a Look at life on the Border.

a Look at life on the Border.
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#Military #History #LestWeForget #Education #MilitaryHistory #UDF #SADF #SANDF #SAAF #SANavy #za_special_forces

[@TheFearlessDave]

My old man was there in the 80s - he did his bit. I remember the stories he'd tell - I was prepping myself to go fight the enemy on the border at 10! People constantly claim this was a white war - my dad is a person of colour. On the border, he said - it wasn't about race. The person on your side was your brother - you looked out for each other. Massive respect to those who served. Remember - The US struggled against Russia and Cuba - our boys didn't. Dankie manne

[@nikhilpanikkar]

The US struggled against Russia and Cuba - our boys didn't.......LOL Such a pretentious comment. Which real army did your boys fight against?:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[@TheFearlessDave]

@@nikhilpanikkar WW2 - Germans and Italians. Bush War, Russia, Cuba, and 3 factions. And several deployments globally... And how about your country?

[@seanoxford3987]

@@TheFearlessDave Good job, you managed to shut that ignoramus up.

[@frednel4326]

@@TheFearlessDave yo dude..we only protected our borders and kept our noses outta others business so take a chill pill lol 😆

[@joatmofa0405]

AGREED - this was NOT a war of races. My most trusted troops were my Wambo trackers and interrogaters. I would go ANYWHERE with them on my sides. Whether you were white, black, brown - everyone looked out for everyone!

[@catherinedavy1022]

I was Permanent Force Attestated '82. Retired as a Sergeant in '98 left the Country in '99. If anyone might remember me please say hello

[@laynestaley4957]

You'll have to wait for eskom to turn the country's power back on before any of them can say hi

[@user-oe8gl7vu4u]

Thank you for your service my father was also part of the former SADF that's the one thing he was most proud of after all these years

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

Catherine 🤔🤣 Gaan maak slaai🥙

[@boaspendaishongwa5316]

The best army in Africa that time.

[@kelvinklopper5098]

Correction, in the world at that point; only second to the Israeli DF

[@nikhilpanikkar]

@@kelvinklopper5098 Second only to the Isrraeli DF?.....LOL Which real army did the SADF fight?:D:D:D:D:D

[@mrnic3058]

@@nikhilpanikkar the Cubans and other African forces backed by the Soviet union

[@boaspendaishongwa5316]

@Documentary Detective II is true !!

[@zainday7173]

Top 10 in the world if we had more Submarines and 2 Aircraft Carriers. And a fleet of AWACS aircraft...

[@ianhall3822]

You all know how all this started. The Portuguese, after suffering heavy losses for years in the colonial wars, overthrew the brutal dictator Caetano in 1974, and gave independence to Angola and Mozambique. The Portuguese fled their former colonies in their hundreds of thousands. Both Angola and Mozambique were left in chaos. Civil war was inevitable. Compare this with the civilised British, whose former colonies were only too keen to join the Commonwealth. Incidentally, it was the beginning of the end for Rhodesia, as it had an eight hundred mile border on the East with Mozambique, from which Black Rhodesian guerillas could invade Smith's Rhodesia,

[@Brecconable]

I never saw it from that angle.

[@l-kin3480]

@@Brecconable it's something us former anglophone colonies openly say. We're thankful that at the very least it wasn't the French nor the Portuguese that colonised us

[@OwenWilliams-io7sx]

We went in as boys of 17 yrs old. At 18 yrs old, training next call ups. Damn proud of everyone we trained. We trained you as hard, as they trained us, esp us soutpiele, at Infantry School. We trained you hard because we were shitting for your safety. My platoon of 1982 Jan marines, I am still hugely proud of each of you to this today, and with the grace of The Almighty each of you survived. I thank him often for that, still, even 42 years later

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Ja from do drills at school and shooting to going army if you left school I just turned 17 and got the letter ✉️ I also remember Friday nights they would show the butchers bill after the news.

[@grantzax]

interesting how people's experiences differ so widely. i did basics at intel school in kimberly (1982), then off to oshakati hq, where i worked in the ops bunker. i traveled between ondangwa & oshakati every 2 weeks. i was assigned to com-ops, visiting the locals, gathering info and helping them - food, water, medication, education etc. it was interesting - but i hated every moment being in oshakati. the arid land, searing heat, blinding white sand, but this was home to some, but for me, an alien landscape. then of course we had the koevoet base nearby. i managed to get myself transferred out of there to defense hq in pretoria. i look back and think about it all, and i look at our own country and cant help thinking: "for what, to what end" - all the money spent, families broken, youngsters killed in action - and here we are after all that, not even knowing if there will be electricity next week !!

