Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

32 Battalion was made up of black Angolan soldiers who were the survivors of Holden Roberto's FNLA faction. After Portugal left Angola and the Cuban/MPLA took over in 1975 many former FNLA soldiers fled as refugees to South Africa. There they took up arms for the South Africans who used them to take the fight externally to SWAPO which was trying to 'liberate' Namibia.

32 Battalion was founded by Jan Breytenbach who ironically was the brother of anti-Apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach.

With the excellent leadership provided by the predominately South African (there were some officers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Rhodesia, Portugal and the United States also) the Angolan soldiers of 32 Battalion were able to take on superior numbers of Cuban and FAPLA forces. The Fapla forces were also recruited from the same tribes as 32 Battalion. As South Africa's Border War progressed more Black Angolans entered the NCO and Officer ranks.

When the war ended they were sent to South Africa where they did not do so well in the Townships.

After disbanding many of the men ended up in Executive Outcomes fighting for FAPLA against their old allies UNITA and doing what the UN cannot do...cleaning up Sierra Leone with a few hundred soldiers. This is well described in Bloodsong!: An Account of Executive Outcomes in Angola
by James Hooper

This book captures the behind-the-scenes operations of what started as an irregular band of guerrillas and details their development into a highly efficient counter-insurgency battalion. It is interesting to see how their enemy evolved as well, as training and sophisticated equipment flowed into Angola from the Soviets and Cubans. This book is a detailed history and describes almost every ambush, attack, incident, and casualty that involved the battalion. It also describes the political manoeuvrings of the South Africans, the U.S., and the Soviet Bloc countries. I found the book highly readable, but a little repetitive at times as every enemy contact is detailed (I lost count of how many times they ambushed SWAPO guerrillas at various waterholes). If you're interested in the military and political history of southern Africa in the 1970's and 80's, this book is for you.

I found this book very interesting - a great insight into the history of 32 battalion.

Eye opener for all who lived, died and grew up in South Africa, South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola during the '70's and '80's. Great Historical and true accounts of this elite fighting unit (32).

this book is a detailed history of the 32 batt. and helped me to understand a little about the controversy about them, and their oporations. it however is writen a bit like a text book, and a little research as you read it is needed. i do recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about what happened from the source, in stead of some slanted news report.

"32 Battallion" is a readable, yet comprehensive, factual account of this elite unit. Unlike many similar books on recent South African military history, it is well written and edited. (Did Nortje use a ghost writer? If so, others should learn from him.)

The style and progress of the chapters indicate a preference for dry facts rather than engradising contextual narrative. The benefit of this style is an objective presentation of an emotive subject, clarifying many misunderstandings on the unit. The downside, however, is that it misses the opportunity to enhance the reader's appreciation of facts by elucidating the political and international context that affected the war in Angola. People who are unfamiliar with the zeitgeist would do well to read other books to appreciate this book better.

The most important value that better context would contribute to this book is to give understanding to how a unit with such an excellent battle record and kill ratio could have been on the side that was constantly withdrawing from hard fought-over terrtory, and then having to take the same territory again ... and again. Politics had a greater kill ratio than the unit itself - unfortunately, against its own side.

One other point glossed over by Nortje is how 32B's role was differentiated from the special forces (ie recces), other similar front-line units comprising erstwhile enemy, and from regular fighting units. In my view, this is one of the most important points differentiating 32B as an elite unit.

Again, unlike many similar books, Nortje maintains objectivity, seldom mentioning himself, except as a matter of factual record. Although he does slip into self-consciousness once when he expresses disappointment that a road in Pomfret was not named after him, as was bestowed upon other commanders of 32B.

In summary: a well researched, well written, comprehensive and objective review of 32 Battalion.

Very detailed tactical history of South African supported operations in Angola. Not nearly as much information on the bigger political and strategic issues. A very good history for those already familiar with the subject. For anyone new to the area, it is probably not the best introduction.