Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Dear Friends

You are hereby cordially informed that the Angolan authorities have now also
given their consent for the exhumation and repatriation of the mortal
remains of the Ebo Four. Key roles players will be meeting on 23 January
2012 to discuss the detail, followed by a visit to Angola over the period
7 – 12 February by myself and the liaison person of the professional team,
for discussions with the Angolan authorities and to again visit the grave
sites. The three specialist members of the professional team will ultimately
be responsible for the exhumation, identification and return of the mortals
remains. If all goes well, we will return to Angola as soon as possible
after the rain season, probably at the beginning of May. It is hoped to have
the remains back and ready to be placed in the already engraved niches
before or on 3 June 2012, the date of this year’s annual commemoration
service at the SADF Wall of Remembrance

The initial fund raising campaign for the project produced excellent
results, and all who have contributed to date are again thank most
sincerely. Unfortunately the long delay of more than six years since the
launch of the project, during which time we had to struggle to get South
African and Angolan government approval to proceed with the project without
any state funds, has caused additional fund requirements. I therefore take
the liberty to once again invite all interested persons to please consider
making another contribution, if possible, please.

The following serves to refresh your memory:

· Trooper Niel Lombard was killed in his armoured car on 23 Nov 1975 at the
Massaba River Bridge near the Ebo Village. Since the SA forces had to
withdraw in a Southerly direction at that stage, his remains could not be
evacuated.

· The following fallen comrades were buried in a single grave, also near the
Ebo Village. They died on 25 Nov 1975, when their Cessna 185 reconnaissance
aircraft was shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire behind enemy lines:

- Captain Daniël Jacob Taljaard, SA Army

- Second Lieutenant Keith Arthur Williamson, SA Air Force

- Second Lieutenant Eric Bryan Thompson, SA Air Force

Any contributions may be deposited into the savings account of the Ebo Trust
at Absa Bank, Brooklyn branch, branch code 632 005, account number 920 817
8694. A copy of the deposit or transfer slip must please be faxed to 086 615
9587. Persons who wish to make contributions from abroad, are cordially
requested to inform, so that the correct details for international money
transfers can be supplied to them.

You will be kept informed about any further developments in this regards.

Thanking you in anticipation.
Best regards

Maj Gen (Rtd) Gert Opperman
Chairman Ebo Trust

Image by Anton Crone

You can view this film here

See another article on this production here.

In the last Great War, South Africa committed 120,000 soldiers to the battlefields of North Africa & Europe.

11,900 soldiers did not return.

The Fallen is a short film in memory of those brave soldiers who lost their lives and a tribute to the families they left behind.

The Fallen, a film by Bauke Brouwer.

You can view this film here

PLEASE VOTE FOR THE FILM!

and

General Magnus André De Merindol Malan (January 30, 1930 – 18th July 2011), the former Minister of Defence (in the cabinet of President P. W. Botha), Chief of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and Chief of the South African Army, has died aged 81.

He led the white minority government’s “total onslaught” strategy.

This included bombing southern African countries which supported the overthrow of apartheid and declaring a state of emergency in South Africa to end pro-democracy protests.

He became the first minister to go on trial for apartheid-era atrocities but was acquitted in 1996.

Gen Malan served as defence minister for 11 years until 1991, when then-President FW de Klerk removed him under pressure from Nelson Mandela.

Mr Mandela accused Gen Malan of setting up hit squads to kill ANC activists and destabilise South Africa ahead of democratic elections.

These took place in 1994, with the ANC winning a landslide and Mr Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president.

During the 1980s, Gen Malan sanctioned raids against anti-apartheid fighters in Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

He went on trial on charges of links to the killing of 13 people in KwaZulu-Natal province in 1987 and for illegally giving paramilitary training to black opponents of the ANC.

He denounced the trial as a “dark day” for South Africa’s fledgling democracy, while ANC activists blamed his acquittal on an apartheid-era judge presiding over the case.

He also led the talks which paved the way for Namibia’s independence in 1990, ending its status as a South African colony.

His family said he died peacefully at home and is survived by his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.

Dewald Nel is in the process of creating an online database of all the Anglo Boer War Medal applicants and their entitlements.

