PAST EVENTS
Our guest-speaker at our September get-together was fellow-member Colonel B.M. Adams, presently Officer Commanding, Group 10. It always gives a talk a little extra flavour when a speaker has been directly involved in the subject of his talk. So was it with Col Brian Adams, who took our members out of the country, to the Far East, and spoke on his "Experiences as a Military Attaché in the Republic of China", more popularly known as Taiwan. It must have been something of a 'traumatic' experience to change from the life of a fighting soldier on the South-West African border and in Angola, to a diplomatic, albeit, military mission in a strange far away country. But Brian obviously took it in his stride, although he had to admit that he was happy to have got back into a position of command in his own profession, the Army.
Taiwan which consists of the islands of Formosa and Quemoy and other surrounding smaller islands has an area 35 900 km2 and a population of some 20 million people. The capital and largest city of the Republic of China (also known as Nationalist China) is Taipei. The country has a well trained and well equipped army of half a million soldiers, with, notwithstanding its insular character, a remarkably strong armoured branch. In addition to enlarging on some military aspects Col Adams reminisced about his personal observations and experiences which, on account of his easy and humorous style, proved highly entertaining arid gave an interesting insight into the varied situations that can confront a military attaché.
As Part 2 of his talk our speaker presented a highly colourful and impressive video recording of the festivities and military parades accompanying the induction of the new President of the Republic in 1988. Exceedingly smartly uniformed army units performed their movements in displays and march-pasts with incredibly exact synchronisation and uniformity, almost creating an impression of consisting of robot soldiers.
A lively question-time was concluded with an appreciative word of thanks by fellow-member Maj Denis Sheil-Small.
The proceedings of the evening were opened by a MGH 'Military Magazine' short presenting a series of colourful ceremonial uniforms of many nations. Darrell's question: "What country is this?" caused much perplexity; because quite often ceremonial uniforms are influenced by tradition and are a perpetuation or modification of uniforms of past eras or reigns and bear no or little resemblance to a country's modern field dress.
Darrell's Peanuts Cartoons depicting the good qualities of 'The Chairman' were 'old hat'. Our Chairman, 'SB', has them all - and more!
FUTURE EVENTS
Programme of Monthly Meetings
OCTOBER 11TH Fellow-member MIKE DU TOIT will deliver a talk' on "CAMOUFLAGE". (If members have any interesting items please bring them along).
The MGH short preceeding this meeting will be on "Senior British Officers in the Anglo/Boer War" (10 - 15 mins)
November 8th Colonel Peter 'Monster' Wilkins, Officer Commanding Air Force Base Durban, will present a slide talk on "The Re-fuelling of aircraft in flight during the Falklands War".,
December In recess.
1991
January 10th Evening outing.
February 14th Fellow-member Major Darrell Hall will present an illustrated lecture on "The Saint Nazaire Raid 1942".
The venue for all meetings will be the amenities room, first floor, Westville North Library, 167 Blair Atholl Road, Westville. The library is on the corner of Blair Atholl and Iver Roads, at the robot-controlled intersection of Blair Atholl - Iver - Dunkeld Roads. Commencement 19h45 (7.45 p.m.) on the second Thursday of each month unless otherwise announced. Please bring your own bottled or canned refreshments and a glass. Ice will be supplied
FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.
OBITUARY
It is with deep regret that we have learnt of the passing away of fellow-member Barry Stephenson. Our sympathy goes out to Val and her family.
(Mrs)Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm