Naval hero of World War II became one of SA’s greatest military leaders

Hugo Biermann worked his way up from being a naval cadet to overseeing dangerous operations in the Mediterranean Sea during the war, and eventually led the South African Defence Force.

- Graham Jooste.

Hugo Hendrik Biermann was born in Johannesburg on 6 August 1916 and received his early education in that area. His father was a Post Office official who was later transferred to Cape Town on promotion.

After school, the young Biermann enrolled at South African Training Ship (SATS) General Botha in Simon's Town to embark on a nautical career.

As South Africa had no active navy of its own, the coastline was protected by a powerful Royal Navy presence, which usually consisted of a cruiser, two destroyers, and various lighter vessels.

SATS General Botha was staffed by former Royal Navy officers and instructors. The selection process was stringent, and Biermann qualified for the 1932 intake.

SATS General Botha, a familiar sight in False Bay, had steadily built up a reputation for producing calibre sailors. (She was condemned in 1937 and sunk by cannon fire from a battery on Red Hill, after 1 276 cadets had received their training over a 15-year period aboard the ship.)

A STRING OF PROMOTIONS

Biermann completed his two-year course in 1933 and proceeded to sea as a cadet in the British Merchant Navy. After a few years, he joined the South African Railways and Harbours in the Cape Town docks as a tugboat master.

So efficient was he in handling small craft during difficult situations, that he also became involved in salvage operations along the coast.

Biermann began his naval career in 1938 as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves.

In January 1940, he was called up for full-time service and transferred to the Seaward Defence Force. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1941.

There were gun batteries and emplacements along the South African coast, with large batteries at Port Elizabeth and East London hidden in the hills above the ports.