Well I'm bit late to the party but I must say I really enjoyed your interview Daniel. I volunteered for the Airforce in 1987 and was transferred to 6. S.A.I.but I first toyed with idea when I was only 17 in 1985 in 1986 I waited for a call up that didn't come so fortunately I missed Hooper. Your description was so vivid it was amazing that the civvies really had no idea of what was actually going on on the border and in Angola. They knew there was a war but didn't know how intense it was at times or on what scale it was being fought and no one ever wanted to hear about it. I was fortunate that I didn't see combat but only by sheer luck for instance the 'nine day war' and I was confined to base loading kovoet vehicles with ammunition and listening to their contacts on the radio in the ops room. We were so lucky to be ordered to remain in Base but at the time we didn't feel lucky only now do I know we were. I did laugh at some of your stories that brought back similar memories for me.When I look back I was 19 my mates were 18 we were so young and what was asked of us was huge yet we went and did what we were trained so well to do and we all did it extremely well. The line about the Cubans sending 10000 and botha saying SA will send 1000 said it all. I met a Cuban general he asked me if we had found any mines on the cut line that we had just swept for his and the US marine generals' choopers to land on a joint military monitoring Base resolution 435 I said no and he told us that he had ordered mines to be laid in the area. We swept that landing strip twice and it was clear so once again luck was on my side.Hope you are doing well now and are at peace with yourself.
What an excellent story. I was one of that JL Kpls who went up with you as part of the leadergroup. I was Platoon Sgt for the Ratel 81s. This talk was exactly how I remember our time up there on the front.
Hi Mornay, thank you for your comment. Just out of interest, how much ammo were you guys using during the attacks and at what ranges? Take it easy brother.
The chaos, violence, noise and fear (no, terror!) is almost incomprehensible. I believe their training amd leadership saved them. The relatively minimal losses seems unbelievable, absurd given the context. The tragedy is that their sacrifice was not recognised or understood. Absolute respect for these men, dagga and all.
Thank you Daniel, what a story. I was a camper called up for Ops Packer and we passed you guys moving out of Angola and man you guys looked dirty, tired and battle weary. Huge respect.
When we got back to Namibia, gen. Geldenhius came and spoke to us. He said that in the first world war combatants on the front line would be recycled every two weeks. He said to us, "you men have been on the front line for four months, that is a considerable thing ". The thing that really got us was disease, malaria, dysentery and hepatitis led to 25% of us being casavacked out in about a two week period. Before we had even started fighting.
Sitting here riveted to this story. Agree with your take on 4SAI, was there in 81/82. Last intake before they mechanised, would have loved to operate a ratel. Please come back Daniel, want to hear more, especially what you are doing now. God bless you meneer.....
Daniel your video and story you tell are the real deal. It is funny,it is sad,it brought back memories of the army memories,of mates and of funny situations, would not have missed national service with hindsight now, and experiencing the border situation in 1976 up until 1988. You tell a great story with honesty and humour of real life up there during those times. All the best for the future and all the other guys who had similar experiences, all the Boere comrades and the Engelsmanne. Proud of all you guys. From one Engelsman to all of you.
@@stewartlumgair9482 thank you, yes it was all of us conscripts, we had no idea of what we were expected to do, however we all stood up. For all of the pain and questions from the political perspective, we all of us pulled together. That is our legacy. We had no choice who to associate with and when the chips where down we had each others backs right into hell. Which then makes so many ideologies futile because we took care of each other regardless.
Well put! That was exactly how I looked at it. Our concern for our pals. Doing the job we were doing in the best way that would cause the least harm to us all. That was to win or complete the task at hand successfully.
Thank you Dan for your honest and sincere share. You brought a big smile to my face as I could relate so much to your brave journey. Excellent work Koos... this helps helps a lot!
The devils going to have his hands full with you bru!! Love your approach to adversity, truly organic; what blows my mind is how young you all were, look forward to the next episode🙏 God bless you, Koos, SADF and crew. I salute all of you, Heros!!
@Steve Henry - Come and tell us your story so we know what happened before or after. Must also say that I told Daniel that this was outstanding, thanks, Koos
I still remember that day like it was yesterday. One of you showing me where all the paint had been chipped off around the turret from lmg fire. If those ratels could talk. Salute brother.
