At the meeting held on the 10th March Professor Maxwell-Mahon provided a lecture on the subject of "Politics, Poetry and People - The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939".
Violence broke out among opposing Spanish groups in the period 1919-1924, and, after a period as an army dictatorship under General Rivera became a Republic in 1931. Unrest however still continued between the various opposing factions. These factions included Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, Republicans, Carlists (Monarchists) and Fascists. These divergent and competing political affiliations coupled to the conservative and traditional nature of the Catholic Church and its adherents resulted in bitter and bloody confrontations and assassinations. By mid-July 1936 both the extreme Left and the extreme Right were planning coups and the only question was, which of the two factions would strike first. The Right, in the form of a clique of high ranking officers, saw it as their place to take over and initiated a military mutiny. This mutiny precipitated the war, a war that was to be remembered not only for the high casualties but also for the fanaticism and crusader-like belief in their cause by the participants.
After the death of the leader of the military mutiny, General Sanjurjo, in an aircrash General Franco took over as leader of the Nationalist forces. The Nationalists were supported by both European Fascist powers, Italy and Germany, who provided support in the form of military equipment and personnel. The Republicans, who opposed the rising, included the various Left wing groups and they received military aid from Russia. In addition, many volunteers from other countries with Leftist ideals joined the "International Brigades". Some of these volunteers, e. g., George Orwell and Ernest Hemingway, were prominent writers and poets. Prof. Maxwell-Mahon's use of extracts from their works skilfully brought home to one the horrors of this war. The South African writer Roy Campbell was present as a war correspondent.
The first airlift in modern war took place in July 1936 when the Morroccan Legion was flown into Seville by the Condor Legion (German squadron). The Condor Legion also achieved notoriety by its saturation bombing of the Basque town of Guernica.
Major Theunissen expressed a warm word of appreciation to Prof. Maxwell-Mahon for his extremely interesting lecture.
The evening's proceedings were opened by a short MGH presentation on "The Man Who Never Was". Briefly, the subject of this talk was the Allied deception plan during World War II involving the planting of a corpse off the coast of Spain. This corpse was to take on the identity of a British Officer and carry secret documents.
Future Meetings
Johannesburg - April 14th Annual General Meeting and the film "Battle for the Falklands".
- May 5th - Mr W.J.P. Carr - "Personal Reminiscences of the Second World War "
* Please note the date of the May meeting is the first Thursday in the month.
Notice is hereby given of the Agenda for the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the S.A. Military History Society to be held at 20h00 on Thursday 14th April 1988 in the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.
Durban
- April 14th - Cmdt Justin Hulme will talk about his recent book which contains a list of the officers of the irregular forces in the Eighth Kaffir War (1850-1853).
Cape Town
- April 14th Annual General Meeting and illustrated talk by Dr. H.G.W. Migeod on the role of the Stuka dive-bomber during the early years of World War II.
Construction of Buildings in the Howick District by Italian P.O.W.s
Mr. James Jones of Umtata, Transkei is attempting to obtain information about a building in the Howick district. Neighbours claim that it was built during WWII by Italian P.O.W.s and that it was built for the U.D.F. for some military reason. Any information would be appreciated by Mr. Jones. A photograph of the building is obtainable.
STEWART STILES
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