Tactical Tracking Operations [Paperback]

David Scott-Donelan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1581600038 | ISBN-13: 978-1581600032 | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

This manual is packed with practical lessons, on-the-ground tricks, training drills and equipment suggestions for the solo tracker on up to a multiagency tracking operation. Learn from a 30-year veteran how to find and follow tracks through any terrain; assess the age of tracks; relocate the trail after it's gone missing; foil every effort to throw off your pursuit; coordinate a four-man team while tracking armed fugitives; set up and run large tracking operations, use the latest high-tech gear to find fugitives and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

David Scott-Donelan was a career soldier spanning almost three decades of active duty in the war zones of Rhodesia, South Africa, Mozambique, and South-West Africa/Namibia.

Enlisting in the Army of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1961, Scott-Donelan was one of the original members of the resuscitated C Squadron (Rhodesia) Special Air Service, where he was introduced to the concepts of irregular warfare and tactical tracking by Allan Savory, a game ranger known for his innovative and successful concepts in hunting down heavily armed elephant and rhino poachers.

In 1968 Scott-Donelan was posted to the new Tracker Combat Unit (TCU), commanded by Allan Savory, with the mission of tracking down and annihilating Communist-trained and equipped nationalist insurgents infiltrating the Rhodesian border from Zambia and Mozambique. He went on to command the TCU and was responsible for the selection and training of expert trackers for the unit, which was beginning to make a name for itself on operations. In 1974b the TCU was absorbed by an innovative new counterinsurgency unit known as the Selous Scouts, and Scott-Donelan was posted to the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI), which was heavily involved in helicopter and airborne operations against armed terrorist gangs infiltrating Rhodesia in increasing numbers. After several years of nonstop action in the RLI, he served as an intelligence officer at a Brigade HQ and Combined Operations HQ, Rhodesia's equivalent of the Pentagon. Frustrated with staff duties, he agitated for a transfer to the Selous Scouts and was appointed Officer Commanding Training Group, which included the Tracking and Bush Survival School, the notorious "Wafa Wafa, " on the shores of Lake Kariba.

In 1980, due to intense political pressure from the United States, Britain and the United Nations, Rhodesia, after having never lost a battle, lost the war and became the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Joining the South African Special Forces in 1980 as a member of 5 Reconnaissance Regiment, he commanded the regiment's Developmental Wing, which was responsible for establishing a complete training and operational resource base as well as conducting training programs for several guerrilla armies. Five years later he was seconded to the South-West Africa Territorial Force as a company commander and made responsible for operations against the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia infiltrating into South- West Africa/Namibia from Angola and Zambia.

Immigrating to the United States in 1989, he is now the training director of the Tactical Tracking Operations School, which trains law enforcement, corrections, and military personnel in the same tracking techniques that proved so successful against armed and dangerous fugitives in Africa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581600038
• ISBN-13: 978-1581600032
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tactical Tracking Operations, August 21, 2006

By 

Frank H. Johnson (Reno, Nv) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tactical Tracking Operations (Paperback)

I had read Scott-Donelan's book seven years ago and had went through his tracking class with a friend from my police department back in 1999. So I got to be trained and met David and two of his instructors. I absolutely loved Scott-Donelan's booked and recommend it to anyone going to do tactical tracking. It was well put together with good stories of Scott-Donelan's time in combat in Rhodesia. I have read several other tracking books and this is probably the best in tactical tracking. I am a member of the tracking team for the Washoe County Search and Rescue team in Nevada and had to purchase this book because I had lent my other book out and never got it back. Great book as far as I'm concerned.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World Class Tactical Tracking Instruction, December 17, 2007

By 

Jeffery Loman "Jeffery Loman" (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tactical Tracking Operations (Paperback)

This book is about tracking men-armed and violent men. I know David Scott-Donelan well and graduated from the TTOS he now operates full time. His training is the best in the world. When our military figured out they needed tactical tracking training after we got into Afghanistan they found the best in world. They found David Scott-Donelan a 30-year guerrilla warfare veteran in both Rhodesian and South Afrikan military commando units. You see, properly identifying, tracking and then apprehending or eliminating armed and dangerous subject(s) is serious business. David is the best in this business and this book reflects the pride and professionalism you rarely see anymore. If you want the best tactical tracking operations information buy this book. If you're interested mystics, myth, or malarkey there are other books on tracking to buy. This one is for keeps!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valid, to the point manual on Tracking, August 2, 2006

By 

RoamingDoc (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tactical Tracking Operations (Paperback)

Scott-Donelan writes a good book on tracking. He points out at the beginning that other books (such as Jack Kearney's) are a fine supplement and details HOW and WHY his book is written. The chapters are concise, accurate when it comes to the subject matter and VERY instructive. The one detractor in these Reviews indicates a collection of 'self-congratulating' war stories. Didn't see it, read it, find it. There are discussions of requirements, techniques, cautions and equipment. Methodology, outlook or attitude and results are discussed. Good book. Won't replace actual training but that is stated at the beginning. Worth the read.