Andre Wessels

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY AND ITS PREDECESSORS, 1910-2010: A CENTURY OF INTERACTION WITH COMMONWEALTH NAVIES

In this article, the history of the South African Navy (SAN) and its predecessors is reviewed, as well as the interaction with other Commonwealth navies during the years 1910 to 2010. Although the Union Defence Forces were established in 1912, the Union only acquired its first naval force in 1922, when the South African Naval Service (SANS) was formed. In the meantime, the country’s naval defence was conducted by the Royal Navy (RN). During World War I, 164 members of the South African Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve served in the RN. The SANS’s three small ships were withdrawn from service in 1933 to 1934, and when World War II broke out, the country’s naval forces had to be built up from scratch – but soon played an important role in patrolling the Cape sea route (and also saw action in the Mediterranean). After the war, South Africa’s naval forces were rationalised, but – in the context of the Cold War and the Soviet threat to the Cape sea route – the SAN then gradually grew in size and importance, albeit that it was (and today still is) small in comparison to major Commonwealth navies. In 1957, the SAN acquired the RN’s Simon’s Town Naval Base. Many exercises were held with the RN and other navies, but gradually South Africa became more isolated internationally because of the National Party government’s racially-based policy of apartheid. In due course, this impacted negatively on the SAN and its interaction with other navies. In 1975, the Simon’s Town Agreement was abrogated and in 1977, the United Nations imposed a mandatory arms embargo against South Africa. In the meantime, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) became embroiled in the Namibian War of Independence (1966–1989) – a war that spilled over into Angola. The SAN played a small, albeit important, role in the war, but the conflict affected the navy negatively. The advent of the truly democratic RSA in 1994 opened new opportunities for the SAN, and since then, the SAN has undertaken many flag-showing cruises to several Commonwealth and other countries, while many foreign warships, including from Commonwealth navies, have visited the RSA and exercised with the SAN.

Boer guerrilla and British counter-guerrilla operations in South Africa, 1899 to 1902

In this article, a review of the guerrilla (i.e. fourth main) phase of the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902 is provided; a phase that stretched from March 1900 until May 1902. It is indicated how and why the war developed from a (semi-) conventional conflict to a full-scale guerrilla war, and what the consequences of those developments were. The way in which the Boers applied guerrilla tactics at, for example, the battles of Sannaspos, Bakenlaagte, Groenkop, Yzerspruit and Tweebosch/De Klipdrift, are briefly analysed, with special reference to the role played by prominent Boer guerrilla commanders such as Generals Christiaan de Wet, Koos de la Rey and Louis Botha. The British counter-guerrilla strategy is also analysed, with special reference to the scorched-earth policy, internment camps, “psychological warfare”, mobile columns, information/intelligence, blockhouses, armoured trains and drivers. The available sources that shed light on the guerrilla phase of the war will be briefly discussed, and this controversial phase of the war will be placed in the broader context of the history of twentieth-century South Africa.

As the Crow Flies: My Bushman Experience with 31 Battalion

(2017). As the Crow Flies: My Bushman Experience with 31 Battalion. African Historical Review: Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 110-111.

SAS Drakensberg's first 25 years : the life and times of the SA Navy's foremost grey diplomat, 1987-2012

The South African Navy (SAN)’s first (and thus far only) purpose-built combat support ship, SAS Drakensberg, was commissioned on 11 November 1987. In this study, the ship’s first 25 years of service (1987–2012) to the SAN (and the people of South Africa) was analysed, with special reference to her role as a grey diplomat (i.e. the flag-showing cruises she undertook and her concomitant role in strengthening diplomatic and other ties with many countries). The Drakensberg’s other peace-time roles were also be reviewed, including – – humanitarian and related relief expeditions; – her role during exercises with other SAN warships as well as ships and submarines from other navies, both in South African waters and across the globe; – her role as a training ship; – ceremonial duties; and – lately also in anti-piracy patrols. Throughout the study, the Drakensberg’s activities were evaluated against the background of the changing political and other developments in South Africa, as well as internationally. In the article, it will be indicated how and why a ship that was conceived, designed and built in the apartheid era, in due course became the most prominent, most visible and most successful warship that thus far has been in SAN service.

Die Suid-Afrikaanse vloot: Verlede, hede, toekoms. Deel 1 - 'n Kart Kritiese Evaluering1

South Africa has a total coastline of approximately 2 450 kilometres and that does not include the South West African coastline or that of the Transkei. In view of the above, South Africa cannot distantiate itself from the sea and through the years a naval force has developed, equal to the responsibility of the seaward defence of the country. The origin and development of the South African Navy is the subject under discussion in this, the first part of the article. Part two is to be published in Militaria Volume eleven no four and deals more specifically with an analysis of the future.

Die Suid-Afrikaanse vloot: Verlede, hede en toekoms Deel II

Part Two of this article discusses the nature of the onslaught against South Africa, the probable needs of the South African Navy in the event of a multi-dimensional potential maritime attack on South Africa and draws a parallel between the different types of vessels and equipment we have and those that would be preferable in order to successfully avert the threat against the Republic of South Africa. He subsequently discusses the South African Coast Guard and maritime defence systems of the country and continues to examine the role of Indians and Coloureds in the South African Navy. South African harbours and dockyards and in particular the role of Walvis Bay are discussed. The author concludes with the observation that we in South Africa should never forget that he who desires peace, should prepare for war.