[@nigelgericke2533]

Bedford driver 1SSB 1973, only 3 months of that time driving supplies from Katima. Still go camping there. Love the bush, the people, the riverine forest.

[@abebotes-jr9fc]

Was involved in helicopters that are The old 70s

[@hughpowell7472]

I was on the boarder 53BN Ondangwa from about October 1987 to 25 May 1989. I there during the withdrawal. 8 min and 7 secs into this video you see Maj Lotter. He was killed in action later part of 1988. Attacked on a intelligence mission. When the capers where attacked, Maj Lotter put his head out of the turret and was shot through the head. A very sad day in the camp. I got spares for the Casper for him on that mission. I worked in the stores at 53BN Ondangwa and drove to Oshakati twice a week. Maj Lotter was really a wonderful person. He left his wife Sanda, who had list her first husband to the war as well. 53 BN was under the command of Kdt Van der Walt en Maj Swanepoel. I had such respect and trust in them. In the video you can see the RSM office in the distance. RSM Walker. Fantastic person as well. Wonderfull memories.

[@hughpowell7472]

I also want to mention Staff Bouwer and Sgt Williams at the LWT. With me was Graeme McArdle, Brett Meier, Johan Logan, Kallie and Mauey Scheepers, Clayton and others. David Haasbroek in the stores. Paul Milton, the ammo tiffy. Then we had Madala the avambo who cleaned the depot. Samj Palk that worked in the office. Fanie, the RSM tiffy. Staff Solly in charge of the kitchen. Great memories.

[@joatmofa0405]

@@hughpowell7472 A few familiar names there - I was there 84-86. Fred Lotter was my C.O. at Intelligence. Pale v/d Walt had just been promoted to Kmdt. as Kmdt. Delport got posted elsewhere. RSM Oldewage also apparently posted elsewhere.

[@markwillies7666]

Did you have anything to do with Wayne Seaward.A very naughty boy.He came from Weston Agricultural School and was with me in basics in Kimberley Intelligence School.

[@philiprowlands1619]

I grew up in South Africa but left age 16 in 84, later joining the British Army. I thank all those who served in the SADF, and I remember the sacrifices made by those who paid the ultimate price.

[@streamsidecountry4049]

Good you left.... Cause the country is totally fcked up since 1994...

[@boitumelotshwenyego6922]

@@streamsidecountry4049 What did you expect? Its simple logic, you deny the majority good education to run a country, once they get it, they do as they know how. Now all is affected. JZ was a primary school drop out and former MK - What did you expect from him? Run a great economy? Forget it.

[@Brecconable]

@@boitumelotshwenyego6922 You can thank the Afro Nazi Commies for destroying the country. They have had since 94 but I guess it was all a quest for power for them and fuck everyone else.

[@spr822]

Thank you for your service, you guys rock 👍

[@ianstrashoon7977]

Bring back those days....anytime. Een dracht maak maght

[@deerasmus3870]

Pantserman🤣🤣😅

[@Daniel-mw2lf]

Not 1 vindictive face such good young men!God bless them and hope most of them are still doing well if possible all of them have led good lives since!

[@karlprice9465]

One of the best armies in the world back in the day , hard as nails , relentless & superbly trained. The SADF will sadly never been seen again , god how can such a proud organisation now be replaced by a hiv positive rabble as the sandf is

[@streamsidecountry4049]

Today SADF is a social service for the unemployable.... Sadly

[@eisbeinGermany]

@@streamsidecountry4049 and who caused it

[@streamsidecountry4049]

@@eisbeinGermany ANC regime caused the failure of SA. A genetically driven problem throughout Africa....Not one successful regime

[@eisbeinGermany]

@@streamsidecountry4049 i know anc caused collapse of country, but so many other factors also involved .

[@streamsidecountry4049]

@@eisbeinGermany yea.... Like anc regime corruption crippled economy irreversibly...Sadly....No terrorist organization has EVER run a country successfully

[@hiddenvintage]

This video brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful!

