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Latest News Featured Titles Afrikaans Titles Collecting SADF Militaria South African Air Force Conflict in Angola Chemical and Biological Warfare Rhodesia South African Special Forces South African Navy South African Colours and Markings Koevoet Art Prints
South African Special Forces
Recce
A Collector's Guide to the History of the South African Special Forces
Authored By P. Matthysen, M. Kalkwarf, M. Huxtable
This book has been some 15 years in the
making and can claim, with some justification, to be the definitive
publication on the ‘Recces’, unlikely to be topped for many, many
years. The South African Special Forces have invariably been portrayed
as a sinister force, used in covert operations locally and abroad but
this is pure political expediency and media propaganda. The unit’s
operators are shy, humble soldiers, whose primary role is
intelligence-gathering, although they will take offensive action,
ruthlessly, if necessary. Highly trained professionals in a class of
their own, these elite troops have garnered for themselves an
international reputation par excellence. Included in this unique book
are: Foreword by Major-General F. W. Loots; A comprehensive history of
the Reconnaissance Regiments and auxiliary units; Selection and
training processes and techniques; Insignia, kit and equipment;
Honours and awards; Memorabilia, memorials, museums; 2,500 full-colour
images; actual-size insignia (including fakes) 320 Pages, Hard cover, illustrated with colour throughout.
297 x 220 / 8¾ x 11¾
$125
We have a limited number of the leather bound limited editions which are now out of print and very scarce available
Only 75 were printed. Signed by: All three authors General Jannie Geldenhuys Brigadier-General Malcolm Kinghorn Colonel Jan Breytenbach Colonel Frans Fourie Lieutenant-Colonel M.G. de Klerk Major Jack Greef Warrant Officer (1st Class) David Scales
$350
‘We Conquer from Above The History of 1 Parachute Battalion 1961 - 1991 Authored By Paul Els
Stiff Card Cover, Large and Oversized (329 Pages), illustrated throughout, $60
We Conquer from Above Limited Edition
This leather bound edition in a slip case is limited to 80 copies only. This edition has 150 more pages than the standard edition as the photos have been enlarged for extra clarity. All colour pictures are printed in colour whereas in the standard edition all pictures are in Black and White. A must for any Parabat enthusiast.
Limited Edition, Large and Oversized ( 348 Pages), illustrated throughout, $360
Pathfinder Company The Philistines
Compiled by Jonathan Pittaway
Highly recommended. Soft Cover, 160 pages, illustrated with colour pictures throughout. $55 We Fear Naught But God Authored By Paul Els
The Story of the South African Special Forces "The Recces" All our copies are signed by the author. This is the second revised edition The book contains 416 pages, is well illustrated with over 820 photographs; of which many are being published for the first time!
Special Forces Operators were carefully selected and trained to gather covert strategic and tactical information about enemy activities. They learned how to observe silently, harass the enemy and destroy selected targets - all behind enemy lines. Frequently required to face great danger, they had to learn to control fear in order to survive. This book brings the reconnaissance soldiers - the recces - to those who have wondered about what kind of men they were. Their families, their heartaches, their sufferings and achievements.
Highly recommended. Soft Cover, 416 Pages, illustrated with B&W pictures. $45
Journey without Boundaries Authored By Col Andre Diedricks HCS, HC, SM, MMM 
This is the extraordinary tale of an extraordinary man. An honestly told story of his military career, of a man who was twice decorated for valour, who pioneered and developed the concept of “small team reconnaissance” within the South African Special Forces. This is a first hand account of one of South Africa's Top Recces. Highly recommended.
