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PUBLISHER | UITGEWER
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Contents PUBLISHER | UITGEWER .............................................................................................................. 2 NONGQAI: OORSPRONG & OOGMERKE ..................................................................................... 7 NONGQAI: ROOTS & GOALS......................................................................................................... 8 VOORBLAD | FRONT COVER ........................................................................................................ 9 POLISIE- EN KRYGSGESKIEDENIS | SA POLICE & MILITARY HISTORY................................. 10 SERGEANT WILLIAM WALLACE AND THE 1922 STRIKE .......................................................... 10 Contributed by Colonel (Retired) William Endle ......................................................................... 10 BURGER WILLIAM WALLACE ...................................................................................................... 10 NO 70778 PRIVATE WILLIAM WALLACE..................................................................................... 11 MARTIAL LAW............................................................................................................................... 16 1922 PICTORIAL REVIEW: THROUGH THE RED REVOLT ON THE RAND .............................. 28 Argus Printing & Publishing Co dated 18th March 1922 via Dr WP Steenkamp.......................... 28 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 29 The Reign of the Brute ............................................................................................................... 30 Through the Red Revolt on the Rand ......................................................................................... 31 1922: Map of Witwatersrand....................................................................................................... 31 Brakpan Mine ............................................................................................................................. 32 Dunswart Battle Ground ............................................................................................................. 33 The Great Memorial Service....................................................................................................... 34 Transvaal Scottish ...................................................................................................................... 35 Review: SA Police & Special Police ........................................................................................... 36 Brixton Ridge .............................................................................................................................. 37 Market Square: Fordsburg.......................................................................................................... 40 Fordsburg Police Station ............................................................................................................ 41 Benoni ........................................................................................................................................ 44 Workers Hall: Benoni .................................................................................................................. 49 Boer Burgers assisting the Government ..................................................................................... 50 SA Police: “L Squadron”: Fordsburg ........................................................................................... 51 Newlands: Police Ambushed ...................................................................................................... 52 Alberton ...................................................................................................................................... 53 SA Police at Robinson Mine ....................................................................................................... 54 Prisoners .................................................................................................................................... 55 Gen Smuts: Park Station ............................................................................................................ 56 Police captured at Fordsburg Police Station............................................................................... 57 ILH at Fordsburg ........................................................................................................................ 58 Armoured Lorry .......................................................................................................................... 59 His Majesty’s Land Ship Nemesis .............................................................................................. 59 Operations at Alberton 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Col Nussey & Burgers from Western Transvaal ......................................................................... 61 Prisoners taken at Brixton .......................................................................................................... 62 Prisoners taken at Fordsburg ..................................................................................................... 63 Prisoners from Brixton and Native Refugees at Milner Park....................................................... 63 Johannesburg Town Hall ............................................................................................................ 64 Bodies moved to SAP Marshall Square ..................................................................................... 66 Fordsburg ................................................................................................................................... 67 UDF: Senior Officers & Transvaal Scottish................................................................................. 68 Springs: Pretoria Burgers ........................................................................................................... 69 Fordsburg before the Bombardment .......................................................................................... 70 Fordsburg ................................................................................................................................... 71 Mounted Police Clearing Rissik Street, Johannesburg ............................................................... 72 Mounted and Dismounted Police ................................................................................................ 73 Volunteer Mechanical Transport................................................................................................. 74 Trades Hall, Johannesburg ........................................................................................................ 75 Police prevent Raid on GPO Johannesburg ............................................................................... 76 Confiscated Arms & Ammunition ................................................................................................ 78 Mass demonstrations ................................................................................................................. 79 Boksburg: Brakpan Commando leading Cycle Parade .............................................................. 80 Tramwaymen Strike ................................................................................................................... 81 Demonstration at Johannesburg Court ....................................................................................... 82 The Notorious Boksburg ‘Commando’ being rounded up ........................................................... 83 Newlands Red Commando......................................................................................................... 84 Sabotage: Union Junction .......................................................................................................... 85 Distribution of “The Star” ............................................................................................................ 86 VAN DIE REDAKSIE ..................................................................................................................... 86 •
OOGGETUIEVERSLAE VAN TERREURDADE GESOEK .................................................. 86
RAND REBELLION ........................................................................................................................ 87 NONGQAI TRUST | IT 002701/2018(T)......................................................................................... 89 REVOLTION ON THE WITWATERSRAND ................................................................................... 90 Brig Marius de Witt Dippenaar.................................................................................................... 90 NOGQAI TRUST: THANK YOU! | DANKIE!................................................................................... 97 FOTO’S VAN DIE SAPS ARGIEF .................................................................................................. 98 “Skiet my” ................................................................................................................................... 98 SAP “J Eskadron”: 28 Januarie 1922 ......................................................................................... 99 ‘n Polisie-kamp aan die Rand ................................................................................................... 101 SAP-kamp: Johannesburg........................................................................................................ 102 SA Police Sniper Post: Robinson Deep .................................................................................... 103 Police Camp ............................................................................................................................. 104 4 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Fordsburg ................................................................................................................................. 