enongqai vol 5 no 10
DESCRIPTION
A monthly electronic magazine for VETERANS of the former South African Police Force and those interested in our police, defence and national securityTRANSCRIPT
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www.enongqaipublications.com
MORE PUBLICATIONS:
Africa Police Journal
ULOLIWE Magazine
AN eNONGQAI PUBLICATION
EDITION: MONTH 2014 VOL # NO #
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA. E-Mail: [email protected]
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Contents FRONT COVER ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Altyd aan diens .... ....................................................................................................................... 6
REDAKSIONEEL: HET ONS VERGEET? ....................................................................................... 6
NASIONAL VEILIGHEID ............................................................................................................................ 7
Die Rewolusionêre oorlog: Was dit die moeite werd? ....................................................................... 7
A MOMENT OF SILENCE .......................................................................................................................... 9
A Wayward Son! Bob Smith .................................................................................................... 9
PERSONALIA – PATRICK COETZEE ......................................................................................................... 11
Afsterwe .................................................................................................................................... 11
Siekboek .................................................................................................................................... 12
Gelukkige Ontmoeting .......................................................................................................... 12
POLICE/ POLISIE .................................................................................................................................... 13
MURDER SO FOUL AT LAUCHHAMMER ............................................................................................ 13
Gesoek: Familie van ‘POW’ Gold ........................................................................................... 13
Murder So Foul At Lauchhammer: Chippy Brener (Transvaal Scottish) ........................................... 14
Footnotes by Chipow ............................................................................................................ 20
Further Research by Hennie Heymans: ..................................................................................... 22
Announcement of Const Gold’s detention in POW Camp 82, Italy ............................ 22
Full names ............................................................................................................................. 22
Italian POW Camps: Address by Col WH du Plessis .............................................................. 22
POW Camp 82 .................................................................................................................... 25
Book: Mitteldeutsche Stalhlwerke ........................................................................................ 26
Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke A.G. ........................................................................................... 26
Lauchhammer ....................................................................................................................... 26
Force Orders: Roll of Honour ................................................................................................ 26
Force Order No 8 of 1944 par 2 ............................................................................................ 27
Stalag IV-B ............................................................................................................................. 28
Stalag IV-B Mühlberg ......................................................................................................... 29
Camp publications .............................................................................................................. 29
Soviet control ...................................................................................................................... 30
BSAP: THE FINAL PARADE ..................................................................................................................... 31
ANGLO-BOER WAR: NWMP (CANADA) ................................................................................................. 32
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TOM VAN VOLLENHOVEN ..................................................................................................................... 33
Oud-polisieman en beroemde Springbokvleuel van weleer: Phillip Malherbe ................................ 33
BSAP: SALISBURY RIOTS ........................................................................................................................ 37
A few memories of the Highfield Riots (Salisbury-Rhodesia): Terry Schwartz ................................. 37
DIE ONTWIKKELING VAN EIE SAP PANSER VOERTUIE........................................................................... 38
Facebook gesprek ............................................................................................................................. 39
Inset deur Jaco van Rooyen .................................................................................................. 40
Inset deur Mickey Friedenthal .............................................................................................. 43
1900: POLICE MEMORIAL: NEWGATE STREET: LONDON: PETE GILLAT ................................................ 44
TROETELDIERE BY WITDRAAIPOLISIESTASIE: HENRY ABBOTT .............................................................. 45
COL EUGENE DE KOCK: BEN KRUGER (USA).......................................................................................... 45
ONBEKENDE POLISIEMANNE IN DIE BOS .............................................................................................. 46
Ovamboland: Paul Els ............................................................................................................... 46
SAP TIN-SKOUERFLITSE ......................................................................................................................... 49
1923 Testing the bulletproof vest (USA) ............................................................................................... 50
SOUTH AFRICA WAR GRAVES PROJECT: POLICE GRAVES: DR WALKER ................................................ 50
OUD-SAP-LIEFDADIGHEIDSTRUST ......................................................................................................... 57
Oud-Sap-Liefdadigheidstrust: Jaarlikse skaapbraai en boekbekendstelling: 6 September
2014: Anemarie Jansen ................................................................................................................. 57
DEFENCE ................................................................................................................................................ 62
SAAF: In memory of Major Stewart “Bomb” Finney, SAAF, DFC and Bar ......................................... 62
War Graves: Visit to Belgium: Trevor Alborough ...................................................................... 66
Compulsory Military Conscription in South Africa .................................................................... 69
SA Military Veterans: UK: Pete Gillatt: .............................................................................................. 70
South African Legion: UK Branch News: Pete Gillatt ................................................... 72
CRIME / MISDAAD ................................................................................................................................. 73
Boer maak ʼn Plan – internet via Jan van Wyk ................................................................................... 73
Nico Frylinck ...................................................................................................................................... 75
SOCIAL / SOSIAAL .................................................................................................................................. 76
België: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA) .................................................................................. 76
Nederland: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA) .......................................................................... 77
Scotland Kelpie: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA) ................................................................... 78
BOOKS / BOEKE ..................................................................................................................................... 79
Resensie: Regter Kees van Dijkhorst ......................................................................................... 79
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Die 3de Boere-oorlog ................................................................................................................ 80
Camels to Cruisers ..................................................................................................................... 80
Die Gloriejare van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag ................................................................... 81
HUMOUR ............................................................................................................................................... 82
Pastor on his deathbed via Dreyer van der Merwe .............................................................. 82
Some Court Humour via Catherine Lindie Conradie ......................................................................... 82
Do you know me? ................................................................................................................. 82
Excuses .................................................................................................................................. 83
Another Lawyer ..................................................................................................................... 83
HUMOUR IN UNIFORM ......................................................................................................................... 83
The Adjutant and the Witchdoctor- via “Piet-Patu” van Zyl ................................................. 83
Go Navy! Via Anemarie Jansen ............................................................................................. 84
Humour in the Air ............................................................................................................................. 85
Actual Transcripts between Air Controllers and Aircraft via Gerhard Dekker ...................... 85
LETTERS / BRIEWE ................................................................................................................................. 88
South Africa War Graves Project........................................................................................... 88
The Springbok Club: London ................................................................................................. 88
Ian Steadman: UK .................................................................................................................. 89
Marius van Zyl: Katar Midde-Ooste ...................................................................................... 89
Maj FNEB Malan of 1 SAP: Tom Mason (Kent) UK ................................................................ 90
Free Electronic Book: Koos Kotze (Bloemfontein) ................................................................ 91
No1615 Sgt Albert Edward Brownrigg: Alan Neethling ........................................................ 91
BSAP Galley: Terry Schwartz ................................................................................................. 92
Polisieskietvoorvalle: Koos Kotze: Bloemfontein .................................................................. 92
Query wrt medal re-issue for the former SAP members attached to the SA Legion............ 92
POLISIEPRAATJIES ................................................................................................................................. 93
1. Facebook: Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede ................................................................ 93
1.1 Pottie Potgieter ............................................................................................................... 93
1.2 Pottie Potgieter ............................................................................................................... 96
1.3 Ferdi Vermaakt ................................................................................................................ 97
2. Facebook: South African Police – Hall Of Fame ...................................................................... 100
2.1 Jean-Pierre Pieterse ...................................................................................................... 100
2.2 Capt Carla Pieterse: Jean-Pierre Pieterse ...................................................................... 101
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2.3 Jan Smit: Koevoet: Pine Pienaar .................................................................................... 102
2.4 Inspector Bradley John Meyer: Hayley Strauss ............................................................. 103
IN CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................. 104
Open Invitation to Share Knowledge .............................................................................................. 104
Contact Details ................................................................................................................................ 104
Website ........................................................................................................................................... 104
Next Issue Due ................................................................................................................................ 104
Greetings ....................................................................................................................................... 104
Internet via Chris van Ginkel
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FRONT COVER
Altyd aan diens ....
Men of the Flying Squad in Pretoria; Tommy Miles (left) and Gert Visagè (right).
REDAKSIONEEL: HET ONS VERGEET?
DIE STEM VAN SUID-AFRIKA Uit die blou van onse hemel, uit die diepte van ons see, Oor ons ewige gebergtes waar die kranse antwoord gee, Deur ons ver-verlate vlaktes met die kreun van ossewa - Ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons land Suid-Afrika. Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal offer wat jy vra: Ons sal lewe, ons sal sterwe - ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika. In die merg van ons gebeente, in ons hart en siel en gees, In ons roem op ons verlede, in ons hoop op wat sal wees, In ons wil en werk en wandel, van ons wieg tot aan ons graf - Nee! geen ander land ons Iiefde, trek geen ander trou ons af. Vaderland! ons sal die adel van jou naam met ere dra: Waar en trou as Afrikaners - kinders van Suid-Afrika. In die songloed van ons somer, in ons winternag se kou, In die lente van ons liefde, in die Ianfer van ons rou, By die klink van huw'liks-klokkies, by die kluitklap op die kis - Streel jou stem ons nooit verniet nie, weet jy waar jou kinders is. Op jou roep se ons nooit nee nie, se ons altyd, altyd ja: Om te lewe, om te sterwe - ja, ons kom, Suid-Afrika.
THE CALL OF SOUTH AFRICA Ringing out from our blue heavens, from our deep seas breaking round; Over everlasting mountains where the echoing crags resound; From our plains where creaking waggons cut their trails into the earth Calls the spirit of our Country, of the land that gave us birth. At thy call we shall not falter, firm and steadfast we shall stand, At thy will to live or perish, O South Africa, dear land. In our body and our spirit, in our inmost heart held fast; In the promise of our future and the glory of our past; In our will, our work, our striving, from the cradle to the grave There's no land that shares our loving, and no bond that can enslave. Thou hast borne us and we know Thee. May our deeds to all proclaim Our enduring love and service to thy honour and thy name. In the golden warmth of summer, in the chill of winter's air, In the surging life of springtime, in the autumn of despair; When the wedding bells are chiming or when those we love depart, Thou dost know us for thy children and dost take us to thy heart. Loudly peals the answering chorus: We are Thine, and we shall stand, Be it life or death, to answer to thy call, beloved land.
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Op U Almag vas vertrouend het ons vadere gebou: Skenk ook ons die krag, o Here! om te handhaaf en te hou - Dat die erwe van ons vaad're vir ons kinders erwe bly: Knegte van die Allerhoogste, teen die hele wêreld vry. Soos ons vadere vertrou het, leer ook ons vertrou, o Heer - Met ons land en met ons nasie sal dit wel wees, God regeer.
In Thy power, Almighty, trusting, did our fathers build of old; Strengthen then, O Lord, their children to defend, to love, to hold - That the heritage they gave us for our children yet may be: Bondsmen only to the Highest and before the whole world free. As our fathers trusted humbly, teach us, Lord, to trust Thee still: Guard our land and guide our people in Thy way to do Thy will.
NASIONAL VEILIGHEID
Die Rewolusionêre oorlog: Was dit die moeite werd? “Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal offer wat jy vra:
Ons sal lewe, ons sal sterwe - ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika”.
Doen asb die moeite en lees eers weer die woorde van “Die Stem”. Duisende voetsoldate in die SAP en in die SAW het “JA” geantwoord op die RSA se roepstem. Baie het geoffer wat die RSA gevra het. ʼn Generaal wat nie van politici hou nie het altyd gesê: “Ons sal lewe, jy sal sterwe - ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika.”
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Ons het nog altyd verkondig dat: “Niemand – geen lid van die veiligheidsmagte – ooit
onnodig gesterf het nie!” Dit is met sinisme dat ek weer na hierdie stelling kyk.
Wat doen ons om die gestorwe SAP-lede te gedenk?
Wat van hul ouers en hul familie wat steeds na al hierdie jare hul geliefdes mis?
Miskien ʼn parade of twee per jaar? Wat van gestremde lede? Lewenslank gestrem
agv ʼn besering tydens ʼn geveg. Wat van die manne wat “opgegee” het en aan
drankverslaaf is? Daar is duisende gebroke huwelike en kinders wat groot geword
het sonder ʼn pappa!
Wat doen ons vorige politici in die verband?
Dink die politici by name aan die manne wat hulle opgeroep het vir diens op die
grense – hier en buite ons grense. Manne wat die hoogste tol betaal het.
Is ons voormalige NP-politici nie in hul skik met die strategiese doel en doelwitte wat
ons as veiligheidsmagte bereik het nie? Ek hoor nooit die voormalige politici hulde
bring aan die offers wat ons SAP- en SAW-lede gebring het nie! Is dit nie vreemd
nie? Is hulle skaam vir ons geskiedenis? Ons het dit moontlik gemaak dat hulle in
SWA kon onderhandel en dat hulle in die RSA kon onderhandel.
Bomenslike eise is aan jong manne gestel. Hulle het vir lang ure in alle
weersomstandighede op die slagveld en in die woonbuurte diens gedoen. Nooit het
hulle teruggedeins nie! Nee, gewone lede het selfs gewapende vryheidsvegters wat
met AK 47’s gewapen was, aangedurf.
Waar is ons Afrikaner-politici se trots? Of is hulle te gedienstig aan die nuwe bestel.
Bang om aanstoot te gee? Ons kan nie ons herkoms en verlede vergeet nie. Ons is
die produk van ons omgewing, ons verlede en ervaring.
Sal vorige NP-politici wat ons monumente en gedenktekens onthul het, ooit weer
saam met ons in die openbaar optree? Ons oudlede is soos ‘n ongetroude swanger
dame en nou sit ons met die baba!
Wat van die polisie in die Boere republieke en die polisie in die ou Britse kolonies?
Ek het weer na ons kulturele erfnis gekyk. Ons voorgangers het by Impanza, Berg-
en-Dal en by Ladysmith gesterf in die uitvoering van hul pligte. Wat doen ons om hul
heldedade te gedenk?
Wat is die rol van ons voormalige senior offisiere in die SAP mbt herdenkingsdae?
Wat doen u om ons gevalle kamerade te gedenk?
Het die Zarp’s, lede van die Natal Police, ZA Berede Skutters en die OVS Rijdende
Dienstmacht verniet gesterf? Wat doen ons as oud-SAP-lede vir ons SAP-kollegas
wat in die wêreld oorloë gesneuwel het? Het ons verniet in Rhodesië, Angola,
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Mosambiek en in die Suid-Afrika gesterf? Van ons lede is daar vermink en ander het
geestelike letsels opgedoen en het onherroeplike geestelike skade opgedoen!
Niemand het groter liefde as dit nie: dat hy sy lewe vir sy vriende aflê. .... Dit beveel Ek julle: Julle moet mekaar liefhê!” Johannes 15:13-17
Ons moet ons naaste lief hê en daarom moet ons ook ons gesneuwelde kollegas op
sekere dae paslik gedenk. As ons as oudlede bymekaar kom, kom ons skep ʼn
kultuur van troue herinnering: Kan ons gerus saam in ʼn oomblik in stilte verkeer en
hul gedenk wat nie meer by ons is nie en ons kan ook ons glase (in die linkerhand)
lig vir kollegas wat absent is. Dis seker die minste wat ons kan doen!
Baie keer as ek na Britte kyk voel ek jaloers as ek sien hoe hulle ʼn diepgewortelde
kultuur het om afgestorwe lede gereeld te gedenk. Kom ons maak die afsterwe van
ons lede die moeite werd! Kom ons toon deur ons gedrag, dade en houding dat
niemand werklik verniet gesterf het nie!
A MOMENT OF SILENCE
A Wayward Son! Bob Smith
Bible Reading: Gospel of Luke15: 11-24 and Gospel of John: 14: 1-3. Read it for yourself, but here follows a summary for a quick read. This man's father was very rich. The son enjoyed all the benefits with his family in a good home. But the son was bored and craved more, among the attractions of the wider world. He decided to leave the love and security behind and search for a better life beyond his front door. On the death of his father, he would receive a substantial inheritance. But why wait until then ...... he needed the money now to enjoy his new lifestyle and at last .... his freedom!
Sadly the father agreed and his son left his home to follow his dreams. He went into a far country and squandered all his money, entertaining many friends and enjoying the "good life". But when the money ran out .... so did his friends! Hunger and wretchedness soon followed. Nobody would help him! He became desperate and found shelter in a friendly farmer's pig sty. He was driven by hunger and soon fought over the scraps of food and husks given to the pigs! Then there was a turning point ..... he came to his senses! He decided to return to his father's house and plead to just become a servant, remembering how well the servants were fed, while he was now starving! The journey home began, but at each weak and painful step he wondered if his father would receive him back .... and forgive him!
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However, the father had been waiting anxiously, and watched everyday with the hope that his son might return. One day, the father saw a forlorn and ragged figure walking towards him. It was his son! The father ran towards his son and hugged and kissed him in an emotional welcome. The father was so excited and received his son back, restoring to him the full honour of being a privileged son. The father told everybody that he thought his son was dead but has returned alive! A great celebration! Perhaps you have climbed the ladder of success? Perhaps not? Perhaps the reader of this article has been blessed with a wonderful wife and family and they all live together in a happy and loving home? Perhaps not? Many people are blessed with material things .... Perhaps not? But whether we are considered to be rich or poor in this life, we can be assured of a better future life in heaven. Sometimes we all follow the example of being a wayward son. We leave the peace and comfort of our established lifestyle and go in search of the bright lights and so-called good living. But there is always a cost involved that brings us little satisfaction in the long term. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, compared this story to the experience of many people searching and searching, but seldom finding a better life. We often find doubtful friends who will allow us their friendship, but most times at a cost to ourselves. Our plans, our hopes and our dreams don't always work out. There are frequent frustrations in our relationships and we often feel drained. Jesus often referred to His Heavenly Father who waits for his wandering children. Jesus offers the forgiveness of sin at Calvary's Cross, where he shed his innocent blood for all of us, to make a triumphant way for us to return to heaven. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, He opens the Way and the Door back to our Heavenly Father, who receives us as sons and daughters who have been forgiven of our sins and restored to our heritage in heaven. Jesus said," Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also." PRAYER: Dear Lord, I have wandered far away on my journey through life. But now I want to receive your forgiveness of my sins, and want the security that no matter my circumstances here on earth, I want to know that my Heavenly Father is waiting for me to come Home at last!. Thank you Jesus! I hope that you can use the above 29 devotional lines. It is longer than usual but carries an important message. You can edit the article if needed. Thank you. God Bless you Hennie. Kind Regards,
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PERSONALIA – PATRICK COETZEE Personalia vanaf 01 Augustus tot 31 Augustus 2014: Opgestel deur Patrick Coetzee.
