South African Military History Society

CAPE TOWN BRANCH

November 1985


The final meeting in 1985 takes place at 8 p.m. on THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
in the DU ToIT ROOM of THE ATHENAEUM, 154 CAMPGROUND ROAD, NEWLANDS.


TOPIC: "THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR MACHINE", an illustrated talk by Mr. Helmoed Romer-Heitman on the past and present roles of the S.A. Defence Force. An experienced military journalist whose writings have appeared both locally and abroad, and an author, Mr. Heitman holds degrees from UCT & the Department of War Studies of King's College, London. He became a member of the Citizen Force in 1970 and has served in a number of staff posts. THE MEETING IS OPEN TO VISITORS.


EXCURSION: SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER AT 3 p.m.

By kind courtesy of Commander Bisset, S.A.N., a combined excursion has been arranged for members of the Cape Town Branches of the Military History & Historical Fire-arms Societies to view the work completed so far at the proposed Museum of Coastal and Anti-Aircraft Artillery at Fort Wynyard, off Portswood Road, Green Point (between the Metropolitan Golf Course and Somerset Hospital, approached along Fort Wynyard Road). The excursion is restricted to MEMBERS ONLY (and their immediate family). Fort Wynyard dates back to 1795 as a coastal battery and was used as such until the end of 1983. It was proclaimed a National Monument in 1976.


RECOMMENDED READING: "TO THE BITTER END", by Emanoel Lee, published in 1985. R34.95 (exclusive of GST).
This book is written around a unique collection of photographs taken mainly by amateurs during the Boer War of 1899-1902, the majority previously unpublished. While outlining the sequence of events and dealing with the main engagements of the war, it concentrates principally on the themes that the photographs themselves illustrate - the development of amateur photography in a wartime context, the daily life and organisation of the two opposing armies, medical treatment and facilities, the involvement of foreign soldiers on both sides, the concentration camps, the anti-war campaign in Britain, and the guerilla war waged by the "bitter-einders" for 18 months after the British had captured the Boer capitals and annexed the republics. Emanoel Lee's photographic collection, the product of 20 years' research, casts new light on many issues of a war whose history still fascinates, and whose repercussions are still felt more than 80 years after the "bitter-end".


n Southdown Court
1st Avenue, KENILWORTH 7700
Tel.: 61-nnnn After Hours
Alternatively, Ring Mr. Garschagen, Hon. Secretary, at 72-nnnn.

PAUL LANGE, VICE-CHAIRMAN
(In charge of public relations and publicity)


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