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South African Force
World War II
Volume IEast African and Abyssinian Campaigns
Neil Orpen
TO ALL WHO SERVED
On 7 November 1943, Field-Marshal Smuts decided to establish a UDF Hitorical Advisory Committee, the designatino of which wa changed to Union War Histories Advisory Committee in November 1945. This committee became directly responsible to the Prime Minister and formed part of the Union War Histories Section of the Prime Minister's Office. Three volumes of Histories were eventually published: Crisis in the Desert, The Sidi Rezeg Battle, 1941 and War in the Southern Oceans. Four more books were planned, but in July 1959 the Committee's activitiesi came to an end, and on 30 June 1961 the Union War Histories Section was closed down. Foreword
directed that this, the first volume, should be written to gain wide popular appeal, particularly amonst South Africa's youth today, whilst at the same time stamping it as a work of authority for future research historians. He was directed to highlight the roles played by all arms on land and the personal contributions and exploits of South Africans of all ranks and, last but not least, to show how the youthful South African forces and the men and industries behind the lines, starting with a deficiency in men and materials, accomplished what they did in East Africa.We believe that he has carried out his task admirably in every way.
C. G. KERR
Chairman, War Histories Advisory Committee
In writing the introduction to this book I make no excuses for quoting freely from the Armed Forces of South Africa, by that outstanding military historian, Major G. Tylden, E.D., whose words express my thoughts more lucidly than I myself could hav edone and I give full acknowledgement to him in making use of his writings for this introduction. Introduction
byLt.-General George E. Brink, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.
Just as in World War I, South Africa had given the Allies the first wholly successful campaign.
GEO. E. BRINK
It has been a privilege to be entrusted with the writing of this history, which I hope will serve in some small way as a tribute to those who took part in the East African and Abyssinian Campaign. The work has only been possible because of the generous assitance lent me by individuals too numerous to mention in detail, but I must place on record my special indebtedness to the following: Author's Acknowledgements
NEIL ORPEN
October 1968.
CONTENTS
Donations toward defraying the cost of producing a series of histories recording the part played by the South African forces during World War II have been received form the following and are gratefully acknowledged. Donations
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Transcribed and formatted by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation