Legacy SADF - Gregory Ashton - 1 & 2 Recce
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2024
- We speak to Greg Ashton. He was a sergeant in 1 Recce Commando, qualifying in 1977. After years of operations, including as a mountaineering instructor, and team leader, he left for Wits University to study further. Soon, he was back at 1 Recce Regiment and eyed (wrongly) with much suspicion by the higher-ups. When he left 1 Recce he served for seven years with 2 Recce during periodical call-ups. Legacy viewers have met Greg in the Ops Firewood conversation which many consider being the best video on the Legacy Channel. herewith is his life story in Special Forces. If you have questions for Greg, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes.
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What a absolute pleasure to listen to this eloquent speaking gentleman i salute u thank you for putting ur life at risk for us. 🙏🛐
Salute to you Greg. Many of us vets are out here and remember well. Fantastic interviews and strength to your arm, thank you.
Great man...great interview!!! Many of us understand the difficulties being English in a very Afrikaans SADF.
Thank you fantastic story. I am Ex-Rhodie so thank you for your service and your comment on Genl Walls, giving out food and drinks and the whole atmosphere that you described - Truely Rhodesian style. Thank You
I was and English speaking member of the SAPS for 21 years. I had an Afrikaans surname. I was treated absolutely the same throughout my career. The derogatory names of "SOUTIE" SOUTPIEL and ENGELSMAN was a common occurrence. I was constantly treated with suspicion on operations and isolated from main groups who were Afrikaans. I had instructors and later on, fellow colleagues that refused to talk to me in English and questioned/berated me why I did not speak Afrikaans when I had an Afrikaans surname. I was called "CLEVER" when I made a suggestion or wanted to be a part of operations, even when I had senior rank. I saw similar treatment to my English colleagues, so it was not my attitude or face that was the deciding factor. Left me leaving with a hatred eventually...
I want to apologise for the unfair treatment you English speaking gentlemen suffered from the Afrikaans guys. Some of our Boere unfortunately lack good manners. You served our country same as they did.
I was in the SAAF. The English guys openly said humiliating things in front of us for being Afrikaans. How Dumb Afrikaners were. How it is prestige for an Afrikaans girl to date an English
guy. I felt humiliated by that, but years later I found out It was a typical Anglo-Asaxon thing. They do it to the French-Canadians, they do it to the Irish. Guess where all the paddy jokes come from. I recall a person telling me how he invited an English and Jewish guy back to his house for pass. On returning the English guy started making fun of how backward his family was, the Jewish guy scolded him and said that was one of the best weekends of his life. Now if you are honest with yourself, you will recall a lot of conversations among your own kind on how backward and dumb Afrikaans people are. I think it is time to end the Pity party now, don't you think
Thank you for your service. I'm 40 years old first generation to not be permanent force sadly due to our current state of the defense force. Father and uncles were in Angola grandfather was in North Africa and Sicily in ww2. I remember every Christmas attending moth events as a kid. 😊
I am a Rhodesian and served in a paramilitary unit called Internal Affairs for 4 years followed by TF call ups in 3 Engineer Squadron. Op Uric happened while we were doing a camp. I knew some of the men who were on that op and have read a lot about it subsequently. Greg Ashton was on the op. I am reading a book called "Eagle Strike" by Colonel Jan Breytenbach about the attack on Cassinga in Mozambique. What strikes me is the amount of planning the South Africans did for ops by the Parabats and Recces. In Rhodesia we did not have that luxury. Cassinga was a difficult op because of an error in Aerial Photography and the scale of maps. Paras landed on the wrong side of a river but managed to link up with the callsigns near Casinga. The Colonel saved the day. Greg Ashton has done several talk on a Rhodesian You Tube channel and is a very interesting veteran of the conflict against Communist Trained forces in Sothern Africa. I am enjoying this series despite by very basic Afrikaans for some episodes in die Taal. Thanks Legacy SADF.
That attack on Cassinga was in Angola and largest airborne operation since WW2. We spoke to the commander, Maj Gen du Plessis some time ago. Welcome here with us. Koos
Thank you, dear Koos.
I Found that interview quite absorbing.
I commiserate with Greg regarding the 'cliques' that were formed in our beloved SADF. I also wanted to stay on, but all it took was one 'poisonous' individual to put an end to that dream.
I grew up an SADF child, & can say in hindsight that the various 'cliques' were perhaps more effective at stripping our military of manpower than the enemy actually did.
Agreed about the way the Rhodesian chaps were treated. I believe an apology of sorts may still be due.
I didn't think about the military for many years, but have, of late, chosen to reminisce on the good times.
Very interesting interview. Greg and I must have nearly crossed paths on numerous occasions. I grew up in White River in the early 60's and went to White River Primary. My parents also had a banana farm in Kiepersol called Nabana Estates. I was also in 3sai in Potch but in 1976. Had a lot of friends at Lowveld High.
Thanks for telling your story.
