Archive for July, 2011

Way to use the inetnret to help people solve problems!

Rest in peace General.

The Reconnaissance Regiments were very busy during Ops Modular, Hooper and Packer. Operation Hunter was the code word for SF's operation to support the SADF/Unita and 5 RR were already in theatre by July 1987. Op Hunter then became Hunter B and C (4 RR's participation - Mrt to Apr 88). 4 RR also conducted Op Coolidge which resulted in the partial destruction of the Cuito Cuanavale bridge. In this Hunter series 1 RR, 4 RR and 5 RR (the lions share) rotated. 2 RR did not deploy as a unit but some of the operators were attached. While Op Hunter was ongoing the Reconnaissance Regiments also conducted various other operations in the Angolan theatre for example 1 RR's Op Gwarri and 5 Recce's Op Firewood (elements of 2 Recce were also involved as were companies from 101 Bn etc). Op Firewood was of great concern to the Russians and Angolans as they thought it was an attempt of the SADF to threaten their supply line however it was a pure anti-Swapo operation.

The SADF tried earlier on to get its hands on an SA-8 system "Copy 3 of 6, H LEëR/D OPS/309/1 from SA Army headquarters titled “OPERASIE FOX: DIE BUIT VAN ‘N SA-8 MISSIELSTELSEL” dated 16 September 1983" However after an appreciation this op never went ahead. The rumour I've heard about the SA-8 is that it ended up with the Israelis who then handed it over to the Americans ?

Zulu Zulu Golf was a bakgat book and read verry lekker. I hope Arn will do another one on Zulu X-ray. He stop just as he go fight with Frans Conradie, and do think the story can get just better.

I remember Miller Meiring from 1987 when the Mech infantry JL's came to School of Armour to do their training with us for a few months.

I need a little help on an obscure subject. If any of your user know anything about the SADF or SWATF base at Etale, just south of Ohangwena, I'd appreciate hearing from them via my website www.jimhooper.co.uk . Especially during 1986-'87 I think Etale was a sapper base tasked with sweeping the tar road up to Oshikango, and the Oom Willie se Pad to Eenhana. I'd also like to trace the SAMS doctor and medics who were there the night we had two killed and 15 wounded at Ohangwena. They got there right after the rev and were crucial in helping. Thanks, Jim

Op daai aand van die 13 sep het ons in n hinderlaag beland en is ek met n ak 47 in my kopstuk geskiet gelukkig kan ek die storie vertel ,ek het nog die patroon punt wat uit my kopstuk gekom het en die klere wat ek daai aand aan gehad het.Kry nou nog hoendervleis as ek daaraan dink

General Magnus André De Merindol Malan (January 30, 1930 – 18th July 2011), the former Minister of Defence (in the cabinet of President P. W. Botha), Chief of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and Chief of the South African Army, has died aged 81.

He led the white minority government’s “total onslaught” strategy.

This included bombing southern African countries which supported the overthrow of apartheid and declaring a state of emergency in South Africa to end pro-democracy protests.

He became the first minister to go on trial for apartheid-era atrocities but was acquitted in 1996.

Gen Malan served as defence minister for 11 years until 1991, when then-President FW de Klerk removed him under pressure from Nelson Mandela.

Mr Mandela accused Gen Malan of setting up hit squads to kill ANC activists and destabilise South Africa ahead of democratic elections.

These took place in 1994, with the ANC winning a landslide and Mr Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president.

During the 1980s, Gen Malan sanctioned raids against anti-apartheid fighters in Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

He went on trial on charges of links to the killing of 13 people in KwaZulu-Natal province in 1987 and for illegally giving paramilitary training to black opponents of the ANC.

He denounced the trial as a “dark day” for South Africa’s fledgling democracy, while ANC activists blamed his acquittal on an apartheid-era judge presiding over the case.

He also led the talks which paved the way for Namibia’s independence in 1990, ending its status as a South African colony.

His family said he died peacefully at home and is survived by his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.

Here is the link to Phillip's (pfv) 'An SADF ou man on conscription in the East German army'...a VERY entertaining read! Thanks Phillip! http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1123 Below are two photos of the SA Gunners wearing the distinctive East-German helmets. The Cubans may have also worn these helmets, though. I don't think they were captured from the Cubans as this was VERY early in the war, during Operation Savannah, and the SADF and the Cuban army were only coming to grips with each other! Maybe one of the gunners that had been there knows?