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THE ULOLWE

SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA

A monthly railway research / historical publication

‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie

“Everything to do

with the former South

African Railways; i.e.

Railways, Stations,

Harbours, Airways,

RMT, Lighthouses,

Pipelines, SAR Police,

Models & Diagrams

of Locomotives and

Rolling Stock”

Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, South Africa - heymanshb@gmail.com November 2010

Welcome Vol 1 No 1A

We thank you for the warm welcome The Ulolwe, No Vol 1 No 1 has received. This draft

issue deals with South African armoured trains utilised during the Rebellion by the newly

established South African Security Forces during the last three months of 1914. The focus

here is on trains and the role of the Security Forces and does not intend to be political in any

way. We are also very interested in what we call “Police History” and the history of the use

of armoured trains in the Union of South Africa was approached from a Police Perspective.

When the article was initially written our first thoughts were that it would be for our Police

newspaper called the eNongqai – but as the research developed it became more of a

railway matter. Therefore please excuse the many references to the Security Forces in the

article. We all agree that the SAR Administration did a wonderful task during the Rebellion

as well as during both World Wars.

This particular subject has not yet fully been researched. The role of Armoured Trains

during the Anglo-Boer War is receiving the necessary attention from Peter Greef who lives

in the Western Cape.

• Your written comments and any further information or photographs are most

welcome.

Kind regards - Hennie Heymans 20101024 © 2010

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Contents

Welcome Vol 1 No 1A ..................................................................................................................... 1

SOUTH AFRICA: ARMOURED AND SPECIAL TRAINS USED DURING THE FIRST

WORLD WAR AND REBELLION BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN SECURITY FORCES ............. 3

1. Introduction: What is an armoured train? ................................................................................ 3

1899 – 1902 Anglo Boer War ........................................................................................................... 4

1906 Bambatha Rebellion ................................................................................................................ 6

The Demise of the Armoured Train and other Special Trains ................................................... 7

World Famous White Train ............................................................................................................ 7

The Strategic Situation – Union of South Africa – Part of British Empire ............................... 8

The New Coat of Arms ................................................................................................................ 8

The Union Flag ............................................................................................................................. 8

Introduction: 1914 Rebellion........................................................................................................... 9

How was the Rebellion squashed? .............................................................................................. 10

Martial Law ..................................................................................................................................... 10

The question of Transport ............................................................................................................. 11

The actual armoured and special military trains involved ...................................................... 11

SAR Armoured Trains ................................................................................................................... 13

Diagrams and photographs of the Armoured and Special Trains used by South African

troops during the Rebellion .......................................................................................................... 13

Motive Power.............................................................................................................................. 16

Other Rolling stock which is part of the armoured trains........................................................ 19

4.7” Inch gun mounted on a locomotive bogie – Salt River Works ........................................ 21

Armoured Train No 5 - HMAT Schrickmaker ........................................................................... 24

An Armoured Kitchen Car for Officers ...................................................................................... 24

Road Motor Transport of the SA Railways ................................................................................ 27

3

A three ton truck that assisted the Government Forces – seen recovering a vehicle. .......... 27

Vehicular searchlights ................................................................................................................... 27

Mobility of Government Troops during the Rebellion ............................................................. 28

3.2 Strategic line Prieska – Upington – Keetmanshoop ............................................................ 41

4. World War One: Boer Rebellion .............................................................................................. 43

Union Defence Force – Defence Personalities ........................................................................ 44

The South African Police – Police Personalities ......................................................................... 45

Some Gallant Policemen from Some Police Stations attacked by the Rebels ........................ 47

South African Railways ............................................................................................................. 48

The personalities and persons involved: The Rebel Forces ..................................................... 48

The Rebel Forces ............................................................................................................................. 49

5. World War One: Invasion of German Southwest Africa ...................................................... 50

6. World War One: Invasion of German East Africa ................................................................. 50

6. SAR Administration iro Rebellion & WW1 ............................................................................ 51

Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................................... 52

Bibliography and Acknowledgements ....................................................................................... 52

SOUTH AFRICA: ARMOURED AND SPECIAL TRAINS USED

DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND REBELLION BY THE

SOUTH AFRICAN SECURITY FORCES

1. Introduction: What is an armoured train?

An armoured train is a train used by the security forces and protected with armour.

Usually they are equipped with railway trucks and coaches armed with quick firing

heavy guns, machine guns and ordinary rifles. Search lights are used during night

operations. These were the first armoured personnel carriers on rail – they were

employed before the tank.

Armoured trains were mostly used during the late 19th and early 20th century,

when they offered an innovative way to quickly move large amounts of firepower

into position. The irony is to-day the armoured train – of a new kind - is making a

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comeback in another way: trains equipped with Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles

are now highly mobile and difficult to detect.

Today modern heavy road vehicles conveying heavy loads offer more flexibility. On

the other hand armoured trains are vulnerable iro sabotage of the railway tracks and

signals as well as attacks from the air. Therefore their use has been discontinued in

most countries.1

In short an armoured train is an early version of an armoured personnel carrier or “APC” on

rails. In the 1900’s – 1950’s there were not many good roads - the railways were the national

carrier of commuters, people and goods. During the Anglo Boer War there were moves to

have armoured plated ox-wagons. However one should remember that such vehicles got

bogged down in the rainy season and with armour they are very heavy – and therefore can

convey less. The next development was the tank.

Trains were used as armoured personnel carriers in both defensive and offensive roles. They

were used to protect the rail infrastructure like the bridges, tunnels and railway lines. In

other words they kept the railway lines clear from any impediment from the enemy. Being

armoured they offered fine protection to the men. Vast amounts of goods, war materiel,

arms, equipment, horses, men and fodder was transported by rail. The railways were the

main arterial highways of the country. Motor transport and airways were in its infancy. The

police and army were mainly mounted. However once the mounted divisions were

entrained the railways offered mobility.

As there were no good roads the armoured trains were initially used until ‘displaced’ by

heavy vehicles utilising good roads offering fast and reliable delivery of goods. In the days

before fast and reliable communication, the railways had their own communication system

along the railway lines which offered an alternatives communication system to the military.

