South Africa 1979

[Peter Gassmann]

Hello

see attached item. seems to be from a military unit including censor mark. Does anyone have more information or any thoughts on this?

best wishes, Peter

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Peter

Interesting item

'RUNDA' in the handstamp is a suburb of Nairobi in Kenya, however cannot see any connection with South Africa.

Chris

[Nick Colley]

Well, it is, in fact RUNDU, which is a town in Namibia, very adjacent to the border with Angola (how significant is that?). The South African connection (such as it is) lies in the fact that the (non-English) words in the cachets appear to be Dutch. Now, the only source of expertise in modern southern African conflicts I can think of is none other than our distinguished Past President, Richard Berry. Mind you, Namibia-Angola may be a little way off his Zimbabwean patch.

Anyway, he may be worth a try? Good luck!

chrs
N

[Peter Gassmann]

Thanks Gentlemen! I hope Richard sees this in the forum.

[Michael Dobbs]

I have received the following information from our South African member Jim Findlay:

[color=maroon]This cover is from South Africa's "Border War" in South West Africa (now Namibia). SWA was a League of Nations/United Nations mandate of control by South Africa from WW 1 – the UN passed Resolution 435 for SWA to get its independence (1990). The communists were sponsoring the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) as terrorist/freedom fighters to gain control of SWA. SA established bases along the SWA – Angola border to combat the infiltration by SWAPO members who forced locals to support them (communist style intimidation and murder). Initially there was 1 Military Area (1976)(Afrikaans Militere Gebied) with sub-areas which was later divided into 1 MA, 2 MA and 3 MA. There were also 7 Sectors with FPOs as the dynamics of the conflict changed.
The main logistics base was at Grootfontein and the operational bases were Oshakati, Rundu and Katima Mulilo. Field Post Office 2 (VPK = Veld Poskantoor) was at Grootfontein with FPO 2.21 (Oshakati) FPO 2.22 (Rundu) and FPO 2.23 (Mpacha at Katima Mulilo).
The Maintenance Unit was responsible for 'supplies' (food, water, vehicle fuel, oil, lubricants etc) and each operational base had such a unit.
2nd Lieutenant B Proeg was a 'regular' or 'PF' Permanent Force member as indicated in his service number and obviously in charge of the Petrol Point at Rundu.

There are numerous censor mark varieties that were used similar to that illustrated.

There are 3 books on the postal history of this conflict by George van den Hurk – "Border War Mail", "More Border War Mail" and "Final Border Mail". These were self-produced and there are copies of copies that appear on auction from time to time.[/color]

Mike

[Peter Gassmann]

Hi Mike

wow, super cool, many thanks!

best wishes, Peter