Mr. Sid Moscoff addressed the July meeting of the Society on "The Mau Mau Uprising, 1952/57".

Six months before the state of emergency was declared in October, 1952, he volunteered to serve in the first National Service Contingent arranged between the Kenya and Rhodesian Governments. Potential officers and N.C.O.'s were trained in Salisbury by the regular British Army. Upon Sid's return to Nairobi he found himself involved in the Mau Mau Rebellion and was commissioned into the Kenya Regiment and posted to the Kings African Rifles, which consisted of several battalions of African regulars officered by British Army regular officers, and many officers and N.C.O.'s from the Kenya Regiment were seconded to these units.

During the first year Sid was a platoon commander in the 23rd Battalion of the Kings African Rifles which was heavily engaged In fighting terrorist gangs in the Mount Kenya and Aberdare forests in the heart of Kikuyuland. He commanded a platoon of Somalis, who, by tradition were very much against the local indigenous Black tribes and often went on the rampage against the.Kikuyus. So much so, that Sid was nearly court-martialled on several occassions for losing control of his wild Somali warriors and, in desperation, demanded a transfer to his own regiment which was duly granted.

Sid opened by providing a brief survey of the involvement of different nationalities In Kenya, i.e., the Arabs, British, Portuguese, Italians, Indians and even Boers from South Africa. Drawing on his knowledge of Kikuyu rituals and customs he then proceeded to give an extremely humorous account of various incidents to the capacity audience. One of the perils faced on patrol was the use of rhino paths through the forests rapid retreat and concealment being necessary when confronted by one of the occupants. The necessity of full camouflage cover of all vital points was also noted.

Apart from thanking our speaker Commandant Ossie Baker also opened the evening's proceedings by providing a brief overview of the involvement of Blacks in South Africa's Armed Forces during the two World Wars. Amongst others, he related the actions of two very brave and resourceful men, Sgt. Moloi and Pte. Joab Mosego, and the loss of the "Mendi".

Future Tours - Survey

The Society has reached a bit of a turning point in the planning of battlefield tours due to the high costs of transport and accommodation. We are carrying out a telephone survey and urge all members to please advise us of their views. Please telephone Mrs. Joan Marsh and advise her of your preference for the following :

A: Weekend battlefield tour by luxury bus, eg., to Ladysmith. 2 nights accommodation at hotel. Approx. cost R300 per person.

B: Do it yourself one day trips. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport and refreshments at their expense (as with Frederikstad).

C: Do it yourself weekend battlefield tour. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport and 1 nights accommodation. Society block booking would probably be made, eg., Harrismith & Rustenburg trips. Approx. cost R80 per person (accommodation only).

Future Meetings

Johannesburg - August 10th Mr. Terry Collins - "Rorke's Drift and the Eleven V.C.'s".

- September 14th - Mr. Charles Cohen - "Hitler's War against the Jews".

- October 12th Capt. J.H.A. Speir - "Midget Submarine Warfare".

Durban - August 10th Group Captain Rupert Taylor, O.8.E., will talk on problems and aspects of air and sea navigation.

Cape Town - August 10th - Professor Arthur Davies - "Breaker Morant".

The Johannesburg Meetings take place in the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

STEWART STILES