@@jpjansen6380 You see, now you’re just showing your ignorance. You have no idea why I left or anything about me, and yet here you are doing your little keyboard warrior thing! So brave…
Also as a former soldier( Para Ops Medic) doing duty in Namibia, I have a great respect for our Recce's. They were and maybe still are the best of the best. I did freefall course with them and later compete in military skydiving championships at 5 Recce. Truly best of the best. Very nice to have listened to Koos. 👍💌
My brother was killed in the war, in 1988 He was based at Omega. Pgv du Toit ops medic.The recces went in and found his body 6 weeks later. Thank you for that .Rudolf du Toit
Koos Stadler is a humble, unassuming gentleman, but an exceptional soldier. I have the highest respect for him and what he stands for and I am honoured to call him a friend. Salute!
I had two Nephews in the Recce at different times. Many would now not acknowledge the war, but we should never forget why there was a war in the first place. Our Fathers, Brothers, Sons, Husbands were the line that protected our Country from Socialism. We owe them the recognition for everything they were willing to sacrifice for us.
Wou! I was in the MPLA armed forces (FAPLA) back then...what matters now is that we are both alive today, and South Africa and Angola and Namibia are in a very good relationship.
Nice one, Josè! Blessings to you & loved ones in that most enigmatic land, Angola. 'Satisfaction & sorrows intermingled. Our bodies here, our souls, there!'
One of your best interviews guys. Koos is a legend and quite honestly the last man you would expect to have done the job he did if you had to meet him on the street. Could easily take him for a pastor . Love your show! Keep up the great quality interviews. There are so many amazing living legends from this field still around not having told their stories. If you could manage to get Colonel Breytenbach for your show it would be the creme dela creme. He is getting very old and I’ve heard he hasn’t been well of late but would make for an amazing interview . You would need a few hours for this man. 👌👍
Col Jan Breytenbach is, in my humble opinion, was the best combat leader in the SADF. I met him for the first time in 1973 in Oudshoorn when he was a captain. The last time was at Mpatcha in the eighties when I was in charge of a the airborne reaction force. Col. Breytenbach with some of the recce 's and us went out to hit a base which turned out to be a dud as they had evacuated their base. The Impalas went in first to soften the base. The last time I saw him was after he retired in the Garden Route. RESPECT.
@@siteadminemail7924 I never met the man but it would be an honour to do so and I would have a hard time not to agree with you sir . With out a doubt by far the best combat leader and professional soldier of our time .
@@AnnaAis-w7c you are kidding right? Every white commission officer got pushed out with a shitty pension and retirement package. Those that chose to stay had it even worse. As for the black SADF , they had it even worse, the ANC made sure that they suffered the worst . The entire 32 Battalion got sent off to an abandoned asbestos mine and then had their water and electricity shut off and all and any finds turned off. What was done to those people is a disgrace and diabolical .
@ The Team House you guys should do an interview with the South-African Special forces and 32 battalion legend, Lt/ Col Willem Ratte...There have books written about him...He truly is a living legend.
Probably the best book I ever read. Worth looking at the trilogy of Alexander Strachan on 1 Recce. The third one has just been released, the first one "The night belongs to us" in 2018, the second one "Behind enemy lines" in 2020, and now "Through stealth our strenght." But one that stands out was written by another "operator" namely Granger Corff: "19 With a bullet, A South African Paratrooper in Angola". The last know whereabouts of the author was in New York where he settled as a plumber. Should be great to interview this guy. Any story of "Koevoet"/crowbar would be welcome, they saw the most action and were ruthless and utterly successful. Thanks for this interview, I was so privileged to be invited to the attend the launch of his book, but the queue to get it signed was just impossible. I regret my lack of patience now!
I had the pleasure of getting to know both recce operators and koevoet guys during my service on the border and can only say...Quiet brothers men are passing.. Saluut Manne....
Far too many young people are not aware of the Cold War context of conflicts in Southern Africa, Chad, and Cambodia which were going on in the 1980-90's. At the time it really seemed like the Soviets had a plan to seize raw materials in South Africa.
1986, my classmate Berenice invited us to a great party in van Riebecck park. Her dad (Reconnaissance Commando) showed us his Triumph Spitfire, Pride and Joy. Then he regaled us with Recce stories, Superb. We'll call him "Stan".
I've been listening to your program for about six months now, and I really enjoyed this gentleman's story! It's great to hear about other countries and how they handle their operations. Keep up the outstanding work, guys! --Doc Lykins
He mentions doing Seaborne training in Langebaan. I encountered some S.A naval guys in a very stealthy fast boat there. They were kind enough to return my kite surfing board to me!! 😃. I'd been surfing around Capetown and my temporary SA girlfriend invited me to Langebaan for a dirty weekend. I'd wiped out and my board got carried away on a fast tide , faster than I could body drag to get it. The navy guys picked it up and found me recouping on the beach to complete the return. Just one of many many great memories of my time in SA!!!
