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Days Of The Generals: The Untold Story of South Africa’s Apartheid-era Military Generals
Days of the Generals is based on interviews with the former generals of the South African Defence Magnus Malan, Constand Viljoen, Jannie Geldenhuys, Georg Meiring, Hein du Toit and Chris Thirion. For the first time, they have opened up and told their side of the story about events in southern Africa from the 1970s to the present. Theirs is an explosive story, giving behind-the-scenes information about covert operations, secret meetings, strategic alliances and full-scale war.
The book looks in detail at South Africa's involvement in Angola, Namibia and Mozambique. It examines the armed struggle of the ANC and the state's war weapons, South Africa's nuclear program and other "top secret" issues. This is essential reading for anyone interested in southern African politics and military history.
The book looks in detail at South Africa's involvement in Angola, Namibia and Mozambique. It examines the armed struggle of the ANC and the state's war weapons, South Africa's nuclear program and other "top secret" issues. This is essential reading for anyone interested in southern African politics and military history.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2007
4 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Hilton Hamann
25 books15 followers I am a former journalist and photographer. In the mid 1980s and early 1990s I was the Pretoria Bureau Chief and Military Correspondent of the Sunday Times in South Africa. I then became a freelancer and supplied material to a wide variety of international magazines, newspapers and news agencies. My work was published in over 55 countries.
My focus, at the time, was on the military campaigns taking place in Southern Africa as well as the political turmoil taking place in South Africa at the time.
My books -- both fiction and non-fiction -- have naturally been influenced by those events.
My novel, "Hobson's Choice", although a work of fiction, is based on actual events and takes readers into the depths of human darkness.
I have also recently published an anthology of 10 short, mainly funny, true stories.
I have been married to my wife, Joy, for over 30 years, have two adult sons and live on a small farm about 50km west of Johannesburg.
Twenty years ago, when I moved to the property, I made an attempt at farming but quickly discovered it was the quickest route to poverty. Now, I just enjoy the open spaces.
My days are spent writing, although I photograph the occasional wedding.
My focus, at the time, was on the military campaigns taking place in Southern Africa as well as the political turmoil taking place in South Africa at the time.
My books -- both fiction and non-fiction -- have naturally been influenced by those events.
My novel, "Hobson's Choice", although a work of fiction, is based on actual events and takes readers into the depths of human darkness.
I have also recently published an anthology of 10 short, mainly funny, true stories.
I have been married to my wife, Joy, for over 30 years, have two adult sons and live on a small farm about 50km west of Johannesburg.
Twenty years ago, when I moved to the property, I made an attempt at farming but quickly discovered it was the quickest route to poverty. Now, I just enjoy the open spaces.
My days are spent writing, although I photograph the occasional wedding.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 24, 2025
Very interesting book about military structure and history of the South Africa during the post-WW2 Apartheid era as seen through the eyes of high ranking generals of the SADF up to the late 1990's when last of the members of the Old Guard was retired from active military position.
Story is told relatively impartially, with criticism [and praise where noted] spread between SADF, SA politicians and government, ANC and related guerilla movements against which SADF was executing the total onslaught policy to keep the political order as it was.
Generals giving their views on the events are officers from all over the SADF - from intelligence, special operation forces, COIN, line units, artillery, logistics to chemical-biological-warfare and nuclear weapons development. As such book truly gives a very clear overview of high ranking officers' actions - officers so high ranking that they were no longer just military professionals but also personnel of substantial political clout, and in some cases potential insurgents [and thus dangerous] in the years when ANC cemented their power.
What I find interesting is that SA in the period of 1960's to mid 1990's was a garrison state, very much defined by constant tension not just with it's neighbors but also internally. Seeing itself as a bastion of Western democracy SA government decided to take more pro-active role and execute series of preventive strikes and military operations on territories of neighboring countries in order to fight the enemy (eternal Red Menace) as far as possible from its borders as possible. In many ways this was continuation of militarization started with Rhodesia with one big difference - SA had a much more powerful economical base and greater strategic location that allowed it to survive international sanctions and pressures and keep pursuing its own national goals. Rhodesian refugees used SA as starting point to other places to live in, or as a new homeland to continue their careers (including security services - which created tensions since Rhodesians were quite bitter about what they saw as an outright betrayal from the West)
All changed in the late 1980's where SA started the road of reconciliation with ANC. This process ended with ANC gaining initiative and upper hand that finally brought end to the Apartheid and complete dismantling of the security apparatus and removal of Apartheid era military structures. How good was this new start is to be seen, and maybe someone will write the book about that side of the coin, or at least publish it for the readers outside the SA.
Author guides us very eloquently through bush wars fought in SWA/Namibia, Angola, operations involving the Recces, infamous CCB, Vlaakplas and Koevoet, assassination operations, nuclear and chemical/biological programs, all the way to TRC and testimonies of high ranking politicians, police, intelligence and military officers about the actions done in last 40-ish years. All of the generals interviewed dont appear to be reluctant to share their experiences ad memories, and it is visible that this group was anything but homogeneous - while able to work with each other, some generals definitely did not like their colleagues (for various reasons, from differences in behavior to views on morals and general competency in military matters).
In all of its behavior it is very hard not to see similarities between two garrison states of the time - Israel and SA - bastions that see themselves as beacons of Western values and democracy, in constant [semi]war state-of-mind, places where military and military industry slowly became predominant elements in the country (comments how G-5/6 where developed to counter artillery encountered during Operation Savannah were truly great) culminating with full militarization of ruling population with that eternal image of bulwark against the Communism and Soviet encroachment.
If generals are to be trusted all of the actions resulted with planned outcome - re-establishment of neighboring countries back to democratic values. Basically they put them onto the proper path to prosperity. This is somewhat weird because - whether one likes it or not - racial views on locals were not that flattering when it comes to gauging their ability to govern. So this part is a little bit stretched, not to say slightly cringey.
Second element that I found painfully silly is disparity in casualties and losses when it comes to encounters between SADF and their opposition on the battlefield (not through proxies). I mean it goes to the levels of couple of hundreds dead on opposition side and like 4 SADF guys hurt because of sprang ankles or malaria. Having read accounts of 32 Battalion members, and having read about Executive Outcomes' experiences throughout Africa in late 1990's (EO being formed by members of the very same units that fought SADF Border War campaign, using very much the same approach to warfare as SADF and engaging in even lower intensity operations than what SADF was doing in Angola) what casualties and losses are given in this book are a joke. I mean ...... joke.
Did the SADF dominate the battlefield - it did. Did the presence of Cubans and Soviets present a major problem - it did. But was the ratio really 1 SADF to couple of hundred opposition - come on. In artillery duels and with use of air bombardment and rocket salvos? I wont go into Cuito Cuanavale discussions because both sides (SADF and Cubans) claim they won there (IMHO SADF can be considered a winner in my opinion, but if this was boxing it would be on points - final blow to Cuban forces was never struck, Cubans held their ground when pushed deep inside Angola until the very end and political settlement).
All in all very interesting book, with lots of information on the way SA security forces functioned and showing complete lack of control at times, which causes chaos with establishing on what is actually happening.
In any case book has that additional value of enabling people that ran all of the operations mentioned to speak and give their own views and comments on the situation.
For anyone interested into modern conflicts and military history in general highly recommended (again with note that some parts are little bit stretched and ..... fantastic :) which is as expected, since numbers in any conflict are something that always lead to speculations, with opposition's counts going up and one's own going down).
Story is told relatively impartially, with criticism [and praise where noted] spread between SADF, SA politicians and government, ANC and related guerilla movements against which SADF was executing the total onslaught policy to keep the political order as it was.
Generals giving their views on the events are officers from all over the SADF - from intelligence, special operation forces, COIN, line units, artillery, logistics to chemical-biological-warfare and nuclear weapons development. As such book truly gives a very clear overview of high ranking officers' actions - officers so high ranking that they were no longer just military professionals but also personnel of substantial political clout, and in some cases potential insurgents [and thus dangerous] in the years when ANC cemented their power.
