Constitution of the Union of South Africa

The defence forces at present consist of (a) a permanent force; (b) coast garrison force; (c) citizen force; (d) royal naval volun teer reserve and (e) any special reserve that may be established under the Defence Act.

Recruitment and Service.

Every citizen of the Union is liable from his 17th to his 6oth year to render personal service in time of war, in any part of South Africa, in defence of the Union. Not more than 5o per cent undergo peace training, which every citizen is liable to undergo for 4 years, beginning in his 21st year. Volunteers are accepted to do this training between their 17th and 21st year. Those who do no such peace training must become members of rifle associations for 4 years. Wherever facilities for military tr-.'ning can be provided, all boys between the ages of 13 and 17 are required to undergo training as cadets unless their parents object. Members of the permanent force are trained as regulars. Training in the coast garrison force is for 18 to 24 days in a year for 4 years with re-engagements. The active citizen forces do from 22 to 25 days in the first year, from 16 to 21 days in subsequent years. From io to 15 days of the training in these forces must be continuous. After 4 years, members pass into the citizen force reserve, class A, and are liable to annual inspection. There is a prescribed course of annual training for compulsory members of rifle associations. The citizen force re serve class B contains all who are not in the other forces or reserves up to the age of 45, and the national reserve all other citizens below 21 and from 45 to 6o years.

Strength, Organization and Distribution.—The budget effectives in 1928 of those permanently employed in the military forces (excluding the air force given below) numbered 1,704, in cluding 73 officers. The total military establishments include 1,471 permanent force, 268 coast garrison force, 8,128 active citizen force, 15 2,00o in the defence rifle associations and 44,000 cadets. The permanent force includes three batteries of artillery and a regiment of South African Mounted Riflemen, with the necessary auxiliary and administrative services. The coast defence

force is divided between Cape Town and Durban. The active citizen force is grouped in units by districts for service in the field, with its reserve class A. The class B reserve is organized in 110 commandos or territorial corps. The defence forces are administered by a ministry of defence, represented by staff officers in the 15 military districts. The Cape Peninsula and Durban are defended ports.

Military Air Force.—A South African air force with a strength of 398, including 109 natives, is included in the military establishments. This force is commanded and administered by a director of air services at defence headquarters and includes a depot, flying school and service squadrons of which one has so far been established. There is also a general reserve of officers and a special reserve of pilot officers with an establishment of 24 for each flight of machines. There are about ioo prepared landing grounds in Union territory, and steel hangars for about 80 machines at Pretoria. Unlike the other self-governing nations grouped under the British Crown, South Africans are responsible for governing vast numbers of natives, some of them formerly warlike races but now disarmed. This fact is naturally reflected in the organization of the defence forces.

See also the League of Nations Armaments Year Book (Geneva, 1928). (G. G. A.) Naval Defence.—The Cape Colony from 1897 and Natal from 1902, each made small annual payments towards the upkeep of a squadron in South Africa. These payments ceased with the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910 and during the World War the Dominion relied entirely upon the Royal Navy for its protection at sea. In 1921 the Union Government adopted the principle of forming a South African Navy for Home Defence, but progress has been slow. In 1928 the Union Government main tained a surveying sloop, and two trawlers in commission with a depot ship at Simonstown. These ships have been transferred from the Royal Navy and are manned by officers and men of the South African Naval Service. Simonstown is also the headquarters of the British Squadron on the African Station.