Sgt. Q.G.M. Smythe - S.A. Victoria Cross Holder

 
In June of 1942, Sgt. Smythe - of the 1st SA Infantry Division - was involved in action in Libya for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation for his medal reads as follows:

War Office, 11th September, 1942 The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:
No. 4458 Sergeant Quentin George Murray Smythe, South African Forces.

For conspicuous gallantry in action in the Alem Hamza area on the 5th June, 1942.

During the attack on an enemy strong point in which his officer was severely wounded; Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon although suffering from a shrapnel wound in the forehead. The strong point having been overrun, our troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine-gun nest. Realising the threat to his position, Sergeant Smythe himself stalked and destroyed the nest with hand grenades, capturing, the crew. Though weak from loss of blood, he continued to lead the advance, and on encountering an anti-tank gun position again attacked it single-handed and captured the crew. He was directly responsible for killing several of the enemy, shooting some and bayonetting another as they withdrew. After consolidation he received orders for a withdrawal, which he successfully executed, defeating skilfully an enemy attempt at encirclement.Throughout the engagement Sergeant Smythe displayed remarkable disregard for danger, and his leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men.

Smythe, who eventually rose to the rank of Captain,  hailed from Natal and passed away in Durban in 1997.

Below is a graphic depiction of Smythe's actions from the British National Archives. 

Tensions across the Strait

 
This is the latest from the Taipei Times:

US military chief confirms build-up

 Admiral Robert Willard also said Taiwan would need to improve its fighter jet capabilities to counter military imbalances with China.The top commander of US military forces in the Pacific on Thursday confirmed reports that the Chinese army has been upgrading and deploying larger numbers of missiles across the Taiwan Strait. “The PLA has focused considerable effort on building up its integrated air defense capabilities and has deployed an increasing number of upgraded Russian SA-20 PMU 2 along the Taiwan Strait,” Admiral Robert Willard said, ­confirming ­earlier reports by a Canadian defense magazine that said China has deployed eight battalions of advanced missile systems in Fujian Province.

Willard also said that Taiwan must someday improve upon its existing fighter jets to keep pace with China’s increasing air power. Some of China’s other military modernization programs highlighted by Willard’s testimony to the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee include the development of sophisticated shipboard air defense systems as well as supersonic ­anti-ship cruise missiles.

Yesterday, media reports in Washington said that some US officials are insisting that China’s buildup of both conventional and nuclear forces is aimed solely at possible conflict with Taiwan.

I have yet to speak to a local resident here that believes Taiwan and the PRC will go to war. Everybody here always says the two countries share far too many common factors - not least that they are joined economically at the hip ( and probably a few other places). In addition, nobody here is that deranged to believe that any armed conflict would go the way of Taiwan. A middle-ranking officer in the Taiwan armed forces told me (not that confidentially) that a war with China would be unlikely to last more than two days.

That's a weekend we're talking about here.

So, much of the weapon talk is posturing and political noise-making. There is also a story (that was told to me by another member of the military) that the close ties in culture, and often family, between Taiwan and the PRC make Taiwan a security risk. By that I mean that the US may be reluctant at times to make cutting edge military technology available to Taiwan for fear that it may end up in China. This could explain why Taiwan is using 2nd generation (or perhaps 3rd) Patriot missile defense systems - when probably the Saudis and certainly the Israeli's have the latest of everything - with all the bells and whistles.

So there is little chance of the following happening right now. From the Taipei Times again:

Meanwhile, [DPP legislator] Tsai said that Willard’s testimony should give the government ample reasons to pursue an aggressive weapons modernization campaign, adding that the MND should explore different ways of acquiring the new F-16s and even F-35s, the US’ newest combat fighter jet.

Battle of the Bulge

 
I started at the gym today. And let me tell you it's been a few years since I saw the inside of one of these establishments. This one is very pleasant though. Clean, well-organised and not too many patrons at the time I was there. So I was able to do the exercises I wanted and use the equipment I needed. There is also a sauna/ jacuzzi etc, but you won't find me there. I'll never understand that kind of stuff. A good shower and I'm good to go!