Soft Cover, 204 Pages, illustrated with Colour Pictures. $45 A GREATER SHARE OF HONOUR Authored By Jack Greef EXTREMELY RARE 1st EDITION
Signed By the Author As a young Staff Sergeant in the Recces, Jack Greeff became one of the most decorated soldiers in the SADF. Leading two-man reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy held territories and operating under the noses of the enemy, they collected vital strategic information on enemy movements and installations. Using the information gathered, he led raiding parties to the targets to execute what were probably the biggest and most daring acts of sabotage in recent military history. The author also tells in detail how men, both black and white, trained together and fought a common enemy to create one of the most respected Special Forces units of its time. By the time he retired as a Major, Jack Greeff was the recipient of the Honoris Crux for valour, the Pro Meritas Medal and the Military Merit Medal.
"Their bravery in action was awesome, and
their friendship and loyalty to me a stranger in their land, matched
it." "And though they are extraordinary proficient in the use of small arms and have conducted some of the hairiest operations in modern warfare, the As a young Staff Sergeant in the Recces, Jack Greeff became one of the most decorated soldiers in the SADF. Leading two-man reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy held territories and operating under the noses of the enemy, they collected vital strategic information on enemy movements and installations. Using the information gathered, he led raiding parties to the targets to execute what were probably the biggest and most daring acts of sabotage in recent military history. The author also tells in detail how men, both black and white, trained together and fought a common enemy to create one of the most respected Special Forces units of its time. Soft Cover, Used, illustrated. $120 A GREATER SHARE OF HONOUR
Second Edition
This edition contains numerous colour photos and has been extensively
re-edited and updated.
Soft Cover, New, illustrated. $55
SPECIAL FORCES "Jam Stealer" Authored By Peet Coetzee
Peet served in the South African Defence Force for 33 years, commencing with border duties in 1968 till SADF ended its role in Namibia in 1994. Read about the first ever to be told intelligence support roles that Photo Interpreters played in SADF operations such as Savannah, Sceptic, Askari, Kropduif (Eheke) and Reindeer (Cassinga). In one way or other, Peet had insight in the majority of the cross border operations that SADF conducted in those days. The highlight of his military career was his serving 12 years in the Intelligence Support group for South African Special Forces Recces. His specialised Photo Interpretation service was specifically directed in aiding the Recce's Small Team Operators planning their highly dangerous clandestine operations in enemy territories This book has over 450 pics in it. Many in colour. I have personally not seen many of them before. Soft Cover, New, illustrated. $55 WE FEAR NAUGHT BUT GOD Authored By Paul Els SCARCE AND OUT OF PRINT FOR MANY YEARS
The Story of the South African Special Forces "The Recces"
Signed by the Author
No CD included
This is the first edition. Special Forces Operators were carefully selected and trained to gather covert strategic and tactical information about enemy activities. They learned how to observe silently, harass the enemy and destroy selected targets - all behind enemy lines. Frequently required to face great danger, they had to learn to control fear in order to survive. This book brings the reconnaissance soldiers - the recces - to those who have wondered about what kind of men they were. Their families, their heartaches, their sufferings and achievements. THIS IS THEIR STORY A CLASSIC!
Soft Cover, illustrated, Used. $95
Parabat Authored By Mathew Paul Long out of Print!!! New revised and updated edition
Personal Accounts of Paratroopers in combat situations in South Africa's History All our copies are signed by the author. This book offers the reader a personalised history of the adventures of those men in the South African Defence Force (SADF) who used to be known as the Parabats. Their experiences are recorded in three historical "war epochs": the border wars (Angola, SWA), the township wars and finally the military intervention in Lesotho. This book is a must for any Parabat enthusiast. Soft Cover, New, 261 Pages, illustrated. $50 To The Bush And Back Authored By Nico van der Walt 
A story about the last phase of the South African Border War as experienced by a junior officer of 32-Battalion. There was a time when the world was still embroiled in the Cold War and when the communist threat was a reality for many South Africans. That was a time when the phrase “going-to-the-bush” had a meaning of its own and when many a South African conscript was obliged to do his “tour” on the Namibian border. This book tells the story about the bush; the war as well as the people. It gives a personal account about a young man who reported for military service with the South African Defence Force in the late 1980’s and takes the reader on a tour de force from Basic- and Officers Training all the way to the bush of Namibia and Angola during the last battles of the Border War – including the so-called battle of Cuito Cuanavale. It also details the rigorous training; life in the Caprivi, as well as the constant operational deployments. Furthermore, the book describes the events directly after the war and relates the history of a legendary unit and its people at the time.
