Bertram Armstrong

Major General Bertram Frank Armstrong DSO^[1] (1893 – 1972) was a South African General officer. He was the commanding officer of the 5th South African Brigade in the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa during World War II.^[2]

Major General Bertram Frank Armstrong DSO
Born	1893 (1893)
Died	1972 (aged 78–79)
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Rank	Major General
Commands	5th South African Brigade Natal Command Witwatersrand Command Quartermaster General Chief of the General Staff
Battles / wars	Western Desert Campaign
Awards

Military career

General Armstrong joined the Natal Police in 1910 and was transferred to the South African Mounted Rifles in 1913.^[1]

He served in the British Army during World War I, but returned to the Union Defence Force in 1919. In 1923 he was shifted to the Garrison Artillery, and became the commanding officer in 1933.^[1]

At the outbreak of World War II, he served as Major General and commander of Natal Command and later as commander of 5th South African Brigade in North Africa. During this period he was taken prisoner of war. After his escape in 1944, he served as commander of Witwatersrand Command.^[1][3]

He later served as Quartermaster-General and Chief of the General Staff.^[1]

He retired on 28 January 1953.^[1]

Awards and decorations

• Distinguished Service Order (DSO)