I had no idea where to start out with workouts and I ended up at bodybuilding.com. I have to recommend this website to anyone who is looking for information on exercise or nutrition. They have lots of advice, great instructional videos - all geared towards specific age and gender groups - and you can buy just about any gym-related product at their online store.

Well, my shoulders ache and my hands are shaking so much that it's a miracle I can type. Feels great though!

Important Facts About Beer

 
Take a moment to visit the very amusing Oatmeal website. This is an excerpt from their highly informative 20 Things Worth Knowing About Beer :

The Lee-Enfield SMLE

 
A while ago I posted some information about the Mauser. Specifically, those used in the Anglo-Boer War. Mostly as a result of the lessons learned by the British during that conflict, the following rifle was introduced - and proved hugely successful.

This is from the Discovery Channel Website:

THE LEE-ENFIELD SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield)

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Caliber: 7.7 x 56 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 10 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,438 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 15-20 rounds per minute

The standard infantry weapon of British troops from World War I to the 1956 Suez crisis, the Lee-Enfield SMLE (pronounced "smelly") built its reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire. Its magazine carried 10 bullets, the largest capacity of any rifle on the battlefield during the first half of the 20th century. Its short bolt action cocked on closing, and its muzzle cap prevented dirt from clogging the weapon. In the hands of a well-trained infantryman, the Lee-Enfield could perform what was called the "mad minute," i.e., thirty rounds hitting a target 200 meters distant in one minute, a volume of fire that rivals modern semiautomatic weapons.

Visit the website when you have a chance. There are videos of different rifles in action and a poll to vote for the best rifle of all time. The AK 47 leads at the moment.

Five Sons to the Navy

 
The following excerpt is from the most fascinating website - Letters of Note. The editor states that his aim is to gather interesting letters, faxes, telegrams etc. I choose this letter because it so clearly shows the personal side of loss in war.

November, 1942: Five brothers, all serving on the same vessel during World War II, are killed in action as a result of said warship sinking at the Battle of the Solomons. Two months later, after hearing no word from the Navy regarding her sons' well-being, Alleta Sullivan writes the following, deeply moving letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Alleta promptly received a reply from President Roosevelt. That letter can also be read below.

As a result of the Sullivans' plight, the U.S. military introduced the Sole Survivor Policy. The policy attempts to ensure that, should a family member be lost during military service, any remaining siblings be exempt from service.

Transcript

Waterloo, Iowa
January 1943

Bureau of Naval Personnel

Dear Sirs:

I am writing you in regards to a rumor going around that my five sons were killed in action in November. A mother from here came and told me she got a letter from her son and he heard my five sons were killed.

It is all over town now, and I am so worried. My five sons joined the Navy together a year ago, Jan. 3, 1942. They are on the Cruiser, U.S.S. JUNEAU. The last I heard from them was Nov. 8th. That is, it was dated Nov 8th, U.S. Navy.

Their names are, George T., Francis Henry, Joseph E., Madison A., and Albert L. If it is so, please let me know the truth. I am to christen the U.S.S. TAWASA, Feb. 12th, at Portland, Oregon. If anything has happened to my five sons, I will still christen the ship as it was their wish that I do so. I hated to bother you, but it has worried me so that I wanted to know if it was true. So please tell me. It was hard to give five sons all at once to the Navy, but I am proud of my boys that they can serve and help protect their country. George and Francis served four years on the U.S.S. HOVEY, and I had the pleasure to go aboard their ship in 1937.

