AHC: South African Forces in NW Europe WW2

In WW2 SAAF & SA Army operated in Africa, and the Middle-East, any reason why not further north?
What would it take to enable SA Forces to operate from Britain?
 
It took enough politiking to get them to serve in North Africa, let alone the Middle East. NW Europe is out of the question due to Afrikaner views on the subject.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Mobilization in South Africa was limited because of internal politics;

In WW2 SAAF & SA Army operated in Africa, and the Middle-East, any reason why not further north?
What would it take to enable SA Forces to operate from Britain?


Mobilzation in South Africa was limited because of internal politics; obviously both racial (white/black/Indian/colored) and ethnic/lingual (British and Boer).

Non-white manpower was not called upon, other than in limited and largely auxiliary roles; white manpower, because of the divides among British and Boer, and even within the Boer population in terms of pro-British and nationalist politics, was also limited in terms of who could be mobilized for duty, both within and without the dominion (i.e., the Union of South Africa).

There was a limited mass mobilization of whites for home defense duties; duties outside of the Union required volunteers (the "Africa Pledge/Oath") which is what allowed the services of the South African troops in East Africa, Egypt, and Libya, and then a second level of volunteerism, which is what allowed South Africans to serve as such in Italy.

South Africans could volunteer for the attachment or assignment to the British forces as individuals, and significant numbers did; otherwise, the South Africans fielded two infantry divisions, a separate brigade, corps and army troops, and substantial air forces, for service in Africa in 1939-43, and an armoured division, corps and army troops, and significant air forces for service in the Med and Italy in 1943-45.

Best,
 
Last edited:

TFSmith121

Banned
Not necessarily; the South African 6th Armoured Division

It took enough politiking to get them to serve in North Africa, let alone the Middle East. NW Europe is out of the question due to Afrikaner views on the subject.

Not necessarily; the South African 6th Armoured Division fought the Germans in Italy in 1944-45, and the South African Brigade fought in France in WW I ... if there hadn't been an Italian Campaign in 1943-45, it is quite likely the 6th Armoured would have served in NW Europe as part of the 21st Army Group or its equivalent, presumably assigned to a British or Canadian corps.

Best,
 
Well those forces that served in African and Middle East campaigns did free up British units to be stationed elsewhere.
 
I don't think it's particularly difficult.

As others have said South African forces served in Italy (my great-uncle served there).

I'm sure a few tweaks here and there and it would be possible to have South African forces in France.
 
Top