Afsterwe
Dit is met innige leedwese dat ons die afsterwe van die volgende oudlede van die Mag of die van ons vriende moet aankondig: We deeply regret to announce the deaths of the following former members of the force or those of our fiends:
4 Aug 2014: Lt-kol Donald Prinsloo, van Danabaai, en ook bestuurslid van die Outeniquatak van die Bond is vanoggend 4uur oorlede na 'n kort siekbed.
20 Aug 2014: Kolonel Freddy Dempsey van Soweto moord en roof is oorlede.
18 Aug 2014: Ontvang van die SAP Brig-klub: Ons wil net met groot hartseer aankondig die afsterwe van Jakes Jacob. Hy is oorlede in sy slaap.
22 Aug 2014: Swapo Meyer wat die SAP Kruis vir Dapperheid ontvang het in 1980 en lid van SWAPOL Taakmag was, is vandag oorlede. RIV
27 Aug 2014: Henri “Fires” van Vuuren van Ladysmith Logistiek is oorlede. Hy het ‘n gewas op die brein gehad en is in die hospitaal oorlede.
31 Aug 2014: Lt. Col Roy Roberson passed away in East London. (Mostly from EL Dog Unit)
6 September 2014: Sonja de Lange. Die van julle wat Johan Knoetze van
Kempton Park geken het (al die jare 'n speurder) afgetree by Actonville - neem
kennis dat hy vroeër die week oorlede is. Sterkte aan sy vrou Lynette en die kinders
en kleinkinders.
1 September 2014: Maj. Gys Lombaard voormalige bevelvoerder van ABS 14 is oorlede.
9 September 2014: Hartseer nuus gekry vandag. Aan veral die oud-Boksburgspeurders, Japie Payne, laat weet Ghandi Stieler is oorlede. Rus in vrede ou grote jy sal altyd in ons gedagtes wees
12 September 2014: Een van die polisie, veral die aan die Oos-Rand, se grootste seders se wortels is gister permanent uitgetrek om 'n einde te maak aan 'n lang polisieloopbaan en 'n einde aan 'n uitstekende eertydse sportman. Lt.kol. Callie van der Merwe, in sy dae ondermeer distrikskommissaris op Heidelberg, is gister na 'n uitmergelende siekbed oorlede. Callie het baie jare vir Bobbies rugby gespeel en was ook 'n uitstekende tennisspeler. Callie het die laaste tyd na sy aftrede, hy was ongeveer 76 jaar oud, in Scottburgh gewoon. Sterte aan sy familie. RIV Ou Grootte!
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22 September 2014: Met leedwese moet ek almal mee deel dat Koot van Schalkwyk ontslaap het RIV ou Cassie, “you fought the good fight, and I am glad you were my friend”. Tiny Nortje
Siekboek
Die volgende oudlede was op ligte plig gedurende Agustus 2014. Ons wens hulle alle beterskap toe.
Kol Stoney Steenkamp ‘n oud SB Blinkpan, is deur barbare gewond wat kerkgeld wat hy wou gaan bank het, geroof het ! Ons gebede gaan op vir hom en sy familie!
Nick Nel was in Bloem Medi Clinic weens lewerensieme wat gevaarlik hoog was. Hy is ontslaan en moet nou gaan vir nekoperasie. Sterkte.
6 September 2014 Lynette Spies: Wil net hier noem dat ek gister ontslaan was uit hospitaal nadat ek 2 dae daar deurgebring het en allerhande skanderings en toetse ondergaan het. Ons was maar bekommerd oor die blaas, niere en dikderm ... maar alles lyk goed. Ek is so 'n baie dankbare mense en dien 'n wonderlike God!
Sarie van Niekerk vra: “Kom ons dink vandag en in die dae wat kom in ons gebede spesiaal aan genl.maj. Bertus Steyn wie se gesondheid regtig vinnig agteruit gaan. Hy het gister weer behandeling gekry maar sê vir my die prognose is nie goed nie en dit gaan regtig nie goed met hom nie. Bertus my ou vriend, ons dink aan jou in ons gebede en bid vir spoedige herstel vir jou.”
Gelukkige Ontmoeting
Ek stop nou die dag by 'n motorhawe in Kimberley om brandstof in my bakkie te gooi. Ek sien hierdie man in sy voertuig sit en hy lyk baie bekend.
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Dit is toe my ou Hillbrow pel van 30 jaar gelede, Andre Lerm. Op die linkerkantse foto is ek regs Andre is in die middel. Ons is saam met oorlede Boom Olivier toe ons nog fiets gery en klagtes bygewoon het in Hillbrow.
POLICE/ POLISIE
MURDER SO FOUL AT LAUCHHAMMER
The murder of Const Gold of the Police Brigade (6 SAI; 2nd Div) came to my attention
via Mr Kobus Cronje of Parys in the Free State. Below his request for information:
Gesoek: Familie van ‘POW’ Gold
INDIEN daar iewers in Namibië nog nasate is van ene weerman Gold, ’n polisieman uit die destydse Suidwes-Afrika wat in 1944/45 in ’n Duitse krygsgevangenekamp was, sal mnr. Kobus Cronjé van Parys in Suid- Afrika graag lig wil help werp op die lot van die moontlike oupagrootjie of selfs ooroupagrootjie van iemand, êrens in die wye land. Die verhaal van weerman Gold, jare terug aan mnr. Cronjé toevertrou deur ’n oorlede sakevennoot, is hartseer en ontstemmend, maar lewer getuienis van dapperheid wat miskien nie net die gevolg van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog se “wire happiness” was nie. Volgens mnr. Cronjé het hy eers onlangs weer wyle Chippy Brener van die derde bataljon van die Transvaalse Skotse regiment se boekstawing van die oënskynlik totaal vergete gebeure opgediep. Brener was saam met Gold ’n krygsgevangene vir ’n vervoerband wat as deel van Stalag IV-D vanuit kampe by die Duitse stadjie Lauchhammer onder meer dwangarbeiders aan die Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke verskaf het. Volgens mnr. Cronjé het Chippy, of CHIPOW, soos hy homself as skrywer van “Murder so foul at Lauchhamer” (sic) noem, nooit daarby uitgekom om hom meer te vertel nie. “Wat destyds gebeur het, het hom (vir Chippy) egter verskriklik getref,” het hy telefonies uit Parys vertel. “En toe ek na soveel jaar weer die papiere kry, kon ek net nie langer stilbly nie.” Volgens wyle Chippy het Gold, lid van ’n polisiebataljon, een goeie môre vroeg in 1945 eenvoudig geweier om op te staan, aan te trek of vir die koppetelparade aan te tree. Die rede? Hy het in ’n harde stem uitgeroep dat God hom gedurende die nag besoek en opdrag gegee het om nie langer ’n steek vir die Duitsers te werk nie! Gevangenes in dieselfde barak het geweet hulle sou almal diep in die moeilikheid wees as Gold sy sin kry. Volgens CHIPOW is die Suidwester dus haastig in sy klere gestop en tussen ander se skouers na buite gemarsjeer vir die “appel” – en drie of vier kilometer verder na die meule waar hy agter sy masjien moes inval. Daar gekom, het Gold egter plat op sy agterstewe gaan sit.
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Op die bevel “Aufstein! Aufstein!” het hy volgens Brener gou opgestaan, maar dadelik weer gaan sit sodra die wagte hul rûe draai. Die uiteinde van sy verset was genadeloos kil. Gold het volgens Chippy voor “Oberfeldwebel (peletonbevelvoerder) Koenow” beland, wat hom summier drie keer in die bors geskiet het. Hy is die volgende dag in ’n eenvoudige houtkis op ’n perdekar iewers heen gesleep waar hy vermoedelik in ’n ongemerkte graf ter ruste gelê is, ondanks versoeke vir ’n militêre begrafnis. “En so lê Gold God-weet waar,” sluit CHIPOW se verhaal, “– in aarde wat vir altyd deel van Suid- Afrika (en sekerlik Namibië) sal wees.” Gevangenes by Lauchhammer is in April 1945 deur die Kosakke ontset. Volgens Chippy is die moord op Gold by Britse en Suid-Afrikaanse militêre owerhede aangemeld, maar was daar behalwe vir ’n kortstondige navraag by ’n getuie rondom 1948 nooit weer ’n dooie woord oor die voorval gehoor nie. Dani Booysen
Murder So Foul At Lauchhammer: Chippy Brener (Transvaal Scottish)
The murder of South African Police Constable Lester Ralph GOLD1 by the Germans during WW2 has been mentioned in the Police Gazette (predecessor of the eNONGQAI) in issues No 11 & 12. Since then HBH has been able to gather further information to illustrate this article which also serves to honour Const Gold’s memory. For the sake of completeness ‘everything” on the murder is repeated for the sake of history.
The thick black smoke which billowed from the furnace stacks standing tall and stark
against a lowering sky of the Mitteldeutsche Stalhlwerke, created a permanent and
menacing pall over the town of Lauchhammer, toying deep in the heart of Saxony,
Germany, a town spawned by the steel mill strategically placed in close proximity to
surface coal deposits.
This pall added to the intensity of the dark and foreboding cloud which hung over the
head of each one of the miserable wretches who were forced to labour demoralising
and energy sapping twelve hour shifts in the mill, straining one's every nerve to
breaking point.
Russian, British, South African, French (paroled) prisoners-of-war and Dutch
civilians, formed the forced labour complement which toiled almost ceaselessly
under their German masters, who, never-ending, extracted their pound of flesh.
The Frenchmen, incarcerated since the fall of France, were offered parole by their
captors who were readily accepted, and the Dutch civilians could, more or less,
come and go as they pleased, within the restrictions of the curfew imposed upon the
town by the military command.
1 11.1.1908 - 19.2.44
15
A condition of the parole agreement, fully documented and attested to by each
paroled Frenchman was; that no attempt at escape would be made, the
consequences of which, upon being recaptured were dire indeed, apart from which,
the parole of the French contingent would immediately be withdrawn.
The possibility of a return to a POW cage was, no doubt, a great deterrent.
The French and the Dutch had to; however, tread more than warily, cohabitation
between a German woman and a non-Aryan being a crime punishable by death.
There is no evidence of any POW in the camp having committed this cardinal crime
but a prisoner in the British / South African compound boasted that he had had
sexual intercourse with a German female gantry crane operator in her cabin, some
50 / 60 feet above ground level. Fortunately for the man concerned, the boast was
never substantiated.
The French tended to ostracise the British prisoners - relationships in some cases
being strained - as the French avowed that their capture was due, in the main, to the
British army's failure to hold Dunkirk.
There were of course notable exceptions to the rule between the men of the different
nationalities, who toiled side by side in the mill, the common denominator being the
arduous work and the hatred of the German, making for a certain tenuous closeness.
On the other hand certain British prisoners showed much the same attitude towards
the South Africans, proclaiming that the blame for the fall of Tobruk could be laid
fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the South African garrison.
In the accusation there were overtones of cowardice on the part of the South
Africans, which even went so far as to suggest that certain South African gunners
failed to spike their guns, at the crucial time!
What a travesty!!
What did the accusers know of South African valour! The valiant struggle of the
Boers in the war of 1899-1902, the courageous stand of the glorious 5th Brigade at
Sidi Rezegh, or of the magnificent 1st Brigade’s epic defence- under the command of
the wily general Dan Pienaar at Taib-el-Essem, or of the part played by South
African forces in the advance from El Alamein - courage of the highest order in each
instance, and in countless other instances, which will live forever in the memories of
those who know of these things!
What a travesty indeed!!
The Dutch civilians were a breed of men apart - they spoke to a German only when it
was absolutely necessary - maintained a clean appearance in their person under the
most adverse and trying of conditions, and who created in the minds of those who
16
were privileged to witness it, a lasting impression of an upright bearing and a dignity
which was to be envied - and which will not easily be forgotten.
In the midst of one's own abject misery, in which one became completely immersed,
one's heart bled for the Russian prisoners.
Denied the protection of the Geneva Convention, they died like flies from starvation,
disease, and a lack of the will to live.
The Russian POW dead have no known graves, as these corpses were summarily
thrown into a lime pit established within the confines of their compound.
Without the saviour of Red Cross parcels, mail from home, and without hope of any
description, and considered by their German captors to be sub-human beings, they
were the forgotten and forsaken prisoners of the war!
Release for these poor souls posed a threat to their safety as the Russian high
command demanded that no Russian soldier should be taken alive, but that he
should fight to the very death.
A point perhaps to ponder!
The Russians believed that should they ever be returned to the USSR they faced
imprisonment, or even worse, execution, for the heinous crime of having raised their
hands in combat.
Death for these poor wretches was a happy and blessed release from the abject
misery, trauma, and tragedy of their lives.
Upon the death of a Russian, his comrades would conceal the body in order to
collect an extra ration of the swill provided for them, until the stench of the
decomposing corpse eventually gave the game away.
What worse punishment can there be, but to live, without hope!
The British and South African prisoners were housed, some in wooden and some in
stone barracks divided into small dormitories known as stube's, accommodating
twenty men in double tiered / wooden bunks.
Each stube was installed with a small coal-briquette burning stove which became a
shining beacon in the bitter cold winter months, and which brought a modicum of
comfort into the prisoner’s bleak and dreary lives.
The daily routine consisted of the never-ending drudgery of reveille at 05:00 for the
all important appel (roll-call). The shambling stumbling, trudge to the mill, some 3 to
4 kilometres distance, to commence the shifts at 06h00 for the day workers, and
18:00 for the those who labourered at night. The shifts were of 12-hour duration, with
but a half-hour's respite.
17
The march to and from the mill somehow became the time for the prisoners to berate
the Germans amongst themselves, for the inhuman treatment which was being
metered out to the hapless men.
On returning to the camp after a shift the men enjoyed the luxury of a hot-water
shower - the water being rationed on a limited time basis.
On a number of occasions immediately after the completion of a 12-hour shift,
certain of the exhausted men were marched to the marshalling yards to off-load
railway trucks which were heavily laden with coal-briquettes.
The daily ration consisted of 125 grams of bread, a watery-soup made from turnip
and potato peelings, and on rare occasions a heaven-sent minute portion of
horsemeat-sweet to the taste and certainly not unpalatable.
The rations were hardly sufficient to sustain life and it was necessary to barter for
food with whatever one had of any consequence, little enough, with the French and
the Dutch who were blessed indeed to be more adequately fed - such as this may
have been.
This appalling way of life and the hunger pangs which seared ones innards were
alleviated by an all too rare heaven-sent issue of an international Red Cross food
parcel, and an infrequent parcel of clothing and cigarettes from a far-off and never to
be forgotten place called home.
The succour provided by the Red Cross to World War II POW's was one of the
miracles of that war and will forever live in the minds and hearts of the men who
were fortunate enough to receive it.
Concerts were organised and brought some little relief from the permanent state of
depression from which the men suffered so deeply.
A rugger match on a small area of uneven and rough ground which was played
between the Springboks and the Lions lifted flagging spirits somewhat and became a
talking point long before and long after the epic tussle.
Towards the end of 1944 excitement ran through the camp when men of a British air-
borne division taken prisoner after the abortive drop on Arnhem on the 17th
September 1944, were brought into the camp.
The intrepid parachutists brought with them a breath of clean fresh air, and an
optimism which was catching - a glimmer of hope, a taste of freedom at long last!
They disseminated the latest and authentic news of the war which had been denied
to the POW's for so long - news of the successes on the eastern and the western
fronts, of 1000 bomber raids, of mastery in the air, and of the overwhelming array of
men and machines amassed against the Germans.
18
A ray of hope like a sharp slant of sunlight entered the minds and souls of the
beleaguered POW’s.
They knew now that they had but to survive the rigours of their lives and that one day
- please dear god - one day, they would be free men once again.
Freedom; a thought to be delicately savoured.
But survival and freedom were, in fact, a long way off.
The optimism of yesterday was quickly dispelled by the news of the well-nigh
successful German offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944 and with the
curtailment of the issue of Red Cross parcels, coupled with the bitter and unrelenting
winter weather clutching the men in its icy grip, dispirited and forlorn, they entered
the new year of 1945 in a mood of great despondency. The atmosphere was one of
gloom and doom.
The compound was commanded by a despot of a man - a tyrant - Oberveldwebel
Koenow who ruled the camp with a rod of iron clutched in a mailed fist - literally as
one of the prisoners (a 3rd Jock) will testify.
On returning one evening from his shift at the mill, he was set upon by the camp
guards and pistol-whipped into a bloody mass almost unrecognisable by his mates.