104 SAP Groepfoto ......................................................................................................................... 107 Lede van SAP Potchefstroom .................................................................................................. 108 Op patrollie ............................................................................................................................... 109 Kerkdiens vir polisie ................................................................................................................. 109 SAP Ontspan............................................................................................................................ 110 Begrafnis: konst HJ Coetzee .................................................................................................... 110 The Jolly Boys .......................................................................................................................... 111 Red Terror in Fordsburg ........................................................................................................... 112 SAP: “K Squadron” ................................................................................................................... 113 The Devil’s Own ....................................................................................................................... 114 Begrafnis & Graf: Konst HJ Coetzee ........................................................................................ 115 SAP: “L Squadron” – “At Stables”............................................................................................. 116 Geen besonderhede ................................................................................................................. 117 1922: The Royal Dragoons....................................................................................................... 118 ‘n SAP Seksie........................................................................................................................... 118 Spit & Polish ............................................................................................................................. 119 ‘n Berede Afdeling .................................................................................................................... 119 Manne ontspan tydens ete ....................................................................................................... 120 Besig om saals te politoer ........................................................................................................ 121 SAP: Geweerinspeksie: Troep 4, “G Eskadron” ....................................................................... 121 SAP: Stal-inspeksie: “G Eskadron” ........................................................................................... 122 SAP: Masjiengeweer-seksie ..................................................................................................... 122 SAP: “G Eskadron”: Middagete ................................................................................................ 123 SAP: Troep 4: “G Eskadron”..................................................................................................... 123 Nog manne van “G” Eskadron .................................................................................................. 124 SAP “L Eskadron” met Offisiere ............................................................................................... 124 Nog Deelnemers aan die Stryd ................................................................................................ 125 SAP: “Y Eskader”: Johannesburg ............................................................................................ 126 Manne van “F” Eskadron .......................................................................................................... 127 Inspeksie: Kol TG Truter: Kommissaris van Polisie .................................................................. 127 THE 1922 RAND REVOLT: A VIEW FROM THE EAST RAND .................................................. 128 Phil Beck .................................................................................................................................. 128 1922 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE SA POLICE ................................ 130 Col TG Truter ........................................................................................................................... 130 Extracts regarding the 1922 Revolt .......................................................................................... 130 •
Par 6: Special Constables .................................................................................................. 130
•
Par 6: Special Police: Witwatersrand: Lt-Col Sir CL Anderson........................................... 130
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Par 6: Civic Guards: Lt-Col Sir CL Anderson ..................................................................... 130 5 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Par 13: Police Injured in the Course of their Duty ..................................................................... 131 Par 18: Inspections ................................................................................................................... 131 Par 28: Circumstances which called for particular activity on the part of the Police ................. 131 “Communist attention?” ............................................................................................................ 134 NAWOORD | AFTERWORD ........................................................................................................ 135 Brig HB Heymans (SAP – Afgetree) ......................................................................................... 135
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NONGQAI: OORSPRONG & OOGMERKE
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NONGQAI: ROOTS & GOALS
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VOORBLAD | FRONT COVER
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POLISIE- EN KRYGSGESKIEDENIS | SA POLICE & MILITARY HISTORY
SERGEANT WILLIAM WALLACE AND THE 1922 STRIKE Contributed by Colonel (Retired) William Endley Wednesday 9 March 2022 will mark the centenary of the call up and mobilisation of the Active Citizen force to suppress the 1922 Strike that took place on the Witwatersrand. This article is dedicated to the memory of my grandfather, William Wallace, who at the ripe old age of eighteen fought as part of the government forces during the strike. “LEST WE FORGET” On 24 January 1904, Sergeant William Wallace, the author’s grandfather, was born in Johannesburg.
BURGER WILLIAM WALLACE Sergeant Wallace’s father, also William Wallace, had started a proud family military tradition in South Africa. Although Scottish, Wallace senior was proud to be a citizen of the South African Republic. At the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War, Burger Wallace was one of the 200 volunteers who enlisted in the First Irish Brigade. Burger Wallace later transferred to the Second Irish Brigade. Wallace proudly noted that his commanding officers were Colonels Blake and Lynch, Major McBride, and Captain Mitchell. Burger Wallace fought at the Battles of Colenso, Modder River, Spioenkop, Pietershoogte, and at Sundays River. In March 1900, Burger Wallace was wounded at Sundays River near the Biggarsberg. While recovering from his wound in Johannesburg, Wallace was captured by the occupying British forces and he spent the rest of the Anglo Boer War as a prisoner in a Prisoner of War camp in Ceylon. For his service with the Boer forces, Burger William Wallace was awarded the Anglo Boer War Medal and the Wound Ribbon. 10 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
NO 70778 PRIVATE WILLIAM WALLACE On 16 February 1921, in accordance with Union Defence Force regulations, William Wallace registered for his military service with the 8th Infantry known as the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. Wallace’s rank on enlistment in the regiment was that of a private and his allocated Union Defence Force service number was 70778. John Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, later became the 7th Duke of Atholl. In 1902, Murray established the Transvaal Scottish regiment after the end of the Anglo Boer War. The first members of the regiment were volunteers from the Scottish units who fought in the Anglo Boer war and who had decided to demobilise and stay in South Africa. Lieutenant Colonel the Marquis of Tullibardine, heir to the dukedom of Atholl, worked closely with local Caledonian societies to ensure that membership was strongly Scottish. The tartan worn by the regiment was the “Murray of Atholl” while the pipers wore the tartan of the “Murray of Tullibardine”. Both tartans symbolise the regiment's connections to the Dukes of Atholl and the Atholl Highlanders. The regimental badge depicts a Scottish thistle on a scroll bearing the motto Alba nam Buadh that is Gaelic for “Well done, Scotland” or “Scotland, home of the virtues”. The motto is surrounded by a heraldic strap and buckle bearing the regiment's name on the Star of the Order of the Thistle. Active Citizen Force units had been reformed due to extended service regulations which enabled recruiting drives to take place. Private Wallace’s compulsory period of engagement was only for eighteen months. Wallace’s compulsory training was not very intensive and his musketry training and course was conducted as a parade under the auspices of his company commander. During 1921 and 1922, Private Wallace reported and attended all the prescribed compulsory military training and duties. On 9 March 1922, when the 8 th Infantry was mobilised, Wallace reported for active service. Private Wallace’s official service under the proclaimed Martial Law was noted as being from 10 February until 24 March 1922. Private Wallace participated in the assault on Brixton Ridge and was part of the force that attacked and occupied Fordsburg.
