Tony, your recount of your time in the Hotel is unbelievable. You possess a bravery most men can't even imagen. It's an honor and a privilege to get to listen to your journey. I was compelled to order your book afterwards, very anxiously waiting it's arrival!
I can't thank you guys enough for producing this amazing series. It is a great comfort to know that other Rhodesian's feel the same as I do. South Africa has been very good to my family and I, but I was born a Rhodesian and will be proud to die a Rhodesian.
Brilliant, wonderful people the Rhodesians I met as a young lad in Hong Kong and the stories shared between my parents and them who were from Uganda and Kenya kept me enthralled for many hours.
We owe so much to the brave men and women who kept us safe during those turbulent years. Thank-you so much Tony for re-kindling half forgotten memories of that special place called Rhodesia.
I remember those attacks on the Falls. I was at the Falls Hotel that night, in the corridors in darkness. Us teenagers watched the mortar attack on the rainforest from the summit bar at the Casino Hotel. Many fond memories growing up in the Falls during the war.
Another great chat, Tony. So many fantastic memories of the amazing people that made Rhodesians who they were at a time many others would have gone to ground. I am sure your positive attitude instilled most of those tourists to just go back and carry on. The blend of call up "stuff" and the life of a territorial call up soldier told in such a humble way is an invaluable historic record. It was an honour to know you as an officer and I am humbled to be able to call you my friend today. Salute, Boet, your leadership style is something I reference in leadership training courses I give to this day.
Dave, what can any person say after reading a comment like yours other than 'thank you' and I enjoy our Whatsapp chats very much indeed. I am amazed by the business success of men I once led (including yours) and that humbles me, so much talent! But at the time we were just young guys with a future still unwritten.
My word. Tony, your story resonates so much with so many loyal and incredibly brave men and women. I have an enduring and passionate disrespect for politicians with a few, very few exceptions. The British, of whom many of us share a heritage fully deserve the moiker of " Perfidious Albion"
I'm British, with many, many Rhodesian friends and family. I can tell you with absolute certainty that a large proportion of the UK's population had nothing but good will toward Rhodesia. And within our armed forces you could probably put the percentage of supporters at close to 100%. So, write that about the British Governments and maybe the Civil Service of the time and you'll be right. 👍
Great to see you again Tony. Amazing story told with honesty and humility. I really hope you will do a third interview. You have a great ability to evoke memories through the sights, sounds and even smells from the past. Green Valley wine - haven’t thought of that rot gut in 40 years. Thank you John for the great series, as always. Jim p.s. Tony, we will find that painting one day - Craig keeps searching.
Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement Jim, it is most welcome! Yes, I would love to auction off that painting and give the proceeds to the old RAR guys trapped in Zim.
Thanks Tony I have watched your TH-cam series in the past , enjoyed them ! Interesting stories from the bygone years .. as dangerous as those years were during the war life was full of fun despite the battles at times . Tatenda John and Hannes.. and Tony for these great series . Long live the green and white ! Respect and salute !
Your talks have been heartfelt and the detail interesting. They say the soil and trees have a huge amount of metal from the war. So the spirit of that time shall not fade. Keep on writing and talking. Cheers, Ross.
Very interesting Tony. Thank you for your story. I remember visiting the Falls in 75 and swimming in the swimming pool at the Vic Falls hotel with our family. Great place. It was a beautiful part of a wonderful country " Rhodesia "
Thanks John and hannes for this channel!!! I'm absolutely loving it. I grew in centenary during the war, was 12 in 1980, so have always had an interest in that period. But being young obviously didn't know alot about the external raids etc and and only now know about the planned and failed invasion by nkomo's lot at Vic falls. Fantastic work guys, keep it up.
@@Toncor12 I was a small boy, naturally where my people were ,was my side. Today as an adult,with the benefit of hindsight,it was a wrong move to chose the path of war,my heart goes out to you guys as kids(18 or so) were turned into killing machines,for a cause that could have been solved over a cup of tea,only if there was mutual respect.
