Ex-Special Forces Recce and POW, Wynand du Toit, reflects on Operation Argon 

My highest respect to the SADF RECCE Teams. Respect from a former Mountain infrantry trooper from Germany. Respekt und kameradschaftliche Grüße eines ehemaligen Gebirgsjäger der deutschen Bundeswehr. 2. / GebJgBtl. 231 Bad Reichenhall

Being a freedom fighter myself in Namibia, I totally in agreement with this honest soldier by narrating history. it is a really fantastic interview.

Thank you major. You are a real hero. J. Nortje. 32 Battalion.

A man of integrity and honour.

Betrayal is the bitterest pill to swallow.

Fighting Group Juliet Lieutenant. 1977-1979. Later 1Mech Bt. A bit after my time after being in Ops Moscow, Vietnam and Carrot. I have huge respect for this dude. I was implementing computer systems at the SA Naval dockyard in Simonstown when this all went down, and programme manager for submarine maintenance (InfoPlan) in 85. My brother was a 32 Battalion Captain . Caught up with him at Buffalo while doing a camp while at uni at Bungane bridge (Divundu now) in 80. Both of us taken down with RPD's in V ambushes in 78 and 81 near Cuvelai. We both survived at least. But the wait till a morning casevac was never ending and we do share the memory over a whisky every now and then. I do not care about the fact that we are the forgotten generation. It has made us strong and turned us into determined, focussed businessmen who have ethically made millions. God bless South Africa.

Absolutely fantastic interview from someone who is speaking in their second language. Totally absorbing. Thank you for sharing it!

I met Wynand on Scarborough beach many years ago...he served his country well.. Thank you sir.... .

Mnr Dankie vir jou diens Saluut groot respek.yster.

Ek Salueer jou Wynand. "Problems and Obstacles in your life, define who you become"

I was just going to watch 5 minutes or so of this video but ended up watching the whole fascinating story. I salute Captain du Toit - he was a soldier doing his job and he even appreciated that his 'opponents' were also soldiers doing their job. The Cuban doctors saved his arm and he gave them credit for that. Jesse Jackson's theatricals and the comment from Wynand's Cuban captors thereafter very telling! And at the end the reflections , the advice that what you are now is a product of what you were etc - inspiring I thought. Thank you Captain du Toit.

WOW, what an honor. I have his book and this is a treasure to me. A true hero

Captain Krubert Nel was the second in command of the Cabinda raid, shot, injured and escaped to the submarine. Recovered and went on to command 4 Recce and retired as a Major General in the SANDF.

I had to volunteer to do my national service as I had a British passport and all my friends had their call up papers. I just want to thank you for sharing your story. I had the privilege of graduating from Naval College in Gordon's bay as a Sub Lt with my father at the time a Navy Diver Lt Cdr attending my graduation. The Admiral at my graduation was trained as a diver by my father so it was a very special occasion for me. Why I'm writing this is out of respect to you special forces guys. You were all a serious cut above the rest. My father was also in the SAS and never shared a single story or event he was evolved in. It made him a very distant individual never showing any emotion at all. Baie Baie dankie vir alles. Suid Africa is aan you verskildig. Sterkte en lank lewe.

Greatest respect to this Viking and the other members of his team. Watching this brought back memories of the smell of premix and sea water. Impressed by the candid humility after everything that happened.

This is a riveting story of exceptional bravery told by a really excellent soldier. One of our most rigorously trained special force soldiers who I am most honored to have as my friend.

What a story with such clarity to key questions

I have to say - I am shaking because now I understand what was going on - salute and respect. sir !!!!! Thank you!

Really enjoyed this interview. It is amazing to see how men like this who have lived a life full of adventure and adversity can be so humble about their accomplishments. Look forward to reading his books.

thanks a lot l wish l would be there. Mr. Wynand du Toit, you are genuine army . and you make me to Remember my Father was A UNITA Patriot. you dissave to be in Angolan History, it make me to feel more attached with your Experience.

Thanks for this....I remember all this going down.. But obviously heard more about why it went down from this interview. Wynand is a great South African AFAIC.

Wat 'n soldaat......sterkte vir jou in die toekoms Wynand,,

Hi Wynand, powerful story you narating my brother. You are a good storyteller. May you leave longer.

No bitterness. Strong in mind and body. Salute.

Great story, I could listen to such stories all day.