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JOHANNESBURG 1922 “The 1922 Strike Workers of the World, Unite and Fight for a White South Africa.”
Approximately 25000 white and 200 000 black miners were employed in the goldfields on the Witwatersrand. White miners felt threatened by the black workers who often possessed the same skills and qualifications. Due to these aspects and the other social differences prevalent at the time, the cost of maintaining a white employee was seven to ten times higher than his black counterpart. The price of gold had drastically fallen which had a major negative impact on the production costs and profitability of the mines. The mine owners, known as Randlords, proposed a reduction in the miners’ salaries and a plan that would see many of the white miners being replaced by black employees. Tensions had still been simmering since the earlier miner strikes which had not seen some of the miners’ basic issues and grievances being resolved. In early January 1922, the miners grew increasingly militant and they confronted both the government and the mine owners. On 9 January, the 1922 Strike started. The miners had the support of the South African Communist Party who upheld their demands for the protection of white miners’ rights.
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“A strike teaches workers to understand what the strength of the employers and what the strength of the workers consists in: it teaches them not to think of their own employers alone and not of their own immediate workmates alone, but of all the employers, the whole class of capitalists and the whole class of workers. A strike, moreover, opens the eyes of the workers to the nature, not only of the capitalists, but of government and the laws as well. Strikes, therefore, teach the workers to unite; they show them that they can struggle against the capitalist only when they are united; strikes teach the workers to think of the whole working-class against the whole class of factory owners and against the arbitrary police and government. This is the reason that socialists call strikes' a school of war', a school in which the workers learn to make war on their enemies for the liberation of the whole people, of all who labour, from the yoke of government, officials and from the yoke of capital.”1 Numerous public meetings were held where recruitment and the general public’s support was encouraged. Moderate strike leaders were soon replaced by the more militant agitators and aggressive actions were launched. Tensions were drastically increasing, and black miners were attacked. The strike soon became violent. Mine management, non-strikers or so-called scabs, policemen, and civil servants were attacked and specifically identified and targeted buildings were occupied by striking mineworkers.
Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich. (1960). Collected works. vol. 1 - 30: 1891-1923. Moscow; Leningrad, 1926-1935. Leningrad: State Publishing House. 1
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Acts of sabotage were committed against strategic targets that included the railway lines where disaster was narrowly avoided on numerous occasions. General Smuts was not prepared to accept the situation as the strike was rapidly becoming an armed insurrection against his government. The acts of intimidation and escalating violence against black workers were rapidly turning the city and the suburbs of Johannesburg into a state of anarchy.
Groups of strikers, formed in mid-January and called commandos, were growing in strength and influence. Organised on semi-military lines, they had elected and appointed commandants, generals, and captains. The commandos were present and active in districts and sub-districts and in every town on the Witwatersrand. Although the commandos kept in touch with local strike committees, and some commandos were formed by trade unions, each commando acted autonomously. Some commandos were peaceful while others wanted to take militant action. “As soon as commandos had learnt to march in columns, they eagerly showed their smartness to the public, and to other commandos. Soon they were marching through public streets to mass demonstrations, each commando headed by buglers, a mounted section on horses, and then the ‘infantry’ on column of route. After the infantry came the cycle and motor cycle section, which formed the dispatch riding, scouting, and later, in some cases the dynamite laying section of the commandos.”2 2
https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/revhist/supplem/hirson/1922.html
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After being instructed by the Committee of Action, thousands of men from the commandos went into the city centre of Johannesburg.
They patrolled the streets, recruited workers, and removed shop assistants who had ignored the call to strike, out of shops and stores. The strikers commandeered rifles and revolvers. The intimidating weapons they wielded included bicycle chains attached to sticks, old swords and bayonets, spears, assegais, bludgeons, and poles barbed with spikes or hooks. The South African Police were reinforced by the South African Mounted Rifles and the Johannesburg Civic Guard.
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MARTIAL LAW
In 1922, the type of martial law that was imposed in Johannesburg can be defined as the temporary suspension of civil law by the Union of South Africa’s government. Martial law was declared in response to a temporary emergency that occurred after the South African Police and South African Mounted Riflemen had virtually been overwhelmed by the strikers. During the 1922 strike, as far as can be determined, the South African Police had 29 members killed in action and 68 were wounded. On 9 March, the mobilisation orders were issued for identified Active Citizen Force units and 26 Burger commandos to mobilise. On 10 March 1922, Martial Law was declared and the armed revolt started. The mobilisation instruction included the Transvaal Horse Artillery, Royal Durban Light Infantry, Transvaal Scottish, Rand Light Infantry, Witwatersrand Rifles, Imperial Light Horse and the 1st Field Ambulance. Twenty-six commandos were mobilised from outlying areas.