For further information click here.

The Cape Field Artillery (CFA) is an artillery regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit. It is part of the South African Army Artillery Formation.

Image by Brent Best

The unit was raised at the old Town house in Greenmarket Square Cape Town on 26 August 1857 and was originally named the Cape Town Volunteer Artillery (CVA). Major Duprat was the first Commanding Officer. In 1867 the Duke of Edinburgh was escorted to Cape Town from Simonstown by the Cape Town Cavalry and upon his arrival the Cape Town Volunteer Artillery, drawn up on Caledon Square, fired a Royal Salute as he passed towards Adderley Street. The great occasion of the royal visit was on 24 August, when the Prince laid the foundation stone of the graving dock and the CVO thundered out again in salute on the laying of the stone.

The Duke of Edinburgh was so impressed with the bearing of Cape Town’s volunteer soldiers that, a few weeks later on 3 October 1867, a Government Notice No 318 was promulgated to the effect that he had conferred on the gunners the future designation of Prince Alfred’s Own Cape Town Volunteer Artillery (PAOCTVA). The words “Cape Town” were later dropped, and the title became Prince Alfred’s Own Volunteer Artillery. In 1896, the title was changed again, to Prince Alfred’s Own Cape Artillery.

The unit served in several regional campaigns, including the 9th Frontier War of 1877 – 1879 and the Tambookie Campaign of 1880 – 1881 on the Eastern Cape frontier, then the Basutoland Rebellion in Basutoland and the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902.

In 1903, the title was changed to Prince Alfred’s Own Cape Field Artillery. Ten years later, in 1913, the unit was embodied in the Citizen Force of the new Union Defence Forces as the 6th Citizen Battery (PAOCFA).

Image by Brent Best

Although the Regiment did not serve on the European continent during World War I, it did take part in the South African invasion of German South-West Africa in 1915.

The battery was renumbered “1st” in 1926. In 1932, the name was changed to Cape Field Artillery (Prince Alfred’s Own). From 1934 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the CFA formed part of the Coast Artillery Brigade.

Image by Brent Best

Reorganised as the 1st Field Brigade (CFA) in 1939, the CFA took part in every campaign of World War II in which South African troops were involved, including East Africa, North Africa and Italy.

The title was changed again, in 1960, to Regiment Tygerberg. This title, imposed on the regiment, was not popular, and in 1963 it was changed back to Cape Field Artillery, but without the princely style, which was no longer appropriate as South Africa had become a republic.

RSM of the CFA, Master Warrant Officer Bennie Havenga

During the post-war period the Regiment was mobilised several times for duty in the South African Border War, including Operation Savannah.

Dear Friends,

Much has been happening since our last ‘News’ communication!

Hannes Wessel’s work ‘PK Van Der Byl – African Statesman’ has hit the shelves and has proved a great success. As has Clive Wilsworth’s ‘First In Last Out – A History of the South African Artillery’. Hannes Wessel’s will be signing copies of his book at the RLI 50th Anniversary weekend in September and we’ll be advising details of this event in due course.

We’ve also taken delivery of ‘Recce’ and this work has been an amazing sell-out! ‘Recce’ is currently being reprinted and we would hope to have copies in the summer.

We continue to add to our series of commemorative plaques and we will shortly be taking delivery of 1 Parachute Battalion plaques. Our series of limited edition figurines continues to grow with five releases planned for 2011 – the 32 Battalion ‘Incredible One’ was an instant sell out! Thank you to everyone who has supported this initiative.

In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you to two all new events;

‘In Conversation with Al Venter’ – Thursday 26th May 2011 – The Frontline Club-London W2 1QJ – 6.00pm

Al J. Venter is known as a war correspondent, documentary filmmaker, and author of more than 40 books. He served as an African and Middle East correspondent for various publications in the stable of Britain’s Jane’s Information Group. In a career that has lasted almost half a century, he has reported on a number of Africa’s bloodiest conflicts. In what will be an engaging and informative evening, Al will speak of his experiences and sign copies of his books including his latest title, ‘War Stories’.

