Fought miles history south

History's Worst Battles and the People Who Fought them By: Joel Levy A first edition softcover published by Zebra Press in 2014 Picture cover boards are clean & bright, binding is tight & strong, no marks or inscriptions, a clean copy Postage within South Africa R50.00 Overseas Customers can contact us for a Postal Quotation

It is May 1983. The UMR is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Headquarters, the UMR Hall, in Greytown. A medal parade, civic dinner and a number of other events are on the programme. The members of the Unit are upbeat and enthusiastic and look forward to all the activities. There is an officers meeting in the old UMR Hall. On the agenda the Unit's history going forward from 1975 when the last edition was published. A decision is taken to appoint a senior officer (Maj. L. Palmer) to commence working on the History project. The idea is to begin collecting material, articles and photographs, interviewing the older ex-members and Comrades of the Unit, collecting anecdotes and any other related information. The years passed and the work load increased as time went on. The one man project became a 4 member committee and members came and went. Cmdt. John Allchin took over the project. Under his direction the work continued until in, 2004, there was enough progress to appoint a professional scribe to put it all together. Mark Coghlan of the Pietermaritzburg Museum, a person of great experience and insight into military history in KwaZulu-Natal, was approached and accepted the assignment;  To draft, collate and produce the History of the UMR 1864 to 2004. The rest is history, the culmination of over 20-odd years of hard but fulfilling work. As the reader turns the pagers of this document, the history of the illustrious UMR will unfold before his/her very eyes, and the reader will be taken for the ride of a lifetime. The ride starts with a small band of 45 cavalry volunteers in Greytown and ends with a modern Armoured Car Regiment, a compliment of 254 trained men and women, equipped with Rooikat armoured vehicles and a modern and functional headquarters at Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. The Umvoti Mounted Rifles is the second oldest Regiment in the South African National Defence Force. It was 150 years old on 16 May 2014. The regiment fought gallantly and with honour in the South African (Zulu) War of 1879; The South Africa (Anglo Boer) War of 1899 -1902; Natal (Bambata) Rebellion of 1906; South West Africa (First world War) 1914-1915 and Gibbon, Western Desert (Second World War) 1941-1943. The Regiment stands proud as the only active Armoured Car Regiment in KwaZulu-Natal, and is ready to serve the South African National Defence Force, The Country and its People, where and whenever called upon to do so. Hardcover, 795 pages. Published October 2012 

Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2015. Soft cover. 308 pages. Very good condition. Under  1kg. Historian Karen Horn painstakingly tracked down a number of former POWs in which their interviews reveal rich narratives of hardship, endurance, humour, longing and self-discovery. Instead of fighting, these men adapted to another war, one which was fought on the inside of many prison camps. In their interviews, all the POWs expressed surprise at being asked to share their experiences of almost 70 years earlier. They returned home in 1945 to a country which soon afterwards tried its utmost to promote national amnesia with regard to the country’s participation in the war. With great insight and empathy, Karen Horn shines a light on a neglected corner of South African history.  Karen Horn is a lecturer at Stellenbosch University. 

Fair pricing, with reliable, quick, honest treatment of sincere buyers,This is our motto. For prompt delivery, prompt payment is required, we ship the same day as we receive your payment. When you pay, your goods are on the way.   Remember to check daily for our surprise specials LIKE LIONS THEY FOUGHT     Title: LIKE LIONS THEY FOUGHT the Zulu War and the last Black empire in South Africa   Author: ROBERT B.EDGERTON   Hardcover: 244 pages     Language: English   Product Dimensions: 24 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm   It's secondhand but very well kept In the Zulu and the British armies met at Isandlwana in the first battle of one of the bloodiest wars in African colonial history. Robert Edgerton examines this war for the first time as it was experienced by the Zulus and examines the psychological and cultural assumptions of the men on both sides.

1991. Hard cover, 374 pages. Very good condition. Under 1kg. In this book James Ambrose Brown does more than write a campaign history: he draws the reader into the emotional and national frenzy of colonial politics in German East Africa during the 1916 - 1918 campaign and the annexations of African territories that preceded it. This sets the stage for the narrative that chronicles the major role that South Africa played in this war in tropical Africa. It was a campaign in Tanganyika remarkable for the suffering, hardships and stubborn courage on both sides. This story of human endurance is presented with the freshness of personally recorded experiences of officers and men who fought in what is now called Tanzania, and tells for the first time the important function that South African volunteers played under the command of General Jan Smuts. 

1991. Hard cover, 374 pages. Very good condition. Selotape marks in front and back. Under 1kg. In this book James Ambrose Brown does more than write a campaign history: he draws the reader into the emotional and national frenzy of colonial politics in German East Africa during the 1916 - 1918 campaign and the annexations of African territories that preceded it. This sets the stage for the narrative that chronicles the major role that South Africa played in this war in tropical Africa. It was a campaign in Tanganyika remarkable for the suffering, hardships and stubborn courage on both sides. This story of human endurance is presented with the freshness of personally recorded experiences of officers and men who fought in what is now called Tanzania, and tells for the first time the important function that South African volunteers played under the command of General Jan Smuts. 

Books on World War II abound, yet there are remarkably few publications on South Africa’s role in this war, which had such an influence on how we live today. There is even less written about those who participated on the margins of the war, especially those who were physically removed from the battlefields through capture by enemy forces. South Africa’s prisoners of war during World War II, their experiences and recollections, are largely forgotten. That is until now.  Historian Karen Horn painstakingly tracked down a number of former POW's. Together with written memoirs and archival documents, their interviews reveal rich narratives of hardship, endurance, humour, longing and self-discovery. Instead of fighting, these men adapted to another war, one which was fought on the inside of many prison camps. It was a war against hunger and deprivation, at times against ever-encroaching despondency and low morale amongst their companions in captivity.  In their interviews, all the POW's expressed surprise at being asked to share their experiences. The author found it astonishing that almost all of them claimed not to be heroes of any kind. This is not surprising when one considers that they returned to a country which soon tried its utmost to promote national amnesia with regard to the country’s participation in the war. With great insight and empathy, Karen Horn shines a light on a neglected corner of South African history.  The Author Karen Horn is a lecturer at Stellenbosch University. She has travelled to at least three of the four corners of the earth and has pursued many different occupations. With a Master’s degree in History from Edinburgh University, followed by a PhD at Stellenbosch, she now spends many hours of research reading diaries, interrogating older generations and rummaging around in the archives. Softcover, published 2015.

Books on World War II abound, yet there are remarkably few publications on South Africas role in this war, which had such an influence on how we live today. There is even less written about those who participated on the margins of the war, especially those who were physically removed from the battlefields through capture by enemy forces. South Africas prisoners of war during World War II, their experiences and recollections, are largely forgotten. That is until now.  Historian Karen Horn painstakingly tracked down a number of former POW's. Together with written memoirs and archival documents, their interviews reveal rich narratives of hardship, endurance, humour, longing and self-discovery. Instead of fighting, these men adapted to another war, one which was fought on the inside of many prison camps. It was a war against hunger and deprivation, at times against ever-encroaching despondency and low morale amongst their companions in captivity.  In their interviews, all the POW's expressed surprise at being asked to share their experiences. The author found it astonishing that almost all of them claimed not to be heroes of any kind. This is not surprising when one considers that they returned to a country which soon tried its utmost to promote national amnesia with regard to the countrys participation in the war. With great insight and empathy, Karen Horn shines a light on a neglected corner of South African history.  The Author Karen Horn is a lecturer at Stellenbosch University. She has travelled to at least three of the four corners of the earth and has pursued many different occupations. With a Masters degree in History from Edinburgh University, followed by a PhD at Stellenbosch, she now spends many hours of research reading diaries, interrogating older generations and rummaging around in the archives. Softcover, published 2015.

The Hidden Thread is a journey of revelation about the relationship between Soviet Russia and South Africa, hidden for most of its length. The story is told with insight and depth by Irina Filatova and Apollon Davidson, who have had a decades long association researching and writing on Russian and South African politics and history. This insightful work follows the often surprising twists and turns of the history of South Africas relationship with Russia and its people which started in the eighteenth century and is still very much alive today. The story evolves from the Russian volunteers who fought alongside the Boers in the Anglo-Boer War to South Africans who participated in the Russian revolution and civil war; from the Russian Jewish immigration to South Africa to the close involvement of the South African communists in the Communist International; from the Soviet consulates in South Africa and the activities of South Africas Friends of the Soviet Union Society during the Second World War to the vicissitudes of the Cold War and the hot war in Angola; from the SACP and ANCs relations with the USSR to the volte-face of perestroika and South Africas transition and to todays business, political, cultural and sometimes criminal connections between Russians and South Africans. Paperback, 568 pages Published March 2013

African Aviation Series No. 28  A pictorial history of aircraft flown on operations off the South African coastline 1939 - 2014. It also includes a list of ships (incl warships) sunk, captured or damaged within a 1000 miles of the coast of South Africa & South West Africa (1939-1945). Badges & patches of the maritime fixed wing squadrons are also displayed in colour photographs. A4, softcover, 299 pages with colour and b/w photos. 