He was accused of disseminating anti-German propaganda amongst - the Russian
prisoners what utter nonsense!!
The man in question was something of a rebel - a courageous one at that - berating
the Germans unceasingly to any prisoner who cared to listen.
He had apparently been a target for some time and the oberveldwebel taught him a
lesson - unmercifully so!!! An informer in the woodpile? - not unlikely!
The oberveld ensured that the prisoners were bombarded - almost on a daily basis -
with anti-Semitic literature.
This added to the heavy burden already carried by the four Jews in the camp.
Early in the New Year the men of stube number 19 were awakened not by the
customary raucous shouts of the guards: "araus - araus - aufstein - appel! - appel!”
But by a commotion in stube 20.
The upheaval was caused by the fact that Pte. Gold - a South West African2
policeman3, a member of one of the police battalions - refused to rise, nor get
dressed, nor to appear on the appel.
2 He was a policeman from Natal - HBH
3 His Army Force No was SAP 196019 and his Force No was 12794(F) - HBH
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He proclaimed in a loud voice that during the night he had a visitation from God who
had told him that he was to no longer work for the Germans!
Poor Gold, little did he realise the consequence which would result from his
nightmare.
He was obviously suffering from a mental aberration, not altogether unknown among
POW's euphemistically known as being "wire happy"
This most unfortunate state of mind was brought about by one's inability to withstand
the rigours, vicissitudes, and hopelessness of POW life.
It was an escape mechanism - to transport oneself to another world - utopia perhaps!
Poor Gold indeed!
One could only guess - correctly so - at what the state of his mind would foretell.
Gold's stube mates realising the dire consequences that would result from his
actions, reacted immediately, hastily dressing him by force, and force marching him
on to the appel. Appel consisted of a head-count, and at this stage, as far as the
guards were concerned, nothing appeared to be amiss.
Gold was shoulder-marched the 3 or 4 kms to the mill, and then directly to his gear-
cutting machine of which he was the minder.
Upon reaching his machine he immediately sat down. This action was one of the
cardinal sins that one could commit in the montage section of the mill.
The black-clad dreaded factory policemen instantly pounced on him ordering him in
their raucous voices to: "aufstein - aufstein”!
Gold complied with the order but when the policemen’s backs were turned he
immediately sat down again.
This act elicited a stream of abuse and threats from the policemen.
Gold, who spoke German, calmly reiterated that which he had earlier that morning
told his comrades - God's message was clear - he was no longer to work for his
captors.
When it was patently clear to the police that the unfortunate man had no intention
whatsoever of carrying out his duties, he was unceremoniously frog-marched by his
black-clad tormentors out of the factory, and down the oft-trod road which led back to
the compound.
The drama which unfolded before the eyes of those who witnessed it will have it
indelibly imprinted on their minds for evermore.
20
Upon arrival at the compound, gold was taken to Cpl. Jevans' stube which doubled
as the camp office. (Jevans4 - the British man-of-confidence - the senior N.C.O. in
the camp - medical officer excepted.)
Jevans had the onerous task of ensuring that the obervelds' orders and commands
were carried out by the men to the letter.
Gold was dumped onto a wooden bench in front of Jevans' table and he waited! He
'did not have long to wait.
The police snapped to attention as the oberveldwebel 5strode through the door of the
stobe, seating himself in the chair directly opposite the prisoner.
He barked at gold to stand up, & upon being questioned as to his refusal to work, he
repeated, once again, the message he claimed to have received from the almighty.
Upon hearing Gold’s words the oberveld stood up and calmly and with slow precision
unbuttoned his holster, withdrew his service pistol, and fired at Gold at point-blank
range, three shots hitting him in the chest killing him: instantly.
Murder so foul was committed at Lauchhammer that day!
The body was placed in a plain wooden coffin and lay that night in an empty stube.
A hush fell over the camp - men spoke only in whispers, and shuffled instead of
walking.
The Jews in the camp trembled with anxiety and anguish. What if their cover was
exposed! What would their fate be at the hands of the tyrant!
The next day the coffin was placed on a small horse-drawn cart, and with those men
not on shift standing stiffly to attention on either side of the pathway, the cart and its
burden trundled slowly out of the camp to some obscure burial ground, to be laid to
rest presumably in an unmarked grave.
Cpl. Jevans’ entreaties that Pte Gold be given a military funeral attended by a
contingent of his comrades fell upon the heartless obervelds' deaf ears - true to his
form.
And so Gold lies - god knows where - in ground which forever will be a part of South
Africa.
Footnotes by Chipow
1) Koenow, was swallowed up in the maelstrom of the Russian invasion of eastern
Germany. One can only hope that he received his just deserts.
4 More information on Cpl Jevans would be appreciated - HBH
5 Oberfeldwebel (OFw or OF) is the second lowest NCO rank in German Army and Air Force:
BROCKHAUS, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 7: 3-7653-3676-9, page 185
21
2) The owner of the Mitteldeutshe Stahl-werke appeared; it is alleged, at the
Nuremberg war crimes tribunal. It is further alleged that he was charged with
employing slave labour in his factories. The result of these allegations is not known.
3) The Geneva Convention states that ill treatment of a POW constitutes a war
crime.
4) Countless atrocities committed against POW’s are chronicled. One of the most
infamous is the massacre at Malmedy. William Gilbert (in his History of World War ll
writes:- (the Ardennes offensive):- “the slaughter took place on the 17 December
1944 when 72 American soldiers, having been captured by a German SS unit, south
of the Ardennes town of Malmedy, were led into an open field, lined up and machine
gunned. About 12 of the men managed to escape the massacre and hid in a cafe.
The Germans surrounded the cafe; set it on fire and then shot the men as they fled
the flames. William Gilbert in his magnificent history chronicles many other atrocities
committed on POW's particularly during the German invasion of Poland”.
5) There are no known successful escapes from Lauchhamer. There were one or
two unsuccessful attempts.
6) the POW’s of Lauchhammer were marched back to the mother camp at Muhlberg-
on-Elbe in April 1945, and were released by 4 Cossacks who entered this main
camp on horseback, followed a day or two later by a few Americans in a jeep.
7) On the arrival of the South African survivors in Brighton, England, in May of 1945
the facts of the murder at Lauchhammer were reported to the unit which was
established to monitor atrocities committed in POW-cages. The facts were also
reported to the South African authorities on their return home.
An interesting aspect in this matter is that + 3 years after the facts were reported in
South Africa one of the returnees was called to wit command HQ Drill Hall,
Johannesburg, to recount, once again the details of the case as he remembered
them. Nothing further was ever heard, concerning the murder.
8) at a time when a stroke of a pen, the wrong queue, transport turning left instead
of right, had the effect of separating POW, mates who had been together in cages
for years, it was indeed a strange. A quirk of fate that brought 7 members of the 3rd
battalion to labour at Lauchhammer.
An even stranger twist lies in the fact that they were all "B" Company lads.
The only pleasing note in this report is that they are still "survivors" praise be to the
good Lord:-
Mac, Cussy, Ben, Bunny, Chippy, Stan (Tich) and Vic. (since deceased)
[The 3rd Battalion being the 3rd Battalion of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment)
22
Further Research by Hennie Heymans:
Announcement of Const Gold’s detention in POW Camp 82, Italy
Note: Incidentally “Oom” At de Villiers (above left) who retired from the SA Police
with the rank of Maj or Lt-Col and lived at Harrismith was a family friend.
Full names
Lester Ralph Gold born 11.1.1908 and died on 19.2.1944.6 Force number: 12794(F) and UDF No SAP 196019. From the force number we can see he was a “foot policeman”. He is from No 47 District in Natal. Although then a member of the Union Defence Force his number indicates that he is member of the SAP and is paid by the SAP. (Wartime policemen as compared to soldiers generally received more pay per month.)
Italian POW Camps: Address by Col WH du Plessis
During 1943 Col Du Plessis, ADMS, 2nd Div, returned to the Union of South Africa
and informally addressed wives of police officers who were POW in Italy. Here we
can see that not all information about POW camps in Italy was then available. It must
have been comforting for the police-wives to hear his information presented at the
informal gathering:
6 Email from Lt-Col Don Gold dated 9 March 2010 - HBH
23
24
25
POW Camp 82
P.G. 82
Laterina
Near Arezzo. 8,000 prisoners. 50% escaped. (2,720 from secret Italia armi document SMRE Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito Italiano)7
7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_prisoner-of-war_camps_in_Italy
26
Book: Mitteldeutsche Stalhlwerke:
Title Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke A.G.: Lauchhammer um die Gründungszeit
Author Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke (Riesa). Lauchhammerwerk
Published 1925
Length 46 pages8
Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke A.G.
1922 wurde das Eisenwerk durch die Linke-Hoffman-Lauchhammer AG erworben und ging 1926 in den Besitz des Flick-Konzerns über. Ab 1939 wurden die Stahlwerke im Zweiten Weltkrieg zum Rüstungsbetrieb und waren Teil der Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke AG von Flick[1]. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden auch Zwangsarbeiter im Unternehmen eingesetzt.9
During 1922 the ironworks was acquired by the Linke-Hoffman-Lauchhammer AG. In 1926 it came into the possession of the Flick Group. At the beginning of 1939 the steel mills were used for military use. It became part of the Teil Central German Steel Mills AG of Flick. Forced labourers were employed in the company. (Rough translation)
Lauchhammer
Lauchhammer is a town in the district Oberspreewald-Lausitz, in south-ern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated on the river Schwarze Elster, approx. 17 km west of Senftenberg, and 50 km north of Dresden.10
Force Orders: Roll of Honour
8
http://books.google.co.za/books/about/Mitteldeutsche_Stahlwerke_A_G.html?id=DrHDMAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y 9 http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahlguss_Gr%C3%B6ditz
10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauchhammer
27
Force Order No 8 of 1944 par 2
Photo: Ralph McLean: South Africa War Graves Project
28
Stalag IV-B
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia11
Entrance to Stalag IV-B
Main Street in Stalag IV-B
11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_IV-B
29
Watchtower of Stalag IV-B POW dogtag from Stalag IVB
Stalag IV-B Mühlberg
Stalag IV-B was one of the largest prisoner-of-war camps in Germany during World War II. Stalag is an abbreviation of the German Stammlager ("Main Camp"). It was located 8 km (5.0 mi) north-east of the town of Mühlberg in Brandenburg, just east of the Elbe river and about 30 mi (48 km) north of Dresden. A sub-camp, sometimes identified as Stalag IV-B/Z, was located at Zeithain, 10 km (6.2 mi) to the south in Saxony.
The camp, covering about 30 hectares (74 acres), was opened in September 1939. The first inmates were about 17,000 Polish soldiers captured in the German September 1939 offensive. For the first two months they dwelt under the open sky or in tents. Most of them were transferred further to other camps. In May 1940 the first French soldiers arrived, taken prisoner in the Battle of France.
In 1941 British, Australian and South African soldiers arrived after the fall of Tobruk, and later in the year Russian POWs from the invasion of the Soviet Union.
In October 1944 several thousand Poles arrived, members of the Armia Krajowa ("Home Army") captured after the Warsaw Uprising, including several hundred women soldiers. In November 1944 the Polish women were transferred to other camps, mainly Stalag IV-E (Altenburg) and Oflag IX-C(Molsdorf).
At the end of December 1944 about 7,500 Americans arrived from the Battle of the Bulge. At least 3,000 of them were transferred to other camps, mostly to Stalag VIII-A. On 23 April 1945 the Red Armyliberated the camp. Altogether soldiers from 33 nations passed through the camp.
Camp publications
The British prisoners published two periodicals: the wall newspapers The New Times and a richly illustrated Flywheel.
The Flywheel was founded by Tom Swallow, and comprised pages from school exercise-books that carried hand-written articles with colour illustrations from whatever inks the editorial team could produce from stolen materials, like quinine from the medical room; these were stuck into place with fermented millet soup, kept from the meagre camp rations. One copy per issue was produced, to be circulated among members throughout the camp. When extracts were published in hardback format in 1987, the book ran to two reprints.[1]
30
An additional periodical, The Observer was published between December 1943 and May 1944.
The camp's Welsh soldiers also created their own periodical called Cymro ("Welshman"), edited by prisoner William John Pitt. The magazines were produced between July 1943 and December 1944. Eight issues of the magazines were created, and out of these one was lost in the camp. Although most of the issues are in English, two pages are in Welsh. The manuscript was bought by The National Library of Wales at Sotheby’s in 1987.
From March 1944 to December 1944 the Scottish prisoners were served with their own papers, The Scotsman and The Scotsman Special Sports Supplement, edited, printed and illustrated in both colour and black and white by RAF pilot Warrant Officer Matthew MacSwan Robertson. The articles were written by the editor and other prisoners and concentrated primarily on Scottish matters, camp social life and the various sports events held in the camp. The Scotsman had seven issues and the Sports had twelve issues. Only one copy of each issue was produced and the papers were taken from hut to hut between publications for all to read. Copies of one of each are shown below and both are also included in Wikimedia Commons where they can be viewed at full size
Soviet control
When the Soviet Army arrived at the camp in April 1945, there were about 30,000 crowded into the facilities, of these 7,250 were British. About 3,000 died, mainly from tuberculosis and typhus. They were buried in the cemetery in neighbouring Neuburxdorf, Bad Liebenwerda. Today a memorial and a museum commemorate them.
The Soviet liberators held the British and American prisoners in the camp for over a month. Individual soldiers "escaped" from the camp and made their way on foot to the American lines.
In August 1945 the Soviet secret police NKVD opened on the area of Stalag IV-B one of its special camps No. 1 using the shacks of Stalag IV-B. More than 22,800 persons were imprisoned and over 6,700 of them died until operation of the camp was ceased in 1948. [3]
31
BSAP: THE FINAL PARADE
32
ANGLO-BOER WAR: NWMP (CANADA) Colonial and Boer police fought in the Anglo-Boer War on opposite sides. It was Lord
Strathcona who came up with the idea of bringing elements of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) from Canada to South Africa to combat the Boer commandos and their guerrilla tactics. The Canadian frontiersmen were the first police force to combat guerillas in a war. In June 1904 King Edward conferred the prefix ‘Royal’ on the NWMP for their excellent service rendered during the Anglo Boer War. They then became the Royal North-West Mounted Police and,
33
ultimately, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (French: Gendarmerie royale du Canada). Photo the Guidon of the RCMP12.
TOM VAN VOLLENHOVEN
Oud-polisieman en beroemde Springbokvleuel van weleer: Phillip
Malherbe
Tom van Vollenhoven het grootgeword op Bethlehem in die Vrystaat, en het op skool
aan al die denkbare sportsoorte deelgeneem, van atletiek, rugby, krieket en hokkie aangebied deur die Spoorwegklub. Op die platteland het jy enigiets gesoek om te doen om van jou ekstra energie ontslae te raak). Was vinnig en het 9.7 sek oor die 100 treë geklok. Na skool hetsy pa hom ingeskryf as ʼn werktuigkundige, met die woorde dat daar altyd werk is vir ʼn man wat sy hande kan gebruik. Die werk het hom egter nie aangestaan nie en hy wou by die polisie aansluit, aangesien hy nog minderjarig was moes sy pa toestemming verleen, gelukkig het die sersant op die stasie sy pa se arm “gedraai”, en daar trek die jeugdige Tom met die trein na Pretoria vir opleiding in die Depot.
Hy meld dat hy met sy aankoms op die spoorwegstasie ingewag is deur ʼn lid met ʼn lorrie. Alhoewel hulle die enigste persone was wat met die voertuig gery het, moes Tom (die Blougat) agterop die lorrie ry - hy was definitief nie dik van die lag nie. In die destydse depot moes hy ondermeer perdestalle skoonmaak of jy nou ʼn magal (voettroep) of bosluis (lid van berede troep) was of nie. By een so ʼn geleentheid “knyp” een van die perde hom met sy lippe aan sy boarm, “Pxxlle” Snyman wat toevallig daar verby geloop het haak af maar hy klap die perd dat hy behoorlik swik en amper op sy knieë beland. Een van sy troepmaats John Peach het op ʼn stadium sy bedenking uitgespreek of hy uitgeknip is om ʼn polisieman te word, hy skryf toe vir sy pa dat die £100 moet stuur sodat hy sy ontslag kan koop. Intussen werk Tom aan John om van plan te verander en vertel hom hoe hulle die kroeks gaan jaag en arresteer. Toe die geld arriveer het Tom met John se kop “gesmokkel” en besluit hy dus om sy opleiding te voltooi. Tom sê £100 het gesorg dat hulle genoeg geld vir ʼn ruk gehad het om soos “konings” te lewe.
