Legacy Conversations - The Battle of Savate - 21 May 1980 - 32 Bn

The British Paratroopers talk about Arnhem, 1944, and the French Foreign Legion talks about Dien Bien Phu, 1954. 32 Battalion, known in Portuguese as Os Terríveis (The Terrible Ones), talks about the Battle of Savate.
It was at Savate, known as Operation Tiro-Tiro, that about 250 members of the famous South African light infantry unit attacked a FAPLA (Angolan Army) Brigade. They were up against approximately 1,200 entrenched troops armed with anti-aircraft guns as well as two light tanks. The attacking 32 Battalion members had no air support, no artillery support, and no friendly armour to assist. They only had an 81mm mortar platoon that failed to provide effective cover. Nevertheless, the soldiers relentlessly advanced to battle. In a furious battle, they succeeded in overrunning the enemy but lost 15 men to God and another 30 wounded.
This is the story of the Battle of Savate as told by those participating:
Alpha Coy - Leon Grobler
Foxtrot Coy - Renier “Doiby” Coetzee,
Recce Wing - Rick Lobb (Stopper Groups), and for the HQ Element advancing with the companies - Justin Taylor.
If you have questions for the guests, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes.
Links:
Justin Taylor’s book - “A Whisper in the Reeds” is available www.justinswtay... (local SA) ~ Amazon ~ Apple Books ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Google Play ~ Rakuten kobo ~ Scribd ~ and others
Sponsor - www.georgemjames.com
Website - www.legacy-conversations.org

[@andrevanrooyen8459]

Briiant Koos as usual..what a riveting story from TRUE WAR VETERANS..By the grace of God these men survived to tell the tale...So much respect for these men..Keep them coming Koos..very well done to you for getting these men together to tell there stories.

[@LegacyConversations]

Should thank Kevin Johnson, Koos

[@ricklobb]

Thank you Koos for this opportunity to tell our story, Salute and Respect to you.

[@LegacyConversations]

The honor belongs to you and the participants. Was a great privilege for me to record you all, Koos

[@corneliusbornman4376]

Well done,,you are all gallent men and heros.Savate was a wake up call,and after that we learnt a lot,how to wage the war.Thank you all did very well. As with Eheke,(Grobbies was right),air support laced. This was politics restricting operations.Bless you all.Thank you Koos,it was moving to listen to these men.

[@LegacyConversations]

Thank you, General, Koos

[@craigcoffey2459]

What a story guys! My hats off to all involved in 32 Bn, a day that changed your lives forever! May your comrades rest in peace!

[@stevenmaritz2681]

These are stories that need to be told. The format curated works well and curated well. Thank you for this privilege to hear this moving account and story from several sides of the situation. I for one as having served 78/79 in 52 Btn sectors. Just like the majority of us, look forward to these accounts including the smallest of detail being told. It would be great if any of the aging Portuguese speaking regular troops who may still be alive were included. Thank you gentleman.

[@LegacyConversations]

@Steven - We are trying to get the black soldiers on, soon, I hope, Koos

[@owenduplessis2663]

You can see the hurt in their eyes. Heartbreaking stuff. Thank you for your service Gentlemen!

[@ralphdavey7303]

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to an amazing discussion. Told with true feelings and in a way no book can express. To you and all 32 members. Thank you for your service.

[@kobusvanzyl7222]

What an intense story. Thanks to you Koos for capturing these amazing moments of our history. Should there ever be a need to dig into our reserves again, these recordings will surely lift the candle of hope.

[@hillscanlon2717]

The home of the brave always still to this day, Thanks to everyone for putting this together.

[@SteveWilliams-gw4rb]

If I had medals, I would give you all. Thank You, Thank You. Inspirational guys. Salute!

[@jasonaubin1455]

I would really like to hear from one of the black buffalo. Such a unique and interesting story. Great content Koos!

[@LegacyConversations]

@Jason, we are working on them. Soon, I hope, we will have the black members with us sharing their stories, Koos

[@jasonaubin1455]

@@LegacyConversations You are then man Koos.

[@boxtapper8550]

Thank you for this video . As a veteran of the Angolan bush war attached to 8 SAI Upington 1980 to 1982 + 1 month Lol, then DLI till 1994. This was a pleasure to hear and brought back so many memories, SALUTE.

[@chrismoll6862]

Strekke en salueere vir Koos en die 32 manne!!!! Dankie!!!!!!!!

[@vossierebel]

Gripping - bravery and humility rolled in one! Thanks Gents! Flew often with Johan Mertz... never knew anything about his (and his engineer's) role on the day!

[@uraninite8151]

Great talk. Some of the best soldiers to walk the earth… thanks for preserving this history.