This is the story of the sinking of the SS Mendi during WW1, the bravery of the men on board and the ensuing inquiry conducted by the Board of Trade in London. The story follows the small band of survivors to France where they complete their tour of duty. The First World War rages in Europe, it is a white mans war, but when the British government calls for 10 000 black soldiers to be sent to France as a labour force, men from around South Africa volunteer for service. In the foothills of the Drakensberg, Kula Hlongwane, an amaNgwane prince steps forward, followed by a group of his tribesmen. Madondo is ordered to accompany them. For him it is a nightmare from which there is no escape. When crossing the English Channel on the troopship, the SS Mendi, lights loom out of the thick black fog, then a siren blasts. With no time to avoid the collision, the Mendi is struck a devastating blow on the starboard side where Kula and his men lie sleeping. Within minutes, the Mendi begins to sink. The book makes use of various historical documents and the transcripts from the inquiry held in London by the Board of Trade to establish causality for the large loss of life. On conclusion of the inquiry, these transcripts were declared secret and concealed from view for the next 50 years. Men of the Mendi gives an in depth account of the inquiry and the apparent reason for the cover-up.  At 5 am on 21 February 1917, in thick fog about 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of St. Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company cargo ship Darro accidentally rammed Mendi's starboard quarter, breaching her forward hold. Darro was an 11,484 GRT ship, much larger than Mendi, sailing in ballast to Argentina to load meat. Darro survived the collision but Mendi sank, killing 616 South Africans (607 of them black troops) and 30 crew. Some men were killed outright in the collision; others were trapped below decks. Many others gathered on Mendi's deck as she listed and sank. Oral history records that the men met their fate with great dignity. An interpreter, Isaac Williams Wauchope, who had previously served as a Minister in the Congregational Native Church of Fort Beaufort and Blinkwater, is reported to have calmed the panicked men by raising his arms aloft and crying out in a loud voice: "Be quiet and calm, my countrymen. What is happening now is what you came to do...you are going to die, but that is what you came to do. Brothers, we are drilling the death drill. I, a Xhosa, say you are my brothers...Swazis, Pondos, Basotho...so let us die like brothers. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war-cries, brothers, for though they made us leave our assegais in the kraal, our voices are left with our bodies." The damaged Darro did not stay to assist. But Brisk lowered her boats, whose crews then rescued survivors. The investigation into the accident led to a formal hearing in summer 1917, held in Caxton Hall, Westminster. It opened on 24 July, sat for five days spread over the next fortnight, and concluded on 8 August. The court found Darro's Master, Henry W Stump, guilty of "having travelled at a dangerously high speed in thick fog, and of having failed to ensure that his ship emitted the necessary fog sound signals." It suspended Stump's licence for a year. Stump's decision not to help Mendi's survivors has been a source of controversy. One source states that it was because of the risk of attack by enemy submarines. Certainly Darro was vulnerable, both as a large merchant ship and having sustained damage that put her out of action for up to three months. But some historians have suggested that racial prejudice influenced Stump's decision, and others hold that he merely lost his nerve. Softcover, 320 pages. First published: February 2017

  In Enemy Hands: South Africa's POW's in WWII - Karen Horn - Jonathan Ball - 2015 - Paperback. Historian Karen Horn painstakingly tracked down a number of former POWs in which their interviews reveal rich narratives of hardship, endurance, humour, longing and self-discovery. Instead of fighting, these men adapted to another war, one which was fought on the inside of many prison camps.   In their interviews, all the POWs expressed surprise at being asked to share their experiences of almost 70 years earlier.They returned home in 1945 to a country which soon afterwards tried its utmost to promote national amnesia with regard to the country’s participation in the war. With great insight and empathy, Karen Horn shines a light on a neglected corner of South African history. Karen Horn is a lecturer at Stellenbosch University.     

WWII VERY RARE (Single Decal) Medic South African Desert Helmet, desert sand camouflaged dated with her original net and field dressing complete with very rare type liner and chin strap. This Helmet comes with her original Medic Bag! "Not the Water Bottle!!" ~ Only The Helmet & the Bag "these two came together as a set!" together in the same crate whom belonged to the same medic who these items once belonged to back in WWII. South Africa made, a genuine piece of Second World War history, it's an original dated South African helmet.
It's original owner fought in the British 8th Army as a medic in Africa against Germany, the Afrika Corps. Eighth Army had the South African 2nd Infantry Division making a total of 7 divisions.