12 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Mounted_Police
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Tom het ook aan atletiek deelgeneem in die Depot. Op daardie stadium was die vinnigste polisieman Gideon van Heerden met 9.5 oor die 100 treë. Hy kon egter op
die jaarlikse polisiekampioenskappe nooit vir Tom klop nie. Gedurende die Statebond Atletiek Kampioenskappe was Tom ook deel van die polisiespan wat die rekord oor die 4 x 100 treë aflos gebreek het. Rugby was natuurlik die groot trekpleister, met die eerste oefening sif hulle gewoonlik die spelers. Uit die aard van die saak het spelers van groter en meer bekende skole voorrang gekry. Tom sê dat hy aanvanklik nie plek in die 1ste en 2de spanne plek gekry nie – moontlik het hulle nog nooit van Bethlehem gehoor nie, of gedink dit is in Palestina, en moes hy saam met die ander ongelukkiges om die veld draf. Nadat ʼn man seergekry het en die afrigter ʼn senter gesoek het, het hy onmiddellik nader gedraf anders het hy
moontlik nooit span gekry nie. Hy het merk gemaak met sy spoed en soos hulle sê die res is geskiedenis. Het vir Polisie o/19 begin, aanvanklik moes hy die 2 myl na Bobby Versveld afdraf, dieselfde jaar het hy vir Polisie 1ste span en Noord Transvaal uitgedraf, en saam met Hans Brewis gespeel. Sy status het onmiddellik gestyg en is hy uitgereik met ʼn Harley Davidson as vervoermiddel rugby veld toe. Die einde van die jaar het Bobbies besluit om in die Kaap te gaan toer. Brewis wou hom saam neem Kaap toe maar die afrigter Lucas Strachen wou daar niks van weet nie, sy argument was dat Tom te jonk was. Brewis se teenargument was dat die klong vinnig was. Op die ou end het hulle die argument in die kommissaris, genl Brink, se kantoor gaan uitsorteer. Die generaal het net een vraag gevra: “Is die man ʼn polisieman en is hy vinnig?” Nadat daar bevestigend geantwoord is, was dit die einde van die argument en Tom het saam Kaap toe vertrek. Hulle het met ʼn polisie lorrie af Kaap toe gery met hoepels agter oor die bak waaroor ʼn seil gespan is (1954) – niks van vandag se luukse busse nie. Hul eerste wedstryd was teen die sterk span van Stellenbosch-dorp. Aangekom het die polisiemanne hulle natuurlik vergaap aan die talent wat so vrylik rondbeweeg. Tom het so ywerig geloer dat hy sy kop teen een van die hoepels beseer het en moes dokters behandeling ontvang. Sy opponent die betrokke dag was Tjol Lategan, Springboksenter. Tom sê in alle regverdigheid moet hy meld dat Tjol se beste dae verby was en het hy 3 drieë teen Tjol gedruk. Agterna met die onderhoude het Tjol gemeld dat hy nie veel van die nuwe klong weet nie, elke keer dat die man by hom verby gebreek het en hy
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omgekyk het, het hy net die rugkant van die man gesien met so stuk wit pleister op sy kop wat in die wind gewapper het. Na uitpasering het die jong polisiemanne in ʼn ry gestaan en hul roetevorm ontvang met die besonderhede van hul nuwe standplaas. Kapt Du Pisanie was destyds duidelik nie ingenome met die standplaas van Tom van Vollenhoven nie, en het onmiddellik die roetevorm opgeskeur en hom meegedeel dat hy die volgende dag by Polisie Hoofkantoor moet begin – mens verplaas mos nie sommer sulke rugby talent nie! Tom het 2 jaar vir Noord Transvaal uitgedraf en in 1955 is hy vir die Springbokke gekies. Hy het sewe toetse gespeel, 4 teen die Britse Leeus in 1955, twee toetse teen die Wallabies en 1 toets weer teen die Britse Leeus in 1956 – veel minder toetse destyds gespeel. Van Vollenhoven se borselkop het hy ontvang nadat ʼn plaaslike haarkapper in Pretoria hom die Saterdag voor sy eerste toets belowe het dat as Tom die betrokke dag ʼn drie sou druk, hy sy hare vorentoe verniet sou sny, wat Tom toe ook gedoen het met drie drieë. Die haarkapper het net een styl nl. Poenskop gehad. Dit was destyds ʼn baie gewilde haarstyl onder die jong manne. Sy begin toets in 1955 was teen die Britse Leeus wat in Suid Afrika kom toer het – die nie-amptelike wêreld kampioene. In die eerste toets was sy regstreekse teenstander die beroemde Ier, Tony O’Reily, en hy druk 3 drieë teen hom en sy naam word in die anale van rugby verenig! Deur die jare het hulle vriende gebly en in 1990 het Tony hom genooi om vir hom te kom kuier in Ierland – hy was woonagtig in ʼn kasteel – mens kan jou net indink wat se kopstukke hulle gesels het met Tony wat Tom oortuig het dat die Ierse Whiskey, wat se spelling verskil van die Skotse Whisky, definitief die beste is. Tom sê hy kan nie onthou deur hoeveel distillering prosesse die wiskey is nie, maar hy stem saam - jy vat mos nou nie jou gasheer in die gesig as dit by “vuurwater” kom nie! Tom noem dat daar destyds nie so ʼn ding soos ʼn binne en buite senter was nie. Die eerste senter wat langs die losskakel plek inneem, was outomaties die binne senter. Wanneer jy aan die een kant van die veld speel neem jy dus stelling in op binne senter en aan die ander kant van die veld speel jy buitesenter. Daar was nie tyd vir fiemies nie, as senter moes jy kon verdedig, breek of ʼn skoppie oor die opponent se koppie los, die bal opvolg en gaan druk tensy die vleuel in ʼn beter posisie as jy was. Einde van 1956 gaan kuier hy vir ʼn vriend van hom, Swys Swanepoel (sy broer was “n Springbok atleet) in Rhodesië. Die aand hou hulle ʼn gebruiklike braai – “n kopermynkaptein van maak hom ‘n aanbod om vir hom te kom werk en vir die dorp te kom rugby speel, teen ʼn heelwat hoër salaris wat hy in die polisie verdien het. Hy bedank en begin 1957 in Chinela, Noord-Rhodesië (destyds het Rhodesië uit Noord- en Suid-Rhodesië bestaan. Noord-Rhodesië het later Zambië geword. Aangesien hulle in die week moes werk het rugby wedstryde op ʼn Sondag plaasgevind. Na ʼn ruk is hy terug Suid Afrika toe om sy verloofde te gaan haal en te trou – wie bly dan nou soos volk alleen?
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Sy was sy skool liefde Leonie wat skool geloop het aan ʼn Engelse meisieskool – haar ma was van Skotse afkoms en haar pa van Engelse afkoms. Uit die huwelik (57 jaar) is drie kinders gebore, dogter Lynn, Keith en Allen. Einde 1957 ontvang hy onverwags ʼn telegram van twee professionele rugbyklubs in Engeland (Wigeon & St Hellens) met ʼn aanbod om vir hulle te kom rugby speel. Tom is ook nie links nie en antwoord dat die eerste klub wat hom 4,000 pond aanbied sy dienste kan kry – St Hellens reageer en so begin sy 11 jaar van professionele rugby in Engeland – is destyds as ʼn verraaier uitgekryt – deesdae speel van die Springbokke professionele rugby teen betaling en word steeds vir die Springbokke gekies! Hulle het hom vir die eerste drie maande in ʼn losieshuis gevestig waarna hy ʼn huis gekoop het. Sy aanvangs salaris was £9. Verloor hulle ʼn wedstryd het die spelers net £6 pond ontvang, wen hulle teen sterk spanne ontvang hulle tot £30 per wedstryd – alles het afgehang van die bestuur, bywoning en goeie rugby. Grand finale (soortgelyk aan Curriebeker-finaal) op Wembley kon elke speller in die wenspan tot £200 vir die betrokke wedstryd ontvang. Tom het in twee finale gespeel. Tom was 5 voet 10 en ‘n half duim lank en het 183 pond geweeg in sy speeldae. Gesien in die lig dat rugby spelers destyds nie uitsluitlik net van die rugby kon oorleef nie, het hy in 1963 ʼn “pub” begin met sy vrou, twee “bar ladies” en ʼn afgetrede mynwerker as helpers. Saterdae as hy speel, dan is sy vrou in beheer. Sy “pub” was baie gewild aangesien hy die meeste van die tyd aan die wenkant was. Hy is natuurlik as “Guv” (verkorting as Governor) aangespreek. Die klub het knaend by hom aangedring dat hy aansoek moes doen om Britse burgerskap en dus in aanmerking kon kom vir die Britse Leeus – hy het egter nie kans daarvoor gesien nie en het op 33 jarige ouderdom uitgetreë in 1968 teruggekeer na Suid Afrika. Het hom op Springs aan die Oos-Rand kom vestig en by Building Glass as stoorman begin werk. Het later ʼn “rep” vir elektriese motors en buitebande begin werk. Hy is nou 79 jaar oud en begin daaraan dink om volgende jaar solank lewe op 80 jarige ouderdom af te tree. Sy vrou speel eenkeer per week sosiale tennis en Dinsdae verrig sy opheffingswerk saam met die Anglikaanse kerk onder minderbevoorregte kinders in ʼn plakkerskamp by ʼn plaaslike skool. Vermelde kerk voorsien bedryf ook ʼn voedingskema. Elke jaar ontvang hy uitnodigings van sy ou klub om groot wedstryde op hulle onkoste te kom kyk. Hy was al ʼn paar maal oorsee. Hy was die eerste Suid Afrikaner wat professionele rugby in Engeland gaan speel het. Hy is die eerste en enigste persoon wat die eer ontvang het om ‘n professionele span in Engeland voor ʼn eindwedstryd op die veld toe lei (2004) op Twickenham. Hy is in 2015 uitgenooi deur sy Engelse klub om sy 80 jaar verjaarsdag in Engeland te kom vier tydens ʼn groot funksie ter ere van hom – alles natuurlik op die huis.
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Die Generaalsklub het ʼn sertifikaat vir sy rugby tydens ʼn glansgeleentheid deur genl Van der Merwe aan hom toegeken. Maccabi SA het ook ʼn sertifikaat vir sy bydrae aan Suid-Afrikaanse rugby aan hom toegeken. Philip Malherbe
BSAP: SALISBURY RIOTS
A few memories of the Highfield Riots (Salisbury-Rhodesia): Terry
Schwartz
Perhaps a lesson for local police forces in this simple picture from the early 1960s No riot dress, no heavy trucks, no special riot gear, no lethal weapons - just a few guys from local stations. Lesson 1 - Don't let the crowd overpower you by getting in amongst you. Worth a thought!
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DIE ONTWIKKELING VAN EIE SAP PANSER VOERTUIE Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie het sy eie navorsing in die SA Polisiekollege begin om mynbestande voertuie te ontwikkel. Die eindresultaat is die Casspir. Hennie Heymans is reeds ver gevorder met die navorsing en ontwikkeling van pantser voertuie in die SA Polisie. Die ontwikkeling was stadig, eers HMLS13 Nemesis (1922) wat ‘n gepantserde vragmotor was, dan die destydse Unie Verdedigingsmag se twee Crossley’s gedurende 1939 in Windhoek gedien het as magsvertoon; het die SAP eers in die 1960’s Saracen voertuie by die UVM geleen. (Toe was dit “U”-nommerplate.)
1922 HMLS Nemesis te Alberton met SAP-lede. Foto SANW-argief
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His Majesty’s Land Ship
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Voor 1961 – Stengewere en “Tommy” staalhelms, daar was ook helms van die Duitse-snit van die tweede wêreldoorlog14. Knuppels-seksie en “D”-formasie se dae.
Baie groot polisiestasies het Saracens gehad. As “blougat” konstabel het ek te Wentworth die geleentheid gehad om op die gepantserde ses-wiel personeeldraer, die Saracen, as passasier te ry. Dit was die dae toe ons stengewere op die patrollievoertuie gedra het. Die stengeweer was in ʼn kleinkassie op die patrollievoertuig se vloer geberg. Ons “squad-karre” het destyds ‘n stuk perpeks onder in die middel, van die voorruit gehad wat mens kon uitstamp en dan tydens jaagtogte akkuraat op die voortvlugtende voertuig vuur. Sommige voertuie soos Landrovers, prisonierwaens en opruktrokke het sifdraad met skietgate gehad. Ons het ook wagdiens by sleutelpunte met .303 geweer verrig. Swart lede het toe nog knopkierie en assegaai gedra. Eers in 1974 het swart lede outomatiese wapens gekry en grensdiens verrig. “Boer maak ‘n Plan” Geweldige vooruitgang is deur gewone polisiemanne gemaak om ons tyd op die grens en in die bos meer veilig te maak. Ons het begin met dik rubber matte in ons Landrovers en Big Daddies. Die dik matte, tweedehands, is van die goudmyne in Welkom verkry. Water in die wiele en sandsakke op die bak – ons het alles probeer terwyl die manne “gebloei” het. Maar eers aan einde van 1970 het die SAP (V) sy eie plofstofseksie in die SAP kollege begin wat toe later sy beslag nasionaal in die SAP gekry het. Majoor Apie van Dyk en sy manne moes van Pretoria na die grens vlieg om landmyne te lig.
Facebook gesprek
Wie kan my meer van die storie vertel en ek haal aan: """""""""""In die eerste Hiëna wat ʼn landmyn afgetrap het, was die bestuurder en ‘n kapelaan van die N.G. Kerk. Die bestuurder was lig beseer en die kapelaan ongedeerd. Wat ‘n suksesverhaal!""""""""""""""15 Ek is op soek na foto's van SAP-pantservoertuie. Stuur asb direk na [email protected] asb. Leon Strauss, Jos Chadinha and Oosie Oosthuizen like this.
Hennie Heymans: Patrick Coetzee is dit nie jou vriendin se Vader nie? 11 September at 13:05 ·
Mickey Friedenthal: hoop wat ek het kan hulp, ek het kriek, prototipe oor myn gery toe ons proef by WNNR.
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Ek moet meld dat die Nazi-tipe staalhelms glad nie goeie publisiteit op gelewer het nie! - HBH 15
Mev M van Dyk se epos aan HBH.
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Jaco van Rooyen: Het foto’s van ‘n Hippo en Ribbok wat van voor afgeneem is en ʼn swerwer.
Patrick Coetzee Oom Hennie Heymans. Ek het eintlik gebel hieroor maar ons het te lekker gesels oor ander goed dat ek vergeet het hiervan. Dit was lt. kol. Kritzinger, die kapelaan van die Noord-Kaap gedurende die 70's. Hy was altyd in die voorste voertuig in konvooi. Indien dit 'n landmyn sou trap dan word hy opgeblaas en nie die lede nie. Dit was geplaas in die eNongqai vol 5 no 7 p 35. Sy dogter Linda het my so ingelig. 11 September at 21:03 · Like
Inset deur Jaco van Rooyen
Hallo, hier is van die foto’s van ouer voertuie, die ander wat ek het is net van Blesbokke en Casspirs. Hoop dit kan help. Vrede en voorspoed.
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Inset deur Mickey Friedenthal
No. 1 - 21 Maart 1960 No 4 - Saracen Mk IV
No 2 – Eerste Hippo’s No 3 - Hiëna - Victoriawaterval Rhodesië
No 5 - Proto “Hippo”16 6. Poekie of “Posbus”
Mickey skryf: 1. Saracen Sharpville; 21 Maart 1960
2. Eerste Hippo’s 3 Hiëna - Rhodesië Victoriawaterval 4 Saracen Mk IV 5 So het dit by WNNR begin, Dr Vernon Joynt, se speeldinge 6 Niks sonder “Poekie” - die “Posbus” gewees. 7 Die “Smurfie-kar”, Swerwer, die een op Landrover, ander model op Dutsen onderstel
7.
16
Is dit die Spinnekop? - HBH
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1900: POLICE MEMORIAL: NEWGATE STREET: LONDON: PETE GILLAT I happened to come upon these today in while walking in Postman’s Park, next to Christchurch in Newgate Street, London and thought some of the readers would appreciate these special reminders of the police from days gone by. They form part of a handmade tiled memorial to heroic self sacrifice. There were others too, but I focused on getting photo’s of these reminders of heroic deeds by policemen all around 100 odd years ago.
Pete Gillatt
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TROETELDIERE BY WITDRAAIPOLISIESTASIE: HENRY ABBOTT Net om te wys dat die Kalahari nou ook nie terugstaan as dit by diere kom nie. Hierdie drie leeutjies was troeteldiere by Witdraai in ongeveer 1948. Hulle was later die grootte van ʼn groot hond en was baie geliefd totdat ʼn nuwe luitenant in die aanklagkantoor gestaan en wag het en een van die drie ewe vriendelik teen sy been geskuur het. Presies hoe groot hy geskrik het sal net sy kamerbediende weet. Kort daarna het ʼn opdrag gekom om die troeteldiere van kant te maak.
COL EUGENE DE KOCK: BEN KRUGER (USA) While flicking through the pages of previous editions of eNONGQAI, with appreciation for the efforts of Hennie Heymans and his team to provide us so much pleasure, my mind wanders off to a person whom is to my mind one of, if not indeed the greatest protector of society in the history of the SAP. Let me make it clear. Nothing I write should be mistaken for anything political, only historical. We do not have to like what happened in history, but we cannot change it. From the dawn of the creation of mankind, man has been in conflict of one kind of another with his same kind. Eugene Alexander Kock SCG, SOE & BAR, former SAP Colonel and commanding officer of the C1 anti-terrorist unit, then situated at Vlakplaas. Presently prisoner # 94616105 incarcerated in the Kgosi Mampuru Management Area, previously known as Pretoria Central Prison. Serving two life sentences plus 212 years for his actions while serving in the SAP and to my knowledge the most highly decorated policeman ever in the SAP. {I stand to be corrected and apologize if proven wrong} Up to this point, my scribbling is factual. After the minister of Correctional services' denial of his parole application earlier this year. My personal perception/opinion is that the incarceration, indeed the original prosecution of the man, was and is a failure of leadership. Failure of leadership, by the powers that was, at the time of change in South Africa, for not negotiating the exoneration of their most dedicated protector, while the new powers successfully
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negotiated such for theirs. Failure of the new powers, who in their neglect to respect a former adversary allowed and supported the prosecution of an honourable officer, who to the end took the blame for those under his command squarely on his shoulders. From the outside looking in, it saddens me to have witnessed the media reporting after the denied parole. It turned into a circus of mudslinging, legal debate and political hate. The singular lack of compassion was and is noticeable. The release of Eugene de Kock on parole will satisfy the letter of the law and the spirit of the South African constitution. The granting of a presidential pardon after release on parole will be a notable act of statesmanship, showing compassion to a former adversary and will lead to closure for many, as well as benefit the reconciliation of the persisting rift in South African society. Ben
Ben Kruger is an American residing in Brandon, Mississippi USA. He is an admin of the FREE EUGENE DE KOCK fb-group.