Love these chats. I've been making missions on a war game on my channel. I'm trying to make as realistic as possible and these chats give me amazing insights 💪💚
@@Toncor12 Ho ho, now I know why when I was hitch hiking to Vic falls in 1979 the army truck that gave me a ride handed me a FN Rifle ! Didn’t know it was such a hot area.
this guy is soooo hilarious a dyed in the wool Rhodie!!!! such a good vivid story teller - takes you right there. Reminds me exactly of people i knew in Rhodies - very matter of fact about getting revved.
Great interview once again Tony and John. Fascinated to hear about Gen Walls room being hit by that SAM-7! That would have been the consequence of an untold military response had he/his wife been killed. Fascinating stuff and told with great, endearing humility. Ndatenda chaizvo Tony and John.
1:05:05 Phil & Janet Laing’s 2 girls were at Peterhouse Girl’s High, in Marandellas, (marondera), with my daughter. Phil’s inhumane torture & savage murder was the deciding factor in us leaving Zim’.
I have only just picked up your comment Anna. What a lovely family they were and Phil an exquisite gentleman. I'm sorry you lost a friend in him and subsequently our lovely homeland.
I would like to make a correction, pointed out by a viewer. 1:05:08 into the video: Phil Laing was murdered in the Honde valley, not Burma valley, I got them mixed up in my mind. Apologies.
@@EliteAmmunition Hi my friend thanks for the compliment. I doubt I will write a sequel. I have written my bio called What happened to Friday available on Amazon. I have done 14 talks on TH-cam called Voices of Rhodesian soldiers. You would love another youtube series by another guy entitled Five Romeo Romeo if you like Rhodesian military stories. Thanks again. Cheers.
@@Toncor12 AAAhhhhh Thank You I did not know about your other book. For some reason amazon did not show it. It wasn't until I saw you respond that I found your YT channel and YES I will be listening to the series. I really enjoyed your book, not just because I have an affinity for what happened over there and that it brings me back to when I was a VERY young Tanker in the US Army Cav sitting on the back deck of my tank with some of the Cav Scouts reading SOF and wanting to go over there for REAL action as mercs, it was how it was just a real story. No Hi Speed Low drag BS, just the true emotions, feelings, and experiences. Worts and all. Thank you again for sharing.
I recently saw pictures comparing Salisbury in 79 to now and its a mess.. but Mugabes sons are very wealthy and like showing off their cars on Instagram .
It's men Like you that keep the flame burning bright in our hearts, A true Rhodesian gentleman and brother, Thank you sir 🙏
Bless you brother for your encouragement.
One of the best I have seen. My memories came flooding back of my old land and home. Emotional ending. Thank you Rhodesia for the life you gave me.
Thanks for the accolade Basil, it is very heartwarming!
Tony, your recount of your time in the Hotel is unbelievable. You possess a bravery most men can't even imagen. It's an honor and a privilege to get to listen to your journey.
I was compelled to order your book afterwards, very anxiously waiting it's arrival!
I can't thank you guys enough for producing this amazing series. It is a great comfort to know that other Rhodesian's feel the same as I do. South Africa has been very good to my family and I, but I was born a Rhodesian and will be proud to die a Rhodesian.
Amen Doug!
Yep second that.
Super interveiw, thanks for your service Tony.
Thanks for listening
Thank you very much my friend bless you.
Brilliant, wonderful people the Rhodesians I met as a young lad in Hong Kong and the stories shared between my parents and them who were from Uganda and Kenya kept me enthralled for many hours.
We owe so much to the brave men and women who kept us safe during those turbulent years. Thank-you so much Tony for re-kindling half forgotten memories of that special place called Rhodesia.
Thank you for your support Rikki, bless you! x
I remember those attacks on the Falls. I was at the Falls Hotel that night, in the corridors in darkness. Us teenagers watched the mortar attack on the rainforest from the summit bar at the Casino Hotel. Many fond memories growing up in the Falls during the war.
Yes that place has created profound and permanent memories in my brain. It was the best time of my life.
Another great chat, Tony. So many fantastic memories of the amazing people that made Rhodesians who they were at a time many others would have gone to ground. I am sure your positive attitude instilled most of those tourists to just go back and carry on. The blend of call up "stuff" and the life of a territorial call up soldier told in such a humble way is an invaluable historic record. It was an honour to know you as an officer and I am humbled to be able to call you my friend today. Salute, Boet, your leadership style is something I reference in leadership training courses I give to this day.
