Page 77 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

rd
In 1941/42 Pollsmoor Camp became the Anti-Aircraft training base for 3 Heavy Anti-
st
Aircraft Regiment and 1 Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Regiment

Navy

The Seaward Defence Force was established on 15 January 1940 and on 1 August 1942 the

SDF and the SA division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve were amalgamated to form
the SA Naval Forces. Their first task was the acquisition of ships and the training of men to

carry out defence commitments in South African waters. These comprised provision of

sufficient minesweepers to ensure the safety of the approaches to the principal ports, an
adequate number of anti-submarine patrol vessels to provide a continuous patrol of the

entrances to Cape Town and Durban, and the setting up of an Examination Service and

Port War Signals Station system.

In May 1940 the SA minesweepers cleared enemy minefields laid in the main shipping
route off Cape Agulhas and this task continued at intervals for over 18 months. Other fields

off Cape Columbine, Danger Point and the NW approaches to Table Bay were also
cleared.

Restricted military areas

Entry to sensitve areas was restricted for the duration of the war. For instance, access to the

South Peninsula was controlled by check points at Glencairn and Kommetjie. Red Hill
Pass was completely closed. On the then-gravel coast road to Cape Hangklip there was a

check point at Steenbras River mouth and access was closed to the Hangklip area. (In 1942

Chapman's Peak Drive was closed due to landslides and rockfalls).

74