George Brink
George Edwin Brink | |
---|---|
Gen George Brink in the Western Desert (seated) 1941 | |
Born |
1899 Jagersfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa |
Died |
30 April 1971 71) St. Michaels-on-Sea, Natal | (aged
Allegiance | South Africa |
Service/branch | South African Army |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Lieutenant-General George Edwin Brink CB CBE DSO (27 September 1889- 30 April 1971[1]) was a South African military commander.
Early life
Lt.-Gen. Brink was born at Jagersfontein, Orange Free State, on 27 September 1889 and was educated at Grey College, Bloemfontein[1]
In 1913, Brink joined the Union Defence Forces. In World War I he served in German East Africa during the first East African Campaign. In 1933 he was appointed the first Officer Commanding of the Special Service Battalion[2]
From 1937 to 1939, he was Director of Army Training at Defence Headquarters, from which he was promoted to Deputy Chief of the General Staff on the outbreak of World War II.
From 1940 to 1942, Brink commanded the 1st South African Division during the second East African Campaign. He also commanded the division during the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa.
In 1942, Brink turned over command of the division to Dan Pienaar. Brink then commanded the Inland Area Command in South Africa from 1942 to 1944.
From 1944 to 1948, Brink was in charge of demobilisation.
See also
- South African Army
- East African Campaign (World War I)
- East African Campaign (World War II)
- Western Desert Campaign
- 1st Infantry Division (South Africa)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The South African Military History Society Military History Journal 2 (1). June 1971 http://www.samilitaryhistory.org/vol021ob.html
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missing title (help). - ↑ "1 Special Services Battalion". Retrieved January 10, 2013.