Legacy Conversations - Frans Fourie - 1 & 4 Recce (32Bn Recon Wing and Recce Selection)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Colonel Frans Fourie speaks to us about his 18 years in South African Special Forces. He passed Selection in 1978 and by 1995 was the commander of 1 Reconnaissance Regiment and before that, acting 2IC of 4 Recce. During his career, he went on many operations, mostly with the seaborne specialists, 4 Recce. Some were spectacular, like Ops Kerslig where he won the Honoris Crux and many more. His list of decorations besides the Honoris Crux (HC) is the Southern Cross Medal (SM), Military Merit Medal (MMM), Honourably Mentioned in Dispatches, Pro-Patria Medal, Southern Africa Medal, General Service Medal, Unitas Medal, Good Service Medals (Bronze 10 years and Silver 20 years) and Commendation Certificates from Officers Commanding Special Forces, 4 Special Forces and Chief of the Army.
In this two-hour episode, he speaks of his time with 32Bn Recce Wing (later taken over by Willem Ratte) as well as his Special Forces Selection. It is fascinating as he compares 32 Bn Recce Wing Selection with that of 1 Recce and so much more including operations. In the next episode, we look at his time with 1 Recce and at the Military Academy. If you have questions for the Colonel, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes (of which there will be many).
Links:
Sponsor - www.georgemjames.com
Website - www.legacy-conversations.org
What an amazing story from a very brave soldier and humble man! Now I know was he was so looked up to by the soldiers who worked with him! Thank you Frans for sharing your story and thank you Koos for bringing this great man onto Legacy Conversations! May God bless you both!
Wow!! Wat n voorbeeld van n ware soldaat We salute you sir
Brilliant Frans, my greatest respect. A soldier for all soldiers
Frans what a privilage to listern to all you brave soldiers. At 1:48:11 you refer to the Perdeskoen. Today it is in the Bwabwara game reserve. This is one of the best spots to find crocodile, hippo, elephant and Lechwe.
Dankie vir u diens en opofferings!
Col Frans an exceptional pod cast , my utmost respect and admiration for your service and achievements, your understanding and colorful character shines brilliantly with a outstanding record of accomplishment, fantastic to say the least.
Good evening Louos. Pardon me for late reply. I really highly appreciate! Best regards Frans
Was a honour to serve with you at 4RR
Excellent interviews! Full of tension and I have so much respect for you going through all this for South Africa. So proud of you, Frans.
The best is to come. Frans I salute you.
Excellent!!! A pleasure as per usual. Thanks koos, you have created something special. Great kol Frans . Thank you for your time . Captivating story teller.
Wonderful combination of Humility and enthusiasm! A true leader!
Huge huge respect, what an interview, what a soldier. WOW
Salute and Respect to you Frans.
Great testimony, looking forward to hearing more! Absolutely fascinating, this man is a hero! A great storyteller too!
Thank you very much for this very interesting , exciting and heartfelt episode of your experiences and our great pride. Such bravery and tenacity only found amongst the best soldiers in the world. We salute you colonel for achieving all that and also all those at 32 who did so much more that we did not realise. Thank you for finally telling the true accounts of much of the undercover work that saved our country and millions of lives from the same murderous and corrupt enemy that we see today in destructive and greedy leadership, now unchecked. 👏
Appreciate, thank you!
Did not miss a second. Thank you very much Colonel, fantastic listening. Looking forward to the next one. Peace out.
Omg, thanks for that riveting interveiw, these just get better and thankyou for the history of biltong, you learn something everyday. Look forward to follow up. Thanks to you also Koos.
Frans. Hoe meer ek sien en hoor hoe meer styg my bewondering , respek en agting vir jou
Waardeer, baie dankie.
Hoendervleis. Saluut aan jou. Ek geniet hierdie terdeë.
Thanks Koos, was looking forward to this!!!!
I could listen to this mans adventures more and more, with out doubt a proper bloke , it’s clear Men these days are not of this caliber, Thanks again for these wonderful stories, from an old South African listening in Australia 🇦🇺
Colonel Frans Fourie makes qualifying/selection of 1 recce in this video sounds so easy as getting a beer from the fridge. Did PT course in the winter of 93 at 44 Para Brgd as the last compulsory intakes, but at the end of day 2 after 50km walk lost my number, can only imagine what stamina he must have, a REAL superhero. Would love another interview of him and his take on Eeben Barlow and Executive Outcomes.
I will ask him, Koos
Fascinating interview! This channel is a great resource and preserving Southern African history
Yes, spread the word please, Koos
Now that was a fascinating and riveting interview! Thank you so much Colonel for taking your time to share your experiences and shine some light on those years. Baie dankie!
Jy moet weet as jy vir 2 ure praat en Koos amper niks se nie, is jy 'on point'!