Dave, what can any person say after reading a comment like yours other than 'thank you' and I enjoy our Whatsapp chats very much indeed. I am amazed by the business success of men I once led (including yours) and that humbles me, so much talent! But at the time we were just young guys with a future still unwritten.
My word.
Tony, your story resonates so much with so many loyal and incredibly brave men and women.
I have an enduring and passionate disrespect for politicians with a few, very few exceptions.
The British, of whom many of us share a heritage fully deserve the moiker of " Perfidious Albion"
Agreed my brother!
I'm British, with many, many Rhodesian friends and family. I can tell you with absolute certainty that a large proportion of the UK's population had nothing but good will toward Rhodesia. And within our armed forces you could probably put the percentage of supporters at close to 100%. So, write that about the British Governments and maybe the Civil Service of the time and you'll be right. 👍
@@ginojaco Thank you my friend, yes I've met many Brits that supported us all the way.
Great to see you again Tony. Amazing story told with honesty and humility. I really hope you will do a third interview. You have a great ability to evoke memories through the sights, sounds and even smells from the past. Green Valley wine - haven’t thought of that rot gut in 40 years. Thank you John for the great series, as always. Jim p.s. Tony, we will find that painting one day - Craig keeps searching.
Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement Jim, it is most welcome! Yes, I would love to auction off that painting and give the proceeds to the old RAR guys trapped in Zim.
What an incredible talk. Thank you so much. The detail is incredible. 🙏👍
Thanks for your inspiring feedback boet!
A awesome interview wow. That's amazing memories of God's own country.
Thanks for the positive feedback boet.
Inspiring journey Tony, what a long life lived so young!
Thanks Tony bless you brother!!
Thanks Tony I have watched your TH-cam series in the past , enjoyed them ! Interesting stories from the bygone years .. as dangerous as those years were during the war life was full of fun despite the battles at times . Tatenda John and Hannes.. and Tony for these great series . Long live the green and white ! Respect and salute !
Thanks so much for the encouragement boet!
We lived in Sherwood almost next door to Sable chemicals from 1976/7 to 1989. My dad managed a farm there. Interesting talks, thanks.
Very moving talk.
Thank you very much Brad.
Your talks have been heartfelt and the detail interesting. They say the soil and trees have a huge amount of metal from the war. So the spirit of that time shall not fade. Keep on writing and talking. Cheers, Ross.
Cheers Ross for your encouragement, it is well received, thank you.
Total respect. Thank you.
Bless you boet, thank you.
What a memory. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Boet, bless you!
I appreciate the great interview
Cheers boet!
Go you good thing Tony!!
Thanks boet bless you!
Very interesting Tony. Thank you for your story. I remember visiting the Falls in 75 and swimming in the swimming pool at the Vic Falls hotel with our family. Great place. It was a beautiful part of a wonderful country " Rhodesia "
Thank you for your comment Hayden, yes indeed an awesome, awesome place!
Thanks John and hannes for this channel!!! I'm absolutely loving it. I grew in centenary during the war, was 12 in 1980, so have always had an interest in that period. But being young obviously didn't know alot about the external raids etc and and only now know about the planned and failed invasion by nkomo's lot at Vic falls. Fantastic work guys, keep it up.
Tony ,what a good video,what an interesting story.
Glad you enjoyed it
Awesome!
Cheers Adam! !
huge respect for you and all that you contributed, yet another hugely interesting and inspiring story; thanks guys
Thanks Dylan, bless you boet!
Different people, different views, different memories but same country.
Were you our opposition Willmore?
@@Toncor12 I was a small boy, naturally where my people were ,was my side. Today as an adult,with the benefit of hindsight,it was a wrong move to chose the path of war,my heart goes out to you guys as kids(18 or so) were turned into killing machines,for a cause that could have been solved over a cup of tea,only if there was mutual respect.
@@workingwithsnakes.2143 - you are wise and I totally agree with you.
Great stories. Thank you.
Glad you like them!
And wow great clip nearly the end. Great authority figure 😎💪
Thanks for the uplifting comment boet, cheers!
