NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2026

Ian Binnie gave his third Zoom lecture to the Society on 23 July, this time choosing a dozen items or emblems to persuade us that there might be a different view of World War II when considering the British Empire and its contribution to the Allied war effort. Considering just three themes from his lecture, he highlighted Churchill's leadership; considered how boosting military morale envisaged post-war Britain differently for different social classes and political parties; and sketched the enormous sacrifices from Empire member countries which later hastened the end of the Empire as Churchill had seen it.

Our speaker clearly admired Churchill but he also listed his failings indeed his first item was a bottle of champagne! - noting his excessive drinking but also citing his prodigious work rate, better relations with the military than Hitler had with his generals, and adept useof propaganda to ensure the British public kept supporting their soldiers even as war weariness got worse.

Ian reckoned that even early in the conflict Churchill was firmly of the opinion that Britain and its Allies WOULD win the war - but that it would take time. Since Britain was bankrupt early on, it was absolutely necessary that the United States become involved - and Lend Lease was the solution long before Pearl Harbour brought America in against Japan. Ian pondered whether Hitler had even needed to go to war against the US.

With the British civilian population having suffered 60 000 casualties during the Battle of Britain alone, Churchill pushed the view that they alone were the brave opponents of the Third Reich and that the whole of the free world was depending on their efforts.

The Atlantic Charter of 1941dealt with what the US and UK and Canada wanted to see in the post-war world notably, Churchill felt that the stated 'right to self-determination' regarding government "did not apply to the British Empire".

In the meantime there was a considerable effort on behalf of the Labour and other leftist parties to educate the workforce about their ideal post-war Britain - not only the factory workers but also the armed forces - so that their expectations eventually led to the defeat of the Tories, and much to his surprise, Churchill's tenure as Prime Minister came to an end.

Considering the Empire, its contributions had to be balanced by the need to defend it. The fall of Singapore was considered the second biggest defeat after Tobruk and meant reaching Australia and New Zealand became even more difficult. But the contribution, for example - of a million soldiers from Africa and 2.5 million from India was obviously an indispensable support. Even Eire, not in the Empire, saw 250 000 workers go across to allow factory workers to join up.

After India's 14 million workers had sent many critical exports to support the war effort, post-war inflation rose to 350% and calls for independence started top increase. Within two decades of the war's end, the Empire was no more - and cries from Africa for relief from their colonists were getting strident.

Ian finished with some statistics from the Battle of Britain - at the start there were 752 British against 899 German fighters; soon Britain was replacing lost fighters twice as fast as the Germans. Losing 1200 pilots the Germans soon had enough for only 60% of their planes.

Perhaps the most telling emblem was the ox, which at the end of the war was used to pull an ME262 onto the runway as there was not enough fuel available to allow it to taxi. Ian's video recording is, as usual, recorded in the Society's Video Library on the website.

Thursday 13th August 2026 at 19h30 and then 20h15

Speaker: Gen M P Sereko

Subject: He will be speaking about his experiences leading to command of SA peacekeeping forces in the DRC.

Brigadier General Peter Sereko's career was shaped by conflict in the African Battlespace. Trained in an operational unit of the SADF, he soon saw service in Angola, followed by stabilisation operations, including with 32 Battalion. He later led offensive operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, neutralising rebel groups and restoring security in contested areas. His final assignment brought that experience full circle: commanding the Light Modern Brigade against armed gangs exploiting the illicit mining economy.

Monday 10th August 2026 19h30 and then 20h15

Speaker: André Crozier
Subject: The Battle of Britain - the planning and science behind the victory

The next RPC (Request the Pleasure of your Company) Zoominar will be on
Monday 31st August from 19h30.

Details will be in the invitations

The meeting this month will discuss two very different, but lesser-known events. The first (DDH) talk will be by veteran Don Brown who will discuss Operation Savannah; the initial covert SADF venture into Angola in 1975-76 which was kept from the South African public by the Government of the day although rumours were widespread internationally.

In the main talk, MOTH John Goodrich will speak on the Crimea - "the Mother of All Wars"1853- 56. Although most people have heard of the gallant disastrous "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Florence Nightingale", most of us know little of this war in a part of the world topical again at present. The talk will cover the reasons, powers involved, as well as the unique innovations in weaponry, trenches, hospital treatment, communication, and public participation through the press.

The meeting will take place at St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid refreshments available for cash. Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car guard which also gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.

Enquiries to Phil Everitt, Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS, Cell or WhatsApp: 084 437 1636.

If you have not received your Journal by the end of August please contact Joan Marsh.

Eastern Cape details contact    Malcolm Kinghorn    041-373-4469    culturev@lantic.net

Gauteng details contact    Joan Marsh     010-237-0676    scribe@samilitaryhistory.org

KwaZulu-Natal details contact    Prof Phil Everitt    084-437-1636     everitt@iafrica.com