Legacy Conversations - Special Forces Answers Episode 1

We have three retired South African Special Forces members with us answering viewer questions. Lt Col Douw Steyn, author of “Iron Fist from the Sea” (with Arne Söderlund). Major Jack Greeff, author of “A Greater Share of Honour” and Small Team expert. Lastly, Col Frans Fourie, 1 Reconnaissance Regiment Commander. Together they have more than 50 years of experience and all hold the Honoris Crux Medal (for valour). It is a captivating conversation that will continue with follow up episodes. If you have questions for the participants, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes.
Links:
Jack Greeff’s book “A Greater Share of Honour” - www.lulu.com (overseas) and www.warbooks.co.za (South Africa). It is available in paper as well. ISBN 978-1-920315-06-1
Douw Steyn’s books “Iron Fist from the Sea” and “Specialised Cooking - The Recce Way” is available at www.warbooks.co.za (South Africa). “Special Forces - The Men Speak” is available on special request only depending on demand.
Sponsor - www.georgemjames.com
Website - www.legacy-conversations.org

[@Friday773]

Absolutely fascinating! There will never be a time like that again. There will never be soldiers like this again. Respect!

[@pierremarqua2564]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Thank you for documenting the reality that wasn't the propoganda spewed from either side. Thank you. Respect. Salute.

[@neilswart7271]

Always a pleasure. Thanks gents for sharing your experience. Brilliant.

[@jackiewilkinson3122]

What a great series! I was a Navy admin member attached to 4Recce 1980-1990 and had the honour of knowing Douw Steyn and knowing about Jack and Frans. All men above men.

[@andrevanrooyen8459]

Brilliant Koos missed these chats.Great to hear from new guys like Jack and Douw.These guys I have so much respect for...Brave....talented...calm umder pressure and REAL LIFE HERO'S.Please keep these interviews coming with these and other operators...I love it.Great to see my favourite guy Kol Frans...a real life James Bond.Douw and Jack one of a kind.Balls of steel and skills and talent to match. Well done to all.

[@johnwilliamson552]

Thankyou to all four of you men for your contribution, and to Jack who alluded to the fact, that his English may be inferior, being English myself, was humbled by the control of the English language in an impeccable address, 1000 times better than my Afrikaans👍👌

[@kempvdwesthuizen9245]

Weereens 'n fantastiese gesprek. Baie dankie aan al drie van julle "HEROES". Koos, ek kan jou nie genoeg dank vir dit wat jy doen nie. Meeste van ons wat diensplig gedoen het, het ooit geweet van die dinge nie

[@corneliusbornman4376]

Koos, This is the Apex,but the best is to come.I personly want to thank you three, I am proud to say I know you . Bless you all,

[@LegacyConversations]

Thank you General, Koos

[@fransjvanstaden3357]

Respect! Thank you for your courage and service.

[@jasestrong]

Amazing men thank you for sharing with us! The southern African soldiers are the best counter insurgency and Spec Ops fighter in the 20th century.

[@210Rocket]

My father was part of Hunter group. Where can I find more information about them? I remember running around as a child with his scorpion insignia and a wooden hand made R1 copy my father made out of memory. Legends! Thank you for what you do here, the next generation is aware.

[@LegacyConversations]

Look at Col Stanley 2 Recce video under Special Forces playlist about Hunter Group. Koos

[@jasestrong]

Very humble quiet professionals . It always is so amazing what such a small country with the world as their enemy did so much from the special ops and to the conventional military. What books would you recommend reading on this subject of the SADF RECCE and other special ops units?

[@ferdivanniekerksr.6595]

respect gentlemen i agree Go Boere

[@DJCilliers]

Nice to see Douw again !!

[@henkpretorius8042]

Salute!

[@infoswissoil2452]

I just finished this book today it was so interesting thanks Jack i recommend it

[@quickrealroad]

29:55 Project Amazon was 1980. I remember because I was a national service navy member on one of the strike craft P1565 and I quietly had my birthday 14 August during the op.

[@juannevanderlinde2072]

Absolutely my GREATEST RESPECT to all the operators of that time.

[@juannevanderlinde2072]

And their logistical support personnel...

[@ricklobb]

Salute and massive Respect to all of you, thank you.

[@JC-qn8io]

Thanks Koos. Fantastic show

[@andredutoit1760]

Thank you gentlemen for providing so much insight. There is so much to learn from you. At 28:08 Kokkie du Toit?

[@chrismoll6862]

Koos , Manne , thank you ..fantastiese werk

[@VLM_2024]

I wish someone would get hold of Chris Schulenburg and do an interview if he would allow it.

[@LegacyConversations]

He is not interested, we tried, Koos

[@useryggfdcc]

Man, I miss the afrikaans language. Groete uit Canada 🇨🇦. Two of my friends were recces both 5 Recce Phalaborwa.

[@cccmmm1234]

When I was at UCT in the early 1980s I went up to the peninsula past Churchhaven to go diving for kreef for the weekend. That is in front of 4 recce. Biggest kreef we ever saw. We only found out later that it was a reserve. Also saw a few recces out in their RIBS. Lots to eat in that water.

[@theodoremeyer2829]

I just came back from the Caprivi and visited Buffalo as well as Fort Doppies. None of the reccies mention Fort Doppies only or mostly Baffalo ? Only the ruines or foundations are left. What was Doppies used for. ....

[@LegacyConversations]

Fort Doppies was a selection & training and staging area for Recce operations, Koos

[@janneskruger001]

Baie dankie vir wat julle manne vir ons land en volk gedoen het. Groot respek en saluut! Ek het 'n vraag oor seleksietyd. As daar 'n outjie gekom het wat vanaf 6 jaar oud geboks het tot matriek en dan uiteraard so fiks was soos kan kom, maar hy het issues gehad met gesag omdat hy uiteraard' n individualistiese geaardheid het, sou dit hom benadeel het in sy sielkundige evaluasie? Of was daar plek in Recces vir ouens wat nie spanspelers is nie?

[@LegacyConversations]

Vanaf Maj Jack Greeff HCS: 1. Fiksheid alleen gaan nie verseker hy slaag nie. Het super fiks ouens gesien wat opgee. Die keuring was ,n fisiese EN sielkundige stryd van begin tot einde. 2. Sulke individue wat hul eie pad wil loop sukkel tussen die ander en verloor dikwels gouer motivering. 3. Die vroeer keurings kon hy dit dalk nog gemaak het, maar dees dae is die oefeninge en evaluasie baie spanwerk gerig. Nie altyd ,n goeie ding nie, want ou soek daai vermoe om as individu te kan optree. Veral in klein verkenning sabotasie spanne. 4. Die individu sal altyd deel wees van ,n span mense. Nooit op sy eie. En dit sal so boxer tipe ou frustreer. 5. Dis makliker om n span lid met die nodige individualistiese eienskappe as individu aan te wend as om n individualis soos die boxer, deel van ,n span te maak en hom op koers te hou.

[@LegacyConversations]

Vanaf AO Dap Maritz: Of die individu pas aan of hy step out! Die sisteem is groter as die Individu! Maar daar was baie individue op hulle eie masr hulle het goed ingepas

[@janneskruger001]

Baie dankie vir die antwoorde. Beste wense.

[@GrumpyAustralian]

I must complement these guys in undertaking this talk in English. BZ!

[@basilfourie3197]

Hi Koos. Baie dankie vir die briljante videos. Ek hoop oom Douw lees die: Onthou hy nog vir RSM Hans Thessner wat saam hom by Brug 14 betrokke was? Dit is my vrou se oupa. My eie pa was ook self daardie tyd as dienspligte (medic) daar betrokke.

[@Stefan-X24]

Merensky is on the map!

[@lextownsend8748]

Dankie Manne.. Van n ou 28 Esk C130 Laaimeester.. Cheers boys!!

[@michieldekock2687]

Ysters!

[@henniebotha1034]

Baie dankie. Ek glo daar is nog baie ander vrae. Wanneer gaan Frans 'n boek publiseer.

