UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA Area..... 1,222,000 sq. km. Population (VI.1933)........... 8,369,000 Density per sq. km... 6.8 Length of railway system (3.III.1932).... 9,273 km. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARMED FORCES. The armed forces of the Union of South Africa, which consist of the land army, air force and navy, are based on the militia system and are under authority of the Ministry of National Defence. In addition to the permanent force, which has a very small establishment principally engaged on administrative and instructional duties, the South African Army consists of the coast garrison force and the citizen force, whose members only spend a few days annually with the colours. The Coast Garrison Force is formed to strengthen the units of the permanent force engaged in defending the coasts of the Union. The force consists of men specially trained in harbour work, etc. The Citizen Force, which consists of all persons liable to render personal service in time of war (other than members of the other forces mentioned), comprises the active citizen force, the citizen force reserve and the national reserve. The active citizen force constitutes a reserve of field troops, and has all the material necessary for taking the field ; it consists of units recruited in the same or adjoining districts. The citizen force reserve, which is divided into two classes, is composed of men who have not been posted to the permanent force reserve, and who act up to a certain age as reservists for the particular units in which they did their training. The citizen force reserve also includes all citizens not past their forty-fifth year, other than those in the permanent force reserve, who are serving or who have served as members of a rifle association. They are organised to form territorial corps or commandos. The national reserve consists of all citizens not members of any other portion of the defence force who are liable to render personal service. After the whole of the active citizen force and the citizen

686 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA force reserve have been mobilised in time of war, the national reserve may be called out in three classes according to age. Finally, the " commandos " form the remaining portion of the field army of the Union. I. Army. ORGANS OF MILITARY COMMAND AND ADMINISTRATION. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE. The defence forces (naval, military and air) are all under the control of the Government Department of Defence. The Department of Defence is organised as follows Minister of Defence. Council of Defence consisting of a president (Minister of Defence), four members and a secretary. This council has no executive functions, but is largely an advisory body to the Minister. Military Board consisting of a president (Minister of Defence); four members (Chief of the General Staff, Adjutant-General, Quartermaster-General and Director of Air Services) and a secretary. When considered necessary by him, the Minister of Defence is advised at defence headquarters by the Military Board, which is analogous to the Army Council, excepting that it has no executive power. Defence Headquarters, Pretoria, for the Administration of the Defence Forces, consisting of the following sections : i. General Staff Section, under the Director of Military Operations and Training. 2. Adjutant-General's Section. 3. Quartermaster-General's Section. 4. Medical Section. 5. Technical Service Section.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 687 COMPOSITION OF THE ARMY. 1 The Union is divided into six military commands, each in charge of a Command Staff Officer who is also the Registering Officer. TERRITORIAL MILITARY COMMANDS. 20 25 30 35 t-~-- t i "d ~3 1 s o H E R l ~~""~""~"~ 20 I ^ \~- "' N 20 s RHOESI 0U... T R) A AFiQUE oh I{~ \~~~N1 1DSA JORIENTALE SOUTH WEST BECHUANALAND PORTUGAISE PORTUGUES A APROTECT FRI.AFRICA.I...ES PROTECTORAT RATE DE BETCHOUANALA D 5 AFRICA 25 25 SUD OUEST.Johannsbue 4 SWAZI/ AFRICAIN I Blrnfontein j 3 15 20, Longitoast 25 of Gr5ehwich 30 35 797 PERMANENT FORCE. The permanent force consists of the garrison artillery, three batteries of field artillery, one special service battalion 2, detachments of Ordnance Corps, Air Force Corps, Army Service Corps, Medical Corps, Veterinary Corps, Administrative, Pay and Clerical Corps. On March i2th, 1934. 2 In order to assist with the unemployment problem, a Special Service Battalion has been organised at Roberts' Heights, in which unemployed youths between the ages of I7 and 22 may enlist. The establishment is fixed at 1,990o all ranks, and, up to June 3oth, 414 citizens between the ages of I7 and 22 have been attested. The lads receive military and physical training and a limited number undergo vocational training. The battalion will form a pool from which the Defence, Police, Prisons and other Government Departments will draw, according to their requirements, suitable recruits.

