Desert Rats - World War II Christmas greeting card.

This World War II Christmas greeting card carries a rich history tied to the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa:

 Military History & Unit: The "IV" insignia on the cover stands for the 4th South African Armoured Car Regiment (4 SAACR). Operating as reconnaissance units for the British Eighth Army, they earned the nickname "Desert Rats" alongside other desert forces. The small red animal featured on the cover is a jerboa (a hopping desert rodent), which was the famous tactical emblem of the 7th Armoured Division / Desert Forces.

 Historical Context (1942 Libya): In late 1942, South African forces played a crucial role in the Second Battle of El Alamein (October–November 1942) and the subsequent Allied pursuit of Axis forces across Libya. Soldiers stationed in the Libyan desert painted or printed personalized battlefield Christmas cards to send home to loved ones for Christmas 1942.

 The Vehicle Depicted: The watercolor scene on the inside shows a Marmon-Herrington Armoured Car driving across the Libyan desert terrain. Manufactured locally in South Africa, these vehicles were the backbone of South African armoured reconnaissance units during the campaign.

 The Artist: The signature in the bottom right corner of the watercolor painting possibly reads "STEFTON" (or Sefton).

Closed: 135mm x 101mm

Watercolour laid down; minor edge wear etc.

R1,000