Legacy Conversations - Rick Lobb - 32 Bn Recce Wing

We speak to Sgt Rick Lobb. He started his career as a national serviceman in 4SAI before moving to the School of Infantry where he volunteered for 32 Battalion. Once there, he passed the 32 Bn Selection, then the Recce Wing Selection and went on many operations, some of which are described here including blowing a bridge behind enemy lines. Then Rick used an RPG-7 to shoot out an enemy truck during an ambush - the first to use the RPG like that in the unit. Since then, he is known also as “RPG.” Today he is a chemical engineer with an MBA degree owning his own company. If you have questions for Rick, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes.
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Website - www.legacy-conversations.org

[@softturd]

my brother fought with 32... im incredibly sad when i remember this, wish i had more time with him

[@janstander4091]

What a gentleman and soldier. Excellent life story Rick. Thank you for your service and thank you Koos for a series of interviews with men that we are proud of. God bless you all.

[@johnphillips5607]

Courageous young men and a band of brothers indeed. Great memory and recollection. Your expression of fondness and respect for fellow soldiers is very touching.

[@ricklobb]

Sincere thanks Sir, Respect.

[@williambotha6607]

And when I had beers with Rick in PE, I knew he was naughty, but didn't realize he was a gevaarlike ou. Some time sure has passed. Well told Rick, I really enjoyed listening to your experiences. Go well!

[@ricklobb]

Hi William, thanks for the kind words Boet, much appreciated, go well.

[@stephenshort4281]

Ty for your service Rick. And ty so much for recording these. You have an extraordinary talent for asking the right question at the right time - a hallmark for a great listener, wich is such a rare quality.

[@ricklobb]

Thanks Stephen, much appreciated.

[@andrewwarren3566]

What a legend! Big respect for the 32bn men!

[@DO-re2ol]

These guys were/are tough! Gives me hope!

[@paullivingstone6326]

Thanks for the fascinating insight and refection of "those days" Rick. Keep up the great work Koos.

[@ricklobb]

Thank you Paul, much appreciated.

[@fransfourie1752]

Great reflection Rick, most interesting. Appreciate, take care and be safe! Kind regards Frans

[@ricklobb]

Thanks Frans, greatly appreciated from someone who I greatly admire and respect, thank you.

[@michaelsewell3706]

Amazing story, go well Rick.

[@ricklobb]

Thanks Mike, much appreciated.

[@FrikErasmus]

Thank you for sharing your story..

[@ricklobb]

Thanks Frik, much appreciated.

[@NickeyOosthuizen]

Really enjoyed Rick's story about 32Bn and his life thereafter. I also klaared in at 4SAI in Middelburg, just much later in 93, the last compulsory intake.

[@ricklobb]

Sincere thanks Nickey, much appreciated Brother 4 SAI'er.

[@NickeyOosthuizen]

Thank you Sgt, like Col Frans Fourie you are a natural and captivating speaker and hearing of your experiences is like watching a movie.

[@JockFindlay]

Thank you - much respect.

[@ricklobb]

Hi Joe, sincere thanks greatly appreciated.

[@ledman9135]

After experiencing something like that it must be pretty hard to mix in civilian life again with some of the attitudes you get in corporate environments. Enjoyed the story Koos and Rick a Thumbs up china.

[@ricklobb]

Thank you for your kind comments, appreciated.

[@johannfourie7979]

Thanks Koos and Rick.

[@ricklobb]

Thank you Johann, much appreciated.

[@Cross-Country-Biker]

Excellent story telling Rick, thanks your account and work, thanks Koos aswell

[@ricklobb]

Greetings, sincere thanks much appreciated.

[@os4956]

Good job Rick,nice to see you looking well

[@ricklobb]

thanks for your kind words, much appreciated, go well.

[@henniebotha1034]

What an amazing conversation.

[@ricklobb]

Sincere thanks Hennie, much appreciated.

[@chrismoll6862]

Much respect

[@ricklobb]

Thanks Chris, much appreciated.

[@chrismoll6862]

Great production Koos ,dankie

[@garethrutherford]

Well done with this exciting account.

[@louisstopforth5886]

Well done Rick and Koos, interesting stuff.

[@ricklobb]

Sincere thanks Louis.

[@russelvorster1923]

Nice one Rick.very well told.

[@ricklobb]

Hi Rus, sincere thanks Boet, go well and best regards.

[@orca2162]

One again a fantastic account!

[@JT_Rensburg]

my dad was in 8 sai inf battalion upington 1993

[@namibiasaf]

I stay on opposite side of river from old 32 Base

[@renaudlategan8896]

Did 32 Recce wing participate in operations that were undertaken by the normal infantry companies? I recall vaguely that on one operation with then Kmdt Bornman that we had recce's as our front runners in front

[@ricklobb]

Hi Renaud, as far as I know, we only worked with 32 Bn, CSI and SF, in my time we never worked with other Units. It might have changed in later years. Thanks and go well.

[@orca2162]

Koos is there any plans to cover the 1 SWA Recce group? Sir, A lessor known unit which merged into 51 at Fort Rev in Ondangwa in its later state, I had some interaction with them from fort Hook (CSI). Also wondering if there is a link to Eeben Barlow who I believe was also part of the 32 Reece Wing ? Thank you again to Rick and yourself in recording History, you have no idea how much its appreciated. Thank you gents

[@LegacyConversations]

@Orca - everyone is welcome here and I believe we have an operator of SWA Recce to record in the near future. Koos

[@ricklobb]

Greetings Orca, Eeben Barlow was most definately in the 32 Bn Recce Wing, thanks for the comment and go well.

[@orca2162]

@@ricklobb You to Sir! Thank you for your account, no doubt there is more … stay safe

[@paullivingstone6326]

A question for the experts, is the 32 recce wing "wings" an officially recognised SADF award? Were the wings only worn on step outs or was there a nutria version too?

[@ricklobb]

Morning Paul, thanks for the question, the 32 Bn Recce Wing was in the process of being accepted by SADF Heraldry however the proccess was never completed. There was a nutria badge issued to operators in the recce wing.

[@sakabula1285]

Hi..Thank you very much for getting all these stories out there.Can someone please tell me what the silver gun on the red background mean thats shown on the thumbnail.Much appreciated.Thx

[@LegacyConversations]

"Sharpshooter" badge, Koos

[@sakabula1285]

@@LegacyConversations Baie dankie vir die antwoord.Waardeer dit baie.Ek het al my Pa se uniforms maar ek het nooit die kans gehad om hom uit te vra nie aangesien ek nog baie klein was toe hy oorlede is..So elke bietjie kennis help..

[@LegacyConversations]

Kom woon die parades ens by, die "ooms" sal jou graag wys en vertel wat beteken wat. Jammer oor jou pa. Welkom by ons, Koos

[@jbisschj7992]

Hi Rick, you mentioned working with CSI. Would that be DMI(Division Military Intelligence) or AMI (Afdeling Militêre Inligting)? The guys with the 🦉 (owl) emblem?

[@gerhardpotgieter840]

Does the name Hein Roodman ring a bell Sir?

[@ricklobb]

Unfortunately not Sir, from where may I ask?

[@gerhardpotgieter840]

@@ricklobb 32.Was confirmed by a Gen I asked.

[@ricklobb]

Gerhard Potgieter, perhaps you mean Hannes Nortmann?

[@henrykeyter53]

Oom Koos, is dit moontlik om uit te vind wie die Bosbok op 1:09:54 gevlieg het? Die man moes wilde moed gehad het...!

[@LegacyConversations]

Sal sien wat die SAAF janne seg