The SADF learned so much in Savanah. It was a huge wake up call that the type of warfare they were prepared for was not really geared to fighting Cubans in Angola. This lead to many changes, but the main were: Artillery - development of the G5 and G6 guns. Development of the Ratel Development of new logistical processes suited to long range deployment. Each of these required the development of completely new doctrines. It was all done in record time. G5/G6 programme provided much longer range fire which meant also needing to use and train on using weather balloons for more accurate shooting. It required different doctrines for combining long range artillery with other forces. During less than 10 years, SA not only developed its own guns (yes, it did springboard off a Canadian gun, but many aspects of G5 and G6 were unique and are still world leading), but also developed the weather balloon tracking equipment (also still some of the best in the world), development of modular base bleed shells and all the training etc to deploy them. The Ratel programme to was similarly innovotive as Roland de Vries has explained. This is probably what made the SADF so similar in many ways to the Israeli military - leadership that has been willing to change rapidly to get to where they needed to be.
An excellent first-hand contribution to understanding events at Brug 14. I also found the explanation and description of artillery deployment and activation really interesting. Indeed they left a military legacy for SA. Good probing questions and well articulated response. Enriching and a pleasure to follow!
Great that ypu have told your story after so many years. Amazing how 2 Jewish boys (me included) and probably amongst the only Jewish soldiers among 100's in Savannah, managed to play such an important role in Savannah. Kol Hakavod and looking forward to meeting up again next time you visit Israel
Great story Gary, thank you for sharing. I had the privilege of being at the Wall in Jerusalem over Yom Kippur in 1985, there was a military parade happening there at the time.
enjoyed the story i was part of 2 Med Battery in the quarry gat and i recall you must have been giving the bearing and range direct to the gun post as our TA was digging trenches . i recall Lt.Pols giving the info to us , what hero's you guys was there on Hippo , also who was in the Bosbok flying around, great memories.'
Read about Mattuchek in Norman McFarlane's book "Across the Border". As a gunner, Norman seemed to have been involved in many of the same experiences in Ops Savnnah. Thank you for your interesting talk.
You bring back memories Gary, thanks for telling your story. I had the job of going over that bridge to fetch a Stalin Organ that we had shot out. Towed it back to the quarry with my Maguris and haded it over to the Tiffies. I believe the first attempt the Tiffies went to far down the road and got caught !! Would love to hear there story. ( A youngsfield driver with the Potch boys in the Quarry behind the hill.) Roy Hirsch.
Mpacha mentioned. In between deployment I spend limited time there. Officers pub - who remembers the Mpacha special? Still drink that to this day (although baileys was not available in RSA for some time) Double Baileys, Double Cocorico half coke half milk.
Kol hakavod Gary. I don't know if you will remember me from PBHS. Most probebly you will remember my brother Charles Rubin who matriculated with you at PBHS who was a medic at Porto Silva. You mentioned my cousin Victor Cramer at the end. I contacted him and he was interested. Did your family know that you were in Angola at the time?
I was PBHS class of 1981, meaning that he matriculated, before I started. I do however remember being infatuated with his sister Ruth, while at Waterkloof Primary.
The SADF learned so much in Savanah. It was a huge wake up call that the type of warfare they were prepared for was not really geared to fighting Cubans in Angola.
This lead to many changes, but the main were:
Artillery - development of the G5 and G6 guns.
Development of the Ratel
Development of new logistical processes suited to long range deployment.
Each of these required the development of completely new doctrines. It was all done in record time.
G5/G6 programme provided much longer range fire which meant also needing to use and train on using weather balloons for more accurate shooting. It required different doctrines for combining long range artillery with other forces. During less than 10 years, SA not only developed its own guns (yes, it did springboard off a Canadian gun, but many aspects of G5 and G6 were unique and are still world leading), but also developed the weather balloon tracking equipment (also still some of the best in the world), development of modular base bleed shells and all the training etc to deploy them.
The Ratel programme to was similarly innovotive as Roland de Vries has explained.
This is probably what made the SADF so similar in many ways to the Israeli military - leadership that has been willing to change rapidly to get to where they needed to be.
What a wonderfully detailed and well recalled account of Gary’s service in Angola. Well done Gary and Koos.
An excellent first-hand contribution to understanding events at Brug 14. I also found the explanation and description of artillery deployment and activation really interesting. Indeed they left a military legacy for SA. Good probing questions and well articulated response. Enriching and a pleasure to follow!
You have my UTMOST RESPECT and GRATITUDE Sir. I only joined in 82. Best years of my life (for a woman) in those days
Just like Koos says everyone has a story and I really enjoyed yours Gary. Thanks to Legacy also.
Nice one Gary,
Great that ypu have told your story after so many years. Amazing how 2 Jewish boys (me included) and probably amongst the only Jewish soldiers among 100's in Savannah, managed to play such an important role in Savannah. Kol Hakavod and looking forward to meeting up again next time you visit Israel
Still Watching and find all the interviews very informative ... Thanks to all the participants and Legacy
Once again a really enjoyable episode. Really interesting. Thank you for your service. Great respect
Great story Gary, thank you for sharing. I had the privilege of being at the Wall in Jerusalem over Yom Kippur in 1985, there was a military parade happening there at the time.
Thank you Brilliant 🎉
Really enjoyable part 2 would also be interesting im sure
enjoyed the story i was part of 2 Med Battery in the quarry gat and i recall you must have been giving the bearing and range direct to the gun post as our TA was digging trenches . i recall Lt.Pols giving the info to us , what hero's you guys was there on Hippo , also who was in the Bosbok flying around, great memories.'
Read about Mattuchek in Norman McFarlane's book "Across the Border". As a gunner, Norman seemed to have been involved in many of the same experiences in Ops Savnnah. Thank you for your interesting talk.
You bring back memories Gary, thanks for telling your story. I had the job of going over that bridge to fetch a Stalin Organ that we had shot out. Towed it back to the quarry with my Maguris and haded it over to the Tiffies. I believe the first attempt the Tiffies went to far down the road and got caught !! Would love to hear there story.
( A youngsfield driver with the Potch boys in the Quarry behind the hill.) Roy Hirsch.
We would like to record your story if you so wish, contact me at 4xsamil@gmail.com, Koos
I remember those things so well.😢
Mpacha mentioned. In between deployment I spend limited time there. Officers pub - who remembers the Mpacha special? Still drink that to this day (although baileys was not available in RSA for some time) Double Baileys, Double Cocorico half coke half milk.
Was there, done that. How come I look so much older?
Salute /Saluut.
Kol hakavod Gary. I don't know if you will remember me from PBHS. Most probebly you will remember my brother Charles Rubin who matriculated with you at PBHS who was a medic at Porto Silva. You mentioned my cousin Victor Cramer at the end. I contacted him and he was interested. Did your family know that you were in Angola at the time?
I was PBHS class of 1981, meaning that he matriculated, before I started. I do however remember being infatuated with his sister Ruth, while at Waterkloof Primary.
Yip of course I know you Isaac, new Charles well
@@gary5481yip that was my second sister , what is your full name?
@@garynowosenetz1607 Gary Herbert. Ruth was a friend of my cousin Rhonda Evans at PHSG & that's how I met her.
Ek verlang na daardie ta bord teikens plot en die satisfaction as die skote opkom
Gunners rule
Hello SAW
DANKIE koos ,Legacy
Syd Nomis.