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The mission given to the mobilised Active Citizen Force units and the government commandos was to contain and stop the actions of the striking miners. Due to their militant actions against both the mines and the government, the strikers were disrupting civil society and usurping all lawful authority. Railway property and police posts were attacked and the strikers gained control of parts of Johannesburg and adjoining towns and suburbs. Banks, shops and offices were closed by order of the local strike committees. The committee’s issued restaurants, cafes and hotels permits to open at meal times. The strikers commandeered food and chased newspaper vendors away. Telegraphic communications were disrupted and some train lines were sabotaged. The post offices only opened when they were protected by the South African Police. The citizens of Johannesburg foraged for food and many women were left to their own devises for their selfdefence arrangements and measures. Snipers were especially active in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg. 17 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
THE ROLE OF THE 8TH INFANTRY IN THE STRIKE As background to the strike and to describe some of the circumstances, the 8 th Infantry or Transvaal Scottish Regiment will be used in this article to symbolise and represent the commitment and the involvement of the Union Defence Force. After the Regiment’s mobilisation was ordered, the Regimental Headquarters was accommodated in the Johannesburg Drill Hall from where the regiment’s operations and other activities were planned and coordinated. The strength of the regiment that was mobilised during the strike was 10 officers and 548 other ranks. It was apparent that the standard and speed of mobilisation and the effectiveness of the Union Defence Force had increased drastically since the 1913 and 1914 miner strikes. The Active Citizen Force’s capabilities had dramatically improved after the conclusion of the First World War. On 9 March 1922, the members of the 8th Infantry were mobilised with the headquarters being deployed in Johannesburg. The infantry rifle companies were deployed where and when they were required due to the dynamic and fluid operational situation. Operations were conducted in conjunction with the loyal government commandos who were commanded by General van Deventer. Actions were fought at Benoni, Boksburg, Brixton Ridge, Fordsburg, Braamfontein, and Forest Hill. These actions included the fight at Dunswart Station where heavy casualties were sustained by the regiment. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS FOR THE TRANSVAAL SCOTTISH REGIMENT3 DATE TIME ACTIONS & ACTIVITIES 10-Mar 16H35 Regiment is forced back from Benoni to the Dunswart railway siding. The regiment is fully committed and in action at the Benoni Trades Hall. 20H00 Casualties are 3 officers and 15 other ranks killed and 26 wounded. 11-Mar 270 members of the regiment are in action at Benoni and Boksburg. Rest of regiment under command of Colonel Thackeray in the Fordsburg area. 12-Mar The regiment occupies Vrededorp and the Ridge. 13-Mar 300 strikers have set up defensive positions with trenches and barbed wire at the Benoni Trades Hall. Benoni. The regiment captures the Trades Hall and kills between 12 and 15 strikers and arrest 60 strikers. 14-17 12H00 Fordsburg. The railway line is captured and secured by the regiment Mar from the subway to Solomon Square. 12H36 The Transvaal Scottish and the Durban Light Infantry capture Market Square. 14H35 The regiment advances down Main Road and occupies Cuthbert’s Building 15-Mar Approximately 300 members of the regiment arrive at Forest Hill from Benoni 18-Mar Demobilisation is completed.
3
Endley, William. (2020). From the Dust of Africa to the Mud of Flanders. Groep 7 Drukkers.
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Colonel Macleod was a highly decorated veteran of the Sudan campaigns, the Anglo Boer War, and the First World War where he had been wounded at the Somme during the Battle of Delville Wood. Lieutenant Colonel Donald Macleay Macleod, DSO, MC, DCM, from Inverness, is believed to have been the youngest sergeant major in the British Regular Army during Kitchener's 1898 Sudan Campaign. Macleod was a member of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at the Battle of Omdurman. Sergeant Major Macleod fought in the Anglo-Boer War. At the Battle of Lake Chrissie, Macleod was recommended for the Victoria Cross. In 1902, Macleod transferred to the permanent staff of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers. From 1902 until 1905, Macleod was the Regimental Sergeant Major. Macleod’s career continued after the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers became the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. From 1908 until 1912, Macleod again served as the Regimental Sergeant Major. Macleod was later commissioned. During the First World War, Donald Macleod served as the adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment with the rank of captain during the German South West Africa campaign. After the establishment of the 4 th South African Infantry Regiment or the South African Scottish, Major Macleod was appointed as the second-incommand.
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Macleod served extensively on the Western Front. In July 1916, Macleod assumed command of the regiment following the death in Bernafay Wood of Lieutenant Colonel F. A. Jones. At the end of the First World War, Colonel McLeod served in North Russia against the Bolsheviks and was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anna, 2nd class 4. From 1920 until 1923, Lieutenant Macleod commanded the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. After mobilisation, a force from the regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Macleod was sent to Benoni to relieve elements of the South African Police who had been besieged by the strikers. Three officers and 290 other ranks were deployed to the Benoni and Boksburg areas. At Dunswart, McLeod and his force was ambushed by a heavily armed and well positioned striker commando.
The Imperial Order of Saint Anna was a Holstein ducal and then Russian imperial order of chivalry. It was established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, on 14 February 1735, in honour of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia. 4
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Throughout the strike, due to the intensity and number of clashes, heavy and significant casualties were suffered by the regiment. The regiment was used for both defensive and offensive 21 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
operations against the strikers. The Transvaal Scottish Regiment were mainly deployed in and around Johannesburg where seven officers and 258 other ranks remained at the regimental headquarters. Private Wallace was one of these members of the regiment left behind because they could not be equipped in time. Wallace and his comrades were used as a reaction force and as a reserve during the ongoing operations.
The 250 soldiers remained at the Drill Hall in Johannesburg but took part in the Brixton engagement which was to relieve the South African Police and also to capture the strikers’ headquarters and leaders in Fordsburg. The attacks started with a heavy preliminary bombardment by the Transvaal Horse Artillery on Cottesloe School, a revolutionary strong point. The school was captured by the Infantry in the face of determined sniping and rifle fire. The advance continued on Fordsburg, the centre of the strikers’ movement. After heavy shelling, the infantry converged on the Market Hall and after vigorous street fighting, took possession of the Market Buildings at 16h20. In the two days’ fighting, this Transvaal Scottish detachment lost two officers and three other ranks killed while three officers and twenty-nine other ranks had been wounded.
