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9781868729142

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One of the 32 Battalion's longest-serving members presents the unadorned true story of his unit in 32 Battalion: The Inside Story Of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit. Nicknamed The Buffalo Soldiers, South Africa's 32nd Battalion was undefeated in twelve years of front-line battle, feared by enemies ranging from Cuban armies to Nambian guerrilla fighters. Called Os Terriveis, or the Terrible Ones by their enemies, the unit met its most unlikely demise when peace came to southern Africa and politics chose to dissolve the unit's fraternity in 1993. 32 Battalion makes no embellishments or apologies, but rather presents the true story of the unit in clear terms, illustrated by a handful of black-and-white maps and diagrams and an inset section of color plates. A thrilling expose of modern military history. -- MidWest Book Review

"This South African Defence Force unit called 32nd Battalion was formed in 1975 to combat Marxist MPLA and Cuban troops. Those had turned the Angloan civil war into one of the many proxy wars between east and west during the Cold War era. Author Piet Nortje served with this elite unit for ten years, rising through the ranks to eventually become Regimental Sergeant Major. Fearing the history of this top-secret unit would be lost, Nortje took it upon himself to write the story. Using newly declassified documents, official records and personal accounts, the author put together a very readable and detailed history. Generous use of maps and photos helps tell the story of ""the best SADF fighting unit since the Second World War.-- ""Books Plus, Women in the Arts"""

This South African Defence Force unit called 32nd Battalion was formed in 1975 to combat Marxist MPLA and Cuban troops. Those had turned the Angloan civil war into one of the many proxy wars between east and west during the Cold War era.Author Piet Nortje served with this elite unit for ten years, rising through the ranks to eventually become Regimental Sergeant Major. Fearing the history of this top-secret unit would be lost, Nortje took it upon himself to write the story.Using newly declassified documents, official records and personal accounts, the author put together a very readable and detailed history. Generous use of maps and photos helps tell the story of the best SADF fighting unit since the Second World War.

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Piet Nortje joined the SADF Permanent Force in 1978 and rose rapidly through the ranks in 32 Battalion. In 1985 he was appointed as the unit's Regimental Sergeant Major, the youngest RSM ever in the SADF. Although his involvement with 32 Battalion came to an end in 1988, he continued to serve in the SANDF until his resignation in 2005. He is now a major in the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. He is the author of 32 Battalion, The Terrible Ones and The Battle of Savate.

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