32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit [Paperback]

Piet Nortje (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

Originally formed in order to lend support to the FNLA and UNITA in the Angolan war, 32 Battalion quickly gained the reputation of being an unconventional, secretive, yet highly effective group. Written by a man who was intimately involved with the unit and served as its Regimental Sergeant Major for two years, the book aims to explode the myths surrounding the legendary 32 and set the record straight. It records how and why 32 Battalion was formed, explores its unique identity forged by the men who fought in it, details the many operations in which they participated, and concludes with its eventual disbandment at the dawn of a new South Africa.
What they did, and how they did it, would earn this controversial group official recognition as the best fighting unit in the South African Army since World War II. This book’s unembellished, factual reporting will fill a big gap in the highly popular military genre.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Piet Nortje’s military career began in 1978, when he joined the former SADF Permanent Force. His involvement with 32 Battalion started in the same year, where he rose rapidly through the ranks. In 1984 he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 32 Battalion, the youngest RSM ever in the SADF. Although his involvement with 32 Battalion came to an end in 1988, he continues to serve in the SANDF, a career now spanning 25 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 315 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1868729141
• ISBN-13: 978-1868729142
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling expose of modern military history, February 3, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit (Paperback)

One of the 32 Battalion's longest-serving members presents the unadorned true story of his unit in 32 Battalion: The Inside Story Of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit. Nicknamed "The Buffalo Soldiers", South Africa's 32nd Battalion was undefeated in twelve years of front-line battle, feared by enemies ranging from Cuban armies to Nambian guerrilla fighters. Called "Os Terriveis", or the Terrible Ones by their enemies, the unit met its most unlikely demise when peace came to southern Africa and politics chose to dissolve the unit's fraternity in 1993. 32 Battalion makes no embellishments or apologies, but rather presents the true story of the unit in clear terms, illustrated by a handful of black-and-white maps and diagrams and an inset section of color plates. A thrilling expose of modern military history.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghost History, June 2, 2008

By 

Terry Tucker (Richland, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit (Paperback)

Ghost History: the intricate details lost to time. This book captures the Ghost History of the 32 Battalion. Additionally, in the finest traditions of all great Regimental Sergeant Major's, the author, an ex- RSM of the unit, captures the unit history, essence, spirit and legacy of the 32 Battalion.

This is a well researched, first hand account of the infamous 32 Battalion. There are also a number of maps that show the area of operation and there are a few tactical maps that futher clarify some of the actual missions. For those that serve in the profession of arms this is a great book that offers lessons on operations, techniques, tactics and procedures in insurgency and counterinsurgency; especially valuable were the lessons on how the 32 Battalion and SADF leadership dealt with the clans, tribes and in some cases an illiterate force. This book is literally a text book case on how to organize and train an elite indigenous counterinsurgency force.

Terry Tucker, PhD
Battle Staff Trainer Afghanistan

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Afrca's Elite Fighting Unit by Piet Nortje, August 20, 2006

By 

Barend J. Kruger "Ben Kruger" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit (Paperback)

By the author's own admission a subjective report.The story of forgotten hero's, shunned by the political survivors of the old South Africa and hated by the new order.Too little was told about the Citizen Force officers and NCO's who served with this unit.However it is well written and worthwile reading to all who is interested in the history of South Africa.