[@Loneranger670]

Those anti mortar nets at Ondangwa AFB always amazed me. As a paratrooper waiting for Fire-force missions we used to lie under the shade they created. Good memories.

[@paulkruger7211]

I really missed that days every day

[@simonmccourt675]

Served 6sai..posted on kaprivi strip..Had it slightly harder being English (soutpiel)But glad and proud.learnt so much..helps me in everyday life now.

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Ja never stopped or rooinek. But we gave back as good as them calling them rockspiders . Don't forget the British had 2 wars with the Dutch men 😅😅

[@logicalguy488]

I was in that base for 16 months 1978 through 1979 and it did not look like that. This is after the old S.A. Army with a touch of Hollywood added.

[@iamagoblin]

WOW! great to see this. I was based at Wenela and Impalila island in 1986. eagle company, SA Marines. good times!+

[@Kokerboom]

Good times indeed! Viking company, Wenela and Impalila 87/88

[@rietrot8411]

Love this memories 🙏👍I served 85/86 at Mpacha,Rundu,Katima,Bukalo,and a few other places...Just a Question? How and when did they made this videos 😂 When I went to the border ,,,we were Told - no Cameras and no Video recorders allowed 🙄(okay I can truly admit that I had a small camera,but only to take pictures from crocks, hippo's, elephant's and tiger fish)and that was that👍but anyway still great memories 👍

[@glentweedie602]

So this must have been filmed as an advert 🤣 cos i was up there for Xmas 82 & no lekka christmas meals were there, although we only came back in after new year 83. Not even the ratpacks had xmas stickers om them. Will do it again tomorrow if the same guys & leadership called. Was an experience that turned mice into men.

[@ACEMAN69]

I guess I was lucky (I was) Ondangs 87 and had great food at Christmas.

[@mjdynamicproperties5701]

Same here i was there in 82/ 83 and on Christmas meals.....

[@joatmofa0405]

I will hazard a guess and say it was post '86, because I left 53Bn in 1986 and Maj. Fred Lotter was still there then - and I most certainly didn't have any Xmas dinner as they described ???

[@KHos73]

Rat pack, what else do you need man, loved those 😂

[@GoodVideos4]

Good video. I was up there for 18 months, in 1985 and 6. It was quite a life.

[@garyrensburg4610]

I was stationed with Seargent Shakirka in 1992 at 1 Mil hospital in Pretoria. If I can remember correctly he was promoted to Staff Seargent then

[@walterforrester7917]

I was there. No Christmas lunch but a tin of 7Up coloring (warm), a dry bread and a tin of red fish which I bought from a koeca shop. We were fed badly while we were the back bone of the war. 3 deployments and never had any luxurious like this guys in the video. Not even a little while back in the base for a 2 day rest between patrols and fighting.

[@uppervolta6680]

@@mwanykange cubans, MPLA, UNITA, SWAPO and FNLA i suppose.

[@joatmofa0405]

When we go on patrollie, we used to throw the ratpacks out of the buffel near the cuca shops where there were plenty of Wambo kids (kamatshonas) . We would then shoot a PB bok and slaughter it for braai! It also went down well with mahango beer & SAWI coka cola.

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

I didn't find the bad Like cafeteria food

[@joatmofa0405]

It was weird to see Maj. Fred Lotter ( 8:07 ) in a video - he was KIA from enemy fire! Maj. Lotter took over from Capt. Derek Smit. I wonder what happened to Schalk Bornman? RSM Oldewage? Kmdt. Delport? Kmdt. Pale van der Walt?

[@JOATMOFA]

"Major Fred Lotter was Killed in Action in Southern Angola just north of Alpha Tower early / mid-evening while following enemy spoor. His Casspir vehicle came under enemy fire and a single enemy bullet ricocheted off the hatch cover and struck him in the back of the head, killing him instantly. The Casspir immediately returned to Etale Base where he was officially declared dead on arrival. He was the 53 Battalion's Intelligence Officer." RIP - 74304841PE, Lotter L.F., Maj., 18 April 1988, 53 Bn Ondangwa

[@martinh231]

Just to set the record straight it was not only the pilots from the Airforce that actively saw action but also the operational branches like the communicators and ops personnel on the MAOT =Mobile Air Operations Teams. 1 was permanently at Ruacana and one at Eenhana. They were also part of the ground forces in Angola

[@southafricanmilitaryhistor8735]

Thank you for your Service

[@arthurwebb9839]

32 bn, bravo, still regard him avap

[@robattwell8283]

Did 3 stints, Eenhana, Ruacana and Ongandgera 6 SAI Assault Pioneers

[@johanverloop3128]

I was at Eehnana and Ncongo in 1979 and Katima Mulilo and Wanella in 1980

[@antonreyneke6191]

I was stationed in Wanella,close to the town of Katima Mulilo when K/M base was wacked from the Zambia side,we then went on a sightseeing tour of Zambia.Soon afterwards those corrugated round structures were erected in Wanella,and when in base we slept a bit saver

[@elizeviljoen5472]

Elundu.