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“Johannesburg, the workers’ commandos took possession of the working-class suburbs of Fordsburg and Jeppe. They also entrenched on the neighbouring low hills overlooking the military camping ground. Here half a dozen aeroplanes operated on these positions with deadly effect. 23 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Artillery bombardment proceeded at the same time, but the position was stubbornly defended, and only given up after terrible losses. Here where no bourgeois property was endangered, the aeroplanes could operate with impunity. The bombardment was expected to last ten minutes. It went on for seventy minutes ... It was only a question of time, and the issue was never in doubt, for Smuts only directs final assaults for political acclaim when the issue is absolutely safe.”5
The South African Air Force had dropped pamphlets into Fordsburg prior to the ground assault. The pamphlets were written in four different languages on both pages. The languages included English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Sotho. “Women and children and persons well disposed towards the Government are advised to leave between 6 and 11 a.m. today that part of Fordsburg and vicinity where the authority of the Government is defied and military operations may take place. They will proceed to Show Ground with such blankets, food, and personal belongings they can carry with them … No immunity from arrest and punishment is guaranteed to any person coming out under this notice who has broken the law.” The 8th Infantry had suffered grievous losses in their encounters with the strikers.
5
https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/revhist/supplem/hirson/1922.html
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SUMMARY OF TRANSVAAL SCOTTISH CASUALTIES: KILLED AND WOUNDED6 ACTION KILLED OFF OTHER WOUNDED OFF OTHER TOTAL RANKS RANKS Dunswart 12 3 9 26 2 24 12 killed 26 wounded Brixton 3 _ 3 29 2 27 3 killed Ridge 29 wounded Fordsburg 2 2 _ 2 1 1 2 killed 2 wounded Robinson 2 1 1 2 wounded Compress or Forest Hill 1 1 wounded TOTAL (ALL RANKS) Killed Wounded 9 Killed in 58 Action, 8 Died of wounds; TOTAL = 17 THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE IN SUPPORT
On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force (SAAF) was established under the Directorate of Air Services. The establishment included Headquarters and clerical staff, an aircraft depot with
6
Endley, William. (2020). From the Dust of Africa to the Mud of Flanders. Groep 7 Drukkers.
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workshops, and a squadron consisting of four flights. By 1922, the SAAF comprised two flights, each with six aircraft, based at Zwartkops. During the strike, Number 1squadron was tasked to fly reconnaissance missions and bombard/strafe the strikers’ positions. From 10 to 15 March 1922, the squadron flew intensive operations and 127 hours were flown during the strike. On 10 March 1922, the SAAF deployed a Whippet tank. On 13 March 1922, Air Corporal W. J. Johns was killed in the tank when a bullet fired by a striker pierced the tank’s visor. During the 1922 strike, Number 1 Squadron suffered two dead, two wounded, and two aircraft were destroyed. Colonel Sir Pierre van Ryneveld’s7 observer, Captain W. W. Carey Thomas8 MC, was shot and mortally wounded by ground fire during a bombing mission over Benoni. Carey Thomas was the squadron adjutant. 25657 SERGEANT W BATES: “C” COMPANY, DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY WOUNDED IN ACTION, FORDSBURG, 14 MARCH 1922
Campaign medals from left to right, the 1914-15 Star; the British War Medal 1914-20; the Allied Victory Medal; and the Africa Service Medal “After crossing three streets, the leading elements of “C” Company emerged into Mint Road, and immediately drew fire from a sandbagged post at the corner of a building about 100 yards to the right. No maps of Fordsburg had been provided and the DLI was quite ignorant of the neighbourhood. Sergeant Billy Bates was immediately ordered: Take that strongpoint with your
General Sir Hesperus Andrias van Ryneveld, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, known as Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, was a South African military commander. He was the founding commander of the South African Air Force. 8 Captain W. W. Carey-Thomas MC, Adjutant of the SAAF, had been a senior Mine Official on the East Rand prior to the First World War, and serving as aerial observer because of his knowledge of the area, was mortally wounded by a bullet through the heart. 7
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section. Bates, a veteran of the 1st World War, set about his task. He had not gone many yards before two of his men were wounded, and the section took cover in the nearest house.”9 The intensity of the fighting is apparent in the casualty lists. Other Active Citizen Force regiments did not go unscathed. The Durban Light Infantry had fifteen men wounded, The Imperial Light Horse lost 9 men killed in action and 14 wounded, and the Rand Light Infantry had one man who died from his wounds, one man who suffered an accidental death while 3 men were wounded. Mopping up operations continued in the Wemmer Pan, Rosettenville and Regents Park areas. On Tuesday 16 March, two unfortunate incidents occurred that caused major widespread outrage when W. E. Dowse, three Hanekom brothers and a Smith were shot by members of the Transvaal Scottish regiment. The shootings took place in a valley and all the victims were accused of attempting to escape. The detachment was under the command of Captain Walter Kirby10. By 17 March 1922, the strike had been ended and 4692 strikers were arrested. On 18 March 1922, the Union Defence Force units were demobilised. On 16 August 1923, Private Wallace was transferred to the SMG Military District. On 1 July 1926, Wallace was placed on the reserve list with an “A” Class medical classification. During the Second World War, Sergeant William Wallace served with the Special Service Battalion in the Union of South Africa, North Africa and Italy. After qualifying as an artisan, Wallace worked as a plumber before and after the Second World War. Sergeant Wallace spent his twilight years working as the Quartermaster of the Non-European Affairs Department’s municipal police and he was based in Dube in Soweto.
Martin, A.C., The Durban Light Infantry Volume 1, 1854-1934, published by the Headquarters Board of the Durban Light Infantry, Durban, South Africa, 1969. 10 On 22 November 1941, the 53-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Walter H. Kirby, officer commanding of the 3rd Battalion of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment, was killed in action at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh during the Second World War. The battle was fought during Operation Crusader in Libya from November until December 1941. The objective of Crusader was to retake Cyrenaica, the eastern region of Libya, and ultimately drive the Italians and Germans out of North Africa. 9
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1922 PICTORIAL REVIEW: THROUGH THE RED REVOLT ON THE RAND Argus Printing & Publishing Co dated 18th March 1922 via Dr WP Steenkamp
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Introduction
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The Reign of the Brute
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Through the Red Revolt on the Rand
1922: Map of Witwatersrand
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Brakpan Mine
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Dunswart Battle Ground
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The Great Memorial Service
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Transvaal Scottish
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Review: SA Police & Special Police
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Brixton Ridge
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Market Square: Fordsburg
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Fordsburg Police Station
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Benoni
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Workers Hall: Benoni
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Boer Burgers assisting the Government
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SA Police: “L Squadron”: Fordsburg
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Newlands: Police Ambushed
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Alberton
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SA Police at Robinson Mine
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Prisoners
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Gen Smuts: Park Station
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Police captured at Fordsburg Police Station
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ILH at Fordsburg
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Armoured Lorry
His Majesty’s Land Ship Nemesis
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Operations at Alberton
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Col Nussey & Burgers from Western Transvaal
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Prisoners taken at Brixton
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Prisoners taken at Fordsburg
Prisoners from Brixton and Native Refugees at Milner Park
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Johannesburg Town Hall
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Bodies moved to SAP Marshall Square
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Fordsburg
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UDF: Senior Officers & Transvaal Scottish
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Springs: Pretoria Burgers
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Fordsburg before the Bombardment
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Fordsburg
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Mounted Police Clearing Rissik Street, Johannesburg
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Mounted and Dismounted Police
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Volunteer Mechanical Transport
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Trades Hall, Johannesburg
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Police prevent Raid on GPO Johannesburg
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Confiscated Arms & Ammunition
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Mass demonstrations
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Boksburg: Brakpan Commando leading Cycle Parade
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Tramwaymen Strike
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Demonstration at Johannesburg Court
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The Notorious Boksburg ‘Commando’ being rounded up
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Newlands Red Commando
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Sabotage: Union Junction
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Distribution of “The Star”
VAN DIE REDAKSIE
•
OOGGETUIEVERSLAE VAN TERREURDADE GESOEK Help asseblief: So baie van ons lede en lesers was ooggetuies van terreurdade gedurende die rewolusionêre oorlog. Ons is op soek na ooggetuieverslae van ons oudlede. En statistiek. Soos die ou Anglo Boere-oorlog wat meer as 100 jaar gelede plaasgevind het, steeds interessant bly – so het ons rewolusionêre-oorlog van 16 Des 1961 tot 1994 geduur – selfs na die bekende “2 Februarie 1990”-toespraak van mnr FW de Klerk het die stryd eintlik feller voortgeduur veral tussen die ANC en Inkatha en tussen “Hostel dwellers” en “Residents”. Op die foto is majoor Dolf Odendaal nadat ‘n handgranaat na hom gegooi is.
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RAND REBELLION From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia Rand Rebellion
Contemporary depiction of the uprising Date
28 December 1921 – 16 March 1922
Location
Witwatersrand, Union of South Africa
Result
Rebellion suppressed
Commanders and leaders Jan Smuts
Bill Andrews Harry Spendiff † Jimmy Green Percy Fisher †
Casualties and losses 153 killed[1] The Rand Rebellion (Afrikaans: Rand-rebellie; also known as the 1922 strike) was an armed uprising of white miners in the Witwatersrand region of South Africa, in March 1922. Jimmy Green, a prominent politician in the Labour Party, was one of the leaders of the strike. Following a drop in the world price of gold from 130 shillings (£6 10s) per fine troy ounce in 1919 to 95s/oz (£4 15s) in December 1921, the companies tried to cut their operating costs by decreasing wages, and by weakening the colour bar to enable the promotion of racially cheapened black miners to skilled and supervisory positions.[2] The rebellion started as a strike by white mine workers on 28 December 1921 and shortly thereafter, it became an open rebellion against the state. [3]: 292 Subsequently the workers, who had armed themselves, took over the cities of Benoni and Brakpan, and the Johannesburg suburbs of Fordsburg and Jeppe. The young Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) took an active part in the uprising on grounds of class struggle whilst reportedly opposing racist aspects of the strike,[4] as did the syndicalists. The racist aspect was typified by the slogan; "Workers of the world, unite and fight for a white South Africa!" and by several pogroms against blacks.[5] 87 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Several Communists and syndicalists, the latter including the strike leaders Percy Fisher and Harry Spendiff, were killed as the rebellion was quelled by the Union Defence Force.[6] The rebellion was eventually put down by "considerable military firepower and at the cost of over 200 lives".[7] Prime Minister Jan Smuts crushed the rebellion with 20,000 troops, artillery, tanks, and bomber aircraft. By this time the rebels had dug trenches across Fordsburg Square and the air force tried to bomb but missed and hit a local church. However, the army's bombardment finally overcame them.[8] Lieutenant Colonel Llewellyn Andersson's role in creating the Union Defence Force (South Africa) was instrumental in crushing the rebellion.[9] Smuts' actions caused a political backlash, and in the 1924 elections his South African Party lost to a coalition of the National Party and Labour Party.[3]: 292 They introduced the Industrial Conciliation Act 1924, Wage Act 1925 and Mines and Works Amendment Act 1926, which recognised white trade unions and reinforced the colour bar.[10] Under instruction from the Comintern, the CPSA reversed its attitude toward the white working class and adopted a new 'Native Republic' policy.[11][12] In popular culture • A TV series in 8 episodes produced by the SABC in 1984 and entitled 1922, tells this part of South African history. •
In Agatha Christie's The Man in the Brown Suit, published in 1924, the Rand Rebellion is mentioned both by name and as a backdrop for the mystery. Christie washes over the specifics and uses the Rebellion as nothing more than a minor inconvenience for her characters.
