DIE O.B. (3 volumes)

AGTER TRALIES EN DORINGDRAAD: xvii, 423 pages: illustrations, portraits, tables. Cloth, dustwrapper with creases and small chip to lower edge of spine. 

A compilation of reminscences of those interred by the Smuts government during the war. The Bond was formed in 1946 under the leadership of J.F.J. van Rensburg. Amongst the committee members were several men who would later feature in S.A. politics- B.J. Vorster, his brother J.D. Vorster, B.J. Erasmus & H.J. van den Bergh.

Die O.B. was the mouthpiece of the Ossewa-Brandwag formed in Bloemfontein on 4 February 1939 by pro-German South Africans. The three volumes of newspapers cover the period 11.11.42 to 3.11.43; 22.11.44 to 7.11.45 and 10.11.48 to 2.11.49. Much coverage is given to the speeches of the organization's leader. The newspapers provide deep insight into the objectives of the Ossewa-Brandwag and the anti-Semitic, anti-capitalistic, anti-Smuts and anti-Empire beliefs. The paper describes how South Africa would look if they took power with their "Volksregering" where a farmer would be minister of Agriculture, a railwayman of the Railways and a teacher, of Education. Afrikaners would own the mines and no overseas capital would be allowed. Newspapers would only inform readers- there would be no arguments or disagreements published. They also opposed D.F. Malan and no coverage is provided of Smuts winning the July 1943 general election. A disturbing view of a troubled time in South African history.