Motor Transport during South West Africa campaign

[delta]

A motor enthusiast from Cape Town is interested in learning about the use of motor cars and lorries used to support South Africa forces operating in South West Africa and German East Africa.

A trawl of the forum shows RNAS armoured cars operating there but these were UK based. Has any pal information on locally provided transport

[centurion]

Enclosed Union Defence Force (UDF) volunteers with a machine gun equipped car. Possibly someone can identify the type of car. Also note the Madsen LMGs in evidence.

[centurion]

Also some other cars used in SWA for the Staff

[Scalyback]

Thank you for the snippet on the Madsen Mr C.

[delta]

many thanks Centurian

S

[JSAfrika]

Delta,

You're correct, there were 12 R-R Silver Ghost armored cars (RNAS Number 1 Armoured Car Squadron) in theater. Centurion's cars show Botha and staff on approach to Windhoek in May 1915 and the machine-gun car looks like a Ford Model T, but can't say for sure.

Here are a few more trucks...American Pierce-Arrows, I believe (definitive ID pending). The UDF had several hundred cargo trucks including Crossley, Karrier and Studebakers, working in the campaign moving cargo forward (mostly) from Walvis Bay.

VR

[centurion]

And the armoured cars