Remembering the South African sacrifice on D-Day

On this day 74 years ago, tens of thousands of young men were charging up beaches in France against a hail of bullets and a storm of artillery fire; fighting, dying and screaming as their buddies were blown away next to them.

June 6 is D-Day, the day the Allies finally launched their invasion of Hitler’s “fortress Europa.”

But why should you care? What exactly does this have to do with us as South Africans?

South Africa was deeply involved in the Second World War, sending men to fight in the air, on the sea and on the landing grounds – both black and white – and we paid a price that demands to be remembered.

Despite what some may think, we were not far removed from the concerns of the war, with German South-West Africa (Namibia) and Mauritius both under the Nazi’s control and right on our doorstep.

South Africans also made up a large part of the allied forces fighting in North Africa.

Hitler had big plans for Africa, and with our position on vital shipping lanes and the proximity of these German holdings it is a safe bet to think he had his eye on South Africa. And, given the Nazi’s murderous policies on racial purity, we can only imagine the carnage had they ever managed to gain power here.

So we most certainly had a stake in fighting fascism, and in joining the Allies in opposing Nazi domination of the world.

Although the exact number of South Africans involved in the D-Day landings is hard to assess, we know that they were represented in all branches of the invasion.

The ‘South Africa’ newspaper reported in June 1944 that: “A large number of them are in the navy, principally in little craft like minesweepers, helping to clear the way for the troops’ landing. Scores are flying escorting fighters and bombers of the Royal Air Force, and some are with the paratroops, including a doctor who had completed his training to drop from a plane together with medical personnel. There is also a large contingent of officers serving with the Marine Commandos.”

The Commandos, interestingly, were founded by South African born Brigadier Dudley Wrangel Clarke.

Later the same month, the ‘South Africa’ reported that our troops were distinguishing themselves Normandy and had helped to take the important port town of Port en Bassein, linking the British and American beachheads – a performance which the British government officially described as one of the most brilliant achievements of the marines.

The paper reported: “The enemy had strongly fortified the port with a triangle of three strongpoints. As these were designed to beat off attack from the sea, the Royal marine Commandos decided it could be taken from the rear. This involved a ten-mile march against tremendous odds through enemy territory. Before they even touched down, a mile to the eastward of their original objective, they almost met disaster, for five of their fourteen landing craft were mined and sunk. Undaunted, they swam ashore with what equipment they could salvage. During their hazardous march inland they fully rearmed themselves with weapons captured from the enemy.

“As they struck inland they came continually under heavy fire. They advanced against machine-gun posts, manned largely by Polish and Russian troops, and subdued them one by one. The Marines fought their way through, carrying heavy equipment and mortar ammunition – each man carried a load of nearly three-quarters of a hundredweight (about 50kg). They reached their objective for the night- Hill 72, immediately south of Port en Bassein – and there distributed more captured arms.

“Then the Royal navy took a hand, opening a heavy fire on the port. This was followed by a fierce strafe by R.A.F. bombers and rocket-carrying fighters. Finally guns of the Royal Artillery away in the British beachhead laid down a heavy smoke-screen, under cover of which the Marines took three strongpoints and subdued them after stiff fighting. As they burst into the defences German flak ships in the harbour opened fire, causing enemy casualties. The Marines silenced this attack from the rear with machine-gun and mortar fire. A desperate battle was fought for the third and most powerful point; twice the Marines won the positions and twice they were driven off, but the third time their assault succeeded.”

Through their bravery and refusal to give up, our boys distinguished themselves in every theatre of the largest war the world has ever seen – showing what South Africans are made of.

So wherever you are today, take a moment to think about that 18-year-old boy sent in to kill other people, while watching his friends die. Take a moment to remember all the mothers and fathers who sent their sons off to war, not knowing if they would ever see them again.

Take a moment to honour our South African fallen, the terrified young men who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of the world – and yes, for our freedom here in South Africa too.

WATCH: The Last Post is a moving piece of music, used throughout the Western World to remember the fallen. Originally, it was intended to signal the end of a day’s battle and help wounded and lost soldiers find their way back to their comrades:

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