@@danielbtwd yep, that was me. I had even drawn my “kills” on the inside turret with a permanent marker. Crazy days… if those Ratels could talk, it’d be something like- “Eina! Are you okes mal! I’m not built to take on T’s…” Take it easy brother
Wonderful interview, thanks Daniel and Koos. Really, fantastic to hear the in depth discussions from those in command and the Spec Ops guys but the troopies contributions on this channel, as they were back then in the SADF, are worth their weight in gold! Look forward to Part 2 with Daniel and others.
A really great episode with no bars hold story that gives a Ratel mortar crew member through the thick of battle genuine feelings. Daniel you are a legend my man and you have the right attitude and can go anywhere and do anything. You were the backbone of the army. I like the way at the end in passing you say in Owamboland Sector 10 you hit a landmine as if that was nothing. Koos keep up the good work.
Yes, that landmine blew the wheel to nothing, not even the hub was remaining of that 160kg wheel. The section leader hit the 20mm with such force that it bent part of the cannon. The welds along the front of the vehicle were all ruptured, it blew both doors open throwing the riflemen next to the doors out of the vehicle. One of the riflemen at the back of the ratel was standing out the back hatch and was blown out with his body breaking the hatch and him and the hatch landed behind the vehicle. He had a broken coxicks and fractured vertebrae. The section leader who commented above about my book (thanks Mark), had the most incredible bruising on his leg that I have ever seen. The driver smashed his head on the vision block causing lots of bleeding. One of the riflemen who was blown out of the vehicle was running around like a headless chicken, he contracted malaria when we were in Angola and was not the same afterwards, I think that bang was the straw that broke the camels back. Myself and our medic had to run and tackle him to the ground only because during those seconds we still did not know if we were being ambushed and he was in extreme danger. Yes no one was shooting at us and no one died. All the locals knew that mine was there because on further inspection we saw that there were vehicle tracks going around that section of road. If it was anything less that a ratel the occupants would have been toast.
Thank you Daniel... you really made me laugh! Do please come back for more! I'll join you in enjoying a wee virtual spliff to celebrate fun!! Have you a website so we can follow your antics, please?
Thanks Daniel really entertaining way of explaining. It definitely helps to try to make light of in a tense situation to ease the mood. So true that talking about the border was a conversation killer - it so good to get the truth out. Thanks Koos
From the hart! This is how we reminisce. The one story leads to the other, coming out of that barrel of stress and survival. Only able to find the comedy and irony in the smog of war! Saluut
Looking forward to listening to next episode. I got caught smoking some Cape Majat dagga in the Navy, the LS ( corporal ) instead of going ballistic, asked to join in.
Salute Brother, great stories of the real thing and kak we got up to.......Fire extinguishers were great for cooling the beer......unluckily our buffel driver always got into shit.🤘Infantry bokkop.
Unita lost almost as many men as Fapla. Which is what one would expect against dug in positions. During the 1st Tumpu attack they fired 12000 bm21 rockets at us. However Unita suffered their heaviest losses when they were on their own against Fapla.
I think its perhaps just the people from around the world that are very interested in the discussions on this channel, and they do not understand the language, not a slight on the language itself.
Thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments, better than any medals.
@@danielbtwd I found you from the comment section of a short about C-130 pilots. Thank you for your service 🫡
@@danielbtwd saw you from TH-cam comments
@richifitness8229 cool, I hope that you enjoyed the interview.
Well I'm bit late to the party but I must say I really enjoyed your interview Daniel. I volunteered for the Airforce in 1987 and was transferred to 6. S.A.I.but I first toyed with idea when I was only 17 in 1985 in 1986 I waited for a call up that didn't come so fortunately I missed Hooper. Your description was so vivid it was amazing that the civvies really had no idea of what was actually going on on the border and in Angola. They knew there was a war but didn't know how intense it was at times or on what scale it was being fought and no one ever wanted to hear about it. I was fortunate that I didn't see combat but only by sheer luck for instance the 'nine day war' and I was confined to base loading kovoet vehicles with ammunition and listening to their contacts on the radio in the ops room. We were so lucky to be ordered to remain in Base but at the time we didn't feel lucky only now do I know we were. I did laugh at some of your stories that brought back similar memories for me.When I look back I was 19 my mates were 18 we were so young and what was asked of us was huge yet we went and did what we were trained so well to do and we all did it extremely well. The line about the Cubans sending 10000 and botha saying SA will send 1000 said it all. I met a Cuban general he asked me if we had found any mines on the cut line that we had just swept for his and the US marine generals' choopers to land on a joint military monitoring Base resolution 435 I said no and he told us that he had ordered mines to be laid in the area. We swept that landing strip twice and it was clear so once again luck was on my side.Hope you are doing well now and are at peace with yourself.
