New Study Booklet No. 44 – “The SWA Campaign 1914 – 1915.
Prisoners of War” by Tony Howgrave-Graham.
14/ 10 / 2024
A new 84 page study booklet entitled ‘The South West Africa Campaign (1915 – 1915) Prisoners of War’ is available from SACS. Written by Tony-Howgrave-Graham, SACS President and long-term SWA specialist well-known for his regular column ‘South West Corner’ in the Springbok journal, the new booklet raises the tally of the society’s expert reference works to forty-four.
Tony’s new study booklet is based on his WW1 display material which covers the events of 1914 – 1915 when the Union of South Africa at the behest of Britain performed “an urgent imperial duty” by invading German South West Africa. The campaign stalled with the outbreak of the ‘Maritz Rebellion’ in the Union and an early UDF (Union Defence Force) defeat at the Battle of Sandfontein in southern GSWA in 1914.
After crushing the rebellion both General Louis Botha, the Prime Minister of South Africa, and his deputy, General Jan Smuts, the Minister of Defence, took to the field at the head of UDF troops in the north and south of GSWA. The campaign was difficult and fought in harsh conditions. The provision of water and animal fodder was a huge logistics problem.
Defeated at Otavi on 1 July 1915, the Germans finally surrendered at Khorab eight days later. General Botha’s terms were that regular officers would be released on parole, other ranks would be interned, and reservists would be allowed to return home. It was Britain’s first victorious campaign of the war, the only one run without British staff officers in command. This study booklet details what subsequently happened to the 3,400 captured German prisoners of war.
This has a comprehensive study of the postmarks, cachets, and censor marks associated with the various prisoner of war camps at Okanjande, Swakopmund and Albrechts, all three for officers. The better known POW camp at Aus for NCOs and ranks has 26 pages including 26 covers devoted to it. There is section on parolees and German officer camps. Most officers were granted and accepted the terms of parole, essentially a promise not to escape or fight for Germany for the rest of the war. The rank and file were not so lucky, the majority being held until 1919 until repatriated. Other camps covered include Kubas, Kimberley (Beaconsfield), Fort Napier (Pietrmaritzburg), Kanus, Tempe (Bloemfontein), Luderitzbucht, Brackwasser and Union POWs.
This SACS study booklet has examples of relatively scarce incoming mail and the more common outgoing mail. It also includes postcards, photos, pictures and camp layouts and a description of conditions during the campaign and in the camps.
This new 84 page ‘The South West Africa Campaign (1915 – 1915) Prisoners of War’ booklet is published and printed by the South African Collectors’ Society. Priced at £15.00, it is available to SACS members only. Postage will be charged at cost.
Please click here to register your interest in this publication with Lyn Lester.
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