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Military emergency medical care in support of mission personnel in operational areas serves as a vital element of peace support operations, as it ensures the maintenance of the human resources deployed in mission areas. Although the South African National Defence Force is facing significant financial constraints, it is becoming increasingly mobile, as South Africa continues to pledge military and diplomatic assistance in the African continent to maintain peace and stability, promote development and provide security. Consequently, when deployed abroad, military emergency care providers face unique challenges.The aim of this paper is to describe the lived experiences of Gauteng-based emergency care providers in delivering emergency medical care amid resource constraints during external deployment. The descriptions were extracted from a larger study titled “exploring lived experiences of Gauteng-based military pre-hospital emergency care providers during external deployment”. The research was conducted using a qualitative, exploratory research design and was guided by a phenomenological approach.The findings indicate that Gauteng-based military emergency care providers often did not have enough equipment or appropriate transportation to perform their duties during external deployment. As a result, they are hindered from providing quality care to ill and injured patients.Keywords: Military experiences, external deployment, emergency medical care

The formation of 6 South African Armoured Division (6 SA Armd Div), during February 1943, afforded the Union Defence Force (UDF) the chance to expand its military capabilities to that of armoured warfare. An armoured division further offered South Africa the opportunity to equip the UDF with modern fighting equipment and to master the art of combined warfare. Actual deployment in Italy differed vastly from the training which the division received in North Africa, for Italy was arguably, largely “untankable”. The Division’s first battle occurred at Celleno, on 10 June 1944, where it was able to “prove” itself by securing its first victory. As far as secondary sources are concerned, the Battle of Celleno is only superficially covered. Primary sources are however abundant, thus adding to the rich history which is available on the Division. This article analyses the Battle of Celleno, fought by 11 SA Armoured Brigade, in the context of the notion of “first battles”.[i] Emphasis will be placed on the training received prior to deployment, the Battle of Celleno, the lessons that were learned by the division at Celleno, and the way these influenced future operations in Italy. The Division’s combined-arms approach is also evaluated, with specific emphasis on changing patterns of leadership, command, and employment of the Division after Celleno. [i] CE Heller & WA Stofft (eds). America’s first battles 1776–1965. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1986, ix–xiii.

Helicopter deployment has become an integral and vital component of armies, air forces and navies throughout the world. In terms of operational use, the modern helicopter can be employed in a diversity of roles on the battlefield, inter alia as an assault weapon, a transport medium for airborne operations and in a logistical capacity. The author examines and evaluates the aspect of airborne deployment with specific reference to conventional helicopterborne assault operations. The analysis is based upon the basic and secondary principles of offensive (ground) warfare, viz mobility, logistic support, the exploitation of supporting fire and the rapid concentration of force. However, a principle which specifically applies to the use of airborne assault units, is vertical development. Contending that the transport helicopter is an excellent and viable Blitzkrieg vehicle, the author concludes that it is a most effective 'weapon'. But just like any other offensive unit, it has to be deployed in combination with other weapon systems (armour, artillery, and infantry) to realize its full potential. His argument that the days of the paratrooper are numbered and that he should be replaced by the 'helitroop', is controversial but interesting.

'And let there be no doubt: if hostilities should break out, the Soviet Army would use chemical weapons against its opponents.' Col Oleg Penkovsky Recently chemical warfare has become a most distinct feature of military technique. This can be said after it has been established that the Soviet Union used chemical agents in South-East Asia and Afghanistan. The first reports dealt with some unexplained deaths among the Hmong people of Laos and shortly afterwards came the discovery of tiny yellow deposits of pollen containing lethal toxins. In the wake of this discovery the United States alleged that Soviet-backed forces were using 'yellow rain' toxins in violation of treaties banning biological and chemical weapons. The Soviets' strong denial met with skepticism in Western circles, and did nothing to quell a raging debate over the precise interpretation of toxins found in Kampuchea and Afghanistan. In this overview the facts and reports pertaining to the topic under discussion are correlated and examined..