80-725: The South African Heavy Artillery (SAHA) was a regiment formed in 1915 as part of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force to serve under British command during World War I . It never fought as a single formation, but contributed a number of batteries and brigades to the Royal Garrison Artillery that fought on the Western Front from 1916 until the Armistice . The South African Union Defence Act of 1914 forbade
160-581: A British RGA battery equipped with this weapon, but both regained their largely South African character with the following organisation: Between March and May 1918 the 6-inch howitzer batteries were brought up to a strength of six guns each after the arrival of the three reinforcing batteries ( see above ). When the Germans launched their Spring Offensive in March 1918, 50th (SA) Bde was sent south to reinforce Third Army fighting round Arras . 44th (SA) Brigade
240-480: A South African force, the SAOEF was placed under British operational command for operations on the Western Front . Many volunteers came from UDF units, but they enrolled as individuals, not as contingents, and there was no formal link between SAOEF and UDF units as such. The SAOEF consisted of several arms of service: SAOEF units and formations did not serve as distinct South African forces, but were integrated into
320-716: A great loss struck South Africa when the troopship SS Mendi was accidentally rammed in thick fog just off the South Coast of England. Transporting 823 men of the Native Labour Corps, 616 South Africans were killed when the cargo ship SS Darro pierced Mendi's starboard quarter when travelling at dangerously high speed through the English Channel . Back in South Africa, the House of Assembly passed
400-525: A lug for connecting the gun to the recoil mechanism. A breech bushing similar to that of the Mark VI is fitted for the breech mechanism. The total length of this howitzer is about 12 + 1 ⁄ 2 feet [compared to Mk VI 10 + 1 ⁄ 2 feet] and its maximum range is approximately 12,360 yards. This howitzer is mounted on the Mark VII carriage". The 58th Regiment Coast Artillery Corps (C.A.C.)
480-417: A means of traversing the piece 52° on the platform. The main objects in the use of the firing platform are: To provide a reliable support for the wheels and rear end of the trail, so as to prevent sinking or movement when firing on soft ground; to ensure the gun remaining on the target when firing; and to provide means for shifting the trail transversely through an angle of 52° (26° each side of center). By using
560-640: A mostly Indian and African army by this time, a major battle took place in October at Mahiwa that saw over 2,000 Allied and 600 German casualties. Although Van Deventer lost more men, Von Lettow-Vorbeck faced a far more serious situation as he could afford the casualties and had to abandon already dwindling ammunition, supplies and field guns. By November 1917, Von Lettow-Vorbeck had led his column of 300 European and 1,800 African soldiers in Portuguese Mozambique in search of food and supplies. During
640-686: A motion of sympathy to the relatives of the dead. In January 1918, Botha unexpectedly announced that the SANLC would be withdrawn from France and disbanded. Officially, the Government claimed that the Corps was withdrawn due to the threat of enemy submarines to troopships. It is presumed however that having black Africans mixing freely in Europe was becoming too politically embarrassing and risked fomenting African nationalism . Two Cape Corps battalions and
720-489: A new design and not related to the stopgap early Marks I-V of 8-inch howitzer , which used shortened and bored-out naval 6-inch (150 mm) gun barrels. The Vickers design, very similar to their 6-inch howitzer , was approved in August 1915 and first substantial order placed in March 1916 for 50 howitzers, with 30 more in the autumn. It was 4–5 tonnes lighter than the improvised 8-inch "howitzers" Mks I – V. The Mk VI barrel
800-768: A new design introduced in World War I . They were designed by Vickers in Britain and produced by all four British artillery manufacturers but mainly by Armstrong and one American company. They were the equivalents of the German 21 cm Morser 16 and in British service were used similarly to the BL 9.2-inch howitzer but were quicker to manufacture and more mobile. They delivered a 200 lb (91 kg) shell to 12,300 yd (7.0 mi; 11.2 km). They had limited service in
880-526: A nucleus of officers and non-commissioned officers from the Royal Marine Artillery . This brigade reached a strength of 60 officers and 1000 men but was disbanded in July 1915 at the conclusion of the campaign, and shortly afterwards a 600-strong regiment of heavy artillery was formed for the SAOEF, largely from ex-members of the earlier brigade. When it sailed from Cape Town on 28 August 1915 it
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#1732786792949960-526: A strategy that drew disproportionate amounts of Allied resources away from Europe. During a brief command under British General Reginald Hoskins , the exhausted and derailed campaign underwent mass reorganisation and reform. Conscious of the poor health of his men and significant supply problems, all offensives were delayed until after the heavy rains, medical services and transport were improved, lines of communication became better developed and more European soldiers were replaced with African soldiers, particularly
1040-684: A thrust bracket attached, is bolted in its place. At the end of World War I on the Western Front, Canada had two 6-gun batteries, Australia 1, Britain 37. British 8-inch howitzer batteries serving in other theatres at the Armistice were: UK 1 (6 guns), Macedonia 1 (4 guns) and 2 guns in Palestine At the start of World War II some Mk 8s were used in France from May to June 1940. In March 1940, 266 weapons were authorised for transfer from
1120-549: Is likely that around 50% of white men of military age served during the war, more than 146,000 whites. 83,000 Blacks and 2,500 Coloureds and Asians also served in either German South-West Africa , East Africa, the Middle East, or on the Western Front in Europe. Over 7,000 South Africans were killed, and nearly 12,000 were wounded during the course of the war. Eight South Africans won the Victoria Cross for gallantry,
1200-498: Is of British design and manufacture. The Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 is an American modification of the British wire-wound Mark VIII howitzer to permit of a built up type of construction and is strictly of American manufacture. The Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 has the same muzzle velocity and range as the Mark VIII. Due to the combination of British and American manufacture, there are several types of breech mechanism in service;
1280-850: The Allied Expeditionary Force in Russia that was fighting the Bolsheviks , and some became part of the radical mineworkers' movement that led the Rand Rebellion in 1922. Due to South African racial policies , employment support and official gratitude was never given to the Coloured, Black and Indian racial groups that had served. As there were no formal links between SAOEF units and the Union Defence Forces units which had provided their initial manpower,
1360-793: The Battle of Bullecourt . 72nd and 73rd (SA) Siege Btys and 44th (SA) Bde fired in support of the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy , and 72nd continued with that formation for the remainder of the Arras Offensive and the Battle of Hill 70 (when 50th (SA) Bde also supported the Canadians). Meanwhile 73rd (SA) Siege Bty moved to the Ypres Salient for the Third Ypres Offensive . 74th (SA) Siege Bty supported
1440-596: The Battle of Delville Wood , and the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi . Two South Africans, Private William Frederick Faulds and Lance Corporal William Henry Hewitt , would also go on to win the Victoria Cross – the Empire's highest medal for gallantry. Attached to the British 9th (Scottish) Division , the South African 1st Infantry Brigade was deployed to France in mid-April 1916 in anticipation of
1520-739: The Commander in Chief of the British Army Douglas Haigh , for their vital contributions to the war effort. The white officers and NCO rigorously enforced racial segregation during their time in France, minimising European and African contact by operating closed compounds. As dissatisfaction among black Africans grew, a disturbance in July 1917 led to 13 being shot dead by their white officers. British officers increasingly called for black South Africans in France be given more liberties and be allowed more freedoms. On 21 February 1917,
1600-622: The German spring offensive . Numbering by this point at roughly half its normal complement of 3,000 men, the South African line was forced to withdraw after their strong points were overwhelmed after the German attack on 21 March. Suffering over 900 casualties, the surviving 700 men fought their way north to escape encirclement. By the armistice in November 1918, South African battalions were reduced to only 300 men in each. From October 1916,
1680-590: The Jordan River . The 1918 influenza pandemic began to spread during this time and the Battalion was reduced to around 70% of its normal complement. In late September, the Cape Corps advanced against Turkish positions northeast of Jerusalem that had become slightly weakened due to disease, desertion, and the effects of Allied artillery. Taking Dhib Hill, Chevron Hill, Crest Hill, End Hill and Square Hill,
