The history of World War II is filled with stories of heroism and bravery.
Many of these tales come from the soldiers who fought on the front lines, but some also come from those who were held as prisoners of war.
One such story is that of Job Maseko, a South African soldier who gained fame for his actions in sinking a German vessel while serving as a prisoner of war.
Job Maseko remarkable story serves as a testament to the courage and resourcefulness of those who fought in the war, even under the most challenging circumstances.
In this article, we will delve deeper into Job Maseko story and explore the incredible feat he accomplished while in captivity.
Life of Job Maseko as a Prisoner
If you haven’t heard of Job Maseko before, it’s time to learn about this unsung hero.
Job Maseko was one of the 80,000 Black South African soldiers who served with the Native Military Corps (NMC) during World War II.
The South African soldier during World War II, rose to fame due to his heroic actions while serving as a prisoner of war.
Before the war, Job Maseko worked as a delivery man in Springs.
However, he volunteered for service with the Native Military Corps and was sent to North Africa with the 2nd South African Division after completing basic training.
Unlike many soldiers who fought on the frontlines, NMC soldiers like Job Maseko were not armed and were designated as non-combatants.
Instead, they were responsible for tasks such as laboring, guarding, or providing medical assistance.
Job Maseko served as a stretcher-bearer in North Africa, transporting wounded soldiers from the battlefield to medical facilities.
Despite the limitations placed on his role, Maseko was still able to demonstrateremarkable courage and resourcefulness.
In 1942, Job Maseko’s life took a dramatic turn when his commander surrendered to German forces at Tobruk, leading Maseko to become a prisoner of war.
His commander, Major-General Henry Belsazar KIopper, commander of the South African 2nd Infantry Division, surrendered to Rommel at Tobruk with 32,000 men.
This included 10,722 South Africans of the 2nd Division, of whom 1,200 were members of the Native Military Corps.
The Germans separated the prisoners based on their race.
While the white troops were sent to prison camps in Europe, the black prisoners were retained in Italian prison camps in Africa.
There, they were forced to work as manual laborers under horrific conditions.
Part of the prisoners’ forced labor involved loading and unloading supplies from German freight ships in the port of Tobruk in Libya.
Maseko’s pre-war experience and exposure to explosives made him a valuable asset to the Germans, who assigned him to this task.
However, Maseko seized an opportunity to strike back against his captors.
As a Black soldier, Job Maseko was sent to work at the docks, loading and unloading German ships under harsh conditions.
But he refused to accept his fate and decided to take matters into his own hands.
One day, while unloading cargo from a German freight ship in the Tobruk harbor, Maseko sunk a fully laden enemy steamer while moored in Tobruk Harbor.
He accomplished this remarkable feat by placing a small milk can filled with gunpowder among drums of petrol in the hold.
He then led a fuse from the tin to the hatch and lit the fuse upon closing the hatch.
The resulting explosion sank the ship, caused considerable damage to the harbor and made a way for Job Maseko to escape.
Following his daring escape from the Italian POW camp in Tobruk, Maseko trekked through enemy lines and the harsh desert terrain for three weeks before finally reaching safety in El Alamein.
In October of 1942, he joined the Native Military Corps (NMC) in the Second Battle of El Alamein, where he served as a stretcher bearer for the allied forces, rescuing wounded soldiers even under heavy enemy fire.
The NMC soldiers, including Maseko, were unarmed and classified as non-combatants, often serving in roles such as laborers, guards, or medical aides.
After the battle, Maseko was transferred to the 6th South African Armoured Division and was awarded the Military Medal “for meritorious and courageous action” during WWII and his daring sinking of a German cargo ship in Tobruk.
Job Maseko was also among the 80,000 Black South Africans who served in the Native Military Corps (NMC).
Despite their service, Black soldiers were treated unfairly and given inferior rewards compared to White soldiers, who received land and housing.
Maseko was even recommended for the Victoria Cross, but because of his race, he was only awarded the Military Medal.
Job Maseko, a member of the Native Military Corps, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of his courageous actions during the Second World War.
According to his citation, while he was a Prisoner of War on or around July 21st, 1942, he sank an enemy steamer that was fully laden, most likely an “F” boat, while it was moored in Tobruk Harbour.
Maseko accomplished this feat by placing a small tin filled with gunpowder among drums of petrol in the hold, leading a fuse to the hatch, and lighting it upon closing the hatch.
Maseko’s actions displayed not only ingenuity but also complete disregard for personal safety, given the risk of punishment from the enemy or the ensuing explosion.
Despite being a hero, Maseko faced discrimination and racism after the war. Some reports suggest that he was recommended for the Victoria Cross for his valour, but a senior military officer vetoed the recommendation because he was black, and instead, he received the Military Medal.
However, according to records at the United Kingdom National Archives, Maseko was actually recommended for the British Empire Medal for gallantry, and the citation was upgraded to an immediate award of the Military Medal.
In addition to the Military Medal, Maseko would have been awarded several service medals, including the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Italy Star, the War Medal, and the Africa Service Medal.
After the war, Maseko, like many other demobilised soldiers, struggled to gain recognition in civilian life. The Apartheid-based general rule governing pension awards meant that Coloured pension scales should amount to three-fifths and African pension scales to two-fifths of the rate applicable to whites.
This meant that most African ex-servicemen were unable to find employment based on the new skills they had acquired in the army, and the standard of living to which they were accustomed while members of the South African forces were no longer achievable. For Maseko and members of the NMC, post-war South Africa was very much the same as pre-1939 South Africa.
Sadly, Maseko’s story ended in tragedy. He was struck and killed by a train on March 7th, 1952, and at the time of his death, he was so poor that his funeral was paid for by borrowed and donated funds.
Job Maseko’s legacy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the African soldiers who fought in the Second World War, and the discrimination and racism they faced upon their return home.
Despite the adversity he faced, Maseko displayed courage and heroism, and his actions will not be forgotten.
To honor his bravery, a primary school in KwaThema and a road linking Springs to the township have been named after him.
Research states that there is a campaign supported by his family to have his Military Medal upgraded to the Victoria Cross, the highest honor in the British honours system awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy” to members of the British Armed Forces.
Conclusion
Job Maseko story is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of those who fought in World War II, even in the most adverse circumstances.
Maseko’s daring action was a testament to his courage and resourcefulness.
Despite being a prisoner of war, he found a way to strike a blow against his captors and make a significant contribution to the war effort.
His story also highlights the unjust treatment and lack of recognition that Black soldiers faced during that time. Despite Maseko’s heroic actions, he was only given a bicycle, boots, or a suit as a reward, while white soldiers received houses and land.
Even after his death, Maseko’s honor was downgraded from a Victoria Cross to a Military Medal because of his race.
However, his legacy is still remembered and celebrated today, thanks to the efforts of his family and supporters like Bill Gillespie. They continue to campaign for Maseko to be posthumously given the recognition he deserves, arguing that his actions were exceptional and worthy of the Victoria Cross.
Also read: The Life of Gustav Badin, an Enslaved African Gifted to Sweden Royalty in 18th Century
Maseko’s niece, Jennifer Nkosi Maaba, speaks of the bittersweet feelings that come with remembering her uncle’s contributions to Black history. She believes that if Maseko had been a white soldier, he would have received the higher award, and he deserves more than just a pair of boots and a bicycle for his bravery.
Despite the injustice he faced, Maseko’s legacy lives on in his hometown of Springs, South Africa, where a primary school bears his name, and a mural celebrates his life and achievements. Lucas Maseko is a true hero of Black history, and his courage and sacrifice will always be remembered.
His story remains an inspiration to many and serves as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of those who fought in World War II.
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