JOHANNESBURG
A well-attended 22nd Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on 14th April. The outgoing Chairman Mr. Ian Uys gave a brief review of the Society's many activities during the past year and our Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Mike Marsh reported on the healthy financial state of the Society. It is gratifying to note that again there has been an increase in membership. The new committee elected at the Meeting consists of:
We would like to take this opportunity to give our hearty thanks to Mr. Bill Garr, who retired from the Committee following many years of valued service and support.
The AGM was followed by extracts from the video film "Battle for the Falklands". This film traced the history of the lond battle for the Falklands in 1982. It commenced with the assembly and departure of the Task Force; the major naval elements being the ASW/commando assault carrier H.M.S. Hermes and the ASW cruiser H.M.S. Invincible. Also sailing with the Task Force was the P & O liner "Canberra", now, in the role of troopship.
The amphibious assault group entered Falkland Sound after dark on the 20th May, and, after a brief naval bombardment, the troops landed on the 21st in San Carlos Bay encountering only minor opposition. Prominent units invdlved in the landings were 2nd and 3rd Battalions the Parachute Regiment, 40th, 42nd and 45th Royal Marine Commandos and supporting artillery and engineer units. Intensive Argentine air attacks were launched on the succeeding days - San Carlos Water becoming known as "Bomb Alley". H.M.Ships Ardent, Antelope and Coventry were lost together with the converted container vessel, "Atlantic Conveyor", but, the Argentine Air Force paid heavily for these successes. The video showed some amazing photographic sequences of these attacks. 2nd Para successfully took Darwin and Goose Green, but, at the cost of several casualties, including their colonel. Disaster however struck the British when the RFA Sir Galahad was bombed off Fitzroy. Heavy losses were suffered, particularly by the Welsh Guards. The film captured an incredible record of the bravery of the helicopter pilots whose skill, courage and determination saved many lives.
The British forces then moved on to assault Port Stanley, the capital, which surrendered on 14th June after further engagements involving the aforementioned units, the Guards and Gurkas. The film ended with the stirring and emotional return of elements of the Task Force to the U.K. Many thanks to Major Darrell Hall for arranging this video.
Future Meetings
Johannesburg - * May 5th Mr. W.J.P. Carr - "Personal Reminiscences of the Second World War".
- June 9th Major Darrell D. Hall - "Up the Line on the Western Front, 1917."
* Please note the date of the May meeting is the first Thursday in the month.
Durban
- May 19th Visit to Natal Field Artillery Headquarters in Old Fort Road. Contact Tania van der Watt (031-742970) for details.
Cape Town - May - No meeting.
Publications
One of our members from Rustenburg, Mr. Lionel Wulfsohn, has just published his book on "Rustenburg at War - The Story of Rustenburg and its Citizens in the First and Second Anglo-Boer Wars". Copies may be obtained from Lionel Wulfsohn, Rustenburg, 0300, at a cost of R33, including registered postage.
Journal
As a result of the many printing errors contained in the December issue the Journal has been reprinted. Revised copies are available on request from Mr. Mike Marsh, postal address as above.
Society Plaques
Attractive metal plaques of the Society's badge/logo mounted on a wooden backing are now available at the price of R20 each.
STEWART STILES
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