South Africa in World War II: 50 Years - I. Merwis (Editor / Lead Contributor)

South Africa in World War II: 50 Years

A Commemorative Review of Union Defence Force Operations and Home Front Contributions

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: South Africa in World War II: 50 Years
• Author: I. Merwis (Editor / Lead Contributor)
• Publisher: The Executive (Specialist Corporate Publishing House), Johannesburg
• Publication Date: 1995 (Commemorative Golden Jubilee Edition)
• ISBN: None Issued (Specialist low-print anniversary publication)
• Edition Details: First Edition, Limited Commemorative Release. Published to mark the 50th anniversary of the cessation of global hostilities in 1945.
• Binding: Original publisher's heavy glossy pictorial boards / laminate hardback.
• Physical Format: Quarto (4to). Profusely illustrated throughout with rare archival wartime photography, combat maps, military unit insignias, and vintage propaganda advertisements.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Good Plus (G+) / Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Boards: The hardback laminate covers show slight edge and shelf wear, with minor bumping at the corner tips and spine ends. Outer surfaces retain vibrant colour clarity with light handling friction.
• Interior: Very Good. The binding remains robust and completely secure. The internal glossy paper stock is clean, bright, and completely free from ink stamps, annotations, page tears, or structural separation.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Published by The Executive in 1995, South Africa in World War II: 50 Years serves as a detailed corporate and military chronicle of the Union Defence Force's (UDF) massive mobilization during World War II. The volume covers the North African campaigns (El Alamein and Tobruk), the brutal Italian advancements, and the critical coastal patrol duties of the Seaward Defence Force. It also highlights the industrial "home front" achievements, detailing how South African factories rapidly pivoted to manufacture armored cars, munitions, and medical supplies for the Allied war machine.

Author Profile: I. Merwis & The Executive Editorial Board

I. Merwis was a seasoned South African journalist and military researcher who collaborated with The Executive publishing house to compile high-quality corporate commemorative portfolios. This editorial team was granted access to state military archives, veteran associations, and private industrial collections. This collaborative approach yielded a highly illustrated volume that balances frontline tactical operations with the domestic industrial efforts that transformed South Africa's post-war economy.