Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988

by Douw Steyn, Arnè Söderlund

This seminal work documents the clandestine sea borne operations undertaken by South Africa s 4 Reconnaissance Commando Regiment. It breathtakingly reveals the versatility and effectiveness of this elite unit which worked with a range of other South African and Rhodesian forces, including the Rhodesian SAS, to engage in a range of raiding and war fighting activities. These operations saw the clandestine reconnaissance of harbors, the sinking of enemy shipping and the destruction of shore installations in Angola and Mozambique. Just some of the tasks undertaken by this extraordinary maritime capability which totaled no more than 45 operators, both black and white!With unparalleled access to previously secret material, the authors, both of whom worked to develop 4 Recce s operating capabilities, trace the origins of the Regiment back to the 1970 s when the South African s determined the need for a maritime force projection capability. They relate how maritime doctrine was developed within South Africa s wider Special Forces capability and how joint operational approaches were configured with the South African Navy. This saw the development of a range of swimmer, reconnaissance, diving and boat operator training courses, along with the design of specialist raiding craft and amphibious assault platforms, which were originated to operate from the Navy s existing shipping and submarines. All of which demonstrated the immense potential of this newly emergent force and the resourcefulness of its individual operators. Required to successfully complete a grueling selection process, the operators of 4 Recce were relentlessly tested to prove their physical and mental mettle, not to mention their leadership skills and initiative. Steyn and Soderlund s chronological analysis of the operations undertaken by 4 Recce and the South African Navy is stunning to behold. They impartially detail the secret and specialized actions which saw both success and failure. From Cabinda on the West Coast to Tanzania on the East, 4 Recce, and whose existence and capability was largely kept secret even within the South African Defence Force, conducted numerous clandestine raids. They attacked shipping and strategic targets such as oil facilities, transport infrastructure and even ANC offices. And sometimes the raids did go wrong, spectacularly so in one instance when two operators were killed and Captain Wynand Du Toit was captured. He was later paraded in front of the world s media, much to the embarrassment of the South African government. This is a fascinating work and one that will enthrall anyone with an interest in Special Forces operations. Profusely illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs, it stands as a testament to the author s endeavors as, respectively, the former Operations Commander of 4 Recce and the former Commander Task Group of the SA Navy - as well as the incredible operators of 4 Recce. Explosive and compulsive, Iron Fist from the Sea takes you right to the raging surf; to the adrenaline and fear that is sea borne raiding...REVIEWS a truly fascinating piece of work I was really impressed by the quality of this volume Miniature Wargames"

Genres: South Africa, Africa, Military Fiction, 20th Century, War

496 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Barry Sierer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steyn and Soderlund have put together a fascinating account of the operations of the SADF’s 4th Reconnaissance Regiment, better known as ”4RR”. This book is written differently than other comparable books on Special Forces units. Whereas similar books on the US Navy SEALS or the British SAS often focus on the mission, in terms the unit’s time in contested territory (with some background information at the beginning), “Iron Fist from the Sea” documents each mission from the initial planning phase, to the operator’s return to their home base. This gives the reader the feeling that they are going through an encyclopedia.

The drawback of this style is that the writing is dry, overly detailed (in some ways), and lacking in excitement. On the plus side, many details of mission planning are explained and the writing still preserves the tension of 4RR infiltrations and extractions, as well as the complications that ensue.

Firefights are a rare occurrence. 4RR’s exploits tend to focus on the various tricks of Seaborne infiltration, sabotage, and reconnaissance missions. These accounts not only involve the operators themselves, but naval strike craft and submarines.

Despite its “dry” style, the book is a catalog of seaborne SADF missions in the 1980’s and worth the time for those interested in South African military history and the nuances of infiltration by sea.

[Ryan K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man, I wanted to love this book, I really did.

It is not often you can find a lot of information on South African special forces and their missions. The Recces being at the top of the food chain for their SOF elements, this had promise I had hoped.