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#17327867929491760-698: The Pacific Campaign . Versions of the Mk 6 were manufactured in the United States by Midvale Steel and Ordnance Co , Nicetown, Pennsylvania during World War I, initially supplied to Britain and then used to equip US forces when it entered the war. These were designated the M1917 in US service. A US Mk 7 and Mk 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 version was also manufactured and adopted in US service from October 1918 as
1840-683: The Uganda Protectorate and the Belgian Congo . Britain was keen to deny the Imperial German Navy merchant raiders ports on the Indian Ocean coast, as well as denying a base where German land forces could conduct cross border raids into neighbouring British or Allied colonies. After a disastrous British Indian Army amphibious landing in November 1914 at Tanga , South Africa was requested by London to lead
1920-717: The Union Defence Force (UDF) and had the status of Imperial troops under British command, rather than independent South African units. A heavy artillery brigade armed with 4.7-inch and 4-inch naval guns had served in the South West Africa campaign. It had been formed at Cape Town from volunteers from various UDF artillery regiments (including the Cape Garrison Artillery and the Durban Garrison Artillery) with
2000-458: The action of Halazin and the action of Agagiya . From April 1916 until the war in Europe ended on 11 November 1918, South Africa fought alongside other Allied nations at battles of the Somme in 1916; Arras , Ypres , and Menin in 1917; and Passchendaele , Messines , Mont Kemmel , and Cambrai in 1918. Two events of the campaign are still commemorated today and are a symbol of remembrance –
2080-460: The armistice signed in Europe, on 25 November 1918 Von Lettow-Vorbeck finally surrendered at Abercorn near Lake Tanganyika after evading capture for over four years. His strategy of drawing Allied resources away from Europe into a colonial sideshow had been immensely successful. Against a small force that at the most totalled 14,000, mostly colonial soldiers ( Askaris ), Britain had deployed 114,000 European, Indian and African men. 10,000 died during
2160-406: The "wire wound" construction, whereas the Mark VI type is of the "built up" construction... The Mark VII has lately been superseded by a Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 , the difference between the two being that the powder chamber walls of the Mark VII proved to be too thin, while the Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 overcomes this defect by having thicker powder chamber walls... ... the average life of
2240-456: The 1st SA Bde. 71st Siege Bty was relieved in this dangerous area by 73rd, which in turn was relieved by 72nd. 71st was then sent to participate in the Battle of Cambrai , where the German counter-attack came near to its gun positions. At the end of 1917 the BEF's policy changed and HAGs became permanent brigades once more. 44th and 50th HAGs were designated 8-inch howitzer brigades, each containing
2320-427: The 8-inch howitzer, Mark VI, [before the barrel needs relining] is 7,800 rounds, while that of the Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 is 3,000 rounds. The Mark VI howitzer has a muzzle velocity of 1,300 feet per second and a maximum range of 10,760 yards and is of British design and both British and American manufacture. The Mark VII howitzer has a muzzle velocity of 1,525 feet per second and maximum range of 12,280 yards and
2400-411: The Battalion was tasked with protecting the right flank of the 160th Brigade from Turkish counterattacks. At Square Hill, the Corps took their objectives for the loss of one dead and one wounded, over 180 Turkish soldiers and one field was captured. As Turkish troops retreated, they regrouped around and defended Kh Jibeit Hill. Although the position could have been easily flanked and isolated, the Battalion
2480-701: The British Army in World War II before being converted to the new 7.2 in (180 mm) calibre. They also equipped a small number of Australian and Canadian batteries in World War I and by the US Army in that war. They were used in small numbers by other European armies. 8 inch was a calibre adopted in the First World War by the British Army. The Marks VI, VII and VIII (6, 7 and 8) were
South African Heavy Artillery - Misplaced Pages Continue
2560-632: The British imperial armies and divisions in the field. The SAOEF fought in four campaigns: During the East African campaign (World War I) , there was strong South African participation and leadership. SA Field Artillery , the 1st and 2nd SA Mounted Brigades , the 2nd and 3rd SA Infantry Brigades , and the Cape Corps fought in British operations against German forces in German East Africa (now Tanzania) from January 1916 until
2640-812: The British under Lend-Lease . None of these weapons were donated as war memorials, and none survive in the United States. During the Russo-Finnish Winter War , Finland found itself in dire need of heavy artillery. Thirty-two "8 in Howitzer Mk 7 (Vickers Mk 6)" 8-inch howitzers were bought from the United States in 1939 but arrived too late to see action in the war. The howitzers were given the designation 203 H 17 (203 mm, Haupitsi [Finnish for howitzer], 1917) and were first issued to three heavy artillery battalions (1st, 2nd and 3rd), which later were re-organised into six heavy artillery batteries (11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th). The howitzer
2720-1043: The Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport, recruited in June 1916, continued to provide labour in France until late 1919. For their service in Europe, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 1,304 deaths for the South African Native Labour Corps. Along with the sinking of the SS Mendi, over 300 died from medical reasons in France, most likely tuberculosis . The SA Field Artillery and the Cape Corps fought in British operations against Turkish forces in Palestine from August 1917 until
2800-551: The Corps was originally designated light duties behind the lines, such as a prisoner of war escort, due to South African racial policies. After appeals to Allenby by the Battalion commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Hoy, who requested front line service and highlighted the previous action in East Africa, Allenby accepted the proposal. By the end of June, the Corps had joined the British and Indian 160th Brigade that had deployed forward positions north of Jerusalem and alongside
2880-814: The Empire's highest and prestigious military medal. The Battle of Delville Wood and the sinking of the SS Mendi being the greatest single incidents of loss of life. The SAOEF units and formations were disbanded in 1919. By the end of 1919, the units of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force had returned to South Africa and were demobilised at camps at Cape Town , Durban , Pretoria and Potchefstroom . A Demobilisation Board and over 50 'Returned Soldiers Committees' were established to help reintegrate white servicemen back into civilian life. Many returned to jobs that had been reserved by their employers, whilst others joined
2960-460: The M1918. Quoting from the US Army manual of 1920 on artillery in US service: "The 8-inch howitzer materiel is called the "Vickers" model of 1917, of which there are in use two types, the Mark VI and Mark VII. The main differences between the Mark VI and Mark VII being that the former has a lower muzzle velocity and consequently a shorter range than the latter, also that the Mark VII has a barrel of
3040-750: The Ottomans, the Cape Corps was later withdrawn to Alexandria where it suppressed an Egyptian Nationalist uprising , until returning to South Africa in September 1919. For their actions, a Military Cross , and Distinguished Conduct Medal were awarded, along with five soldiers being Mentioned in Despatches. A Square Hill Memorial stands today in Kimberley , Northern Cape. With a population of roughly 6 million, between 1914 – 1918, over 250,000 South Africans of all races voluntarily served their country. It
3120-400: The RGA training camp at Lydd in December where they were introduced to modern heavy guns, but did gun drill on 9.45-inch Skoda howitzers from the Second Boer War and their actual field firing with 8-inch rifled muzzle-loading howitzers dating from 1879. Other units under training at Lydd at this time included 69th and 76th Siege Btys . On completion of training, each of the batteries
3200-417: The SAOEF's war record, including its many honours, was not perpetuated by the UDF (except for the Cape Corps battle honours, which were allowed to the SA Cape Corps Service Battalion formed in 1973). 11 Field Postal Unit BL 8-inch howitzer Mk VI %E2%80%93 VIII The BL 8-inch howitzer Marks VI, VII and VIII (6, 7 and 8) were a series of British artillery siege howitzers on mobile carriages of
3280-456: The Scarpe and the Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Switch Line . The South African Heavy Artillery was demobilised after the Armistice . The South African Heavy Artillery Memorial, including 6-inch howitzers brought back from the Western Front, stands in Pretoria, another at the Johannesburg Zoo and a 3rd Gun in Port Elizabeth. South African Overseas Expeditionary Force The South African Overseas Expeditionary Force (SAOEF)
