SAMHSEC
Chairman: Malcolm Kinghorn culturev@lantic.net
Secretary: Stephen Bowker stephen@stephenbowker.co.za
Speaker coordinator: André Crozier andrecrozier@gmail.com
Scribe: vacant
Field trip coordinator: vacant
New Member
We welcome new member Keith Milne from Cape Town aboard.
SAMHSEC RPC 31 March 2025
In response to Christine Mangelly Meimarides’ presentation on 31 March about Captain Mangelly’s Cold War Service (See SAMHSEC Newsletter 247 April 2025), a reader contributed the following:
“Seeing mention of Kim Philby, I don’t know if you’re aware but the UK National Archives have this week opened an exhibition on MI5 with MI5 involvement. I was at the launch on Wednesday last week.
There might be some snippets of interest to others at https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ ”
SAMHSEC meeting 14 April 2025: Mao Zedong’s civil military relations
As part of on-line learning, Malcolm Kinghorn (I!) used the AI programme Gamma to create a PowerPoint presentation on Mao Zedong’s civil military relations. The result was presented to the 14 April meeting in PowerPoint.
“Mao Zedong (1893-1976) grew up in a rural farming family in Hunan province in China. He developed a strong sense of nationalism and anti-imperialism from an early age and was deeply influenced by the political and social turmoil in China at time of the Boxer Rebellion & fall of the Qing Dynasty.
His military service started in 1911 when he joined a revolutionary movement against the Qing Dynasty and participated in Xinhai Revolution. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921. During the Chinese Civil War, he was prominent in organising and leading the Red Army against Nationalist forces.
The establishment of the Red Army was a pivotal event in Mao’s concept of civil military relations and marked the beginning of his efforts to build the strong and disciplined military force that would play crucial role in the CCP's revolutionary activities.
The Long March of 1934-1935, which was a strategic withdrawal covering over 6000 miles to evade Kuomintang (Nationalist) forces, tested the Red Army's resilience and it gained support from peasants along the way. Mao's position as leader of the Red Army was confirmed during this time.
The Red Army established a base in Yan’an where it underwent significant ideological and organisational development. Mao consolidated his leadership and implemented land reforms & developed guerrilla warfare strategies which laid the foundation for the future success of CCP and the establishment of People's Republic of China.
Mao’s leadership style was authoritarian and charismatic. He maintained strong control over both the military and the CCP. Strong centralisation of power ensured close alignment between the military and the CCP, which impacted civil military relations. The military was used to maintain control over the country, spread and enforce revolutionary ideology, support and implement economic development and shape and execute foreign policy.
Mao exercised control of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) through Political Commissars to ensure ideological conformity & loyalty to the CCP. He purged and re-organised military leadership to eliminate potential threats and consolidate his power.
During the socio-political Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, Mao reasserted his dominance within the CCP. Perceived capitalist and bourgeois elements were purged from society. Radicalised students known as Red Guards carried out Mao’s directives, often resorting to violence to enforce ideological conformity and target those deemed counter revolutionary.
Mao had a complex relationship with the military. His policies & actions in relation to the military had profound impacts on China's political landscape and continue to shape the country's governance. He believed in the Party controlling the gun and emphasised the importance of military loyalty and obedience to CCP leadership. Centralised power allowed the CCP to maintain control over the military and ensured its alignment with revolutionary goals.
Political indoctrination ensured that soldiers were committed to CCP ideology in addition to possessing military skills. Political Commissars in military units enforced ideological purity and loyalty, with CCP influence permeating all levels.
Militarisation has had a central role in shaping Chinese society. The People’s War concept emphasises the importance of mobilising the masses and using guerrilla tactics. Militarisation of society extends beyond the battlefield, with the military being involved in every aspect of governance, including agriculture, education and healthcare.”
I have learned that AI is biased because humans choose what to load, it is never complete because more data is potentially available and it certainly can be wrong (hallucinate). One should realise that AI is your apprentice, not your professor. It is best at structured, simple and clear tasks. One should never trust AI until confirmed by at least 3 other independent and reliable sources. That said, AI allows one to focus on high level tasks elsewhere.
SAMHSEC RPC meeting 28 April 2025.
Session 1: Honouring the Unsung Heroes
We were told about the SA Legion’s 80 Years Since Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on 8 May 1945 Exhibition and Memorial Service at the Castle of Good Hope from 8 to 10 May 2025 by Marina Hall, who is a SA Legion volunteer involved with organising the event.
Far more than a military memorial, this exhibition is a celebration of courage, sacrifice and resilience and pays tribute to ordinary men and women from all walks of life for their invaluable and often underemphasised contributions to the war effort.
Among those recognised are teenagers who falsified their ages to enlist, thousands of men of colour who served in the Cape Corps and Native Military Corps, women who stepped into wartime military roles in the Women’s Auxiliary Defence Corps (WADC), those who worked in the munitions factories, and others who served as unpaid volunteers of the South African Women’s Auxiliary Service (SAWAS), along with countless civilians who volunteered to aid the war effort. Their stories, along with others of quiet heroism, will be told in photographic exhibits.
The event culminates in a non-denominational Memorial Service at the Castle on Saturday, 10 May at 11 am, honouring the fallen and celebrating the living memory of those who served. The guest speaker will be the ex-Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Ian Neilson.
As part of the programme, five trumpeters of the South African College High School (SACS) will sound the Last Post -a tradition performed daily at their school.
Talented learners from the no-fee Gr RR to Gr 12 school, Christel House South Africa, will perform various musical tributes via their Brass Ensemble and Jazz Band.
