‘Hände hoch’: The South African experience of the moment of capture in North Africa

Abstract

A large number of South African troops were captured by the Axis forces in the Western Desert after the crushing defeat at Sidi Rezegh in November 1941 and the surrender of Tobruk in June 1942. Prior to these severe reverses, South African troops had barely tasted defeat on the battlefield during the Second World War. Any illusions regarding fighting prowess and invincibility were, however, short-lived and brutally dashed by the German Afrika Corps. Amid the chaos and confusion that reigned at Sidi Rezegh, and searching questions asked of the defence of Tobruk, some 13 000 South African troops were captured. For each of these men, the experience of capture differed. Most felt anger and frustration when confronted with their new status as prisoners-of-war. Mental shock, physical deprivation, and the stigma and shame associated with surrender and capture would also haunt them.

Contribution: This article provides an exploratory investigation into the experiences of South African servicemen shortly before, during and after their moment of capture in the Western Desert.