JUNE 1986 NEWSLETTER

LAST MEETING - JOHANNESBURG - 15TH MAY 1986.

The Chairman, Mr. Ian Uys, introduced the evening's lecture - "Air Crew Briefing". In a radical departure from the norm, the audience found themselves going back in time to March 1944, and were themselves transformed into R.A.F. bomber crews.

The lecture took the form of a World War II preraid bomber crew briefing. Mr. Peter Fox and the following prominent members of the Royal Air Forces Association took the parts of the briefing officers:

Narrator - Harry Plain (Wartime navigator on Mosquitoes).
Station Commander - Gil Hudson (Pathfinder Force navigator).
Wing Commander Flying - John Heath (Fleet Air Arm pilot).
Navigation Leader - Ron Pennicott (Bomber Command navigator).
Bombing Leader - Jimmy McAllister (Bomber Command air gunner).
Meteorological Officer - Peter McLean (Glider pilot post-war R.A.F.).
Intelligence Officer - Peter Fox (Air gunner, Air Command South East Asia).

The briefing officers then proceeded to inform the bomber crews of the aims, route and expected conditions for the raid which was to be made on Nurenburg.

After an extremely realistic presentation by each of the specialist officers, the narrator told the audience of the actual results of the raid.

This raid was the famous raid that took place on Nurenburg on 30th March 1944. 725 bombers of the total force of 782 crossed the Belgium coast. A total absence of the promised cloud cover resulted in severe casualties - 108 bombers lost and 745 dead and wounded aircrew. The Luftwaffe lost only 10 nightfighters and damage to Nurenburg was negligable. The controversial nature of the decision to carry on with the raid was briefly touched upon.

The audience actively participated in an extremely lively question and answer time which, apart from showing the enjoyment and interest generated, proved that several wartime aircrew were present.

Mr. Richard Tomlinson proposed the vote of thanks and recalled his childhood memories of the aircraft flying overhead on their journeys to and from Germany.

The interesting documentary "The Desert Air Force" concluded the evening's proceedings.

Battlefield Tour - Colenso - 25th May 1986.

The Durban Branch held a very successful trip to Colenso with the object of following the route and fate of Colonel Long's guns. The speakers were Major Darrell Hall, Cmdt. S. B. Bourquin, George Chadwick and Ken Gillings, who also supplied the sound effects! There can be little doubt that Darrell's research findings provide a new and valuable insight into the loss of Colonel Long's guns. Also, special thanks are due to George, and the National Monuments Council, for replacing the battlefield markers in such a clear manner.

Future Meetings. Johannesburg - June 12th - Mr. Melvill Milner - 4th Field Battery R.A., in the Cauldron Battle of June 1942. "

- July 10th - Mr. David Panagos - Redoubts of the South African War of 1899/1902".

Durban

- June 12th - Mr. Brian Thomas will talk on the military medals in his collection.

Other Matters.

(1.) Early Warning - Proposed Tour to Ulundi/Vryheid Area.

It is the intention of the S.A. National Museum of Mil itary History to hold a battlefield tour to this area during the long weekend of 9th - 12th October 1986. (2.) Member's Military History Research Projects.

Many members of the Society undertake various research projects from time to time. The Society would be pleased to hear of your research, and if desired, provide brief details in future newsletters. Possibly, with our current membership of approximately 540, other members might be in a position to assist you with information on your particular project.

(3.) Early Warning - Braai.

It is intended to hold another braai on 24th October. Nick Kinsey has already begun preparations to ensure that the required weather conditions are prevalent.

STEWART STILES