As a special treat Fi and her friends took their children to the Military Museum as they are all 'army' mad (and it is mid term break).
Now you may wonder what a country at the very bottom end of Africa, continents away from the rest of the world would have to fight about. The short answer of course, would be mineral wealth. European Settlers arrived, discovered how fabulous it was here, decided they wanted it and needed to take it away from the Zulu's (who'd already spent plenty of time warring against other local tribes to reach the top)
Then the Afrikaans people (an offshoot from the original Dutch Settlers) decided they were sick of British rule and wanted to be independent. The British didn't care much for that idea and it led to...
Being a British Colony, South Africa was obliged to lend a helping hand in this war...
And then again in this one....
Then they had a problem with the neighbours (with a little Russian interference)...
Quite a lot of action hmm?
Of course during the Apartheid era they were always on alert for the 'Swart Gevaar' (the Black Danger).
As a result there was compulsory Military Conscription. All men did two years each. The boys in Fi's class at school (1988) were (much to their disgust) the last intake of compulsory military training to do two years(1989). Then it petered down to one year and then it ended all together.
Anyway, here are a few photos from the museum in no particular order (we were running after a crowd of 7 and 8 year olds remember?)
First off, a brilliant intellectual mind Jan Christiaan Smuts (Fi remember's her Grandpa saying was remarkably clever man he was - high praise from Grandpa who was a pretty smart man too!) Read the link to see all of his achievements, including being the Prime Minister twice.
Here is evidence of his military achievments:
Here are the two of us on a tank...
...and a really old fire engine (Fi's favourit exhibit by the way!), called a 'Merryweather'.
Fi found a room full of military musical history that she had never seen before on any of her previous visits... maybe it is a new display.
Me hitching a ride on a cousin of Bokkie...
The Springbok was sculpted by an Italian prisoner of war...
Talking of POW's here are the boots and uniform of a Russian POW from the Border Conflict. Naughty Russians, interfering in affairs so far from home!
And here is another Springbok, called Nancy, she was a mascot for the South African Scottish Regiment in Europe during WWI
"During the battle of Delville Wood, a shell exploded in the transport lines close to where Nancy was tethered at the Quarter Master Stores. Nancy took fright, bolted and broke her left horn against the wall. This horn began growing downwards at an angle. The doctors didn't know much about veterinary sciences and weren't about to set it. Thus, the horn was allowed to continue growing. To her honour, a gold stripe was added to the Murray Athol tartan coat strapping that Nancy wore."
Up, up and away!
Fi says she needs one of these mounted on her car... (I think she is joking...)
Phew, it is quite a walk around this place, one of the Moms let me hitch a ride...
The sign says no PEOPLE on the tank, don't worry...
Sing with me, 'In the Navy, you can sail the seven seas, in the Navy... 'What? Surely you know the Village People?
Meet Mark...
He's a torpedo...
I'd make you sing 'Yellow submarine' with me, but your singing skills are clearly dodgy, and this submarine is clearly not yellow...
Are we cleared for take off?
What exactly do you mean by 'hold onto your knickers? I'm a bear I am not wearing anyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy……..
We didn't break it! Honest, it was the gazillion kids that have played on it...
Hop in, I'll get us home in no time, it will be a little drafty though...
Time to go home, it is getting rather cold and dark...
Wait a second, what is this?
Fi says to tell you that the memorial stone was laid in 1999, but the statue has been up top there for as long as she can remember (old stuff she remembers, breakfast she doesn't!) Read all about it here
Here is the Angel of Peace, a little closer.