On the 10th, visitors can expect a field kitchen operated by a re-enactment society, The Heritage Group, with their members dressed in WWII-era uniforms from various nations, military-themed book sales, as well as a booth manned by Commander Mac Bisset (retired), where the public can get advice about their family’s medal collection and learn how to access military veterans’ records.
Members of the public attending the exhibition will be invited to place a Message of Peace on the Peace Wall.
The SA Legion thanks the photo exhibition’s co-sponsor ORMS Print Room and Framing, exhibitors, partners at the Castle of Good Hope and the Military Museum, the Naval Heritage Trust, the Western Cape Military History Society, the South African Military History Society Eastern Cape, the MOTHS as well as the City of Cape Town for their kind support and involvement in marking the 80th Commemoration of VE Day.
For event enquiries, please contact Marina Hall at 082 600 7430 by phone call or WhatsApp. Marina’s presentation is in the SAMHS Zoom Video library.
In Session 2, Dylan Fourie told us about South Africa’s role in the Russian Civil War of 1918 to 1920.
In the years following the Russian Revolution of 1917, South Africa played a little-known, but significant, role in the Russian Civil War, siding with the anti-Bolshevik White Armies. The revolution unfolded in two phases: first, the February Revolution, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of a Provisional Government; and later, the October Revolution, when the Bolsheviks, under Vladimir Lenin, seized control. Promising "peace, land, and bread," the Bolsheviks withdrew Russia from World War I, prompting civil conflict between the Red Army and the opposing White forces—comprising monarchists, conservatives, and liberal factions.
Foreign intervention followed, with Britain, France, Japan and the United States supporting the Whites in hopes of containing communism. Among the forces deployed were South African volunteers, many of them battle-hardened veterans of World War I. These men served in North Russia, South Russia and Siberia under British command, enduring extreme conditions while fighting against Bolshevik forces.
Though few, the South Africans were remarkable for their bravery and skill. Some had been awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military honour. Their motivations varied—some sought adventure, others wished to maintain their military rank and many were drawn by a sense of duty; for instance, Sergeant Malcolm McCorkindale, wounded and gassed multiple times during World War I, joined after seeing a recruiting poster in Southampton. Captain Hugh Boustead, inspired by the challenges of war, volunteered to serve in South Russia and continued wearing his South African Scottish uniform despite the ragged attire of White Russian troops.
Practical reasons also played a part. Captain R. Beverley extended his service in Siberia to avoid post-war demotion. Lieutenant Colonel W.J. Clarke described Russian soldiers as among Europe’s finest and took charge of mounted infantry training. (Later Major General) K.R. van der Spuy formed and led an air force element in North Russia, recruiting experienced men from various Commonwealth countries. After surviving campaigns in France and Africa, he was captured when his aircraft engine failed over Bolshevik territory.
South African officers held key command roles and contributed significantly to Allied operations. Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Jenkins, for example, led successful offensives along the Dwina River, capturing over 1,000 prisoners and large quantities of equipment. Captain Thomas G. Macfie was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership in recapturing the town of Priluk in June 1919.
Several other South Africans earned distinctions, such as the Orders of Stanislas and St. Anne, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. Their service in intelligence, artillery, aviation and infantry roles demonstrated their commitment.
Despite the harsh Russian winter and the growing strength of the Red Army, South African volunteers made a noteworthy contribution to this international effort. Their service reflects a chapter of military history often overlooked—a story of courage, sacrifice and willingness to fight once more in unfamiliar and unforgiving lands.
Dylan’s presentation is in the SAMHS Zoom Video library.
SAMHSEC AGM reconvened on 28 April 2025
Too few members to form a quorum attended the AGM convened on 31 March 2025. The SAMHSEC Constitution determines that meetings without a quorum are to be reconvened and the number of members attending the reconvened meeting will be deemed to form a quorum. Sufficient members to form a quorum attended the reconvened SAMHSEC AGM on 28 April 2025.
Donation of SAMHSEC surplus funds to the SA Legion’s project to sponsor hearing aids for military veterans was approved.
Centenary of recognition of Afrikaans as an Official Language in South Africa
In recognition of the Centenary of Afrikaans as an Official Language, presentations to SAMHSEC zoomeetings in May 2025 will be in Afrikaans.
SAMHSEC meeting 12 May 2025
Andriza Liebenberg is to tell us about Die Bittereinders in Afrikaans.
SAMHSEC Requests the Pleasure of your Company to talk about military history in Afrikaans on 26 May 2025.
RPC meetings are opportunities for you to share your knowledge of a military history subject or book with fellow military historians. Presentations should last approximately 15 minutes to allow time for sharing the pleasure of one another’s company. You can do any number of RPC presentations per year. Please contact André at andrecrozier@gmail.com if you want to share your knowledge.
Grey High School Trooping the Colour 9 May 2025
Grey High School’s Trooping the Colour parade is at the school at 1530 for 1600 on 9 May 2025.
MOTH 3rd Generation Memorial Parade in Port Elizabeth 18 May 2025
The annual MOTH 3rd Generation Memorial Parade is at the Comrades Shellhole in King Edward Street, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth at 1030 for 1100 on 18 May 2025.
MOTH Border Boys Memorial Parade in Mossel Bay 1 June 2025
The annual MOTH Border Boys Memorial Parade hosted by the Blaize Away Shellhole is at the Cenotaph at the Point in Mossel Bay at 1000 for 1030 on 1 June 2025