PAST EVENTS
It was fortunate for our branch that author and fellow military historian from Johannesburg, Ian Uys, had spent a pre-Christmas holiday at Umhlanga Rocks, for he kindly offered to give us an illustrated talk on the battle of Delville Wood, the subject of his latest book. December was to have been without a meeting, but Ian's offer was too good an opportunity to be missed and so we had him as our guest-speaker, accompanied by Barbara, his charming wife and "projectionist".
Quoting from the summary on the flap of Ian's monumental book
"Erstwhile foes, Boer and Briton, fought shoulder to shoulder against the pride of the German army. They withstood waves of attacking infantrymen, were subjected to savage artillery fire which reached a crescendo of seven shells a second, pulverising the Wood and obliterating the defences, then fought hand-to-hand until overrun, threw back the enemy and fought on with unbelievable tenacity.
"The bone-weary survivors defended the Wood through five days and six nights of hell, eventually being forced into a corner of the Wood. The orders were to hold the Wood at all costs - and this they did. The saga of Delville Wood will never be forgotten by South Africa, yet the story of the battle, told through the eyes of the participants, was never fully documented - a story which reads like fiction yet is wholly true."
Ian presented his talk lucidly and with effortless ease while Barbara attended to the changing personalities and scenes, and the autographed copies which were available were snapped up in next to no time. Further covies are available from the booksellers Adams & Co (Pty) Ltd, box 4pp Durban 4000, Tel. 03l nnnnn at a cost of R29,SO + GST.
Fellow-member Major Denis Sheil-Small conveyed the thanks and appreciation of the meeting.
As this was the last meeting of the year the Society's best wishes for a happy festive season were conveyed to all members.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions for 1984 are now due and should be sent to the
Secretary/Treasurer, S.A.M.H.S ., Box 52nnn Saxonwold 2132.
The rates are R10 p.a. for Ordinary membership and R12,50 p.a. for Family Membership.
WELCOME
A hearty welcome is extended to new members Mr. & Mrs. C.R. Lotter of Kranskop and Tony, Margaret and Samantha Artingstall of Amanzimtoti.
FUTURE EVENTS
Programme of Monthly Meetings
FEBRUARY 9TH Colonel P.J.W. Hall will speak on "The bushman's Role in Modern Warfare".
MARCH 8TH
Fellow-member "Midge" Carter will video Episode 15 "Home Fires" and Episode 16 "Inside the Reich" from the BBCTV series "World at War".
The venue for all meetings will be the Lecture Room, 'SB' Bourquin Building, the Port Natal Administration board's head office, on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, commencing at 8 p.m. Glasses and ice will be supplied so please bring your own canned or bottled refreshments. Interested persons are welcome to come along.
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv