It’s so very humbling to hear Greg’s account of his military service, a quiet assured demeanour and no hint of war glorification. His faith comes through with his words, a remarkable man as so many who served for both S.A and Rhodesia. It was a little piece of paradise fighting against the onslaught of external forces. Only the very few benefited from the outcome.
The Kruger was blessed to have ex Special Forces members as Rangers. Jack Greef, Sam Fourie and Brian Harris come to mind they bought their skills set to bare in protecting the wildlife of a very special place
Thank you, Greg, for your life stories and Tony you are great in getting these guys to tell us their stories. Basically, you can call it their adventures in Africa at amazing places that the world do not know exist, and if they did, they would stream to experience it. BTW, I nearly ended up at Burcks Luck to become a dog handler. I was told it was an amazing place to be at, but I got myself out of that.
As a child my dad was managing exploration drilling projects in those areas. What you have just shared brings such vivid memories of experiencing that beauty , thank you for sharing .
Another very good interview, thanks both. Of course there is a bad sad to this sort of thing, what with all the memories, sometimes it's a real lump-in-the-throat experience. Aye well... I guess that's mostly just getting old, but none the less true for that. Keep them coming. 👍
Yes indeed , a huge bad sad as you put it. For those of us who experienced the bush a feeling of poignancy and that we left part of our souls there, never to be regathered
I was a Sapper camper assisting the infantry manning the electric fence South of the boarder point. A "duisand poot" vehicle was crashed at the Kruger South gate, so we sappers were rapidly summoned to sweep many of the southern roads after a parksboard trucks hit a landmine near the overhead power pylons. Turned into a firefight at Skacuza camp, with tourists admiring the 'training exercise' that was going on. A couple of AK rounds through the bottom of a parks board chopper too!.
Another wonderful talk, Greg and Tony and team. Lying down on your back looking up to a dark clear sky, I would be counting at least 30 satellites an hour going in all directions, and watching , what we would call “shooting stars” entering our atmosphere, was a night show worth watching. Blessings
Yes Tom l remember being able to set my watch to a particular satellite at about 19:30 every night. Was quite comforting to have this one constant in an ever changing world that we found ourselves in at that time
Special People in Very Special time's back then...!! Man the youngsters of today are far too entitled and have Zero Clue of what life was like...! Wholesome, Honest, Hard.. Proper Men and Women back then....!!! Many thanks Men... Too Lekker.. Cheers 🍻
Another great talk Greg. Thank you and Tony thanks to your good self mate. (You of course John !) (Recoll - you ever shoot one of those IMI Desert Eagle 50 pistols ? Bloody broke my nose and dented my forehead ! It was funny :)
I had a shotgun "exactly as you described"- it was a 5 round ATIS pump action gat with a pistol grip on the rear!. I bought it in Johannesburg in 1984 - ater coming from Zimbabwe - I was working in Soweto at the time! Thank God I never had to use it in anger! I had it for many years - and only ever fired 1 round through it. I handed it in to the SAPS when the new firearm laws came in in the late 90,s early 2000's!
The Kruger Park is a beautiful part of Africa, especially to the north, away from the tourist hotspots in the south. I was always more wary of the ellies, buffalo and the hippos there than the big cats. My family and I must have driven past Operators in the bush and never knew about them. I was at school until the end of '88, and we went to the Park at least once a year back then, sometimes twice if my late parents finances were good.
Oh the joy of going for a bush run, seeing vultures gathering nearby, actually running to them and... half-way, instinct and common sense kick in & the utter stupidity of it suddenly become very obvious. Then see how this brave hero of the bush very carefully & quietly slinks away, almost puking at his own suicidal idiocy... so I've heard. 🙄
Incredible privilege to hear your stories. Thanks for sharing Greg. Did you ever have contact with RSM Mike Landman? His son is our CEO and I can see the pride in his eyes when he mentions his Dad.
I knew Mike well. As RSM of @ Recce in the early days, he did a great job. His love for the bush took him and his artwork further than his military career in the Kruger National Park until his death in the early 90's (I seem to recall this timeline, but it could be off).
At the end there was a question whether any of the insurgents that made it through did any damage - the answer is yes. Some infrastructure was bombed (and damaged) at the Sasol facility in Secunda with a bomb planted there by terrorists.
I did not answer the question in 'that way' concerning national carnage caused by the insurgents but rather the immediate area. Yes, the damage was not limited to the immediate area around the Kruger National Park but was widely felt with churches, bars, restaurants and other softer civilian targets being earmarked. Strategic targets lime the Sasol plant in Secunda goes without saying so ...
To give anyone a p grip cut-down 12g out there was ridiculous. In fact a pg cut-down 12g is ridiculous, except in the movies. But better than no firearms to begin with. Madness.
Hi Crispin good to hear from you. I saw that you are in the states now. I am living in Australia now. Listening to Greg who grew up in the same district as me speak of the park brought back many memories. Of my years patrolling in the park..
Frederik, I was unaware of that, but I am sure there must have been numerous attacks of this type to undermine the government of the day, cause unrest and create a breeding ground for young and willing recruits for the cause. When being interviewed my mind did not venture that far but should have been more inclusive ...
It’s so very humbling to hear Greg’s account of his military service, a quiet assured demeanour and no hint of war glorification. His faith comes through with his words, a remarkable man as so many who served for both S.A and Rhodesia.
It was a little piece of paradise fighting against the onslaught of external forces. Only the very few benefited from the outcome.
The Kruger was blessed to have ex Special Forces members as Rangers. Jack Greef, Sam Fourie and Brian Harris come to mind they bought their skills set to bare in protecting the wildlife of a very special place
So glad to see Greg's story coming out in full. Thank you John & Tony and rest, Koos & Legacy
Thank you Koos, God bless you sir!
Thank you, Greg, for your life stories and Tony you are great in getting these guys to tell us their stories. Basically, you can call it their adventures in Africa at amazing places that the world do not know exist, and if they did, they would stream to experience it.
BTW, I nearly ended up at Burcks Luck to become a dog handler. I was told it was an amazing place to be at, but I got myself out of that.
Another Greg Ashton video!!🥳🎉🎉🍻🍻😎👍👍 Always a treat! Thanks Tony, John, Hannes and Greg!!
Our pleasure!
As a child my dad was managing exploration drilling projects in those areas. What you have just shared brings such vivid memories of experiencing that beauty , thank you for sharing .
Another very good interview, thanks both. Of course there is a bad sad to this sort of thing, what with all the memories, sometimes it's a real lump-in-the-throat experience. Aye well... I guess that's mostly just getting old, but none the less true for that. Keep them coming. 👍
Yes indeed , a huge bad sad as you put it. For those of us who experienced the bush a feeling of poignancy and that we left part of our souls there, never to be regathered
I was a Sapper camper assisting the infantry manning the electric fence South of the boarder point. A "duisand poot" vehicle was crashed at the Kruger South gate, so we sappers were rapidly summoned to sweep many of the southern roads after a parksboard trucks hit a landmine near the overhead power pylons. Turned into a firefight at Skacuza camp, with tourists admiring the 'training exercise' that was going on. A couple of AK rounds through the bottom of a parks board chopper too!.
Another wonderful talk, Greg and Tony and team. Lying down on your back looking up to a dark clear sky, I would be counting at least 30 satellites an hour going in all directions, and watching , what we would call “shooting stars” entering our atmosphere, was a night show worth watching. Blessings
Yes Tom l remember being able to set my watch to a particular satellite at about 19:30 every night. Was quite comforting to have this one constant in an ever changing world that we found ourselves in at that time
Thanks Greg very interesting and adventurous talk .
Best suprise in the early AM hours! Thank you so much Greg, and Tony!
Special People in Very Special time's back then...!! Man the youngsters of today are far too entitled and have Zero Clue of what life was like...! Wholesome, Honest, Hard.. Proper Men and Women back then....!!!
Many thanks Men... Too Lekker..
Cheers 🍻
Another great talk Greg. Thank you and Tony thanks to your good self mate.
(You of course John !)
(Recoll - you ever shoot one of those IMI Desert Eagle 50 pistols ? Bloody broke my nose and dented my forehead ! It was funny :)
🎉Thank you Guy's 🎉😊
I worked in Sabi Sands reserve near Skukuza in 1988 and we also got people walking through. We would just report them to the cops.
Fantastic Story! Thank you Gentlemen! Greatly appreciate 👍👍👍
Great stories, thanks guys
Interesting interview. Thanks 👍
I had a shotgun "exactly as you described"- it was a 5 round ATIS pump action gat with a pistol grip on the rear!. I bought it in Johannesburg in 1984 - ater coming from Zimbabwe - I was working in Soweto at the time! Thank God I never had to use it in anger! I had it for many years - and only ever fired 1 round through it. I handed it in to the SAPS when the new firearm laws came in in the late 90,s early 2000's!
Awesome.
The Kruger Park is a beautiful part of Africa, especially to the north, away from the tourist hotspots in the south.
I was always more wary of the ellies, buffalo and the hippos there than the big cats.
My family and I must have driven past Operators in the bush and never knew about them.
I was at school until the end of '88, and we went to the Park at least once a year back then, sometimes twice if my late parents finances were good.
The Railways also ran on Telex - both in Rhodesia and in S.A. from the late 60's to mid 80's.
Oh the joy of going for a bush run, seeing vultures gathering nearby, actually running to them and... half-way, instinct and common sense kick in & the utter stupidity of it suddenly become very obvious. Then see how this brave hero of the bush very carefully & quietly slinks away, almost puking at his own suicidal idiocy... so I've heard. 🙄
Great 1s again. Thank you.
It was actually 7SAI at Bourke's Luck, before they moved to Phalaborwa. However, I think it was actually 113Bn that patrolled Kruger in that area.
Thank Greg and Tony for this fascinating episode, keep them coming.
Incredible privilege to hear your stories. Thanks for sharing Greg. Did you ever have contact with RSM Mike Landman? His son is our CEO and I can see the pride in his eyes when he mentions his Dad.
I knew Mike well. As RSM of @ Recce in the early days, he did a great job. His love for the bush took him and his artwork further than his military career in the Kruger National Park until his death in the early 90's (I seem to recall this timeline, but it could be off).
Outstanding and many thanks 🙏 as always 🤙
5 SAI was ladysmith however i know Greg is speaking of many years ago respect to both you gentlemen Godbless
Thanks Greg and Tony. Greg I am sure it was an enjoyable posting for you.
Thanks gentlemen! 🙏 Tony 👍🙋♂️ always!!
Thanks Greg, another great talk
Amazing.
At the end there was a question whether any of the insurgents that made it through did any damage - the answer is yes. Some infrastructure was bombed (and damaged) at the Sasol facility in Secunda with a bomb planted there by terrorists.
I did not answer the question in 'that way' concerning national carnage caused by the insurgents but rather the immediate area. Yes, the damage was not limited to the immediate area around the Kruger National Park but was widely felt with churches, bars, restaurants and other softer civilian targets being earmarked. Strategic targets lime the Sasol plant in Secunda goes without saying so ...
The chap who gave you that shotgun was a thinker back in the day i shot clays with one of those for fun😂
To give anyone a p grip cut-down 12g out there was ridiculous. In fact a pg cut-down 12g is ridiculous, except in the movies. But better than no firearms to begin with. Madness.
I spent 14 yrs patrolling in KNP while based near Phalaborwa Gate.
Hi Crispin good to hear from you. I saw that you are in the states now. I am living in Australia now. Listening to Greg who grew up in the same district as me speak of the park brought back many memories. Of my years patrolling in the park..
A sawn Off shotgun in lion country , terrifying ….!
Terrs came from Kruger and was involved in the attack in Soekmekaar [close to Pietersburg].....a bom near the police station, 1986/7
Frederik, I was unaware of that, but I am sure there must have been numerous attacks of this type to undermine the government of the day, cause unrest and create a breeding ground for young and willing recruits for the cause. When being interviewed my mind did not venture that far but should have been more inclusive ...
They did blow the reactor at Secunda
Great talk - baboon crap and terrorists aside, I can think of nothing better than a few weeks in the Kruger, open fire, stars.....
South African Signals used telex machines with crypto coding to send high security messages.