PAST EVENTS

The normal trend of the talks presented at our monthly meetings is very much down to earth; but at the August get-together Group Captain Rupert Taylor left his audience either 'at sea' or floating in the air, for his subject was "The Developmcnt of Navigation: Polynesians to Bomber Command". From a landlubber's point of view and in terms of its definition, navigation is extremely simple, almost child's play, for it means "the process of conducting a craft from one place to another". It is only when sailors and airmen appear on the scene that this simple art becomes frightfully complicated! The snag in their case, is, that that "one place" in the definition, might be separated from the "other place" by the watery wastes of the world's oceans (no traffic lines nor sign-posts) or by the aeolian eternity of the heavens!

That is where navigation on sea or in the air demands intelligence and observation. Some ancient peoples met both requirements and sea travel and exploration was, as a result, not confined to following coast lines only. The position and movements of stars, sun and moon became objects of observation and aids in navi,gation. The Polynesians used two holes in coconut shells to sight on sun and horizon. With the passage of time more elaborate and sophisticated instruments were invented. The magnetic compass, the quadrant, astrolabe , ships chronometers, cross-staffs , sextants Mark VIII and other instruments were developed and improved to make these observations possible, and to expedite and simplify them. Then followed tables for simplifying the calculation of times, speeds, distance and position, as well as the fixation of observed or surveyed features on maps. The reduction of the earth's spherical surface into one-dimensional maps posed a problem because of the distortion which followed. Famous cartographers wrestled with this problem; among these Mercator's projection is presumably the best known.

- On all merchant ships a set routine is followed each day at fixed times, for taking sightings on the sun and the stars at night. The speeds involved in air transport call for quick navigational methods' even at the expense of some accuracy. It is largely for this reason that radio aids play such an important part in air navigation. Electronic aids are now common to marine and air navigation. Group Captain Taylor dealt with some specific aids and methods in some detail and handled the technical and scientific aspects with the same ease and nonchalance with which earth-bound mortals swing the steering wheels of their motorcars.

After a brief, but intensive, question-time fellow member (and private pilot) Alan Mountain proposed an appreciative vote of thanks. "Election Results" Ken Gillings reported that, with the exception of one nomination in respect of himself, which he was unable to accept, no nominations other than for the current Chairman and secretary were received. The need for an election therefore falls away and the status quo remains unchanged.

FUTURE MEETINGS

SEPTEMBER 21ST PLEASE NOTE that this meeting will take place on the THIRD Thursday in the month and not the second as is usual.

MR MARK COUGHLAN, will give a talk entitled "TALES FROM THE FRED CLARKE COLLECTION". Members will remember that former M. E. C. Dr Clarke gave us a talk on "The Grenadiers" in February 1985, and in that connection brought a number of foreign helmets and exquisitely tailored uniforms etc. These are now housed with the N.P.A. museum services. The talk will illustrate and deal with a number of items from this collection.

October 12th Lt Col Eric Evans will lecture on "The Battle of Plassey" (Clive's victory, Bengal, India, 1757).

November 9 th Fellow member Vic Conrad will give a talk on "The October Russian Revolution, 1917" (which actually took place in November).

December In recess.

1990
January 11th Evening outing to be announced.

The venue for the above meetings will be the functions room on the first floor of the WESTVILLE NORTH LIBRARY, 167 Blair Atholl Road. The Library building is on the corner of Blair Atholl and Iver Roads, at the robot-controlled intersection of BLAIR ATHOLL IVER - DUNKELD ROADS. The entrance to the library parking area and building is from Iver Rd. Commencement time will be 7.45 p.m. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG. Please bring your OWN GLASS and bottled or canned refreshments. ICE will be supplied.

FOR SALE

"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William L. Shirer. Price R10,00. Enquiries to : Mr Vic Conrad Tel. 23-7165.

Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm