Brett Hendey

The latest addition to my Korean War collection is a photograph album that records the involvement of 2 Squadron, South African Air Force, in the Korean War. It consists of 125 pages of mostly unpublished photographs compiled by a certain WO2 W A Conradie (? of the SAAF), probably in the 1950's. There are also a few other items (e.g. copies of the programme for a rugby football match between 2 Squadron and a Waseda University XV played at the Tokyo Rugby Ground). Although the album is rather amateurishly produced, it is an invaluable record. The men in the photographs are identified and this is particularly useful in the case of 'other ranks'. The person who located the album for me is a retired SAAF officer with a 40-year interest in 2 Squadron/Korea and he knows of only two other similar albums, one of which is in a museum. It is not known how many such albums were produced by Conradie, but the number must have been very limited. Attached is a photograph that gives an impression of the album. When I am allowed to post larger attachments I will add examples of some of the pages. Thank you for viewing this post. Brett

Hi Arthur Thanks for the additional information. I will ask the person who does research for me to try and track down the names of the men who served in the Commonwealth Division. The matter of Armstrong and the PUC (then still called the DUC - Distinguished Unit Citation) is interesting. I have recorded that the DUC was awarded to the US 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing (which included 2 Squadron, SAAF) for service in the period 22/4/1951 to 8/7/1951. Armstrong was in Korea from 15/2/1951 to 11/8/1951, so he clearly qualifies and in Winston Brent's book he is credited with the DUC (as well as the US DFC and AM). I have also recorded that a DUC citation specifically for 2 Squadron was for service from 28/11/1951 to 30/4/1952, i.e. after Armstrong had left Korea. Perhaps the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing DUC applied specifically to the American squadrons and 2 Squadron was acknowledged later? It would be worth checking photographs of other SAAF Korean veterans to see who wore the DUC ribbon and who didn't. On the other hand, perhaps the simple answer is that Armstrong's DUC ribbon was not included in the photograph assemblage because it is a ribbon and not a medal. Not everyone would realise the significance of the DUC ribbon. Regards Brett

Hi Arthur Thank you the information on the Generals. I don't have a copy of Owen's roll, but I will try and locate one. It should include the Commonwealth Division men. The roll I use is the one in Winston Brent's book on 2 Squadron, SAAF, so it is exclusively Air Force. Regards Brett

Hi Arthur Do you have the names of the men attached to the Commonwealth Division and the names of the men who reached the rank of General? My venture into Korean War research has turned out to be far more rewarding than anticipated. I wonder why I spent so much time on the military history of Victorian and Edwardian Natal? Regards Brett

Hi Norman Thanks for clearing that up - I am sure that you are right. This group appeared on another forum, but I was unable to locate the posting. Someone has the group in his (or her) collection - lucky person! Regards Brett

Hi SAMedals Thanks for pointing out the Blaauw miniature medals group. Amazing! I wonder where the full size medals are? A friend recently visited the SAAF Museum in Pretoria and he sent me photos of some of the exhibits, including one that includes the miniature medals of S van Breda Theron, the first OC of 2 Squadron in Korea. I have tried to reduce the pic to 70k, which is all I am allowed to post, but that is too small for the subject matter. Like Blaauw's group, it is amazing - 22 medals in all! I think I have reached the limit of SA Korea medals in my collection - they are just too expensive, especially ones to pilots. The Williamson group was given to me by a friend and I don't have any other friends as generous as that. Regards Brett

Leigh I will look for the chromed badge on Monday and I will contact you again. Regards Brett

Leigh If you want brass collar badges, I can probably get them for you. Regards Brett

Hi Demir A very interesting collection and a valuable record to add to my Korean War file. Men of 2 Squadron, SAAF, the only South African participants in the War, were allowed to accept and wear the Korean Korea Medal from early on, but I am not sure of the date. The medals came with numbered certificates, of which I have two examples. Regards Brett

Hi Leigh Thank you for taking the trouble to make this post. Fourie had an impressive post-1950 group of medals - a type that I would very much like to add to my collection. I will put copies of your pictures in my SA Korea file. The half wing is for a SAAF Navigator. Regards Brett

