‘Their Finest Hour?' English-speaking South Africans and World War II

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article, part of a wider study dealing with white English-speaking identity, examines English-speakers’ (hereafter the English) reactions to Britain's declaration of war on Germany in 1939. They displayed a remarkable unanimity of purpose during the war, supporting what they saw as both a British and a South African war. The article discusses their support for Smuts and the extent to which they volunteered for war service, in both South African and Commonwealth forces. Their support is compared with that of Afrikaners. The English supported the war effort in ways other than fighting; many men volunteered for the national reserve while women were essential for the war effort, serving in both the women's auxiliary defence corps and the women's auxiliary service. In the latter their contribution was remarkable, providing care and support for over a million South African and allied troops. The article examines reasons for English support for the war effort before turning to a discussion of how they saw the war as a British/Commonwealth war. The growth of South Africanist sentiments is then looked at, particularly among service men. This is followed by growing disenchantment with Smuts and the war effort after 1943. The article concludes with a discussion of whether the war was in fact ‘their finest hour’. This article was first presented as a paper at the British World Conference, ‘Defining the British World’, at the University of Bristol, 11–14 July 2007. I would like to acknowledge the financial support of the University of South Africa.