[@williepretorius9262]

Salute, thank you for the insights, very brave soldiers

[@LansMalherbe]

Baie dankie vir hierdie wonderlike herhinering. Julle Manne is voorwaar ons Helde. Dankie vir alles wat julle vir ons gedoen het, opgeoffer het en sederdien moes beleef. God se Vrede

[@neilswart7271]

Brilliant as per usual. Great chat gents . Thank you for your service. Men of Men . Now . The big Question. Any chance of interviewing MR jan Breytenbach . Thanks again koos

[@LegacyConversations]

@Neil, no chance on Col Breytenbach. He should be left in peace in his advanced age. I am sorry. Koos

[@andrewrobertson3894]

Fascinating. Thank you so much, gentlemen.

[@garyhartman4979]

Respect to each and every one..Salute Hard stuff, thanks Koos

[@johannfourie7979]

Koos an absolute onner to listen to these 4 Buffelo MANNE. DANKIE aan julle. Koos jou program word ongelooflik.

[@LegacyConversations]

Dankie, maar die eer is by die gaste, wonderlike mense, Koos

[@trevorpalmer1891]

Salute from RLI!

[@orca2162]

Fantastic account, thank you

[@garethrutherford]

Whew... Some incredibly good soldiers..

[@ric6383]

Fascinating!

[@attieyvonneroestoff6057]

Salute guys!

[@RungeCarl]

32 Btn stopped by Ombalantu in May on an ops. Maybe it was Savate? I will never know. I know those tears believe me I have shed many RIP Andre and Derek KIA 5.5.1980.

[@heinschonfeldt2249]

Goodday Doiby I remember you well from the Mil Academy. Just a question did you in the end join the Special Forces when you left the Academy?

[@LegacyConversations]

@Hein, he became the 5 Recce Commanding Officer, Koos

[@tonybenade6665]

My respect

[@terencemeyer7769]

Dear Boet...can anybody plse tell me the whereabouts or welfare of Zack Garrett...we became Lts together @ infantry school oudshoorn. .English speaking guys looking after each other..always cared about him..real soldier...hope he is well and happy...I went horses..he went 32 recces.....I need to know...thanks Boer

[@LegacyConversations]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHiVYXWDZZd8n7c is his episode, contact me at [e-mail] for his details, Koos

[@maddog.mcewan]

RESPECT

[@robertschweppenhauser9891]

Good man

[@christohunt5395]

My beste vriend is laas jaar oorleede en hy was deel van 32 en wou net weet waar en met wie kan ek sy naam deel met die manne wat hom sou onthou.

[@LegacyConversations]

@Christo, ek is jammer om te hoor, kontak my op [e-mail] en ek sal jou in kontak sit met mense, Koos

[@mccallan2798]

1:55 Did I miss this episode?

[@LegacyConversations]

What did who say? The link does not tell me. There is a Savate Day episode tomorrow, Koos

[@mccallan2798]

@ 1:55 there appears to be a thumbnail of a 'Leon "Grobbies" Grobler' interview but don't think I've seen it.

[@LegacyConversations]

@@mccallan2798 There is no such interview yet. Rick Lobb's will be out on Sunday (next week), was just a background of each participant, I think, Koos

[@mccallan2798]

@@LegacyConversations Aha. Thank you Koos. Looking forward to it.

[@richardyoung8526]

32 Battalion did well to achieve victory at Savate, although operationally it was an ill-conceived attack. The loss of our men is tragic, but at least this was not in the same league as Dien Ben Phu where French losses totalled over 2 200 killed, over 5 000 wounded and over 10 000 captured. The French had 67 aircraft losses. Only 3 300 of the French prisoners of war survived captivity. This would be equivalent to losimg the entire 32 Battalion, 44 Parachute Brigade, almost the entire SAAF and some more. RMY

[@LegacyConversations]

@Richard, I think they mean it in a spiritual sense as in what the battle means to them. The other major difference is that the French were forced to surrender. Will bring a South African Legionnaire on, Legacy Guests, soon, I hope, to tell us more, Koos

[@richardyoung8526]

Yes, I would align with that in general. What I wanted to point out was the absolute difference in magnitude, as well as that Savate ended in success for 32 Bn while Dien Bien Phu ended in total annihilation and absolute tragedy for the French. RMY

[@cobuscrouse4195]

Al wat ek kan se is met trane in my oe is' DANKIE MANNE'.!.

[@dexter712]

Should've learned this in geskiedenis just like bathlomias Diaz

[@mariusvandyk2077]

Saluut!

[@craw4400ify]

served withem group 9

[@flinfaraday1821]

🫡

[@TheLesmarshall]

God bless you guys, hero’s one and all