Military history of South Africa during World War II Westminster with its head of state being the British king, the South African Prime Minister on 1 September 1939 was J.B.M. Hertzog – the leader of the pro-Afrikaner and anti-British National Party. The National Party had joined in a unity government with the pro-British South African Party of Jan Smuts in 1934 as the United Party. Hertzog's problem was that South Africa was constitutionally obligated to support Great Britain against Nazi Germany. The Polish-British Common Defence Pact obligated Britain, and in turn its dominions, to help Poland if attacked by the Nazis. When Adolf Hitler's forces attacked Poland on 1
5th North African Infantry Division 5th North African Infantry Division The 5th North African Infantry Division was a French Army formation during World War II. During the Battle of France in May 1940 the division was made up of the following units: The Division was created in September 1939 and was dissolved in June 1940 following the invasion of France. The Division was commanded by Generals Ferdinand Vieillard (to April 1940) and Augustin Agliany. It was an active division which existed during peacetime. The Tirailleurs Regiments were made up of native troops from North Africa. The Zouaves Regiment was made up from European settlers in