[@paulbisogno6729]

Hi all. I was at Wenela in 85 as a Marine Coxswain, patrolling the Zambezi and Chobe with my “boats crew”. Met amazing Bats, 32, RM and “helo” pilots over that time between Wenela and Mapalela island. Was great to serve with you all.

[@andreasnamupolo4946]

Great to hear from you. Namibia is now free, have they told you?

[@quovadis5172]

Served from June 1986 to June 1988. 7 SAI, Infanterie school, SWA.

[@sachavere220]

Served from Jan 86 - Dec 87 3 SAI

[@pietroboggio8353]

May I know how many people there was in s.a.armed forces..in those years?

[@quovadis5172]

@@pietroboggio8353 Standing military, that is career soldiers, about 30 000. Active citizens serving at any time, about 400 000. Total number that could be called up to serve, if necessary, about 1, 4 million.

[@pietroboggio8353]

@@quovadis5172 and what abuot navy and air force...?

[@pietroboggio8353]

Or 30.000 was the total strenght of all armed forces..I mean army..air force...and navy.?...and what about the sanitary corp?...was it indipendent from the three other services?

[@user-xj5ks9yj8n]

Wenela! I was there 1978 3SAI

[@barend63]

Our Xmas buffet was great! Even had the whole pig with an apple in the mouth.

[@streamsidecountry4049]

Been there...Done that ... Flying Alo gunship and with Pumas flying sticks and recce groups into Angola etc...

[@Julia-fc4mp]

Do you know what I can get more info specifically about the Aloutes on the borders/Rhodesia?

[@manseljames]

Spent 9 Months north of Rundu, today I ask for WHAT???

[@tripwire8457]

For what, you ask? For the 2 generations of South Africans that grew up in relative peace and safety, and not under communist rule or civil war, etc. I've met a lot of servicemen who feel the time was wasted, but it wasn't. Everyone who wore browns gave 2 generations of kids a chance to have a good childhood and grow up without all the problems we have today. When you consider that, at the end of the day it was well worth it, despite the later betrayal by politicians.

[@manseljames]

Yeah I got "friends" who I can rely should I need their help, But I got nothing from the system. I gave them more than what they asked of me. I walked out a "cripple" with them braking my back in three places. So I have absolutely no sympathy for the "SYSTEM"@@tripwire8457

[@abebotes-jr9fc]

I was permanent force saaf in the 70s on alloutte and was involved in the hot fire line and was a disaster in 1978 but I am still alive

[@andreasnamupolo4946]

I invite you to Namibia, Oshakati for a braai sir

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

12:21 that Unibrow😮

[@chapno4255]

omg, he cant be european right?

[@azisandwich]

Well Hello

[@touchofclassfun6984]

I was in Wenela 1975 😩

[@masupilamiful]

This was 1983, due to Christmas being on a sunday thus 1983

[@Rack47]

I do wonder what happened to those guys. Such as Glen, anyone know anything about him?

[@COREENSMITH]

was there in Wenela in 85 mortars....no bad memories there

[@gerterasmus2810]

They never told you what happend on that road in 1980 24 km from enhana to Ondangwa our first rat run changed my life forever

[@TheZermattChannel]

What year was this filmed?

[@mcorry6072]

late 80s, v early 90s i assume

[@joatmofa0405]

.... at 08:07 Maj Fred Lotter of 53Bn speaks - he was KIA on 18 April 1988. So this was either for Christmas 1986 or 1987.

[@user-xr8lm1cj1l]

Served 1997 1998 sektor 43 Afrikaans

[@AdrianLarger]

Who was the presenter?

[@Univer3eTwist3ers]

Song in the opening?