In 86 we rescued a guy on his windsurfer, it was a Saturday and we had to work the weekend. He was from Pretoria or somewhere there. It was his girlfriend that showed us from the beach where he was, it was a very stormy day.I was not a Recce, just a regular Troep.
Thanks for a great interview guys. Like Koos, I also attended Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, became a lieutenant, and spent my next year at 102 BN in Kaokoland, which was in the operational area. Our unit consisted of 400 infantry soldiers made up from the local Himba and Hereo tribes, plus 2 platoons of the Bushmen (described by Koos), with about 20 white NCOs and officers. The Recces though, were always known as the ultimate soldiers in the SADF, and were hugely respected throughout the army. In certain transborder operations, we needed them for reconnaissance, and when working with them, you were immediately struck by just how much of a different level they operated at. Massive respect! This podcast brought back a flood of memories, so thanks a lot for this.
Very Interested to hear Koos speak. I spent a few days on a survival course attached to 31 Bn in the Caprivi strip in the late 70's as a Lieutenant in the SADF.
This is so true. As an ex SADF member I can vouch for not only how deadly and hardcore these guys where/are but all of them I met were really nice guys. Better soldiers there never were. Very few remember the ‘forgotten war’ South Africa fought against communism in the form of SWAPO and the ANC. Every one a TRUE HERO!🙏
After listening to Koos I honestly think that it was at that time during the Bush war's that the Russians developed a big respect for South African special forces. I think that's why to this day Russia has a soft spot for SA. South Africa was the one country they suffered fighting against.
@@jackmacfakie1387 😂 our RECCES were never in Afghanistan. Their company in our military was done away with by the ANC when they were given the country in 1997. The ANC feared them that much. If any South Africans were in Afghanistan and claimed to be Recces then they were either talking shit or were older and very out of practice.
@@jackmacfakie1387are you sure they were Russians , looking at what Russia did to Ukraine today the real Russians we old have walked over Afghanistan in less than one day .
Bolo please they wes racist that why Anc to over remember that wat the boarer say and i believe that book is lies they were racist and they got fucked and all of the cowards ran away from south Africa if a betta country today with BEE
This is one of the informative book I have ever read,it formed part of my book sherf which I am cherishing. About the operation Coleseum my own sister whom.o have followed by birth was in the north eastern headquarter the day of the attack as a new recruit who with her colleagues just arrived on the border about a month before. She is one of those escaped the attack.
Legend!!! How times have changed and standards dropped..those days you had to have a heart and spirit like KOOS, these days all it takes is a DOOS!! EET en le!!...die hele weermag lyk as hulle van Piet Pompeii se plaas afgekom het..
Great show! It's fascinating to hear of other war fighters and their stories. I ,usually, just consider American engagements and our soldiers. I will, indeed, but his book. Besides being. Incredibly well honed in the art of combat, he seems to be a very humble gentleman. Again, GREAT SHOW!
31 Battalion? You must have known Maj. De Oliveira, the officer who set it up, and shaped the training after his 10yrs experience in the Portuguese Comandos and Flechas. During his Flechas Stint him and Faisca idealized using native bushmen and giving them special forces combat training to create autonomous hunter and recon teams, who could operate for long periods of time in autonomy, and track enemy movements, to later report their positions for heli borne assaults to destroy the terrorist forces. This worked wonderfully during the colonial war, hence D'Oliveira set up the same type of units in the SADF after being commissioned into it in 74 I'd very much like to have a conversation with koos about this
Yeah I don't think jack and Dave will be up for interviewing people who'd still be in jail now for the things they'd done if it wasn't for the TRC which meant no charges as long as they admitted all crimes. War criminals basically
good interview,,,, i was part of Sector 10 Intelligence Unit under Chris Nel called Charlie November... based at the KG Hokke (POW Interrogation Centre) at Oshakati...we operated with 4 Caspirs with one SADF guy rest of team were all turned terrs or ex FAPLA - these guys trusted with my life.... we did ops with the RM teams, Koevoet etc and sometime with you guys at 51 Ondangs camo - altho i personally did not except with RM teams, Koevoet and 61 mech.... Anyway living in Langebaan these days .. thank u for the story
2 man recce "small teams" 100s kms behind enemy lines in wild Angola during the 70s & 80s while your country denies even been there took nerves of steel, colossal commitment and a massive sense of adventure.
My brother was also a lieutenant in 31 Battalion in 1980. He said they were amazing fighters, but not very good at marching. 😂 They were fantastic trackers.
My Father was a Soldier in the Angola War. The stories he told me was quite something..... Today he has cancer and he had a massive heart attack. But still alive.
I’m former SADF and we were integrated. Apartheid didn’t exist in the army. It was a bloody tough time and we were a really tough military force. Goodness knows how bad it’s become now. Next to useless in fact!!