During the Second World War the South African Railways rose to the occasion and rendered

work of great strategic importance, not only in Southern Africa, but in North Africa,

Palestine and Europe – especially in Italy.

1899 – 1902 Anglo Boer War

During the Anglo Boer War armoured trains were used for the first time in South Africa.

Former ZARP Jack Hindon, from Irish decent, became a famous train wrecker on the Boer

side. There are many memorials at places along the Pretoria to Pietersburg railway line

where he wrecked British trains. The Boers had one armoured train while the British Forces

had various armoured and hospital trains.

During the Anglo-Boer War the 12 pounder Quick Firing gun truck was developed by the

British forces for service in South Africa against the Boers.

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armoured_train - 20101021

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Below is the diagram for the 12 pounder Quick Firing gun. It would seem ten-twelve years

later the same pattern was used in the Rebellion.

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1906 Bambatha Rebellion

After the Anglo-Boer War the four British Colonies (Cape, Natal, Orange River and

Transvaal) went into a period of relative peace, During 1906 the railways were once again

called in activated in support of the Colonial Forces in dealing with the Rebellion.

Once again the Natal Government Railways supported the Government Forces of the Natal

Colony:

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The Demise of the Armoured Train and other Special Trains

Thus in the first 70 – 75 years after the Anglo-Boer War the South African Security Forces

were dependent on the Railways for the long haul of man and materiel. Many soldiers and

police were conveyed by train to Pretoria and to places like Grootfontein in Southwest

Africa – today Namibia. However slowly the number one position held by the South African

Railways came under threat from the South African Air Force and South African Airways

who offered a faster service to fly police and troops to any flash points in Southern Africa

that arose i.e. at Bulawayo, Salisbury, Victoria Falls, Windhoek and Oshikati.

A better economy led to better roads and better infrastructure. After the Second World War

the world changed forever. Police and military became mechanised and the horse was

slowly abandoned in favour of the motor vehicle. Aircraft began to develop to their full

potential and troops and police were flown around. As early as 1947 Police were flown en

masse to Durban by the South African Air Force and in the 1970’s members of the South

African Police were flown in chartered South African Airways planes between Pretoria and

Cape Town for special duty.

However after the Second World War the South African Railways started to lose its leading

position as the national carrier. As South Africa built more and better highways (and later

freeways) the service delivery of the Railways came under sever threat. The laying of fuel

pipelines between Durban and inland areas played another part in the demise of the

Railways. Cheap internal air flights led to the demise of train travel.

The Railways conveyed thousands of troops during the “bush war” and military trains ran

between various main centres and Lohatla, Grootfontein, Walvis Bay, Voortrekkerhoogte

and Jan Kempdorp. The Mounted Escort of South African Police annually travelled in a

mixed-train from Pretoria to Cape Town for the ceremonial opening of Parliament.

World Famous White Train

The South African Railways as national carrier had also over the years not only conveyed

troops and police but conveyed various Royalty and Governors-General – the ceremonial

heads of the State in the Union. Strictly not an armoured train, but the sovereign’s train and

later the State President’s train, it counts as special train for police and troops. The 1947

Royal Visit to South Africa was a feather in the cap of the South African Railways with the

establishment of the Royal Train – later called the White Train. It conveyed royalty and later

our own State Presidents. The train was abolished by the Prime Minister BJ Vorster who

refused excessive demands from a state president’s wife to refurbish the White Train – Mr

Vorster offered them an Aircraft instead – saying it was cheaper. One of the White Train

coaches was used in the talks between various leaders and was parked on the lovely Victoria

Falls Bridge exactly over the Rhodesian-Zambian border.

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The Strategic Situation – Union of South Africa – Part of British Empire

The New Coat of Arms The Union Flag

A new Union of South Africa. After the Anglo-Boer War many Free State and Transvaal

farmers were impoverished and suffering from the after affects of the War. [Both my

paternal grandparents were orphans and had lost everything due to the scorched earth

policy.] There was a strong feeling against Britain and all things British. English was the

language of the administration and the language offered in the Education system. The

Police in the Free State and Transvaal were mainly former members of the various British

forces (the majority members of the South African Constabulary which later became the

Orange River Colony Police and Transvaal Police before merging to become the new South

African Police during 1913. The farmers referred to these policemen as “Tommies”’ Apart

from the mines, South Africa was an agricultural country – wool, fruit, grain, meat, wine

and spirits for export. There was not much industrial activity.

The mode of transport was the train – the idea was from the harbours to the mines at

Kimberley and the Goldfields of the Witwatersrand. CJ Rhodes had his dream from Cape to

Cairo while his old protagonist – President SJP Kruger - had his line, the line from Delagoa

Bay (Maputo) to Pretoria and the Rand Tram Line from Randfontein to Springs. After the

Anglo-Boer War the Golden Age of Railways as the railways expanded and criss-crossed the

country and most farmers were in easy reach of the railway.

During the Anglo-Boer War the railways in the Free State and Transvaal were taken over by

the British Forces and styled as the Imperial Military Railways under the command of

Colonel Sir EPC Girouard. The Imperial Military Railways became the Central South African

Railways and they operated in conjunction with the Cape Government Railways and the

Natal Government Railways. The Railways had an own Railways Brigade and the railways

had a good corporate memory of operations during the Anglo-Boer War and during the

Bambatha Rebellion.

The railways had decentralised workshops at various strategic centres all over the country,

their own draughtsmen, mechanical engineers and foundries and heavy blacksmith works.

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There were few things, at that time, the Railways could not design and build. Diagrams of

the various rolling stock used during the Anglo-Boer War was available and could, if

necessary, be improved on. There were various members of the Railways attached to the

Active Citizen Force and many were attached to the various Railway Brigades.

The newly formed South African Railways had vast experience of running special trains

consisting of passenger and goods trucks for the conveyance of mounted troops. As national

carrier, sometimes under tiring conditions and without reasonable notice,

the railways afforded the police and army to act speedily. Special trains

were available, after hours and at short notice.

The choice was between the railways or the dying trade of transport riders

who plied with their ox-wagons on bad roads between the railhead and

farms not being serviced by the new Road Motor Transport service.

