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..!