KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCH

Newsletter No. 538
April 2023

MEETING

Please note the next meeting of the KZN Branch of SAMHS will take place THIS SATURDAY 1st April, 2023 at 1.30pm for 2.00pm

Owing to logistics and especially my medical situation, thankfully recovering from what is hopefully the final operation of my saga, it has been decided by the Committee to hold over the AGM until the next meeting on 13th May, 2023.

The speaker for the main talk this month will be fellow member Donald Davies who will speak on:

"A Duty to Escape", (detailed background to the mechanics of the “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft lll); as well as exploring the discussions at the end of Donald’s previous talk on SAAF Lt Rupert John Stevens, who was executed after his part in the famous “Great Escape”. The concept of the much-quoted requirement of “the duty to escape” will be explored further.

Unfortunately, the much awaited DDH by Graeme Fuller on the Atholl Highlanders has had to be postponed once again, as grandparents Graeme and Audrey will be proceeding to Johannesburg to celebrate the birth of the latest addition - a son Tristan born to Thomas and Sonia Fuller on 10th March. We congratulate all concerned and look forward further to Graeme’s DDH on a later date.

The short-notice, DDH starter, again will be a video, but in a change from Regimental Traditions will be on "The Man Who Won the Battle of Britain". This individual contributed also to the successful defence of Malta and to the final days of the Air War in the Asian theatre. Due to in-service personality problems his contributions have largely been forgotten by history.

The starting time for all meetings is 1.30 for 2.00pm sharp due to the necessity for finishing before 4pm due to possible load shedding.

The venue remains the St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid refreshments available for cash from The Vicar's Alms.

NEWS

The meeting last month was addressed by:
Robin Smith on “Hitler - Nemesis 1937-1945”. 

This was the eagerly awaited 2nd Part of Robin's talks on Hitler following Hitler - Hubris 1889-1937, which Robin presented in July last year. Part 2(Nemesis) had to be held over to 2023 when Robin had a minor health issue.

In this talk Robin continued the story of how Hitler managed to consolidate absolute power, and with his demagoguery, and thuggery, subverted and persuaded theGerman population to follow him blindly; as he took them on the greatest gamble the nation had ever embarked on. His own vision of his infallibility led to the attempt to subjugate the entire continent of Europe and ultimately to the complete destruction of his country. This was contrary to Napoleon’s attemptwhich although defeated, left behind a modernised France with many innovative and world leading concepts such as the administration, the schooling system, and the legal code. The wide ranging, but perceptive and in-depth presentation is too extensive to summarise here; but suffice to say Robin covered it all in his usual erudite and logical manner and members were left with a good understanding of the man and the disaster he initiated!

In line with what we have seen previously, the video comprising the DDH continued the strange and often humorous traditions of the British Army; including why the word “Yes” does not exist in the Grenadier Guards; why they eat with their caps on; and humorous excerpts from the mess fines book. Other interesting snippets included her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth becoming Hon Col at the age of 16during WWII. Other quirks included the 4/7th Dragoon Guards “buying rounds” in the mess which ultimately are chargedto the recipients own mess bill,and why the pubs in Burnley sell more Benedictine than anything else. Finally, the origins of the “Crimean Long Reveille” in a sleeping outlying piquet Officer of the Black Watch and a young piper who had to wake the brigade but had forgotten the relevant tunes! This is still remembered monthly at dawn as penance. In addition, some of the Guards “chase parade” antics brought back memories to many veterans of the old SADF !

NB these videos date back to the 1980’s and most of the regiments have been amalgamated or ceased to exist, however knowing the British Army, it seems certain that all the traditions have been continued in one way or another.

Finally, the meeting last month was attended by 19 people, comprising 17 members and 2 visitors. Come on people we can do better!

UPCOMING MEETINGS

NB The May meeting should be the AGM on the 13th May, 2023 (Watch for the Notice of Meeting)
The main talk will be:
“The Grey Shirts in South Africa” by Ulrich Duebi.
This covers a seldom covered portion of South Africa’s complex social conflict during WWII.

Due to the fact that this will be the AGM, there will not be a DDH talk.

Regards
Phil Everitt
Chair SAMHS KZN Branch
0844371636