Men mendi south africa

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 The book makes use of various historical documents and the transcripts from the inquiry held in London by the Board of Trade to establish causality for the large loss of life.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

Buy MEN OF THE MENDI: South Africas Forgotten Heroes of World War 1 - Brenda Shepherd for R280.00

Buy South Africa - 1973 - Wise Men - Christmas Charity Stamps - Sheet of 20 Unused stamps for R40.00

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. 

Koevoet! has been an global bestseller since its release over 20 years ago. This new edition goes far beyond the original in capturing the courage, fear and intensity of South Africa's deadly bush war. Never before had an outsider been given unrestricted access to Koevoet, the elite South West African Police counterinsurgency unit - also known as Operation K and officially as the South West Africa Police Counter Insurgency Unit (SWAPOL-COIN). Author Jim Hooper spent a total of five months embedded with the semi-secret and predominantly black 'Ops K', which climaxed with one of the most vicious and determined infiltrations ever mounted by the communist-backed South West Africa People s Organization (SWAPO). Crossing regularly into Angola in pursuit of the insurgents, he saw friends die next to him and was twice wounded himself. This updated edition, drawing on the recollections and diaries of the men he rode with, will fascinate yet another generation of readers. In assembling this work, Jim Hooper had the opportunity to re-connect with so many of the men who allowed this outsider to ride with them. All of which brought a new intensity and poignancy. It also reminded Jim Hooper how privileged he was to have been witness to Koevoet's war. This stunning work is a tribute to Koevoet and the legend they created. "Hooper is a careful reporter, but also a born writer; his vivid word-pictures drag you in and hold you. He skillfully conveys his initially unwelcoming reception by an operational unit; the long, frustrating grind of search operations in punishing terrain and climate; the extraordinary bush skills of the Ovambo policemen; the shock of sudden contact, and its aftermath." Martin Windrow "Jim Hooper's account of South Africa's successful "Ops K" in Namibia against South West Africa's People's Organization guerrillas should be required reading. The classic narrative is as timely today as it was twenty years ago." Charles D. Melson, Chief Historian, U.S. Marine Corps University. "This expanded edition is a skillfully woven mosaic of personal accounts from those involved and what he experienced during combat with Koevoet. The use of new material from those he rode with lays bare the realities of war, the fears and emotions that ebb and flow in the heat of combat, and the courage one finds to bring the battle to the enemy" Piet Nortje, Author of 32 Battalion "Koevoet describes in great detail the men, both black and white, and their mine-protected cross-country vehicles which were years ahead of anything in use by other western forces, the dedicated helicopter support units and the tactics used to bring an elusive guerrilla force to battle." Paul French, Author of Shadows of a Forgotten Past: To the Edge with the Rhodesian SAS and Selous Scouts. Paperback, 312 pages. Published February 2014, 3rd edition This book is imported on demand and dispatched within 15 working days depending on supplier. 

By John Shaw 2015. Soft cover; 263 pages. Very good condition; like new. Under 1kg.   Throughout the author's life in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) his father was a member of the Northern Rhodesia Police and the author sets about recording various incidents in the life of a youngster growing up on the numerous towns and police stations at which his father served. The family moved to Southern Rhodesia in 1964. Finalizing his secondary schooling at Chaplin school, Gwelo, Rhodesia, in 1965, the author joined the British South Africa Police (BSAP) in March 1966 and elected to go into the district branch of the force. The author traces his career from a young patrol officer, through the various ranks and district police stations on which he served, to his retirement in August 1981 as a superintendent, in what was then Zimbabwe. He highlights the typical lifestyle associated with a district 'copper', including anecdotes from the Bush War that was raging. Apart from the lighter side of the book- hitting an elephant at Makuti at 1 a.m. in a Mini Moke; realizing five minutes before presenting his men on parade to the officer commanding, at an annual inspection, that he had left his trousers at home; attending an internal disciplinary hearing as the accused for being drunk off duty where the presiding officer commented that the author's main defence witness appeared more drunk than the author and dismissed the case-there are some more serious chapters involving terrorist incidents, some of which are captured on an original station incident log which the author has included in the book.

Memorial 1939 – 1945, The Standard Bank South Africa 1952, Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945, Awards and Decorations, Active Service List, in memory of the men of this bank who gave their lives for their country, Hard cover, Stamp from previous owner (The Standard Bank of SA Pretoria), Leather binding,some signatures on the first page possible from prominent persons, 64 pages, good condition.  