Man I really enjoyed that. I was a Kwe driver based in 6Maint Rundu and remember that heat very well.
What an excellent story. I was one of that JL Kpls who went up with you as part of the leadergroup. I was Platoon Sgt for the Ratel 81s. This talk was exactly how I remember our time up there on the front.
Hi Mornay, thank you for your comment. Just out of interest, how much ammo were you guys using during the attacks and at what ranges? Take it easy brother.
Well told bud. Thanks ..yes the heat arriving in Rhundu. You did your thing. Lots of us ..listened.
The chaos, violence, noise and fear (no, terror!) is almost incomprehensible. I believe their training amd leadership saved them. The relatively minimal losses seems unbelievable, absurd given the context. The tragedy is that their sacrifice was not recognised or understood. Absolute respect for these men, dagga and all.
Everyone went beyond what was expected from them!! SALUTE!!❤
Thank you Daniel, what a story. I was a camper called up for Ops Packer and we passed you guys moving out of Angola and man you guys looked dirty, tired and battle weary. Huge respect.
When we got back to Namibia, gen. Geldenhius came and spoke to us. He said that in the first world war combatants on the front line would be recycled every two weeks. He said to us, "you men have been on the front line for four months, that is a considerable thing ".
The thing that really got us was disease, malaria, dysentery and hepatitis led to 25% of us being casavacked out in about a two week period. Before we had even started fighting.
Sitting here riveted to this story. Agree with your take on 4SAI, was there in 81/82. Last intake before they mechanised, would have loved to operate a ratel. Please come back Daniel, want to hear more, especially what you are doing now. God bless you meneer.....
I watched from start to finish without a break. So genuine, so compelling. Thank you Daniel. Thank you Koos.
Daniel ,One of the best interviews ever .Thank you Koos ,from a Sapper
Dan has written a book of poetry - Boy Soldier. Excellent read. You tell a very good story mate. Proud to have served with you.
Daniel your video and story you tell are the real deal. It is funny,it is sad,it brought back memories of the army memories,of mates and of funny situations, would not have missed national service with hindsight now, and experiencing the border situation in 1976 up until 1988. You tell a great story with honesty and humour of real life up there during those times. All the best for the future and all the other guys who had similar experiences, all the Boere comrades and the Engelsmanne. Proud of all you guys. From one Engelsman to all of you.
Like I said Mark, we could not have done it without each other. You guys were the best family that I had ever had.
@@stewartlumgair9482 thank you, yes it was all of us conscripts, we had no idea of what we were expected to do, however we all stood up. For all of the pain and questions from the political perspective, we all of us pulled together. That is our legacy. We had no choice who to associate with and when the chips where down we had each others backs right into hell. Which then makes so many ideologies futile because we took care of each other regardless.
Well put! That was exactly how I looked at it. Our concern for our pals. Doing the job we were doing in the best way that would cause the least harm to us all. That was to win or complete the task at hand successfully.
Thank you Dan for your honest and sincere share. You brought a big smile to my face as I could relate so much to your brave journey. Excellent work Koos... this helps helps a lot!
Uitstekend , Koos , jou bydrae vir geskiedenis kan nie bereken wodd nie ,dankie ek alle voorspoed
The devils going to have his hands full with you bru!! Love your approach to adversity, truly organic; what blows my mind is how young you all were, look forward to the next episode🙏 God bless you, Koos, SADF and crew. I salute all of you, Heros!!
So many people got so badly damaged. I hope this talking helps them. Thanks Koos.
It’s good to listen to a no BS account from a troop in the thick of things…thanks Koos and Daniel…🍻
Hi Koos,
This is probably one of the best conversations that I've viewed... If I'm correct, I handed over Ratel 12 to Daniel at Mavinga in December'87
@Steve Henry - Come and tell us your story so we know what happened before or after. Must also say that I told Daniel that this was outstanding, thanks, Koos
I still remember that day like it was yesterday. One of you showing me where all the paint had been chipped off around the turret from lmg fire. If those ratels could talk. Salute brother.