South African Heavy Artillery - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-442: The Senussi in several engagements, including the action of Agagia . The South African Brigade helped to recapture territory along the coast as part of the Western Frontier Force of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force . After the recapture of the final settlement of Sallum on the Libyan – Egyptian border on 14 March 1916, the brigade was then transferred back to the Western Front as part of the 9th (Scottish) Division . It fought in
3440-431: The Somme offensive. By late 1916 44th (SA) Bde was commanding heavy rather than siege batteries, including 22nd and 126th (Camberwell) Heavy Btys . Throughout 1917 the batteries were frequently switched from one HAG to another. 71st and 75th (SA) Siege Btys remained in the Somme sector, following up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line ( Operation Alberich ) in March, and 71st Bty and 44th (SA) Bde participated in
3520-461: The South African batteries began registering targets for that summer's 'Big Push' (the Battle of the Somme ) but 71st and 72nd had to interrupt their preparations and move north to reinforce the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Mont Sorrel . They returned in time for the First day on the Somme , when 73rd and 74th (SA) Btys supported the diversionary Attack on the Gommecourt Salient as part of 46th HAG. All six South African batteries served during
3600-572: The South Africans, stiff German resistance pushed them back. It was only four days later on 19 July that the South African Brigade was finally relieved and taken off the line. Of the 3,000 men that went into Delville Wood, less than 800 men were able to report for duty the following day. 750 South Africans had died during the four-day battle, with 1,500 wounded, captured or missing. Suffering constant artillery fire and an eventual two-thirds casualty rate, South Africa won great respect for their courage and holding their objective. In 1920, South Africa purchased
3680-422: The US Army, plus 16 for the US Marine Corps. 52 weapons were purchased from the British beginning in January 1918; subsequent inventory figures indicate they were in addition to these totals. By 1922 the 8-inch howitzers were withdrawn from active units and stored as war reserves. A 1926 inventory showed 508 howitzers and 646 carriages in Army hands. An approximate total of 530 howitzers were acquired. In 1933 some of
3760-483: The United States to the British. After the Fall of France, the remaining guns were used for training. In 1941 a further 168 weapons (the remaining US stock) were authorised for transfer to the British under Lend-Lease . The advent of the BL 7.2-inch howitzer meant that remaining 8-inch barrels were relined to 7.2 in (180 mm). With no guns left, they were declared obsolete by July 1943. Some Vickers 8-inch guns were present in Japanese island fortifications during
3840-497: The Western Front, sending them by sections to reinforce existing batteries. Three new South African 6-inch batteries were therefore formed: In addition, 552nd (SA) Siege Bty, equipped with 8-inch howitzers , began to form in autumn 1918 but was too late to see action. When the SAHA units arrived on the Western Front the policy within the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was to move batteries frequently between brigades, which were designated Heavy Artillery Groups (HAGs). On arrival,
3920-458: The advance of the 1st South African Brigade at the start of the Arras Offensive, and then moved to Ypres. 125th (SA) Siege Bty also fought at Arras and Hill 70 and then was attached to the Belgian Army for the rest of the year. At the end of August, 71st also went north to join the Ypres offensive, suffering badly from counter-battery (CB) fire in the later stages of the fighting. In September it supported 9th (Scottish) Division , which included
4000-432: The built-up barrel). Mk VIII incorporated various small improvements and a thicker and stronger barrel. Early problems of stability on very hard or soft ground became apparent with the Mk VI, leading to the recoil system not functioning correctly. A Commission went to France to investigate, and a special level "Vickers platform" was adopted, to which the wheels and trail were secured for accurate shooting. A major change in