Good on you Tony to step in and save that man from the angry mob...that's what it means to be a man - salute!
Thank you my friend!!
RHODESIA NEVER DIE
Love these chats. I've been making missions on a war game on my channel. I'm trying to make as realistic as possible and these chats give me amazing insights 💪💚
Great Stories 👍👍👍
Glad you like them!
Thanks my friend
@@Toncor12 Ho ho, now I know why when I was hitch hiking to Vic falls in 1979 the army truck that gave me a ride handed me a FN Rifle !
Didn’t know it was such a hot area.
@@joejoe809 - yes indeed it got very hot by 1979.
this guy is soooo hilarious a dyed in the wool Rhodie!!!! such a good vivid story teller - takes you right there. Reminds me exactly of people i knew in Rhodies - very matter of fact about getting revved.
Thanks for the encouragement Kevin, I'm glad you enjoyed my talk. Thank you.
I feel your pain.
Great interview once again Tony and John. Fascinated to hear about Gen Walls room being hit by that SAM-7! That would have been the consequence of an untold military response had he/his wife been killed. Fascinating stuff and told with great, endearing humility. Ndatenda chaizvo Tony and John.
It is a high accolade to be complimented by you Russell thank you so much for your uplifting and encouraging comment. Thanks boet.
We had two bush pigs called Lord and Lady Soames.
Bet you they looked better than Soames, the ugly git!! ha ha
We’ve had a few similar, but less palatable, critters serving in parliament!
Great
Cheers boet!
1:05:05 Phil & Janet Laing’s 2 girls were at Peterhouse Girl’s High, in Marandellas, (marondera), with my daughter. Phil’s inhumane torture & savage murder was the deciding factor in us leaving Zim’.
I have only just picked up your comment Anna. What a lovely family they were and Phil an exquisite gentleman. I'm sorry you lost a friend in him and subsequently our lovely homeland.
Anna, do you now where Janet is now?
Thanks really enjoyed your talk again .
Thank you for the uplifting comment Graeme
The Judge was Hector Macdonald.
Oh yes rings a bell thank you!
Humbling.
RISE O VOICES OF RHODESIA.
Stand tall & proud.....unlike the scum that betrayed us, truth & peace.
Good to hear from you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I would like to make a correction, pointed out by a viewer. 1:05:08 into the video: Phil Laing was murdered in the Honde valley, not Burma valley, I got them mixed up in my mind. Apologies.
Sergeant Henry the warthog could tell us a few stories from Elephant Hills
Would he be willing to be interviewed?
🙏🙏
P.S. I still have my green Rhodesian made bowtie :)
Brilliant!!
I tend to speak slowly so maybe listen at x 1.25 speed, it sounds more fluid.
Really enjoyed your book Mr. Ballinger! Illuminating, insightful, and quite funny at times.
@@tarheelriever2609 Thank you very much indeed my friend!! Nice getting positive feedback.
Yes I loved your book. Almost have enough to right a second book! Do you have a website or any other online outlet to follow on?
@@EliteAmmunition Hi my friend thanks for the compliment. I doubt I will write a sequel. I have written my bio called What happened to Friday available on Amazon. I have done 14 talks on TH-cam called Voices of Rhodesian soldiers. You would love another youtube series by another guy entitled Five Romeo Romeo if you like Rhodesian military stories. Thanks again. Cheers.
@@Toncor12 AAAhhhhh Thank You I did not know about your other book. For some reason amazon did not show it. It wasn't until I saw you respond that I found your YT channel and YES I will be listening to the series. I really enjoyed your book, not just because I have an affinity for what happened over there and that it brings me back to when I was a VERY young Tanker in the US Army Cav sitting on the back deck of my tank with some of the Cav Scouts reading SOF and wanting to go over there for REAL action as mercs, it was how it was just a real story. No Hi Speed Low drag BS, just the true emotions, feelings, and experiences. Worts and all. Thank you again for sharing.
☆☆☆☆☆
Thanks for the high fives boet!
I recently saw pictures comparing Salisbury in 79 to now and its a mess.. but Mugabes sons are very wealthy and like showing off their cars on Instagram .
Complete bastards! They still have to face God!