy, the pilots were amongst the most experienced fighter pilots ever to fly between 1940-1945. However, after the war, an opinion poll indicated that 56% of British people believed the pilots should return to Poland and were given just 3 days to leave the country they had fought for in the Battle of Britain. In the first week of September, an intensified Luftwaffe attack on the city of London, in particular the London docks and the East End suffered wide- spread damage with 400 people being killed. Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, visited the bombed areas to help lift the morale of ordinary Londoners. When Buckingham Palace was bombed, she said “Now I can look the East End in the face!” On 15 September, now widely commemorated as the Battle of Britain Day, Fighter Command rebuffed German air attacks, shooting down 60 enemy aircraft on that day alone. Two days later, Hitler abandoned Operation Sealion. He had previously boasted that he would take his next salute – from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Instead, on the 80the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a flypast consisting of 3 Spitfires and 1 Hurricane flew over London acknowledging and saluting those who had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. *Thanks to Eileen Cruywagen and Moth Albert Massyn for providing “This England” Synonymous with the Battle of Britain was Group Captain Douglas Bader, DSO, DFC, the pilot with no legs.