Thank you Wynand for explaining. So many open questions answered. God bless!

Man what a story major you are a legend and a real man van staal i salute you

Every south African was saddened when he got captured.and tx to the Almighty he came home and he is a leader once more

I can remember seeing him on television when he was captured, and I can remember seeing his release on television too.

I had great respeck for Maj. Wynand du Toit serving with him on SAS Emily Hobhouse on many operations. God bless you.

Thank you Wynand du Toit for your sacrifice for this Country. We are proud of you and the soldiers who gave up their lives for us. We will remrmber.

I met the man in person, great person, you will in joy his book and the true stories.

Fantastic, massive RESPECT...

I was also on the border of south west in a very minor role and was seeking for answers. Thanks to you now I understand whay Botha took 2 years of our lifes and 10 camps after that

Salute Major. The Legend of the Legends.

What is sad about this, is that once you really listen to Wynand, you realize that he, just as many others at the time, was mere pawns in a greater scheme of things. This is the same for anyone that worked or where in service for so many years. Today, people like Wynand has to answer for wrongs of the past and the actual players in the game is long gone and safe. We, as an race, have been left behind to become mere fodder for what is to follow...

I met this amazing soldier last year in Krugerdorp and bought 2 of his books and could not put it down before I finished reading both! How sad to see the politicians of South Africa and especially Pik Botha and the disgusting betrayal 🤬🤬🤬

Fantastic podcast! What a great guy Wynand is! Respect and Salute.

What an admirable and brave man. Utterly compelling interview. Thanks for posting.

An interesting interview from the other side of the fence. Politicians f**** anyone, it's a lesson for everyone. 🇿🇦 belongs to everyone who lives in it, I still think this was the best deal for everyone. I need to have this book. Thanks Wynand.

Well done Wynand , I also served and very impressed with your thinking and may your books provide an great pension to you.

Thank you for your Service. We need you guys more than ever

Sold out by your own government, led into a trap, massively outnumbered and outgunned, and they still manage to only get three while the rest escape to safety. A 45min battle! How good where these boys!!!!! Respek Kaptein du Toit, dit sal 'n eer wees on U te salueer.

Amazing story; touched by the heroism displayed by this man and all the honest soldiers like him who fought to defend their people. Being from Somalia I'm haunted by the collapse of my own country under circumstances of betrayal by politics.

Fascinating story about his POW experience! A+! Thank you!

The Americans interference in the change over from the old South Africa to the new government was exactly the same interference by the Americans and the British governments that happened to the Rhodesians . The Mugabe regime was not ready or responsible enough to rule a country , and Ian Smith told the world this , but America and Britain interfered with their evil dirty politics . Politicians are the cause of all wars , they are responsible for the millions of deaths all over this world ! I found this interesting and the interview was very honest and professional . Sadly imprisoned for what .. my heart feels sad for this man . My respect goes out to him and sorrow for those soldiers that lost their lives because of those politicians .

damn, this man got a raw deal. A very interesting interview.

Good interview with Col du Toit. South Africa was certainly misled by ruling class in 1994 but nothing is forever and something will ultimately be salvaged from the wreckage.

Amazing interview. Thank you.

I love his accent. My mom was South African and her side of the family arrived in the Cape in about 1690 I believe. I served in the Rhodesian army and remember our guys commenting on how aggressive the South African soldiers were with a built-in desire to engage and kill. As one WW2 General said (or words to this effect) "give me 20 USA divisions to land in France, ten Brit divisions to hold the beach head and four South African divisions to finish off Germany". I have great respect for these big "Dutchmen"

Quite a fascinating interview. Will definitely pick up some books. Thank you for your service Major, Salute!

Wynand, Thank you for your Service, Salute you. You Cleared up some of the misconceptions I had, looking back, and wondering what actually happened. I was in the SADF from '75 to '82 -Infantry Group and lost many friends for nothing. You right, we won the battles and sadly lost the war. I would like to read your books, as very little is available for this period in our history. would like to think our service actually made a difference somewhere. Wish you well, good health and restful future.

I read about Operation Argon in 'Iron Fist from the Sea' - which was a compelling read in itself. This interview gives a whole new perspective on the politics surrounding military ops that most of us have no idea about...

Wynand ek het daardie tyd alles omtrent jou gevolg. Sal nooit vergeet toe jy terug gekom het daardie dag...hoe verniel jy was. Ek so bly jy lyk so goed. Ek salute jou!!

