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32 Battalion is the gripping inside story of South Africa's most controversial fighting unit of the 1970s and 1980s. Originally formed in order to lend support to the FNLA and UNITA in the Angolan war, 32 Battalion quickly gained the reputation of being an unconventional, secretive, yet highly effective group. Written by a man who was intimately involved with the unit and served as its Regimental Sergeant Major for two years, the title aims to explode the myths surrounding the legendary 32 and set the record straight. It records how and why 32 Battalion was formed, explores its unique identity forged by the men who fought in it, details the many operations in which they participated, and concludes with its eventual disbandment at the dawn of a new South Africa. What they did, and how they did it, would earn this controversial group official recognition as the best fighting unit in the South African Army since World War II.
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AS THE WINDS of change buffeted colonial Africa during the late 1950s and early 1960s, storm clouds were gathering over territory claimed by Portuguese seafarers four centuries before. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
AS THE WINDS of change buffeted colonial Africa during the late 1950s and early 1960s, storm clouds were gathering over territory claimed by Portuguese seafarers four centuries before. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was written by a former regimental sergeant major of 32 battalion, a posting that he achieved at an unusual young age. He served on that unit for a good part of his military career.
Because of that, and because of the enthusiasm with which he describes the accomplishments of his unit and defends it against the defamations made by its foes, I approached the facts in this book with caution.
By I don't think there's real reason for that: first because the author went to great trouble to access confidential documents archived by South Africa's military. And also because if a military unit inspires such fierce loyalty, there must really be something special about it.
The result is, by far, one of the best military history books I ever read.
It combines careful presentation of the facts with exciting narration of military operations. It's enriched with a great amount of line drawings and maps (something I find lacking in almost all military books) that help a lot to understand the dimension of the incursions into Angola.
It's very well structured, starting by describing the context in which the battalion was founded (South Africa's intervention in Angola during the independence process, motivated by the struggle for independence of Namibia), followed by the "portfolio" of the unit (structure, home base, traditions, etc) and then by its "curriculum": the description of the military operations it was involved in.
As appendices you get a glossary of military terms and equipment (very useful for those unfamiliar), Roll of Honour and a list of the Battalion traditional songs.
To top it all a collection of photos taken on Buffalo Base and on military operations.
A great homage that other more prestigious and well-known military units should be envious of.
Because of that, and because of the enthusiasm with which he describes the accomplishments of his unit and defends it against the defamations made by its foes, I approached the facts in this book with caution.
By I don't think there's real reason for that: first because the author went to great trouble to access confidential documents archived by South Africa's military. And also because if a military unit inspires such fierce loyalty, there must really be something special about it.
The result is, by far, one of the best military history books I ever read.
It combines careful presentation of the facts with exciting narration of military operations. It's enriched with a great amount of line drawings and maps (something I find lacking in almost all military books) that help a lot to understand the dimension of the incursions into Angola.
It's very well structured, starting by describing the context in which the battalion was founded (South Africa's intervention in Angola during the independence process, motivated by the struggle for independence of Namibia), followed by the "portfolio" of the unit (structure, home base, traditions, etc) and then by its "curriculum": the description of the military operations it was involved in.
As appendices you get a glossary of military terms and equipment (very useful for those unfamiliar), Roll of Honour and a list of the Battalion traditional songs.
To top it all a collection of photos taken on Buffalo Base and on military operations.
A great homage that other more prestigious and well-known military units should be envious of.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
an intresting read if a little hard going, the writer spends a lot of time giving a lot of detail about weaponds/size of rounds/serial numbers on kit etc etc etc - a bit more human interest would be great.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book extremely interesting and in parts, was moved by the courage and determination of these men. Although the author is clearly a soldier and not a writer, the book flows well and will be thoroughly interesting to us military history nerds. A fantastic read.
The only problem I had (which has more to do with my brain capacity than the book) was trying to keep track of all the different factions, their leaders and who was an ally of who. I found writing a short summary of each on a piece of paper useful - I then used that as my bookmark :-)
The only problem I had (which has more to do with my brain capacity than the book) was trying to keep track of all the different factions, their leaders and who was an ally of who. I found writing a short summary of each on a piece of paper useful - I then used that as my bookmark :-)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hard going
I managed to get a third of the way through this book before giving up. I enjoy military history so sections that are dry (and focus on equipment etc, as others have said) aren't... Read more
Published 8 months ago by A customer
As it was
Well written and interesting book on the period, recommended to those interested in the Wars of Southern Africa.
Published on 8 Jan 2008 by Mr. M. R. Moran
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