Transport riders had a function in our society but their pace was slow –

Security Forces need fast and reliable transport. The choice without saying fell on the SA

Railways.

The railways offered another advantage – it could take security forces from their barracks to

the trouble spot where they arrives fed and fresh. Water for men and horses were available

at most “watering” stations.

The South African Railways was run as an efficient operation. The railways were answerable

to Parliament and the Auditor–General had much to say! There was a spirit of dedication

and service – a common purpose to serve South Africa and its people. These officials served

with pride, they were the national carrier and the South African new coat of arms was worn

with pride!

Introduction: 1914 Rebellion

At this stage the use of Trains in War and Rebellion was nothing new. The focus of this

study is on the use of trains and armoured trains employed by General Louis Botha to crush

the Rebellion. The Rebellion or the Boer Revolt occurred in South Africa in August 1914 and

lasted until December 1914 when Active Citizen Force Major and former Boer Commandant,

Jopie Fourie was arrested. Martial Law was declared.

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How was the Rebellion squashed?

Many members of the new government, police and Armed Forces of the Union of South

Africa were themselves former Boers who had fought with the rebels against the British -

especially during the Second Boer War, which had ended twelve years earlier! 2

It is a given that General Louis Botha was a man of honour and when he accepted ‘self rule’

for the Transvaal soon after the end of Anglo-Boer War he kept his word which he gave at

the Vereeniging Peace talks. The Rebellion was crushed very quickly. General Botha saw the

suppression of the Rebellion an internal South African matter. General Botha refused to use

British troops – instead he chose to use the South African Mounted Rifles, the South African

Police and Commando’s who were loyal to him. A Guard of Policemen was established to

protect General Louis Botha during both the Rebellion and during the War in GSWA.

Martial Law

To ease the matter for the

Security Forces in South

Africa Martial Law was

proclaimed. The Army

and Police were mobilised

and the loyal

Commando’s were

activated and certain

security measures were

implemented. Although

the Police were aware of

disloyalty amongst former

Burgers both Generals

Botha and Smuts refused

to believe the Police

reports. The Rebellion or

the Boer Revolt occurred

in South Africa in August

– December 1914. Martial

Law was declared.

2See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritz_Rebellion

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The question of Transport

The SA Mounted Rifles, the SA Police and the loyal Commando’s were as a rule mounted -

however there was a move afoot to become more mechanised. This was also a transitional

period. The change was brought in gradually; cars, trucks, radio and the aeroplane were also

used in Southern Africa. The railways, however, were still regarded as the main carrier of

goods and people. So it came as no surprise that General Botha looked at the SA Railways

for strategic and tactical support. Camel and car was used to arrest General CR de Wet in

the Kalahari. The age of mechanised transport had arrived!

The actual armoured and special military trains involved

As national carrier the South African Railways was used to dealing with the

immediate requirements of the Police and the Army. Even the Prisons Department

made use of the trains to convey their prisoners, as did the Police to convey awaiting

trail prisoners to court. For the day to day running of operations certain policemen

and soldiers liaised daily with specific officials of the South African Railways. In fact

they were not strangers to one another.

The railways were then a force multiplier par excellence and added value to any

battle field commander. In this case the railways were serving the present Prime

Minister who was also General Officer in Command of all South African forces. The

Railways also had Active Citizen Force officers attached to the General Botha’s staff

and these officers’ facilitated wonders at very short notice as operational

circumstances would dictate.

The Railways also offered extra facilities. Until the middle 1950’s in the Police

Constables and 2nd Class Sergeants had to “travel with blankets” and travel second

class. Higher officers travelled first class and received bedding on the train.

Naturally messing facilities were available for men to have tea and tack along the

road and there was time for the horses to be fed and watered.

The Railways also provided extra facilities like ambulance coaches, search lights,

Road Motor Transport, Kitchen Cars, breakdown vans in case of accidents or

sabotage. In order to act defensively or offensively armoured coaches were put to

the disposal of troops. This enabled the trooper to be protected against snipers and

other attackers. The railways could afford to place dedicated motive power at the

disposal of the various armoured trains. Special trains for the transport of troops

could be arranged as the need arose.

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13

SAR Armoured Trains

In time of war and other emergencies the Workshops of the South African Railways and

antecedent railway organisations in Southern Africa has always been at the disposal of the

Government.

It was therefore was not until the outbreak of the First World War that we have found it

necessary to utilise armoured trains again. South Africa was committed in the GSWA theatre

of operations. Originally the Grand Strategy was on assisting the Royal Navy by denying the

Germans the use of their harbours and their powerful radio installations in GSWA. In a way

the Rebellion detracted General Botha’s focus on the grand Strategy and he first had to focus

on the internal dimension of national security.

Five South African Railways armoured trains were placed in to service, viz Schrikmaker,

Trafalgar, The Erin, The Scot and The Karoo. Mixed and heavy trains were used by the

police and the army under Gen Louis Botha to quell the rebellion and the trains, however

were not operationally used in GSWA.

Special trains were also provided for the SA Police in times of unrest – to meet the urgent

transport requirements of the Police who were conveyed with horses, fodder and men to the

scene of trouble. We note from the diagram of the Armoured Train that there is a truck with

water. I should be borne in mind that both horses and men need water for drinking and

messing.

Diagrams and photographs of the Armoured and Special Trains used by

South African troops during the Rebellion

Armoured Trains of the South African Railways used on Active Service by the Union

Defence Force and the South African Police under the Command of General Louis Botha in

order to suppress the Rebellion by Boers in the Union of South Africa after the declaration of

World War 1.

The following diagram3 of a complete South African Railways armoured train including the

engine, 6C No 548, comprised of the following:

Diagram

From the front of Armoured Train to the back

3 Furnished by Stan Kantor.

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1

Protected Sand Bag truck No 8219 – length 40 foot 3,73 inches

2

Rifle Truck No 6776 length 36 foot 2 inches

3

Maxim Truck 10327

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4 – Locomotive Class 6C No 548

5

4 000 Gallon tank – No 40131; length 37 foot 11 inches

6

Break Down Van No 3080; lenthg 57 foot 9 inches4

7

Rifle truck No 7060; length 37 foot 2 inches

4 Native carriage number 3080 was originally CSAR 21344, built by Birmingham in 1904. It was

classified by the SAR as J - 7. In January 1934 it entered service stock as vehicle 41155 – Sue Lawrence,

20101020 (email).

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8

12 Pound Gun truck No 9565; length 37 foot 1 inch

Motive Power

The Railway Administration5 allocated the following locomotives for the various armoured

trains

5 South African Railways Magazine: October 1945: Espitalier page 782.

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Class O5

18

Diagram from Eric Conradie – defunct SAR Museum

Above: Diagram of Locomotive class 6C No’s 541 - 564

Locomotive 6C No 558 between Lakeside and Retreat photo by AE Arnold c1933 Johannesburg.

19

Other Rolling stock which is part of the armoured trains Z-1:

Judging by the running number there were two gun carriages of this type, no’s 41101 &

41102.

HMAT Trafalgar

12 pounder

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A later photograph of Truck 41101 Z then part of No 1 Armoured Train – “Active”

21

4.7” Inch gun mounted on a locomotive bogie – Salt River Works

Truck 9121

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Z21 : Searchlight truck Numbers 41139 - 41140

Armoured Train No 2 – HMAT Erin in Bloemfontein

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Note cow-catcher on leading truck and head-light on rifle armoured truck. Below the

same rifle armoured truck for rifle fire in the workshops at Bloemfontein6:

6 Armoured_train_-_South_Africa_-_1914_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_18334.jpg

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Armoured Train No 5 - HMAT Schrickmaker

An Armoured Kitchen Car for Officers

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Ambulance Coach 4158 with interior photograph

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27

Road Motor Transport of the SA Railways

A three ton truck that assisted the Government Forces – seen recovering a vehicle.

Vehicular searchlights

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Eyewitness accounts from Police on Active Service

We have accounts of eyewitnesses who served during the Rebellion and we will use these

accounts as primary sources of information by inviting these “old men” to relate their

experiences of the use of Armoured Trains during the Rebellion.

Inspector (later Lieutenant-Colonel) HF “Harry” Trew was the first District Commandant7 of

the South African Police in Pretoria. During the Rebellion he was appointed the Officer

Commanding of General Louis Botha’s Bodyguard and later OC of the Bodyguard during

the war in German South West Africa. There was a very good personal relationship between

General Louis Botha and Lt-Col HF Trew who wrote down many of the anecdotes and

sayings related to General Louis Botha.

Mobility of Government Troops during the Rebellion

Lt-Col Trew tells us that General Botha collected a vast quantity of rolling stock at the

Pretoria railway station. All this rolling stock was under the control of Colonel Carr of

the South African Railways.

Lt-Col Trew tells us that it was soon evident that the strategy that General Botha

applied was “to hold his mass of manoeuvre, as the French called it, in Pretoria. For this

purpose he used the South African Railways. As soon as a trouble flared up, General

7 The first District Commandant of Police in Pretoria was Col Sam Steele of the SA Constabulary. Col

Steele served in the NWMP of Canada and rose to the rank of Major-General in the Canadian Militia

during WW1.

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Botha would entrain thousands of mounted men and race towards the flash point. He

would then detrain at the nearest point to the scene of the trouble where he would scatter

the rebel commandos. Afterwards he would return to Pretoria to prepare for another strike.

Lt-Col Trew tells us how General CF Beyers8 with his commando was encamped at

Kommissiedrif9. At that stage General Beyers was the nearest menace to Pretoria. One

evening a long line of trains set out for Rustenburg, headed by an armoured train.

Arriving at Rustenburg in the early morning, the horses were un-trucked with all

speed and they set off on our march through Olifantsnek10 11. The Colonel tells us

that it was evident that General Botha set out to attack his fellow countryman with a

heavy heart. He has always been of the opinion that General Botha’s early death was

hastened by this rebellion.

“As we wound over the top of the narrow ‘nek’ we heard a burst of rifle fire from our

advanced troops, who had strict orders that they were not to fire unless fired upon.

Word soon reached us that General Beyers' commando was in retreat, and the whole

force moved forward at a gallop, through thick scrub country. That night we camped in

the bush, and suffered a good deal from cold, as we had no transport with us. In the

morning we moved south towards the western railway line, but could not regain

touch with General Beyers, whose commando had apparently scattered. We eventually

found our trains on the line ahead [29] of us, and returned to Pretoria. We then had an

abortive trip on our trains to Brits, only to find on our arrival that the rebel

gathering had scattered” Lt-Col Trew tells us.

Lieut JEM Thursby-Atwell says that although the Transvaal was relatively

quiet. [General De la Rey had been shot by Const Drury of the SA Police,

hunting for the notorious Foster Gang. When Gen De la Rey and General

Beyers’ car refused to stop at a police roadblock near Langlaagte, he was shot

by Police who believed the Generals were the fleeing Forster Gang.] However

General CR de Wet was active in the Free State. The town of Reitz was made

the rebel-stronghold. For approximately six weeks the Rebels had control of

8 The great ANC-member and former Dutch Reformed Minister, Dr CF Beyers Naude, was named

after this Boer War General and Rebel Leader. 9 Then known as Commissie Drift. 10 On the R24 app 10km south of Rustenburg. Olifantsnek: Lat: -25.78333 Long: 27.23333;

http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/south_africa/map/m1846333/olifantsnek.html - [2010-10-11 P

Mills.] 11 Olifantsnek is on the road to Derby/Magaliesburg. There is also an Olifantsnek Dam. Kommissiedrif

is between the Rustenburgb-Derby en Rustenburg –Koster Roads- J Viktor [2010-10-11].

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Reitz. Towns like Kroonstad, Harrismith, Bethlehem, Heibron, Vrede, Lindley

and Parys12 were subjected to attacks from the rebels. 13

General de Wet’s men at Vrede

The South African Police at Bethlehem after the Rebellion and Head-Constable EWH Walker,

who resisted the Rebels

12 Marvelous descriptions are also given by Col Denys Reitz in his book. 13 Thursby Atwell 1926: 106.

31

On the 28th of October Gen CR de Wet entered the small town of Vrede with

150 men and then afterwards went to Winburg.

When the army and police returned from Rustenburg and arrived in Pretoria

they heard that General CR de Wet had revolted against the Botha-Government.

General CR de Wet then had captured Winburg. He was supposed to have some

five thousand men under arms. Meanwhile on the 3rd of November 2,000 rebels

took the town of Lindley. 14 Next gen De Wet took Heilbron where the railway

line and the telegraph and telephone lines were cut. From the end of October

Kroonstad was practically in a stage of siege. On the 6th of November Colonel

Manie Botha15 went after the rebels. 16

Again the police and army were mobilised and the horses were trucked Colonel

Trew tells us: “They (the horses) were becoming so used to this practice that when

the doors of the trucks were opened they walked straight in. I was much struck with

the Boer practice of trucking their horses with the saddles and bridles on them. This

practice saved a great deal of room on the train, and as we carried a loading ramp

with us on each train, if any sudden emergency arose, the horses could be un-trucked

and ready for action in a very short time.”

Lt-Col Trew then relates how the long line of trains again set out, this time for the

14 Thursby Atwell 1926: 108. 15 Nongqai 1942-08 16 Thursby Atwell 1926: 110.

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south. He says: “We drew up at the nearest point to Winburg, we detrained, and

marched into the town, which we found General CR de Wet had vacated the

previous evening.” [30]

Another source relates how they travelled south from Pretoria and at night the

screens in the compartments were pulled down. Thus making the train dark and

not a clear target for attacking Rebels Forces. The Rebels, who must be

remembered, fought against Britain 12 years previously.

Lieutenant JEM Thursby-Atwell has the following to say about events in the small

hamlet of Ventersburg17: “Lieutenant Foucher's18 Intelligence Officer, Captain

Klick19, was shot dead in the street at Ventersburg.” 20 We also know that General

de Wet attacked the Police Station at Ventersburg and blew up the safe in the

Police Station – the old building is/was now the Free State Police museum.

Information at hand was that General de Wet went to Mushroom Valley which lies

30 miles east of Winburg”.

Col Trew then relates: “After dark the whole force moved out of Winburg, ostensibly

back to the trains but really moving on Mushroom Valley. At 2 a.m. we halted, and

after ringing the horses, lay down on the hard ground in our overcoats, and tried to

get an hour's sleep. At 3 a.m. the column moved forward again. Just as grey dawn

appeared we rode over a ridge, and saw the green slopes of Mushroom Valley, with

the farm-house and De Wet's laager in the middle distance. For once the general

showed some signs of excitement, pointing his finger at the laager he called out:

“There are the khakis, we have caught them." In that instant he had gone back

fourteen years to the days of the Boer War. [31].

Lieutenant Thursby-Atwell gives us the date when General Botha left during

November 1914. He says they moved out of Winburg, in the direction of

Marquard, on the 11 November 1914 to go after General De Wet who was in

Mushroom Valley. 21

Like in Anglo-Boer War Gen CR de Wet, once again, escaped the net – one has to

remember that signalling between Government forces was not good – they relied on

17 On the NI on the way between Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. It had a SA Police Museum. 18 Lieut Fouchè? 19 Captain Kieck? 20 Thursby Atwell 1926: 113 21 Thursby Atwell 1926: 111.

33

the telegraph and the heliograph. [36] Gen Tim Lukin did not get the message to stop

Gen De Wet because his man who received the message by helio did not have the code.22

Lieutenant Thursby-Attwell tell us: “There was a certain liveliness on the Reitz-

Frankfort line, where the armoured trains, The Trafalgar, Erin, and the

Schrikmaker, excellently armed with quick firers and picked riflemen, and

carrying powerful searchlights, did excellent work in conjunction with the mobile

forces. The rebels tried on one occasion to cut off The Trafalgar, but a running

fight ensued and the rebels suffered heavily.” 23

About this time Colonel Harry Trew overheard a conversation between the General

Botha and a certain person. The latter said: When you capture the rebel leaders, General,

you should deal very severely with them. The general replied: It is easy for you to talk, the

responsibility is not yours. I am looking fifty years ahead; I do not wish to leave a wealth of

bitterness behind, to keep my people divided forever."

Col Trew then tells us that during their pursuit they relieved a small garrison of

police under Captain Walker24, who were besieged in the flour mill at Bethlehem by a

commando - being between six- or seven hundred men strong. Col Trew tells us: “They

had sent in a white flag to Walker, calling on him to surrender, and pointing out that

with the few men he had he could not resist them for long. He [37] sent back an

answer refusing to surrender, and before the attack could develop General Botha

appeared on the scene, a n d the commando dispersed.

Later we are informed by Lieutenant Thursby-Atwell that on the on the morning of the 16th

(November) General CR de Wet approached the railway line from the east three miles north

of Virginia, where the line crosses the Zand River25.

At Virginia Colonel L. Badenhorst engaged the rebels. About 2,000 rebels managed to cross

the railway line while about 2,000 rebels were beaten back and prevented from crossing.

We are informed taht these rebels withdrew to the east towards, Doornkop. Armoured

Train No. 226 then arrived during the course of the action and rendered great assistance in

helping to cut off a portion of the rebel force. 27

22 Thursby Atwell 1926: 111. 23 Thursby Atwell 1926: 113 24 Thursby Attwell says Walker was a warrant officer i.e. a Head Constable – Thursby-Atwell : 109 –

The Nongqai confirms this fact – see photograph. 25 Now known as the Sand River. 26 UDF Doc A188/9199 – Armoured Train No 2 was under the command Capt Dixon with the

Northern Force 27 Thursby Atwell p 112

34

Col Trew tells us that meanwhile General Koen Brits had gone off in pursuit of

General de Wet, whilst they, with Myburgh 's commando, entrained at Clocolan on the

Basuto (now Lesotho) border. From there they went via Bloemfontein to Kimberley, and

had tried to head General CR de Wet off at Christiana. “We w e r e too late. We

discovered, however, that he (Gen de Wet) was no longer a menace, as most of his men

had deserted and gone back to their farms,” he said.

Rebellion under General Kemp then flared up at Lichtenburg. General Kemp and his

commando started on his “wonderful ride across the Kalahari Desert”28, eventually to

join hands with the Germans at Zwart Modder (Swartmodder).

“All our long trains were now hurried south to De Aar ... “ - Col Trew

28 Col Trew’s description – It was a wonderful military feat.

35

“All our long trains were now hurried south to De Aar, to make a dash for Upington

to try and intercept Kemp before he passed that place. Some nine thousand men and

horses on trains set out to cross the desert via Prieska and Draghoender. As far as the

latter the line was properly laid, but from there on it had been constructed at the rate of a

mile a day, with no ballast, no bridges or culverts. The sleepers had simply been laid on

the surface of the desert, and the rails spiked down to them.

Our greatest pace on from Draghoender was at the rate of ten miles an hour. It was

an extraordinary sight to watch the sleepers as the trains passed over the rails, and to

see them bury the m se l ves in the sand. We now experienced a stroke of bad luck, as,

for the first time in eight years, heavy rain fell in the in the desert and washed away

a portion of the line ahead of us. This caused f u r t h e r delay while the line was being

repaired,” Col Trew declared. [42]

Convicted Rebels at Upington.

36

[43] “We got back to [Upington] hear both good and bad news. Koen Brits had run General

CR de Wet down, and captured him. Jopie Fourie's commando, however, had defeated a

Government force north of Pretoria, and a great personal friend of mine, Captain Allan

King, had been killed in the fight. What made it so tragic was that Jopie and King, who was

Native Commissioner of Pretoria, had been good friends prior to the rebellion” said Col

Trew. (Col Trew also knew Major Jopie Fourie and it was he, Col Trew, who with his

men later during December 1914 arrested Major Jopie Fourie at Nooitgedacht.)

Col Trew tells us that the march by General Kemp's commando from Lichtenburg,

Transvaal, to Zwart Modder near the German border, was one of the finest military feats in

South African history! General Kemp had no dumps of food and water laid out ahead for

him. He was continually pursued by fresh columns of Government troops. Simply by the

force of his personality he kept his men together, and brought them through the arid,

sandy and water-less country!

Left: Sub-Inspectors Miller and Loftus at

Braamfontein Railway Station.

37

Col Trew tells us they entrained at Upington. He says they slept most of the way on our

long journey back to Pretoria. Here they settled down and started to prepare for the

campaign in German South-West.

He tells us that Major Jopie Fourie's commando was the only one giving trouble. He had been

operating in the bush veld, about Pienaar’s River. He tells us how he and his men took a

special train from Pretoria to De Wildt during the 1914 Rebellion to go and arrest Major

Jopie Fourie, a former Boer Commandant and Major in the ACF of the Union Defence Force,

and his rebels.

“My friend Major Jopie Fourie had a keen sense of humour”, Col Trew says he was

shown a commandeering note that Major Fourie had given to the hotelkeeper at Pienaar’s

River. In the note he stated he had taken goods to the value of £10 for the use of the

Republican Forces; if his side won it would be honoured by the Republican Government, if

he lost: The amount was to be debited against Generals Botha and Smuts!!

An interesting fact is that Col Theo Truter – the Commissioner of Police - was the presiding

officer at the General Field Court-martial which was held in the Police Gymnasium at

Pretoria Central Police Station. The cell door of the Central Prison at Pretoria where Cmdt

Jopie Fourie was kept prisoner and shot, is now kept at the Police Museum at Ventersburg.

His SAP 22 – [Prisoner’s Property Receipt] has also been saved for posterity.

From Pretoria the men of General Botha went by train from Pretoria to Cape Town where

they camped on the lawns of Groote Schuur.

They sailed by ship from Cape Town to Walfish Bay (Walvis Bay.)

1“Alles Zal Recht Kom”

The Rebellion broke out and it was the painful duty of the English-speaker in South Africa

and the Dutch-speaking Boers in the Army and Police to suppress the Rebellion and to

loyally support their Commander in Chief – General Louis Botha. After reading a few books

on the subject one comes under the deep impression that the smashing of the rebellion was a

most painful experience to both Gen Louis Botha and General Jan Smuts. The Afrikaners,

especially during and after the Second World War never forgave General Smuts for the

38

shooting by firing squad of Cmdt Jopie Fourie. That is one o f the reasons why Gen Smuts

commuted the death sentence passed on Robey Leibbrandt.29

The Forces Magazine had no idea the Rebellion would be crushed so soon and the prepared

“strategic communication” or psychological operations (“psy-opps”). Here is a photo of

Policemen reading the Nongqai on the banks of the Orange River just before the end of the

Rebellion. The Body Guard then wore “hats” and fir service in GSWA they had to wear

helmets.

29 Interview with Lieut-Gen HV Verster, whose father Lt-Col Frank Verster, was Deputy

Commissioner for Police in the Transvaal and knew General Smuts personally.

39

Above is Nakop where the first shots in the War were fired at the lonely frontier police

station. “Nakop is a small town and border post in south-eastern Namibia, on its border

with South Africa. It lies ten kilometres north of the Orange River.”30 It is arid country and

water is a problem.

2 “Alles Zal Recht Kom”

The slogan was one that of the then President Jan

Brand of the Free State always used, literally

translated: “Everything will come right as long as

each man does his duty!” The Police and Armed

Forces Magazine took up the slogan to motivate the

Government Forces to crush the rebellion.

The following page appeared in the Nongqai January 1915 – by which time the Rebellion had

been crushed.

30 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakop

40

41

3.2 Strategic line Prieska – Upington – Keetmanshoop

The Difficulties that faced the SAR when they laid the line from De Aar to

Keetmanshoop (Prieska – Upington Section over the Orange River at Upington):

Locomotives are floated

over to the Upington-side –

over the Orange River –

now the Gariep. (Photos in

this section from Eric

Conradie of the defunct

SAR Library,

Johannesburg.)

The construction of the line to Upington.

42

Then and now! Below the completed bridge over the Orange River; the second picture a

nostalgic photo taken on the bridge whilst a passenger on Bosveld Train Safaris - while

thinking about the first photograph.

