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The Petticoat Commando

The Petticoat Commando

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Genre(s): ,

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Number of Chapters: 42

Length: 10 hours and 07 minutes

Language: English

In introducing the English version of this book I venture to bespeak a welcome for it, not only for the light which it throws on some little-known incidents of the South African war, but also because of the keen personal interest of the events recorded. It is more than a history. It is a dramatic picture of the hopes and fears, the devotion and bitterness with which some patriotic women in Pretoria watched and, as far as they could, took part in the war which was slowly drawing to its conclusion on the veld outside.

I do not associate myself with the opinions expressed by the writer as to the causes of the war or the methods adopted to bring it to an end, or as to the policy which led to the Concentration Camps, and the causes of the terrible mortality which prevailed during the first months of their existence. On these matters many readers will hold different opinions from the writer, or will prefer to let judgment be in suspense and to look to the historian of the future for a final verdict. We are still too near the events to be impartial. But this book does not challenge or invite controversy. Fortunately for South Africa, most of us on both sides can now discuss the events of the war without bitterness and understand and respect the feelings of those who were most sharply divided by these events from ourselves.

The greater part of the narrative comes from a diary kept during the war with unusual fullness and vividness. The difficulty experienced by the writer of the diary in communicating to friends outside Pretoria information about what was passing inside, and in unburdening herself of the feelings roused in her by the events of the war, made the diary more than usually intimate. To understand fully many of the narratives which have been transferred from it to this book, it must be remembered that one is reading, not something written from memory years after the event, but rather the record of a conversation at the time, in which the diarist is describing the events as if to a friend who shares to the full all her own feelings and to whom she can speak without reserve.

Much has happened in the ten years which have passed since the end of the war. The country which was distracted by the conflicting ideals and interests of its different Governments and peoples has become the Union of South Africa. It is now one State. It remains that it should call forth a spirit of patriotism and nationality which will unite and not divide its people.(Introduction by Patrick Duncan)

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Introduction (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Scene Of Action (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
How The Mines Were Saved (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Surrender Of The Golden City (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Martial Law Under The Enemy (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Only A Bit Of Ribbon Gay! (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Passes and Permits (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Postage By Strategy (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Outwitting The Censor (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Jan Celliers, Poet And Patriot (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
A Little Adventure With The British Soldier (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Prisoner Of War (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Concentration Camps (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
A Consular Visit To Irene Camp (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
New Developments (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Formation Of The National Scouts Corps (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
A Consignment of Explosives (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The First Interview With Spies, Introducing Two Heroes (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Case Of Spoelstra (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Diamond Cut Diamond! (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Thanksgiving And Humiliation (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Filippie And COo (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Secret Railway Time-Table (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The System Employed By The Secret Committee (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Death Of Adolph Krause (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Shoemaker At Work (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Bitten By Our Own Dogs (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Betrayal Of The Secret Committee. A Memorable Day Of Trouble (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Hansie Earning The Vote (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
A War Baby And A Curious Christening (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Forming A New Committee (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
"Tea For Two" (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Kidnapping Mauser The Kitten (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The First Spies At Harmony (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Captain's Visit (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Memories Bitter-Sweet (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
A Silent Departure. "Fare Thee Well" (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Betrayed (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Raid On Harmony (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
The Watchword. Oiling The Hinges (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Peace, Peace--And There Is No Peace (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
Conclusion (Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022))
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