ONBEKENDE POLISIEMANNE IN DIE BOS
Ovamboland: Paul Els
Paul Els skryf ‘n boek oor Ovamboland en sy veiligheidsmagte. Enige staaltjies en
foto’s sal welkom wees, skryf hy. Hy wil graag van die mense op die foto identifiseer.
Voor 1961 – let op khakie pet
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Kees word gebad!
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Khaki pet. Voor 1961. Model Landrover?
Swart en khakie pet kan laat 1950’s wees.
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SAP TIN-SKOUERFLITSE
More Brigadier (Oom Hennie), Hierdie "flashes" het ek persoonlik by oorlede Oom Sailor van Schalkwyk ontvang die dag toe ek by TIN Wapenstoor begin werk het as ʼn "leerling" wapensmid / 'fitter". Dit het nogal baie sentimentele waarde vir my. Dit was die oorspronklike TIN-flashes konfigurasie wat die TIN-Lede / -Instrukteurs gedra het.
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Was meestal gedra deur lede wat verbonde was aan TIN Transito, A/O Vos (Vossie) A/O John Dreyer by die Voertuie (Casspirs etc), A/O Lionel Snyman en A/O Johny Els (Transito) Ek het dit beskikbaar indien Oom Hennie dalk self wil foto's neem of laat skandeer. ʼn Mooi dag vir u ???????
Help asb – ek het nie die besonderhede van die afsender nie. Epos reeds vernietig waarop afsender se naam verskyn het en kan dus nie nodige erkenning vir foto’s gee nie - HBH
1923 Testing the bulletproof vest (USA)
W.H. Murphy testing the bulletproof vest in 1923.
SOUTH AFRICA WAR GRAVES PROJECT: POLICE GRAVES: DR WALKER As a war grave photographer I have photographed in many cemeteries in the Johannesburg area and the second cemetery that I visited in Johannesburg was the
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Grand Olde Dame of them all: Braamfontein Cemetery. Officially the cemetery contains 77 Commonwealth Burials of the Second World War and 11 from the First World War. There is an Anglo Boer War plot, as well as a dynamite explosion memorial and burial area, and a fire brigade memorial. This is also the place where the founders of the "City of Gold" are buried.
Braamfontein
The cemetery has an official "Police Plot" which is situated close to the fence in Smit Street. It’s not a very big plot, and my "official interest" was in the grave of Constable G Morrow, South African Police. Killed in action at Nooitgedagt17 16 December 1914. Grave Ref. Police Section 22300.
17
Served under Major HF Trew, during the 1914 Rebellion. This where Comdt Jopie Fourie, a Boer Rebel, was arrested. The Afrikaans poet, Dr C Louis Leipoldt, was mentioned in despatches as he was attached to the SAP as Medical Officer – HBH.
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Const G Morrow: Braamfontein
However, as I looked around me I realised that there was much more to this plot than a single Commonwealth War Grave headstone of a young constable. All around me was the history of Johannesburg, and those who died during the course of their duties or those that are remembered by their comrades. Unfortunately it has been largely forgotten by the city and its people.
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Police graves
"The goal of the South Africa War Graves Project is to archive photographs of every single South African & Rhodesian war grave from the 2nd Anglo-Boer War, Bambatha Rebellion, WW1, Rand Revolt, WW2, Korea, Freedom Struggle, Angola-Border War, Non World War and Police to present day." It was really up to me to photograph these graves so that we could add them to our database. It is easy to find the 11 police graves that are related to the 1922 "Rand Revolt" which shook the Witwatersrand to its foundations. Many of the policemen who were killed in action during the revolt are buried here. Unfortunately the circumstances of their deaths are not always known unless one has the time or patience to research them. Very little of that information has come down to us so many years down the line, but given that in some cases the police were often facing armed strikers who may have been World War 1 veterans, it is possible that some were shot. The Rand Revolt is one of many bloody strikes that have rocked the country over the years, and even today it is a contentious subject.
1922 Red Rand Revolt: Const PJ Smit, CJ Swanepoel & CJF du Plooy18 all from the Transkei Police Division.
18
The late brother of Lt-Gen HJ du Plooy, a former Commissioner of Police, there is also a memorial for him in Umtata - HBH
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You can also find the graves of 3 policemen who died in the Foster Gang debacle, as well as that of a policeman who committed suicide because he was unable to pass on an order; which indirectly resulted in the death of General Koos De la Rey in September 1914 in a roadblock set up to catch the Foster Gang in Langlaagte.
The irony is that even today it is speculated that his death was an unofficial "hit" to prevent the general from reaching Potchefstroom. His death may have altered the history of the country.
Members of the Foster Gang are also buried in Braamfontein; their graves are in the "Jail" section which is not too far from the police plot. This jail plot may contain many more graves of interest if you know who you are looking for, however there are no headstones so it may be a hit and miss affair.
There are also Rand Revolt victims buried in this plot, recently a headstone was erected to commemorate the 3 Hanekom Brothers who were shot by "Government troops".
Hanekom Bros
As I explored more I kept on feeling there was more to this police plot, and during 2011 I was able to find a map which detailed how the plot was laid out, and using the register I was able to tie in names and dates to the individual graves.
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There are at least 126 policemen buried here, the first being buried here in October 1903, the last in June 1923, at which point police burials reverted to the Police Section at Brixton cemetery, which is a story on its own.
There are also a number of unmarked police graves, and these are mostly related to the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic which killed millions of people throughout the world and probably decimated the population of a city that was rapidly outpacing itself. Some policemen were forgotten in the rush to bury victims, and they are interred here in unmarked graves. Interestingly enough, while doing my research I looked at the register entries for October and November 1918 to see whether there was an increase in the death rate and surprisingly there was a large jump in the amount of funerals that were taking place, although by this point Brixton cemetery was already in operation and taking in burials so many of the victims of that epidemic are buried there.
Map: Police Graves
Brixton Cemetery is not too far away and it has a dedicated police plot on a small island in the middle of the cemetery. It is easily overlooked by visitors, and even I did not explore it as much as I should have.
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Sadly, like so many cemeteries it has been vandalised and the police plot has not escaped the mindless stupidity of somebody that thinks pushing headstones over is fun.
However, many police graves are scattered amongst the cemetery, and they are the ones that we struggle to find as it does require a lot of luck and good eyesight. The Rand Revolt graves in Brixton are mostly Military in origin, as well as civilian, while the Police were interred in Braamfontein. It is rumoured that there is a mass grave of strikers buried in Braamfontein next to Smit Street, but I have not seen evidence of this in the registers.
Brixton police graves
It's easy to overlook this small section in a large cemetery, but for each policeman who is buried here there was a family, he may have been a breadwinner, in which case that family no longer had an income, or he may have died during the course of his duty, some of these policemen were very young and I expect that given how rough Johannesburg was in its early years, quite a few would have had to deal with a lot of very desperate men, and given that on every corner was a pub, a lot of very drunk men too.
Their stories are mostly found in obscure texts, or in the headlines of period newspapers, these are not the mine owners or the bankers of the city, these were the men who walked the streets of a very dangerous city and saw that the law was
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adhered to. They may have been forgotten, but at least I know that their graves have been photographed so that one day future generations will know that they existed.
DR Walker 2014
We thank Dave for his involvement in the South Africa War Graves Project and for efforts in saving a part of our police history for generations to come! - HBH
OUD-SAP-LIEFDADIGHEIDSTRUST
Oud-Sap-Liefdadigheidstrust: Jaarlikse skaapbraai en boekbekendstelling: 6
September 2014: Anemarie Jansen
Op 6 September 2014 vind die jaarlikse skaapbraai plaas by Die Plek, `ʼn heerlike
kuierplek bekend vir sy boerekos buffet.
Daar is nie `ʼn oop sitplek te bespeur in die keurig gedekte saal met die vrolike groen
en wit servette nie. Meeste van die gaste is al grys om die slape maar die atmosfeer
is lewendig, glase word volgeskink en daar word oor en weer gekuier.
“Vat gou hier van Dicks se chips,” sê Paul Fouché, leun oor van die Koevoettafel
langsaan en gee ʼn bord met skyfies en neute vir ons aan. “Hy sal nie agterkom nie.
Hier is baie.”
Dr Jan du Preez, oud-SAP-generaal, open met skriflesing en gebed. Hy gesels oor
die sterk godsdienstige invloed wat nog altyd in die SAP teenwoordig was. “Party
van ons het langs die pad geval,” sê hy. “In die stryd teen misdaad en terrorisme is
daardie prys met bloed betaal.”
Die oudlede teenwoordig is op ʼn pelgrimsreis. “Ons is op ons laaste skof.”
Herinneringe hang soos ʼn onsigbare wolk om die geboë hoofde van die oudlede
teenwoordig.
Genl. Van der Merwe hou ʼn kort toespraak om die rol en werking van die Oud-SAP-
Liefdadigheidstrust in konteks te plaas.
Hy meld dat die SAP topbestuur tydens die WVK verbete geveg het om die regte
van oudlede wat geskend is, te herstel. Hy noem dat die SAP in die WVK proses
ingegaan het onbewus van wat op hulle wag. Adv. Louis Visser het opgetree as die
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SAP se advokaat. Ten spyte van genls. Van der Merwe, Coetzee en Geldenhuys se
pogings het ʼn volbank regters teen vrystelling vir die SAP beslis. Dit is hier waar die
trustgedagte ontstaan het: Daar is besef dat daar ʼn lang en moeilik pad voorlê.
Genl. Bertus Steyn het die land vol gereis om die slagoffers van terreur by te staan.
Die SAP het deur die jare geworstel met propaganda en persepsies. Die
gedenkalbum wat op 6 September 2014 vrygestel is, is ʼn poging om die herinneringe
aan die verlede te boek te stel. Spesiale vermelding word aan twee lede gemaak:
Sarie van Niekerk en Hennie Heymans wat groot bydraes tot die gedenkalbum
gemaak het.
Die verrigtinge vertel ʼn storie van die familiegevoel en samehorigheidsgevoel wat
steeds onder oudlede heers. Die gevoel van behoort bly belangrik.
Skenkers wat bygedra het om ʼn sukses van die dag te maak, word vervolgens
bedank.
Dit raak-raak aan eenuur. Die Springbokke speel teen Australië en ʼn paar mense
glip by ʼn sydeur weg om gou na die telling te kyk in die hoofgebou. Die geur van
skaapvleis op die spitbraai draal in die soel bosveldlug. Dit raak tyd om die borde
hoogvol van die heerlikheid te stapel: murg-sagte skaapvleis, wors,
pampoenkoekies, pap en sous.
Ek en Jonathan Pittaway, wat besig is om aan sy boek Koevoet: The men speak
finale afronding te doen, kyk vir mekaar en glimlag. Ons voel beide bevoorreg om
hierdie dag saam met oudlede van die SAP te kon meemaak.
Mevv Dietrichsen en Fouche
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Hennie Heymans, Paul Fouche, Jonathan Pittaway en Diecks Dietrichsen
Genl Bertus Steyn aan die woord ...
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Manie van Staden besig om “Die Gloriejare” te verkoop ...
Dit was die eeste keer dat genl Mike Geldenhuys en sy gade, Annatjie, weens ongesteld-heid nie die gesel-ligheid kon bywoon nie. Ons dink aan hulle!
Wynand Deyzel dink ver ... genl Tokkie Nienaber ...
Die braaiers.
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Kerneelsie Borea en Nico Freylinck
Genl Johan van der Merwe aan die woord, aan sy linkerkant sit Bertus Steyn en regs staan Hilton Drury.
Foto’s en storie: Anemari Jansen
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DEFENCE
SAAF: In memory of Major Stewart “Bomb” Finney, SAAF, DFC and Bar
09/02/1920 – 16/09/2014 Dear Members & Friends It is with great sadness that we announce that Major Stewart “Bomb” Finney, DFC and Bar, ex-SAAF (1940-1945) has passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday evening, the 16th of September. He was 94 years of age. “Bomb” Finney was one of the few direct links that we still shared with the Second World War, a part of our military heritage that slowly fades away as the younger generations are getting further removed, while, for many of us born in the immediate aftermath of that tumultuous event, impacted on our youth and helped form our primary interest and focus in the history of WWII. Members of the Cape Town branch of the SA Military History Society might recall that Maj. “Bomb” Finney was our guest speaker on 12 February 2009 – in spite of his advanced age at the time (89 years old)! It was a most memorable evening and a lecture not easily forgotten - not only was Maj. Finney an excellent speaker, but his memory and recall of events remarkable for his age, accented by a lively sense of humour which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. (Anyone interested in reading a summary of that particular lecture, can download the Cape Town branch’s newsletter at the SAMHS website, by clicking on this link: http://rapidttp.co.za/milhist/9/c09marne.html).
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Maj. “Bomb” Finney might not have been a Sailor Malan of a Pat Pattle, but he was a brave man amongst brave men, a hero and a legend in his own right. He was popular amongst his fellow South Africans “Up North” and not only a good pilot, but also an excellent leader of men, a fact which the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, as well as having commanded No. 1 Squadron SAAF in Italy, most convincingly attest to. A short summary of his wartime service record shows that most convincingly: SERVICE RECORD Major Stewart Alexander "Bomb" Finney, DFC and Bar
On leave after getting a pip and wings, 1941 1940/41 28 Aug – 30 Nov, Joined South African Air Force (SAAF) as a Pupil Pilot Central Air Force Training Depot (CAFTD), Roberts Heights, Pretoria. 1 Dec ‘40 – 15 Feb ’41, Ground Instruction School (GIS), Tempe, Bloemfontein. 1941/42 17 Feb ‘41 – 6 Mar, Initial Training Wing (ITW), S. Rhodesian Air Force, Kumalo, Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. 7 Mar – 26 Apr, No 26 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS), Empire Training Scheme, Guinea Fowl, Gwelo. 28 Apr – 23 Jul, No 22 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Empire Training Scheme, Thornhill, Gwelo. 24 Jul – 10 Aug, on leave in South Africa, after completion of flying training course.
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11 Aug – 26 Sep, No 5 Squadron, SAAF, Zwartkops Air Station and Germiston Airport. 18 Oct – 19 Nov, 71 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Gordon’s Tree, Khartoum, Sudan. 20 Nov – 27 Nov, No 73 Squadron, RAF, El Gamil, Port Said, Egypt. 28 Nov ’41 – 8 Feb ’42, No 1 Squadron, SAAF, Middle East. 1942 11 Feb – 8 Mar, No 4 S A Military Hospital, Rosetta, Egypt 9 Mar - 5 Dec, No 1 Squadron, SAAF, Middle East 1943/44 10 Jan ‘43 – 25 Feb Operational Tour Expired (OTE). Leave in South Africa 1 Mar – 6 Sep, No 73 (Middle East) Operational Training Unit (OTU), Abu Sueir, Egypt. 10 Sep ’43 – 20 Mar ’44, No 1 Squadron, SAAF, Sicily and Italy. 1944/45 21 Mar ’44 - 2 Jun, OC (Officer Commanding) No 2 Squadron, SAAF, Italy. 5 Jun – 22 Jul, Operational Tour Expired (OTE). Leave in South Africa. 23 Jul – 28 Sep, 11 OTU, Waterkloof, near Pretoria. 18 Oct ‘44 – 19 Jul ’45, OC No 2 Squadron, SAAF, Italy, including two weeks Combined Operations course at Old Sarum, Salisbury, England. 1945/46 Mid-Aug – mid-Sep ‘45, 7 Wing, SAAF to Colombo, Ceylon, then to Durban, South Africa. OC Troops aboard H M Troop Ship Bergensfjord. Mid-Sep – 20 Oct, Operational Tour Expired (OTE). Leave in South Africa. 21 Oct ’45 – Jan ’46, 11 OTU Waterkloof, then demobilized. He flew (Hurricanes) in the Western Desert from 1941 and completed 3 combat tours ending as the commanding officer of 2 Squadron in Italy 1945 (flying Spitfires). He was shot down and wounded in 1942. Stewart “Bomb” Finney was the recipient of the DFC and Bar, one of only 14 SAAF fighter pilots to achieve this distinct honour. He added to the lives of all who knew him well, with his endless curiosity, sense of humour, patience and kindness. He was always dignified, respectful and courteous - a true gentleman - and in turn he was respected and honoured by his peers and the community at large. But under that unhurried, soft-spoken exterior was an iron resilience and lightning reactions. Post-war he studied to become an engineer and had a long and successful professional career until his retirement. The nickname “Bomb” was acquired working for a munitions factory. To the bereaved family, on behalf of the members of the Cape Town branch of the SA Military History Society, our heartfelt, sincerest condolences and shared sorrow on the passing a Man amongst Men, a husband, father, grandfather, comrade, friend and colleague – he will be sorely missed by us all.
