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Railway staff laying track in South Africa, WW1
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Railway staff laying track in South Africa, WW1
South African railway staff laying track across scrub land to join up with the Windhoek line (now in Namibia, but then in German South West Africa) to Kaalfontein and Upington (South Africa), during the First World War. They laid over five miles of track in one day. Date: June 1915
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Media ID 7186231
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10528500
Conditions Desert Join Laying Link Namibia Rails Scrub Sleepers Staff Track Windhoek
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, a dedicated team of South African railway staff are seen working tirelessly to lay track across the arid scrub land of South West Africa, now modern-day Namibia, during the First World War. The year is 1915, and these men are on a mission to join up the Windhoek line, then under German control, with the Kaalfontein and Upington lines in South Africa. The landscape before them is unforgiving, with the relentless sun casting long shadows over the barren terrain. Yet, the railway staff remain undeterred, their determination evident as they work in unison to lay over five miles of track in a single day. The men are seen here carefully placing sleepers and laying down rails, their faces etched with focus and determination. The importance of their work cannot be overstated. The construction of this railway line was crucial for the transportation of troops and supplies to the front lines, as well as for the movement of wounded soldiers back to hospitals in South Africa. The successful completion of this project would enable a more efficient and effective military response, ultimately contributing to the eventual Allied victory in the region. Despite the challenging conditions, the railway staff persevere, their commitment to the war effort shining through. The heat of the desert air is a constant companion, yet they press on, driven by the knowledge that their work is vital to the war effort and the lives of those who depend on their unwavering dedication. This powerful image serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of these unsung heroes, who played a crucial role in the history of South Africa and the outcome of the First World War.
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