A superb example of the now rare
South African Cigarette Tin
issued to South African Troops
fighting alongside the
British 8th Army
in the Western Desert 1941-42.
The 1st South African Infantry Division fought
in the Western Desert in Libya & Egypt
from June 11th 1940 to May 1943
as part of the Allied Campaign against the Axis Forces of Italy and
The German Afrikakorps under Erwin Rommel .
Containing 14 Springbok cigarettes, each tin,
bearins the twin image of the
South Africa Prime Minster and his wife
(Jan Smuts & Mrs Isie K Smuts),
and contains a greetings inside the lid
in both English & Afrikaanse.
The tins were provided to the Army by
South African Gifts & Comforts Committee
and mirrored
Queen Victoria's Chocolate Gift Tin of The Boer War
and
Princess Mary's Tobacco Gif Tins of The Great War.
Designed for the battledress pocket
and measuring approx. 4.5" x 3" x 0.75"
this example retains both its original
Customs & Excise Seal
and its manufacturer's name label on the rear:
THE UNITED TOBACCO COS (SOUTH)LTD
32 Kloof Road, Cape Town
and is in a superb condition for its age.
A cracking personal souvenir from the heavy
Allied heavy fighting against German & Italian Forces
that took place across
The Western Desert of North Africa
between the years 1940 & 1943.
(B/W Image Courtesy of The Tomahawk Films Archive)
Thanks for looking..!