Jan Smuts's choice of Balfour combined a gesture of imperial trust with distance from naval commitments. South Africa appeared remote from likely attackers, yet sat astride the diversion route that became vital whenever the Suez Canal or Mediterranean could not carry traffic. Protea, the navy's only Flower-class corvette, entered service after the Second World War. South African air patrols, trawlers, and other vessels nevertheless contributed during the war, when convoys passed the Cape to support North Africa and the Far East. The criticism concerns the limited investment in naval forces despite the route's importance, while acknowledging those wartime contributions.
Notable Point · 45:23-49:31
South Africa and the neglected Cape sea route
South Africa's sense of geographic safety obscured the naval importance of the Cape route and encouraged reliance on outside fleets.