The December meeting featured a series of 4 slide shows by Major Darrell Hall. As one has come to expect, this MGH (Metro-Goldwyn Hall to the uninitiated) presentation was a superb example of the art of professional audio-visual presentation. The subjects of the show were Darrell's visits to Duxford R.A.F. Station and H.M.S. Belfast, his attendance at the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the Commando Gunners, and, finally, the story of World War I in songs and pictures. Duxford, an ex R.A.F. station, houses large items that could not be kept at the Imperial War Museum. H.M.S. Belfast was involved in the action against the Scharnhorst, the invasion of Normandy and Korea. She now houses many Naval exhibits. Darrell's documentary of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the Commando Gunners (29 Commando Regiment) captured the pomp, ceremony and tradition of this unique occassion. The World War I presentation traced the initial enthusiasm on the outbreak of war through the long horrific years of trench warfare to the eventual defeat of the Central Powers.

The meeting on the 14th January was a truly Uys evening. Our Chairman, Ian Uys, firstly, provided an illustrated summary of the Great Trek tapestries housed at the Voortrekker Monument. As you know, 1988 is the 150th anniversary of the Great Trek battles in Natal. It is the intention that this theme will be developed further in the coming year.

Ian then presented the main lecture of the evening, "Peter Raaf, C.M.G. of Raaff's Rangers". Peter Raaff was one of South Africa's more remarkable military personalities. He was a true South African of the 19th Century, being regarded as an Englishman by the Boers and as a Boer by the English. He was born in Bloemfontein in 1849, and, although English orientated, his father became Secretary to President Brand. He probably served in the 3rd O.F.S./Basuto War of 1867 and then tried to seek his fortune on the diamond fields. In 1872 he was appointed Messenger of the Court at Kroonstad. On the outbreak of the First Sekukuni War in 1876 Raaff volunteered his services and was instrumental in the raising of the Lydenburg Rifles. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and raised his own mounted corps known as Raaff's Rangers which consisted of a motley group of ruffians who were regarded as the sweepings of the diggings.

In January 1879 the Zulu War commenced with Lord Chelmsford's invasion of Zululand. After the disaster at Isandhlwana Raaff's Rangers joined Col. Evelyn Wood's northern column. At this time the unit consisted of 100 white and 50 coloured men. Raaff considered the majority of British officers to be asinine and stupid but had a high regard for Wood and Buller. On 27th March Buller attacked Hlobane Mountain. The attacking force included Cmdt Raaff and 70 of his Rangers. After taking the summit the British force was, in its turn, attacked by an overwhelming force of Zulus. Substantial casualties were incurred in the subsequent retreat down "Devil's Pass". On the followinq day Raaff and his Rangers assisted in the successful defence of Kambula camp. For his services in the Zulu War Raaff was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.). He was however refused the campaign medal on the grounds of "financial transactions unsatisfactory". During the First Boer War Raaff was involved in the Siege of Potchefstroom where he was prominent in the siege of the Landrost's office. Raaff was captured by the Boers after the building had been set on fire and was fortunate not to be executed for treason.

After the war there was no future for Raaff in the Transvaal and he opened a butcher shop in Kroonstad. He later joined the Bechuanaland Border Police for service in Rhodesia and was involved in recruiting volunteers for Raaff's Rangers. Dr. Jameson planned a three pronged attack on Lobengula's chief kraal at Bulawayo. After the fall of Bulawayo Major Forbes was placed in command of a column whose purpose was the capture of Lobengula. Raaff acted as adviser to Forbes but the relationship was strained. Despite Raaff's words of caution Forbes split the column and Major Allan Wilson's patrol was wiped out. The main column was now in severe danger and following a total loss of confidence in Forbes by the men, Raaff assumed command. He ably and cleverly extricated the force from its exposed position and retreated on Bulawayo.

Recriminations concerning Forbes's leadership of the column now followed causing embarrassment not only to Forbes, but also to Dr. Jameson, who had appointed him. During the course of the resultant Court of Inquiry Raaff died suddenly in mysterious circumstances.

Dr. Ron Sinclair thanked Ian on behalf of the Society for his extremely interesting and well illustrated lecture.

Future Meetings

Johannesburg - February 11th - Dr. Janice Farquharson - "When the Barrage Lifts: The Diarist Poets and Writers of the Western Front".

- March 10th - Professor W.D. Maxwell-Mahon "The Spanish Civil War''.

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

Durban - February 11th - Cmdt "SB" Bourquin - "Shaka's Heritage".

Cape Town - February 11th Documentary film - "The Double-Headed Eagle" traces the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.

Tour to Kimberley Battlefields - Booking Form.
Full details of the forthcoming battlefield tour are attached .

STEWART STILES