Mike the Warthog

Tea party photoshoot I had with my daughter just before I cleared out of the #SANavy.

General Christiaan Botha. Christiaan Botha (October 6, 1864 - October 29, 1902) was a brother of Louis Botha and a general during the Anglo Boer War. He was born in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal. His parents, Louis and Salomina Botha, were among the first residents of the short lived Niewe Republiek. When the republic was incorporated into the Transvaal, they automatically become citizens of the Tvl. Botha became the commander of the police of Swaziland in 1898. After the Anglo Boer War broke out, he went to the Natal front where he played a prominent part in several of the early battles. He also fought at the Battle of Colenso. When the British liberated Ladysmith, Botha retreated to Laing's Nek. He met with General Redvers Buller at the historic O'Neill's Cottage near Laing's Nek to discuss the possiblity of an end to hostilities on the Natal front in June 1900. Botha is concerned that his position has become untenable. Neither party has the mandate for such discussions. The two agreed to a cease fire whilst their proposals are put to their relevant superiors. The proposal is vetoed. One of Christiaan Botha's achievements was the capture of a British convoy to Melmoth. Another victory was at Scheepersnek, where a British force was ambushed and some 31 British soldiers killed, mainly from Bethune's MI. He also took part in Louis Botha's raid into Natal in September 1901, resulting in the failed attack on Fort Itala. Generally he was overshadowed by his elder Brother, Louis. He acted as a delegate at the Peace Conference in 1902 and seconded the resolution to accept the terms offered. He died in Kokstad on 29 October 1902 at the young age of 38. Photo 1: Chris Botha. Photo 2: Monument at Scheepersnek. The man in the photo is David Rattray, well known historian, who was murdered during an armed robbery on his house in KZN

Shooting a UDF soldier out of hand when carrying a White flag. In spite of the founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and the burying of the hatchet by important Boer leaders such as Generals Botha and Smuts, there was still a great deal of antipathy amongst Afrikaners towards the British. In 1914, when the South African Government took the side of the British against the Germans, who had been staunch allies of the old Boer Republics, matters came to a head. Several senior officers serving in the Union Defence Force resigned their commissions and set off the 1914 Rebellion against the established order. The Rebellion was confined to the western Transvaal, Orange Free State and northern Cape Province and it lacked cohesion. The rebels numbered no more than 12 000, and were opposed by 32 000 troops loyal to the government. Although the Rebellion continued until February 1915, it came nowhere near achieving its aim of restoring independence to the two defunct Boer Republics. It was events in the western Transvaal that involved Nolte. The Rebellion leaders in this area included Generals C F Beyers and C H Müller, both of whom had started their military careers during the Boer War with the Boksburg Commando. They were no doubt well known to the one-time Burger Nolte, and at least Müller certainly knew him. Centrally situated in the western Transvaal (now North West Province) is Treurfontein (now Coligny), a small town within easy reach of Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Ventersdorp and Lichtenberg, which were the main towns in a region overwhelmingly inhabited by Boers. On 15 August, shortly after the war started, a meeting of the men who were to become rebels was held at Treurfontein, and this town evidently remained a focal point of the Rebellion after it got underway. On 29 October, it was to Treurfontein that Captain Nolte of the Heidelberg Commando went on a mission to deliver a message to the rebels, and it was while he was approaching them under a white flag of truce that he was shot and killed.

SA Naval Heritage Day-by-Day. 29 October: 1942 The British cargo vessel Ross – 4,978 tons – is torpedoed and sunk by U159 about 370 miles south-southeast of Cape Agulhas. That evening U159 sinks the British cargo vessel Laplace – 7,327 tons – about 350 miles south-southeast. A third vessel had been sighted but escaped. 1987 Lt Cdr T.P. van Rensburg assumes command of SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98) at the start of her 4th Commissioning.

Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig Holstein dies, 29th October 1900. Prince Christian was born on 14 April 1867, at Windsor Castle. His mother was Princess Helena, the fifth child of Queen Victoria. He attended the Military College of Sandhurst and was commissioned in the 60th King's Royal Rifles in 1888 and served later in the 4th King's Royal Rifle Corps. He took part in the battle of Omdurman under Lord Kitchener. During the Anglo Boer war, he was at Colenso, and was later involved in the relief of Ladysmith. In October 1900, while in Pretoria, he came down with malaria, and died of enteric fever, on 29 October, aged 33, after receiving Holy Communion in the presence of Lord Roberts and Prince Francis of Teck. He was interred in the Church street Pretoria cemetery on 1 November 1900. During his funeral, legend has it that a Boer woman commented: "They are burying their Prince in British soil; the English intend to remain in this land." Photos: Prince Christian Victor, His grave, his funeral

Only three men have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice. The first was Lieutenant Arthur Martin-Leake of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He first earned a VC in 1902 whilst serving with the South African Constabulary during the Second Boer War for helping wounded men to safety despite being shot three times. In #WorldWar1 he was awarded his second VC for his valour from 29 October to 8 November 1914 near Zonnebeke in Belgium. Despite being exposed to constant enemy fire, Martin-Leake rescued a large number of wounded men who were lying close to the enemy’s trenches. He was promoted captain in March 1915, major in November the same year, and in April 1917 took command of 46th Field Ambulance at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Aged 65 at the start of #WorldWar2 he commanded an ARP post during the conflict. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Martin-Leake Royal Army Medical Corps (April 4, 1874 - June 22, 1953)

Assault Mirage lllCZ - Black Widow. Arguably South Africa’s best known warbird – the distinctive black and gold Mirage IIICZ – is no longer airworthy and is languishing at AFB Hoedspruit. The aircraft, the first of type to be delivered to the SA Air Force (SAAF) in June 1963, was put onto the Air Force Museum inventory in the early nineties and was until four years ago a regular participant on the South Africa airshow circuit. She was flown almost exclusively by Glen Warden who took the aircraft out to sea during the Durban Airshow a few years ago to show the old lady still had it in her and broke the sound barrier. During its time as an active SAAF aircraft the Black Widow was one of 2 Squadron’s warbirds. 29 Oct 2008 — Mirage IIICZ Black Widow tail number 800 was then painted in the black and gold scheme for 2 Squadrons 50th birthday in 1990 with gold fin. The Black Widow (SAAF tail number 800) is based at AFB Hoedespruit, several hundred kilometres away from the SAAF Museum at AFB Zwartkkop. This has not stopped SAAF Museum Officer Commanding Lieutenant Colonel Mike O’Connor from giving it the same attention as all his other charges. He knows the IIICZ has to come to AFB Zwartkop but is still working on ways and means of making it airworthy at least one more time so it can fly into the base before becoming a part of the museum’s impressive array of static displays. “If it is going to be transported by road, the wings have to be removed and then it will never be a proper aircraft again. Presently we are exploring all avenues,” is how O’Connor this week described the situation he finds himself in. The unavailability of spares, particularly regarding safety equipment including ejection seat cartridges, and a lack of finance, has contributed to ending the flying life of the Black Widow. Given that the aircraft is 51 years old, sourcing of spares is understandably a problem and the possibility of having them specially made presents a daunting financial challenge to the Museum, which has to generate the majority of its own income as it is classified as a non-operational unit of the SAAF. Photographer Gerard Griessel

29 October 2026 Today in History 1652 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. The weather was slightly cloudy, but otherwise it was a lovely day. Approximately 1,600 fish (probably mullet) were caught and processed that day. Work was also carried out on the construction of a livestock kraal. A ditch, 8 feet wide and 4 feet deep, was dug all the way around the kraal. The Commander recorded that many of the tools had broken over the previous few days because the ground was hard and dry. He also mentioned that there was hardly a single wheelbarrow left intact for the workers to use. Wheelbarrows from that period were, of course, made of wood. There were also very few nails available with which to carry out repairs. One sheep and two small elephant tusks were also traded from the people of Saldanha that day. A strong south-easterly wind began to blow during the night. 1653 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. A lovely, sunny day. No incidents were recorded. Corporal Willem Meyer, who had been sent to Saldanha Bay on 13 October together with three soldiers, returned during the night. The officers of the yacht Roode Vos, which was anchored there, sent a letter to Commander van Riebeeck. They acknowledged receipt of the previous letter and instructions. The French ship anchored in the bay had been friendly towards them and was willing to carry letters to Europe. Four crew members had voluntarily joined the yacht. One man was from Madagascar and could speak the local dialect. The man was also an expert in the processing of seal skins. Reading between the lines, it is clear that the four sailors had actually deserted. A report was also sent stating that the people of Saldanha had disappeared and that only a few “stray” “Strandlopers” remained in the vicinity. From the latter, six full ostrich eggshells and a small “rheebok” (grey rhebok) lamb were traded. It was reported that it had taken them approximately three and a half days to walk from the Fort de Goede Hoop to Saldanha Bay. Several herds of game, as well as elephants and rhinoceroses, were seen. 1654 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. No mention was made of the weather. The Commander was already up and about before dawn. Fresh water and vegetables were sent to the ship at anchor at first light. A letter was sent with the supplies, in which, among other things, they asked whether assistance was needed to bring the ship into Table Bay. The ship accepted the offer, and during the late afternoon she was towed into Table Bay. She was the Walvis, which had departed from the Netherlands on 30 May together with the Swarte Bul and the Prins. The ships had sailed through the English Channel and had called nowhere else apart from, of course, Table Bay. The Commander requested that those who were ill be brought to the sick bay. According to the diary, the ship had a foul smell and was not particularly clean. The Commander wasted no time in addressing the matter and began a cleaning operation. 1655 From the diary of Riebeeck. Daybreak brought a wonderfully beautiful and pleasant day to the Cape. No incidents were recorded. 1656 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. The 27th and 28th were recorded together under the same date in the diary. Both days were described as pleasantly warm, with the wind blowing steadily from the south-east. 1657 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. The morning was described simply as pleasant. During the morning, the Commander visited the woodcutters and the wheat fields. Harry was on his way and was encountered in the vicinity of the Company's vineyards. Rumours he had heard were confirmed: the expedition had been successful in its mission to trade. Among the groups encountered were the Charigrina, Cochona and Chora/Chouqua tribes. 1658 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. The wind was described as fairly strong, although the direction from which it was blowing was not recorded. Late in the afternoon, Eva arrived at the fort together with several Cochoquas. One ox and 39 sheep were traded, to everyone's satisfaction. The leader of the Cochoquas was Eva's uncle. During her journey, she had fallen ill while staying with them, but had recovered. Before arriving there, she had been robbed of her possessions by the Cape people. The captain's wife fell ill while Eva was there. Eva prayed for her, and the woman recovered. The Cochoquas captain and his people were impressed and wanted to learn more about Christ. 1659 From the diary of Jan van Riebeeck. Daybreak was described simply as pleasant. A soldier, Jan Cornellissen, as well as Cornelis Hendricxe Hogerbeets, died in the sick bay during the day. Both had come from Malacca and had been left behind because they were ill. 1835–1840 The recollections of Voortrekker J. H. Hatting during the Great Trek. 1840 Hatting wrote that shortly after the punitive expedition against Ncapayi, a Dutch merchant ship dropped anchor in Port Natal. A certain Smellenkamp was aboard. The latter was received with great honour. Some residents of Pietermaritzburg were of the opinion that a piece of land should be granted to the man so that he could establish a Dutch trading house. Saturday, 29 October 1836 From the diary of Louis Tregardt. Louis wrote that they had gone hunting on horseback. He recorded that they had shot an eland and a giraffe that day. Sunday, 29 October 1837 From the diary of Louis Tregardt. As a rule, the Sabbath was a day of rest for both people and animals in the Tregardt party. Louis and Carolus, however, saddled their horses and explored the country ahead. Louis did not describe the surrounding area, but mentioned that he anticipated great difficulty and considerable trouble with the river crossings further ahead. 