These interviews are really excellent.
Would be interesting to hear what happened, if you know of the troop that went after the Aussie, after he was found. Also the losses Eheke. Not sure if this has been covered on the channel yet, but it is part of our history.
What a great story.....the photos are much appreciated .... fantastic
My father was Col Franz Fourie’s corporal in the recce stick. Has recounted the incident with Chaka on numerous occasions to me and Joao Berroa who’s photo is shown in the interview was my dad’s best friend while in 32. Was awesome to listen to this interview
Good evening Simon. Yes your father is / was a great person. Humble, and a great operational operator. Enjoyed his stories very much and rolled laughing! I sent Koos a picture of the two of u. Maybe Koos can send that to you. Best regards Frans
@Simon - contact me at 4xsamil@gmail.com and I will give you the picture that Col Frans is talking about below, Koos
Thank you very much for the kind words regarding my father. The old man is doing well taking into account the big stroke he had a few years back. Cant wait to get the photo and show it to him.
One of a kind indeed! Hope and pray for a speedy recovery of your leg Frans. I think you were in MA85 when I was in MA87, I may be mistaken, but I did a course with you at some stage.
Frans and Koos ....dankie ....excellent work
Enjoying the series thus far - great to hear the Alo gunships getting a mention!
Thank you. I learned so much.
Thanks to you both
Absolute Legende....Saluut Kol Fourie. Dankie, Koos!
Fantastic series
Fascinating storries, thank you. I often wonder where all the brave, fighting men of 32Bn are now? Men like Joao Berroa....... Would be good if you could find some of them to tell their stories.
What a ledgend .
Great interview. Thanks for sharing!
Great listening
Dankjewel geweldig! Loving the Amazing stories from The Netherlands! Berede ‘88-‘89
Welkom hier by ons, Koos
Thanks Koos! Keep up the good work!
@@marknebbe1294
Please consider sharing your memories and experiences of Berede. I was '92 - '93.
Thank you very much
Fascinating
Absolute legend.
A special breed of Boerseun it takes to be a RECCE. Utmost of respect for Frans.
Appreciate thank you Deon. Kind regards Frans
Andre Hattingh died in a freak accident just after I left 22 Squadron, either 1997 or 1998, he used to ride his motorbike to the squadron and hit a Dakota being towed in the dark of a Cape Town winter’s morning. Absolute gentleman.
Sad to hear that, after coming so far, so very bravely, a true diamond amongst our ranks, only to meet with such an untimely end. We salute.RIP
Another classic legacy interview. An absolute gentleman soldier by all accounts. Fran's must have enjoyed a lot of respect from comrades and those under his command.
What happened to Blue and Chaka in the long run?
@Steven - Blue leaves the unit never to return - Chaka returns to the unit - not sure what happens further, Koos
Thank you Steven. Blue is somewhere in Australia. Chaka returned to the platoons and I left to Special Forces (Recces). Chakavwas a good soldier. Appreciate and kind regards Frans
01:04 Frans, I objected and after Chaka incident I as an officer and TL had to goosewalk with 2 sandbags 4 x runway because I caught my cpl Tomas Laurindo sleeping on guard, then took his rifle and did my shift. After that I sent a signal to Falcon. Model of the story, Blue Kelly is a foreign mercenary, a nco and not qualified or capable to command us. If you look at our motto which is honesty, loyalty and justice he applied only to suit him, not the unit. I have many words for him, none good, only despicable. I challenge him to come and tell us what a wonderful angel he was and not send demanding messages via his clan. Good riddance.
Salute / Saluut
Hi Col Frans it is absolutly amazing to listen this as my dad told me about you dont know if you remember him Lt kol Henk Rheeders
Hi Alwyn. Thank you. Henk from the Armour Corps? Remember him well, what a clever person and visionary! Kind regards to Henk and yourself! Frans
@@fransfourie1752 Hi Col Frans yes that is correct thank you very much will tell him
Yster Yster en weereens yster
Thanks so much very interesting
Thanks Koos for starting the channel is really a blessing thank again.
Stem, totale respek vir hierdie yster.
Speak THANK
I’d love to know what happened to Blue and Chaka?
Good morning Mark. Blue is retired and lives in Australia. Chaka, not sure of, he was dealt with by HQ. I unfortunately lost contact after I left 32 Bn. Thank you for your interest. Kind regards Frans
At 1:36:40 is dit die Rabie wat later Staf Rabie was by Berede? Hy het altyd 'n 32 Batalion belt gedra.
Is hy nog met ons?
Die 1ste blinde mens wat ek ontmoet het was Jack Dippenaar.Hy was so n mooi en sagte mens.
Good morning. For sure, Jack Dippenaar, what a gentle and intelligent person. Brgds Frans
@@fransfourie1752 Lui die naam Hein Roodman n klokkie?