Відео

Thanks for the memories and photos. I went to 1SSB but after the Angola conflict but went to School of Armour to do ZT3 and Eland. I had permanent shin splints but it was so much fun.

What a remarkable man

then f w de kak gave all the toys and guns to the terrorists . think about it.

I was there 1975 Ops Savannah 11th Commando

1SSB were our base neighbours (1 Parachute Battalion). Despite the regular good spirited “conflict” between our units, once we deployed into the Angolan war operational area, we all stood as one. Good days. Respect to my 1SSB brothers. 👊🏻

A very good detailed explanation of many aspects of National Service. Many things very similar to my experience.

1SSB. C Eskadron. Good memories... Mostly 😂

I am interested to hear how the change was from SADF to SANDF.

Tempe, Bloemfontein was a hotbed of military traiining activity back in '84 when I was at 1 SAI mechanised infantry (in those 6 wheeler Ratel ICV's he mentioned). Large intake groups would regularly come across each other (mech. infantry, parabats, ssb, & I think artillery etc) in platoons marching in double time with full kit out of base in the military suburb waiting to beat the crap out of each other at the earliest opportunity. Hilarious & scary all at once. Kommandant Leon doesn't mention the phenomenal 8-wheeler 'Rooikat' armoured car that was then being seen trialling to replace the old Eland 'noddy cars' from what I recall.

A01 GDF van Baalen is my Dad, he is turning 82 in 2024. His name is actually George van Baalen, not Gideon. He and my Mom are still kicking and living in Bloemfontein (RSA). He has three children (i'm the youngest at 38, my sister 42 and brother 45.) and 6 grandchildren. As kids growing up with a military Dad, we really do appreciate all the kind comments about our Dad. As most of you know, not much is talked about the war in Angola and for his proud children who often gone long periods without their Dad it is nice to hear respectful comments about him. At nearly 82, he would probably still kick our butts :-)

Mandela and apartheid governingtaxfree.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/mandela-and-apartheid/

Brilliant recording and recollection Thank you…its emotional to the greatest degree‼️ 🪖

Van Baalen - biggest imprint on me. Saw us off to 61. Told us to trust the training as well as the equipment. Aim lower at the tanks as the bush was high and the 90 would do its job. He had good experience and really felt for his soldiers 🙏🏽

1SSB A SQN TRP 6 86/88. Major Du Plessis awesome OC. Best time of my life.

1SSB 1983/1984. Proud member of 1SSB Gerhard Morkel. C squadron Ops Medic.

Die beste BESTE dae van Suid-Afrika. Die dae toe die land nog n land was en nie n ashoop soos vandag. Toe daar nog woorde soos trots, dissipline, kameraadskap, respek ens. bestaan het. Man ek mis die ou Suid-Afrika.

Was Etosha actually part of the operational area? We went on a jolly there from Grootfontein in 1985, just in a HiAce with lots of beer and 1 or 2 R1s lying in the back.

The Rookat also came in 2 antiaircraft variants with a missile and oerlikon version. As I understand it, they scored 1 kill. The Rooikat was just too late. It would have radically changed air superiority.

True I was with 1SAI the orginal Ratel guys we were Ops Julietteon the border, then it was changed to 61 Mech unit. Everyone played a major role. If one piece of the puzzle was missing it was incomplete

Wasn’t 1 SSB known as Tempe Tigers?

Om die boom gaan roof! Sers Anton Snyman School of Armour/1SSB Let's just say they had to design the vehicles to be as tough as us. As far as the technical side there is certainly a lot to talk about from the adapted engines, drive trains, gunnery systems etc. Everything adapted for extremely dusty environments.

SM van Balen what a gentleman. Served under him 1981/82

Anton Snyman (Sgt) D Squadron moved to Pantserskool in 1983. Col Reg Otto CO. Lots of innovative things happening there like the tank skietbaan. I miss the sound of the 105mm going off while firing on the move. We never closed the Olifant hatches. The RSM always said we mustn't sit in the hatch like Audie Murphy when we enter the waggebied (echelon waiting area) Sam. Tank Fourie gave me 5 extras for hoisting the flag in front of HQ 10 seconds late. Staf. Floors Venter met sy snorretjie het my gejaag dat ek kots op die paradegrond omdat hy een haar gekry het in my klere borsel. Sam. van Balen was my gunsteling. N regte gentleman. Flippin baie van hom af geleer. Lank en maar met daai unieke stem.

YIP . many memories. thanks for the video.

Great to hear and see this. Brings back my childhood.

Proud member of 1SSB 1987 D Squadron . Did JLs 1986 School of Armour .

The saying goes - n boer maak n plan. Sacans are known for their ingenuity + determination - thats how our own military industry, Krygkor, saw the light of day.

Absolutely bang on.

When young bucks ask about combat, I tell them they'll learn more in the first 4 seconds of their first firefight than the last four months of mobilization😅

ARNF

when i did selection in the uk a staff member told me all the great wars were over they are no fun anymore even afghan ??? i was a bit taken about i found out later he was one of these lunatics , he was right as well

To apply for the milvet pension....I was in the navy in 1975....and have you been successful

Did you ever meet Kevin Thomas? Great bloke in the Selous Scouts. Met him a few years ago when I worked on his boat in Devizes, Wiltshire. I've got his memoirs in 'Shadows in an African Twilight'..great read. From an ex. 2 Squadron RAF Regiment guy.

One of my customers, a bloke called Kevin Thomas, ex Selous Scouts, who lived on a boat in Devizes, Wiltshire, UK, gave me a book he wrote a book called 'Shadows in an African Twilight'. A great read. Facinating bloke. Agree with you mate. Humans can perform way above their perceived physical abilities. Mind over matter is how it is. I wanted my parachute wings so badly I wasn't going to fail, (bar injury). If you take on something, you finish it! I truly hope he and his wife Brenda are still around..lovely people. From an ex. 2 Squadron RAF Regiment guy.

Goeie dae.

Under fire is a whole other education

Selous scouts?

"Black is beautiful"?!..😏

I was at 3 field engineers at lohatle for the call up of the whole brigade in 87 i think we had to take a message with a garry to the brigade commander my OC made me drive past a whole squadron of tanks while the counter fire battery's opened up needless to say that Harry became a Lambourgini 😅😅😅😅😅 he had a real sense of humour I didn't need new brown pants😅😅😅

Legendary men.

Wow what you say is so absuluut true.Young boys become men in a couple of weeks.We were hammered to perfection drilled until perfection a 2.4 was the start then drill and then pt After that clean the fire arms for shooting range after shooting range ran back to the base some more pt drill on the parade ground then clean yourself clean your R4 no rest

KweVoel was based on the Samil 100. The Withings was fully 6x6 with diff locks Equipped with 10 speed Fuller splitter box. And 2x 300 liter tanks on the tail. Very good vehicle for making and collecting firewood (read....complete tree?

He was my Major after basics in 92 and a great leader and also a hell of a volleyball player,we got deployed with him to do riots in Vosloorus and surrounding areas also.

Nice one . Served in 2SSB Agere Victoriam .

There was no rail line between Maputo and Beira!

Thank you all for your service 😊

I salute all the men you died for our country I'm a proude South African never leave

The Thompson's lived in Edenvale we all friends it was sad for the lose of there brother

My first call up was 1977 Potchefstroom then Pretoria state president guard I was the last to do I years it's was great to serve my country I only believe the old flag no respect for the new flag

I was there 1978