1837 There are no entries for this day in the diary of the Reverend Erasmus Smit. Monday, 29 October 1838 From the diary of the Reverend Erasmus Smit. The Reverend Smit wrote that he had enjoyed an exceptionally good night's sleep. Reports were received of Zulu signal fires that had been seen in the vicinity of “Blauwkrans, Moordkraal and Boesmansrivier”. Shortly afterwards, a commando set out to investigate. Later, after the commando had returned, it was established that the grass had caught fire for some reason. No sign of any Zulu spies was observed. 1872 Andries J. Bester was appointed commandant of the Bethlehem district. 1857 A postal service contract was officially established between England and the Cape Colony. The steamship Dane, belonging to the Union shipping company, was to handle the mail service. 1888 King Lobengula granted C. J. Rhodes the mineral rights to “Matabeleland”. Monday, 29 October 1899 Anglo-Boer War — Day 19 of the war. - General De la Rey arrived at Riverton, near Kimberley, with approximately 1,000 men. - General G. White was under siege in Ladysmith. He planned a battle based on the following deployment: 1. Colonel G. G. Grimwood would occupy Long Hill with 18 guns. 2. Colonel Ian Hamilton would cover Grimwood's left flank and advance towards Pepworth Hill. 3. Major-General J. D. French would cover Grimwood's right flank and occupy Lombardskop. 4. Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. C. Carleton would cover the extreme left flank and occupy Nicholson's Nek. 5. Colonel W. G. Knox would take charge of the town's garrison and defence. Approximately 1,200 soldiers and 42 guns were to be used. These plans led to the battles of the following day. Meanwhile, Lieutenant H. du Toit advanced towards Pepworth Hill with a Long Tom (Creusot) cannon. Monday, 29 October 1900 Anglo-Boer War — Day 384 of the war. - Chief Commandant De Wet arrived at Winkeldrift on the Rhenoster River. He sent General C. C. Froneman to Bothaville. General De Wet departed for the Ventersdorp area, where he held a council of war with President M. T. Steyn. - Lieutenant H. du Toit arrived at Warmbaths with the Jood (the Long Tom cannon). He departed with the Jood by train for Pietersburg. - Lord Methuen arrived at Kwaggafontein, near Zeerust. He burned down the farmhouse as well as the mill used for grinding wheat. A herd of cattle was also shot dead. Tuesday, 29 October 1901 Anglo-Boer War — Day 749 of the war. - The Ladies' Committee arrived at the Brandfort concentration camp, where approximately 3,929 women, children and elderly people were being held. - General J. C. Smuts and his commando arrived at Ockertskraal, near Ladysmith in the Cape Colony. Commandant J. L. van Deventer, who was part of Smuts's commando, crossed the railway line between Three Sisters and Kromdraai. Vryburg Field Cornet Hermanus (Manie) Kuhn (43), together with his brother Johannes (Jurie) Kuhn (42), was hanged on this day during the Anglo-Boer War on charges of murder. The murder charge: Approximately a month earlier, the brothers had been involved in a battle on the farm Mooifontein in the district. During the battle, a commando consisting of people of a different complexion was almost entirely wiped out, along with several British officers. Manie and Jurie were subsequently captured on the farm Zoetlief, where they had gone to collect provisions. The farmhouse at Zoetlief was then completely destroyed. Manie's wife and children were subsequently held in the Vryburg concentration camp. Little is known about Jurie. - General Manie Maritz captured a British convoy consisting of 20 wagons near Lamberts Bay. - Lieutenant-Colonel G. E. Benson was near Bethal. He had approximately 50 prisoners of war with him, as well as a considerable number of non-combatants and around 2,100 troops. 1905 Hendrik Witbooi died during a skirmish with the Germans near Keetmanshoop. He was the leader of the Nama people in South West Africa. 29 October 1914 The Rebellion. Generals De Wet and C. F. Beyers camped at Steenbokpan. There, they drew up a protest memorandum to the government containing the following points: - They expressed their displeasure that the government intended to attack German South West Africa without consulting the people. - The government's war effort was based on lies and falsehoods. - Certain insignificant incidents had also been used as pretexts for conflict. - The memorandum warned against the shedding of brotherly blood. - They were also aggrieved by the fact that the people were not permitted to rebel and that martial law had been imposed. This, too, formed part of the protest memorandum. 1912 Edenville in the Orange Free State was declared a town in the Government Gazette. The town was laid out during the same year on the farms Welgelegen, Langland and Erfdeel-Noord. The first sale of plots took place on 29 October 1912. 1944 The first Afrikaans Psalms and Hymns book was published. This followed a period in which an increasing number of sermons had been preached in Afrikaans from 1920 onwards, and the Bible had been published in Afrikaans in 1933.

