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South African Corps of Signals: Vol 1 (SACS1)

The Story of the South African Corps of Signals and its antecedents’ is impressive work of epic proportions, and together with its two companion volumes, will most probably prove to be the book of reference on army signals in South Africa.

This first volume is a compilation of some previously published material, but consists mainly of new material never before published or accessible to the general public, large parts which have come from verbal recollections, rather than documentation. It is the result of thorough and meticulous research, including over two hundred personal interviews, stretching over a period of many years. Interviewees range from a number of generals to the lowest troop, to ensure a level of authenticity and reality in all aspects of this history. The result of including numerous personal accounts sprinkled throughout the pages of the book is that the history literally comes alive and creates a sense of personal experience and interest, rather than just a record of dry facts. The author/compiler has also gone to pains in ensuring names and places are mentioned wherever possibly, not just dates and events – again this serves to give the account a greater level of human interest.

This work consists of a chronological sweep of the history of land-based signals in South Africa, starting with the role of the British army signallers and those of the independent Boer Republics before and during the Boer War, through the two world wars, then on through its climax in manpower and resources during the Border War (1966 to 1989), the involvement of Military Intelligence in setting up the first Electronic Warfare stations, through to the modern era of incorporation of the liberation forces and independent homelands. The transformation resulting from being a part of the newly post-1994 SANDF is also covered in detail.

The second section is one of the most comprehensive studies of ceremonial matters as far as they relate to the SA Corps of Signals and related signal units – covering badges, flashes, mottoes, songs and traditions.

What makes this a worthwhile addition to the library of any student of military history, is the fact that the signals/communications role is relevant to almost every part of the military machine; as a consequence it provides a good overview of operational aspects as well as behind-the-scenes developments in terms of Electronic Warfare – electronic collection, direction finding, jamming etc. The innovations and inventions that were necessary as a result of South Africa’s isolation during recent decades are also well covered. The book also contains one of the most comprehensive lists of border operations yet published.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: BACKGROUND AND EARLY HISTORY

1. Early Roots

2. Early British Signals

3. Early Signals in South Africa (1652 – 1880)

PART II: SA Signals during the Anglo-Boer Wars (1880 -1881 and 1899 – 1902)

4. Field Telegraphy in the South African Republic (ZAR)

5. Field Telegraphy in the OFS Republic State Artillery

6. British Signals during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902)

PART III: REORGANISATION AND UNIFICATION

7. Post-War Consolidation and Reorganisation

8. The Bhambatha Rebellion

9. Reorganisation and Unification

10. Establishment of the Union Defence Force (UDF) in 1912

PART IV: SA Signals during World War I (1914 – 1918)

11. The Campaign in German South West Africa

12. Confusion in German East Africa

13. The Signals in Europe

PART V: SA Signals between the Wars (1919 – 1939)

14. Motivation for a Signals Corps

15. Procurement of new Technical Equipment

16. A Signals Corps becomes a necessity

17. The Establishment of the South African Corps of Signals (SACS) in 1923

18. Inadequate Equipment

19. Problems with Establishment Tables are Resolved

20. The SACS liaises with the Outside World

21. Signals Equipment and Other Problems

22. The Radio Reserve of the UDF

23. Reorganisation of the UDF and SACS

24. Reorganisation of the SACS and early Training (1937-1940)

PART VI: SA Signals during World War II (1939 – 1945)