What I find interesting is that SA in the period of 1960's to mid 1990's was a garrison state, very much defined by constant tension not just with it's neighbors but also internally. Seeing itself as a bastion of Western democracy SA government decided to take more pro-active role and execute series of preventive strikes and military operations on territories of neighboring countries in order to fight the enemy (eternal Red Menace) as far as possible from its borders as possible. In many ways this was continuation of militarization started with Rhodesia with one big difference - SA had a much more powerful economical base and greater strategic location that allowed it to survive international sanctions and pressures and keep pursuing its own national goals. Rhodesian refugees used SA as starting point to other places to live in, or as a new homeland to continue their careers (including security services - which created tensions since Rhodesians were quite bitter about what they saw as an outright betrayal from the West)
All changed in the late 1980's where SA started the road of reconciliation with ANC. This process ended with ANC gaining initiative and upper hand that finally brought end to the Apartheid and complete dismantling of the security apparatus and removal of Apartheid era military structures. How good was this new start is to be seen, and maybe someone will write the book about that side of the coin, or at least publish it for the readers outside the SA.
Author guides us very eloquently through bush wars fought in SWA/Namibia, Angola, operations involving the Recces, infamous CCB, Vlaakplas and Koevoet, assassination operations, nuclear and chemical/biological programs, all the way to TRC and testimonies of high ranking politicians, police, intelligence and military officers about the actions done in last 40-ish years. All of the generals interviewed dont appear to be reluctant to share their experiences ad memories, and it is visible that this group was anything but homogeneous - while able to work with each other, some generals definitely did not like their colleagues (for various reasons, from differences in behavior to views on morals and general competency in military matters).
In all of its behavior it is very hard not to see similarities between two garrison states of the time - Israel and SA - bastions that see themselves as beacons of Western values and democracy, in constant [semi]war state-of-mind, places where military and military industry slowly became predominant elements in the country (comments how G-5/6 where developed to counter artillery encountered during Operation Savannah were truly great) culminating with full militarization of ruling population with that eternal image of bulwark against the Communism and Soviet encroachment.
If generals are to be trusted all of the actions resulted with planned outcome - re-establishment of neighboring countries back to democratic values. Basically they put them onto the proper path to prosperity. This is somewhat weird because - whether one likes it or not - racial views on locals were not that flattering when it comes to gauging their ability to govern. So this part is a little bit stretched, not to say slightly cringey.
Second element that I found painfully silly is disparity in casualties and losses when it comes to encounters between SADF and their opposition on the battlefield (not through proxies). I mean it goes to the levels of couple of hundreds dead on opposition side and like 4 SADF guys hurt because of sprang ankles or malaria. Having read accounts of 32 Battalion members, and having read about Executive Outcomes' experiences throughout Africa in late 1990's (EO being formed by members of the very same units that fought SADF Border War campaign, using very much the same approach to warfare as SADF and engaging in even lower intensity operations than what SADF was doing in Angola) what casualties and losses are given in this book are a joke. I mean ...... joke.
Did the SADF dominate the battlefield - it did. Did the presence of Cubans and Soviets present a major problem - it did. But was the ratio really 1 SADF to couple of hundred opposition - come on. In artillery duels and with use of air bombardment and rocket salvos? I wont go into Cuito Cuanavale discussions because both sides (SADF and Cubans) claim they won there (IMHO SADF can be considered a winner in my opinion, but if this was boxing it would be on points - final blow to Cuban forces was never struck, Cubans held their ground when pushed deep inside Angola until the very end and political settlement).
All in all very interesting book, with lots of information on the way SA security forces functioned and showing complete lack of control at times, which causes chaos with establishing on what is actually happening.
In any case book has that additional value of enabling people that ran all of the operations mentioned to speak and give their own views and comments on the situation.
For anyone interested into modern conflicts and military history in general highly recommended (again with note that some parts are little bit stretched and ..... fantastic :) which is as expected, since numbers in any conflict are something that always lead to speculations, with opposition's counts going up and one's own going down).
June 26, 2011
I have been involved in many of the incidents described in this book. Hilton has portrayed it accurately. Well written and an important part of our history.
April 1, 2018
Interesting, otherwise I would have dropped it. Slightly disjointed accounts of various generals. One doesn't know who to believe.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews