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South Africans in WWII, a subject that not often gets looked at -- outside of South Africa. this was a great read of not well known history in the North African and Italian Campaigns . Why it is not well known probably had more to do with the Apartheid state that came after WWII - and perhaps made it easier to forget and to minimize South Africa's efforts as most of the WWII histories were being written- - or rewritten. Today this history belongs to the Republic of South Africa...
Fighting From Tobruk to Milan
Posted from warfarehistorynetwork.com
World History
Military History
WWII World War Two
Republic of South Africa
Posted >1 y ago
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Actually the British are quite particular in stating who came from where and who did what. Regiments and their origins are noted. And as the British (at the time) was made up of "County regiments," the addition of troops from those "outside the county" would have to be accounted for. So "Scot," "Welsh," "Australian," "Canadian," "South African," "New Zealand," etc, are staples of most English-authored reading. Additionally, the differentiation between "Irish" and "Northern Irish" was also noted.
While racist overtones do creep in to Empire discussions from back in the time, there was also a monetary component to be considered. Which chunk of the Empire would get funded better? So having "your troops" throughout dispatches was important from a funding perspective, as well.
While racist overtones do creep in to Empire discussions from back in the time, there was also a monetary component to be considered. Which chunk of the Empire would get funded better? So having "your troops" throughout dispatches was important from a funding perspective, as well.
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LTC Eric Udouj
Absolutely Agree - the however is that as WWII was re-written in history again in 60s through 90s.. it was the timeframe of Apartheid and it was at that point that less was mentioned in Africa and in Italy as the more general history books were written that shaped the perceptions of WWII. The books and items right after the war did good jobs of placing the SAs role in winning the war.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
Once the veil of secrecy was lifted on ULTRA and MAGIC operations in 1975, all books tended to be re-evaluated and re-written. So I tended to "move" pre-1975 books to the garage and/or attic and re-buy newer issues. Or updated issues from authors who were aware of the coming revelations. Around this time I am growing up in Europe (England) and didn't notice a shift other than the bugaboo of having to say "no, we really weren't the better fighters: we just knew their plans and when/where they'd attack."
And of course, the veil then lifted on spies and intel forces being able to tell their stories and this has caused some rewritings as well.
And of course, the veil then lifted on spies and intel forces being able to tell their stories and this has caused some rewritings as well.
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