FOR THEM THE LAST POST HAS SOUNDED On 29 October let us pause for a minute to remember the following young men from our Generation who answered the Final Roll Call. May they rest in eternal peace. 29 Oct 1962: Three members from Central Flying School Dunnottar were killed when an AT-6 Harvard, Serial No 7717 that was executing a spin recovery in the General Flying area, was involved in a mid-air collision with another AT-6 Harvard, Serial No 7677 that was flying as part of a three-ship formation in the same area. Both aircraft crashed out of control near Dunnottar. The casualties were: Harvard 7717: T/6122961 Air Mechanic (Pilot Under Training) Hendrik Jacobus Burger was killed instantly in the initial collision. He was 18. (His Instructor, Lieutenant M.C.H. Copeland managed to successfully bale out of the stricken aircraft and landed safely by parachute) Harvard 7677: M/9367 Air Mechanic (Pilot Under Training) Jakobus Schabort Bischoff. He was 22. P/20960 Lieutenant (Instructor) Jan Jacob Christiaan van Zyl. He was 23. 29 Oct 1968: 05572722PE 2/Lieutenant Charles Frederick Du Toit from 1 Squadron was killed when his Canadair C13L Sabre, Serial No 366 crashed into rising ground near Bandolierkop while on a routine low level navigation training flight from AFB Pietersburg. He was 21 29 Oct 1975: Four members from the SADF, one pilot and three passengers, were accidentally killed when their UNITA supplied Beechcraft Baron known as "Dinky Toy", crashed 6km north of Norton de Matos in Central Angola while carrying out aerial observations for Battle Group Foxbat in the Silva Porta area during Operation Savannah. The aircraft had been checked out by SAAF ground technical personnel at Rundu prior to the flight and found to be fully serviceable. The SADF investigation team was unable to determine the exact cause of the crash. The four casualties were: 01488550PE Major Pieter Benjamin Uys (Pilot) (17 Squadron). He was 34. 01217066PE Colonel Desmond Brian Harmse (101 Task Force). He was 46. 01211440PE Major Nicholas Jacobus Visser (1 Reconnaissance Regiment). He was 37. 72324213N Corporal Neville Roland Beechey (1 Special Service Battalion). He was 19. (NOTE: Colonel Harmse and Corporal Beechey were being utilised as liaison officers because they could both speak fluent Portuguese. The son of Colonel Harmse, Captain Louis Harmse from 1 SAI was Killed in Action on 25 August 1981 in Southern Angola during Ops Protea). 29 Oct 1977: 70398011KT Rifleman Johannes Ferdinand Baum from the East Park Commando accidentally drowned in the Chobe River near Mpalela Island. He was 20. 29 Oct 1984: Rifleman J. Paulus from 101 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents near the Cut-Line. He was 23. 29 Oct 1987: 82470287BG Private Erwin Benade from the Headquarters Unit, Logistics Base Grootfontein, died from a gunshot wound apparently self-inflicted. He was 21.. † Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten † All posts Credit Lt Col (rt) Graham du Toit