Well, hope is not a strategy.

If you are looking for first hand accounts of operations with a lot of excitement and balls out Michael Bay levels of action and explosions, save your money. This will definitely not be your jam. If you want a painfully well documented, exceedingly thorough account of ship staffing, departure times, routes, equipment, training, and very difficult operations pulled off without a hitch , you are in luck!

This book is honestly very well written and accurate for what it is - I see it more as a historical archive and documentation then anything. To that degree of accuracy and detail, you would be hard pressed to find better. It's just not... exciting for the most part. With the exception of one or two operations, there isn't a ton of 'action' as you would probably want. That is a testament unto itself of the amazing skill and expertise of the Recces and supporting naval assets themselves.

For what the book does and how it is written - awesome job. If you want tale after tale of combat and neck stabbing, face shooting, grenading every room CQB slaughter, carry on.

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good cut-and-dry account of the South African special forces from their beginning in the 1970s through the 80s. The men who fought in these units were tough, but mostly they were sneaky. Their goal was to be in and out of their operation areas without detection. They were so good at what they did, that the people who they attacked often believed they were attacked by radical groups of extremists. This misconception was good for both South Africa, and the groups who enjoyed the notoriety of the accomplishments. Overall, it was a good book with plenty of action. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading war novels, are interested in South African history, or anyone who likes long books solely for the reason that they are long.

[Wai Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

During Apartheid era, South Africa waged war on her neighboring countries by various means. Among those countries, Angola and Mozambique have the long coast lines and weak naval capability. SADF exploit this weakness by utilizing 4RR (4th Reconnaissance Regiment) and SA Navy for seaborne attacks on harbors, oil farms, oil refineries, bridge and various targets.

This book describes these operations in painstaking details, I am afraid to say, too much details. In similar books, about special operations, mostly focus on the exciting operations and only give some brief information on planning and background.

However, in this book you will read from the initial planning, trainings, approaching to target area by submarine/ strike boats (FAC), recon before operation, actual operation, withdrawal from operation until arrival to their home bases. These contents make this book very reliable for fact checking and to be used as reference however it also makes very slow paced and dry reading.

And as the South Africans wanted to conceal their involvements and their seaborne capabilities, the special forces operator avoids contact with enemy forces at all costs during operations, there were very few shootouts with enemy forces – come to think of it only two times, one in Mozambique and another in Angola with disastrous results; two operators killed and one captured.

Ironically most exciting operation in this book is, not a raid from sea but a riverine one, where 4RR divers blow up a bridge in Angola under enemy fire while braving strong current in crocodile infested river.

Also as said in above, in order to conceal their involvements, SADF usually credits their success to their allies; UNITA in Angola and RENAMO in Mozambique. For example, in many years ago I have read in a book about sinking of dredgers in Beira harbor, Mozambique. At that time, it was credited to Rhodesian SAS and RENAMO. Only now after reading this book I learn that it was the joint operation with SADF and raiders came from sea.

I also learn from this book the condition of SA Navy under international sanctions - the mechanical defects were ramparts and ships and equipment broke down numerous times. However naval personal could rectify the issues, it is the testaments of SADF resilient and resourcefulness under international pressures.

Another positive thing I learn is employment of medical teams embedded into special operators in every case.

All in all, I give this book 5 stars for factuality but only 3 stars for readability – so average will be 4 stars.

[Eddie Booyjens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

To the point and factual. Exactly what I expected and loved the details.

Suggest that this book and the other on the subject , Recce by Koos Stadler, are read shortly after each other as both books contents paint a complete picture of the land and sea capabilities of the unit.

Highly recommended book which debunks all fallacies about Recce's, killing the stereotype once and for all!

[David padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Excellent book but it reads more like a series of AARs than what I expected. I thought it would include more on the training and selection and be a little more focused on the individual operators; nonetheless an excellent treatise...