I am so happy the Navy has bestowed the honor on me to christen the U.S.S. TAWASA. My husband an daughter are going to Portland with me. I remain,

Sincerely,

Mrs. Alleta Sullivan
98 Adams Street
Waterloo, Iowa

Reply

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan:

The knowledge that your five gallant sons are missing in action against the enemy inspires me to write you this personal message. I realize full well there is little I can say to assuage your grief.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I want you to know that the entire nation shares in your sorrow. I offer you the condolences and gratitude of our country. We who remain to carry on the fight must maintain spirit, in the knowledge that such sacrifice is not in vain.

The Navy Department has informed me of the expressed desire of your sons, George Thomas, Francis Henry, Joseph Eugene, Madison Abel, and Albert Leo, to serve in the same ship. I am sure that we all take heart in the knowledge that they fought side by side. As one of your sons wrote, "We will make a team together that can't be beat." It is this spirit which in the end must triumph.

Last March you, Mrs. Sullivan, were designated to sponsor a ship of the Navy, in recognition of your patriotism and that of your sons. I understand that you are now even more determined to carry on as sponsor. This evidence of unselfishness and of courage serves as a real inspiration for me, as I am sure it will for all Americans. Such acts of faith and fortitude in the face of tragedy convince me of the indomitable spirit and will of our people.

I send you my deepest sympathy in your hour of trial and pray that in Almighty God you will find the comfort and help that only He can bring.

Very sincerely yours,

(Signed)

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Indian Country

 
Today I was supposed to go into Tainan City for 'business". But was side-tracked by coffee and the internet. Suddenly it was lunch time. Loaded the platoon into the car and headed into town. I was looking for somewhere to sit outside. And which served cold beer. Got both at the Indian restaurant - on Guanting Road.

Food was good. A plate of five Tandoori Lamb chops cost me R50 (200NT) and they were everything they were supposed to be. The lamb also cooperated most admirably with the Kingfisher beer. This lager does the trick. (Photo from my wife)

According to the Kingfisher website it's India's No 1. selling beer with a 34% market share. And here's an amazing statistic:

Four beers are sold every second in India! (Is that better than the University of Stellenbosch at Intervarsity?). And one of those four beers is a Kingfisher.

I like to think that I played a role in maintaining Kingfisher's commanding presence in the beer market - at least this afternoon.

This is a link to the Kingfisher website.

Taiwan Birth Rate and the NHI

 
And so we're in the news again. Apparently the Taiwanese aren't producing enough children. This could be quite problematic in the future. The Taiwan NHI (National Health Insurance) relies on contributions from working people to fund the medical care of the elderly and seriously ill who are not able to. In the future there will most likely be a steadily growing number of retirees taking NHI benefits with a steadily decreasing number of younger people putting money into the fund. As it is, the NHI is already in massive debt and negotiations on adjusting the contribution criteria are currently taking place in the Legislative Assembly.

On a personal note, the NHI is fantastic. Both my sons were born here and the medical expenses were... zero. On both occasions my wife was in a single room with en-suite bathroom, TV etc. In addition my second boy spent a week in hospital after his birth and again it cost me nothing. My monthly contribution amounts to R900 for the four of us together. A visit to the doctor costs 100NT (or about R25). The doctor's examination and most prescribed medication is completely covered by the NHI. Same for the dentist. Last year I was in a motorcycle accident. I was walking wounded and taken to a nearby medical centre. A shoulder and knee were x-rayed and examined. I was bandaged up, given an injection, met with a doctor and was issued with pain medication. I flashed my NHI card, paid R25 and walked staggered out.

Here's the news article from the BBC:

Taiwan seeks baby-boosting slogan

The Taiwanese authorities are offering a cash prize for a new slogan to boost the island's falling birth rate.

The interior ministry said that it wanted a creative slogan that would make people want to have babies.It said the best submission would receive a prize of one million Taiwanese dollars ($31,250, £20,763).Taiwan has already tried a number of measures to increase its birth rate, which is at a record low and still falling.Last year, Taiwan's birth-rate stood at 1.0 births per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1.

