NEW TEMPORARY DISPLAY
90th Commemoration of the Armistice
Visitors will be able to view the Museum's latest display, 90th Commemoration of the Arstice, mounted in the F B Adler Hall. Ninety years ago, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918, the First World War (The War to end All Wars) came to an end. This was the largest global man-made catastrophe nown until that time and cost the lives of 8 634 300 soldiers. Twenty years later, the Second World War saw the loss of 24 517 000 combatant's lives. In addition to these statitics, millions of civilians died during both conflicts.
The display looks at the events which led to the Armistice, the activities of the 1st South African Brigade on the Western Front and how the day has been commemorated since. Many veterans organisations such as the MOTHs (Memorable Order of Tin Hats) and the South African Legion were established as a result of the First World War and examples of their memorabilia are also exhibited in the display.
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GOLD REEF MODELLERS AFTERNOON
Themes will include theatres of war/ campaigns for military and aircraft modellers and general themes for car and figure modellers. There will also be a quick demo/ discussion on various techniques.
The next meeting is to take place on Saturday 31 October 2009 from 1pm to 4pm. The main focus will be the Suez Crises and Toyota motor vehicles
Costs - normal Museum entrance fee.
60TH ANNIVERSARY DISPLAY
A photographic display commemorating 60 years of the Museum has been produced in the ramp of the Lt Gen A M L Masondo Library.
The Museum was officially opened as the South African National War Museum on 29 August 1947. The display depicts the history of the Museum, its growth from just two Bellman Aircraft Hangars to the large institution it is today with changing thematic displays, world-renowned military aircraft, vehicles and equipment. Interspersed within the display are a number of examples of the official military art collection.
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I REMEMBER KATYN
A temporary diplay entitled I REMEMBER KATYN 1940 has been placed on exhibition. The display depicts the series of events which led to the massacre of 4 254 Polish Prisoners-of-War by the Soviet KGB in May 1940
The victims of the massacre were Polish officers, the majority of them mobilized teachers, scientists, lawyers, doctors, artists, policemen, fire fighters and public servants. Many believe that this was a deliberate act by the Soviet regime to eliminate the Polish intelligentsia. Attempts were made to blame the Germans and the issue along with the name Katyn became prohibited in both Poland and the Soviet Union for almost 50 years. It was only after the fall of communism that the full story could be told.
The display was made possible through the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Centre for Culture. Thanks must also go to the local Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee for allowing the display to be presented at the Museum.
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JOHANNESBURG CLASSIC FILM SOCIETY
Meets at the Museum on the third Sunday of each month at 17:00 for 17:30. Costs are R30,00 per person for the movie only and R100,00 for the movie and a three course supper with selected wines.
These screenings have been suspended until further notice.
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