Bravo Company, Platoon 4 in 1986. Later Courses Company, doing the 81mm mortars course. In 1987 I was at 4SAI in Middelburg, Tranvaal (as it was then). The battalion was in Angola for a few months in 1987/88 and sadly we had lost 13 men KIA. Salute - RIP.
I wish I could've gone to the old military not just to be soldier and to fullfill my dreams, but MOST IMPORTANTLY TO SERVER, HONOR AND PROTECT MY/ OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SOUTH AFRICA. Also to make Both my Best GrandFathers proud to show them I wanted to follow their foots steps. By Serve and Honor and Protect our Beautful Country. Saluut. Johann van Dalen
I was there in 1991 - a 'KO' in Charlie company under Maj. Juma. My platoon (5) leader was Lt. Vermaak, but I forgot the corporal's name. I vividly remember guard duty at the north gate on freezing nights, pyn tuin, opfok, special weapons training and inspections. I won't claim it made a man out of me, but I will admit that whenever I hit hard times I always console myself by thinking: "at least it's not as bad as vasbyt".
1979 Golf Company Captain van Vuuren S/Sgt Schuurman OC - Col Witkop Badenhost RSM - WO1 Ben Vorster Badkop, Luiperdsvlei Vuurdoop, Kamanassie Dam, Noord Skietbaan, Vasbyt in the Swartberge much fun had by all.
I was there in 1987. 11 hard months. Those old familiar names I havent heard for decades ... Perderand ... Does that ring a bell. One day we did fire and movement with full kit including packs from the Southgate, up Perderand and back ... a hell of an incline ... must have been 8/9/10 km's - for some or other infringement. In 1992 (being British) I joined the British army and then parachute regiment. Great unit - but it was like boyscouts compared to this place. And to think we were just 18 yo unpaid conscripts - but more up for a fight than most soldiers I knew this side. Different world back then. When I went in I was 75 kg at 5'10' - short by Afrikaner standards.. By the time I left there I was 60 kg.