MOTORING MEMORIES OF THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE - Written & compiled by Barry Woan & Peter Huson This book starts with a history of the British South Africa Police (BSAP) Motor Car Club, which would never have existed if it had not been for the enthusiasm of the then Commissioner, Basil Spurling.  It was a success during its short life and by 1963 was organising an international rally. One of the Car Clubs founder members became a rally driver of international repute and won a sponsored drive in the Monte Carlo Rally.  Other members competed successfully in local and national rallies and also in motor racing events in Bulawayo and Salisbury.  We have identified as many members as we could of both the Salisbury and the Bulawayo clubs together with all the photographs we could locate. From editions of the Outpost we gleaned stories not only of the car club and its activities but also of other motoring matters relating to the Force. From these and former members contributions, plus over 350 photographs, we have put together a collection of stories, all of which have a common thread running through them a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine.   New material includes many previously unpublished photographs, coverage of Police displays, the Queen Mary mobile canteens, a selection of vehicle advertisements from The Outpost, a look at the time when BSAP members were also Firemen and also a write-up on the BSAP Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, a body of men whose esprit-de-corps was second to none, and their Marmon-Herrington armoured cars. Second Edition, published February 2017, paperback, 350 pages.

MOTORING MEMORIES OF THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE - Written & compiled by Barry Woan & Peter Huson This book starts with a history of the British South Africa Police (BSAP) Motor Car Club, which would never have existed if it had not been for the enthusiasm of the then Commissioner, Basil Spurling.  It was a success during its short life and by 1963 was organising an international rally. One of the Car Clubs founder members became a rally driver of international repute and won a sponsored drive in the Monte Carlo Rally.  Other members competed successfully in local and national rallies and also in motor racing events in Bulawayo and Salisbury.  We have identified as many members as we could of both the Salisbury and the Bulawayo clubs together with all the photographs we could locate. From editions of the Outpost we gleaned stories not only of the car club and its activities but also of other motoring matters relating to the Force. From these and former members contributions, plus over 350 photographs, we have put together a collection of stories, all of which have a common thread running through them a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine.    New material includes many previously unpublished photographs, coverage of Police displays, the Queen Mary mobile canteens, a selection of vehicle advertisements from The Outpost, a look at the time when BSAP members were also Firemen and also a write-up on the BSAP Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, a body of men whose esprit-de-corps was second to none, and their Marmon-Herrington armoured cars. Second Edition, published February 2017, paperback, 350 pages.     

Men, Rivers and Canoes By: Ian Player A first edition hardcover published by Simondium Publishers in teal cover boards with blue writing to the spine, binding is tight & strong, foxing & tape residue marks to front & rear covers, dustjacket is complete, light agecolouring on back cover, tape marks inside Postage within South Africa R Overseas Customers can contact us for a Postage Quote **Rory**

Men With Wings by Sandy Powell A first edition hardcover published by Allan Wingate in 1957 Blue covers with gold writing to the spine, binding is tight & strong, no marks or inscriptions, dustjacket is complete with minor nicks & tears to spine & book ends Postage within South Africa will be R30-00 Overseas buyers can contact us for a postal quote

Men Who Made Rhodesia - A Register of Those Who Served in the BSACP By: Colonel A. S. Hickman ***Scarce Copy*** A scarce first edition hardcover published by BSAC in 1960 Blue cloth covers with gold writing to the spine, spine is agecoloured & has been nibbled at the top, binding is tight & strong, previous owners stamp on front flyleaf, no dustjacket Packaging and Postage within South Africa R70.00 Overseas Customers can contact us for a Postal Quotation Abe #

Men at War edited  By: Ernest Hemingway A New Complete Edition hardcover published by Bramhall House in 1955 Red cover boards with black writing to the spine, binding is tight & strong, foxing to front & rear flyleaves, dustjacket is complete but with rub & nicks to spine & bookends Packaging and Postage within South Africa R70.00 Overseas Customers can contact us for a Postal Quotation

MEN,MINES & ANIMALS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA by LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL This is a hard covered book of 339 pages with dust cover. It is from the Rhodesiana Reprint Library. There is slight foxing on the first and last few pages.  •The postage on this item will be R60.00 within S. A. (with tracking) •If outside South Africa please contact me re payment & postage before bidding. •I do not have a PayPal facility. •Please email any queries. •If you think the description in my listing is incorrect, please email me. •The photograph you are viewing in this listing is the actual item for sale.  

After bitter debate, South Africa, a dominion of the British Empire at the time, declared war on Germany five days after the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Thrust by the British into the campaign against Erwin Rommels German Afrika Korps in North Africa, the South Africans fought a see-saw war of defeats followed by successes, culminating in the Battle of El Alamein, where South African soldiers made a significant contribution to halting the Desert Foxs advance into Egypt. This is the story of an army committed somewhat reluctantly to a war it didnt fully support, ill-prepared for the battles it was tasked with fighting, and sent into action on the orders of its senior alliance partner. At its heart, however, this is the story of men at war. Paperback, 352 pages