The Frontline Club- was set up by Vaughan Smith in 2003 in honour of colleagues at the Frontline Television News agency who died pursuing their work. The Club celebrates this history with a selection of artefacts, memorabilia and changing photographic exhibitions that have included iconic images from some of the world’s finest photographers, including Robert Capa. The Club is the London hub for a diverse group of people united by their passion for the best quality journalism. 30 Degrees South UK look forward to welcoming you to this unique venue and to its evening with Al Venter.

‘Shadows in the Sand’ – Book Signing Event – Wednesday 20th July 2011 – London Club of the Rifles – London W1K 5HR – 6.00pm

Former South African Policeman and military historian Leon Bezuidenhout will reflect on his new work with Sisingi Kamongo. Published by 30 Degrees South, ‘Shadows in the Sands: a Koevoet Tracker’s Story of an Insurgency War’, is the story of a Kavango tracker who served for six years with Koevoet (‘Crowbar’), the elite South African Police anti-terrorist unit. Most white team leaders lasted only two years; the black trackers walked the tracks for years.
Leon tells of the 50 or so firefights Sisingi endured. Gripping and compulsive; this has to be heard. Now a successful businessman and company director, Leon will be hosted at the London Club of the Rifles.

The London Club of the Rifles is the London home of the British Army’s famous Rifles Regiment. It is now the UK home of both the Rhodesian African Rifles and the Rhodesian Light Infantry.

As always, spaces are limited at these events so do please register your interest quickly to Steve Crump

30 Degrees South - Conflict in Africa Books

30 Degrees South UK

A commemoration service was held at the SADF Wall of Remembrance on the Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site on Sunday, 15 August 2010.

The SADF Wall of Remembrance was inaugurated during a memorable wreath laying ceremony of 25 October 2009.

It was attended by a number of next-of-kin of persons who lost their lives during the period 31 May 1961 (birth of the Republic) and 27 April 1994 (the date when the SADF became part of the SA National Defence Force). More than 100 wreaths and crosses were placed during the inauguration ceremony. Even the old salts were visibly moved and some even remarked after the ceremony that it was one of the highlights of their total military careers.

In the interim, the time will be utilized to ensure that any names still missing from the Wall are placed on panels specially left vacant for this purpose before 15 August. The next-of-kin and other interested persons are therefore cordially but urgently invited to provide the Voortrekker Monument with the names so that verification and engraving can take place in time. The following information is required, if available:Full names and surname, rank, year of death, Arm of the Service and cause of death.

An inclusive approach is followed regarding the inclusion of names on the Wall of Remembrance. This involves not only the names of persons who died during combat operations but also others who served and perished in the SADF during this time. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Voortrekker Monument, Maj-Gen Gert Opperman (ret), reasons for including names are considered rather than reasons for excluding names. “We believe that it has a huge binding effect and that it helps to bring closure to the next-of-kin”, he said.

There are already 2 489 names on the Wall of Remembrance, including the names of 516 black soldiers who died in the service of the SADF and a total of 772 who died in combat operations. (The corresponding numbers on the Wall at Fort Klapperkop are 2 024, 289, and 645 respectively). Not only are the name list on the Wall of Remembrance at the Voortrekker Monument more complete and up to date, the Wall is also more visible and accessible, (also for the physically disabled), and it is supported by the excellent infrastructure of the VTM, including parking and function facilities.

Since its inauguration in 2009 the Wall of Remembrance has become an important additional visiting spot on the VTM Heritage Site. The VTM plays host to about 200 000 paying visitors per year as well as many more occasional visitors who make use of the facilities on the site.

Persons who would like to enquire about the names already appearing on the Wall or who like to provide particulars of further names to be added, are requested to contact our researcher, Mrs Estelle Pretorius, on navorsing@voortrekkermon.org.za or 084 337 9505 or 012 325 7885 during working hours.

Images of the inauguration ceremony will be available on a striking DVD that is on sale for R80 each, plus R10 postage (inside the RSA). Orders can already be placed with Mrs Pretorius.
The Voortrekker Monument and the Heritage Foundation

Books and Publications

Available from  www.30degreessouth.co.uk