4080-572: The campaign, defeat General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck , and occupy German East Africa. By early 1916, Jan Smuts had succeeded General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien as commander of British forces in East Africa and began replacing British officers with South Africans such as Brits and Van Deventer . Smuts was keen to deploy large and fast sweeping operations that would encircle German forces and avoid high numbers of casualties, similar to actions Botha and Smuts conducted in South-West Africa. By insisting on an offensive immediately, however, Smuts underestimated
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#17327867929494160-454: The campaign, mainly due to disease and over 100,000 African supplier carriers died of sickness and exhaustion. Although South Africa did have territorial ambitions after playing a significant part in the campaign, most of German East Africa became a British administered mandate. In the summer of 1915, the Ottoman Empire persuaded the Grand Senussi Ahmed Sharif , who held lands in formerly Ottoman Libya , to invade British-occupied Egypt from
4240-408: The debilitating effect the jungle would have on military operations. Commanding a force of roughly 40,000 South African and Indian soldiers, Smuts' offensives pushed Von Lettow-Vorbeck and 4,000 men into a slow and determined fighting withdrawal southward towards the interior of the colony. In May 1916, a force of 3,000 South Africans under Van Deventer threatened as major central railway after capturing
4320-432: The deployment of South African troops outside of its national borders and immediate surrounding territories. After the suppression of the Maritz rebellion and the successful conclusion of the South West Africa campaign at the beginning of World War I , the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force (SAOEF) was created in July 1915 to support the British Empire during the continuing war. It consisted of volunteers from
4400-436: The dramatically expanding King's African Rifles . Despite having achieved much, suspected intrigue from Smuts led to Hoskins being relieved of his command after only four months. On 23 April 1917, South African Jacob van Deventer assumed command of the Imperial force in East Africa. From July, Van Deventer undertook a series of pincer movements against German positions for control of water stores and food-producing areas. With
4480-414: The end of the war in November 1918. They fought in the battles of Gaza , El Mughar, and Nebi Samwil in 1917; and Tel Asur, Battle of Megiddo 1918, Sharon, and Nablus in 1918. On 19 April 1918, the first battalion of the South African Cape Corps , which had fought in East Africa, disembarked at Port Suez in Egypt. Assigned to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) under General Sir Edmund Allenby ,
4560-404: The final phases of the campaign Imperial forces totalled 52,000 men, although only 2,500 South Africans were part of this, mainly in support roles. After Van Deventer moved into Mozambique in pursuit in July 1918, Von Lettow-Vorbeck skilfully outmanoeuvred the South African and returned to German East Africa to conduct supply raids on the lightly defended Northern Rhodesia border. Two weeks after
4640-407: The first continents of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC) began arriving in France under the command of Colonel S.A.M Pitchard. Along with other general labour forces, tasks revolved around the construction and maintenance of infrastructure related to the war effort. Employed in French dockyards, railways, quarries and logging camps, the Native Labour Corps often won great praise, even from
4720-408: The following day, the 3,000 South African soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel William Tanner successfully captured most of the wood and started to prepare defensive positions. As the wood formed a salient in the German front line, the Brigade could be fired on by German artillery from three sides and faced determined counter-attacks. Although there were frequent British attempts to relieve the pressure on
4800-410: The howitzers' Asbury breech mechanisms were used in developing the 155 mm gun T3, eventually the M1 "Long Tom" . In 1934 the Marine Corps weapons were transferred to the Army. In March 1940 466 weapons were on hand; 266 of these were authorised for transfer to the British. A further 32 weapons were transferred to Finland in September 1940. In 1941 the remaining weapons were authorised for transfer to
4880-406: The key port of Dar es Salaam falling by the end of September 1916, military operations for the interior became increasingly frustrated and hindered by disease. In an environment where vehicles were of limited use, between June and September over 53,000 draught animals had died from illness, with most South African units losing half their number to disease and poor nutrition. By the end of 1916, Smuts