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Honoured and blessed are indeed those whose lives have been touched and enriched by his acquaintance and friendship. R.I.P. “Bomb”, and blue skies forever! Sincerely Johan van den Berg Chairman: SAMHS (Cape Town Branch)
Stewart Finney with a Christmas gift in December 2012
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8 September 2011, Pigalle restaurant, Seapoint, Cape Town. L.-R.: Jeannie & Stewart Finney, Tinus & Tersia le Roux [My grateful acknowledgement of the kind assistance provided by fellow-member Ray Hattingh (Branch Honorary Secretary) and personal friend of the late Stewart Finney; as well as to fellow-member Tinus le Roux for permission to utilise photographs from the website dedicated to the flying career of Stewart Finney. Tinus had the foresight and the initiative to interview almost all the survivors who flew in combat in WWII over the past couple of years. He maintains at his own cost webpages dedicated to our flying heroes of yesteryear. Profiles, photographs and recordings of interviews are to be found on these pages. To read about and listen to “Bomb’s” wartime experiences and reminiscences, please visit: http://www.bombfinney.yolasite.com/]
War Graves: Visit to Belgium: Trevor Alborough
Hennie,
In early April I had the privilege to visit Ypres (Ieper)
and Passendale in Belgium and have attached a few
photos. This was a side trip in a much longer trip
intended catch up with family scattered around the
world. However, my personal view is that it is better to
spend more time in one place to get a feel of it than to
travel to many just to tick them off a list. This I think is a
good approach for visiting world war one battlefields.
The front moved back and forth along a line stretching
from the English Channel to Switzerland. - That's a lot
of traveling if you wanted to take it all in.
For anyone who'd like to trace the grave of a family member I can recommend they
look at the Commonwealth War Graves website which allows you to search by
name, service number, regiment etc. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx Even if
you do not have full details you may be able to narrow things down sufficiently as to
be useful.
Ieper, as it is now known by its modern spelling, houses a museum in the 13th
century Cloth Hall which has been rebuilt after it was destroyed in the war. The
display is chronologically ordered starting with the German invasion of Belgium,
through to the legacy of the war. For a small additional fee you can climb the cloth
hall tower, time it right and you can watch the carillon chime and right at the top there
are some good views of the town. One of the other attractions of Ieper is the Menin
gate, the walls of which have lists of those who died but have no known grave
inscribed in them. Every evening at 20:00 there is a last post ceremony at the gate
where the last post is played, wreaths are laid and the last post is sounded again.
The crowd attending starts to build from about 19:30, and I estimate there would
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have been about 1000 people there on both nights we were there. The central part of
the gate area is kept clear for the buglers and those wishing to lay wreaths.
Not far from Ieper is the Tyne Cot cemetery, which with just under 12000 graves is
the largest Commonwealth War Graves cemetery. There is a small but interesting
museum here, but it is the sheer size of the cemetery with its neat rows of graves
that is striking. Only about a quarter of the graves are of an identified individual,
others might say "A Lieutenant of the Great War". But the majority simply read "A
soldier of the Great War - Known unto God". Also worth a visit is the Passendale
museum where there are reconstructed bunkers and trenches and more displays of
what conditions were like in the war.
If you are traveling to Europe on a South African passport, you will need a Schengen
Visa. This should be issued by either the country of first entry into the European
Union or the country where you'll spend the most time: In terms of convenience to
yourself it may give you some choice of which embassy you approach. If you don't
have some knowledge of French, visiting Belgium may be easier than France -
Flemish looks more familiar than French to SA eye, and most shops and restaurants
in Ieper seem to have staff with a working knowledge of English. South Africans
visiting the UK also need a visa these days. When it comes to air travel, direct flights
might not be the cheapest - pester your travel agent!
Trevor Alborough
Tyne Cot Cemetery contains: 11956 graves and the memorial wall contains 33857 names of those who have no known grave. The breakdown of the graves is given at the entrance gate and is as follows:
Nationality Graves
British 8961
Australian 1368
Canadian 997
New Zealand 520
South African 90
Newfoundland 14
West Indian 2
German 4
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Compulsory Military Conscription in South Africa
On 4 August 1967, military conscription became compulsory for all white men in
South Africa over the age of 1619.
Note: I could remember working Charge Office during the 1960’s when young
white men also registered at the police station for compulsory military
conscription. Their registration cards were sent on to the SADF – HBH.
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http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/military-conscription-all-white-males-south-africa-enforced
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SA Military Veterans: UK: Pete Gillatt: Legionnaire David Mannall of SA Military Veterans - UK receiving his SADF medals including a Military Medal of Merit (MMM) at the prestigious Royal Hospital Chelsea today. Incredibly, David was unaware he'd been awarded the Military Merit Medal for services of 'high order' in combat over a quarter century ago, that is until the Legion applied for his medals toward the end of last year. The timing of his medal parade at the Royal hospital could not have been more fortuitous, as, not only did he get to shake hands with Britain's only surviving Victoria Cross recipient Johnson Beharry but, 48 hours earlier, at the Oriental Club in London, he launched the very first book to be written by a combatant of legendary Charlie Squadron, 61 Mechanised Brigade who were at the vanguard of the most decisive battle victory in SADF history. It was Russian tanks against Charlie Squad's Ratel 90's who, with the support of a well-oiled combat unit (61 Mech), destroyed a full Brigade in a single day. Battle on the Lomba 1987 tells the story of nationalservice and superbly describes the high and lows of life during Mannall's 90 days at war in Angola. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the unbridled truth about this historic period of the Bush war when capitalism clashed with communism and the Cold War got extremely hot. Signed copies can be ordered now here http://davidmannall.com/
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Dave Mannall, MMM and Johnson Beharry, VC
SA Legion & Royal Hospital Chelsea pensioners Albert Scott (Capt SAP Ret) and Sandy enjoying a few drinks
Morning Hennie Afraid it’s been a bit of a quiet month this one for us over here from an events perspective. Here’s a little something so long:
South African Legion: UK Branch News: Pete Gillatt
Following a flurry of activity last month around the medal parade for Dave Mannall, MMM, his book launches & fantastic curry lunch at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (photo), it has been a bit of a quiet month for us over here from an events perspective. Of course there have been a few informal socials held in London, usually related to visits by friends from SA and other related interest groups, aviation enthusiasts, pilots etc. We’ve been busy getting new orders of ties, badges etc into stock & chasing up
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membership fees in preparation for the Remembrance Day parade in November. That is the next item on our calendar. As it falls under the auspices of the RBL we have to ensure that all our members taking part are all paid up with their RBL fees as well. From indications & commitments made thus far we are expecting around 50 SA Legion-UK members to take part this year in the actual Cenotaph parade. Considering last year, which was the first year a South Africa contingent had ever taken part & we had permission for 8 people, this year we have the go ahead for ALL our members that are paid up and prepared to travel to London for the day. Should be a great day. The next event, after Remembrance Day, should be the SS Mendi Memorial Day & indications are that for 2015 the South African High Commission in London will be organising the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the SS Mendi in 2015. Rev. John McCabe (Friends of the Delville wood) and Peter Dickens, Chairman of the SA Legion (UK Branch) will be assisting them. The first two commemoration events were organised by the SA Legion-UK. We have asked that people diarise Sunday 22 February 2015 for the event - to be held inSouthampton, England. The parade will take place at the Hollybrook cemetery in Southampton at the CWGC memorial (near the entrance). Any guests will be most welcome. The High Commissioner will be sending out formal invites to the various embassy commissions and defence attaches, as well as the veteran associations.
Hennie. The Mendi parade is expected to be Sunday 22 Feb 2015. PG
CRIME / MISDAAD
Boer maak ʼn Plan – internet via Jan van Wyk
Sedert Henk de Beer sowat drie weke gelede ’n doodskis aan ’n heiningpaal op sy plaas buite Heidelberg staangemaak het, was daar nog nie weer ’n dief op die plaas nie. “Ons is moedeloos met die diefstalle. Nes jy die stukkende heiningdraad herstel, word dit afgesteel. In een nag het ons 17 skape verloor. Ons maak voertuie en implemente reg, dan kom steel hulle die drade van die enjins af of ruk die verkoeler uit om as skroot te verkoop,” vertel De Beer. Sy skoonpa, Jan van Zyl, wat op die plaas op die Lagerspoort-pad buite Heidelberg woon, het met die idee vorendag gekom om die doodskis staan te maak by die plek waar die diewe weer die draad geknip het om te kom steel.
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“Dis ’n lang storie, maar in ’n stadium het ek doodskiste gemaak. Daar was nog een in die pakhuis hier. Dis toe my skoonpa die werkers vra om dit af te stof en te skuif dat hy agterkom hulle het ’n helse vrees vir die kis. Hulle het botweg geweier om dit aan die paal te help vasmaak.” Hy en sy skoonpa het die kis toe laatmiddag aan die paal vasgemaak, langs die plek waar die draad die vorige nag weer geknip is. “Die volgende oggend staan die polisieman by die kis en neem foto’s. Hy sê: ‘Die kis is disturbing the peace.’ Ek sê: ‘Die diewe is disturbing the peace’, nie die kis nie. Hy sê ek moet dit afhaal, ek sê: ‘Ek sal nie, want ek mag teen my heiningpaal opsit wat ek wil – sê nou ek wil doodskiste adverteer, wat dan?’ Nee, sê hy, hy sal by diehigher authority gaan hoor. En dié authority het my gelyk gegee. Die kis staan nog daar en nog niks is sedertdien gesteel nie,” sê De Beer. Volgens de Beer se vrou, Melissa, het hulle so drie jaar gelede met 400 skape begin boer. Daar is nou 263 en dis met lammers. Daar was 260 bokke, daar is nou 160. “Die bure dink dis ’n wonderlike idee en ’n paar oorweeg self ’n paar doodskiste. As dit werk, is ek dankbaar, anders maak ons weer ’n ander plan.”
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Nico Frylinck shared Sunette Bridges News Page's status update
25 September om 22:35 vra Nico: Waarom sien ons nie hierdie inligting in die koerante nie ??? Hoekom swyg die Polisie en dan onder meer Zuma by name ???
Sunette Bridges News Page
23 Name... in 21 dae... Dit is hoe September 2014 verloop! Tot dusver die bloedigste maand die jaar naas Maart toe ons ook 23 van ons mense begrawe het.
Ek kan nie vir julle vertel wat dit aan my doen en hoe ek hier diep in my binneste hieroor voel nie...
September 2014:
•Nico Lens (56) Paulpietersburg – Shot dead. •Marsha Lens (53) Paulpietersburg – Shot dead. •Nelmarnie Coetzee (55) Bloemfontein – Raped and tortured to death. •Erns Boller (74) Meerensee – Tortured and set alight •Lilo Boller (86) Meerensee - Tortured and set alight. •Nicolene Hamman (34) Harding – Tortured and set alight. •Kerridge Singleton (64) Meerensee – Stabbed to death. •Les Snyman (58) Knysna – Murdered. •Elderly Man (86) Pinetown – Shot dead. •John de Lange (53) George – Stabbed to death. •Cornelius Oosthuizen (47) George – Stabbed to death. •Dries Lombard (64) Amanzimtoti – Stabbed to death.
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•Mr. De Freitas (88) Linnmeyer – Bludgeoned to death. •Shaun Pienaar (25) Johannesburg – Shot dead. •Helmut Wohlfarter (73) Bonnivale – Hacked to death. •Kobus Scholtz () Stella – Bludgeoned to death. •Ron Wiggett (76) Great Brak – Stabbed to death. •Sarel Janse van Rensburg (76) Tonteldoos – Tortured to death. •Tjaart Booyens (76) Dunnottar – Shot dead. •Rose Howard (86) Craighall Park – Raped and murdered. •Virgil Pappas (45) Muldersdrift – Shot dead. •Vicky le Roux (17) Algoa Park – Shot dead. ...hoeveel gaan ons nog verduur... Sx
SOCIAL / SOSIAAL
België: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA)
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Nederland: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA)
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Gesellig met IPA-vriende soos bv Jean-Claude van België
Scotland Kelpie: Gerhard en Linda Dekker (IPA)
The Kelpie is the supernatural shape-shifting water horse that haunts the rivers and streams of Scotland. It is probably one of the best known of Scottish water spirits and is often mistakenly thought to haunt lochs, which are the reserve of the Each Uisge.
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BOOKS / BOEKE
Resensie: Regter Kees van Dijkhorst
Dr Len Els SC [email protected] Beste Len
Dit was 'n aangename verrassing om sommer twee boeke uit jou pen te ontvang. En
om op die koop toe as aanstigter van Aquila aangemerk te word.
Dit is goed dat ons, 'n verbygaande geslag juriste, aanteken en publiseer wat vir ons
wetenswaardig, amusant en van historiese waarde in die regspleging soos ons dit
ondervind het, was. En dit vind ook in wyer kring byval, het ek self ondervind. Dus:
Spoor jou oud-kollegas aan om hul deel te doen.
Ek het Aquila geniet omdat die (opsetlik) swak vermomming van die karakters my
dikwels toegelaat het om in my geestesoog die karakter in lewende lywe te sien. Met
vratte en al. 'n Paar van die staaltjies het ek geken. Jou vertelstyl is bondig en
gevat. Dankie.
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Wat die digbundel Bosbundel betref: Ek het 'n mate van wrewel ondervind by die
gedagte: Wat het ons die destydse geslag jongelinge aangedoen dat hul so in
futiliteit gedompel kon word20. Die bundel maak 'n sterk stelling.
Dankie daarvoor.
Groete
Kees van Dijkhorst
Die 3de Boere-oorlog
Len skryf: My nuutste publikasie - Die 3de Boere-oorlog (speel af in 2020) is 90%
gereed.
Camels to Cruisers
Camels to Cruisers; Witdraai Centenary Album 1907 – 2007; 100 Years of Police
Adventure in the Kalahari by Henry Abbott and Cobus van Zyl. A4, contact: Dr Henry
Abbott [email protected]
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Interessante stelling van die regter. Ek wonder wat sou die politici hiervan dink? - HBH
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Die Gloriejare van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag
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Kontak:
Genl-maj Bertus Steyn (landswye versending): Tel: 083-655-9145 of 012-803-5724 Sarie van Niekerk: [email protected]
HUMOUR
Pastor on his deathbed via Dreyer van der Merwe
An old pastor lay dying. He sent a message for an SARS-agent and his lawyer to come to the hospital. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his room. As they entered the room, the pastor held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The pastor grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the SARS-agent and lawyer were touched and flattered that the old man would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled because the pastor had never given any indication that he particularly liked either one of them. Finally, the Lawyer asked, “Pastor, why did you ask the two of us to come here?” The old pastor mustered all his strength, and then said weakly, “Jesus died between two thieves, and that`s how I`d like to go”.
Some Court Humour via Catherine Lindie Conradie
Do you know me?
At the start of an important trial, a small town attorney called his first witness to the stand. She seemed like a sweet, elderly woman. He approached her and asked: 'Ms Jones, do you know me?' She responded: 'Why, yes. I do know you, Mr Williams. I have known you since you were a young boy. You have became a huge disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you are a hot shot lawyer, when you do not have the brains to realise you never will amount to anything more than a two bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.' The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked. 'Ms Jones, do you know the defence attorney?' 'She replied: 'Why of course I do. I have known Mr Bradley since he was a youngster, too. I used to babysit him for his parents. And he also is a real disappointment. He is lazy, bigoted, never has a nice word to say about anybody and he drinks like a fish. He has been divorced five times and everybody knows that his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him."
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The judge rapped his gavel to quiet the tittering amongst the spectators in the court room. Once the room was silent, he called both attorneys to his bench. In a quiet, menacing voice he warned: 'If either of you asks her if she knows me, you will be imprisoned for contempt!'
Excuses
A man was chosen for jury duty, but he really wanted to be dismissed from serving. He tried every excuse he could think of, but none of them worked. On the day of the trial, he decided to give it one more shot. As the trial was about to begin, he asked if he could approached the bench. 'Your Honour,' he said. 'I must be excused from this trial because I am prejudiced against the defendant. I took one look at the man in the blue suit with those beady eyes and that dishonest face and I said: He is a crook! He is guilty! So Your Honour, I cannot possibly stay on this jury!' With a tired annoyance the judge replied: 'Get back in the jury box you fool! That man is the defendant's lawyer!'
Another Lawyer
Accused: 'Judge, I want you to appoint me another lawyer.' Judge: 'Why is that?' Accused: 'Because the public defender is not interested in my case.' Judge to public defender: 'Do you have any comments on the accused's motion?' Public defender: 'I am sorry, Your Honour. I was not listening?'
HUMOUR IN UNIFORM
The Adjutant and the Witchdoctor- via “Piet-Patu” van Zyl
In the great days of the British Empire, a new Commanding Officer was sent to an outpost in Africa … to relieve the retiring Colonel. After welcoming his replacement and showing the usual courtesies (gin and tonic, cucumber sandwiches without crusts, etc) that protocol decreed, the retiring Colonel said, "You must meet my Adjutant, Captain Smithers, he’s my right-hand man, he's really the strength of this Regiment. His talent is simply boundless." Smithers was summoned and introduced to the new CO, who was surprised to meet a hump-backed, one-eyed, toothless, hairless, scabbed and pockmarked specimen of humanity, a particularly unattractive man less than three feet tall. "Smithers, old man, tell your new CO about yourself." "Well, sir, I graduated with honours from Sandhurst, joined the regiment and won the Military Cross and Bar after three expeditions behind enemy lines. I've represented Great Britain in equestrian events, and won a Silver Medal in the middleweight division of the Olympics. I have researched the history of ..." Here the Colonel interrupted, "Yes, yes, never mind that Smithers, he can find all
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that in your personnel file. Tell him about the day you told the witchdoctor to f@@k off."
