Dr. Felix Machanik covered fresh ground for the Society with his lecture on "The British Occupation of Canada".

The French explorers arrived in Canada in 1534 but no serious attempt at colonisation was made until about 1600. Britain, in the meantime, had also established her colonies on the east coast of North America. The first clash between these two major European protagonists took place in 1629 when the English captured Quebec for Charles 1. Further clashes occurred intermittently for the next 100 years.

In the mid 1750s fighting flared up into a full scale Anglo-French war. After several French successes in America under the new French commander, the Marquis de Montcalm, William Pitt came to power in Britain. He concentrated on blockading the French home ports and attacking their overseas possessions. To this end a British force was despatched to North America. The passage of the Regular troops from England, in a convoy commanded by Admiral Boscawen, took eleven weeks.

One of the main thrusts was to be at the port and fortress of Louisbourg. In June 1758 General Amherst launched his assault on the fortresss. An officer particularly prominent in the success of this operation was the young Brigadier James Wolfe.

Following the siege of Louisbourg, the British planned to send a force, under the command of Wolfe, to seize the city of Quebec on the St. Lawrence River. Montcalm immediately organised a French force for the defence of Quebec, but, was considerably hindered by the Governor General, the Marquis de Vaudreuil. It took three weeks and a superb feat of pilotage for the British to navigate up the St. Lawrence. Prominent naval officers in this enterprise were James Cook and John Jervis, later, Lord St. Vincent.

After establishing his camp, Wolfe launched an attack on the French positions on the Beauport Shore on 31st July 1759. The attack failed disastrously with the loss of 210 killed and 230 wounded.

A second attempt was then made on 13th September when the British landed at Anse de Foulan and scaled the Heights of Abraham. The covering force of M. de Bougainville was evaded and the British force formad line of battle for the assault on Quebec. Montcalm rushed his forces to the threatened sector to confront the British. The French hurriedly attacked the British but were shattered by a devastating volley at 40 yards. The British then charged and the French broke. Both commanders were mortally wounded. On 18th September Quebec surrendered - French power in North America was now spent.

Dr. Ian Copley thanked the speaker on behalf of the Society .

The evening's proceedings were opened by Major Darrell Hall"s "Military Magazine" - the subject being the choice of, and burial of, the Unknown Soldier.

Future Meetings.

Johannesburg - October 16th time: 20h15
This monthly meeting will be a joint one with the South Afrjcan National Museum of Mil itary History when Mr. Clayton Holliday, Director of the Port Elizabeth Art Gallery, will talk on the "War Art through the Ages".

- November 13th - Professor C. J. Barnard - "A Boer Escape Story".

The venue for the Johannesburg meetings is the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Durban

- October 16th - Mr. Steve Watt - "Exploring Military Cemeteries in Natal".

Cape Town

- October 9th - Documentary film of Hitler's rise to power - "The Double Headed Eagle".

OTHER MATTERS.

BRAAI

Please note that the Society Braai, which was to have been held on Friday evening, 24th October 1986, has been cancelled.

Visit to the Air Force Museum at Lanseria.

Arrangements have been made with Col. P. M. J. McGregor for members of the Military History Society to visit the Air Force Museum at Lanseria Airport from 14h00 to 16h00 on Sunday, 16th November 1986. Details in next newsletter.

STEWART STILES.