25. Signal Units in South Africa during World War II

26. The Development of Radar and the SSS

27. The Signals in East Africa

28. The War in the Desert

29. The Signals in Madagascar

30. 6 South African Armoured Division in Italy

PART VII: THE SACS DURING THE IMMEDIATE POST-WAR PERIOD FROM 1946 TO 1967

31. Demobilisation and Reorganisation (1946 to 1956)

32. Major Political Changes in 1948

33. Draft System introduced in 1953

34. Consolidation 1957 to 1959

35. The end of the Union Defence Force (UDF) (1912 – 1958) and the Establishment of the SA Defence Force (SADF) in 1958

36. Becoming a Republic in 1961

37. Permanent Force Units established in 1962 – 11 Signals Squadron

38. Additional Citizen Force Units established: 1964 to 1967

39. The Republic Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary in 1966 – 11 Signals Squadron contribution

40. The Post of Secretary of Defence abolished in 1967

41. National Service system adopted in 1967

42. Prelude to Insurgency 1957 to 1967 – Radio Freedom

43. The Role of Command Signal Squadrons/ Units

Part VIII: THE SACS IN THE “BORDER WAR” (1966 to 1989) and “STRUGGLE” PERIOD TO 1993

44. The start of the SWA Border War and Insurgency into South Africa

45. Development of an own Strategic and Tactical EW capability initiated in 1968

46. Development of HF and VHF Tactical Radios initiated in 1968

47. Establishment of 1 Signal Regiment in 1969

48. Republic Day 10 Year in 1971 – 1 Signal Regiment contribution

49. Rationalisation of Signal Unit Identification Numbers in 1971

50. Development of Static Command and Control Telecommunications Systems initiated in 1972 – Project Ebbehout

51. Establishment of 2 Signal Regiment, 3 Electronic Workshop and 4 Electronic Workshop in 1972

52. Golden Jubilee and the First and Only Brigade Parade of the SACS in 1973

53. Movement of the School of Signals and 1 Signal Regiment to Heidelberg in 1973

54. Adoption of the Army Gymnasium in 1973

55. The SADF takes over SAP Tasks in 1 Military Area, SWA in 1973

56. Development of a Mobile Command and Control Telecommunications Systems capability initiated in 1974 – Project Netor

57. Establishment of 1 SA Corps (7 Div and 8 Div) and their Signal Units in 1974

58. Establishment of the unconventional forces Commands and their Signal Units in 1974

59. Development of the MARNET System for the Commandos in 1974

60. Establishment of Staff Departments – Personnel, Intelligence and Logistics in 1975

61. National Service extended from 12 to 24 months in 1978

62. State Security Council (SSC) and Chief of Finance established in 1978

63. The Army Battle School established in 1978

64. The SAMS established as the Fourth Defence Force arm in 1979

65. The Laingsburg Flood and 20th Republic Day Celebrations in 1981

66. The Move to the Wonderboom Military Base in 1981

67. Establishment of 5 Signal Regiment in 1981

68. Establishment of the Signal Formation in 1982

69. Reorganisation of the Commands in 1983

70. Reorganisation of the Conventional Forces in 1983

71. Signing of the Nkomati Accord in 1984

72. Regional Conflict: The Contribution of the SACS during Border War Operations from 1966 to 1989

73. Peace Negotiations leading to the Independence for SWA/ Namibia and the end of the Border War 1988 to 1990

74. Other Cross-Border Operations in Neighbouring and Frontline States

75. The Role of the SACS during the height of the Internal “Struggle” and the Township Violence from 1984 to 1993

PART IX: REDEPLOYMENT AND DEMOBILISATION OF THE SACS FROM 1989 TO 1993

76. Op Agree: Withdrawal from SWA/ Namibia

77. Walvis Bay: Telecommunications and EW

78. Redeployment of Project Metal from SWA to the RSA

79. Major Political Changes

80. Reorganisation of Conventional Forces

81. Establishment of the National Peace Keeping Force Signal Unit

PART X: THE SACS DURING THE TRANSFORMATION PERIOD POST-1994

82. Political Transition

83. The end of the SA Defence Force (SADF) (1958 – 1994) and the establishment of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1994

84. Integration of MK, APLA and TBVC countries’ Military Forces

PART XI: TRANSFORMATION AND RESTRUCTURING: CENTRALISATION AND DECENTRALISATION FROM 1996 TO 2008

85. Transformation and Reorganisation of the SANDF (1996 – 1999)

86. Migration of the SA Corps of Signals and the Signals Formation to the new CMI Division in 1999

87. Downgrading the CMI Division to the CMI Formation in 2000

88. The Establishment of the CMIS Division in 2003

89. Peacekeeping Signals

90. Phasing out of the Commando System from 2003

91. Establishment of the role of the Government Information Technology Officer (GITO) in 2005

92. Decentralisation and Migration of SA Corps of Signals and the Signals Formation back to the SA Army in 2008

93. Conclusion and Post Mortem

PART XII: CEREMONIAL and HERALDIC

94. Background

95. Uniforms and Dress

96. Corps and Unit Insignia, Badges and Emblems

97. Corps Colours

98. Unit and National Colours

99. Corps and Unit Mottoes

100. Corps and Unit Songs

101. First Day Covers

102. Mascots

103. Customs, Distinctions and Traditions

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