Bibliography • Jeremy Krikler, Rand Revolt: The 1922 Insurrection and Racial Killings in South Africa, Jonathan Ball Publishers SA, 2006, ISBN 978-1868421893. • Wessel Pretorius Visser, A History of the South African Mine Workers' Union, 1902-2014, Edwin Mellen Press, 2016, ISBN 978-1-4955-0460-0. References • ^ Bendix, S. (2001). Industrial relations in South Africa. Claremont: Juta. p. 59. ISBN 9780702152795. • ^ "Fifty fighting years – chapter 3". sacp.org.za. • ^ Jump up to: a b Joyce, Peter (1989). The South African family encyclopaedia. Internet Archive. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. ISBN 978-0-86977-887-6. • ^ Baruch Hirson, The General Strike of 1922 • ^ "South Africa Conflict in the 1920s - Flags, Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System". workmall.com. • ^ V.I. Lenin. "Lenin: 703. TO G. Y. ZINOVIEV". marxists.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rand_Rebellion - accessed 17 February 2022.
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NONGQAI TRUST | IT 002701/2018(T)
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REVOLTION ON THE WITWATERSRAND Brig Marius de Witt Dippenaar
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The input of Brig De Witt Dippenaar is of great historical value regarding the 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand, a century ago. His article is quoted because of the immense value to our Police History
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NOGQAI TRUST: THANK YOU! | DANKIE!
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FOTO’S VAN DIE SAPS ARGIEF
“Skiet my”
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SAP “J Eskadron”: 28 Januarie 1922
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‘n Polisie-kamp aan die Rand
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SAP-kamp: Johannesburg
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SA Police Sniper Post: Robinson Deep
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Police Camp
Fordsburg
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SAP Groepfoto
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Lede van SAP Potchefstroom
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Op patrollie
Kerkdiens vir polisie
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SAP Ontspan
Begrafnis: konst HJ Coetzee
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The Jolly Boys
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Red Terror in Fordsburg
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SAP: “K Squadron”
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The Devil’s Own
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Begrafnis & Graf: Konst HJ Coetzee
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SAP: “L Squadron” – “At Stables”
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Geen besonderhede
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1922: The Royal Dragoons
‘n SAP Seksie
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Spit & Polish
‘n Berede Afdeling
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Manne ontspan tydens ete
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Besig om saals te politoer
SAP: Geweerinspeksie: Troep 4, “G Eskadron”
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SAP: Stal-inspeksie: “G Eskadron”
SAP: Masjiengeweer-seksie
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SAP: “G Eskadron”: Middagete
SAP: Troep 4: “G Eskadron”
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Nog manne van “G” Eskadron
SAP “L Eskadron” met Offisiere
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Nog Deelnemers aan die Stryd
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SAP: “Y Eskader”: Johannesburg
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Manne van “F” Eskadron
Inspeksie: Kol TG Truter: Kommissaris van Polisie
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THE 1922 RAND REVOLT: A VIEW FROM THE EAST RAND Phil Beck The primary cause of the 1922 Rand Revolt was the decision by the British Government to return to the Gold Standard as it was in 1914. This meant a reduction of 35% in the price of gold. To remain profitable, the mines had to severely reduce the number of white skilled workers, whose wages were considerably higher than the black miners. The Chamber of Mines also signalled its intention to stop honouring the 1918 agreement which ensured job reservation for white miners. A strike ballot was taken, and following an ultimatum by the Chamber, the miners struck on 10 th January By early 1922 various commandos of strikers roamed the East Rand at night and held up police stations, looting the guns and ammunition. Electricity in Boksburg North was cut and trams stopped running in the week ending 21st January. Lights came on again on 10th February. When 4000 people gathered at Market Square on 9 th February, there was an unanimous resolution passed calling for a national strike. The Red Flag was sung Although some miners heeded Prime Minister Jan Smuts’ appeal to return to work at mines including ERPM, the violent behaviour of many strikers deteriorated into total lawlessness. Jan Smuts had no option but to declare martial law. On 28th February the strikers clashed with the police when a large body of men arrived at the Boksburg Gaol, ostensibly to lend moral support and sing the Red Flag to their incarcerated colleagues. The police, fearing an attack on the gaol, faced the mob with fixed bayonets. The incensed miners pelted the police with stones. As a result, three miners were killed by police bullets and many others suffered injuries The strikers held a meeting in the Trades Hall in Commissioner Street, Boksburg on 10 th March. A contingent of mounted police surrounded the hall and were bombed by the strikers. Their aim was faulty and only three horses died. Although aeroplanes were constantly passing over Boksburg, and the sound of guns and rifles was heard everywhere, Boksburg was fortunately spared much of the savagery that took place in Benoni and Brakpan. Seven mine officials were clubbed to death with rifle butts and pick handles at Brakpan Mines The Government was relentless in restoring law and order, even ordering the Air Force to conduct bombing raids on Benoni, Jeppe and Fordsburg. On one sortie, the Worker’s Hall in Benoni was destroyed, killing many strikers After a 70-minute artillery bombardment by Government forces on the strikers’ headquarters in Fordsburg, the revolt was crushed on 15th March. The following day the bodies of the leaders, Percy Fisher and H. Spendiff, were found riddled with shrapnel. The Government forces lost over 230 men. Forty-six men of the 800 who were brought to trial, were charged with treason and murder. Four were executed. The miners went back to work at reduced wages The political