Chris Boonzaier

Hi, There is a book called "Eine Infanterie Geschütz Batterie (Batterie Hieronymus) im weltkrieg" I am not sure if its any good, I think I need to get that, Pity, I was hoping they were 1917 awards ;-) Best Chris

Hi, does anyone know why and where Lt Hieronymus won a PLM? Thanks Chris

For a number of years i have had and defended the theory that many of these early awards WERE the guys document because (by observation) i had come to the conclusion that only in Early 1916 were there official orders that preliminary documents should be issued. (of course, many units did for their men, but on their own initiative) i just recieved the Wernitz book today... and at long last i have proof of the theory. As the first time in print Wernitz Quotes a Allerhöchster kabinettsschreiben from the 9th of January saying preliminary docs should be issued. On the chapter i am working on for our book I had it in as my opinion, I am happy to be able to change it to fact... Now I must see what else he has ;-)

No idea, it was the review... The book/booklet only cost $2.99 as an ebook... I will read it next week and see. Best Chris

The Battle in Bangui The untold inside story. Helmoed Heitman What if everything you thought you knew about the Battle of Bangui was wrong? What if there were good reasons for the SANDF to be in the Central African Republic? What if they acquitted themselves well, with valour and resourcefulness? Based on interviews with a number of the officers involved in the mission, both from HQ in Pretoria and on the ground in Bangui, South Africa’s leading military writer and a long-time correspondent for Jane’s Defence Weekly, Helmoed Heitman describes what happened in Bangui, why President Zuma sent the troops, and what lessons South Africa needs to take out of the events in the CAR. In The Battle in Bangui, Heitman tells the inside story of one of the hardest fought and deadliest operations of the SANDF’s post-apartheid history. rom just after 16:00 on Friday 22 March until about 21:00 on Sunday 24 March, about 200 South African soldiers fought a series of running battles outside Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) against a well-armed Seleka force of several thousand, that has since been estimated at between 4 000 and 7 000. And they did so while the CAR Army (Forces armées centraficaines or FACA) evaporated around them and the peacekeeping forces of Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC) disappeared from the scene. In the process the soldiers fired off more than 12 000 rounds of 12.7 mm machinegun ammunition 1, more than 60 rockets from 107 mm rocket launchers 2 and 200 bombs from 81 mm mortars 3, and thousands of rounds from 7.62 mm machineguns and 5.56 mm rifles. In all, they would appear to have used some ten tons of assorted munitions. In all, the fight cost 13 killed and 27 wounded. But the force retained its cohesion throughout and was able to fall back from two separate engagement areas to its base and to hold it until their attackers gave up trying to overrun them, offering, instead, a ceasefire and disengagement. By then they had suffered as many as 800 killed, according to the estimates of officers with considerable operational experience and by some NGOs in the country. Later reports say several hundred more may have died of wounds due to a lack of medical support. It helps to put those figures in perspective: the British Army’s 3rd Parachute Battalion regards its deployment in Afghanistan’s Helmand province for six months in 2006 as a hard fought deployment. Over that time, its battle group of 1 200 soldiers, lost 15 killed and 46 wounded, and fired 479 000 rounds of ammunition, all the while supported by light tanks, artillery, attack helicopters, Hercules gunships and fighters. This was one of the hardest-fought actions that the South African military have ever experienced, and the soldiers fought well, even outstandingly. That is not only reflected in the fact that this small force retained cohesion to the end of the action, but also in the casualties that it inflicted on its opponents. Their valour was underlined by the French force at Bangui airport when it held a formal parade to bid farewell to those who had fallen. http://www.mampoer.co.za/helmoed-heitman/the-battle-in-bangui Looks interesting

Here is a question..... when SA was no longer "British" and had its own medals, agreed that campaign medals were mounted in order of the campaign... but could it be argued that the US DFC should maybe take the first place on the bar?

Hi, yes, the US medal on the left, the cross like thing with propellar

Do Americans have non aerial flights as well???

Hi, Here is a question... I think that is a US DFC... can it be that he does not have a brit DFC but a US one? The group looks to be wearing mounted, so I dont see where another DFC would fit on the bar?

Wow.... actually... what more can one saw... other than WOW!

I think the begger is a potential collecting field all on his own... there are plaques, statues, scarves, postcards, books etc. etc..... I would be really surprised if there is not someone who has dedicated his collecting life to this theme....

hmmmmm... I kinda like the new look... shows imperial collecors are rather flexible....

(I think the only time I have ever been referrred to as gentleman was by an arresting officer in my youth) This begs a new thread.... I am all ears... :-)

Hi Paul Was quoting from earlier post, best Chris

Hi Paul, I never said that ;-)

Interesting, legion NCOs at the indoor Ski Slope in Abu Dabi

Can we be sure it is a general? Maybe a crew member or escort? Best Chris

"There are two photos of Mr Zwelithini wearing a military uniform and one of him wearing leopard skins (which by the way are a CITES protected species, but we won't get started on that subject)." Agreed.... because we want to hold everyone to the same level of responsability when it comes to animal exploitation...

... and what is wrong with looking at female genitalia?

"First of all, Sir Winston Churchill was a member of that Order, and he was voted “The GREATEST BRITON of all time” in 2002, and if it was not for him, and his leadership, we would all be speaking German, (or possibly Russian) today. But to refer to Mr Churchill's Order and Members of this Order in terms of female genitalia is, I feel, wrong. Does Mr Boonzaier also think that Field Marshal Jan Smuts also resembles female genitalia? After all, Field Marshal Smuts was awarded two extremely high Orders of Great Britain – The Order of Merit, and the Companions of Honour " What does that have to do with the Order and looking like a ponce in a funny coat? If I read my comments correctly, it refers to royal awards and regalia, as opposed to the character of the person wearing them.

"So why is Mr Zwelitini any different? His position too, is IMPOSSIBLE, no matter what he or the ANC may think. That is my opinion, and I am sticking to it. In LAW, it is a correct position. The problem in South Africa is that the ANC very often see themselves as being above the law. And they even change laws as they need, to suit themselves." David, with all due respect... that is B.S. 1) He was Zulu King for almost 25 years before the ANC came to power, put in place by a white nationalist govt..... did you complain back then? 2) You seen to put a lot of value on the word republic and rights... were you on the "one man one vote" barricades in the 1980s? if not, this seems just to be a "sour milk" argument... "The only reason he even exists (and costs taxpayers) is that the Xhosa based ANC see to it that they appease the Zulu nation," Once again... See 1) Native Americans tribes have Chiefs, even if they are not leading raiding parties... Plenty of princes etc from no longer ruling families around in Germany and Europe... I think of Georg, His Imperial and Royal Highness, Prince of prussia... who by the way is Grand master of the House order of Hohenzollern... a royal family trinket with more tradition than old King Zulus medals, but arguably and objectively not more legitimacy in this day and age? I was once talking to a Nigerian and was joking about the Nigerian Princes... he stopped me in my tracks by asking, why are they any more ridiculous than European Princes...

"'Yes, that was the place / battle where the Zulu defeated the British Army' - which of course is a blatant untruth, because all they did was defeat a teeny-weeny little fingertip of the mighty British Army who, I think I am correct in saying, whilst they have lost the odd battle, have never been defeated ever in a war, in all history." An army is like a sports team... they represent their country. This is especially true when that army is on the offensive.... Chelmsford (acting on behalf of the British Empire methinks?) miscalculated, They chose the time and place to invade Zululand, his main column was attacked, and he got his a§§ handed to him on a plate... Probably half a million South Africans play rugby... In August 2008 the All Blacks beat the Springboks 19-0 at Newlands... Would you argue that New Zealand did not beat South Africa because the South Africans only had 15 players on the field ... only a teeny-weeny little fingertip of all South African Rugby players?

Damn... I just got excited because I had a photo of the 14th div staff, but I see the div commander is not on it...

Hi, of course, I will grab 3 or 4 ;-)

I think a reichswehr one from 2nd Arty regt is the most likely place to find one.