South African National Museum of Military History explained
The South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg was officially opened by Prime Minister Jan Smuts on 29 August 1947 to preserve the history of South Africa's involvement in the Second World War. In 1975, the museum was renamed from the South African National War Museum and its function changed to include all conflicts that South Africa has been involved in.[1] In 1999 it was amalgamated with the Pretoria-based Transvaal Museum and National Cultural History Museum to form the Northern Flagship Institution. In April 2010 Ditsong was officially renamed Ditsong Museums of South Africa and the SANMMH was renamed the Ditsong National Museum of Military History.
The Anglo-Boer War Memorial
See main article: Anglo-Boer War Memorial (Johannesburg). In the grounds of the museum is a large memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
On 30 November 1910 Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn laid a commemorative stone at the memorial.[2]
Originally called the Rand Regiments Memorial and dedicated to British soldiers that lost their lives during the Second Boer War, it was rededicated on 10 October 1999 to all people who died during the Second Boer War and renamed the Boer War Memorial.[3]
Exhibits
The museum is divided into a number of areas
- The Main Courtyard:
- The GP Capt. "Sailor" Malan Hall with:
- The GE Brink Hall with:
- Dan Pienaar Gun Park
- The FB Adler Hall with:
- Sexton self-propelled gun
- M4 Sherman tank
- M3 Stuart tank
- A large number of artillery pieces such as the Ordnance QF 20 pounder and the BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun
- Exhibits detailing South Africa's involvement in World War II, including artefacts such as uniforms, firearms, helmets, and flags from various countries
- Anglo-Zulu War exhibits
- South African Border War exhibit
- A small South African Navy exhibit
- A large collection of uniforms, ceremonial swords, infantry swords, cavalry swords, bayonets and daggers
- A large variety of small arms from around the world, such as the Bren light machine gun, the M1 Garand, Mauser rifles, Lee–Enfield rifles, the Maxim gun, the MG 42, the Thompson submachine gun, the Winchester Model 1876, the AK-47, the Vektor R4 Rifle R1 Rifle, and various other muskets, rifles and machine guns.
- Outdoor exhibits[4]
- Lt Gen AML Masondo Library building with[5]
- Capt W F Faulds VC MC Centre[6]
- Opened in 1995, built using insurance funds from the theft of the William Faulds medals, and consists of
- The Delville Wood Room, a seminar and conference room which contains a plaster-cast of a Danie de Jager relief from the Delville Wood South African National Memorial in France.
- The Marrières Wood Room, a gathering and dining room.
See also
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.militarymuseum.co.za Official museum website
- Web site: The Anglo-Boer War Memorial at the Museum of Military History. The All at Sea Network. 2008-08-28. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080918224019/http://www.allatsea.co.za/cems/anglomemorial.htm. 18 September 2008.
- Web site: The end of the first modern war. Davie. Lucille. 2002-05-31. SouthAfrica.info. 2008-08-28.
- http://www.ditsong.org.za/militaryhistory_exhibits.htm MUSEUM DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITIONS
- http://www.ditsong.org.za/militaryhistory_exhibits.htm MUSEUM DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Web site: Military History Journal Vol 10 No 2 - December 1995. The South African Military History Society. 2021-11-27.