What a wonderful philosophy and attitude from an immensely intelligent man. Almost murdered by his own superiors as his two companions were,. KUDOS

I was 1 Medical Battlion Ops Medic and was highly trained and did some life saving work...the best of the best

I really truly appreciated this interview..Thank You Capt..

Brilliant. Thank you for the truth and thank you for helping me validate many things that have happened in my life and the subsequent actions i have taken . Thank for your service and you are a Hero to me. God Bless

Amazing story......

Imagine the current SA army has to use a submarine to infiltrate.....first of all they'll need to find a working submarine. Then finding members weighing less than 120kg.....

Wow, by "accident " I found this video sitting here in Canada. I spend myself 12 years in the SAAF, '83 till '95 and it's super interesting to found out the truth after all these years. I will order the books. My 12 yr old kid in Canada love reading about the SADF history.....especially the special forces history of Suid Afrika.

Wow wow and wow again. The story behind the story. I was in the army serving The State Presidents Guard and I was astounded by the pace things progressed from PW to FW. Little did we know as we were only national service men at the time and did as we were told. Great story and thank you. Put some perspective into it all.

Thanks for the Interview, fascinating stories.

Dankie vir alles Wynand.

I salute you Wynand du Toit.

This was a fantastic interwiew, it raises so many questions about politics and who played in the background and why. Thank you for this interwiew.

What a man! Thanks Wynand!

Respect. Love the chopper in the background at 32 mins... fitting.

I remember some nights after the news the names was shown of all the soldiers names that perished in the war.

I respect this man. Lets hope he is not again being exploited by others.

Lieutenant-Colonel W Du Toit, I Salute You, Sir.

Very interesting! Could not stop listening. Googled the Brazzaville Protocol and guess who signed it for South Africa - Roelof Botha (Pik)!! Was he the traitor in our midst?? Me thinks that😖😖

RESPECT FROM FRANCE

That was a very engrossingg excellent presentation! Please do get Wynand back on to talk some more, he did offer to do so!!!!

Ex-SADF troop here 1988/89, we held the RECCE'S as gods among men be you a rock-spider or red-neck called up or volunteer the Staff would tell us stories of the Recce's exploits and wow!!!...

Fascinating story. Thanks for telling it.

I solute you for your bravery, and I do remember your story, the time you were captured, kept up to date on the news.

Please talk with Wynand again if you could, such an interesting story and life. More information about his military time, his life now and his theory of his captivity would do great. Thanks for this content and I wish you well. Cheers

Brought back the memories when I saw the images. I had just finished my time a few years before

Absolutely a fantastic story to listen to!

Wynand was betrayed by Pik Botha

What an incredible story. A man of steel. My Ouma was n' Du Toit. En my Groot Groot Oupa se name was Jan "Yster" Du Toit.

Excellent interview and discussion

Great interviewee and interviewer.

A Last Burning Ember Of A Once Great Culture Of Afrikaans - God Bless Him

Great soldier used as a pawn in the game of dirty politics.

This is your Testimony. I really enjoyed this video.

The truth comes out... many "lansveraaiers" mentioned. Realy enjoyed it...

dankie broer vir jou storie wat die dots konekt . jy was gebruik deur die messelaars en hulle maaitjies die broederbonders om ons almal te uitverkoop vir die nuwe wereld order

Thank u unbelievable history

There should be a movie about this.

Very interesting honest man

Liewe Kol Wynand, jy verdien ons, jou mense se grootste respek. Ons verstaan nie alryd alles nie. Al die onderduimsheid, die geen respek hoeveel lewens wat verwoes word! Wat egter belangrik is, God was, is en sal altyd in beheer wees. Niks is toevallig. HY het jou geslyp en gevorm vir vandag se uitdagings. Jy is n ongelooflike werktuig in SY hand. Hy sal jou bemagtig want ons het jou nodig in hierdie deurmekaar mooi land van ons. Alle seën.

My father in law served on the SAS Protea during the 80's.

Sounds familiar like the Great Betrayal in Rhodesia.

You my hero Wynand. EEN MOER VAN A MAN

Unbelievable story. What a man.

Absolutely fascinating

Baie Respek Majoor. Afgetreede Sersant SA Leer HQ BESTE jare van my lewe. Baie Dankie

Ons het baie respek vir Oom.