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Spider Zero Seven
Silver Cross recipient, Mike Borlace is considered to be one of the most experienced combat helicopter pilots of recent times. Now he collates his experiences in this compelling wartime memoir set against the backdrop of the civil war fought in Rhodesia during the 1970s.
Helicopters were a vital component of the small Rhodesian Defence Force and as part of special forces, Borlace and his fellow aircrew soon became key weapons in the counterinsurgency operations. Adopting new flexible tactics and blending stealth with courage, they carried the fight by air to the heart of the enemy, establishing a fearsome reputation. In this vivid history, Borlace chronicles the story of airmen, soldiers and leading figures such as Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe’s communist backed guerillas from the perspective of a professional officer at the sharp end.
In Spider Zero Seven, Borlace humorously recounts the training, living conditions and hardships of his time in the forces. He also touchingly depicts the human side of the military through his portrayals of his fellow pilots, technicians, medics, nurses and flying with his dog Doris.
Out of the 1096 days he served as a pilot in 7 Squadron, Borlace spent 739 days on combat operations. During his 149 contacts with the enemy he was shot down five times and wounded twice. He is one of only five recipients of the Silver Cross, the highest gallantry award given by the air force. With this authority he gives a powerful insight into the violent events of a brutal conflict, in a book that will appeal not only to those interested in military history, but also to a wider readership who enjoy a personal, true-life adventure.
Helicopters were a vital component of the small Rhodesian Defence Force and as part of special forces, Borlace and his fellow aircrew soon became key weapons in the counterinsurgency operations. Adopting new flexible tactics and blending stealth with courage, they carried the fight by air to the heart of the enemy, establishing a fearsome reputation. In this vivid history, Borlace chronicles the story of airmen, soldiers and leading figures such as Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe’s communist backed guerillas from the perspective of a professional officer at the sharp end.
In Spider Zero Seven, Borlace humorously recounts the training, living conditions and hardships of his time in the forces. He also touchingly depicts the human side of the military through his portrayals of his fellow pilots, technicians, medics, nurses and flying with his dog Doris.
Out of the 1096 days he served as a pilot in 7 Squadron, Borlace spent 739 days on combat operations. During his 149 contacts with the enemy he was shot down five times and wounded twice. He is one of only five recipients of the Silver Cross, the highest gallantry award given by the air force. With this authority he gives a powerful insight into the violent events of a brutal conflict, in a book that will appeal not only to those interested in military history, but also to a wider readership who enjoy a personal, true-life adventure.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published February 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2020
Incredibly accurate and matter of fact account of the Rhodesian war. As someone who served between 1975 and 1978, I will never forget the sound of an Alouette helicopter coming in to pick us up. The 7 Squadron pilots were the bravest and most courageous men I have ever met. Laurence Parsons. Boise Idaho
They will never be forgotten by the few of us still around and who remember those days so clearly. Cheers.
They will never be forgotten by the few of us still around and who remember those days so clearly. Cheers.
June 15, 2019
Worth every penny! Every word he wrote rang true to my ears.
His dry wit left me grinning. Brought me back to 1977. His use of Rhodesian slang in his recollections was very authentic.
His dry wit left me grinning. Brought me back to 1977. His use of Rhodesian slang in his recollections was very authentic.
April 8, 2020
This is one of the best personal accounts from the Rhodesian Bush War I've read. Borlace takes his subtle British wit and applies it to my favourite setting of all time: the African Bush. His tales are both hilarious and entertaining, as well as extremely dangerous and sometimes seemingly impossible. He worked with some of the greatest bush warfare operators of all time, and adds a very much needed human element a war that seems insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but one in which many feats of bravery and genius were achieved that very few people know about.
Borlace speaks of his operations with the Selous Scouts, The RhSAS, RLI and RAR. He flew on some of the most innovative and demanding missions of the Bush War, most of them in the pilot seat of the fabled K-Car, loved by ground forces of the Security Forces for Rhodesia, hated by the ZANLA and FRELIMO forces and insurgents.
His humour adds the much needed touch that these incredible men were in fact human beings, and being stretched almost to their physical limits, whilst struggling against difficulties enforced by sanctions, outdated flying doctrine and aircraft and the unfortunate bureaucracy that eventually resulted in the loss of the war.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Bush War. A stellar recount from a British Officer, with a refreshingly objective stance post-war.
Borlace speaks of his operations with the Selous Scouts, The RhSAS, RLI and RAR. He flew on some of the most innovative and demanding missions of the Bush War, most of them in the pilot seat of the fabled K-Car, loved by ground forces of the Security Forces for Rhodesia, hated by the ZANLA and FRELIMO forces and insurgents.
His humour adds the much needed touch that these incredible men were in fact human beings, and being stretched almost to their physical limits, whilst struggling against difficulties enforced by sanctions, outdated flying doctrine and aircraft and the unfortunate bureaucracy that eventually resulted in the loss of the war.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Bush War. A stellar recount from a British Officer, with a refreshingly objective stance post-war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
Amazing account of a very courageous and exceptionally capable pilot, highly recommended for those who understood and reminisce the odds in this war !
A most understated account of a selfless man giving his everything, to make a difference. A must read for those who understand Africa.
A most understated account of a selfless man giving his everything, to make a difference. A must read for those who understand Africa.
July 13, 2020
Great book.
A very interdisciplinary account of a heroic chopper pilot's war in Rhodesia.
Having served, in the Rhodesia Territorial Army, I found this account enlightening and in places amusing.
The summary of the Senior Ranks actions is an opinion shared by myself and many others who were involved. An ABSOLUTE SELL OUT AND A BETRAYAL OF ALL THOSE WHO SERVED.
A very interdisciplinary account of a heroic chopper pilot's war in Rhodesia.
Having served, in the Rhodesia Territorial Army, I found this account enlightening and in places amusing.
The summary of the Senior Ranks actions is an opinion shared by myself and many others who were involved. An ABSOLUTE SELL OUT AND A BETRAYAL OF ALL THOSE WHO SERVED.
September 10, 2020
Interesting read
Well written account of the Rhodesian bush war from an Allouette pilot. I enjoyed reading this book as it was frank and honest account. His observation of the schizophrenic nature of the Rhodesian population's attitude towards the war is also worth further study.
Well written account of the Rhodesian bush war from an Allouette pilot. I enjoyed reading this book as it was frank and honest account. His observation of the schizophrenic nature of the Rhodesian population's attitude towards the war is also worth further study.
February 23, 2023
This is a wonderful book. It had me engaged throughout the entirety of it and I never once got bored. It gives you a different perspective of the Rhodesian conflict. If you’re interested in helicopter warfare and the Rhodesian bush war then this is a must read. Hopefully there’ll be a sequel to this book as the author perhaps alluded to at the end?
January 12, 2020
Must read for Helicopter Pilots and Paratroopers, if both it’s excellent
Having been a OC Commanding a Parachute Regiment and later becoming a Helicopter pilot, HPPL; thoroughly enjoyed the book. Should have had this knowledge imparted to our own Forces and Pilots
Having been a OC Commanding a Parachute Regiment and later becoming a Helicopter pilot, HPPL; thoroughly enjoyed the book. Should have had this knowledge imparted to our own Forces and Pilots
July 31, 2020
accurate recall of a brave country betrayed by incompetent leaders
Thank you for an excellent narative
I look forward to your next recollection of unique times in a grat little country
Thank you for an excellent narative
I look forward to your next recollection of unique times in a grat little country
November 12, 2020
Great read and well written. Very informative. Writer ensures that the reader understands exactly what is happening at all times. Writer also
ensures that the reader is fully aware of what the problems the pilots and aircrew were having to deal with.
ensures that the reader is fully aware of what the problems the pilots and aircrew were having to deal with.
December 28, 2018
Brilliant read buy it
Well written, you feel aboard the helicopters funny in places, would like to have had more about when he was shot down, but a excellent read.
Well written, you feel aboard the helicopters funny in places, would like to have had more about when he was shot down, but a excellent read.
April 10, 2020
Very good read about the operational side of the war
Well worth the read if you are interested in the Bush war in southern Africa et al. Hope to read the next one
Well worth the read if you are interested in the Bush war in southern Africa et al. Hope to read the next one
January 17, 2021
Excellent memories of the Rhodesian war & the hardships evident during that time.
December 22, 2024
Insightful, gritty and inevitably, bitingly incisive in its analysis of all that was good and all that wasn't in Rhodesian Bush War. Borlace provides an unvarnished look at modern warfare and the men and women who wage it. His final chapter provides a brutal analysis of what went wrong and highlights the indifference of elements in the command and control hierarchy to the welfare of the fighting men. There seems to have been an element of the Lions led by Donkeys challenge that bedevilled the British Army.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews