This was a very good account to hear directly from Paul and so much more spellbinding to a few of us who were there with him. There Is so much more in the silences between the lines and so powerfully presented here. Humbleness is an understatement here, as Paul was an exceptional leader out there under intense enemy fire. The accounts by him that confusion reigns during a heavy contact is also an understatement and more so in those days with no GPS. Ejected out of an exploding vehicle he took up the detailed direction of casualties and protection and a multiple front clearing and attack by the remaining troops. I was one and saw all this. Did a whole lot as instructed by Paul. There are few good men who would have responded so efficiently as Paul did blackened by smoke still wearing his headset. His leadership and his decisions those days behind enemy lines saved many lives, mine included. Paul was very cautious in this interview, the way he related how others in support groups held back and did not lend the support we needed until many had died waiting for cassevac. We look back together and have the duty here to share the accolades of extreme bravery and competence that was so often left unrecognised for so long. I always relayed my gratitude to Paul in all my journal accounts for his incredible leadership in those days. Thank you Koos and Paul for this healing component to our legacy program. Our PTSD took many years to dissipate, but with some of us fragments remain inside us even today in its unpredictable ways. This account is a further step forward where Paul is able to stitch together those loose ends, for many of us, thank you both. Salute!
This was a really good talk so thank you Paul and Koos. What is interesting is dealing with the phycological damage of war experiences. There is a spiritual and mental side to this. I would encourage veterans to talk to one another and to get professional help. Finally it is important that our children are encouraged to remember the fallen and keep the interest in our vets. This is a topic that needs to be addressed and perhaps the Legacy Series team can put forward a stategy to achieve this. Thanks again guys. John
I was in SA Armg HQ in 1984-5 and was on greeting terms with Jannie Geldenhuis. He sometimes walked to the HQ and would then chat to the guards. I can tell you that he was visibly upset every time a troop was killed and the weight of command was sometimes very heavy for him. I learned from that that duty and personal moral responsibility are different things. As a commander you have a duty to make decisions but because you are not free to choose you are not morally responsible for them.
Paul, thanks for sharing. I encourage those still suffering the after effects of the border war to make contact with Paul. It can only help to talk to him and other fellow veterans.
It is a hell of a weight to put on the shoulders of a 20 year old. Ultimately there were decisions that had to be made and you were given the job of being the instrument to make those decisions. You had little free will in making those decisions so you should not be enburdened with guilt for any decisions that you made. You did not put those soldiers in harm's way. That was the politicians.
LT there you are wrong,,SWAPO and FAPLA never shared that base,FAPLA rarely deployed in bushes, always occupied nearby town/ settlement. Chifutya or Oshifukwa aa it I'd called in my language was a solely PLAN commanding headquarter nothing more.
In kort , in Rusland , usa en nato wil n mag bou op die Russiese grens om Rusland te slaan . Die russe bou n niemandsland in Ukraine . Sodat hulle spasie het .
Thank you Paul and Koos for making these stories available to us.
This was a very good account to hear directly from Paul and so much more spellbinding to a few of us who were there with him. There Is so much more in the silences between the lines and so powerfully presented here. Humbleness is an understatement here, as Paul was an exceptional leader out there under intense enemy fire. The accounts by him that confusion reigns during a heavy contact is also an understatement and more so in those days with no GPS. Ejected out of an exploding vehicle he took up the detailed direction of casualties and protection and a multiple front clearing and attack by the remaining troops. I was one and saw all this. Did a whole lot as instructed by Paul. There are few good men who would have responded so efficiently as Paul did blackened by smoke still wearing his headset. His leadership and his decisions those days behind enemy lines saved many lives, mine included. Paul was very cautious in this interview, the way he related how others in support groups held back and did not lend the support we needed until many had died waiting for cassevac. We look back together and have the duty here to share the accolades of extreme bravery and competence that was so often left unrecognised for so long. I always relayed my gratitude to Paul in all my journal accounts for his incredible leadership in those days. Thank you Koos and Paul for this healing component to our legacy program. Our PTSD took many years to dissipate, but with some of us fragments remain inside us even today in its unpredictable ways. This account is a further step forward where Paul is able to stitch together those loose ends, for many of us, thank you both. Salute!
Eao😊
I think it is uitsteekdnd that allow your guests to talk so freely without interrupting them Koos. Thanks for all the great work.
Thank you Paul, it is so good to get clarity on what you went through 42 years ago. Bless you my brother.
Each episode is rhe best one
This is an exceptional episode. Thank you, Paul.
Thank you very much for collecting all these stories
This was a really good talk so thank you Paul and Koos. What is interesting is dealing with the phycological damage of war experiences. There is a spiritual and mental side to this. I would encourage veterans to talk to one another and to get professional help. Finally it is important that our children are encouraged to remember the fallen and keep the interest in our vets. This is a topic that needs to be addressed and perhaps the Legacy Series team can put forward a stategy to achieve this. Thanks again guys. John
Salute! You guys are amazing. From a Savannah veteran.
Paul....uitstekend, dankie! Koos dankie vir die produksie.
Brilliant Paul and Koos keep up the good work
I was in SA Armg HQ in 1984-5 and was on greeting terms with Jannie Geldenhuis. He sometimes walked to the HQ and would then chat to the guards.
I can tell you that he was visibly upset every time a troop was killed and the weight of command was sometimes very heavy for him.
I learned from that that duty and personal moral responsibility are different things.
As a commander you have a duty to make decisions but because you are not free to choose you are not morally responsible for them.
Salute, This guys went through hell and back
Excellent interview. Its good that you let your guests talk without interruption.
Thank you Gentlemen! Very interesting vid!
Saluut Kmdnt!!! Harde tye. Goeie tye!!!!
Dankie Paul, dankie Koos. 👊
Paul, thanks for sharing. I encourage those still suffering the after effects of the border war to make contact with Paul. It can only help to talk to him and other fellow veterans.
It is a hell of a weight to put on the shoulders of a 20 year old. Ultimately there were decisions that had to be made and you were given the job of being the instrument to make those decisions.
You had little free will in making those decisions so you should not be enburdened with guilt for any decisions that you made.
You did not put those soldiers in harm's way. That was the politicians.
Salute .
Thank you.
What do we have on our horseback heroes we have a fare share of heroism
Salute / Saluut.
Dankie Manne
Maybe harassing fire rather than suppression fire?
If your mother was from a Jewish family and was Jewish it means you are Jewish
U HELP ELKE DAG
LT there you are wrong,,SWAPO and FAPLA never shared that base,FAPLA rarely deployed in bushes, always occupied nearby town/ settlement. Chifutya or Oshifukwa aa it I'd called in my language was a solely PLAN commanding headquarter nothing more.
Come and tell us what you know. Welcome here. Koos
May be I can help you to For Tale some of the Afrikaans? The people must understand we speak English, but only in self-defense.
If you have ideas, contact me, 4xsamil@gmail.com, Koos
In kort , in Rusland , usa en nato wil n mag bou op die Russiese grens om Rusland te slaan . Die russe bou n niemandsland in Ukraine . Sodat hulle spasie het .