South African Military History 
Society

P.O. BOX 12926
MOWBRAY
7705

CAPE TOWN BRANCH

MAY 1988

1988/1989 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Paul Lange(ACTING HON. SECRETARY):
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Major Antony Gordon; HON. TREASURER: Mr. Harry Peel;
GENERAL DUTIES: Messrs. Brian Gibbs and Alan Nathan.

THE NEXT TWO MEETINGS TAKE PLACE AS INDICATED BELOW, IN THE DU TOIT ROOM OF THE ATHENAEUM,154 CAMPGROUND ROAD,NEWLANDS,COMMENCING AT 8 P.M.

THURSDAY 9TH JUNE 1988: KEN GUNN MEMORIAL MEETING.

"THE BERLIN AIRLIFT", an illustrated programme to mark the 40th anniversary of this momentous event, the most unusual supply project in the history of aviation. Begun in June 1948 by the British and American Air Forces it succeeded, against overwhelming odds, in flying in the daily food and fuel requirements of the two and a half million Berlin residents, thus beating the road and rail blockade imposed by the Russians to bring Berlin to a total halt and to oust the Western Powers. The thousands of sorties which followed, flown round the clock, were frequently undertaken in appalling conditions which would have grounded the aircraft of any ordinary airline. The Airlift also continued through the worst German winter for 12 years. South African aircrew sent from South Africa to assist, used R.A.F. Dakotas, their achievements and conduct drawing the highest praise.

The programme includes a panel of former South African Air Force personnel who participated, as well as a South African who served in the R.A.F. and flew Sunderland Flying Boats into Berlin, who will chat informally about the period and answer questions from the audience. Major Gordon will represent British Army involvement.


THURSDAY 14TH JULY: "MILITARY HISTORY THROUGH MEDALS", a talk by DR. FRANK MITCHELL, Society member and renowned numismatist. NOTE: This will be preceded by a SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING to adopt the Statement of Accounts for the period 1st January to 31st December 1987. The Statement will be available at the meeting, and will be posted afterwards to those members who were unable to be present.


VISITORS MAY ATTEND


ADVANCE DETAILS: 11TH AUGUST: slide-illustrated talk by Dr. Ryno Greenwall an Melton Prior, famed British war correspondent, and his Boer War activities.

8TH SEPTEMBER: video documentary programme on the activities of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and on the maintaining and active display flying of vintage World War Two fighters, bombers and transport aircraft.

Telephone nn nnnn after hours. PAUL LANGE CHAIRMAN
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Major Antony Gordon. Telephone mm mmmm after hours.


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