North of the red line : recollections of the Border War by members of the SAAF, SADF and SWATF / Hanlie Snyman Wroth ; translation by Gerry van Tonder.
Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Chopper happening and Swamp Rats pre-1975 -- Operation Savannha Angola 1975 -- Air Strike Cassinga 1976-8 -- Over the border 1979: Backlash to Rekstok -- Taking southern Angola 1980: Ride to Agadir -- Triumph and tragedy 1981 -- Ratels and Bosboks 1982 -- Up and at them: Operation Askari 1983 -- False peace 1984-5 -- Into the night 1986 -- Conventional war 1987-8 I: MiG threat -- Conventional war 1987-8 II: Battles and scars -- Conventional war 1987-8 III: Famous fifteen & firewood -- Nine days in 1989 -- Koevoet and DIY amputation -- Golden Eagles I: Of carriers and bombers -- Golden Eagles II: Swing low, sweet chariot -- Golden Eagles III: Kings of the air -- Lighter moments -- In the Navy -- From their side -- Medics: Unsung heroes -- The comical ones -- We will remember them -- Big guns -- It is over -- Glossary.
Summary:
Over the years, much has been written about individuals and the forces and their operations in what became commonly known as South Africas Border War, or Grens Oorlog, but never before has the human spirit of this 23-year-old conflict been so graphically and unashamedly captured and chronicled as in this book. Equally unique, was the exclusive use of social media to invite and encourage individuals to tell their personal stories, without apology or recrimination, and so provide an indelible oral history of the war. Over a period of three years, 21,000 of them spoke: national service troopies, permanent force officers, aviators, aircrew, medics, submariners and padres. Erstwhile antagonists also stepped up to the plate, placing their own personal first-hand experiences amongst those of their enemies of yesterday: Russians, Cubans, Angolans and SWAPO. The story is further enriched by the inclusion of a rich plethora of hitherto unseen unofficial photographs of stolen memories, in a war situation where the taking of any such photographs was strictly prohibited. Veterans unabashedly wear their hearts on their sleeves, speaking of the psychological impact of untold tragedy and grief; of bravery and unmitigated fear; of shenanigans and mischievous escapades to relieve the pressures of war; of miracles and fate; and of camaraderie.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.