As the Crow Flies - My Bushman Experience with 31 Battalion

Operation Savannah entered the annals of South African military tradition four decades ago. Few are aware of the significant role played during the course of this operation by a fragmented Bushman unit led by one of the most enigmatic personalities to emerge in uniform.

Until now, Colonel Delville Linford has had very little to say about his role as commander of Combat Group Alpha, or of that played by his Bushman soldiers. In this volume he allows us a peek at not only how this tiny combat force operated, but also at many 'behind the screens' machinations which explain how the unit was formed.

A propos de l'auteur

Cmdt Delville Linford was die South African Army's last liaison officer at Serpa Pinto from April 1973 to July 1974. Because of his knowledge of Angola and its people, he was tasked by Brigadier Constand Viljoen to establish a base in the western Caprivi to accommodate, equip and train these Bushman soldiers so that they could help to protect the South West African border against Swapo. With the help of six national servicemen and 39 black troops, Linford established Camp Alpha. Combat Group Alpha participated in Operation Savannah from October 1975 to January 1976 after which the company was named 31 Battalion and operated in south-east Angola and Zambia. During his service Colonel Linford was awarded the Southern Cross Medal, Military Merit Medal, as well as a Pro Patria with Cunene Clasp and Southern Africa medals. He also received the SADF Good Service Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze and the Permanent Force Good Service Medal.

Détails du produit

• Auteurs: Delville Linford, Al J Venter, Al J. Venter
• Edition: Protea Boekhuis
• Langues: Anglais
• Format d'édition: Livre de poche
• Sortie: 19.03.2016
• EAN: 9781485302681
• ISBN: 978-1-4853-0268-1
• Pages: 336
• Dimensions: 149 mm x 221 mm x 25 mm
• Poids: 470 g
• Catégories: Littérature > Littérature (récits) > Correspondance, journaux intimes; Littérature spécialisée > Histoire > Autres; Sciences humaines, art, musique > Histoire > Général, dictionnaires; Sciences sociales, droit, économie > Sciences politiques > Théories de l'Etat et administration politique