688 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA COAST GARRISON FORCE. The coast garrison force consists of units of the garrison artillery ACTIVE CITIZEN FORCE. i. Higher Formations. 3 infantry brigades. i mounted brigade. 2. Arms and Services. Infantry: 12 battalions. Cavalry: 5 regiments. Artillery : 5 batteries of field artillery and i of horse artillery. Engineers: 3 companies. Armoured train: 2 units. Air force : i squadron; Flying training school; Aircraft depot. Army Service Corps: 4 companies. Army Medical Corps: 3 companies. Army Corps of Signals: ii sections. AIR MATERIAL. (193I.) Number of aeroplanes... 66 Total horse-power....... 13,353 The citizen force has also an intendance service, medical service, etc. RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. All citizens who are required to register themselves, but who do not undergo peace training, are required to serve for four years in a rifle association. Every such citizen will be enrolled as a member of a rifle association on July ist, in his twenty-first year. Any other citizen liable to render personal service in time of war, not being a member of the permanent force, the coast garrison force, or the active citizen force, may become a member of a rifle association on prescribed conditions; also boys between the ages of thirteen and seventeen residing in areas where no facilities for cadet training exist. Rifles are provided for members of these associations free of charge on a percentage basis, or members may purchase Government rifles at cost price. A free issue of ammunition is made to all members annually. Thirty-eight capable of use in war in commission or in immediate reserve with operational units and twenty-eight in commission in training establishment not capable of use in war.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 689 Rifle associations are organised into commandos on a territorial basis, and in each commando there may be established a special training squadron for the purpose of specially training compulsory members (21 to 25 years of age).' Compulsory members must attend annually a five days' continuous training camp and a musketry parade lasting one day. Other members (voluntary) may attend musketry practices spread over the year, at which fifty rounds annually are fired, and a muster, if held. There is no compulsion, but failure to attend at least two musketry practices or one musketry practice and a muster during the year carries a penalty of being struck off the roll of membership. STRENGTH OF DEFENCE RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS AT JUNE 30TH, I933. Number of associations...... 1,448 Membership Officers... 2,884 Other ranks........ 114,91 4 Total... II7,798 POLICE FORCES. The South African force, which is under the command and control of a Commissioner of Police, may be employed in case of war or other emergency to assist in the defence of the Union in any part of South Africa. Period of service is for three years for European members, and one year for non-european members, with renewals for an indefinite period. The native police are unarmed. The total strength on December 31st, I93I, was 9,566, of which 2,895 were non-european. The budgetary effectives for I933-34 was 9,920, including 3,025 non-european. RECRUITING SYSTEM AND PERIOD OF SERVICE. i. GENERAL. Every citizen between his seventeenth and sixtieth year (both included) is liable to render personal service in time of war in defence of the country in any part of South Africa within or without the Union. Every citizen is also liable to undergo a course of peace training for a period of four years between his seventeenth and twentyfifth year (both included). A minimum of 50 per cent of those liable for peace training is required annually, others being required in their twenty-first year to enrol as members of rifle associations for the same period of four consecutive years. 1 During the financial year 1931-32, the training of the special training squadrons has been cancelled 23

690 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA Registration for all citizens on attaining the age of i7 is compulsory, but has been in abeyance since 1914. When registration is in force, a provisional ballot is prepared annually in each military district of all citizens registered in the district who are in their twenty-first year and who have not voluntarily entered for peace training ; if the numbers entered voluntarily fall short of the numbers required to complete establishments of units, the shortage is made good by ballot. Those not required for peace training must serve as members of a rifle association for a period of four years. The liability of non-europeans to service is determined by Parliament. Registrations under Defence Act. (Position at March 7th, 1932.) Number liable for registration....19,783 Total number registered.... 14,876 1 Total voluntary entries: Mounted.... 2,495 Infantry and dismounted... 11,976 Total... 14,47 I Total non-voluntary registration... 405 On June 3oth, 1933, 78,507 registered citizens were available for peace training. Of this number, approximately I6,ooo, who attained the age of 21 during I932, have been posted to units accepted for peace training in the coast garrison and active citizen force or otherwise allotted to the D.R.A. organisations. 2. PERMANENT FORCE. The permanent force is recruited on a voluntary basis and corresponds to the regular army in the United Kindgom. Enlistment into the permanent force is for a period of three years. Re-engagement is permitted by periods of two years up to the age of 45 (privates), 50 (N.C.O.s) or 55 (warrant officers). 3. COAST GARRISON FORCE. This force is recruited primarily on a voluntary basis and corresponds to the portions of the British territorial army allotted to coast defence. Should, however, there be an insufficient number of volunteers, this force can be completed to establishment by ballot based on compulsory service. Enrolment into the coast garrison force is for a period of four years, and engagements may be renewed, in certain circumstances, I At September 3oth, 1932, this number had increased to 17,558.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 691 yearly up to the age of 45 (privates), 50 (N.C.O.s) or 55 (warrant officers). The coast defence consists of men specially trained in harbour work, engineering, signalling and telegraphy. Training lasts for thirty days annually, fourteen of these being continuous. 4. CITIZEN FORCE. (I) The Active Citizen Force, which is practically the first line of defence, consists of registered citizens between the ages of 17 and 25, who are undergoing peace training, and citizens with previous military training, who have been specially enrolled. Therecruiting system is the same as in the coast garrison force. Enrolment is for a period of four years. By the Defence Act, all members of the active citizen force are liable to three periods of continuous training, of which one shall last not more than fifty days, and the other two taken together not more than thirty days, and a total of not more than twenty-six days' non-continuous training during a period of four years. For the year ending June 3oth, I933, 3,591 recruits for the active citizen force were examined and 595 were found to be permanently unfit for service. (2) The Citizen Force Reserve is divided into two classes : Class A.-Citizens not past their forty-fifth year who have undergone their four-year peace training in the active citizen force. Men other than those who join the permanent force reserve act as reservists to the particular units in which they did their training up to a certain age; after that age they go to form reserve units capable of taking the field. Class B.-All other citizens, not past their forty-fifth year, other than those who join the permanent force reserve, who are serving or who have served as members of a rifle association. They are organised to form territorial corps or commandos. All members of the citizen force reserve are liable to be called upon once annually for inspection. (3) The National Reserve consists of all citizens who are not members of any other portion of the defence force, and are liable to render personal service-i.e., those who have not commenced their training and are under 21 years of age, and those who have finished their service in the various reserves and are under 60o years of age. 5. THE COMMANDOS. The commandos are recruited mainly on a voluntary basis from the members of defence rifle associations. In certain selected com-

692 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA mandos, special training squadrons have been formed to which compulsory members in such commandos are posted, for training. Enrolment into a commando is for four years in the case of a compulsory member and up to the age of 60 in the case of a voluntary member. A voluntary member may resign at any time. Period of training : see Rifle Associations. 6. SPECIAL RESERVES. The special reserves established under the Act consist of : (i) Reserve of officers : actual strength on June 3oth, I932-. 2,923. (2) Permanent force reserve. Under the new Bill these consist of : (a) Those who have completed their period of engagement and are required to serve in the reserve. Service in this reserve is for not more than five years, nor beyond 35 years of age. (b) All other citizens, except members of the coast garrison force, active citizen force or R.N.V.R., who are qualified by health, experience and age, who volunteer and are accepted. (3) Coast Garrison Force Reserve.-This is composed of members of the C.G.F. who have completed their period of training and service and who are not past their forty-fifth year. They are liable to present themselves once annually for inspection. (4) Veteran Reserve.'-This consists of members of the national reserve or of class B of the citizen force reserve (other than those who have joined the permanent force reserve), who have had war experience or an adequate military training and who engage to serve in time of war with the veteran reserve. INSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS. At the Military College at Roberts' Heights courses are held for officers of the permanent and active citizen forces, defence rifle associations, cadet forces and for N.C.O.s and men of the permanent force. The college consists of three branches : the General Branch, Small-Arms and Signalling Branches. NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS (I932-33). Officers Other ranks Permanent force '.21 I 16 Active citizen force 97 210 Defence rifle associations I09 Total... 227 326

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 693 PREPARATORY MILITARY TRAINING (CADETS). Boys between the ages of 13 and I7 in all parts of the Union where facilities for proper training can be arranged are required, unless their parents or guardians object, to become cadets. A cadet who has served efficiently for three years is entitled to a certificate which has the effect of securing a diminution of the subsequent training in the citizen force. All arms and equipment for cadet training are issued, and the cost of training is provided, at the public expense. The powers and duties originally vested in the Commandant of Cadets are now exercised and carried out by the Chief of the General Staff. The cadet organisation consists of 503 detachments with a total strength (at February 28th, 1933) of 1,430 officers, IIo student officers and 53,030 cadets. The training which is not compulsory includes instruction principally in drill, musketry, hygiene and signalling, and, when personnel are available, other subjects such as camp cooking, map reading, knots and lashings, swimming, etc. Where no facilities exist for cadet training, boys between their thirteenth and seventeenth years may join a rifle association as cadet members. Instruction is imparted by cadet officers among the masters, by student officers among the boys and, when such are available, by warrant officers or N.C.O.s of the Instructional Corps. Two courses of instruction for cadet officers are held annually at the military school. EFFECTIVES. i. AVERAGE NUMBER OF EFFECTIVES OF THE ARMED FORCES (I930). Other effectives Total effec- Officers having at completed least Details of personnel 6 months' service Land armed forces.... 2,487 15I 2,336 Permanent force 989 Citizen force 1 8,953 Reservists 2 126,064 Air armed forces... 305-305 Permanent force 294 Citizen force 3 227 The legislation provides for three periods of continuous training, of which one shall last not more than fifty days and the other two, taken together, not more than thirty days, and a total of not more than twenty-six days' non-continuous training during a period of four years. Owing to financial considerations, these periods have had to be considerably curtailed for the present. 2 Members of defence rifle associations. For the year 1930, continuous training varying from three to five days was prescribed, but, owing to various reasons, a percentage did not complete their training. 3 Continuous training varying from five to thirty days. Of a total number of 227 men, thirty-three only did three days in non-continuous training periods. Note.-Non-continuous training periods equalling six hours have been reckoned as one day's training.

694 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 2. BUDGETARY AND ACTUAL EFFECTIVES. The figures in the following tables differ in character from the figures in the preceding table. These two kinds of returns are not comparable with each other. (a) Budgetary Effectives. I932-33 I933-34 Administration... 37 132 Medical Services.. 2... 6 126 Military College.................... 57 Total.... 320 315 Garrison, Field Artillery, Ordnance, Supply and Other Services. Staff and garrison artillery.... 87 187 Batteries of field artillery 303 303 Engineer Corps. 6i Service Corps.. 89... Ordnance Corps 339 338 Veterinary Corps... 20 Military police... 12 2 Total...... 949 South A rican Air Force.4. 02 402 District Staff.. 35 134 Active Citizen Forces.... 109 09 Total.....,977 1,9o9 (b) The Actual Strength as at June 3oth, I933. Officers Other ranks Total Permanent force.. 124 1,431 1,555 Coast garrison and active citizen forces.4i9 7,943 8,362 1 Posts abolished. 2 Not including Naval Service (184 for I932-33 and 70 for I933-34).

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 695 (c) Number of Officers of the Union Defence Forces at June 30th, I933. Force Authorised Actual strength (i) Serving Officers S A. Permanent Force... Coast Garrison and Active Citizen Forces.: 154' 124 Military District: No. i... 78 76 2 No. 2.......... 69 58 2 No. 3.... 126 121 2 No. 4... 7 98 2 No. 5......... 39 382 No. 6.30 282 Brigade Staffs.... 8 62 Chaplains (full time)..... 2 2 Medical Officers (full time)... I I S.A. Division, R.N.V.R.... 62 482 (ii) Supernumerary and Reserve 600 Supernumerary (C.G. and A.C.F.) - 72 Supernumerary (Cadets Section)..- 837 Reserve of Officers... - 2,793 3,702 2 Temporarily reduced to 143. 2 Undergoing peace training. II. Navy. Surveying vessel : Africana. Miscellaneous : 4 units. LIST OF UNITS. (I933.) EFFECTIVES. (I930.) Total effectives.204 Officers... 20

696 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA III. Budget Expenditure on National Defence. The financial year covers the period from April Ist to March 3ISt, 1928-29 1 929-30o 1930-31 1 I93I-32 1932-33 1933-34 1 934-35 Closed accounts Estimates (ooo's) Expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Funds : Department of Defence.. 992.7 1,019.7 859.3 755.5 Department of Public Works 757.1 777.3 1,114 3 (Maintenance of Defence Endowment property)... - - Expenditure from Loan Funds : -- 40.0 79.2 Depaitment of Defence.... 20.7 1.7 - - - Department of Public Works '.. 6.8 6.7 3.8 5.4-49.0 - Defence Endowment Accounts.. 74.6 45.5 28.4 4.6 24.9 Total.. I,O 0..o... 94.8 i,073.6 891.5 765.5 782.0 866.3 Index numbers of: Wholesale prices (I913 = ioo) i20 113 Io0 98 Retail prices : Cost of living 89 96 (1914 = Ioo)... 132 130 127 122 II6 115 2 'Not including repayment of loans from Exchequer. 2 Average, April 1933 to January 1934. NOTES.-I. The above figures include expenditure on the South African Air force. As from I932-33 civil aviation has been transferred from the Postal, Telegraph and Telephone Service to Defence; the sums thus included in Defence have amounted to: 1932-33 Closed accounts............ I I2,030 1933-34 Estimates.............. III,81 7 i934-35 Estimates........ 81,337 2. As from April ist, I933, the Defence Endowment Account has been discontinued as a separate account, and its revenue is now paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, its expenditure being covered either by Consolidated Revenue Funds or by Loan Funds. 3. Military and war pensions are shown under the special heading " Pensions ", military pensions not being shown separately from civil pensions. A table of military pensions is, however, attached to the estimates of the budgets for National Defence. These pensions include contributions to a pensions fund. The amounts of pensions have been as follows: 1928-29 1929-30 j 1930-31 j 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 Closed accounts Estimates (ooo's) Pensions for the Defence Force: 1 38.6 I37.8 131.3 127.4 '134.9 127.7 I33.0 War allowances..... 795.0 780.4 742.2 710.4 698.7 687.0 672.0 Hospital and medical treatment of ex-soldiers and grants to aged or infirm ex-soldiers and their dependants.... 142.6 35.1 27.9 27.0 24.7 24.1-23.7 1 Estimates only.