South African Air Corps 1915

[buckland1]

Hello! This forum malarky is all a bit new to me, so apologies in advance for any faux pas or operator error!

Last year I purchased a small diary, which opens with the line "An account of my experience in the South African Air Corps". The writer details his experience from March 1915 when he was shipped from the RNAS in Hendon to Walvis Bay, then on to Karibib and other places. He was an engineer and got the planes ready for flight. He references Lieu Van Der Spuy, Cripps, Hinshilwood, General Botha and Britz, amongst others. I don't think that there are any earth-shattering revelations contained in it, but it is a fascinating look at life, going up to the end of July 1915. It includes an account of being targeted by a german submarine while leaving Dover!

I am happy to share a transcript of the diary with anyone, and in return, any information which could give more context to it would be really appreciated.

Many thanks

Helen

[Arthur R]

Hello Helen, and welcome.

I should think a lot of people would be very interested in this diary. The SA Museum of Military History and the SA Air Force Museum would probably be keen to have copies.

Their websites are http://www.ditsong.o...taryhistory.htm and http://www.saafmuseum.org .

The Lieut Van der Spuy mentioned would have been Kenneth van der Spuy, who had a very interesting career, eventually reaching the rank of major-general. When he died, in his 90s, he as the oldest living pilot in the world. He wrote an autobiography entitled Chasing the Wind.

Gen Coen Brits was a very larger-than-life character, but probably not very well-known today. He commanded a mounted brigade, and later a division.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Gen Coen Brits was a very larger-than-life character, but probably not very well-known today. He commanded a mounted brigade, and later a division.

Indeed... a very interesting man indeed.

The internet provides the possibility of making sure info reaches anyone interested in the subject.

[Strapper]

Coen Britz, with his troops was asked if he would fight. He replied" My Men are ready, who do we fight, the Germans or the English."

Strapper

[buckland1]

I have read that quote from Britz!

I should point out that I came across this diary completely by accident, while looking through a box of stuff at the Great Dorset Steam Show! Military history is not my "thing" at all, but I was intrigued because it was a diary (I actually collect old photos). I have used the website www.samilitaryhistory.org a lot while trying to work out words and context, and have offered to share the transcript with them as well. This is a tiny piece of history that ended up in a box (probably from a house clearance), and I think it deserves to be shared with anyone that will appreciate it. I am going to try and find Van der Spuy's book next, as he must have been an exceptionally brave man!

[Mervyn Mitton]

Buckland - welcome to GMIC. A very lucky fiind , some of these old diaries contain a lot of ref. material - even

if they just seem to have daily notes. Pick a few of the more interesting pages to post - would be very interesting. Mervyn

[buckland1]

March 14^th Sunday 1915 Aboard SS Umtata in the English Channel:

About 12.15pm Jim and I were having a few rounds with the boxing gloves, then Billy Barnett and I had another friendly spar. I had quite enough for that morning so took over the job as timekeeper. I had just called time, this was at 25 minutes past twelve by both Jims and my watches when suddenly I heard a strange noise. On looking I saw a great splash, then another splash, I shouted what is that boys which looked to me like a shark rising and splashing on the level of the water, - no it was not it was a submarine just firing a torpedo. It was making for the centre of our ship from the starboard side. I didn’t know really what to do. There was Jim and Dan trying to get the gloves off and shouting ‘come on Bill untie these’ thinking they would have to swim for their lives while the captain was shouting “starboard on starboard on” and I was looking to see exactly where she was going to hit, then I lost sight of it, the torpedo had passed the stern of the ship by inches. Still I was waiting for the explosion. I could not realise how it had missed us. But the captain had seen the submarine submerge so turned the stern round towards the port side, stopped the engines and brought the ship almost to a standstill, which allowed the torpedo just to miss us. At the same time as the torpedo passed our bows the submarine passed about 30 yards from our stern then we lost sight of her thank the Lord, because we had absolutely nothing to defend ourselves with so the Captain gave the order full speed ahead. I think that is the luckiest time I have ever had in my life, I shall never forget it as long as I live, although I don’t think I was nervous I am sure I was too curious to be at all afraid. http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyBritishBVLSMN1501.htm Well I was pleased when we had lost sight of Beachy Head. I think that is where the Germans have done most of the damage to our sailing vessel. Well I went to bed that night very uncomfortable but I think I was off to sleep in less than half an hour.