@george-cohen7954 Hi George, I knew Nabana Estates very well with family in the immediate area. People like the McQueens, Dr. Frans Mentz, The Cilliers, Ferreira's and Jouberts of Gemvale ...
@GregoryAshton_house_n_hill
Hi Greg, yes, all familiar names. My parents probably knew most of them. We didn't live at Nabana but on a farm just outside White River, and I'd go with my dad to visit every now and again. His partners in Nabana were George Turner and Colonel Sandenburg. Lovely part of the world in those days. I haven't been back in many years now, so I don't know what it's like now.
Very interesting, explained with no rancour. A very urbane and well spoken gentleman. Pity the army staff did not see his potential.
Respect 🍻
Bless you Greg - It is obvious you were/are a Vasbyter!
Appreciate this erudite perspective - honest, balanced and insightful.
Another great episode Koos. Koos have you heard of Harry McCallion? A Scotsman that was UK para, then came to SA and did Recces , went back to UK and did SAS. Im reading his book "killing zone" but would love to see him on your show.
Excellent story! Thank you Greg.
Greg thank you for your outstanding podcast and open minded approach and explanations, your determination to succeed is well noted have much admiration for achievements.
Thank you for your feedback, Louise. We have done many more recordings but I can only talk sense for so long ...
Thank you Koos and Greg, a humble man who said it as it was! Strange that 1 RR did not go to state security who would obviously have had an eye on who was who in the various groups on university campus who were members of communist/anti government organisations and get intel on you to verify your allegiance! Well spoken for not deflamating those who put you in this position!
Greg is a one of those men who knows his worth.
Excellent to listen to...
Well done Greg, you rose above it all! My surname, Flanagan, imagine what I was called? Laughed at it all though, still do! Some good Dutchmen out there though 😅
Excellent interview Greg. I know Mark and you spot on with your reference to him. An Officer, leader and a Mensch. Salute
What a brilliant and honest and interesting chat. Such a pitty of how you were treated. Strongs
Fabulous presentation
Great interview thanks Greg and Koos. Pity about the poor treatment of English speaking soldiers those days. Genl Alexander also mentioned a few instances.
Thanks Greg and Koo's once again. As an ex Rhodesian we moved to South Africa 1981 and my father like many others joined the SADF around 1980-1981. I heard some unfortunate stories and saw as a youngster how one at a time some good ex Rhodesian soldiers working with my father left after a short time specifically special forces. Some had medals for bravery in Rhodesia as well as South Africa. Trust issues I think was one problem and I am sure the other was probably that they did not go through the SADF system from the beginning with their fellow South African soldiers so there was also that bond missing, so that created another problem especially when they were given ranks some times higher than their South African colleagues. There were a few ex Rhodesian soldiers that got in that should not have as mentioned in previous podcasts and they were worked out just like in any organisation. Perhaps that's why 32 was so successful. Most were foreigners from many countries and there was a different culture and system like the Rhodesian RLI. All in the SADF were on the same side fighting the same enemy but unfortunately there was that trust issue amongst the ranks. When it was my turn to do national service in the late 80's I ended up as an ops medic and served in 7 medical battalion and I never had problems with fellow national service or permanent force soldiers and superiors where ever I was sent to do my job. I felt we were all treated the same. Well the French foreign legion and Finnish army for example are stricter. You can only be an officer or hold a strategic position if you are a citizen born in that country. So the South Africans and Rhodesians were actually more lenient.
i had no drama ever. The Rhodesian army was vastly different to the SA army so these good fellas from Rhodesia would have had a few problems.
Mmmm... tell you what, I had a similar experience on SAAF officer's course (1980)... once regarded as a "radical" it was difficult to shake the tag, even though you were just as prepared to sacrifice for your country as the next lad!
Thanks gents, I enjoyed this episode... and I'll go back and have another look at Ops Firewood too!
@Eternal Peace No comment really - apart from saying - the instructors used fellow course members as their informants. Just by the way - we knew this... end of story!
@Eternal Peace Mmmm... I suggest you stay very far away from them then... one thing they don't appreciate is being ridiculed by outsiders who know nothing about their culture! Spend a few years living among them... you might sing a totally different tune - especially when they cover your back for you because you're too blind to see what is happening around you!
It’s great to pay tribute to these heroic men who have so much for the people
Pity today the ANC government’s closest Allies are some of the most evil regimes in the world
Enjoyed this a lot. Many thanks.
Even in the SADF units where the predominant medium of operations was English, the English-speaking members had to try extra hard to do well, both in national service and PF. In certain CF units it could be easier.
And yes, there actually were a few specialised units whose operations were predominantly conducted in English - even in the SA Army.
RMY
Great interview!!
Thank You
Fantastic interview!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'s.........again
Thanks Koos and Greg
As an English speaking South African from Joburg, I was called a Rooi Rus and a kommunist from the first day.
It didn't matter that my Afrikaans was better than most Afrikaaners, and it didn't matter that my family fought against the English in the Boer War.
It didn't matter that I have ancestors buried at Irene Concentration Camp, murdered by British indifference.
I had family arrested with Robie Leibrandts anti-British actions in South Africa... no, I was English-speaking, so I was tainted as far as the Afrikaaners were concerned.
I volunteered to fight communism, but ended up fighting Afrikaans Nationalism.
Little wonder I got gatvol of those bonehead bullies.
Great story. Do you believe that one had to be naturally above average fitness level to make selection ? Had the great opportunity to do my last tour of the border in the 1980 with Col James Hills - got me the fittest I have ever been!
He was my Captain in B company, 1 Parachute Battalion, 74/75 intake. I never had a better leader. We all loved him so much. Durbs, Samora were names given me then in the regiment. I’m 70 at this time, happy to be alive. The Lord is my Shepherd.
Carl, you asked if you had to be ‘above average fitness’ level? For sure. You need to be lean, strong fit (no niggles or prone to injury) and more importantly, strong-minded and determined. I saw many men that were fitter and stronger than I was but they had no single-minded goal or objective and when it got tougher (mentally, emotionally and physically), they gave up. There were many who I had got to know in my shorter and limiter early military career who I deemed as really suitable candidates who ‘should pass selection’ (notice, I said “should”) and who, sadly, did not. I think that my second opportunity or chance to do the selection made me determined. One of my great friends and colleagues, Shaun McHaffie, actually did the selection course twice. He resigned and then went back after a few years and the ‘powers that be’ determined that he should do the selection course again, and so he did. Either he was so determined that he saw no other option. We sometimes joke to say that he must have been ‘mental’ - Shaun would understand that, in coming from me.
We had one or two selection courses where only one candidate finished. That takes balls!
Tx Koos , Greg
Salute / Saluut.
Great interview. Thanks for posting it.
Many years ago I bought a CD, The Recces, with songs sung by Lourens Fourie, a former operator. Great songs on it!
I heard he died. If this is true, does anyone know the circumstances of his passing?
Yes, sadly, he passed
Your comment about how the members of the Railway Police Special Task Force were treated on the South African Police Special Task Force selection course is not true. Apart from the fact that they had to redo the selection process, they were not treated any different from any other member on selection. I was a member of the Railways Police Special Task Force and I was on that selection course in 1988 which I completed and received the trophy for the best student on the selection course, so I don't understand how we were treated different from the others.
Then come and tell us what happened, Koos
Hi Koos. Correct me if I'm wrong . But how is it that I never hear of a 3 RR ...I hear of 1/2/4/ and 5RR but never 3RR ? Or did miss something .
SAS Rhodesia = 6 VK in Durban
Selous Scouts = 3 VK by 5 Recce in Pallies
I have also wanted to ask the same question.
3 Recce was initially planned to be the training wing or 'school' at 1 Reconnaissance Regiment in Durban but several issues prevented this from happening and the SF School was then established outside of Pretoria @ Murray Hill
@@zz2ipper Sorry you got it wrong. 1,5, & 8 were Salisbury based. 4RR was Umtali & 10th Batt was Gwelo. As far as l remember 3RR was based in Northern Rhodesia which ended when it became Zambis & 7 may have also been based there or Nyasaland (Malawi)
Greg next time you get sea sick eat bacon and eggs and you wont get sick again. I was in the Navy at Salisbury island on board the SAS Reijger and my 1 st trip i got sea sick before we even got to Amanzimtoti and our coxswain gave me bacon and eggs to eat and i never got sea sick again hahaha
No man!! You eat at least two big slabs of choclate the night before. You will probably still get sea sick but it wont taste as bad then.
Hello Koos, came across this clip and just asking if you have heard of or have info regarding a true martial professional “Joe Grant Grierson “ He was focused on training and involved with Hunter Group…Saps Special Task Force …Air Marshalls…Rhodesian SAS… Krav Maga with Dennis Hanhover…a very interesting and knowledgeable person…cheers.
No never heard of him. Will ask Paul Danos. K
Hi Marcel, Joe Grant Grierson was part of the Hunter Group that was started in Johannesburg as part of a citizen force regiment, running more or less in parallel timelines with the establishment of Reconnaissance Commando, in Oudtshoorn, before they moved to Durban.
2 Reconnaissance Commando, under the auspices of Sybie van der Spuy (then holding the rank of captain or major) was established from the Hunter Group where some fine men joined 2 Recce and became operators when they passed selection and completed all the other courses they needed to, to complete their SF cycle. Some of these men also operated in Rhodesia as SAS D Squadron ...
Today, the Johannesburg chapter of the SA Special Forces Association is called Fort Hunter in recognition of the Hunter Group.
First!👍
for what it’s worth, The Black Sash was a wonderful organisation.
Wonderful people with an open mind... until I dated a Black Sash members daughter while in the army... she was forbidden by her mom to date me because of my service.
She never asked me my opinions on the political scene, and my answers would have surprised her prejudiced mind.