The Orange River at sunrise from the compartment window while crossing the river.

Photo – Hennie Heymans

43

4. World War One: Boer Rebellion

The strategic situation

The new Prime Minister of Union of South Africa,

General Louis Botha, a former General on the Boer

side against Britain 12 years previously, was

installed as Prime Minister of a united South Africa

on 31st of May 1910. Previously he served as the

Prime Minister of the Transvaal Colony from 1907 –

a mere five years after the Peace of Vereeniging.

General Louis Botha was regarded as an honourable

man by Boer, Brit and Zulu alike. As a person who

swore allegiance to the Crown he allowed the

Imperial Troops in South Africa to leave for Europe

and undertook to invade German Southwest Africa

in order to deny the German the use of the harbours

and to capture the radio stations in the territory.

Why a rebellion?

After the peace singed at Vereeniging the Boers of the Transvaal and Free State

swore allegiance to the Crown. Some Boers were “Bitter einders” like Denys Reitz

and left the country. The idea of a “free republic” was the old Boer ideal and the

dream was kept alive in the hearts of the Boers.

A rebellion is an “open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to

an established government.”31 This is actually what happened and the before they

could take over the Government the rebellion was crushed.

In 1914 when Britain declared war on Germany the Boers thought this in ideal

moment in time to get their Republic back. The Imperial Government was in touch

with General Louis Botha he undertook to invade German Southwest Africa with

South African troops in order to support the Grand Global Strategy – deny the

German Navy the use of their harbours in GSWA and capture the powerful radio

stations in the territory.

Gen Botha’s support of Britain was used to inflame the Boer’s perception that Gen

Botha was in favour of the British while neglecting vested Boer interests! Nothing

further from the truth – the Transvaal received self government during 1907 – five

years after the end of the Anglo-Boer War and General Botha – as did General JBM

31 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebellion?show=0&t=1287753303

44

Hertzog – did everything in their power to reconcile the differences between the

Boers and the “Brits” in South Africa. The personalities and persons involved: The Government Forces

The Prime Minister was General Louis Botha and he was loyal to the Crown and to

the Empire as it was then called. In this venture he was assisted by General JC

Smuts. At this stage it should be remembered that all the Colonies – e.g. Canada,

Australia, New Zeeland and Rhodesia went to the aid of Great Britain.

The Commissioner of Police, Col Theo Truter, was loyal as was the greater part of

the newly established Police Force. The Police gathered information of the pending

Rebellion and informed the Government timeously. The Police also acted upon

information regarding German spies active in South Africa. The Suspect Staff of the

South African Police are on record that they recorded the movement of certain

former Boer Generals.

In the Union Defence Force General Tim Lukin was loyal to the Government of the

day. The Union Defence force consisted mainly of five brigades South African

Mounted Infantry and Boer Commando’s.

Union Defence Force – Defence Personalities

Badenhorst, L – Colonel, no particulars.

Botha, Louis, General. First Prime Minister of the Union of South

Africa. (1862 – 191932.) A former Boer-General. A man of honour

and integrity. It was his painful duty to act against his former

brothers-in-arms. His people called him “Lewies”. A prime case of

conscience versus duty!

Botha, Hermanus Nicolaas Wilhelmus aka “Manie” – Colonel

(later Brigadier-General in WW1). (1877 – 1950). He is the son of

General Phillip Botha and a cousin of General Louis Botha. Fought

in Anglo-Boer War under Gen CR de Wet. Served in both world

wars.

32 Uys,1992: 31.

45

Brits, Coeraad Jacobus aka “Coen” (1968 – 1932)33 fought in the

Anglo-Boer War, great admirer of Gen Botha. Became a General in

the Union Defence Force. A legend in his own time, a humorous

officer. Col Trew has given us many anecdotes on this officer.

General Botha saved his life during the Anglo-Boer War and he

remained faithful to General Louis Botha.

Fouche – no particulars.

Jordaan, Colonel is the man that captured Gen CR de Wet.

Not much is known of this officer,

King, Capt Allan. He was the Native Commissioner at

Hammanskraal and was shot in the first attempt to arrest Major

Jopie Fourie. A friend of Lt-Col HF Trew and incidentally well

known to Major Jopie Fourie.

Klieck or Kieck – no particulars.

Lukin, Tim – Sir Henry Timson Lukin (1860 – 1925). OC of the

Cape Mounted Rifles and later Commandant-General of the Cape

Colonial Forces. After Union he was appointed Inspector-General

of the Union Defence Force.34

Myburgh – Marthinus Wilhelmus, (1870 – 1920) first Colonel-

Commandant and later Brigadier-General.35

The South African Police – Police Personalities

Drury, C: No 2865 (M) Constable36 – His ricochet bullet killed

General de la Rey on 15 September 1914. A Month later he was the

‘cook’ for the Body Guard in GSWA. He joined the Bodyguard on

15 Oct 1914.

33 Uys,1992: 31. 34 Uys, 1992: 138 – 139. 35 Uys, 1992: 164 – 165. 36 King, 2000: 242.

46

Thursby-Atwell JEM Lieutenant – A member of the Police – a

Constable at Malmesbury (CP) and later an Officer in the Union

Defence Force. Author of the book: The Fighting Police of South

Africa.

Trew, Col Henry Freame aka “Harry”- OC General Botha’s Body

Guard during the Rebellion and in GSWA, later Deputy

Commissioner, SA Police, Western Cape. Author of Botha Treks and

African Manhunts.

Walker, Head-Constable – of the SA Police Bethlehem. He stood

up against the Rebels.

47

Some Gallant Policemen from Some Police Stations attacked by the Rebels

More can be read about Gen CR de Wet and Resident Magistrate CJ Fraser.

48

South African Railways

Colonel Carr – South African Railways - Unknown

The personalities and persons involved: The Rebel Forces

This was not a simple question, a lot of passion and Afrikaner patriotism is involved!

This was a passionate matter going right back to the first Boer rebellions in South

Africa. Right back to 1795 when the first Boer Republic in Swellendam was declared,

back to Slagtersnek, to Boomplaas and to the recent defeat in the Anglo-Boer War.