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#17327867929494960-495: The land from France and erected a National Memorial in remembrance, a monument that is still cared for today. After the Brigade was effectively reconstituted with the arrival of nearly 3,000 recruits, it continued to be involved in highly intensive operations with high casualty rates. The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt in October 1916 incurred a further 1,150 casualties, and a further 700 at Arras in April 1917. After these attacks, which resulted in small territorial gain, it
5040-415: The line of shooting required the platform to be relaid. Setting up and adjusting the platform was labour-intensive. The US manual describes it: The platform consists of wooden beams which assemble to form a triangular platform. The spade must be removed and a special bracket fitted on the trail when using this platform. This bracket travels in a groove which gives a bearing for the bracket and also provides
5120-456: The town of Kondoa Irangi . Due to the rainy season , the force became completely cut off as roads and bridges were swept away. Left to scavenge for food locally, the fall in health and morale was considerable. By the end of June one-third of the troops were sick and only 1,000 out of 4,000 horses were fit as the rains, thick jungle and tropical diseases took hold. Although offensives along the coastline had been significantly more successful, with
5200-439: The traversing gear on the carriage a total traverse of 30° on each side of the center is obtainable... The carriage wheels rest on steel plates on the wheel platform and are guided by curved-steel angles which prevent lateral movement of the gun off the target when in action. When the firing platform is used, the float plate, with spade attached, which is bolted to the underside of the trail, is removed and another float plate, having
5280-412: The two main types are the T and the French percussion type... The Mark VIII + 1 ⁄ 2 howitzer is also of the built-up-construction type, but differs from the Mark VI howitzer in that it consists of two tubes, an inner and an outer, over which is shrunk the jacket. The jacket in this case supports the howitzer, without the use of guide rings. A breech ring is shrunk on over the jacket and carries
5360-436: The upcoming Somme Offensive . Occupying front line trenches throughout May, and then later in reserve, the Brigade reportedly gained a reputation for imitating Zulu war songs and dances when at the front. As the Somme Offensive declined into a war of attrition with enormous casualties on both sides, the Brigade was ordered to capture Delville Wood, just to the east of Longueval , on 14 July and hold it at all costs. At dawn
5440-581: The war in Africa ended on 25 November 1918. Two South African generals, Lt. Gen. Jan Smuts and Lt. Gen. Sir Jacob van Deventer , commanded the operations. Their major battles were: Salaita Hill, Kilimanjaro, and Kondoa-Irangi in 1916; and Behobeho, Narungombe, and Nyangao in 1917. Captain William Anderson Bloomfield won the Victoria Cross for gallantry. The East African Campaign was a series of battles and guerrilla actions which occurred in German East Africa , before spreading to areas within Portuguese Mozambique , Northern Rhodesia , British East Africa ,
5520-447: The west and encourage mass insurrection in support of the Ottoman offensive against the Suez Canal in the east. During December 1915, it was decided to deploy the 1st South African Brigade , which had been training in Britain since August, to Egypt to fight alongside Imperial forces against the Senussi due to the South African's having recent desert experience. British Imperial forces at first withdrew eastwards, before then defeating
5600-485: Was a volunteer military organisation in World War I . The South African government formed the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force ( SAOEF ) in July 1915, as part of its contribution to the British war effort against the Central Powers . As South African legislation restricted the Union Defence Forces (UDF) to operating in southern Africa, an entirely new force, made up of volunteers, had to be raised for service in other theatres of war. As they were not officially
5680-631: Was advocating that ill-suited European troops be replaced by Africans that could better deal with the harsh conditions. After just six months of the offensive, over 12,000 white South Africans were invalided home due to sickness and exhaustion. Smuts, with the campaign stalling around the Rufigi River , left his East African Command after being asked to join the Imperial War Cabinet in London. Although Smuts' offensives had been successful, securing three-quarters of German East African territory and its entire infrastructure, Von Lettow-Vorbeck and his small force refused to surrender and continued to engage in