@@danielbtwd yep, that was me. I had even drawn my “kills” on the inside turret with a permanent marker. Crazy days… if those Ratels could talk, it’d be something like- “Eina! Are you okes mal! I’m not built to take on T’s…”
Take it easy brother
Once again thanks guys you are all amazing. Love hearing the stories direct from those involved.
Wow. What a magnificent down to earth testimony.
Wonderful interview, thanks Daniel and Koos. Really, fantastic to hear the in depth discussions from those in command and the Spec Ops guys but the troopies contributions on this channel, as they were back then in the SADF, are worth their weight in gold! Look forward to Part 2 with Daniel and others.
A really great episode with no bars hold story that gives a Ratel mortar crew member through the thick of battle genuine feelings. Daniel you are a legend my man and you have the right attitude and can go anywhere and do anything. You were the backbone of the army. I like the way at the end in passing you say in Owamboland Sector 10 you hit a landmine as if that was nothing. Koos keep up the good work.
Yes, that landmine blew the wheel to nothing, not even the hub was remaining of that 160kg wheel. The section leader hit the 20mm with such force that it bent part of the cannon. The welds along the front of the vehicle were all ruptured, it blew both doors open throwing the riflemen next to the doors out of the vehicle. One of the riflemen at the back of the ratel was standing out the back hatch and was blown out with his body breaking the hatch and him and the hatch landed behind the vehicle. He had a broken coxicks and fractured vertebrae. The section leader who commented above about my book (thanks Mark), had the most incredible bruising on his leg that I have ever seen. The driver smashed his head on the vision block causing lots of bleeding. One of the riflemen who was blown out of the vehicle was running around like a headless chicken, he contracted malaria when we were in Angola and was not the same afterwards, I think that bang was the straw that broke the camels back. Myself and our medic had to run and tackle him to the ground only because during those seconds we still did not know if we were being ambushed and he was in extreme danger. Yes no one was shooting at us and no one died. All the locals knew that mine was there because on further inspection we saw that there were vehicle tracks going around that section of road. If it was anything less that a ratel the occupants would have been toast.
Daniel!!! Just loving your way off 'slapgat' chat, zol rokers were probably the best soldiers out🙂. Dankie Koos, lekker chat.
Thank you Daniel... you really made me laugh! Do please come back for more!
I'll join you in enjoying a wee virtual spliff to celebrate fun!! Have you a website so we can follow your antics, please?
I had Daniel as a neighbour in CT ... One of life's good people , thanks Dan 🙏
Enjoy your nature life
Loved this interview...
Respect brother
geniune talk. Salute
At 24:50 the heat... I remember feeling it and thinking it was from the planes engines...haha... nope that was Rundu!
Great conversation thanks for the memories Koos
Hi Daniel I sit and enjoy your program today...keep well.
Thanks Daniel really entertaining way of explaining. It definitely helps to try to make light of in a tense situation to ease the mood. So true that talking about the border was a conversation killer - it so good to get the truth out. Thanks Koos
Another very interesting story. Thanx Daniel. I really enjoyed it very much and looking forward to the next episode.
Thank you Daniel
From the hart! This is how we reminisce. The one story leads to the other, coming out of that barrel of stress and survival. Only able to find the comedy and irony in the smog of war! Saluut
Looking forward to listening to next episode. I got caught smoking some Cape Majat dagga in the Navy, the LS ( corporal ) instead of going ballistic, asked to join in.
Excellent!
Terrific
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'s
Thx bru.....
Salute Brother, great stories of the real thing and kak we got up to.......Fire extinguishers were great for cooling the beer......unluckily our buffel driver always got into shit.🤘Infantry bokkop.
This was great
Salute / Saluut.
Hellooo Julle!
Get Dan back on for number 2
Not minimal losses for UNITA. Poor chaps.
Unita lost almost as many men as Fapla. Which is what one would expect against dug in positions. During the 1st Tumpu attack they fired 12000 bm21 rockets at us. However Unita suffered their heaviest losses when they were on their own against Fapla.
The enghlish called me saag😅
What bullshit that people complain about Afrikaans. Let people talk how they are comfortable!
I think its perhaps just the people from around the world that are very interested in the discussions on this channel, and they do not understand the language, not a slight on the language itself.
I think because all sorts of people listen not only south Africans..