In the Second Front (SF) playtest the South African ground forces are represented as a 12-10 armored division. In War in the Desert (WID) the arrival schedule of SA units is correct (as amended by the inclusion of the two engineer brigades in TEN #6), but the withdrawal of these forces as well as their reappearance in the SF playtest OB is open to debate.

Of the six SA infantry brigades in the middle east, the 5th was lost at Sidi Rezeg in late November 1941 while the 4th and 6th Infantry Brigades and the 2nd Division HQ were lost at Tobruk in June 1942. The WID Order of Battle calls for the withdrawal of one SA HQ and three infantry brigades on the Jan I 43 turn. If in fact the remainder of the SA forces had not been lost, they too would likely have been affected by several military and political decisions. As early as 14 April 1941 it had been recognized by South African officials that both infantry divisions in the Middle East could not be maintained due to a shortage of personnel.

Several options were examined, including the conversion of one or both of the divisions to a British- style armored division-the normal complement of a three brigade division was 24,108 while that of a two-brigade armored formation was only 14,108, although the equipment requirements of the latter were much greater.

It was decided to convert the two infantry formations into a SA armored corps. After the loss of the 2nd SA Division the plan was reduced to include only the conversion of the 1st Division. For some time South African military leaders in the Middle East continued to believe that they could form two armored divisions, but failed to reckon with the small number of soldiers who were willing to serve outside of Africa.

Up to this point in the war men of the all- volunteer Union Defense Forces (UDF) were committed only to serve in Africa and a new oath for service anywhere in the world was taken by about only 50% of serving personnel.

Following the success of the opening phase of the Alamein offensive, the 1st Division was withdrawn on 13 November 1942 first to Egypt and later, between 12 and 30 December, to South Africa for reorganization as an armored division. Only through special efforts, such as the combing of all existing units, were the necessary personnel convinced to take the new oath. In May 1943 the first elements of the 6th SA Armored Division began arriving in Egypt and spent the better part of the next year training and building up.

From the beginning the British, who had to supply the tanks, were hesitant to encourage the South Africans in their reorganization scheme and much behind- the-scenes effort was required before the necessary equipment was forthcoming. A desperate need for troops in Italy was the only reason the division was called forward in April 1944.

The 6th South African Division is listed on the SF playtest OB as arriving Apr I 44. Historically the bulk of the division disembarked at Taranto on 20/21 April with 12th SA Motorized Brigade relieving the Canadian 11th Infantry Brigade in the line on 5/6 May while the 11th Armored Brigade went into reserve. The division should be available Feb I 44 as it completed its training on 21 January and simply waited for its call to the front. Below is my suggested OB for South African ground forces in Europa as a whole. Included are provisions for a greater contribution by the UDF in Europe should lighter than historical losses be incurred. This order of battle includes the division's planned upgrade in the summer of 1945.

Appearance through 1942

Same as presented in War in the Desert.

On or after Nov II 42

If all Axis units are at least 5 hexes from any hex of the Nile delta, withdraw from play any three SA infantry brigades and a division HQ. Other South African units continue in play. Following the elimination of the last Axis unit in Africa all SA infantry brigades and other headquarters are withdrawn from play.

For each unit withdrawn the Allied player receives two South African infantry replacement points. Total the number of replacement points, divide the total by two (round down) and add five. The resulting total is the number of SA points that can be used to build new formations for service outside of Africa.

These points can be used to build only the following units (until Feb I 44 no SA units can be built, although two construction brigades can be rebuilt with infantry points): South African engineer units are under no geographic restrictions.

Feb I 44:

Place in the replacement pool:

1x 12-10 Arm XX6 SA
1x 10-10 Arm XX1 SA
2x 2-8 Inf X4 SA, 6 SA
1x 8 Inf HQ 1 SA

Note: the HQ costs no infantry points, but can only be built if the two infantry brigades are built)

If both infantry brigades are built, place in the breakdown pool:

1x 5-8 Inf XX 1 SA

The 6th SA Division formed a second motorized infantry brigade (the 13th) on 24 Feb 45. Initially formed by transferring the 11th Armored Brigade's motor battalion (the Imperial Light Horse/Kimberly Regiment), disbanding the 43rd Light AA Regiment (whose personnel were used as infantry replacements) and converting the division's recon battalion (Natal Mounted Rifles) and 12th Motorized Brigade's Support Battalion (Royal Durban Light Infantry) to motorized infantry, the division's strength was only slightly increased.

A new motorized battalion (DSR - a composite battalion formed from volunteers of the Dukes, Transvaal Scottish and Rand Light Infantry Regiments in South Africa) was due to arrive in June 1945 and would have, with the previous reorganization, significantly augmented the unit's strength. Accordingly:

Jun I 45,

Upgrade: 1x 12-10 Armored XX 6 SA to: 1x 15-10 Armored XX 6 SA

Sources

Agar-Hamilton, J.A.I. and Turner, L.C.F. Crisis in the Desert May-July 1942. Cape Town. 1952. Oxford University Press.
The Sidi Rezeg Battles 1941 Cape Town. 1957. Oxford University Press.
Orpen, Neil. Victory in Italy Cape Town. 1975. Purnell.
War in the Desert Cape Town. 1971. Purnell.