After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. - US CIA World Factbook

Medium A "Whippet" - Supressing Riots Johannesburg, South Africa 1925. This tank played a large part in the supressing the rebellion, passes Corner House. Corner House is the head office of the Chamber of Mines and the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Corporation.
The Medium A "Whippet"

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sa-mh.jpg (25529 bytes)---sa-mh-1.jpg (10710 bytes)---Captured Marmon Herrington---Captured Marmon Herrington---Marmon Herrington Mk4F. Note the 2pdr main gun. Some came equipped with "run flat" tires.
Marmon-Herrington Armored Car

Here is a letter received from a South African Army Officer who disputes the coloring scheme as shown above. It would not be the first time that TANKS! has found printed books to be incorrect. Since he was highly knowledgeable about the Marmon Herrington, I have included it here with minor editing.

In 1938, the government of South Africa ordered the developement of two types of armored cars. Work proceeded slowly until the outbreak of WW2, at this point all work was quickened. Just like the Australians, the South Africans proved themselves exceptional at doing great things with an almost non-existant automotive industry. Orders swelled to 1000, and with only the existing prototypes to work with, finished examples were produced within months. The armored cars were produced by importing Ford truck chassis from Canada, Marmon-Herrington 4 X 4 transmissions from the USA, and armament from the UK. Local assembly was done in railroad workshops and local steel mills.

Model 1 - was a 4 X 2 drive arrangement. The unit was used in action against the Italians in East Africa. These units made a poor showing and were thereafter confined to training only.

Model 2 - known to the British as Armored car, Marmon-Herrington - was a full 4 X 4 car. This model was used extensively in reconnaissance during the North Africa campain. Usually, this was the only vehicle available in any numbers for that purpose. The car was considered by the troops to be under armed and under protected. Local modifications were usually made consisting of extra armor plate and heavier guns. Some going as far as mounting the Italian 20mm Breda cannon, German 37mm cannon, 45mm cannon, and the British 2 pounder. These local modifications were considered successful and some of the changes were added to later models.

Model 3 - incorporated the British 2 pounder as a main cannon as one of the produced models. Others mounted up to 4 Bren guns. Still others served as command and repair vehicles. The Japanese were quick to use this car whenever they captured one.

Model 4 - never went beyond prototype. This unit was heavily inspired by the German 8 wheel armored cars.

Specifications (model 2)
Crew 4
Weight 6 tons fully equipped
Engine Ford V8 petrol
Speed 80kph
Range 200 miles

MkV

MkVI---MkVI---MkVI---MkVI
Heavy Armored Car Mark V and Reconnaissance Car Mark VI

Impressed with the German 8-wheeled SdKfz 231, the South Africans started to develop their own vehicle in the same vein. They were designated South African Heavy Armored car Mark V and South African Reconnaissance Car Mark VI. The Mark I through to Mark IV were already planned or in existence and were 4 wheelers.

The Mark V prototype was started in 1941, and comprised a heavy ladder type chassis, which had two Albion six cylinder gasoline engines of about 150-160bhp each. The engines drove the middle pair of bogies (wheels), i.e. the second of the front and first of the rear. It weighed 16 tons and the side armor was 60mm thick and the front 40mm. The vehicle was originally designed to mount a 6 pounder (57mm) gun in a traversing turret. The outer axles were for steering and load bearing. In 1942 the vehicle was sent to the Middle East for field trials. Due to the wheels digging into the sand further development was abandoned.

The Mark VI was developed from the more common Marmon Herrington components in South Africa. This had its drawbacks as using off the shelf components meant that the chassis was narrow and very tall making it have a top heavy appearance as well as characteristics. It carried a 2 pounder (40mm) gun and three machine guns. Orders were given for 750 vehicles to be built but, due to component problems, production was delayed until August 1943. During this delay a second prototype with a 6 pounder gun mounted in a Crusader turret was built. By the time of production the war had progressed to a point where these vehicles became unnecessary and all orders were cancelled. Two vehicles have survived one at Bovington U.K. and the other National Museum of Military History in South Africa.

Vickers Light Tank Mark II (India Pattern)
Vickers Light Tank Mark II (India Pattern)

This tank served with the South Africans during the 1941 Abyssinia Campaign (Ethiopia).

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Vickers Light Tank Mark III (India Pattern)

This tank served with the South Africans during the 1941 Abyssinia Campaign (Ethiopia).

Valentine
Vickers Valentine

Designed by Leslie Little of Vickers Armstrongs. Was based on the A10 and used the same chassis, suspension, engine, and transmission. Placed in production on July 1939 with 275 being ordered. The first model was delivered in May 1940 for trials. Used by the 2nd South African Division against the Bardia fortress on Jan. 1, 1942.

South African Shermans of the 6th South African Armored Division await the order to advance on Balogna on 20 April, 1945.---South African Sherman tanks providing artillery support in Italy.
U.S. Sherman

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South African Sexton - Photo contribution by William Marshall.
Sexton

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Staghound Armored Car

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The idea of the "flail" mine clearing tank is directly credited to a South African engineer, Major A. S. J. du Toit. The first models produced were fitted to the Matilda in North Africa in 1942. This type of mine clearing device went on the be the most popular and successful of it's class. Further refinements and models went on to fit the Valentine, Grant, and Sherman tanks. Flail tanks were usually called Scorpions. Other marks included the Matilda Baron, and the Sherman Crab. Experimental models never put in service were called the Lobster and the Pram Lobster. American designers preferred rollers to clear mine fields, but whenever they did use them, they were called the Mine Exploder T4.
Flail Mine Clearing Tanks

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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003