In 2009, the number of births fell by 3.7% from the previous year to 191,310.
"We are seeking a creative slogan that would appeal to the public and make everybody want to have children," an interior ministry statement said.Last month, the authorities announced plans to help finance fertility treatment for young couples struggling to get pregnant, in another effort to arrest the decline in births.

Taiwan is not the only country in the region trying to tackle this issue, amid fears that falling birth rates will cause social and economic problems. On Wednesday, the Japanese lower house passed legislation increasing the amount of child benefit to be paid to families in an effort to make child-rearing more affordable. And in January, South Korea's health ministry began turning out the lights early one day per month to persuade civil servants to go home and "get dedicated to childbirth and upbringing".

South Korea's plan to turn out the lights early to boost procreation had me thinking. Does Eskom management have some sinister long term strategy that has hitherto gone undetected? Or are they angling for appointments to executive positions in the Asian power grids?

 From Madam and Eve

District 419

 

 

Normal is a Cycle on a Washing Machine

 
The above is the motto of the U.S. Army's Asymmetric Warfare Group. The motto is actually in the Blackfoot Indian language.

The term asymmetric warfare refers to a warfare when one side is far more powerful but the other responds with new and deadly tactics of its own - Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are good examples. The motto " normal is a cycle on a washing machine " seems to have originated from the Vietnam-war era.

According to the Stars and Stripes:

The AWG is composed of senior enlisted, company-grade officers and contractors [and] the group is deployed, often in pairs, to advise combat units on various asymmetrical warfare threats and how to counter them. One major distinction, according to Greg Melcher, a contractor with the group, is "We don’t conduct operations."

Instead, they’re sort of expert consultants, "operational advisers," who, when deployed, go from unit to unit dispensing their expertise that’s ultimately supposed to save U.S. lives and win the war.

Selection for operational advisers happens only twice a year and includes, in addition to psychological and physical fitness tests, scenarios in which applicants are supposed to demonstrate problem-solving, communication and creativity skills.

The group also has a sort of research-and-development function. One of their claims to fame is a fogger devised to obscure snipers’ views.The Army already had a smoke grenade, but it took a while to actually put out smoke.Something quicker was needed, and they figured out how to do it, Lafferty said, after "blowing up some fire extinguishers."

Then they got it distributed quickly, another distinguishing group characteristic. "Our doctrine teaches us to ‘Do it this way,’ " Melcher said. "It doesn’t allow for that freedom of thought. We’re designed to augment the doctrine." The group also takes credit for the airdigger — which remotely shoots dirt off suspicious mounds to see if bombs are buried.

Language Log has also had a look at this article. Mark Liberman writes:

Versions of the saying "Normal is (just|only|nothing_but) the|a cycle|setting on the|a washing machine" has been around for a while, and it sounds like a Vietnam-era kind of sentiment. The phrase apparently is used in John McAfee's 1993 Vietnam novel Slow walk in a sad rain, and given the  description of the AWG in Stars and Stripes, and the description of the book in this review, it may well be the source of the motto:

The story begins in Special Forces A Camp, number 413, twenty miles from the Cambodian border. The camp's Green Berets, dividing their time between boredom and terror, are ostensibly led by a captain, the narrator of the story. But the officer actually takes his cue from an aggressive sergeant named Shotgun who is alternately crazy and wise, but always irresistibly, frighteningly dangerous. The altogether appropriate motto of A Camp is "Normal is a cycle on a washing machine." Commanding officers issue orders that have no meaning; weapons are used in ways that are the grotesque opposite of their original design. And in an experience that has a real-life counterpart, the Green Berets stumble on a shocking alliance between the CIA and North Vietnam, something they realize they must destroy — even at the cost of bringing both sides down on them.

Sandstorms...

 
I went for a run this evening. It's always dark when I get back so I'm running mostly in something that I think my father refers to as the "gloaming". Tonight, however, there was a decided fuzziness in the air and now I see why. From the China Post:

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday warned the public of a wave of sandstorms arriving today, which will affect air quality across the country, local media reported yesterday. Since last weekend, dust storms have been looming over some of China's provinces and they are moving towards Taiwan, according to the EPC's statement.
The sandstorms are to blanket the whole island today, together with a cold air mass and a cold front, the EPC added.