repercussions were a total disaster for Prime Minister Smuts, who lost the General Elections of 1924 128 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Over the past 4 months every time you opened a newspaper or switched on the TV news the “Red Tee-Shirt Brigade” could be seen in the forefront encouraging the dissatisfied striking security guards ever onwards. In their quest for improved working conditions, the union leaders were seemingly oblivious to the destruction of property and violent attacks on those guards who declined to march to their drum. Step into a time machine and set the dial for the period between January and April 1922. Seventyeight years ago, the situation was very similar!11 Peter Wood who has been researching some of the history of the 1922 Strike wrote a rather telling account of some of the infamies he had read about. The strike came about when, in order to reduce running costs and maintain profits, the Chamber of mines came to a unilateral decision to dismiss a large number of white miners, lower the hourly pay rate and employ black labour for posts previously held exclusively by white miners. “The strikers organized Commandos who drilled and patrolled the streets and took action against ‘scabs’. This was a time when local workers gathered outside the Boksburg Gaol and sang ‘The Red Flag.’ At one stage the strikers were in control of Benoni and Police Captain Loftus was forced to flee when members of the Putfontein Commando pinned the policemen down in their barracks in Bedford Street. The Brakpan Commando was drilled by Bob Waterson and was commanded by John Garnsworthy when they attacked the Brakpan Mine. The mine manager, Charles Brodigan, 20-armed mine officials and 12 special constables with Lt Vincent Brodigan tried to defend the mine property. In the melee that followed a total of eight of the officials and constables including Lt Brodigan died. They were either shot or clubbed to death. When peace eventually returned to the mines a monument was erected to ‘Victims of violent internecine conflict.’” (Peter believes that a member of the Brakpan Commando, Gerhardus Gravett, was probably a nephew of the very able General Gravett who commanded the Boksburg Commando, known as “Gravett se Tarentaal Koppe”, during the Boer War) As the violence escalated the Prime Minister, General Smuts, had no alternative but to call upon the Union Defence Force to quell the violent insurgency throughout the Witwatersrand. “Several soldiers from the Transvaal Scottish Regiment were killed in action against the strikers at Dunswart when they were en route for Benoni by train from Boksburg. Equipped with De Havilland DH9 fighter planes the fledgling South African Air Force were ordered to strafe and bomb Fordsburg on the West Rand and Benoni in the East. During the Benoni raid Lt Carey Thomas, an observer and bomb-aimer, was shot dead by a bullet fired by striker ground fire”. Peter said: “My father, a primary school boy at the time, remembered seeing aeroplanes flying over the Benoni West Primary School in an attempt to bomb the Worker’s Hall in Market Street. He remembered seeing an unexploded bomb lying on the vacant stand opposite Bank’s Pharmacy.”
11
This article was written a few years ago and I asked my friend Phil Beck to send us his article - HBH
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Sad but true, but will mankind ever learn from the mistakes of the past – I think not!
1922 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE SA POLICE Col TG Truter Extracts regarding the 1922 Revolt • Par 6: Special Constables • Par 6: Special Police: Witwatersrand: Lt-Col Sir CL Anderson • Par 6: Civic Guards: Lt-Col Sir CL Anderson
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Par 13: Police Injured in the Course of their Duty
26 Police Killed and 72 wounded – Col Godley (Deputy Commissioner for the WWR) gives 29 killed and 86 injured – HBH.
Par 18: Inspections
Par 28: Circumstances which called for particular activity on the part of the Police
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“Communist attention?” Part of report was missing, but the rest of the page gives a good idea of what the commissioner reported:
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NAWOORD | AFTERWORD
Brig HB Heymans (SAP – Afgetree) Die sogenaamde “1922: Red Revolt on the Rand” was ‘n baie ernstige operasie waaraan die SA Polisiemag met inbegrip van Spesiale Polisie en Civic Guard, Britse Imperiale troepe in SuidAfrika, elemente van die Unie Verdedigingsmag met inbegrip van die lugmag en militêre troepe en Burgers van Boere-kommando’s aktief aan deel geneem het. Volgens foto’s was ten minste twee Unie Verdedigingsmag generaals ook aanwesig. Destyds was die polisiekommissaris ‘n vol kolonel.
Kol William Endley sit in die Soedan en ons het via WhatsApp en e-pos gekorrespondeer en sy inleiding is puik. Ons wens hom geluk! Dr Steenkamp het sy bydrae van Guatemala gestuur! Ek het verskeie boeke oor die 1922-opstand en ook die persoonlike aantekeninge van verskeie lede wat daar diens gedoen het, gelees. Ek het ook uitstallings in die Militêre Museum in Johannesburg betrag – hierdie was werklik ‘n opstand van epiese proporsies! Ek het toestemming van brig Marius de Witt Dippenaar gekry om sy weergawe aan te haal, omdat sy weergawe vanuit ‘n polisie oogpunt die beste is wat ek nog gelees het. Baie boeke is oor die onderwerp geskryf maar niemand het probeer om die SAP se rol te belig en vir die nageslag te bewaar. Luit-kol RS Godley het ook ‘n goeie weergawe in sy boek verstrek. Die polisiemuseum was so goed en vriendelik om vir ons ‘n paar foto’s te laat kry. Wat my opval is die begerigheid van die SAP-lede om tot diens te wees, en daar is foto’s van verskillende polisie aktiwiteite en die manne lyk almal “cheerful” daar waar hulle afgeneem is! Die manne het in tente gewoon en dit lyk of die omstandighede maar primitief was – tog was hul uniforms, saaltuig en gewere skoon! Daar is selfs ‘n foto van ‘n kerkdiens vir die polisie en ‘n polisie-begrafnis! Dis iets wat my weer opgeval het is die SAP-lede se lewensuitkyk: Werk kom eerste, dan kos, blyplek en plesier. Manne het sommer gelê en buite hul tente geëet want daar was nie stoele of tafels nie. 135 Nongqai Vol 13 No 3D– 1922 Red Revolt on the Rand
Opmerklik is die feit dat die SAP gereël het vir spesiale polisie en reserwe polisie (spesiale konstabels) om leemtes te vul en ook die om die Mag aan te vul. Die SAP het destyds in alfabetiese eskadronne op getree wat uit verskillende troep-formasies bestaan. (Ek kon nie uitvind hoeveel man in ‘n troep en hoeveel troepe ‘n eskadron vorm nie.) Die optrede van die polisie en die weermag tydens die Randse moeilikhede het hul tot eer gestrek. Baie kan uit die verlede geleer word!!
SLOT | END
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