Go Navy! Via Anemarie Jansen
The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers). However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log: "On July 27, 1798, the USS Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of
475 officers and men,
48,600 gallons of fresh water,
7,400 cannon shot,
11,600 pounds of black powder and
79,400 gallons of rum." Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping." Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on: 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.
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Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war ships, and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each. By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home. The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with
no cannon shot,
no food,
no powder,
no rum,
no wine,
no whisky, and
38,600 gallons of water. GO NAVY!
Humour in the Air
Actual Transcripts between Air Controllers and Aircraft via Gerhard Dekker
These are actual transcripts between Air Controllers and the aircraft currently under their control: British Airways flight requests "push back clearance from terminal". Control Tower replies: 'And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?' ----------------------- ATC: "Al Italia 345 continue taxi to 26L South via Tango - check for workers along taxiway." Al Italia 345: "Roger, Taxi 26 Left via Tango. Workers checked - all are working" ----------------------- Nova 851: "Halifax Terminal, Nova 851 with you out of 13,000 for 10,000, requesting runway 15." Halifax Terminal (female): "Nova 851, Halifax, the last time I gave a pilot what he wanted I was on penicillin for three weeks. Expect runway 06." ----------------------- Lost student pilot: "Unknown airport with Cessna 150 circling overhead, please identify yourself."
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----------------------- Tower: Have you got enough fuel or not? Pilot: Yes. Tower: Yes what? Pilot: Yes, SIR! --------------------------- Frankfurt Control: 'AF1733, You are on an eight mile final for 27R. You have a UH-1 three miles ahead of you on final; reduce speed to 130 knots.' Pilot: 'Roger, Frankfurt. We're bringing this big bird back to 130 fer ya.' Control: (a few moments later): 'AF33, helicopter traffic at 90 knots now 11/2 miles ahead of you; reduce speed further to 110 knots.' Pilot: 'AF 33 reining this here bird back further to 110 knots.' Control: 'AF33, you are three miles to touchdown, helicopter traffic now one mile ahead of you; reduce speed to 90 knots' Pilot (a little miffed): 'Sir, do you know what the stall speed of this here C-130 is?' Control: 'No, but if you ask your co-pilot, he can probably tell you.' -------------------------- ATC: 'Cessna 123, what are your intentions? Cessna: 'To get my Commercial Pilot's License and Instrument Rating.' ATC: 'I meant in the next five minutes, not years.' -------------------------- Controller: AF123, say call sign of your wingman. Pilot: Uh... approach, we're a single ship. Controller: Oh, Oh, Shit! You have traffic! --------------------- O'Hare Approach: USA212, cleared ILS runway 32L approach, maintain 250 knots. USA212: Roger approach, how long do you need me to maintain that speed? O'Hare Approach: All the way to the gate if you can. USA212: Ah, OK, but you better warn ground control. ---------------------- ATC: Pan Am 1, descend to 3,000 ft on QNH, altimeter 1019. Pan AM 1: Could you give that to me in inches? ATC: Pan Am 1, descend to 36,000 inches on QNH, altimeter 1019 ------------------------ Cessna 152: 'Flight Level Three Thousand, Seven Hundred' Controller: 'Roger, contact Houston Space Center.' -------------------------- Beech Baron: Uh, ATC, verify you want me to taxi in front of the 747. ATC: Yeah, it's OK. He's not hungry. Student Pilot: 'I'm lost; I'm over a big lake and heading toward the big "E". Controller: 'Make several 90 degree turns so I can identify you on radar.' (short pause)...
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Controller: 'Okay then. That big lake is the Atlantic Ocean. Suggest you turn to the big "W" immediately...' -------------------- Pilot: 'Approach, Acme Flt 202, with you at 12,000' and 40 DME.' Approach: 'Acme 202, cross 30 DME at and maintain 8000'.' Pilot: 'Approach, 202's unable that descent rate.' Approach: 'What's the matter 202? Don't you have speed brakes?' Pilot: 'Yup. But they're for my mistakes. Not yours.' ----------------------------- Tower: 'American...and for your information, you were slightly to the left of the centerline on that approach.' American: 'That's correct; and, my First Officer was slightly to the right' ----------------------- Controller: 'USA353 contact Cleveland Center 135.60. (pause) Controller: 'USA353 contact Cleveland Center 135.60!' (pause) Controller: 'USA353 you're just like my wife you never listen!' Pilot: 'Center, this is USA553, maybe if you called her by the right name you'd get a better response!' ----------------------- BB: 'Barnburner 123, Request 8300 feet.' Bay Approach: 'Barnburner 123, say reason for requested altitude.' BB: 'Because the last two times I've been at 8500, I've nearly been run over by some bozo at 8500 feet going the wrong way!' Bay Approach: 'That's a good reason. 8300 approved.' ------------------------------------ Controller: 'FAR1234 confirm your type of aircraft. Are you an Airbus 330 or 340?' Pilot: 'A340 of course!' Controller: 'Then would you mind switching on the two other engines and give me 1000 feet per minute, please?' -------------------------- Tower: 'Cessna 123, turn right now and report your heading.' Pilot: 'Wilco. 341, 342, 343, 344, 345...' --------------------------------- Foreign Pilot Trainee: 'Tower, please speak slowly, I am a baby in English and lonely in the cockpit.' ----------------------- Controller: 'CRX600, are you on course to SUL?' Pilot: 'More or less.' Controller: 'So proceed a little bit more to SUL.' ---------------------------- Pilot: 'Good morning, Frankfurt ground, KLM 242 request start up and push back, please.' Tower: 'KLM 242 expect start up in two hours.'
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Pilot: 'Please confirm: two hours delay?' Tower: 'Affirmative.'
LETTERS / BRIEWE
South Africa War Graves Project
Hi, Anytime you need photos we are happy to help! Ralph McLean Project Director South Africa War Graves Project http://www.southafricawargraves.org/ 2350 - 27th Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6T 0A6 Canada Tel: 780-642-9805
The Springbok Club: London
Geagte Hennie,
Many thanks for your recent message, and it was certainly good to be able to hear back from you again in this way. Hopefully you have been receiving copies of our SCN automatically over the past couple of months - though we are actually a little worried in this respect as the e-mail address which you gave us, i.e. [email protected], seemed a little strange, so we therefore amended it to [email protected] accordingly - so hopefully therefore we did the right thing! Presuming that you have been receiving copies of our SCN safely you will have seen that we made your eNongquai site our "Recommended web-site of the Month" in our August edition, and were pleased with the way that it came out. Thanking you once again for your support and co-operation, and hoping that we'll be able to liaise even better with your members and supporters around the world in the days ahead.
Thank you very much - HBH
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Sorry my error – I left out the “l” - HBH
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Ian Steadman: UK
Hi Hennie
Thank you so much for being willing to help me with the answers to a few questions. And thank you for the extra information about my dad. It will be fantastic to see a photo of him at the Coronation. I remember my mom telling me about it (I was only 2 years old at Coronation time). Apparently, at my dad's funeral at Stellawood Cemetry in 1965/6, the Brigadier said something like "If Bob Steadman had been Afrikaans like me, and not an Engelsman from Yorkshire, he would have had my job today!" That might not be true. It might be my mom's imagination. But it's a nice story for me to remember about my dad. I went onto your website and I am amazed at the brilliant work you have done for so many of the old guys and their families. I can't believe how thorough you have been and what an asset you are to South African history! I read right through volume 1 no, 21 and loved it. And I was very grateful to you for publishing my previous enquiry there on pages 96-7.....
Thanks for your kind words about the eNONGQAI and our website. Our thanks to Glenn Elsden our webmaster - HBH
Marius van Zyl: Katar Midde-Ooste
Geagte Brig. Hennie Ek sit in die verre vreemde (Qatar) om volgende jaar Julie 2015, finaal terug huistoe te kom. Een van my ideale is om dan met 'n fotografieprojek te begin, naamlik om die militêre en polisie gedenktekens, ou barakke en ander relevante SAW en SAP historiese geboue te katalogiseer. Aangesien ek in Johannesburg woonagtig sal wees sal my aanvanklike fokus hier en in Pretoria wees en daarvandaan uitbrei. Graag nooi ek die lesers van eNongqai uit om my mee te deel waar ek al hierdie gedenktekens, monumente en geboue kan vind. Uiteraard weet ek van 'n hele paar en was ook al daar gewees, maar ek is nou net nie alwetend nie en sal graag 'n sover moontlik, volledige 'prentjie' wil bekom. Nou om myself besig te hou in hierdie woestynwêreld van nou, krap ek rond op die internet waar ek heelwat interessanthede raakloop. Graag deel ek een en ander met die lesers wat die volgende webtuistes en dinge nuttig vir hulself kan aanwend: In 'n vorige uitgawe was daar foto’s van die Algoabaai se tweede wêreld oorlog strukture. Meer kan hieroor gelees word by: http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Resources/artillery-buildings-in-algoa-bay.html Die Amerikaners het deur die bakleijare van ons, baie diplomatieke en ander kommentaar oor die Suider Afrikaanse situasie versprei. Sommige van hierdie vroeëre telekse is nou vrylik bekombaar by http://www.archives.gov/ . Tik net in die
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soekhokkie "South Africa", Angolan war", ens. en daar kom heelwat interessante goed op. Sommiges kan selfs afgelaai en/of uitgedruk word. Dankie vir 'n baie lekkerlees eNongqai. Groete Marius van Zyl
Maj FNEB Malan of 1 SAP: Tom Mason (Kent) UK
Hi Hennie Is it possible to dig up some history on my Oupa Old Maj FNEB Malan of 1SAP? I am busy putting together a collection of replacement medals for the ones he had as I will wear them proudly at the Remembrance Parade at the Mall in London past the Queen this year (SA Legion UK). But I don’t know what would have been engraved on his WW1 medals or his WW2 medals, is it possible to find this out ? As I would like to get the collection 100% correct. Regards Tom Mason
Our SAP Medals were engraved on the rim – number, rank, name & date - HBH
Here is a photograph of his funeral:
Source: The Nongqai May 1948: 675. Note the Gun Carriage.
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Free Electronic Book: Koos Kotze (Bloemfontein)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/476855
No1615 Sgt Albert Edward Brownrigg: Alan Neethling
Dear Hennie,
Thank you for the latest link. Glad to hear you are well recovered from your operation.
Hennie I would like to ask if you could assist me to retrieve some information from an issue of the Nongqai regarding my Grandfather. My Grandfather is Albert Edward Brownrigg and he was a member of the South African Police, No 1615, seconded to No 3 Troop, B Squadron, Hartigan’s Horse and served in the German South West Africa Campaign 1914-1915. A few years ago my sister-in-law visited the Police Museum and came across a story in the Nongqai relating to my Grandfather and I was sent a scanned copy which unfortunately when I opened it was totally illegible.
I have no idea which magazine issue contained the story but it would have been between 1913 and 1925 as he died in 1925 whilst he was the Commander of the Hofmeyr Police station. I am not sure how he ended up in the South African Police as he was originally a British soldier who took part in the Boer War. From what I have heard he could not speak a word of Afrikaans so it must have been a challenge to communicate with the population of Hofmeyr. I am in possession of a Police Force Order where he was awarded the Police Good Service Medal in 1923. I managed to obtain his medals from the German South West Africa Campaign, but when I tried to obtain the Good Service medal from the South African Police, I was informed that all medals prior to 1994 had been destroyed which is strange as the Defence Force have not destroyed their pre-1994 medals. I also have the Police Force Order where the Commissioner announced his death in 1925. I have attached an old photograph of him in uniform. Kind Regards,
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Alan Neethling
BSAP Galley: Terry Schwartz
Terry says we must have look t the BSAP’s Gallery:
http://www.bsap.org/bsapgallery/main.php
Polisieskietvoorvalle: Koos Kotze: Bloemfontein http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28861630
Wat interessant is, is dat die skietvoorvalle 36% minder is omdat "die ouens koeëlvaste baadjies aan
het" wat maak dat hulle nie in doodsgevaar kan wees nie en dus nie kan skiet nie. WAT NONSENSE
- dit het te doen met die kameras’ om elke hoek en draai en in selfone.
Query wrt medal re-issue for the former SAP members attached to the SA Legion
Hello Hennie. I hope you are feeling well on your way to recovery following your recent ill spell. So glad you are back with us. I was just wondering whether you knew of a Col. Elmarie Tiflin (SAPS). I was referred to her some time back as someone that could possibly assist in the issue/ re-issue of medals for ex-SAP members. There are a few folk in the SA Legion who could benefit from this assistance. On the SADF/ SANDF side we have some contacts & they have been very helpful as you would have seen from our medal parades. I did approach this Col. Tiflin back in 2013, but never heard back from her. Alternatively do you possibly know anyone else who might be able to help? Regards, Pete Gillat
Please contact HBH if there is somebody who has a contact with the medal
section of SAPS.
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Dana Kruger, Neelsie en Tiny Nortjè Petro H, Terry Schwarts & N Borea
POLISIEPRAATJIES
1. Facebook: Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede
1.1 Pottie Potgieter
Pottie Potgieter Woensdag, 2014-09-10 07H50 Baie goeie more aan al die vriende van alle geslagte sowel as die ander bekendes en onbekendes op die blad. Gister was daar nou weer wyd kommentaar op die Veterane blad gelewer oor 'n foto van Piega, die huidige Nasionale kommissaris, wat in uniform verskyn met vier medaljes op die bors en vier krone op die skouer, en was die volgende vrae gevra.
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"Hoekom vier krone?" en "Waar kom die vier medaljes skierlik vandaan en waarvoor staan hulle?" Ons moet onthou dat die ou klomp behep is met enigiets wat Amerikaans is. Amerika het "Four Star Generals" so hulle moet ook sulke goed hê. Hulle verloor totaal rekening met die feit dat enige Militêre rang stelsel eindelik gegrond is op die getalle in die betrokke organisasie. Met ander woorde die piramide stelsel. Byvoorbeeld (En wat ek hier noem is nou nie heeltemal korrek nie maar net figuratief vir die doel van die argument) Vir elke 10 konstabels moet jy een sersant hê, vir elke 10 sersant een adjudant offisier, vir elke 10 adjudant offisiere een luitenant. En so voorts en so voorts. Dus 'n piramide wat geleidelik hoër word soos die basis daarvan verbreed. Dit is ongelukkig nie meer die geval in die huidige stelsel nie. Die top struktuur het tans nou al der mate verbreed dat dit amper na 'n omgekeerde piramide begin lyk. Of soos die Engelse sal sê "To many Chiefs and to few Indians" of "A top heavy oganisation". En soos enige persoon met 'n klein bietjie verstand weet is dit nie 'n kwessie of 'n "Top Heavy" struktuur gaan omval nie, dit is net 'n kwessie van wanneer. En, my liewe vriende, dit tekens van verkrummeling van die fondasie van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie Diens is reeds ver gevorder. Die topstruktuur is so besig om na hulle eie belange om te sien dat hulle alle gevoel met die grondvlak verloor het. Met hulle oor en weer bakleiery en toe stekery het hulle alle gevoel met die laer vlak verloor. In der waarheid behoort die SAPD nie 'n top rang van meer dan 'n Generaal te hê nie en nie 'n Veld Maarskalk soos Piega se rang eindelik voorgee nie. Maar onthou, Amerika het 'Four Star Generals" so Suid Afrika moet ook sulke goed hê. Dan die kwessie van Medaljes. Die Amerikaners deel medaljes soos kougom uit. Hulle het mos medaljes vir alles. Die sogenaamde "Theater" medaljes. So as die ou in 'n oorlog teater was, ongeag hoe lank, kry hy 'n medalje. En dan baie belangrik, geen lid mag 'n medalje kry wat die top ouens nog nie het nie. Dit is nou behalwe vir medaljes soos die vir braafheid, verwonding in 'n geveg ens. Dit is hoekom daardie manne gewoonlik met medaljes belaai is tot hier kort duskant hulle naeltjies. Ons het hier tuis ook sodanige gevalle gehad. Byvoorbeeld, daar was heel party van ons lede wat baie toere in Rhodesië diens gedoen het en op 'n kol wou die Rhodesiese regering vir daardie manne wat meer as 'n sekere tydperk diens daar gedoen het, 'n lang diens medalje gee om van hulle kant af die lede te bedank vir die diens wat hulle daar gedoen het. Die vraag was toe aan die Rhodesiërs gevra of die medalje ook aan topoffisiere van die polisie gegee sal word? Toe die Rhodesiërs sê “ja, maar slegs as hulle aan die vereistes vir toekenning voldoen en die betrokke tydperk van diens gedoen het”. Toe word hulle ingelig dat die medalje nie aan enige SAP lede toegeken mag word nie. Hierdie inligting was deur mnr Ian Smith persoonlik aan my oorgedra tydens 'n besoek deur hom aan Plumtree toe ek buitelandse diens daar gedoen het en 18
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maande lank permanent daar gestasioneer was. Ek het hom tydens al my dienste in Rhodesië gereeld ontmoet en hom goed leer ken. So, blykbaar is dit maar iets wat oral kop uitsteek. Jy kan mos nie toelaat dat die kiepie wat die werk moet doen met 'n bors vol linte rondloop terwyl die "Big Chiefs" kaal bors is nie. Maar dit daar gelaat. Mag julle almal vandag 'n wonderlike dag beleef gevul met liefde, plesier en baie glimlagte. Sterkte vir die wat dit benodig en ons bede gaan uit vir almal wat dit benodig. Wees veilig maar paraat. Mooi loop en tot wederom. Tom van Rensburg, Tubby Myburg, Paul Greyling and 10 others like this.
