The South African
Military History Society

Die Suid-Afrikaanse Krygshistoriese Vereniging



Military History Journal
Vol 4 No 3 - June 1978

ACTIVITIES

At the annual general meeting held on 13 April 1978, Major Darrell D. Hall was re-elected as Chairman of the Society.
The Editors wish Major Hall and his committee a most successful period of office.

Addresses given at the Society's monthly meetings:
Month Title Lecturer
Jan. Postscripts of some of the personalities and regiments which fought in the Zulu War, 1879.
Film: Royal Hospital, Chelsea
Col D. Polley, OBE.
Feb. Vietnam Slide Show Maj D. D. Hall.
Mar. Battle of Verdun Mr P. E. B. Rice.
Apr. Annual General Meeting and Film Evening.  
May Lawrence of Arabia Mr C. Cohen.
Jun. Fighting Terrorists in 1850 in the Eastern Cape Mr N. Mapham.

Tour to Northern Natal

Marshalling his commandos in the Ermelo district during August 1901 General Louis Botha embarked on a second expedition into Northern Natal during September and October.

Spring rains prevented him from mounting his planned attack on Dundee but he engaged the British forces at Bloed Rivier Poort, Itala and Fort Prospect before retiring to the Transvaal.

Over the period 4-7 May 1978 a tour arranged by the Museum and operating from a base on the outskirts of Vryheid, travelled by coach over the area covered by the opposing forces - the main theme of the tour.

The principal speaker Major D. M. Moore presented accounts of the troop movements and engagements that took place during September and October 1901. His talks, supported by excellent maps and precises, proved most interesting and informative.

Mr George Chadwick gave talks on the battle of Talana (October 1899) and Blood River (December 1838) and, in the coach as the tour proceeded to the various ‘stands’, pointed out many features and places of general historical and military interest.

On the morning of 7 May, prior to returning to Johannesburg, the tour moved into the hills outside Vryheid where Mr Alf Wade spoke about the early history of the town, the personalities associated with it and the defensive gun positions that had been sited on the hills.

Thanks are recorded to the speakers, Major Moore and Messrs Chadwick and Wade, to Captain Speir - the Museum’s Honorary Organizer of Battlefield Tours - and to the willing volunteers whose efforts - often behind the scenes - eased the burden on the Museum’s staff.
A.C.M.T.

Return to Journal Index OR Society's Home page
 

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org