During World War II, approximately 80,000 Black South Africans volunteered to serve in the Native Military Corps (NMC), a unit of the Union Defence Force. The NMC was active from 1940 to 1947, and its members were trained to perform support functions such as stretcher-bearing, guarding prisoners of war, and working as laborers and medical aides. The NMC’s purpose was to free up white recruits for combat roles.
Although Black South Africans served with distinction, they were treated as inferior to white soldiers and were not allowed to fight alongside them on the front line. After the war, Black soldiers received little recognition for their service, with some receiving only boots or bicycles as thanks, while white soldiers were given new homes. However, in December 2020, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission began a process to commemorate Black South African soldiers who fought in World War II.
The Rieder automatic rifle was a fully automatic Lee-Enfield SMLE rifle conversion of South African origin, firing from a 30 round magazine. Capable of being used by infantry or mounted, the Rieder device could be installed quickly into firing positions with the use of simple tools. A similar weapon of New Zealand origin was the Charlton automatic rifle.
I did a topic about that, south Africa army never take place in any grand operations, but their air forces was Active in any major theatre, so it would sensate have a south Africa plane squad
Correct me if I am wrong, but South African ground troops did play a role in WW2 as well, albeit a limited one.
East Africa: In 1941, South Africa sent 30,000 troops to East Africa to help drive the Italians out of Abyssinia and Somalia. The South African Army and Air Force also played a major role in defeating Italian forces during the 1940/1941 East African Campaign.
North Africa: South African troops participated in several operations in North Africa, including the Battle of El Alamein, where they played a key role in stopping Rommel’s advance into Egypt. South African naval vessels also assisted in escorting convoys along the North African coast and resupplying the port of Tobruk.
Other campaigns: South African troops also participated in the Italian Campaign and the capture of Malagasy (now known as Madagascar) from the Vichy French
Their air force actually flyed over almost the entire Europe and Africa and partecipate in all grand operation before the D-DAY, for their achievements the air forces it is more suited to my point of view for have a premium or event squad
Natives? With fully automatic prototype Lee-Enfields?
XD
Omg. South African Troops that actually saw combat service were primarilly of British or Boer descent. Natives were only permitted to Service Corps roles.
Yeah, it’s a game. This is a historical South African unit with a historical south African weapon. It’s meant to make an interesting squad with historical material.
Do you have anything useful to contribute or do you just intend on being a negative nancy over here?
