PAST EVENTS
There are many different facets to military history. This fact was clearly brought to the fore by the talk which fellow-member Vic Conrad gave on the reasons for "The Failure of Communism in Eastern EUROPE" at our June get-together. The ideology of Communism seems to embody two conflicting components. The objective holds out a promise of peace and freedom from want in a better world; but the means to achieve this is based on regimentation, violence and terror. The promise is a world from which hunger and cold have been forever banished, a world in which war and pestilence are mere historic memories, a world without exploitation of man by man, a world without racial animosity and discrimination, a world of peace and plenty, a world of culture and intellect, a world of brotherhood, liberty and justice.
The first part of the promise is to captivate the poor, the illiterate, the oppressed masses, and the second to seduce the rich, the educated, and to ensnare the idealistic. To achieve this it is necessary to instigate a revolution against the existing order, to destroy and annihilate, so that the new order may arise phoenix-like from the ashes. Wherever this has happened the revolutions have been bloody, brutal and complete. A phoenix-like creation did pop up its head, but in the conflagration its wings seem to have been singed - it has never been able to fly properly and now, in Eastern Europe it has fallen flat on its face.
Vic Conrad traced the origin and growth of Communism and Marxism, how original dissatisfaction and oppression facilitated the progress of revolution in Russia and then, during the following 25 years in many neighbouring countries.
Without a brutal and completely ruthless secret police and the strong red army this could not have been achieved nor maintained. The farmers lost their land and were grouped together in kolkhozes. Agriculture, commerce and industry now came under state control and ownership. The masses lost their freedom of thought and action. Shows of dissatisfaction were brutally suppressed not only at home but also in the satellite republics. The rape of Poland and the brutal action against Czechoslovakia and Hungary are but examples of Soviet foreign policy. In the same way that the people had rebelled against the Tsarist regime some 75 years ago, so the measure of tolerance of communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe had run full. A yearning for the right to determine their own futures, for real independence, a pride in their own histories and nationhood, and the growing threat of economic breakdown and disintegration strengthened the will of the people to throw off the Soviet yoke and the burden of Communism. The encouragement they received from changes in attitude in the Soviet leadership, especially President Gorbachov, triggered off a process which has brought about far-reaching changes but is far from being complete. After a lively question time, fellow-member Alan Mountain proposed a unanimously supported vote of thanks to the speaker.
The curtain-raiser at this meeting was a brilliantly compiled "short" on "The Trojan War" by Metro Goldwn HALL.
FUTURE EVENTS
Any member who might be prepared to officiate as one of the honorary judges at the Militaria Expo '91 due to be held on Sat 27 Ju1y 1991 is requested to contact the secretary, Mrs Louise Belling (H) m23m97 or (W)4252J9 as soon as possible.
Programme of Monthly Meetings
JULY 11TH Visit to the HIGHWAY COMMANDO HEADQUARTERS in Pinetown. There will be a short talk by the Officer Commanding (or his 2iC) on "The rôle of the Highway Commando in the Highway area", followed by an illustrated slide talk on "The Cato Manor Riots of 1959" (with emphasis on the military involvement) by our Chairman, Cmdt SD Bourquin. A sketchmap indicating how to get to the Highway Commando HQ is set out hereunder. The Officers' Mess will be open to members from 19H00 and after the meeting. On entry identify that you are from this Society and you will be directed to mess parking. The HQ is located on the corner of Pine Street and 7th Avenue in Ashley, Pinetown. (Look out for army vehicles, etc.)
Programme of monthly meetings
August 8th The Rhodesian African Rifles - Talk by Cmdt Mick McKenna.
September 12 Cmdt Danie Laäs will talk on "Operation Modular" (with special emphasis on 61 Mechanised Battalion Group's attack on the Angolan 47 th Brigade).
October 17th "The Taming of the Landmine" Talk by Mr Graham Nicholls.
November 12 Maj DD Hall's Military Magazine.
December In recess. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME.
Attention is drawn to the previously announced tour of the Colenso, Ladysmith, Spionkop battlefields on 31 Aug./1 September. Accommodation at the Royal Hotel, Ladysmith (Special Rate but excl GST) Sharing BB R50 p.p. Single BB R55 p.p.
Accommodation at 5 SAI Trg Rgt. One room for 4 persons @ R23,00 BB p.p. Bungalow (10 to 20 beds) @ R8 p.p. BB.
A special dinner rate at a central venue will be arranged. It will be appreciated if persons intending to participate will advise Ken Gillings (or, in his absence, his Secretary, Jean) Tel. (031)305 nmnm (office) as soon as possible, so that final arrangements may be worked out and published in our next (August) newsletter.
(Mrs)Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm