THE "BOSBEFOK" ENGLISHMAN --- A True Story from the Other Nam...
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2024
- A true story that delves into one man's experience in SWA/Namibia and the war that began for him when it ended. Thousands are still fighting that war today.
This is an insight into the era of conscription and the effects it had on those who served and a misunderstood war buried by the media. You cannot rewrite history - neither can you erase it.
The "Bosbefok" Englishman
#SouthAfrica
#History
#BushWar
Chris, thank you for telling such a tragic story so eloquently. It really brought a tear to my eye and reminded me of where we were in our once beautiful country. How we allowed to be so short-changed in the loss of our moral compass still amazes me every day!!
We held the commies at bay until the Berlin wall came down in November 1989. Can you imagine the state of South Africa today if we allowed the ANC to take over before this date?
@@tonyp8995 Just the thought of that sends shivers down my spine.
Very eloquent and thought-provoking but what would you have done? Fought against the whole world? We had no choice and we did not sell out SA for a rugby ball!
Incredible video. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts with us. ❣️
Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate and believe many others can too...
I’m always checking for a new video from you! Excellent as always, so few people know what was actually going on at the time, and the sacrifices people made, now turned to shit thanks to “democracy”. The average person watching the “news” will never know these things. thank you! 😘
I am 20 min into this video and totally loving it, so interesting. Thank you.
I'm a young black guy, I am glad to hear your story. I appreciate it. It's sad that white people's stories are untold. Thank you for speaking out
I salute you! If you, as a young black guy, ascan listen to a story that does not resonate with you, yet accept that the story is no less valid & no less interesting, you are a special person. May you find joy in your life. Respect to you for your comment. I salute you, my friend.
Nice of you to have such a sincere comment...Not an easy time for white youngsters; some as young as 16 y o. Today we can all say what an effective and well organised army the SADF were. Today's youth would have been proud to do a 2 year national service . Military equipment were always in mint condition. Sadly today it is not the case with expensive equipment going to ruins.....sad
✝️🌈♥️😇♥️🌄✝️
@@Friday773
💚💚💚
Great work Chris, and as usual on point. Well said.
Thank you for sharing your experience in the army, It made boys in to men sooner then they knew, respect to all.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story. People still have no clue as to what we went through, really sad about the way your mates died. Amazing how many guys had similar premonitions.
Hi Denis. There's much more to this life than we think mate. Hope you are keeping well. Thanks for watching.
As a former “loyal” English speaking National Serviceman with 2 tours of active duty as an infantry platoon commander in Angola/Northern SWA at Eenhana alongside 32 Battalion, I had a very different experience to Chris. I progressed up the ladder of officer training, as a conscript, until completing my qualification for company commander (rank of major). I was highly successful in my military career which started in 1978. I was a leader and my soldiers were outstanding. I did not tolerate “jippo gatte”. I left SA before the surrender and have despised all who were involved in handling over my country of birth to my sworn enemy, the ANC. I gave up my SA citizenship in 1996 and consider the place to be a shithole. As a 69 year old writing my memoirs, I am dragged back to those army days with raging PTSD. I keep asking myself whether we killed terrorists or freedom fighters. We were proficient assassins, of that you can be assured, but were we right in what we did? We lost approximately 2500 men in the protracted conflict, countless lives were severely affected (including those of my own children and grandchildren who know the wrath of grandpa who expects things to be done instantly and to the best of their abilities) and the countless nights that I get up at 2am readying myself for yet another ambush that I don’t have to lay. All of it seems a waste and I don’t have any recourse or justice for the sacrifices I made. The medals don’t cut it. To all my fellow former comrades of the old SADF, you have much to be proud about and yet so much to regret. I know and feel your pain. Go forth brothers and spare a thought for the trauma that has befallen the young men of Russia and Ukraine as they are dragged through the same shit (even much worse actually) because some dumb prick decided he wants to become like Peter the Great.
Baie goed gestel!!!! Van n ou Suid Afrikaner en soldaat
Maybe you should follow Scott Ritter, Col. Douglas Mcgregor and the host of the show Danny Haiphong to really understand why Vladimir Putin really invaded Ukraine.
@@mehlcarelse4319
BOLLOCKS
Your comments are like so much Swapo shit, continual communist drivel …
SpewTin wanted to recreate the old USSR … and he is DOOMED TO FAIL.
@@mehlcarelse4319 As one who has been personally involved in the killing fields of modern warfare I believe that there is no reason for going to war as Putin has done, no matter what the provocation, political interference or other such justification. War must be avoided at all costs because for the vanquished it is their loss of life while for the victors it is their loss of humanity that are the inevitable outcomes of armed conflict. I know that the West squeezed Putin and the CIA were involved in creating an unstable front. The CIA were just as involved in the conflict I was engaged in. They are a dangerous/treacherous/formidable force that everyone ought to fear/avoid. But that still doesn’t give Putin the right to condemn thousands of young men to armed conflict and the resulting trauma to millions. Had you served in active armed conflict I am sure that you would have a different point of view. I wish you all the best and may peace follow you through life.
Perhaps when You wake up to who the Real enemy is, will you direct your Anger, this Time.....CORRECTLY
My lunatic friend. I don't know how this popped up on my UA-cam, but I watched it. I understand you a bit more now -- so I thank you.
Oh f..k, not you again.
Smorrie die Clifton Korporaal is hier🤣🤣🤣
@@chriselsom-whyimpssed-off8148 Yeah, boet. Here to rescue you from yourself.
Hey, you see that treasonous pile of orange vomit is heading for the shackles I always predicted.
@@chriselsom-whyimpssed-off8148 Oh.. you know Rajiv died about 6 seeks ago.
@@theBORGman I am very sad to hear that. May he rest in peace.
Dear Rooinek Soutpiel, I love and appreciate your voete stamp aflak life story. 27 April 1994 was the largest attendance of a burial in history, country given away leaving the boere voortrekkers to turn in their graves. I’m a boerkie and my maaitjies were souties. Good on you for sharing your precious story.
😊
I'm a black South African boy, the only time I heard anything related to this topic was when I found out an old friend's father was a solider. I didn't know to what war until years later.
Crazy how this isn't taught as this influences relations of Namibia today and a huge population of South Africa. While Apartheid was an evil time for a lot of us, thank you to all the soldiers who answered the call for arms for their country.
Have a good day. God bless.
Wasent evil was a seperation of cultures thats all. The republic of South africa
wasent about other cultures it was about european cultures but yous came and kept comeing and still today africans keep comeing even though the country built cant handel this volume of people dont get me wrong those africans who earned there way got the the respect they deserved my doctor was a black chap 45years ago so please being judged by the content of your character is not a crime not our fault the majority of africans dont give a crap about anyone else things were changeing if you look at what was being spent on africans you see its not what the communist make our country out to be
@@bsleds4585 Nah, it wasn't just a separation of cultures. It was the oppression of blacks and coloureds through economic acts that took away fertile lands, resource rich lands, barring of financial institutions and entrepreneurial opportunities. Please don't make it out that Apartheid was some misunderstood regime when it affected the disposition of South Africans and their economic and social potential. While yes, there are exceptions. There will be some who beat the system and got rich, we dont always look at exceptions. Thats why they are exceptions. And around the early 80s to 90s started producing black and coloured skilled workers. Please do better.
Also, please add punctuation to your writing. It's really hard to understand your point.
@@sirkermitthefirstoffrogeth9622 spot on, seems dinosaurs aren't extinct and 80 IQs are posting,ver bo hul vuurmaakplek.
Well done, thanks
@@sirkermitthefirstoffrogeth9622
Your post deserves nothing other than “FOK U MET LOF.”
This cuts deep brought me to tears...thank you for sharing your story Chris 😢😊
This has to be the most honest and humorous story of diensplig I have ever watched. Thank you, loved it! The sadness is that it was all for nothing; So very very sad. We will remember them
So many lost for no reason commies still stole our country
It was not for nothing. We held the commies at bay until the Berlin wall came down in November 1989. Can you imagine the state of South Africa today if we allowed the ANC to take over before this date?
Dankie Oom Chris , to hear your story is inspiring . By the time I was old enough too go to the army , my application was denied. I feel like a 40 year old boy robbed from becoming a man - I agree with you on the events from 1994 it breaks my heart to see the country and infrastructure fading away. the lovely landscapes turning into cities without plans. Our politicians stabbing us in the back. Thank you for telling it like it is.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm a 58 year old American. I grew up reading about the Border War. I was raised in a small conservative county in the western United States. Our high school library had a subscription to South Africa Today. I served for four years in the USMC. If I had been born in South Africa I would have surely served my national service. I'm an unapologetic Christian and I pray for you and your comrades and loved ones. The entire Western World is under assault right now. I'm ready to die in place if needed.
Goeienaand uit New Zealand, Chris.
I only came across your article/experiences tonight 14 September 2024 and THANK YOU for sharing it. I am 81 years old and matriculated in Windhoek in 1961.
My 2 oldest sons were both Paratroopers and were actively involved in the BushWar and both have deep scars, like you and I it was so bloody unnecessary.
Even at the time of the war, my opinion was that our sons were used as “cannon fodder and the government did not care a shit and pinning some medals/stripes/pips on some, was a farce” and South-Africa was given to the dogs, that’s why I left SA and am living in New Zealand since 2001.
God Bless & alles van die beste vir jou en almal van die Bosoorlog en mag die lewe vir julle goed wees.
BAIE DANKIE EN MET BEWONDERING VIR WAT JULLE VIR SA & ons almal opgeoffer het.
Mooiloopgroete,
Andries Maritz
(Dr Andries Maritz)
Ek stem saam met jou Andries. 😢 Daars is wonde wat nooit sal genees nie, altans nie terwyl ons hier op aarde is nie. Maar ek hou vas aan Jesus se woorde dat Hy al ons trane sal afvee. Sterkte en seën vir jou en manne soos Chris. Ons was almal misbruik soos pionne op 'n skaakbord.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
My grandfather fought the communists in Rhodesia. My father fought them in Angola.
Neither one of them ever spoke much about their experiences.
Thank you for your insight.
We appreciate your service & sacrifice.
God bless you and your family.
Thanks Chris, I am one of those flathead- draattrekkers, but feel exactly the same.
Only got to this 2 years late. Thank you for posting this. Brings back memories and thoughts.
💜At our 10 year School Reunion, we were Minus 10% of our men, 1978 Matrics.
Dieing, in thirds, from enemy attacks, friendly fire & suicide.
Don't think, that we as women of that time, didn't have our fair share of the PTSD, dished out to us, without Ever understanding even a Fraction of how damaged our Men were.
No help was offered to these Men either.
I salute you, Chris, for an award winning kinda excellent quality Film. 🙏💜🇿🇦
So many lives disrupted in that era,I was 78 intake two years and all camps . When I klaared out I never worked for 3 months,can't talk to anyone , nobody could see the frogs water was starting to boil around them. That same year I had 7 jobs could not keep one ... eventually got my shit together with a bit of cell Time. I was doing camps yearly and in 84 got married and two weeks later gone for 3. My point here is if it was not for my wife that stood by me through the whole ordeal. The Government never gave a damn they tossed us to the dogs . We now hearing of our attributes but so many women out there with stories of what they had to endure.
My respect to you all ,and Chris thanks Brother Salute.
Chris, I was also a bosbefok 2 year soutpiel conscript, up in Ondangwa, and other places. I have much empathy with your story and have nothing for you other than admiration for your immense sacrifice. Now me, I was not infantry, but a support soldier, who made sure you guys had the ammo, food and materials for the battle. we did what we could, I remember that I hated the brass, but honestly, In retrospect, they all did the right thing, when it mattered. Just wanted to say, our unit kakked off, in that terrible heat and pressure, to do our work, despite all obstacles. Driving through the desert, for 2 weeks, in a stinking 18 wheeler, with no stops other than a diesel tank refil and a piss over the side. We never took our eyes off the ball. We always thought about Chris and his mates, and we kept going. Good for you, my soldier and hero.
Please check out the other videos you missed. See below...
My bizarre friendship with Yuri "The Russian" Ulianitski and how I almost got caught up in crossfire the night he was assasinated in Cape Town in 2007.
ua-cam.com/video/Y0z_qsiD6oA/v-deo.html
My encounter with murdering South African conmen in Thailand and their elaborate "Life in Paradise" scam.
ua-cam.com/video/bdetmGnVGxE/v-deo.html
Absolutely beautiful. You tell the whole story with such empathy that i can feel it as if it was 1982 again. Thanks friend. It made us men but we also lost men that were sons who could have been fathers and grandfathers today. I am 61 now and i am expecting our only daughters' 2nd baby
Thanks Chris
Excellent story that flooded my memories; those of us that were fortunate enough to experience the operational area, all have a story. We will remember them in the morning and in the evening, we will always remember them!
I am gutted that I have only seen this now. The truth, I spent 12 years of my life fighting for two countries I thought would be my forever homes, yes Rhodesia and South Africa. I was in elite Units fight for a brain washed cause and today walking home I said, I can't believe I am where I am at 64. 2 years in Rhodesia and 10 years in
South Africa military, lost my family to PTSD and saw both countries die. Your a man among men and I do agree the rugby ball does not make biere men and dies not feed their veterans that died or suffer from their decisions. Great content and glad you managed to over come. My thoughts to all those lost in RLI and 32 Battalion
Thank you Chris. Tragic story, but very well told. As for the last part, truer words have never been spoken.
iHaving done my basics & finishing in 1974 all I will add is that my 8 camps thereafter were eye openers to what's happening in the world today !! ..... there was was great repore between language groups ..... Afrikaans , English, & others .... sorry if you missed out on that angle bro !! .... real bonds were formed & made in those days definitely that still exist today !!!
Thank you so much for your recollection .... truly appreciated bro 🫡 !!
Just want a correction for the speaker. 2 year compulsory service was implimented on the January and July 1977 intake. In September 1977 PW announced on a Sunday via radio broadcaster that military service would be implimented to January and July intakes unless you were going to university. We had celebrated 100 days already in Katina Malilo.
I was assigned to 52BN Okalongo as the IO from Jul81 to Jul82, never heard of this incident? Did the autopsy confirm being shot from the back? And who was held responsible? 101BN, tuiswag or others? You are certainly a strange person with lots of unresolved issues? I guess you will never get over it, and that 1 year causes you to miss out on a lifetime? The step that cured me, and believe me if I tell you what you experienced was nothing compared to mine, was to realize that the only way I could move forward was to put my baggage behind me. The advise may be late, but make an effort to train yourself to put every SINGLE day BEHIND you because you cannot see the open doors in front of you, while you look BACK? Good luck.
It was covered-up. I kept quiet because I didn't want the families to deal with it.
Happened a year before you went there. I made peace with it in 1994 when I went to Israel.
I did Border Duty ‘80-‘81, and ‘83, never heard about this story either. However, the hand grenade incident, if it’s the same one, happened in Okalongo Base May/June ‘80, 4 National Servicemen 8 SAI Charlie Company died, 2 wounded, I know this as a fact, I was there the night it happened, wasn’t pretty.
@MJ-nd1pj Hows he going to know that, he was a Corporal, they didn't get access to that kind of nonsense...and what is the point of your question anyway, who cares ? you sound like an armchair key board warrior living in your mother's basement asking Dom Naai questions like that
i don't think I've ever heard my own feelings so eloquently expressed. Even though we fought the same war in different locations. Thanks Chris.
💜 Thank you sooo much for this Excellent Film.
I have Never, seen any, let alone so many Photos, of where our Brothers, cousins, uncles, school mates were.
This Brilliant work, should be seen by the World. 💜
We must be the same age.
My brother came back from the Border, Not Right.
At the age of 30, I married a
Man (36) in 1991, who also suffers PTSD, and in 10 years, he couldp never tell me What it was, all I could gather is that it was so Bad, that he had promised himself Not to have children.
Both of us, didn't want our 18 year sons killed.
Bless you. 🙏💜🇿🇦.
I was born in '79 and grew up playing in the veld with friends wearing our dad's and uncle's army gear. Although we missed out on national service, I hope you understand how much this story resonates with a generation who were born and bred in an "old" world and had to quickly learn to navigate a new one. Thank you for sharing this, it keeps an important part of our country's memory alive, a story that should be told, like any story the good with the bad. Thank you for your service.
Also 79 here. We just missed that conscription hey. We got the 90’s tho. Amazing time. No phones. Freedom
You can thank us for keeping the commies at bay until the Berlin wall came down in November 1989. Can you imagine the state of South Africa today if we allowed the ANC to take over before this date?
I'm a Rhodesian soldier. You South African soldiers were great,but why were you flying over to my country to learn how to fight.....English people, and the best anti guerilla fighting force in our time. The south African army had no idea. This is why we taught them a thing or two about how to fight a war!!!
Boet. You're the only oke ever that told it like it is/was. I only cry when my dogs die but you broke me. I was there before you but the experience was the same. You and I could sit vas for days. God Bless you wherever you are. A Bokkop of note!!!!!. A Man in every sense of the word.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝✝✝✝✝✝👊🏻👊🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for sharing Chris. The stories of that time must be told and you tell it well. My heart goes out to you the others and thank you for all you have done
Thanks Chris, watching this 2 years later brings back memories Did my basic training at 5 SAI was brutal. Was 1974 intake also spent 3 months in the Caprivi st Mapatcha.
M’Patcha was our main supply base during stints at Bagani and Wenela …
I was also at 5 Sai June 1974 intake . E com mortars , remember King’s Post🥵
The war no one spoke about that permanently changed a whole generation of young men, including my darling brother. I applaud most of those men for adapting back into society to the best of their ability in spite of the disabling effects of the SWA and Angola border war. May God be with those who are still alive today.
Thank you. This is truth, I was in Rundu. 1972. and am still alive. But still living in S W A.
So true. National service in 1968, months at Ruacana Calueque in 1976 in the South African Irish Regiment - amazing people and the history which is now lost. In Australia for over 40 years now.
Francois I was in Rundu also 1988
Worked in hanger of the Puma's
i also served in Rundu-1970 - i'll never forget the amazing sunsets there !!
So you were there during the Cuito Cannavale episode. You must have some interesting stories. I flew into Rhundu for ops Hooper and came out from Angola at the end of Displace. Also arriving by chopper at Rhundu in the early morning. Me and my driver had long hair and beards. We had been in the field for a long time. We were rifleman mech infantry and we ate in the nco's mess at Rhundu. We looked so wild no one had the balls to challenge us.@@andrekruger7298
Thank you for this compelling story told from the heart.
There are NO words which can adequately console one in the loss of brothers in arms. The emotions you expressed here resonate LOUDLY.
I fully agree!
Chris, kry ek 'n knop in my keel. Jou woorde sny diep, baie diep. Dankie vir jou weergawe dit som op hoe baie van ons voel.
Baie dankie vir jou vertelling van gebeure. So het ek ook geliefdes verloor. SO ONNODIG!! En vir WAT?? Om die land weg te gee op n skinkbord!! Baie van ons Boere voel soos jy. "Apatiiese sindroom" is nog steeds ons lot. Jammer maar dis so waar. Dankie
"vir wat" - i am sad to hear someone dishonouring the ultimate price paid my young men fighting against at the time a communist takeover of our country -
i am a afrikaans boertjie. i really enjoyed your video. although i only did 1 year national service in ousthoorn in 1990,and never going to the border,i understand 100 percent what you are talking about. the army life,you nailed it.and i totally agree with you. what this country has become is a disgrace. Dankie Soutie.
Great story, I am a boertjie, Afrikaner or Boere Afrikaner. I didnt went to army because I chose Varsity and missed army alltogether. I have become a minister in a traditional Afrikaner church. I truly feel for you. I didnt went to the army, but cant stop thinking about the courageous soldiers like you who spilled blood and guts, just to see the country been given away to the communists. Everything that we were warned about "transition" (surrender) to the communists have become true. Traitors like FW de Klerk, Pik Botha and Roelf Meyer and others ditched the countrys values, tradition and history. Like you have said heaven and hell are real. Traitors an Communists are treated like heros, but they wont escape final judgment. Agree, they gave the country away for rugbyball. I love rugby, but I choose a better country over world champions crown. Keep well!
Much Respect! The Inconvenient Truth well narrated. My Dad and Uncle served the 70's and they never spoke a word about what they did even after I had served in the 90's doing 2 years. Sadly my Uncle Martin Janse Van Rensburg drank himself to death by the age 37 years. My Dad fought his way through life and eventually cancer took my Dad in 2016, Corrie Van Der Wath. May they Rest In Peace!They both died and took their PTSD symptoms and stories with them. Respectfully Theo Van Der Wath
Much condolences….
Hi Chris. I stumbled upon your video on UA-cam. I am neither Boer or Brits . I am a Mengel moes plat op die aarde down to earth 51 year old disabled lady. Your story has reduced me to tears because of PTSD. I never understood apartheid. My father returned from the army and then went on to do camps. He ran our house likke the army. I can March like in the army and many other things Die boere is 'n beknopte verkrampte nasie. Die grootse klomp rugsteekers towards each other. You cannot jam a r1 into a teenager's hand and expect him to be normal. My great grandmother was kept in camp Bathuli during the 2nd ÀB war. She made it. Otherwise I would not be typing this. Our new SA is no better than the old one. I am a free spirited person. How is rugby a sport . The ball is not round. Perhaps it's my empathetic feminine side. However I am blessed to have been a teacher and taught history and laid it out straight. Actually I have taught and tutored everything. I love my country and my dream is to visit the sea. I want to go to Fish Hoek where my Gran lived. Blessings always
the boere might be a verkrampte nasie & a klomp rugsteekers,but the British are'nt much better !
i went through a similar experience myself,as depicted in this video & left in disgust in 1995,to live in Britain,only to see similar now taking place there as well !
0:25 I'm not white but decided to enlist voluntarily in the SADF ,I didn't know where to go so decided to head to the Castle in CT, 2 soutpiele were on sentry duty I asked to where to go ,they told me "we don't want to be here but have to ,you don't need to be here but want to be here, nooit man stay on Civie street" I eventually ended up at 1SACC for 2 years of vasbyt and can relate to some of your experiences,thanks for sharing
Hulle het gekak nes ons. Tks for your service.
Thank you for your service … SALUTE!!!
I took over a base from 1 SACC in the late 70’s called Sodaliet, in the Kaokoveldt.
I like reading comments because a lot can be learned from them. I am a white American of Italian and Portuguese ancestry and DNA testing shows Sub Saharan African . I am very proud of Young People like You who serve, especially for a free enterprise constitutional republican form of government like that of the U.S. it is up to Citizen’s to prevent corruption and rule by fiat elitist power authoritarian’s from taking over. There is a book titled The Fighting Bunch about what I describe. Also The Dying Citizen by Victor Davis Hansen. Communism and Fascism are very similar and play on peoples fears and differences. Strange How the leader’s of communist governments live lifestyles so different than those of their subjugated masses. Milton Friedman is a speaker worth listening to. He passed away but He is on UA-cam. I have a Stepson who has made a career in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Doctor. A friend of Mine from Fiji Has Son in The SAS. Also read the works of Thomas Sowell one of the greatest intellectuals of Our time and of all time. I also am a huge fan of Mark Robinson lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. My Son is very Nordic looking . When I asked about His Drill instructor , He said His D.I. Was Black and like a Father to Him.
Thank you , you done us proud , by listening to you , was like being there all over again , I could taste the dust , smell the tent , feel the sticky old sweat browns , hear the fear in my voice shouting contak contak and see the blood gushing out my legs. 5 SAI '87 -92
I was in 5SAI 1972
What a story, and good on you for sharing. RIP for your fallen comrades. 🙏🙏🙏
You certainly captured our growing up experience in Africa. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all. We also remember all those that never came home, but remain forever in our hearts and minds. Take care my brother-in-arms.
Wow! Brought back memories and tears. We were fighting communism! Spent time at Eenhana and Rhundu. Don't miss marble PT and fasbyt! Yrrrrrrrrr. Just a first stripe! But absolutely agree........we grew into upstanding Men!
How true. What a wonderful story put forward so well.
Chris - thank you. I did my basics in Upington too, and went on to SP Guards. Similar deployments to SWA both during my 2 years and then camps.
You have captured what this soutjie experienced and believes today.
God bless.
An Englesman now living in Texas.
I totally agree with your end summation of this country's cowardly surrender
i'm simply another ex-saffo who left SA in disgust,to live in europe - i now see (similar) happening here,with globalist leaders opening up borders to the 3rd world !
Your story has welled up many memories for me, having been in South West Africa from April 1979 to December of the same year. The PTSD is real and always has been.
Morning Chris, I found your video 100% by chance. Wow, your stories brought back some memories I have suppressed for many years. PTSD is a complicated and irritating thought process that comes back to haunt us at times. I am English as well and had to endure the same ek is a Boer mentality in 1981 and 1982. I was fluent in both languages as we were forced to take Afrikaans at school. I to was fortunate to have made friends with some wonderful Afrikaans speaking friends who where not like their other Afrikaans counterparts. Danie Maris, Piet Torsello, Ben Reed and a handful of others that preferred hanging out with us English speaking guys. My one pip luit Emsly respected me and treated me like a human. Of course we respected him back and would do anything he asked without complaining. He was only with us for 3 months and he was shipped off somewhere. Thanks for sharing your journey, allot of what you shared I went thru. I also renounced my RSA citizenship when I was sworn in as a naturalized citizen on the USA in 1995.That was one of the happiest days in my life. , All the best Patrick
Thanks Chris
I’m the laat lammetjie, my two brothers served, both had ptsd, as a little 5yr old I just wanted to be a soldier like them,
In 1992 my father sent me to university , to possibly stave my signing in, I was saved by the changes to government. My oldest brother was most happy. I never knew how bad he had it, he was in Rundu, he still suffers.
I only know bits of his story, but the similarities are surreal.
That war never ended for those who experienced it.I too never supported the Regime or the New one
What can I say, the best chat I have ever listened to. As a Rhodesian and I speak for most. We agree with you 100%. May God Bless you going forward. I live in Sedgefield, just down the road from George and would love to catch up. Ask for Pops at Mingles they will steer you in my direction.
SADF 79-83....thanks for a superb contribution....the SA I knew as an immigrant in the 70s is long gone.
Thank you Chris. We have never met, yet I feel that I know you. I did my National Service 1975/76 at 6 SAI Grahamstown. I was also a Battalion Signaller. We were sent to the border after 13 weeks basics and 5 weeks 2nd phase/signals training. Also did two tours - Ruacana and Nkongo. Your story brought back memories. Some good and others....
Rest easy fallen brothers. Forever young.
6th SAI, '77 to '79, Too much time wasted, and too many people died, either physically, or emotionally....
Thanks soutie, I needed to this.
What a powerful story Chris, no other story has been able to make me feel the way I did while listening to yours. It hit me hard, I'm only a teenager and I hate and love it when my parents tell me stories of how south africa use to be. And to compare it now to how it was them makes me feel a completely different kind of sadness nothing else can replicate.
Hi Chris, thank you for sharing your story, it could not have been easy to speak about Andre and Derek, may they rest in peace. So much of your video brings back a lot of memories to me, even tears.. What bugs me today is that after all the shit we all when through, it was all just conveniently forgotten, even today; like it never happened.. But thx to guys like you posting these videos it will never be forgotten, it cannot. That would be an ultimate disgrace to the real hero`s, those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. I`m proud to have served between 81 and 84; 140 Ops, Ondangwa..
Great story well told Chris thanks! I did my basics in Upington in 1980 and then a few border stints. Brought back memories of how the army positively influenced my life with discipline as a foundation!
Thanks Chris, spoken honestly from your heart, I can relate to many things. I have dealt differently with my ghosts, choosing to embrace every day, it works for me. I hope you have peace and purpose brother.
Saluut vir jou Chris groot waardeering vir hierdie oog oop makende video !
May I say, The battle only begins when one is thinking back 40 years after the fact
Officially certified PTSD by psychiatrist. 45 yrs old ten years ago. I have been living with the symptoms all my adult life.
Thanks for sharing. I feel your pain brother. We were so young and green. 5 SAI Ladysmith 80-02. Now living in Australia
My husband too was part of that terrible bush war. Thanks you for sharing
I was a " Korporaal " in my 2nd year of National Service, a graduate of Infantary School in Oudtshoorn. The reason for the rondfok and all that stuff was to get the whole platoon to work as a unit and to mentally toughen up the rowwe. Essentially to mentally prepare the soldiers for the mental strain and physical tests to be faced when we eventually ended up at " Die Kaplyn " in the then South West Africa. Like you mentioned, looking back on it all, I would do it again. It prepared me for life after the army and it made me into a 100% complete man.
Thank you for your service. 🙏🫡 All three of my uncles went to the border. One was a chef, one was a medic, and the other was in the bush, fighting alongside the rest of you legends. My uncle Graham lost his leg in a landmine incident. He's a mean SOB, but he's a great man, and I have an immense amount of respect for him.
I was with a Graham in 81 who lost his leg. Tough guy old Graham.
@@Enoch940 Perhaps it's my uncle. I'm actually not sure what year he lost his leg.
@RykerRider46 ask him if he remembers someone giving the arrogant permanent force large round chef a good hiding for burning the meat after a 3 week patrol. That was me . 😤🤣 was before Graham triggered that black widow and lost his limb. If he recalls that , then it's him.
Turns out my uncle lost his leg in Mozambique, not Angola. @@Enoch940
I am now 77 and every word you have said I stand with you.
Thank you from a fellow National Service Corporal. True to the piont.
Dankie Chris...dankie vir jou diens! Salute Dogs Of War - Garden route!
Thanks for sharing Chris ,powerful stuff which I can relate to ..
Great story... Ogongo and Ondangwa are fully developed towns, not as the images depict.
Hey Chris. I've just watched this through. Thanks for sharing. I was a loot (MLW trained) and gave basics at 1SAI and basics and platoon attacks at 8SAI and went with the platoon to the border in '85. Some perspectives I would see slightly differently but completely agree in terms of the main experiences (boorish authoritarianism and behaviours are endless but yet you captured it succinctly) and overall situation through to today. I think you speak for many who cannot "get it out".
Chris, YOU have said and expressed what so many would never have dared say... it does not make it any less true! Somebody had to say it!
The Boere surrendered to the Brits in 1902 because their women and children died in concentration camps and their farm lands were scorched.
Read the full story here in Wikipedia... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Boer_War_concentration_camps
Sorry about the friends you lost on the border. I was a medic in 1972 and thankfully never went to the border.
Surrendering to the enemy we fought on the border... I agree, there is no glory in surrendering to the enemy, how could the Afrikaners allow that?
It was not what they wanted but there was no better choice at the time.
Just as there was no better choice for the Boere in 1902.
And the Boere hated their enemy for generations after the Brits killed their families in the concentration camps. Can you blame them for that?
But there comes a time when it just makes more sense to hold hands and live and work together and even play rugby together. The Afrikaners have had to do that a few times Chris. Time for you to do the same...
HI Chris, your story reverberated with me in a way I cannot say brought me fond memories. I am glad and proud of what I went through and doing my duty. What I came to despise, like you was the brandy and coke, boep brigade that had and still has the mentality of a "baksteen". Yes and also the people that sold us out and forgot about us.
After many years since my deployment and since 1994 I wonder what it was all about.
I can only say that I wish you well and a whole lot of peace and solace that you very obviously deserve.
Go well boet!
Thank you Chris. I'm a Afrikaans and related completely in everything of your experiences, only that I was based in Eenhana, lost my best friend and wasn't allowed to go to his funeral anfd the funeral of my grandfather's the died when I was on the border
Hi Chris. Thank You for telling this story. I dit my service 1977 at Eenana and Oshakati. It dit bring back heart breaking stories. Thank You
Informative, compelling and bone chilling honest.
