Mega, February 1941: The role of the 1st South African Irish Regiment

Abstract

Dr S. Monick and Cmdt O.E.F. Baker, DWD are at present engaged in compiling the work, entitled Clear the way: the military heritage of the South African Irish 1880-1990 (scheduled for publication in mid-1991). As the title implies, the study embraces the contribution of the South African Irish community to South Africa's military heritage, spanning over a century. The main body of the book details the regimental history of the 1st South African Irish Regiment, which has formed the conduit, or channel, of that contribution since 1939. The Regiment was originally conceived as a war service battalion (as was its predecessor in World War I) and officially instituted on 1 November 1939. As is well known, its service in World War II encompassed Abyssinia (January-February 1941) and North Africa; culminating in the Battle of Sidi Rezegh (23 November 1941), which effectively destroyed 5 SA Infantry Brigade and, as a consequence, spelt the demise of the South African Irish Regiment for the remainder of World War II.