Everything about this is 100% correct and finding a medic Helmet today has become almost virtually impossible let alone a Medic Helmet due to their scarcity and value in the collectors market, these pieces are those collectors usually keep and this helmet along with all it's contents are as issued together as a set and the first aid field dressing kit was added under the net by the soldier and left as it was and kept that way!! Even the chin strap is in working order and beautifully preserved, she came with the net and the first aid pouch!
the liner is stamped with "JAGER-RAND U (with WD arrows inside the "U") .

stamped size 7 1/8 The decal on this medic Medic helmet is brilliantly preserved and this helmet overall has been taken care of very well.  As with other Imperial contingents, South African troops on the Western Front in W.W.I wore the British Brodie or Mk.I helmet.In World War II, South Africa began production of its own helmets, based on the British Mk.II with a copy of the early Lining Mk.I.

The bodies were made by Transvaal Steel Pressing Syndicate, the linings by Jäger Rand. Nearly 1.5 million helmets were produced. Helmets were provided to the other contingents in North Africa and India. Many ended up in Greece after the War. Body: Unlike the Mk.I or other Commonwealth made Mk.IIs, South African made Mk IIs are almost circular in shape (1 foot/30cm in diameter The chin-strap lugs are square and attached by flat headed rivets Three holes were punched between the skull and the rear rim. It is thought these were to attach a curtain, but no evidence of this has been found. Chin-Strap: Most had the British Mk.II type chin-strap with the elastic Mk.III or IIIA type on later issues.
Lining: Like the British Lining Mk.I, with an oval felt top pad and round felt or rectangular foam buffers. I had another Helmet similar to this one many years ago that I sold for R to a collector in New Zealand, the two Medic helmets were the only two I have ever come across in my life, they are unobtainable today and highly collectable overseas. This one is in far better condition and complete. I am asking very little for this helmet cause I need to sell quick together with it's bag.

A rare presidential inauguration R5.00 coin in awesome condition. This is not a fancy pants collectors coin, that is trapped in a little box, with a fancy certificate proving how long it's been incarcerated. What you see is what you get. This limited edition presidential inauguration R5 coin has seen it all and has been on the streets, in the hands of those who fought to free South Africa. This coin represents freedom. If you want to own a little piece of South African history, and at the same time want to rewrite the history books, then this coin is for you.

In 1945, as the Allied forces approached the German border having fought so bravely following the successful Normandy landings, it was decided that an elite unit was needed to work alongside the frontline soldiers as they headed east: they were called Target-Force. Until now their story has never appeared in any histories of the period. Through extensive archival work and after interviewing many of the soldiers who tell their story here for the first time, historian Sean Longden can finally reveal the previously unknown story of the men who were sent into Germany to seize and secure highly developed Nazi military technology, key factories and scientists.T-Force was born out of the chaos of war torn Europe in 1945, and it is no wonder the story reads like a spy thriller: the unit was top secret and originated from a plan belonging to the Naval intelligence officer, Ian Fleming, later the creator of James Bond. The unit was selected from the remnants of the infantry after Normandy and included drivers, sappers, bomb disposal experts, commandos and teams of expert scientists, specialists and engineers. What they discovered would not only shock the allied army but also play a huge role in the opening years of the Cold War. Between March and summer 1945, the unit was constantly at work seizing targets in towns such as Bremen, Celle, Hamburg and Hanover, where they uncovered a secret laboratory hidden beneath a straw covered floor of a barn, vast blast furnaces in Ruhr Valley steel works that were dismantled and shipped back to England, and a fully functioning aircraft factory operating in two miles of underground tunnels. They went in search of codebooks that could decrypt the enemys signals; new technology such as jet propelled engines, and mini submarines. They also hunted down the men behind these extraordinary feats: nearly 1,000 top scientists, some smuggled out of the Soviet Zone in unmarked lorries, including Werner Von Braun, the brains behind the V1 and V2 rockets who was to become a key figure in the American space race, Otto Hahn, Germanys foremost expert in nuclear fission and Helmut Walther, the man who inspired Ian Flemings Moonraker.Sean Longdens riveting history will change the story of how the second World War was won and how the first battles of the Cold War were fought; it reads like the finest espionage thriller of the era.