Jump to content

South African National Museum of Military History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South African National Museum of Military History
Map
EstablishedAugust 29, 1947; 77 years ago (1947-08-29)
LocationJohannesburg, South Africa
Coordinates26°09′48″S 28°02′31″E / 26.1633°S 28.0420°E / -26.1633; 28.0420
TypeMilitary museum
WebsiteThe Ditsong National Museum of Military History
Ditsong Museums of South Africa network

The South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg was officially opened by Prime Minister Jan Smuts on 29 August 1947 to preserve the history of South Africa's involvement in the Second World War. In 1975, the museum was renamed from the South African National War Museum and its function changed to include all conflicts that South Africa has been involved in.[1] In 1999 it was amalgamated with the Pretoria-based Transvaal Museum and National Cultural History Museum to form the Northern Flagship Institution. In April 2010 Ditsong was officially renamed Ditsong Museums of South Africa and the SANMMH was renamed the Ditsong National Museum of Military History.

The Anglo-Boer War Memorial

[edit]
The Anglo-Boer War Memorial

In the grounds of the museum is a large memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

On 30 November 1910 Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn laid a commemorative stone at the memorial.[2]

Originally called the Rand Regiments Memorial and dedicated to British soldiers that lost their lives during the Second Boer War, it was rededicated on 10 October 1999 to all people who died during the Second Boer War and renamed the Boer War Memorial.[3]

Exhibits

[edit]
A modified South African Centurion Tank
A captured Cold War era T-54/55 tank
A retired Sherman Firefly of the 6th South African Armoured Division

The museum is divided into a number of areas

The Main Courtyard
The GP Capt. "Sailor" Malan Hall with
The GE Brink Hall with
Dan Pienaar Gun Park
The FB Adler Hall with
Outdoor exhibits[4]
Lt Gen AML Masondo Library building with[5]
Capt W F Faulds VC MC Centre[6]
  • Opened in 1995, built using insurance funds from the theft of the William Faulds medals, and consists of
    • The Delville Wood Room, a seminar and conference room which contains a plaster-cast of a Danie de Jager relief from the Delville Wood South African National Memorial in France.
    • The Marrières Wood Room, a gathering and dining room.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Official museum website Archived 5 September 2012 at archive.today
  2. ^ "The Anglo-Boer War Memorial at the Museum of Military History". The All at Sea Network. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  3. ^ Davie, Lucille (31 May 2002). "The end of the first modern war". SouthAfrica.info. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  4. ^ MUSEUM DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITIONS Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, www.ditsong.org.za, retrieved 2013-10-05
  5. ^ MUSEUM DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITIONS Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, www.ditsong.org.za, retrieved 2013-10-05
  6. ^ "Military History Journal Vol 10 No 2 - December 1995". The South African Military History Society. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
[edit]