Military Despatches Vol 30 December 2019 Abandon ship The sinking of the SAS President Kruger Silent Night The day the guns fell silent during World War I Pork Chop Hill The final battle of the Korean War Dead giveaway How to spot someone that served in the military For the military enthusiast CONTENTS December 2019 Page 12 Click on any video below to view Chinese People’s Army How much do you know Special Forces 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 outside the military could hope to under- stand. Some of the terms Features 40 were humorous, some Welcome on board were clever, while others 6 The Western Cape Sea Cadets were downright crude. Ten horrifying weapons are running a fundraising cam- Let’s face it, most weapons are paign in order to purchase T shirts for the cadets. dangerous. But these ten weap- 30 Part of Hipe’s “On the ons take things to another level. Signs of military service 42 couch” series, this is an 18 interview with one of Matt Tennyson looks at some Ranks author Herman Charles Silent Night signs that are a dead give-away This month we look at the Chi- The day the guns fell silent on that someone served in the mil- nese People’s Army Bosman’s most famous the Western Front. itary. characters, Oom Schalk 44 36 A taxi driver was shot Lourens. Hipe spent time in 24 A matter of survival dead in an ongoing Hanover Park, an area Abandon ship Straight Shooting Survival Christmas gifts for plagued with gang When the SA Navy flagship This month we feature the Ber- you or your friends. war between rival taxi etta 92SB, SIG Sauer P220, and organisations. violence, to view first- SAS President Kruger was lost hand how Project at sea, Andre van Breda was the M1911A1. Quiz on board. Ceasefire is dealing with 36 39 28 the situation. Straight Shooting Nicknames Hipe TV brings you videos ranging from actuality to humour and every- The origin of ‘Taps’ This month we feature the CZ- he military loves nicknames thing in between. Interviews, mini-documentaries and much more. Why do Americans play ‘Taps’ 75, Manurhin MR73, Walther and slang. Here are a few ques- instead of the ‘Last Post’. PPK, and Walther P38. tions about nicknames. See if you know the answers. Check out Hipe TV and remember to like, comment, share and subscribe. Where did Taps originate? 00 3 CONTENTS Page 86 Editor’s PUBLISHER Sitrep Hipe Media EDITOR Matt Tennyson DEPUTY EDITOR nd so we come to that the military and you will often John Verster time of the year again. see her at memorial parades and PHOTO EDITOR The Festive Season, or military events, armed with her December in military history A Regine Lord the Silly Season, depending on camera. how you look at it. In recognition for the excel- CONTRIBUTORS Head-to-Head Forged in Battle Book Review Since my last Editor’s Sitrep lent work that she does, Regine Lucille Brynes, Raymond the Spingboks went on to win (better known as Reggie) was Fletcher, Ryan Murphy, Matt 50 70 76 the Rugby World Cup (for the presented with the Certificate O’Brien, Matt Tennyson, Andre Good holiday reads third time). Well done to the of Good Comradeship by the Strongest military forces Fokker Dr.1 van Breda, Lt Cmdr Glen von Some books for your holiday ‘Boks. Memorable Order of Tin Hats This month we take a look at World War I legend. Zeil. reading pleasure, or ideal as November has been an inter- on Sunday 24 November. sniper rifles of the ten strongest Christmas gifts. esting month. During my mis- The award is known as the ‘C’ Military Despatches is pub- military forces in the world. spent youth I did a stint as an badge or Blue Button and is not lished on-line every month. Battlefield announcer on a radio show in presented to non-members of The articles used in Military Famous Figures 70 Ireland and I really enjoyed it. the Order that often. Well done Despatches are copyrighted In early November I began do- Reggie! We are proud of you 64 Battle of Pork Chop Hill and may not be used without Front Cover ing a show on Sunday mornings and it’s well deserved. prior permission from the edi- Manfred von Richthofen One of the last battles of the on Zone Radio 88.5 fm. You may notice that the arti- Korean War. But was it neces- Hey, even soldiers need to get tor. Manfred von Richthofen, the It’s from 09h00 to 12h00 on cle ‘Silent Night’ was also in last sary? into the Christmas spirit. Es- The views stated in this mag- “Red Baron”, was a fighter pi- Sundays and the best way to December’s issue of the maga- pecially those deployed away azine do not necessary reflect lot with the German Air Force catch the show is via the In- zine. Yet it is such an inspiring Gaming from home. the views of Hipe!, the editor, during World War I. Considered ternet. Go to http://zoneradio. story that we will run it every the staff, or Hipe Media. the ace-of-aces of World War I 74 co.za/ or click here. Then click year in December. with 80 kills. Christmas wish list on “Listen Live” and there you That’s about it for this month. Hipe! The 10 games Matt O’Brien go. I’m trying to get as much of P.O. Box 31216, Tokai, 7966 wants to find in his stocking The station plays really good the January issue done so that I South Africa. music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and can take a two week break over this Christmas early 90s - our kind of music. So Christmas. email Movie Review tune in on a Sunday morning Here’s wishing you and your [email protected] and give it a listen. loved ones a peaceful Christmas 75 Regine Lord is not only a bril- and an excellent New Year. Back Issues Stocking fillers liant photographer, she is also To view any back issues of Consider these movies as the photo editor for Military Military Despatches, go to Christmas gifts. Despatches. www.militarydespatches.co.za She also has an affinity for Matt or click here. 4 5 Top Ten Top Ten use, hollow-point bullets are 8. Dragon’s Breath Ten Horrifyingly Dangerous Weapons one of the most common types The name suggests that this is of bullets used by civilians and something that you would find Let’s face it, most weapons are dangerous. After all, the purpose of a weapon is to cause death or police, which is due largely to in the popular television series injury. But these ten weapons take things to another level. the reduced risk of bystanders ‘Game of Thrones”. Yet that’s being hit by over-penetrating or not the case. umanity has spent al- hostage situation or an aircraft ricocheted bullets, and the in- Dragon’s breath is a shotgun most its entire time as a hijacking. In cases such as these creased speed of incapacitation. round that can literally set you Hspecies trying to figure the bullet may hit a target, pass Watch the video on the left to on fire. out the optimal way to kill each through them, and hit a hostage compare the effects on a target Dragon’s breath is a special other. And let’s face it, they’ve with the potential of wounding hit by a ball round to one hit by type of incendiary-effect round become pretty good at it. or even killing the hostage. a hollow point round. for a 12 gauge) shotgun. Most weapons are danger- What was needed was a bul- Dragon’s breath consists pri- ous. After all, the purpose of a let that, when it hit the target, 9. AC-130 Spectre marily of magnesium pellets/ weapon is to cause death or in- would expand and not exit the Most people that served in the shards. When the round is fired, jury. Even everyday objects can body. This led to the design of South African Defence Force pylon turn, flying in a large cir- sparks and flames can shoot out be used as weapons. the hollow point bullet. will remember the C-130 Her- cle around the target, therefore to about 30 metres, although, A pen can be used to stab The first hollow-point bullets cules transport aircraft. They being able to fire at it for far some sources claim it extends someone and a hammer can be were marketed in the late 19th were used to fly troops to and longer than in a conventional to 91 metres. used to bash someone over the century as express bullets, and ed the use in international war- from the border and were nick- strafing attack. Dragon’s breath is normally head. But they were not invent- were hollowed out to reduce the fare of bullets that easily ex- named ‘Flossie’. The AC-130 Spectre packs chambered in 12 gauge (18.5 ed or designed to be used as bullet’s mass and provide high- pand or flatten in the body. Now imagine a Flossie on a powerful punch. It is armed mm × 69.9 mm) shot shell.