Wow! This is happening more and more often. I guess those guys across on the mainland aren't watering the plants.

On the plus side all this extra ground will negate the affect of the rising water from the melting ice caps.

Okay, it's not this bad....yet.

Keeping our Borders Secure

 
This is from the Taipei Times today:

Tough smoking laws keeping Japanese away

The Tourism Bureau said yesterday it would coordinate the establishment of smoking rooms at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after a Japanese tourism association complained that the nation’s strict airport smoking ban had kept Japanese tourists away.

During the third Taiwan-Japan Tourism Summit Forum in Nantou, the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) said that an amendment to the Tobacco Hazard Prevention and Control Act (菸害防治法) passed in January last year that limits smoking to certain areas at airports was “threatening” Japanese tourism.

Liu Hsi-lin (劉喜臨), chief secretary of the bureau, said Japanese tourists frequently complained that there were no smoking facilities at the airport, which prompted the airport to create two outdoor smoking terraces in January.

In addition to the smoking terraces, the airport is mulling whether to set up indoor smoking rooms with air-filtering equipment. Liu, however, said that this could not be accomplished until the legal issues were resolved.

The airport had previously unveiled a plan to set up nine indoor smoking rooms, but it was aborted after anti-smoking groups said it violated the act.

Given the high number of smokers in Japan, many have decided not to visit because of the strict anti-smoking laws, Liu said, citing the report by JATA, a national organization of travel agents and related industries.

Liu said that as Japan is one of the main sources of visitors, the bureau as a government agency in charge of local tourism promotion had a responsibility to coordinate and help resolve the problem.

One can't help wondering how much s%*t this country could have avoided if these anti-smoking laws were in effect in the late 1890's ...

 

The Heat is On

 
I knew this would happen! Suddenly the humidity has rocketed up, it's hot and sticky and generally unpleasant. I went for a run and now I can't stop sweating.

I am typing from the children's room - the only one with air conditioning.

What's really amazing is that my wife took a coat with her when she left just now. And last night she slept under a thick blanket.While I moaned and complained and crawled around looking for a breeze under the window.

This is from the Gatorade Sport Science Institute:

Most cases of exertional heat illness occur in the summer months (Kark et al., 1996), but the incidence rates are greatest when the weather is hottest, summer or not (Sparling, 1997). Risk for exertional heat illness in military training increases progressively as wet-bulb-globe temperatures (WBGT) rise above 65°F (18.3°C); cases occur primarily with strenuous exercise (e.g., running) and after several consecutive days of hot weather (Kark et al., 1996). A lack of heat acclimation is an important factor for heat intolerance (extreme sensitivity to the heat or discomfort in the heat) and heat illness (Armstrong et al., 1990a). Likewise, US Army recruits from northern states are more susceptible to heat illness than are recruits from southern states (Carter et al., 2005). This latter observation suggests that persistent heat exposure early in life might provide protective benefit later.

So basically my wife just doesn't feel the heat... 

Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor - SA Victoria Cross Holder

 
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918. He was a South African from Mossel Bay.

This is from Wikipedia:

He was attending the University of Cape Town studying engineering when the European war broke out. He took leave from his studies to join the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles. He served as a signalman in the German South-West Africa campaign. In August 1915 he was demobilized with an honorable discharge. He promptly went to work with the South African Field Telegraph and re-enrolled in university. He managed to complete his third year of college before re-enlisting, this time into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), in March 1917.

This is beautiful:

Beauchamp-Proctor's piloting skills can be judged by the fact he had three landing accidents before he ever shot down an enemy plane.