This was the opportunity the Boer was waiting for! This was an emotive question

giving them an honourable cause to fight for their freedom from British suppression.

They wanted a “Free” Boer Republic where they could rule themselves!

Unfortunately there were many Officers of the Union Defence Force that were

fiercely loyal to the Boer cause and our ideals. They were Boers in the first place and

South African’s in the second place.

49

The Rebel Forces

Generals CF Beyers and ‘Koos’ de la Rey

Gen CF Beyers, head of the Union Defence Force and former Boer

General, resigned his commission as an officer. This encouraged

many Rebels. Gen Beyers was travelling with General (Senator)

Koos de la Rey – friend of Gen Methuen - towards Potchefstroom

when they refused to stop at a police roadblock. These police were

looking for the Foster Gang. Gen de la Rey was killed by a ricochet

bullet. Gen Beyers was a former lawyer in Boksburg and his first

question was when he met Col Sholto Douglas, DSO, that fateful

evening was: “With what will I be charged?”

General Christiaan de Wet – Free State

In the Free State the legendary Boer General CR

de Wet and his rebel commando’s were active

until he was arrested, charged and found guilty,

fined and sentenced to imprisonment. He told

Colonel Jordaan that he would never had been

caught was in not for the government motor

vehicles. Photo on right: After his arrest.

General ‘Koos’ Kemp

Col Trew tells us: “General Kemp had no dumps of food and water

laid out ahead for him. He was continually pursued by fresh columns of

Government troops. Simply by the force of his personality he kept his

men together, and brought them through the arid, sandy and water-

less country!” [ A good personal account is written by PJ van Zyl

Hatting: My tog deur die Woestyn na Duitswes – Inleiding en

annotering MCE van Schoor – Oorlogsmuseum, Bloemfontein, 2000.]

Colonel ‘Manie’ Maritz

Colonel (Boer General) Manie Maritz of the Union Defence Force

were active in the Northern Cape – GSWA region. In this category

were officers like Colonel Manie Maritz who was in charge of the

North-Western Cape where he easily could liaise with the

Germans in GSWA. [For further information read his

autobiography “My Lewe en Strewe”.]

50

• Fourie, Joseph Johannes (1878 – 1914)37 aka Jopie: Boer

Commandant and later a Major in the Active Citizen Force. He

did not resign his commission as an officer in the Union Defence

Force. He was arrested near Nooitgedacht on 16 December 1914.

He was tried by the Commissioner of Police, Col Truter in the

Police Gymnasium at Pretoria Central Police Station and was

sentenced to death. Shot in Pretoria Prison by Firing Squad made

up of Police and soldiers.

Why act against the Rebels?

The Police and Defence Force have no choice in the matter; they have sworn

allegiance to the Crown and the country. It is the duty of the Government Forces and

the courts to suppress the Rebellion in the national interest.

5. World War One: Invasion of German Southwest Africa

• How to get troops, horses and materiel there?

• What are the alternatives

• New line from Prieska to Upington – Keetmanshoop.

• Duel gage in GSWA.

• Military Objectives to capture railway line and rolling stock intact.

• German sabotage of water and bridges.

• Lines of communication.

• Battle honours.

• Signing of the surrender - special train.

6. World War One: Invasion of German East Africa

[Just a few words it was not a true South African operation, although General JC

Smuts was in command. I have lovely photographs of destroyed and captured

German rolling stock. This was done by South African troops fighting as British

Imperial troops in German East Africa and not as South African Troops per se]

• How to get troops, horses and materiel there?

• What are the alternatives?

• Military Objectives as far as Railways are concerned?

• 1 metre gauge

• Col Rose-Innes – railway engineer

• German sabotage of water points and bridges.

• Lines of Communication.

37 Uys, 1992: 82

51

• Major Pretorius, DSO.

• SA Battle Honours.

6. SAR Administration iro Rebellion & WW1

• Train Orders

• The makeup of trains

• Conveyance of explosives and materiel

• Right of way? (Accident in GSWA killing UDF officers).

• Long distance - Burgers refusing to get into suburban coaches.

• SAR – UDF Liaison

• UDF Orders to men

• Conduct on trains.

• Railway Brigade

• Railway Police & Security

The Colours and Battle Honours of the SA Police with Battle honours.

52

Conclusion:

The SA Railways played an important role in subduing the Rebellion and assisting

the Union Defence Force in South Africa in order to obtain their objectives. The SAR

is lauded for their role in the Rebellion, without their assistance it would have been a

logistical nightmare.

Bibliography and Acknowledgements

Armoured_train_-_South_Africa_-_1914_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_18334.jpg.

Beyl, R Brig – former SAR Police.

Boksburg Historical Association: Gen Beyers

Boon Boonzaaier – various trips over the various lines of the SAR during his tenure

as “Big Boss” of Bosveld Train Safari’s.

Conradie, Eric – Photographs and advice.

Emms, Mervyn – Photographs from his various collections.

Espitalier, Mr: South African Railways Magazine: October 1945: page 782.

Fourie, Deon Brig-Gen (Prof) - SANDF

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritz_Rebellion.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebellion?show=0&t=1287753303

http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/south_africa/map/m1846333/olifantsnek.html

Jones, Bruce – questions.

Kantor, Stan – sharing diagrams;

Lane, DA Col – What I remember, - Nongqai.

Lawrence Sue – Comments.

Maritz, Oom Manie – son of the General Maritz.

Marshall, W Lt-Col – SANDF.

Mills, Paul.

Prinsloo, G Mr: Documentation Centre of the SANDF;

Ritchie, E Moore – late Editor of the Nongqai.

Searle, Ric: Photographs,

South African Police Museum;

South African Railways – diagrams;

South African Railways Magazine: October 1945: Espitalier page 782.

The Nongqai, 1914;

Thursby-Attwell, JEM, The Fighting Police of South Africa,

Trew, HF Lieut-Col: Botha Treks.

Union Defence Force Document A188/9199.

Uys, Ian: SA Militarily Whose Who , Fortress, 1992.

Verster, HV Lieut-Gen – who shared his father’s memories with me.

© Hennie Heymans 20101024 © 2010