South African Force
World War II
Volume I

East African and Abyssinian Campaigns

Neil Orpen


TO ALL WHO SERVED


Foreword

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.

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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

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Introduction

by

Lt.-General George E. Brink, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.

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.

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Just as in World War I, South Africa had given the Allies the first wholly successful campaign.

GEO. E. BRINK

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Author's Acknowledgements

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:

NEIL ORPEN

October 1968.

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CONTENTS

Foreword, by Mr. C.G. Kerr, Chairman of the War Histories Advisory Committee iii
Introduction, by Lieutenant-General Geo E. Brink, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. vi
Foreword, by Mr. C.G. Kerr, Chairman of the War Histories Advisory Committee iii
Acknowledgements x
Donations x
Chapter   Page
1. South Africa declares War 1
2. General Smuts fulfils his promise 11
3. Setting the Stage 25
4. Teething Troubles Overcome 50
5. 1st S.A. Division Arrives 61
6. Raid on El Wak 71
7. Preparation for Action 81
8. Capture of El Yibo 90
9. 1st S.A. Division enters Abyssinia 105
10. Outflanking Moyale 115
11. Interlude at Banno 129
12. Confusion at the Crossroads 136
13. Battle of Mega 152
14. The Taking of Govwen and Kismayu 172
15. Rolling up the Juba Line 192
16. Redistribution and Disappointment 214
17. Into the Abyssinian Highlands 224
18. Onward to Addis Ababa 236
19. The Battle of Combolcia and Dessie 256
20. The Battle of the Lakes--Dadaba 273
21. The Battle of the Lakes--Soddu 286
22. Amba Alagi--Surrender in Eritrea 297
23. End of an Empire 315
 
Appendices
1. The Union Defence Force before 1933 331
2. After the Depression 335
3. Recommended Organization of Defence Headquarters 339
4. Organization of a Field Division, 9 October 1939 340
5. Italian Forces Deployed in Italian East Africa, 1 June 1940 342
6. Blackshirt Battalions 344
7. Composition of El Wak Raiding Force 345
8. S.A. Forces in East Africa 346
9. 1st S.A. Division Troops involved in securing the Line Gorai-El Gumu-Hobok 352
10. Order of Battle, 11th African Division, 11 March 1941 353
11. Honours and Awards for Service in East Africa and Abyssinia, 1940-1 354
Annotations 357
List of Sources 370
 
MAPS AND DIAGRAMS
El Wak--The Attack 72
El Yibo, El Sardu and Approches 97
Attack on Gorai 117
Attack on El Gumu 121
Attack on Hobok 122
Mega, El Sod and Approaches 140
Mega and Environs 160
Juba River, Yonte Area 194
Capture of Jelib 202
Graph--Strength of S.A. Forces 222
Battle of Marda Pass 231
The Italian Retreat  facing page 242
The Battle of Combolcia Pass 260
Battle of Dadaba 284
Omo River and the Lakes facing page 290
Amba Alagi from Khaki Hill 299
Battle of Amba Alagi 303
Battleground of Kulkaber 324
Gondar 327
The East African Theatre of Operations, 1940-1 inside back cover

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Donations

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.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
African Cables Limited

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S.A. Forest Investments Limited

NEWSPAPERS
Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.

EX-SERVICEMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS
Cape Town Highlanders
First City Regimental Association
Gunners' Association
Memorable Order of Tin Hats
Die Middellandse Regiment Association
Natal Carbineers
P.A.G. (Comrades) Association
Pretoria Regiment P.A.O. Association
Royal Durban Light Infantry Association
S.A.A.F. Association
Sappers Association
S.A.R. & H. War Service Union
South African Legion
Transvaal Scottish Regimental Association

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Transcribed and formatted by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation