UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA Area.....,222,000 sq. km. Population (VI.i32 ).. 8,251,000 Density per sq. km... 6.8 Length of railway system (3I.III.I932)... I9,273 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 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 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.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 689 I. Army. ORGANS OF MILITARY COMMAND AND ADMINISTRATION. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE. The defence forces (naval, military and air) are all under the control of one 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 (Chief of the General Staff). 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 Chief of the General Staff, who is charged with co-ordination and control and is alone responsible to the Minister for the direction of military policy. 2. Adjutant-General's Section, under the Adjutant- General. 3. Quartermaster-General's Section, under the Quartermaster-General : (a) Supplies and transport branch; (b) Ordnance branch; (c) Veterinary branch; (d) Stores inspection branch; (e) Transportation. 4. Medical Services Section. 5. Air Services Section.
690 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA COMPOSITION OF THE ARMY. 1 The Union is divided into six military districts, each in charge of a District Staff Officer who is also the Registering Officer. TERRITORIAL MILITARY DISTRICTS. 55 20 25 30 35 20 i " ' N. HO IES u S DU S S.-U Ho 0 20rT- 1 i " r SO~OHERN 20 SOUTH WEST B E C H U A N A L A N b " / PORTUGAISE.ROTECTORAT DE.*... ROTECTORATE BETCHOUANALA 0 5 AF RICA PROTECT RATER PROTECTORAT DE SUD-OUEST Jofhann^bgi-4 /SWAZ- LAND AFP RICAIN /j Bloeafontein 1 3 I 6 o II~~~~~ ^ ^\Defence ^ ^ 2 oj p Headquarters L _5 20 to-ngit,,ast 25 of Grehv,'ch 30 35 79; PERMANENT FORCE. The permanent force consists of the garrison artillery, three batteries of field artillery, and detachments of Ordnance Corps, Army Service Corps, Medical Corps, Veterinary Corps, Administrative, Pay and Clerical Corps. COAST GARRISON FORCE. The coast garrison force consists of units of the garrison artillery. z On December ioth, 1932.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 69i I. Higher Formations. 3 infantry brigades. i mounted brigade. ACTIVE CITIZEN FORCE. 2. Arms and Services. Infantry: I2 battalions. Cavalry: 5 regiments. Artillery : 5 batteries of field artillery and i of horse artillery. Engineers: 3 companies. Armoured train : 2 units. Air force : 2 training squadrons. AIR MATERIAL. (I93I.) Number of aeroplanes........ 66 Total horse-power... 3,353 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. 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). 2 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. c During the financial year 1931-32, the training of the special training squadrons has been cancelled.
,692 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 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, 1932. Number of associations.. 1,464 Membership: Officers.2,990 Other ranks I 15,370 Total... 118,360 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 3Ist, 1931, was 1o,586, of which were 3,919 native, coloured and Indian. The budgetary effectives for I932-33 was 9,919, 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. Registration for all citizens on attaining the age of 17 is compulsory, but has been in abeyance since I914. 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.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 693 Registrations under Defence Act. (Position at March ist, I93I.) Number liable for registration...... 19,620 Total number registered....... 6,342 1 Total voluntary entries: Mounted...... 2,554 Infantry and dismounted... 12,516 Total... 5,070 Total non-voluntary registration...... 1,272 On June 30th, 1932, 78,004 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 activecitizen 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 Great Britain. 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, 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. 2 1 At September 3oth, I93I, this number had increased to 17,591. 2 During the financial year I931-32, the continuous training was suspended.
694 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 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. The recruiting 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. 1 For the year ending June 3oth, I932, 4,622 recruits for the active citizen force were examined and 1,128 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. 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 60 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 commandos, 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.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 695 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 mbre 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 (I931-32). Officers Other ranks Permanent force...... 12 00oo Active citizen force... 115 265 Defence rifle associations... 196 Total... 323 365 PREPARATORY MILITARY TRAINING. Boys between the ages of 13 and 17 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.