5760-535: Was assigned two British RGA batteries. Immediately the first five batteries had begun mobilising, an additional 6-inch howitzer siege battery was formed on 3 April 1916 from the remaining SAHA details at Bexhill. This was 125th (SA) Siege Bty, which went to the Western Front in July. At the end of 1916 a policy was adopted of increasing RGA batteries to six guns. Over the next year this was done by forming new batteries in England, and then breaking them up on arrival on
5840-681: Was equipped with four 6-inch howitzers of the latest 26-cwt pattern. Mobilisation then began: the Northern and Central Brigade mobilised at Woolwich on 8 March 1916 as 44th (South African) Siege Brigade, RGA , and 71st (SA) Siege Bty at Fort Fareham on 6 April. They embarked at Southampton on 15 April and landed at Le Havre next day, followed by 72nd (SA) Siege Bty on 21 April. 75th (SA) Siege Bty arrived on 23 April, and 72nd and 73rd on 30 April. The Cape Province Siege Brigade did not mobilise until 30 April, when it became 50th (South African) Siege Brigade, RGA . It arrived in France in June, when it
5920-401: Was finally given at 05:00 with the result that the objective would be reached in daylight. Suffering high casualties from machine-gun fire, the attack was broken and dissipated with all officers being killed or wounded. Withdrawing back to Square Hill, the Battalion could only count 360 men fit for duty. 51 were killed, 101 wounded, and one soldier was taken prisoner. After the offensive against
6000-575: Was in action in France in the final days of World War I with the US-manufactured Mk 6, and the 44th , 51st , and 59th Regiments were in action with British-manufactured versions. An additional six regiments, three with each type of gun, are described as being nearly ready for the front at the time of the Armistice. Each regiment had an authorised strength of 24 guns. A total of at least 285 M1917 (Mark 6), 116 M1918 (Mark 7), and 61 M1918 (Mark 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 ) weapons were acquired by
6080-487: Was of built-up construction and was 14.7 calibres (117.7 inches (2.99 m)) long, with a range of 10,745 yards (9,825 m). Introduced July 1916, the Mk VII had a longer barrel (17.3 calibres, or 138.4 inches (3.52 m)) of wire-wound construction and increased the range to 12,300 yards (11,200 m). The new barrels turned out to have short service lives and suffered from cracked A tubes (the inner rifled layer of
6160-493: Was ordered to capture it on 20 September 1918. Intelligence had suggested that, although defended, enemy strength would not be considerable and a strong artillery bombardment of five minutes would suffice. The attack however did not go to plan from the beginning. The artillery started late and lacked accuracy, giving the Turks valuable time to improve their defences and prepare for an assault. The order to attack, after being delayed,
6240-697: Was organised into five batteries: The regiment landed at Plymouth on 15 September and went to Cooden Camp, Bexhill-on-Sea , for general training. The British War Office decided to equip the SAHA as siege artillery attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Although numbered as RGA units, the batteries retained their SAHA cap badges and national identity. Under War Office Instruction No 276 of 20 October 1915, they were to be equipped with tractor-drawn 6-inch howitzers and organised as follows: (The brigades and batteries soon dropped their provincial subtitles and became simply 'South African'.) The batteries went to
6320-477: Was rumoured the brigade began to refer to themselves as 'suicide Springboks'. At the Battle of Passchendaele in September 1917, the South African brigade suffered over 1,000 casualties out of an original 2,600 men, although managed to secure their objectives. As the war entered its final year, in early 1918 the Brigade was tasked with holding a defensive position at Gouzeaucourt , near Cambrai , in anticipation of
6400-638: Was very heavily engaged during the second phase of the offensive in April (the Battle of the Lys ) and the gunners of 73rd (SA) Bty had to defend their guns with rifles, suffering heavy casualties. During the final Allied Hundred Days Offensive 44th (SA) Bde supported Fifth Army 's advance to the Escaut Canal and 50th (SA) Bde supported First Army , including the Canadian Corps at the Second Battle of
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