Hennie Heymans Hallo Pottie Potgieter - die Nuwe SA se genl-sterre werk so: In die SANW is 'n kommadoor nou 'n admiraal (JG) en 'n brigadier = brig-genl. Hy dra gekruisde staf en swaard [GS&S] en een "pip" (soos genl-maj van ouds). 'n Genl-maj dra nou GS&S met twee "pips"; luit-genl dra nou GS&S met drie "pips" en die Hoof van die weermag of "vol" generaal dra nou GS&S met vier "pips". Die nuwe SAPD volg die skema van genl-majoor af, maw die SAPD brigadier dra die drie “pips” en die "kasteel" terwyl sy eweknie in die SANW soos 'n genl-maj van ouds aantrek. Die SAW se brigadiers, soos my buurman, is almal verhoog na brig-genl en hulle is almal lede van die Generaals & Admiraals klub. Dis 'n ongemaklike situasie vir SAP brigadiers - hulle word nou deur weermag lede as "generaal" aangespreek. Dit kos die heel tyd verduidelikings dat die SAP/SAPD nie die aanpassing gemaak het nie. Die SAPD-generaals het egter elk 'n "pip" bygekry. Kan jy dink indien die SAPD die stelsel sou volg sit jy met meer as een genl op 'n plek. (in skrille kontras was daar bv net 1 genl en 4 brigadiers in die OVS.] Dankie vir die staaltjie van Ian Smith - dis waardevol. In Engeland en in die Unie van SA het hulle die brig-genl rang voor WO2 weens finansiële redes gestop en die wat brig-genl was het sy rang behou. Rangteken vir brig-genl was gekruisde staf en swaard [GS&S] sonder 'n "pip". Die genl-maj het die GS&S met 'n pip gedra. Die luit-genl het die gekruisde staf en swaard met kroon gedra en die generaal het die gekruisde staf en swaard met 'n "pip" en 'n kroon gedra - dis vandag nog die geval. Die Britte dra min "pips". Pottie is reg ons volg die VSA stelsel. 'n FIVE STAR is 'n veldmaarskalk - pasop wanneer ons dit begin kry! 10 September at 08:13 ·
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Willem van Zyl: Ja Pottie jou getalle is goed maar huidiglik is daar vir elke 10 brigadiers 200 Genl Majoors
Mickey Friedenthal: Ehhhh, ʼn vraag is sy onder kontrak of kan sy enige tyd daai mauerse pensioen vir 2 of 3 jaar serk vat en loop, my bediende se sy wil die pos oorneem
Jaco Rassie Erasmus: Wow!!! Dankie vir die goeie inligting en kommentaar.
Callie van Greunen: Dis jammer, maar die verval is " Komkommer" wekkend!!
Cornelius Nieuwoudt; Die goed lyk soos kersfeesbome met al die medaljes wat nie eers verdien is nie. dis soos julle se. (For Show ).
Danie van Niekerk: Dankie Brigadier vir die verduideliking.....ai ou Callie....ek moes nou maar weer lekker "smile" vir jou inset......met verwysing na die "kontant-rooftog" se kommentaar...ha ha.
1.2 Pottie Potgieter
Pottie Potgieter
Kom ons probeer maar weer. Vrydag, 2014-09-12, 09H58 [Jammer ek het al amper klaar geskryf, toe FB ewe skierlik nie van my geskrif hou nie en alles weg gegooi het. So nou skryf ek maar in ‘n woord verwerkingspakket en sal dit dan kopieer en plak.] Baie goeie more aan al die vriende van alle geslagte sowel as enige van die ander wat die inset lees. Gister so deur die dag het dit my weer opgeval dat daar lede is wat nie ‘n bydrae kan lewer of ‘n opmerking of aanmerking kan maak sonder dat hulle kru of, na my oordeel, ontoepaslike taak gebruik nie. En nee, ek is nie preuts nie en kan self, in die korrekte geselskap ook ‘n stout grappie vertel, maar ek het dit nog nooit nodig gevind om kru taal in elke vertelling of kommentaar te gebruik nie. Ek wil dus baie graag ‘n beroep op u doen dat u in gedagte moet hou dat daar dames op die forums is asook mans wat nie aan die alewige gebruik van die tipe van taal gewoond is nie. Ek voel altyd so asof ons, wat geneig is om onsself as die “Ridders van die Goue Ster” voor te hou, werklik glo dat die ridders van ouds, so sou opgetree het. Hulle was per slot van sake ware here wat baie gesteld was op hulle voorkoms en gedrag. Ek wonder soms of diegene van oordeel is dat die tipe optrede en taal hulle groter
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aansien gee en meer man maak as wat hulle is. Inteendeel, dit is eindelik dit wat u verlaag in die waarnemer se oë. Ek kan u verseker dat ek in my ganse lewe nooit gehoor het dat my oorlede moeder of vader ooit ongure taal geuiter het nie. Die ergste wat ek ooit oor my oorlede vader se lippe gehoor het was “donder” of “bliksem”, en dan ook slegs in baie weinig gevalle onder buiten gewone omstandighede. Toe ek een maal ‘n kru woord in sy teenwoordigheid geuiter het, het hy omgedraai en kopskuddend weg geloop. Baie later het hy uit die bloute vir my gesê, “‘n Ware man praat nie so nie”. Ek het my so geskaam. Ter afsluiting vertel ek u graag die ou grappie van die Dominee en die Ouderling wat saam 18 putjies gespeel het. Die Dominee së toe vir die Ouderling wat baie ouer as hy was, om eerste af te slaan. Die Ouderling slaan toe ‘n pragtige dryfhou in die middel van die skoonveld. Die Dominee se afslaan trek so met ‘n boog en val op die rand van die skoonveld en die rof. Toe die Dominee sy sak optel, toe spoeg hy net, skud sy kop en stap aan na sy bal toe. Telkens so in die spel gebeur presies dieselfde en is die Dominee se optrede ook presies die selfde. Toe hulle uiteindelik by die 19 putjie aankom, toe steek die ouderling sy hand na die Dominee uit, se hom dankie vir die spel en sé ook dat hy die Dominee admireer dat hy nooit ‘n skewe woord gesë het of sy stok op die grond neer gegooi het nie, maar net op die grond gespoeg en met die spel aangegaan het. Die Dominee sê toe vir die Ouderling “Dit mag so weer Broer, Maar daar waar ek gespoeg het, sal die gras nooit weer groei nie.” So kom ons hou maar ook so ‘n stukkie gras handig en neem die ander lesers van die blad, en veral die dames, in ag en haal ons frustrasies maar op die stukkie grag uit. Geniet hierdie laaste dag van die week terdeë en verseker dat julle veilig en paraat maar tog toeganklik is. Lag en glimlag gereeld en as of u dit bedoel. Mooi loop en toe wederom. LikeLike · Neelsie Borea, Andrè Vollgraaff, Christopher Coleman and 7 others like this.
1.3 Ferdi Vermaakt
Ferdi Vermaakt Snr
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Goeie more vriende, ek plaas ʼn foto van my oorlede moeder (die foto is in die 1930's geneem) sy was goed van inbors en ʼn mooi vrou wat baie lief was vir haar kinders, sy het op ʼn mooi ouderdom van 92j gesterf met vrede in haar hart. My verhaal sal u besef hoekom ek ʼn foto van Ma Mona, dis hoe ons haar genoem het, plaas............. Die jaar 1971 het ek grensdiens verrig en was op die basis Singalamwe, in die Oos-Caprivi, die naaste dorpie was Katima Mulilo. Ons seksie onderleiding van sers Windfield het ʼn landmyn afgetrap met ʼn Ford F250 op die kaplyn, daar is twee lede dood en ons ander is beseer. Ek en van die ander lede is toe afgevoer per helikopter na die hospitaal in Katima M. Ek het ʼn week daar gelê van die ander lede is terug S A. Die KB het my besoek in die hospitaal, waarop ek
vir hom gesê het, dat ek wil teruggaan na my basis om my dienstyd te voltooi, want ek het goed herstel van my beserings................. Die volgende gebeurtenis het intussen by my ouerhuis afgespeel, soos vertel deur my broer...........Hy en Ma Mona is was by die huis toe ʼn polisievoertuig voor die huis stop. Twee polisiemanne klim uit en stap na die voordeur toe, Ma Mona se toe vir hom, “hierdie is nie gewone polisiemanne hulle moet hoogop wees” (verwys na rangtekens.) Hulle klop en Ma Mona met my broer agter haar maak die deur oop, 'Ek is kapt. Meintjies, die stasiebevelvoerder van Pretoria-Noord polisiestasie, en dit is die polisiekapelaan. My broer vertel dat Ma Mona dadelik vra, “waar is my seun?” Kapt. Meintjies dra toe die boodskap oor, dis toe dat Ma Mona se bene onder haar invou en my broer haar betyds gryp dat sy nie op die vloer neerval nie. Die kapelaan het haar toe vertroos ʼn gebed gedoen. Die volgende dag het ons name in die Transvaler met ‘n berig verskyn. Ek het my dienstyd klaargemaak en toe ek by die huis kom het Ma Mona my vasgedruk en mooi gevra, gesmeek om nie weer te gaan nie want sy sien kans daarvoor om een van haar kinders te verloor nie. Daarna het sy altyd gebid en gevra dat die Here haar kinders genadig moet wees tot en met haar dood. Ek besef noudat ekself ʼn pa en oupa is, hoop en bid ek dat daar nie twee polisiemanne aan my deur klop met so ʼn boodskap nie. UnlikeUnlike · You, Laurette Engelbrecht Jones, Beverly Lancaster Olivier, Frans Kloppers and 29 others like this.
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Jacques Van Heerden: Daai offisier en kapelaan is nooit 'n goeie teken nie!
Quintin Papenfus: ‘n Baie mooi en waardige getuigskrif .
Marietjie Liebenberg Muller: Ek kry sommer hoendervleis! My man was ook daarbo in 1970/71. Dit was darem verskriklike lang tye wat hy weg was van die huis. My vrek verlang, kon nie wag dat hy moes terugkom nie!
Nico Visser: Baie hartseer !! Ek en my vrou was ook in die nag deur die Stasiebevelvoerder en ons Predikant wakker gemaak toe ons seun in n motorongeluk oorlede is. Baie hartseer.
Hennie Heymans; Ferdi Vermaakt Snr - baie mooi - Mag ek maap in eNONGQAI plaas? Stuur asb vir my die skersnit uit die Transvaler indien jy dit nog het ... KB is dit Komp BO?
Ferdi Vermaakt Snr: Dis reg so Hennie, die KB is jy reg, dit is die Komp BO (ek wens regtig ek kon sy naam onthou ) die koerantsnit het so deur die jare weggeraak. Ek kan net meld, dat die destydse Min. van Buitelandse sake, mnr. Pik Botha persoonlik by my ouerhuis was, om empatie en bystand te gee. Hy het toe in Wonderboom gebly.
Petrus Bessinger: Ferdie, was dit die aanval waarin Henning en Dobbin gesterf het? Ek was een van die lede wat toe gestuur was as aflossing vir die oorledenes en gewondes. Net na ons tydperk verstreke was is Kapt. Bonnie Van Eeden op die Kaplyn met 'n personeelmyn gedood.
Ferdi Vermaakt Snr: Petrus Bessinger,jy is 100% reg.
Bertie Snyman: Ai Ferdi, jy delf diep. Aangename en grusame herinneringe. Groete.
Gawie Botha: Dis ʼn "duur- storie- die" ,,,,, laat ʼn mens dink, waar jy nie van te vore aan gedink het!
Jacoba Isabella O'Neil: Ferdi was dit nie 'n klompie wat daai tyd sommer pos ook moes gaan afhaal daar nie?
Ferdi Vermaakt Snr: Koba, nee ons was op ons daaglikse patrollie.
Jacoba Isabella O'Neil: weet jy dit is half of ek die voorval onthou ek dink Ben was ook daar daardie tyd kan jy onthou die een wat oorlede is se naam Blackie was? Ben was toe nog 'n baie jong konstabel tensy dit 'n ander voorval was.
Ferdi Vermaakt Snr: Koba dit moet ʼn ander voorval wees.
Danie van Niekerk: Baie dankie Ferdi dat jy bg met ons gedeel het....ja, jou moeder WAS trots op jou......en ja, 92 is 'n mooi geseënde ouderdom !! Sterkte daar.
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2. Facebook: South African Police – Hall Of Fame
2.1 Jean-Pierre Pieterse
Jean-Pierre Pieterse: 9 September at 01:34 Can anyone maybe tell me what is currently the highest most honourable decoration or medal that a police officer in South Africa can receive, and also what the South African equivalent to the American medal of honour is? UnlikeUnlike · You and 4 others like this.
Gerhard Engelbrecht: I might be wrong, I remember it as bravery medal, gold
Corra Van Niekerk: "Honorus Crux Goud", dit was eenkeer ‘n jaar by ‘n spoggeleentheid toegeken. As ek reg onthou kon enigiemand kwalifiseer wat ‘n uitstaande heldedaad gepleeg het.
Steve Wilson This is the SAPS highest award for bravery. The SAPS Gold Medal for Bravery:
Gerhard Engelbrecht: Corra Van Niekerk yours might just be for the military, Steve yours are correct. They did change the look and the ribbon. I have my friends bravery medal gold which was awarded in 1995, was with blue ribbon and gold stripes
Corra Van Niekerk: OK thanks.
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Steve Wilson: Wish I could find and old general or someone in Pretoria stores where I could complete my collection of all these medals.
Gerhard Engelbrecht: But them on eBay ... I saw some on there
Christo Wynand Roux: People sell it on Bidorbuy too.
André L du Toit: South African Police Cross for Bravery, Gold Class (new shape) first awarded in 1991 to myself and others at ceremony in Pretoria by Minister Vlok. Allows one to put the letters PCFG after our names. Ribbon was blue and white. Decommissioned in 1994 when new medals were issued by SAPS. Very few gold ones available, normally only awarded post humeously (to your family). Regards.
Jean-Pierre Pieterse Tnx all for the insight much appreciated.
2.2 Capt Carla Pieterse: Jean-Pierre Pieterse
6 September at 14:12 I want to share a story with everybody on this group: I was privileged to know an officer called Carla Pieterse she was a captain in the SAPS. She joined the police force because it was her dream to help other people she had an extreme passion for her work, in 2010 she was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer yet she didn't stay home after every chemo treatment she would go straight back to work where she would take care of her loving explosive dog Astro she would try her best to train and keep the dog above the required standards. Her struggle went on till 2013 by then the cancer had spread to four different organs yet she would still go to work, and one point her commanding officer had to sent her home because he feared for her health near June 2013 she could not function normally any more according to the police standards and was forced to take ill retirement, at the end of 2013 she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She unfortunately lost the battle on June 2014, yet her last words to me was I miss my work so much and that she would still return if she could. She was a proud captain and a wonderful partner to her fellow officers of Gauteng K9. Above all she was an amazing single mother.
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LikeLike · Div De Villiers, Glenn Elsden, Patrick Coetzee and 207 others like this.
Jadd Harding: Saluut
Rose-marie van der Merwe: SALUUT
Gert Coertzen: Haar soort bestaan omtrent nie meer nie. Ek salueer jou kollega
en mag jy in Vrede Rus!
2.3 Jan Smit: Koevoet: Pine Pienaar
Pine Pienaar 25 September at 19:07 Naand aan almal. Jan Smit (Lam Smit) van Koevoet is vanmiddag oorlede. Groete.
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Francois Gunter, Casper Kruger and 13 others like this. View 27 more comments
Johan van Zyl: Riv sterkte aan familie
Hannes Venter: RIV Ou Maat.
Emily Bekker: RIP
2.4 Inspector Bradley John Meyer: Hayley Strauss
Hayley Strauss:4 September at 12:04
Please allow me to pay tribute to: not only one of the best policeman I had the
privilege of working with, not only a brother, partner, best friend, and awesome
person, an uncle to my daughter, but someone who is a fallen hero. Inspector
Bradley John Meyer was ambushed and shot and killed in cold blood after chasing a
hijacked vehicle. The ruthless bastards shot him through his bullet proof vest. A hole
in his heart took this beautiful soul from us, as he laid his life down on the line for
complete strangers...Leaving us forever with a gaping hole in our hearts. An
upstanding hard worker, proud of the uniform, with a heart of gold. SALUTE my
brother miss and love you forever eternity!!!
Top of Form You, Div De Villiers, Fanie Bouwer, Mark Newham and 265 others like this. View previous comments
David Obie Oberholzer: RIP
Gerry Baillon: RIP
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Justin Mazoue: RIP
IN CONCLUSION
Open Invitation to Share Knowledge Note, we are not interested in religious or political matters but only policing, police history and an
exchange of ideas.
PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC AND WEBSITE DESIGN
e-Mail: [email protected]
Mobile: +27(0)824267706 Website
Contact Details
HBH: [email protected] Patrick Coetzee: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.enongqaipublications.com http://www.enongqaipublications.com/bergville-dagga-murders-1956.html
Next Issue Due
The next issue is due during November 2014. Please send us your letters, your own
photographs of police related matter. For previous issues of the eNONGQAI look on
ISSUU under “hennieheymans”.
Greetings
Hennie Heymans,Pretoria, ZA.
© 2014