Soft Cover, 208 pages, Over 50 Colour photographs $45 Buffalo Battalion South Africa's 32 Battalion A tale of Sacrifice Authored By L.J.Bothma 
All our copies are signed by the author. In this book we are not the heroes and the enemy the villains; but also not vice versa. After all was said and done, 32 Battalion was not a beaten force that capitulated to the enemy at the conclusion of a war. It was a unit that was disbanded by the supreme high commander of the country’s armed forces – the political head of state, F.W. de Klerk . After a visit to “the border” in 2001, I decided to write a book about the Border (or Bush) War, and specifically 32 Battalion XE "32 Battalion" , where I was a platoon commander in 1978. It had to be a book not just for a military audience but, moreover, especially for those people who had never seen or understood the Border War; for our parents, wives and children – for all who have respect for history and who want to hear the truth about that war. I did not know what people were going to say about this book, but this is how it was – those years when boys had to be men. It is the true story of white and black soldiers – South Africans, South-Westers (Namibians), Angolans, Australians, Britons, Rhodesians (Zimbabweans) and others – who, through a combination of circumstances, landed up in the same battalion where they had to fight secretly for South Africa in a “terrorist war” beyond the country’s borders. But rather than being the story of a cruel force of oppression, it is more a case study of how politicians can squander people in a war. It has been written for those who wish to see beyond race politics and economic growth, apartheid and democracy. The book deals with more than just shooting. It is about who we were, how we came to be together, what we learned from each other, and what happened in the bush; our fears and expectations, our tears and happiness, our camaraderie and loyalty towards one other – even years after the battalion had been disbanded and we scattered in all directions. We are not angry with our old enemies; they not with us. It is not necessary to lie about how brave we were, how cowardly they were; how many of them we shot dead, and how few of us fell. The war has left scars on both sides, also on the civilian population. That is why I dedicate the book to everyone. But the liars must not be seen to be the heroes and the honest ones the villains in the story of the Border War This is an honest story – a sincere search for the sense of the Border War. To preserve the storyline, I constructed the narrative around my own experiences and recollections. But I am only the narrator of the greater story; I myself only a minor link in a long human chain spanning many years. Incidents and characters had to be balanced. I had to approach the task scientifically, but that was very difficult. Recording military history is a slippery terrain. Most of the characters in the book are still alive. They can refute one. That is why I took great trouble to involve as many of them as possible in the research. Just to track them down was a tough proposition. After that I had to travel far and wide to record their recollections on tape, and to collect documents and photos. Many were hesitant about coming forward. After repeated calls and e-mails some of them still decided to stay on the sidelines. There are many reasons for this. Most of the ex-servicemen do not realise that they made history, they are too modest, they do not believe that what they did is important within the whole context of the war, they are afraid that even more labels will be strung about their necks, they feel bad about mistakes they made years ago, and, last but not least, some are still angry with one another. Because personal recollections – almost 30 years after the war – cannot be accepted blindly, I also had to consult the official documentation at the army’s Documentation Centre in Pretoria. I had to submit an application, the documents had to be declassified, and in the end I had to wait two years for them. On top of that I did not get everything I had requested and which had been promised me. Nevertheless the personnel of the Documentation Centre were very friendly and I was well received. Against this background it was sometimes very difficult – even impossible – to unearth the full truth. In some cases there are up to four versions of the same incident. Therefore I advise readers not to concentrate solely on the text but also to consult the endnotes and source references at the back of the book. To compare what had happened in the bush with what people had heard or read at home, I