All too often, one tends to view organizations as the British Commonwealth as a monolithic of the "one size fits all" type. One assumes that since the units raised by the members of the Commonwealth are armed with the same weapons as the United Kingdom, that their unit organizations will be the same. As with most assumptions of this type, it's not always true. South Africa, though a member of the Commonwealth in 1939, was divided in her views toward service as a member of that club. The Second Boer War was still fresh in the minds of many of the inhabitants there, with bitter memories of what was a civil war. South Africans had in World War I served under the Union Jack in putting down a local rebellion, and in campaigning in what was regarded as local warfare, i.e., in German South West Africa and German East Africa. When troops were called for European service, a volunteer infantry brigade was raised and sent to France. A number of other volunteer units served overseas as well, and at the end of the war, South Africa could claim that on a possible manpower base of 685,00 white men, some 146,515 had enrolled for service, and 74,196 had gone overseas. In addition, 84,684 natives served as well, mainly in labor units. In the years between the wars, South Africa, like her sister dominions, served notice upon the British government that she would make her own decision on entry into any future conflict, and would not be bound to automatically follow England's lead. Nevertheless, South Africa found herself re-arming in the late 1930s in response not to the actions of Germany, but to those of Italy. The successful Italian invasion of Ethiopia meant that South Africa felt that she faced a hostile neighbor on the African continent for the first time since 1918. With England busy trying to catch up, South Africa found that her orders for equipment were all too often pushed to the end of the queue. (Modern aircraft for her fledging air force were found by purchasing Ju-86s from Germany.) Though the Hertzog government of South Africa at first proposed that South Africa remain neutral in W WII, the government lost that vote, and a new government under the leadership of General Smuts was formed. Under his leadership, South Africa then declared war on Germany on September 6,1939-three days after England, New Zealand, and Australia, and four days before Canada. Troops that were called into service were under limitations to serve for local defense only, which was defined as South Africa, South West Africa, and all adjoining territories. Like her sister dominions, the outbreak of the "phony war," and the failure of Italy to enter to the war, gave South Africa its needed chance to reorganize its forces. The British government was content for the time being to leave its dominion troops at home, as the British government was unable to equip them if they were to arrive in England. Based on the need to fight a war in Africa, and the fact that the brigade was perceived as the basic unit of combat, South Africa designed its own field division and commenced building it up for service. It was to have the following units:  Divisional Headquarters, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 3 Infantry Brigades, each with: Infantry Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff telephone truck 3 Infantry Battalions, each with: Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 engineer stand 1 light truck 1 motorcycle recon infantry stand 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Infantry Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 2 infantry stands 1 light truck 1 medium truck Support Company, with: 1 MMG Stand 13" mortar stand (DS) 1 light truck 1 medium truck Light Artillery Brigade, with: Light Artillery Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Supply Column, with: 1 medium supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 3.7 "mountain howitzer 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 medium truck 2 3" mortar stands 2 medium trucks AT Battery, with: (Attached from the Divisional AT Brigade) 1 gun crew stand 1 2lb AT gun 1 light truck Brigade Field Company, with: (Attached from the Divisional Battalion) 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 2 medium trucks Brigade Signal Company, with: (Attached from the Divisional Battalion) 1 command stand 1 car 2 motorcycle lineman 1 telephone repair van 1 support Brigade Quartermaster Services, with: (Attached from the Divisional Battalion) 1 command stand 1 car 2 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 3 medium general supply trucks with trailers 3 medium fuel trucks with trailers Brigade Technical Services, with: (Attached from the Divisional Battalion) 1 command stand 1 car 1 support stand 1 wrecker 1 light truck 1 light parts truck with trailer Divisional Artillery, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 3 Field Brigades, each with: Field Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 cars 1 staff telephone truck Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo truck with trailers 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 25lb field gun 1 medium truck AT Brigade, with: Field Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car  Supply Column, with: 1 medium ammo truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer AT Battery, with: 1 gun crew stand 1 2lb AT gun 1 light truck Antiaircraft Brigade, with: Antiaircraft Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff telephone truck Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo truck with trailers 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 gun crew stands (ds) 2 3.7" AA guns 2 medium trucks Antiaircraft Searchlight Company, with: 2 support stands 3 searchlights (towed) 3 light trucks Light Antiaircraft Brigade, with: Antiaircraft Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff telephone truck Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo truck with trailers 