[@LegacyConversations]

Ek sal hom vra, hy moet nog oortuig word, Koos

[@infoswissoil2452]

1 Regerment moved to Durban i think about 75/76

[@heinrichwhitford4713]

I have many books on these Guys , I have Two Questions What is Project Barnical and what is the term "Funnies" Book The Silent War Peter Stiff.?

[@fransfourie1752]

Good afternoon Heinrich. Project BARNICLE was a Covrert Operation. "Funnies" was any special equipment that was required to execute certain tasks.. EMLC, made these equipment for us. Brgds Frans

[@dewibosch9670]

As a South African SF/SOF soldier what is your guys take on the equipment used by American DEVGRU and DELTA FORCE as well how do you think South Africa would have used it to its advantages with our experience and tactics?

[@fransfourie1752]

Hi Dewi. I answered a question that we had the capability to make what we required. The US Budget is of such nature that their equipment and technology are supperier. That opens posabilities. However, that "luxury" (to my opinion), "spoils" the ability of the soldier. Yes, by all means, what you have, BUT- when you learn to do what you have to do, with what you have, you learn to improvise and your wits are honed to improvise and survive. That made our Special Forces SPECIAL! Hope that answers your question. Kind regards Frans

[@dewibosch9670]

Thank you Kol. Fourie I agree with your statement regarding “to much” technology in SF takes away the true ability of SF simply because you get to used to it and become “lazy” (relying to much on tech and not on instinct) and really have the “witts” to pull it off flawlessly, how ever tech does open certain capabilities… Thank you Kol. Fourie. I admire what the RECCE’s have accomplished in a very intense and short time period, the ability for SA SF to adapt and overcome is nothing short of remarkable. I only wish to someday learn and apply what you as brave men have accomplished and acquired over the years. Regards Dewaldt

[@fransfourie1752]

Appreciate thank you Dewi. Have a great day!

[@garrithjoynt3018]

A fantastic incite into the professionalism of being a soldier. If only the disastrous led corporates had half of your spirit, things would be so different... You remind me that the spirit we had and still do, can never be underestimated! Respect and gratitude to all those that served with pride and honor... We will never forget.

[@dewibosch9670]

What was the equipment spec that you guys carried?

[@fransfourie1752]

Good afternoon Dewi. Equipment carried varied from Ops to Ops. We "tailor" make for the task at hand. We had people that made kit for us as well as EMLC, a highly professional organization to build purpose fit "instuments" for our operations.

[@josephnakale7343]

Mr Koos will please try to get in contact with SWAPO/ PLAN people for these interviews as well? I think it will be good to hear from some of them too.

[@LegacyConversations]

We tried. None arrived. Would love to speak to them. Koos

[@josephnakale7343]

@@LegacyConversations I am one og them who is willing to share my story on this favorite platform, but I don't know how,if one can guide me how it will be good.

[@LegacyConversations]

@@josephnakale7343 just contact me on [e-mail] and will make the arrangements. Koos

[@josephnakale7343]

@@LegacyConversations Thanks,I will do that soon sir.

[@DaleSchultz-mixmox]

ja, 'n boer maak 'n plan. En wenn did nie werk nie, dan vra jy 'n Engelsman!

[@Fvtarchitecture]

Is die groep ook bekend met Kolonel Wynand du Toit?

[@LegacyConversations]

Ja, hulle ken almal mekaar, Koos

[@mariusminny2309]

MANNE VAN STAAL, GROOT RESPEK EN SALUUT

[@alannesemann]

I do recall a lot of those Angola trips and these teams doing their visits. But I thank our illustrious (mien Kapitaan) Angel. He captained us in and out of there on P1566 safely.

[@deonvanstaden9168]

Baie interressant.

[@hermanfyfer5990]

Koos, het jy met Kol du Toit ook gewerk?

[@LegacyConversations]

Wynand du Toit? Nee

[@hermanfyfer5990]

@@LegacyConversations dit sal waardeer word indien jy n onderhoud met Kol Wynand du Toit (oud gevangene) ook n onderhoud kan voer.

[@wilnaerasmus6500]

Wat het van Piet O'Niel geword.

[@LegacyConversations]

@Wilna - daai vraag word Saterdag 29 Jan deur Jack Greeff geantwoord, Koos