Apparently he was a poor pilot - and struggled because he was too short to use the airplane's rudders - but he was a deadly shot. This is his VC citation:

"Between August 8, 1918, and October 8, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control. Between October 1, 1918, and October 5, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons, and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control. On October 1, 1918, in a general engagement with about twenty-eight machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt; on October 2 he burnt a hostile balloon near Selvjgny; on October 3 he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Mont d'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon; on October 5, the third hostile balloon near Bohain. On October 8, 1918, while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in the arm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his-aerodrome, and after making his report was admitted to hospital. In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two enemy machines, sixteen enemy kite balloons, and driving down sixteen enemy aircraft completely out of control. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the Battle of St. Quentin from March 21, 1918, and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8, has been almost unsurpassed in its Brilliancy, and. as such has made an impression on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten. Capt. Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Cross on 22 June 1918; D.F. Cross on 2 July 1918; Bar to M.C. on 16 September 1918; and Distinguished Service Order on 2 November 1918."
VC citation, Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 November 1918

Sadly he was killed in 1921.

Beauchamp-Proctor was killed on the 21 June 1921 in a training accident flying a Sopwith Snipe, in preparation for an air show at the RAF Hendon. His aircraft went into a vicious spin after performing a slow loop, and he was killed in the ensuing crash. At least one observer remarked that the loss of control and subsequent crash of the aircraft could have been linked to Proctor's diminutive size.

It seems this was a remarkable man. These South Africans have been lost in history.

A Real Hamburger in Tainan City

 
We met some friends for lunch today. And ate next to the NCKU (National Cheng Kung University) campus.

I love that area. It has a real authentic "student" feel. Lots of serious, focused-looking young gentlemen with engineering textbooks and plenty of nubile women zipping around on scooters and bicycles.

We landed up at the Yellow Bee which specializes in hamburgers. And we were very pleasantly surprised. A serious burger and a good bun (extra cheese, bottomless coke etc. available for a bit more). Basic cost: 148NT (R37) for the beef hamburger. There were two teenage boys at the table and they just managed to finish their orders and their extra fries.

Tables inside and outside. Well worth it.

Here's a link to a local blog with photos.

Shanhua Beer Brewery

 
I have long been a staunch supporter of the TTL (Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation) and for good reason. Their alcohol - I'm mostly familiar with their beer - is cheap and decent. In fact, their Gold Medal beer has won a few international awards - thus the name.

The TTL has breweries around the island. I think that there are four or five. But one, the Shanhua Brewery, is less than five minutes drive. There is cheap, acceptable food and the beer is 50NT (R12) per 500ml draft. In addition, there are tables outside and a pond with ducks and fish to amuse the kids.

We are VERY regular patrons.

My wife first read about this place in the paper and brought me here. Talk about the way to a man's heart...

She took this picture:

Some more information from FYI South Magazine:

There are two kinds of beer on tap: standard Taiwan Beer, and an unusual Mango Beer, which is enjoyably fruity without being overwhelmingly sweet. Both are NT$50 for 500cc. If you're driving, try one of the many coffees (NT$32 to NT$80), teas or other soft drinks. The choice of food runs from spaghetti to soups to rice. Set meals are NT$100 to NT$140. Shanhua Brewery is owned by Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor (TTL), The brewery is about two kilometers east of Shanhua Train Station, and about two kilometers west of the Shanhua Freeway Interchange, on the corner of Road 178 and Provincial Highway 1.

(06) 583-8511
2, ChengGong Rd., Shanhua Township, Tainan County
Hours: 10 am-10 pm
www.ttl.com.tw

Work

Sorry for the lack of posts for a while. But it's been back at work.

Setting up schedules. Setting up schedules for meetings. Setting up meetings to set schedules for meetings. It goes on... Still it's good to be doing something constructive, I suppose.

I also ran one 5K, two 8K's and two 12K's this week. Helped not a little by the cold weather that suddenly descended from the north. Crisp, dry air - that's the way it's supposed to be. So, better enjoy it and use it while it's here.