had to work my way through piles of newspapers. Fortunately my good friend, Jaap Steyn, put his collection of press cuttings at my disposal and gave me good advice and guidance throughout. Where I have made mistakes, they were unintentional. Where I point out the mistakes of other writers, it is not to criticise but to rectify. Writing a history is something that is never finished. Accordingly, this book has also been a process. The first edition of the Afrikaans version – Die Buffel Struikel: 'n storie van 32 Bataljon en sy mense – has had six reprints since it first appeared in November 2006. In the meantime I have been inundated with calls, e-mails and letters. Readers have generally applauded the book, but have wanted more. People with information and photos, which I otherwise would have traced with difficulty or possibly not at all, came forward. Some pointed out errors. Consequently I revised and made further additions to the text, including an extra section with photographs, and altered the dust jacket. The 2nd Revised Edition of Die Buffel Struikel appeared in September 2007. It has had five reprints. From sheer necessity I conducted some additional interviews and two further visits to the “border”. Following from those, the text and photos have been updated for the English version This book has over 450 pages. illustrated with many pictures in colour. Soft Cover, New, illustrated. $65 |
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The Buffalo Soldiers Authored by Col Jan Breytenbach 
The Story of South Africa's 32-Battalion 1975 - 1993
32-Battalion was forged from guerrilla
irregulars during the South African military intervention in Angola
in 1975 under the code name Operation Savannah. The author,
Colonel Jan Breytenbach, was its founding commander. Because of the
secrecy surrounding it, 32-Battalion not only became one of the
finest fighting units in the South African Army, it also became the
most controversial. Soft Cover, New, illustrated. $50 The Silent War Authored By Peter Stiff 
Signed by the Author.
Hard Cover edition which has been out of print for a number of years. This amazing book tells not only the story of South Africa’s special forces, it has also been described as the most important and frank history of South Africa itself during the apartheid years. It is also the most illuminating book on special forces published anywhere. Not only does Stiff deal with military operations but he also explains the political dynamics that prompted them. It is wide ranging and covers the first counter-insurgency operations in Namibia in 1966, a commando raid on Dare-es-Salaam, the Fox Street Siege, South Africa’s intervention into Angola in 1975 and subsequent pull-out, the rise of insurgency in Moçambique, South Africa’s reentry into Angola, strikes against SWAPO bases in Zambia, the training and assistance to UNITA, the fight against ZANLA and ZIPRA in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and how the Recces staffed Rhodesia’s ‘D’ Squadron SAS, the fall of Rhodesia, how the SAS and Selous Scouts were reformed as Recce units in South Africa, the selection and training of special forces, the raid against the ANC at Matola in Moçambique, South African assistance to RENAMO and Recce operations in Moçambique, Lesotho, Cabinda, Botswana and Zambia. It also deals in detail with the final days of apartheid South Africa and explains how close the country was to a right-wing coup d’etat. It was a book that should not have been published. In 1986 Stiff was invited by the Chief SADF to write a history of the Recces, but two years later when it was discovered he had discovered far more about secret operations than intended, permission was withdrawn and he was threatened with prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. He had to wait until after the 1994 election before he could again pick up his pen.
Hard Cover, Used in Good Condition, illustrated $75
The Wynand Du Toit Story Authored By Allan Soule, Gary Dixon, Rene Richards 
South African Defence Force prisoner of War, Major Wynand du Toit, reveals in gripping detail his secret mission to Cabinda (in Angola) that led to two years of hell in an Angolan prison. The amazing story tells of his determined fight to retain his sanity under appalling conditions in solitary confinement. It chronicles as well the triumph of his faith in God and country over extreme adversity. With breathtaking frankness he relates the anguish, bottomless despair, and eventual joy of his reunion with his family. This is a first hand account of one of South Africa's Recces. Highly recommended.
Soft Cover, 315 Pages, illustrated. $45 |