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand 1 2lb AA gun 1 light truck Pack Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 3.7" mountain howitzer 1 pack mule stand (howitzer) 1 pack mule stand (ammo) 1 gun crew stand (ds) Mounted Rifle Brigade, with: Mounted Rifle Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 staff radio wagon 3 Mounted Rifle Regiments, each with: Mounted Rifle Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 staff radio wagon Headquarters Squadron, with: 1 pack MMG stand mounted support stand 1 wagon with field kitchen 1 medium baggage wagon 1 medium general supply wagon 3 Rifle Squadrons, each with: 1 command mounted infantry stand 3 mounted infantry stands Divisional Armored Battalion, with: Divisional Armored Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 3 Armored Car Companies, each with: 1 command Marmon-Herrington armored car 2 Marmon-Herrington armored cars Tank Company, with: 1 command Mark VI Light Tank 2 Mark VI light tanks Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo trucks 2 support stands 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer Divisional Engineer Battalion, with: Divisional Engineer Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Divisional Field Company, with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 2 medium trucks Divisional Field Park Company, with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 2 medium trucks Supply Column, with: 2 medium supply trucks 1 support stands 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer  Labor Battalions, with: Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Labor Companies, each with: 3 labor stands 1 heavy truck Divisional Signal Battalion, with: Divisional Signal Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Headquarters Signal Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 radio repair van 1 support stand 1 medium supply truck (also provides staff for divisional elements) Mounted Brigade Signal Company, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 radio repair wagon 1 support stand 1 medium supply wagon (also provides staff for mounted brigade) Divisional Supply Battalion, with: Divisional Supply Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 staff radio truck 1 car 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck Divisional Supply Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 support stands 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 6 medium general supply trucks with trailers Divisional Petrol Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 support stands 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 6 medium fuel trucks with trailers Divisional Technical Battalion, with: Divisional Technical Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 staff radio truck 1 car 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck Divisional Workshops, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 support stands 2 wrecker 2 light trucks 2 light parts trucks with trailer Divisional Ammunition Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 support stands 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 6 medium ammunition trucks with trailers Divisional Provost Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 3 motorcycle recon MP stands 1 MP stand 1 light truck Notes 1. The command infantry stands have integral Boys AT rifles. Total divisional strength: 37,593!!! 1941 The most interesting facet of this division is that, based on South Africa's intention of using this force in Africa (except for the mounted brigade), the entire force was to be motorized from the start. This was to be a mobile force in the commando tradition, though the truck was to replace the horse. The soft vehicles and the armored cars were to be produced in South Africa, with only the light tanks coming from England. Both the local Ford and Chevrolet plants were converted to the output of military transport, and so the vehicles needed were quickly produced. South Africa found herself with two remaining problems with her intended formation. The first major problem was in a shortage of weapons to equip her new units. There were only 65 field guns in South Africa at the start of the war, and those were 3.7" mountain howitzers, 18# field guns and 4.5" field howitzers. There were only six 21b AT guns and eight 3" antiaircraft guns in South Africa, enough to equip but one battery of each. The numbers of Vickers machineguns and 3" mortars were lacking to fill out the proposed TO&Es. During the "phony" war, South Africa attempted to do what she could to equip her men, but was never able to complete her formations as planned.  South Africa's second problem was self-inflicted, and dealt with the problems of manpower. As native elements were discouraged from enlistment at first, the entire force was drawn from only the white element of the population. As the only industrialized country in the area, South Africa found herself called upon to furnish specialized companies in the area of engineering for the British forces in the Middle East. Harbor, railroad, well, and other such units took an additional cut off what manpower existed in South Africa, and resulted in men being drafted out of combat units into non-combat formations. In an attempt to rebuild unit strength, native troops, starting with the Cape Corps, were recruited for non-combat duties starting in May of 1940, a process that would continue throughout the war. In February of 1940, the South African Government further restricted the available manpower when it changed the oath of enlistment to include service anywhere in Africa. Existing troops were given the chance to take the new oath, while all future enlistments were to be under this oath. Some 10% of the existing troops refused to take new oath, which resulted in the need to further change the official organization. Three infantry divisions were now to be organized, with the mounted brigades stripped off each division and placed in a new mounted division. The 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions were still considered as the "Field Force," and could be used anywhere in Africa. The new 3rd Division and mounted division would take all existing personnel who had declined the new oath and serve both as the local defense force, as well as depot and training divisions for the 1st and 2nd Divisions. (The mounted rifle regiments of the mounted divisions were renamed commandos at this time.) With Italy's entry into the war in June of 1940, South Africa was called upon to send troops to Kenya. By January 1 of 1941, the following units were serving there, having already been in action, and making up a major part of the forces engaged there. (The following list is of combat elements only, and does not include all service and supply elements. Likewise, it does not include organizations for non-South African units.) 1st South African Infantry Division All elements Regular, Morale 8 Headquarters (As above) Headquarters Signal Company (As above) 2nd South African Infantry Brigade Infantry Brigade Headquarters (As above) 1st South African Irish 2nd Regiment Botha 3rd Transvaal Scottish (all three use the Infantry Battalion organization as above) 1st Armored Car Company (Armored Car company organization as above) 12th Field Company (As above) 3rd Brigade Signal Company (As above) 2nd Mobile Workshops (as Brigade Technical Services) 5th South African Infantry Brigade Infantry Brigade Headquarters (As above) 1st Natal Mounted Rifles 1st Field Force Battalion 2nd Field Force Battalion (all three use the Infantry Battalion organization above) 2nd Armored Car Company (Armored Car Company organization as above) 5th Field Company (As above) 1st Brigade Signal Company (As above) 3rd Mobile Workshops (as Brigade Technical Services) 25th East African Infantry Brigade 3rd Field Company (As above) Divisional Troops 3rd Field Brigade (Transvaal Horse Artillery) as above, but with the following weapons: 7th Field Battery (4.5" howitzers) 8th Field Battery (18# field guns) 9th Field Battery (18# field guns) 3rd Antitank Battery (As above) 21st Field Park Company (As above) 1st Motorcycle Company 1 command infantry motorcycle stand and 2 motorcycle recon infantry stands 2nd Motorcycle Company 1 command infantry motorcycle stand and 2 motorcycle recon infantry stands Detachment, 6th Antiaircraft Battery 1 light AAMG stand (ROF 2, 8"effective) and 1 light truck 1st Divisional Supply Company (As above) 1st Divisional Petrol Company (As above) 1st Divisional Ammunition Company (As above) 2nd Divisional Provost Company (As above) 11th African Division The following South African units were attached: Divisional Troops: 7th Field Brigade as above, but with the following weapons: 5th Field Battery (3.7" howitzers) Cape Field Artillery 17th Field Battery (18# field guns) 18th Field Battery (18# field guns) 1st Antitank Battery (As above) 16th Field Company (As above) Detachment, 6th Antiaircraft Battery 1 light AAMG stand (ROF 2, 8" effective) 1 light truck  12th African Division The following South African units were attached: 1st South African Infantry Brigade Infantry Brigade Headquarters (As above) 1st Royal Natal Carbineers Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles 1st Transvaal Scottish (all three use the Infantry Battalion organization a above) 3rd Armored Car Company (Armored Car Company organization as above) 1st Field Company (As above) 10th Brigade Signal Company (As above) 1st Mobile Workshops (as Brigade Technical Services) 4th Field Brigade as above, but with the following weapons: 10th Field Battery (4.5" howitzers) 11th Field Battery (on arrival, 4.5 " howitzers, then 18# field guns 12th Field Battery (18# field guns) 1st Brigade Quartermaster Services Divisional Troops: 1st Field Battery (18# field guns) Cape Field Artillery 2nd Antitank Battery (As above) 19th Field Park Company (As above) Detachment, 6th Antiaircraft Battery 1 light AAMG stand (ROF 2, 8" effective) and 1 light truck Force Troops The following South African units were attached: 1st Medium Brigade, South African Horse Artillery Field Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 cars 1 staff telephone truck Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo truck with trailers 1 support stand 1 light truck with field kitchen 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 1st Medium Battery, with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 60lb field gun 1 medium truck 2nd Medium Battery, with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 16" howitzer 1 medium truck 1st Antiaircraft Brigade: Antiaircraft Brigade Headquarters (as above) Supply Column (as above) 1st Battery (as above but with 3" AA guns) 2nd and 3rd Antiaircraft Battery each with 1 command stand 1 car 3 light AAMG stands (ROF 2, 8" effective) 3 light trucks Antiaircraft Searchlight Company (as above) 2nd Antiaircraft Brigade Antiaircraft Brigade Headquarters (as above) Supply Column (as above) 4th and 5th Antiaircraft Battery, each with: 1 command stand 1 car 3 light AAMG stands (ROF 2, 8" effective) 3 light trucks 1st Tank Company (Tank company organization as above) The 1st and 2nd South African Divisions were transferred to serve in North Africa after the fall of Italian East Africa in the summer of 1941. Both units had to be reorganized and reequipped upon their arrival there in order to bring them into line with other Commonwealth forces. (After their arrival in North Africa, they will use the 1941 organization for the British Infantry Division.) The 2nd Division was used to bring the lst Division up to strength, with the effect being that the 2nd Division was never at full strength itself when called among to fight at Tobruk in mid-1942. BIBLIOGRAPHY East African and Abyssinian Campaign, South African Forces in World War II, Neil Orpen, Purnell, Cape Town, 1968. Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly # 6 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com