Legacy Conversations - Leon Ackerman & Toenie Nieuwoudt - 1 Parachute Bn Pathfinders

[@bootsandall3612]

I was good friends with Dennis Croucamp (min 43 : 50). Worked with him for a year. Also did my diving course under him as instructor. He wrote a book " Only my friends call me Crouks". All about his adventure as a selous scout in Rhodesia. What an operator. Sadly he passed away two years ago.

[@ABHMennie]

This is an incredibly engaging conversation. Thank you for putting it together.

[@SeanFinland]

Thanks Leon, Toenie and Andrew. Another great interview.

[@kempvdwesthuizen9245]

Very interresting interview. Really enjoyed it.

[@jahmanmongae6795]

Thank you very much for interviewing these two veterans. Am also ex pathfinder operator who is now working at SAMHS after breaking two ankles in one of Pathfinder operations, still jumping even now because is my blood and about to retire. My wish is for these veterans to go and motivate current Pathfinders, what is all about being Pathfinder operator. Pathfinder Operator is a special breed of paratrooper, not every Jack and Jill can do it.

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

Would you be interested in an interview

[@empire-classfirenationbatt2691]

You're currently in SAMHS? I'm an infanteer. Recently passed out last year. Would love to get my wings one day.

[@christopherbari]

Would be wonderful to hear your story here.

[@jahmanmongae6795]

​@andrewwhitaker7313 I would like to unfortunately am currently on 12 months external deployment, coming back early next year. I recommend Capt kinghorn (last time I heard about him was in USA), Capt Gomm and Capt Pepper (UK) and SSgt Grant (RSA). I think they have good stories to tell, thank you

[@jahmanmongae6795]

​@@empire-classfirenationbatt2691 Go for it my brother, others dream about it and few do it in the air. Once you qualify especially as free faller I swear it will be difficult to stop jumping.

[@adamspeedy2580]

Thank you for sharing Gentlemen! Your stories are very illuminating!

[@deniscoyne5671]

Great interview, thank you guys. Looking forward to the next Pathfinder conversations.

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

Coming soon. Hoping this one will encourage others to tell their story

[@BernardakHerbert]

I was married to Toenie's, cousin Elizabeth (Ilze) Engelbrecht, 1988- 1992, His sister Deppie, told me Toenie was in the Pathfinders, once way back in 1986, and I thought yeah right? Well, now ain't I the one with my foot in my mouth? If I remember correctly, he practised law in Bothaville, with his father who died very sadly from cancer. It was the first time I had withnessed the terrible C word from close, and it was awful to see the effects. What a man his father is... Jip, is... through our Saviour, he lives forever, as we all do, and families will have a joyful reunion at the ressurction. I hope yours is extra special Toenie! Respek vir almal van julle!

[@Cross-Country-Biker]

Great to hear about your courses. I knew a guy who was on pathfinders in 88. Thanks Andrew, much appreciated

[@fthedems7547]

In the early 80's courses where done at Mabiliqwe on the Limpopo river near Beitbridge Some was presented by the legendary ex British and Rhodie SAS AO Peter McGleese. Demolition was also taught and OP's and training was done across the river and also into the Kruger Park. The ANC was also active in that area.

[@wettham715]

I did opps with him. Durbs.

[@wettham715]

SGT MAJ PETER Mcaleese passed away April 2024.. ❤ RIP.

[@garrit01]

Awesome to hear these stories from my Dad.

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

It’s great that we at Legacy are able to put the stories out that the next generations can understand

[@AW-rj6qf]

Salute / Saluut.

[@stephnaude5102]

Coen, MA Nel en ek het lank saam gewerk, Baie respek!

[@stephnaude5102]

Die foto op die einde met Sabres is Jannie Blom se van nie Greyling?

[@BernardakHerbert]

By the way, did you guys get to meet Teddy the Lion, while at Eort Doppies?

[@brentconnock4252]

Found this interesting...incidently saying "I was just a troepie!" Strikes me as self demeaning, were it not for 'Troepies' there would be no infantry, all branches of the armed forced depend on good soldiers.

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

It’s still just a troepie. I absolutely agree everyone played their part, but suddenly mingling with General, Colonels, Sergeant Majors, chopper pilots etc, I was never in their league as a soldier. I was a bit more successfully in civvy street

[@BernardakHerbert]

That must ahve been in Operation Thrasher, or Repulse opeational area? (You mention ZANUPF, whose armed wing was ZANLA, and were most concentrated on the Eastern border, with Mozambique, whereas Joshua Nkomo's men were more Operation Hurricane which was northern Rhodesia, and they staged from Zambia. For example when the first and second Viscounts were shot down, the culprits were JNk's ZIPRA) I was born and lived in Bulawayo, which fell in Operation Tangent area. You guys made me think of the convoys we used to ride in from Bulabula to Beitbridge (and back a few weeks later) whenever we went on holiday to South Africa. My teenage best mate Christopher Shell's father Walter Shell was RSM at Brady Barracks, and it was there under his watchful eye we learned shooting, including combat shooting as young lads... we were assigned shotgun duty as young as we were, in our family cars, as dad was usually driving, or in the bush, and not with us. Stoked to learn of your involvement in Rhodesia. We were only ever aware of the SAP in Rhodesia as Rhodesians. Rhodesia was where Eugene De Kock First started distinguishing himself.

[@bukswillemsoosthuizen3745]

Die manne op wat op Rundu...begin is...Wonder wat van John van Aswen....ou Kapt..ou SS..van Rhodesia..geword..het...en Frankie...operator...hulle wat op 31 Bn..begin is.. 1983...John Taws..?..ou SWA spes magte....😢.