Both my grandfather and my great uncle fought for the South African Forces against Axis opposition in World War Two. The South Africans were actively involved in the war effort in North Africa (against the forces of Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps ), Abyssinia, the European Theatre and even Japan. South African pilots (such as the Air Ace Sailor Malan) were key figures in the Royal Air Force.
Worth noting is that South African Prime Minister Jan Smuts was Churchill’s most important non-British general and was appointed to the position of Field Marshal in 1941.
While the South African forces were often starved for manpower and weaponry they put up a very brave fight. What follows is a list of their accomplishments.
1, Helped in the defeat of Benito Mussolini’s forces In Abyssinia (1940–1941) - (this was the area my grandfather fought in).
2. Worked with British forces in the liberation of Madagascar from the Vichy French.
3. Fought alongside British troops in the Battle of El-Alamein and Tobruk,
4. Involved in Italian campaign (1944–45).
5. Took part in Air Force raids in support of Warsaw and bombing of Romanian oilfields.
It is estimated that 334,000 South African troops of all racial backgrounds fought in the war. 11,023 were known to have died.
For more check out: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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