Feel like wrapping my arms around you and just cry and laugh with you at the ghosts that will always lurking in the shadows of the dark.
Great story Chris "speaking the truth" no bullshit.Your are one tough bloke.Keep the faith and all the best.
Dankie vir die video. Die pyn en hartseer tesame met die gevoel van hopeloosheid en verraad het my getref. As 'n 40 jarige wie nooit diensplig en oorlog moes deurmaak nie, is daar seker net soveel wat ek ooit sal kan verstaan, maar dit is duidelik dat die opoffering wat jul moes maak enorm was. Ek sou sê dankie, maar ek vermoed jy sal seker net reageer met "for what?". Dis verstaanbaar.
Thanks so much for this video. Absolute truth, about how so many of us feel. Politics, lies, and deceit. We had such a proud history,but almost all lost to evil. I'm still positive, and full of hope. We have to become, once again, like the voortrekkers, and keep our faith in God
I'm also an Engelsman but with an Afrikaans surname .I was fine until I opened my mouth and then the shit hit the fan .Thank you for your story which I can relate but has opened the eyes of many others wh never had the experiences we did. I'm still bosbefok or suffering from PTSD. and I don't think it will ever go away but it's managable now because I'm retired and can sleep during the day when I can't sleep at night.
This brings back so many memories! As a newlywed my ex husband studied medicine and did 2 border stints and was involved in the cassavacs into the bush.He left SA and now lives in Canada.I too feel angry and sad to what they the corrupt cadres have done to our country.Thank for your service.
The medics had to pick up all the pieces and try and put them back together. During operation Hooper the field hospital regularly came under fire. Not easy. Combat medics are in a league of their own.
Thank you, brings back so many memories.
Well said, Chris. U are not alone in feeling this way. For those who say time heals, in still waiting.
Chris for the first time on UA-cam I found a genuine, to the point , accurate account of our time in the SADF on the border in 53 Battalion 1978 - 1980..... Salute !!.
I was in 3 SAI POTCH Basics in Modderfontein, Border - Ondangwa , Rundu . Joint Ops with 32 Battalion , Parrabats, and Kuvoet . We then did a joint opps with RLI Forces in Rhodesia. Cleared out January 1980.
My Father was also in Angola War, then moved on to the Security Branch Police. Becoming a Detective for 30 Years. Danie Kruger, worked with Dr Wouter Basson. My Father died at 49, Heart attack.
This video helps me justify certain feelings I've always had but never could feel comfortable with. I understand the anger and iscolation my grandfather had post service. I get it now.
What an awesome video. Thanks.
I hear you Chris. Rhodesian here so saw it twice.
And that is why we will stay loners until the day we die .
Never truer words than this spoken
Yes, odd that, isn't it? I spend most of my time on my land in a tent. I find it very relaxing and don't see people for weeks. I do like socialising very much but quite happy on my own. Luckily I suppose. God bless you brother.
Thank you Chris ... a soldier's story. I am a British citizen and my father volunteered me for service in the SADF when I was 16. I served at Rundu, Katima and Okankolo in those days Commandos. There are also so many other things that can be said. Rest assured this was one war we never lost. Many suffered on their return home, some suicide, alcohol, broken marriages. No one seemed to understand why. No debriefing but lots of PTS. This conflict cut deep. Many of us were pschycological wrecks. Keep your head held high Chris ... we wore our fatigues with pride and we were and always will be respected for the duty we performed.. In the future the truth will be told about this war which we supposedly lost. Like you i suffered the effects of this war for 14 years, that changed when I was baptised in a swimming pool in Bloemfontein in 1994. The memories will always remain, it added to the wisdom we have today. Be at peace Chris knowing that for us all the truth will set us free ...
I fully agree with what Chris and you say Ian. I was also a conscript in 1972 and went to the border. I can relate to much of what Chris says. PS. I got baptised with my wife and 2 daughters on 1 May 2005. My son was baptised 3 weeks prior to that. Our lives turned around, and since then, we have a better understanding of how the Holy Spirit operates and heals broken people. It's a victory in itself, and nobody will and can take that away from us.😊
Thanks for the time you took to tell your tale. So much of ot rings true even to us who did not go to the border. We did our time, paid our dues and then we look at the utter devastation left in the wake of the Rainbow miracle. We have regressed not only the country but our people too and it is sickening and disheartening to see. And i am sure much worse for you who fought for our country. I salute you friend and hope to have the honour of meeting you one day
Thx Chris for your honesty. I was a 2Lt in 8 SAI in 1976/77. Absolutely share your sentiments. The only thing we learn from history is: We do not learn from history.