[@georgekoen7414]

It's 'Time" from Pink Floyds' Dark Side Of The Moon album 1973.

[@TH3PLA1NP1L0T]

@@georgekoen7414 I assume Copyright restrictions were not so strict back then? I'm surprised that they were allowed to use this song.

[@conraddiedericks3397]

bull, no one brought out a xmas meal for us on patrol

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

No. But also the poor sod who would have driven it out 😅

[@nikanaughty]

Why are there no fighting videos of Mkonto we Sizwe?

[@tjakamonawatataerasmus-see3782]

LOL

[@southafricanmilitaryhistor8735]

Hi nikanaughty if you have any we would love to feature it on this channel. Please let us know.

[@draterlarebil4506]

You have to look under, "Running.................".

[@fredswanepoel2425]

Fighting videos of cowards?

[@Brecconable]

Because ANC/MK were like the IRA = I. RAN. AWAY.

[@abrahamndaumbwa2016]

There enermy was Swapo which is now in power

[@pietroboggio8353]

SWAPO WAS SUPPORTED BY CUBAN..AND PROBABLY RUSSIAN AND EASTERN BLOCK ADVISERS.

[@fredswanepoel2425]

That does not mean that swapo won the war,our fate was sealed by the bloody UN

[@abebotes-jr9fc]

Was involved in helicopters that are the 70s

[@afenijmeijer9027]

SADF won just about every battle but still spectacularly lost the war.

[@tonyvanderhelm2934]

due to politics

[@Samuel070793]

God was not on their side, because of their apostasy, which includes the celebration of Christmas.

[@pietroboggio8353]

No...on military side they won.on the political side they lost.

[@pietroboggio8353]

@@Samuel070793 so...god was at the side of the terrorists?

[@Samuel070793]

@@pietroboggio8353 Because the South African soldiers, many of them read those pornographic Scope magazines rather than the Bible, specially the King James Bible, yes!

[@Andre_XX]

Kerkdiens. I hated the way they just presumed we were all religious. In retrospect I think this was one of the most disgusting aspects of my unwilling time in the SADF.

[@pietroboggio8353]

SADF...THEY WERE FIGHTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE...READING THE BIBLE OR WITHOUT IT.

[@Andre_XX]

@@pietroboggio8353 As always, that depends on your point of view. Anyway, regardless, they lost.

[@pietroboggio8353]

@@Andre_XX forget it...sadf won.

[@Andre_XX]

@@pietroboggio8353 Sadly you are deluded. You lost the war. The facts on the ground speak for themselves.

[@pietroboggio8353]

@@Andre_XX sadf they won...and also they went out from namibia when they like.cubans and guerrilla they were able only to escape.think what do you want but communists are able only to do this.I saw with my eyes.

[@mariusvermaak6575]

driving with headlights? walking all in a heap on patrol? very definite not 32, big no not recon comando neither koevoet the 3 lethal forces of the bushwar

[@pierrefourie5753]

Maruis jy is n clown. Weet nie waarvan jy praat.

[@albertoambrosio3060]

Very nice female reporter

[@truth-Hurts375]

Grow up !!!

[@ghostchill3959]

So who were their enemies? Who were they fighting?

[@goldenlion647]

SWAPO, FAPLA, Cubans, Russians.

[@factandtruth1022]

Socialism, communism

[@chapno4255]

If i look at these videos any more, it feels like i am going to turn gay

[@SApast684]

Why? Are you even South African?

[@chapno4255]

@@SApast684 no, Swedish

[@SApast684]

@@chapno4255 why does it turn you gay then? Most of my family fought in this war

[@chapno4255]

@@SApast684First of all i would like to say thank you for your family's dedication and i respect it very much. What i meant was, i am looking at way to much of South African videos so if i look any more i am going to become addicted.

[@SApast684]

@@chapno4255 Oh ok then. My bad

[@attilassimcorner5277]

sad but on the end RSA was destroyed from inside and now all of this people coming to Europe

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

1 we move to Australia or Canada 2 Some of us will never surrender and we fight for free prosperous 🇿🇦

[@BucyKalman]

@@KonradvonHotzendorf Some people actually went to the UK. Unfortunately, Belgium and the Netherlands don't see to want them.

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

@@BucyKalman Those people never left the UK. Soeties😅 But there a lot of us of there 🇬🇧

[@Notrax123]

I am in the Philippines 🇵🇭