Today in Kimberley's History
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109 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1900
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The D.F.A. took the guns out for a little practice, and directly they were seen on the veld the Boer guns at the Waterworks sent a shell near them and a small duel ensued. Our guns finally silenced them and returned without any casualty. The Boers seem to imagine that some harmless Natives moving on the outskirts of Kenilworth are making a Fort, for they have for the past three days sent an occasional shell amongst them causing the wretched Natives to run out like rabbits.
Typhoid in the town is getting alarming. And symptoms of scurvy have appeared amongst the town guardsmen. These have an allowance of lime juice and grapes - the latter a gift from Mr Rhodes' vineyards. People make use of Lucca and lard (machinery oils), instead of fat. Provisions in an ordinary way can last for another month. After that there will still be mealie meal, some horses, and the meat in the cold storage chamber to keep us going for some time if necessary.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The D.F.A. took the guns out for a little practice, and directly they were seen on the veld the Boer guns at the Waterworks sent a shell near them and a small duel ensued. Our guns finally silenced them and returned without any casualty. The Boers seem to imagine that some harmless Natives moving on the outskirts of Kenilworth are making a Fort, for they have for the past three days sent an occasional shell amongst them causing the wretched Natives to run out like rabbits.
Typhoid in the town is getting alarming. And symptoms of scurvy have appeared amongst the town guardsmen. These have an allowance of lime juice and grapes - the latter a gift from Mr Rhodes' vineyards. People make use of Lucca and lard (machinery oils), instead of fat. Provisions in an ordinary way can last for another month. After that there will still be mealie meal, some horses, and the meat in the cold storage chamber to keep us going for some time if necessary.
The South African Air Force is established - 1920
On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force was established. This made it the first air force of the Commonwealth, with Lt-Col. Pierre van Ryneveld appointed Director of Air Services. The origin of the South African Air Force can be traced back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was formed. This formation included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was formed as part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF). In April 1914, six pupils (with the probationary ranks of lieutenant in the ACF) were sent to England to undergo further training. Five of them eventually qualified. When World War I broke out in August 1914, these pilots were granted permission to join the newly formed Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000, with 260 active-duty fatalities. These pilots took part in aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting missions over France during the war. In 1921 the SAAF bought a site east of Roberts Height (later Voortrekkerhoogte and now Thaba Tshwane), near Pretoria. Here the first aerodrome for the SAAF was established and was named Zwartkops. The SAAF is, next to the Royal Air Force (RAF), the world's second oldest air force. The first operation of the South African Air Force was in 1922, when it helped to crush the Rand Revolt, an armed uprising by white mineworkers. The SAAF bombed targets around Johannesburg, and lost some aircraft to ground fire. Col. Sir Pierre van Ryneveld was shot down, but he survived.
On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force was established. This made it the first air force of the Commonwealth, with Lt-Col. Pierre van Ryneveld appointed Director of Air Services. The origin of the South African Air Force can be traced back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was formed. This formation included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was formed as part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF). In April 1914, six pupils (with the probationary ranks of lieutenant in the ACF) were sent to England to undergo further training. Five of them eventually qualified. When World War I broke out in August 1914, these pilots were granted permission to join the newly formed Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000, with 260 active-duty fatalities. These pilots took part in aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting missions over France during the war. In 1921 the SAAF bought a site east of Roberts Height (later Voortrekkerhoogte and now Thaba Tshwane), near Pretoria. Here the first aerodrome for the SAAF was established and was named Zwartkops. The SAAF is, next to the Royal Air Force (RAF), the world's second oldest air force. The first operation of the South African Air Force was in 1922, when it helped to crush the Rand Revolt, an armed uprising by white mineworkers. The SAAF bombed targets around Johannesburg, and lost some aircraft to ground fire. Col. Sir Pierre van Ryneveld was shot down, but he survived.