“Gunston 500”-famous 🚬 brand,also pointed to the Recce Commandos being far behind enemy lines without any support,no Rambo image like the typical American would understand
Did the recruit recce evaluation coarse and did not pass. G1K1. Because of a recent knee op. They still let me and others participate although they knew there was never a chance. Kudos to them. All these years I wondered why till now. I wish things was different.
I must add .that our instructors those days were World Class .The TRAINING was tough and I must admitt that My First day till the end of Police training was Nobody s Business till we were Transformed from ordinary Police Officers to Bush Combatants. In Defending our Bordercountey
The guy who works with me said in the army they would send helicopter to pick up these guys at a specific place. The pilot would say, there's nobody there. Can he return. No, he must wait for the recce. Then short while later the recce will stand up next to them. 😂
Hi. I was in 1 Para Batalion and did fire force work from Fort Rev in Ondangwa. Remember Staff Laverty being shot by accident through the chest by somebody in fort Rev and having to be casavact back to SA and using a huge amount of blood. Crazy guy that staff. He was ex Selous Scouts...same story...really interesting.
as a former Recce, we were the 2nd best in the world, only bitten by the Selous Scouts.. when I joined the training i dont even think the seals would last more than a day.
This wss awesome. I wonder who started the psuedo operations first, the Rhodesian Selous Scouts or SA forces, and If the US has used such tactics in our desert wars. We know the Russians are using these tactics in Ukraine as I type this. Bless that mess, and I'm praying for the freedom loving Ukrainians.
As far as I know the Selous Scouts were the first to come up with the concept of pseudo ops. A lot of knowledge was shared in the early days between the recces and the Rhodesian SAS and when Rhodesia fell many Rhodesian SAS and Selous scouts joined the SADF.
@@Buildinc1 Russians did it extensively in late 40ies and 50ies in Ukraine and later in Lithuania. But they most likely copied and developed earlier German WWII anti-guerilla tactics
@@nikitaananjevas1614 I’m pretty sure pseudo ops have been done by many over the ages. I wasn’t aware of the Russians on the 40s and 50s . Thanks for that bit of history. I think what made the pseudo ops by the Rhodesians or south Africans so extra ordinary was that they were essentially white men mascarading as Africans and essentially working with turned guerrillas in their own backyard .
I can't believe this. Just a few minutes ago I was thinking about this guy Koos Stadler and his book, but for I watched this video I forgot his name. Now all of a sudden I found this video on my RU-vid feed. What do you call that?
As n ex national service man having completed my service and many many operational "camps" I can confirm we never fought the anc MK. Very sad bush war which was just part of the grand scheme of things which boils down to power struggle in repect of oil.
Mk never fought anyone,,,just made up lies and tall tales ,,,two busy torturing there own comrades in the Quatro camps ,,,came to power with tall tales ,,
Read a book called 19 with a bullet. Epic insight just how hard it was to get into the recces. Op medics here. Did my time in the townships of the transvaal.
Andrew Botma who served in the SANDF MI, in a recent interview confirmed the CIA supported UNITA with supplies through the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They actually escorted UNITA to collect these supplies. The CIA also visited the SANDF military intelligence both at 31 Bn camp and Fort Klapperkop in Pretoria.
As usual the CIA played both sides, they were very much involved in getting Mandela released and into the presidents chair...word also has it that they played a hand in the death of Chris Hani...
At least we Respect each other s Values and DIGNITY AS A PEOPLE. OUR TRAINING AS YOUNG POLICE OFFICERS FROM ACADEMICS TO PARAMILITARY WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD'
My brother said the bushman will jog in front of the soldiers and vehicles then they will suddenly stop and point to a spot on the road. And they would run away. Meaning there is a landmine
I salute Our Special Forces .Known as Recces. Conditions and Political Environment would be very much different from what we experience.I mention this out of A Profesional point of view when considering the circumstances what s going on in and around our neighbouring countries😢
i love the interview but it was for me very disrespectful pausing it for a sponsor, rather do it at the beginning and dont interrupt Koos, yes i understand the sponsors but just manage the timing, but further thx for the recognition for what these legends did.
Camps for the viewers. Once you have completed your 2 years national service "consrciption" 1978-1988 you owe the force 720 days of service which is devided into two types. 1 month regarded as a service month, normally not operational. 3 months regarded as operational i.e. Border duty
@@32SWAP so officially you were not part of the bush war in Angola. You dont know the cubans, russians,mpla or fapla. You must be some of the jungle warriors (urban jungle) wow
Hey Jack and Dave, do you have Telegram channel or maybe you could create one. There war in Ukraine, a modern warfare, and Ukrianian subscribers of your channel would like to know your thoughts and maybe send you some footage. You have a great show, Ukraine watches you💙💛