Hi Norman & Leigh Thank you both for your responses. I will look forward to the new thread that will feature the tunic of one of the three Fouries on the SA Korea roll. Regards Brett

Leigh There isn't a Fleury on the roll I use - perhaps another 'F'? If you have a picture of the tunic, I would be interested to see it. Norman The roll I use is the one published in the book by Winston Brent, "Flying Cheetahs" Korea 1950-1953, which was published in 2001 by Freeworld Publications. It is well illustrated and has lots of facts and figures. Amongst the statistics included are the following: South African Korea Medal - 818 UN Korea Medal - 818 Korean Korea Medal - 818 US medals: Legion of Merit - 3; Silver Star - 2; Distinguished Flying Cross - 55; Cluster to DFC - 1; Soldier's Medal - 1; Bronze Star - 46; Air Medal - 180; Cluster to Air Medal - 104. 34 pilots and one ground crewman were killed in action or died in accidents, while one pilot died shortly after the war from the effects of ill-treatment while a PoW. I hope this helps. Regards Brett

Hi Leigh & Chris Thanks for viewing and commenting on this topic. Leigh, my interest in the SAAF is focussed on its role in the Korean War, but I have a medal-collector friend who recently switched his interest to WWII SAAF aircrew groups. As you know, South African military records can be copied and SAAF service is well covered in books and other publications, so the groups can produce a lot of relevant paperwork. To those collectors who enjoy research, it is a great theme. Regards Brett

I recently acquired the group of medals awarded to James Joseph Williamson, a motor mechanic who served in the Royal Air Force from 17/9/1942 to 23/3/1947 and the South African Air Force from 28/7/1948 to 27/7/1955. In the RAF his foreign service was in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany from 13/6/1944 to 20/12/1946 for which he was awarded the 39/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal (all unnamed). In the SAAF his foreign service was in Korea from 1/4/1953 to 29/10/1953 for which he was awarded the SA Korea Medal, UN Korea Medal and Korean Korea Medal (only the last is unnamed). SAAF men who were on active service in both World War II and the Korean War most commonly had the Africa, Italy and Atlantic Stars in their medal groups, not the France & Germany Star. Regards Brett

This gives me something to look forward to!! It will have a good home. Thanks again. Brett

Ulsterman Many thanks. PM sent. Regards Brett

Hi Kvart, Ed & Ulsterman Many thanks for your replies. I had already acquired US Korea and UN Korea Medals from a local militaria dealer. A friend in the US sent me ribbons for both the US Distinguished Unit Citation and Korean Presidential Unit Citation, both of which were awarded to the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Also after a long fruitless hunt, I have ordered a couple of Korean Korea Medals from a dealer in Canada. In spite of the above, I suspected there might be more, so I am pleased to find out about the National Defence Service Medal, which will now be on my shopping list. Thanks again. Brett

I have become interested in the service of the US 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, because it included 2 Squadron, South African Air Force. I now have three medal groups to ground crewmen who served in the SAAF during this war and the medals they were awarded were: SA Korea Medal, UN Korea Medal, Korean Korea Medal. Medals to SAAF pilots are rare and very expensive. I would like to add to my collection a representative group of medals that would have been typical of a US ground crewman in the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. I suspect that a genuine contemporary group would be difficult to find and would be beyond my means, so I thought of making up a group using modern replacement medals. I would be very grateful for any advice on this subject. Regards Brett

Thank you for the replies. They confirm what I had expected. I have yet to try and find out what Nelson did in the Franco-Prussian War, while his claimed services in five South African conflicts between 1877 and 1896 are all unproven. I do have a good record of his service in the Boer War (1899-1902), during which he was wounded in the Battle of Colenso, so that has made up for the other disappointments. Thanks again. Brett

I have the Queen's South Africa Medal to a Dane, who seems to have been a "Walter Mitty", but I am still keen to check his claimed military service. This includes a period in the US Navy after the Franco-Prussian War (1871) and before the Frontier and Zulu Wars in South Africa (1877-79). The man's name was John Peter Holger Nelson, which may have been an anglicised version of 'Jorgen Per Holger Nielsen', or something similar. With such scant information available, is it possible that the US Navy would have a traceable record of this man? Thanks for reading this posting. Brett

Brian Kaighin will be known to many people with an interest in the Siege of Ladysmith during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Although still under construction, his latest project is a website (www.ladysmithhistory.com) that already contains a wealth of information on Ladysmith and the Siege. The announcement of this project and an interview with Brian appears in 'The Witness' (www.witness.co.za) dated 8/8/2008. Brett

Brian As you probably know, South African military service records can be copied and there are a couple of good researchers who do this sort of thing for a fee. Given SA's weak currency the fees are moderate for most foreigners. The rewards in interesting information can outweigh the cost. If you need the contact details for a researcher, please let me know. Peachy The second photograph is even more interesting than the first. It looks as though the man on the left is wearing an oval ?brass armband that might be identifiable. I have not come across such a thing in a Natal Police/Zululand Police context, but I will do some searching today. If the arrest did indeed take place on a large ship, then it is likely to have been in Durban in Natal and not in Zululand. Durban's law enforcement included a corps of Water Police in the late 1800's, which in 1894 joined with the Natal Mounted Police, Gaolers and other such bodies to form the Natal Police, which then existed until 1913. Zulus were employed in the NP, although in menial capacities, so the two men in the photograph are not necessarily Zululand Policemen. Thank you for posting such interesting items. Most of my collecting and research has to do with policing in Natal and Zululand, so you have given me lots to think about. Regards Brett

Paul Thank you for your welcome. A friend told me about the GMIC and I am amazed by the content. I haven't the facilities for photography, but I will remember your interest when I finally arrive in the 21st Century. Brian I don't have any information to hand on NMC assegais. I have seen them in a friend's militaria shop and also in pictures of NMC units on parade. I will do some checking. It is quite possible that assegais such as yours were used elsewhere in Africa. Genuine old assegais are now hard to find, most having been cleared out of rural Zululand by dealers for sale to battlefield tourists. As you can imagine, such weapons are now obsolete, having been replaced by the AK47 and South African army and police issue automatic rifles. I have been told that the latter are preferred because ammunition is more readily available. Peachy I think you are right about the likely age of the ZP photograph. The uniform looks makeshift and a bit impractical. Also, the issue of rifles to the ZP may have come later as their 'peace-keeping' role in Zululand developed. Brett

Hi Peachy That is a very interesting photograph. Are the men actually identified as belonging to the Zululand Police? The only ZP photos I have seen illustrate three articles on the history of the ZP published in the Natal Police magazine (appropriately named 'The Nongqai') and they are not nearly as clear as yours. However, there are some observable differences, such as the men wearing side-caps and having tunics opening all the way down the front with 5 or 6 buttons. Also, it is unusual that the 'other rank' carries an assegai. As far as I know the ZP were armed with rifles, which were very necessary for their Zululand policing and during the Boer War (1899-1902) and Natal Rebellion (1906). I agree that the young officer is not Mansel. In fact, he looks much younger than the +/- 15 officers shown in the ZP articles, all of whom have (some very impressive) moustaches. (This is also a feature of men in the Natal Mounted Police/Natal Police and it was clearly fashionable in late Victorian/Edwardian times.) Hi Brian I suspect that your assegai might be of 'European' manufacture and of the type issued to men of the Native Military Corps during World War II. It looks as though it has a hollow base into which the shaft would have been inserted. This is not Zulu technology. Zulu assegais had pointed tangs, which were heated and burnt into the shafts and then fixed in position by wound wire, plaited reeds or a section of oxtail skin. I was once told that the last method, which involved stretching the tail section over the tang/shaft joint and then allowing it to dry and shrink, died out after the Zulu War. I have a throwing assegai of this kind that was confiscated by police after a faction fight in Zululand in the 1950's. Regards Brett