Newsletter No. 567
APRIL 2026
NOTICE OF APRIL 2026 MEETING
The next meeting of the KZN Branch of the SAMHS will take place on Saturday 11th APRIL 2026.
There will only be ONE presentation,a topic well suited to the Easter Season.
David Hulme, attorney, and lecturer who has previously regaled us with his excellently illustrated presentations on the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, and Mediterranean warfare of the Greeks and Romans during Classical times, will give a presentation on
“The Roman military administration of Pontius Pilate”
Pontius Pilate is the best known and was the longest serving Roman governor of Judaea. Whilst the details of many senatorial governorships are known, Pilate is the only equestrian prefect of any Roman province about whom any details have survived. What emerges from the sources is the size and composition of the Judaean garrison, its immediate purpose, and its use on some occasions by Pilate. Less certain is the strategic importance of Judaea as no direct information survives. However, it is possible to draw some rational conclusions from the general strategic situation of the Roman Empire during the period of Pilate’s incumbency.
It is also possible to make some assumptions about Pilate’s military experience before his appointment as Prefect of Judaea. This talk will examine the general strategic situation of the Roman Empire in the early first century CE, the social and political dynamics operating in the province of Judaea, the Roman Army of the period and the garrison of Judaea in particular, as well as various events which occurred during the governorship of Pontius Pilate.
For both military historians and biblical scholars this will provide a unique and not to be missed background to the events of this period of history.
The meeting will take place on SATURDAY 11th April 2026 at 1.30 for 2.00pm, 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.
NB This is NOT the same presentation delivered by David to St Cyprian’s Supper Club on 31st March.
NEWSLETTER
1. Past March Meeting
The meeting on 14th March consisted of 2 presentations. The short DDH comprised a Powerpoint and video introduction to the Centurion tank, designed in the final stages of WW2 as a counter to German Panther and Tiger tanks but deployed too late for action. However, the Centurion and its many models and modifications saw operation from Korea through Suez,Indo-Pakistan, Middle East, Vietnam, and the South African Border wars. It was one of the most successful tank designs of all time and is considered the first true Main Battle Tank (MBT).
The main presentation was given by WO1 (ret) Johan Bodenstein, of NMR (now QNMR) and covered the 2-monthsquadron deployment of Olifants (the SA rebuild and upgrade of the Centurion) to the SWA Border in the closing months of the Border War. Although they did not see action, the talk gave an interesting view of the “hurry up and wait” environment of war, as well as sometimes humorous, although serious, problems that arise in logistics, and which play a major but generally little-known place in the military. This included, amongst others, ammunition stored without boxes in damp and muddy conditions, missing tank side plates which had been cleared up and disposed of by a conscientious base WO and numerous other problems. However, all were overcome, the men kept busy preparing continuously during the lulls and the squadron successfully deploying for an action which did not materialise. Altogether an insightful look into Citizen Force Mobilization on a scale unlikely to ever occur again in the new SANDF.
2. Forthcoming Attractions
The main presentationfor the meeting on 9th May, entitled “The Eagle’s Nest” will be given by Charles Whiteing and is based around his visit to the site in 2008.
After Hitler was appointed Chancellor, he returned to the border area of Austria, where he had rented a house, which he later purchased,altered extensively,and named the Berghof.
3. Highland Gathering
4. Journals
There are still a number of journals to be collected. These will be available at the meeting for collection. If you are unable to attend, please delegate a friend to collect for you or contact me to make a plan of how to get it to you.
5. Presenters wanted.
Note that we always have openings for short (20-minute) DDHs and 45-minute main talks and are actively looking for speakers in terms of volunteers, or suggestions. Please approach the Chair or a committee member should you wish to volunteer or know of any other speakers.
That’s all for now folks, please do your best to attend on Saturday 11th April and if possible, bring a friend to boost numbers and help recruit new members!
Regards
Phil
P R Everitt,
Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS,
Cell or WhatsApp: 0844371636