696 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 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 518 detachments with a total strength (I931-32) of 1,475 officers, I26 student officers and 54,682 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 officersare held annually at the military school. EFFECTIVES. I. AVERAGE NUMBER OF EFFECTIVES OF THE ARMED FORCES (I930). Total Other effectives effec- Officers having completed Details of personnel at least 6 months' service Land armed forces... 2,487 I5I1 2,336 Permanent force 989 Citizen force 1 8,953 Reservists 2' 126,064 Air armed forces... 305-305 Permanent force' Citizen force 294 227 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 percentageidid not complete their training. 8 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. 2. BUDGETARY AND ACTUAL EFFECTIVES (I932-33). 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.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 697 (a) Budgetary Effectives. Administration........ 32 Medical Service.... I26 Military College... 56 Total........... 314 Field Artillery, Ordnance, Supply and Other Services. Staff and garrison artillery........ 86 Batteries of field artillery... 303 Engineer Corps..... 8 Service Corps...... 74 Ordnance Corps......... 336 Veterinary Corps.... 20 Military police... 12 Total.. IoI2... South African Air Force..... 402 A ctive Citizen Forces and District Staff..... 242 (b) The Actual Strength as at June 3oth, I932. Officers Other ranks Total Permanent force.. 123 1,256 1,379 Coast garrison and active citizen forces......... 414 7,913 8,327 II. Navy. LIST OF UNITS. (I932.) Surveying vessel Protea (I919) Displacement, 800 tons. Dimensions : 23I ft X 28 ft. 74 in. X 72 ft. Gun I 3-pdr. Miscellaneous 4 units. EFFECTIVES. (I930.) Total effectives... 204 Officers........ 20 III. Expenditure on National Defence. i. ACTUAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR I930-3I. Land Naval Air forces forces forces Total (ooo's) Effectives... 26.4 IOO1.7 102.9 630.0 Transport....... 4-4 6.5 10.5 58.4 Buildings.... 6i.o 14.5 3-4 78.9 War material..... 64.I i8.o I7.7 99.8 Total..... 592.9 139.7 I345 867-.1
698 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA NOTES.-I. The above table includes the expenditure of the Defence department and the Defence Endowment account as well as that of other departments for defence purposes. (ooo's) 2. Outstanding amount, at the end of the financial year I930-3I, of block credits voted in respect of expenditure for more than one year 80.2 3. Outstanding amount on March 31st, 1931, in respect of purchases on credit or deferred payments relating to goods delivered or services rendered, in cases where the due dates of payment are later than those customary in contracts of the same kind which do not provide any special credit facilities......... None 4. Statement, for the financial year I930-3I, of loans made to, or participations acquired in, enterprises having among their objects the furnishing of goods or services for armament purposes, where these have been excluded from the return on the ground that they are not regarded as armament expenditure......... None 5. Expenditure in respect of pensions for the year I930-31 ' I. Military personnel (a) Service pensions..... 38.6 (b) Invalidity pensions... 22.9 (c) Mixed pensions... 9.6 II. Civil personnel: Pensions..... a. III. War pensions..... 742.2 IV. Pensions or other compensation granted, apart from the regulations regarding normal pensions, for premature retirement, discharge or loss of office resulting from a reduction of the forces............ 46.4 2. BUDGET EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEARS 1927-28 TO I932-33. The data in the table below are in continuation of those given in earlier editions of the Armaments Year-Book. These data should not be compared with those in the foregoing table, which are based on the answer of the Government of the Union of South Africa in response to the Council's request for information concerning the state of its armaments (see Preface, page 4). 1927-28 I928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 Closed accounts Estimates (ooo's) Expenditure from Revenue Funds: Department of Defence.... 1,023.9 992.7 I,o019.7 859.3 755.5 736.8 Expenditure from Loan Funds Department of Defence.... 36.2 20.7 1.7 - Defence Endowment Account 132.0 74.6 45.5 28.4 4.6 29.0 Total..... I,I92.I I,o88.o 1,066.9 887.7 760. 765.8 Index numbers of : Wholesale prices (I913 = ioo) 123 120 113 IOI 98 89 Retail prices : Cost of living (1914 = ioo)... 132 132 130 I27 122 1171 1 Average, April I932 to January 1933.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 699 NOTES.-I. The above figures include expenditure on the South African Air force. 2. 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: 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 I930-3I 1931-32 I932-33 Closed accounts Estimates (ooo's) Pensions foi the Defence Force': 154.0 138.6 137.8 I31.3 127.4 I34.9 War allowances... 865.9 795.0 780.4 742.2 7Io0-4 707.0 Hospital and medical treatment of ex-soldiers and grants to aged or infirm ex-soldiers and their dependants.... 152.3 42.6 35-I 27.9 27.0 25.5 1 Estimates only.