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32 Battalion
Originally formed in order to lend support to the FNLA and UNITA in the Angolan war, 32 Battalion quickly gained the reputation of being an unconventional, secretive, yet highly effective group. Written by a man who was intimately involved with the unit and served as its Regimental Sergeant Major for two years, the book aims to explode the myths surrounding the legendary 32 and set the record straight. It records how and why 32 Battalion was formed, explores its unique identity forged by the men who fought in it, details the many operations in which they participated, and concludes with its eventual disbandment at the dawn of a new South Africa.
What they did, and how they did it, would earn this controversial group official recognition as the best fighting unit in the South African Army since World War II. This book’s unembellished, factual reporting will fill a big gap in the highly popular military genre.
What they did, and how they did it, would earn this controversial group official recognition as the best fighting unit in the South African Army since World War II. This book’s unembellished, factual reporting will fill a big gap in the highly popular military genre.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 20, 2012
After watching Blood Diamond, I was interested in learning more about the mercenary units present in Africa. After reading the descriptions of numerous novels, I chose to read this book. I discovered that this book was not written for someone with no knowledge of Southern Africa (specifically the histories of South Africa, Angola and Namibia). So this novel did not provide me with the information I was seeking, but I gave it four stars because I think that the appropriate target audience would enjoy the novel much.
I was more interested in learning about the political landscape and broad actions taken by mercenary forces. Parts of this novel were really great, but often there was too much detail and I lost interest. My lack of knowledge about the history of South Africa was also detrimental to enjoying this book.
I was more interested in learning about the political landscape and broad actions taken by mercenary forces. Parts of this novel were really great, but often there was too much detail and I lost interest. My lack of knowledge about the history of South Africa was also detrimental to enjoying this book.
December 20, 2014
32 Battalion, Known to there enemies as the Terrible One's.Born out of the post independance movement,When Europeon powers shed there former colonies and granted independance to the indigenous population of said regions. Some would say mercenary force others Freedom Fighters what ever your take these were a group of men who put it on the line daily for what they believed in.Born in the chaos of post independant Angola in 1975 till it's death in post apartheid South Africa in 1992, 32 Battalion proved it self under fire and will go down in history like it or not as the finest unit in South African History ! Taking a line from one of the unit's songs "We come and We go" Say's it all.
December 15, 2025
The story of famed 32 Battalion from her berth to let's say death.
Too clinical to be an absorbing read.
Mostly good for references.
Too clinical to be an absorbing read.
Mostly good for references.
November 9, 2014
32 Battalion covers the life and death of South Africa's 32 Battalion from Operation Savannah to disbandment. It covers their origins, heraldry, organization, and operations that the unit undertook along with their results.
The book is well-written, but is a unit military history of the strictest order. It focuses heavily on large picture events and operations, dates, units, and equipment. There is little in the way of personalities to focus on aside from a few of the higher profile members and commanders. There is nothing wrong with this, it's just a contrast to many accounts which tend to outline and follow specific members or units within a military unit. As such, those averse to writing in this manner, be advised. Luckily for most though, the story and events are wild and exciting enough to hold your attention without any towering personalities to look to.
Another benefit of this book is that much of the usual demonizing of the enemy and lauding of all the unit does is absent here. Nortje, despite being a long-time member of the unit, withholds most of his vitriol from SWAPO and FAPLA and instead focuses it on the post-1990 politicians and securocrats. In this way, the book holds much more weight and fells more impartial than many accounts. To this end, I think that RSM Nortje should be ackowledged.
The book is not without a few faults. The constant mention of obscure place names, dates, and units might turn some off, and with the amount of detail the overall picture gets a little lost at times. Overall, however, this is an excellent introduction to the unit and a useful lead-in to his considerably more in-depth two volume work set to release in the US this Fall/Winter.
The book is well-written, but is a unit military history of the strictest order. It focuses heavily on large picture events and operations, dates, units, and equipment. There is little in the way of personalities to focus on aside from a few of the higher profile members and commanders. There is nothing wrong with this, it's just a contrast to many accounts which tend to outline and follow specific members or units within a military unit. As such, those averse to writing in this manner, be advised. Luckily for most though, the story and events are wild and exciting enough to hold your attention without any towering personalities to look to.
Another benefit of this book is that much of the usual demonizing of the enemy and lauding of all the unit does is absent here. Nortje, despite being a long-time member of the unit, withholds most of his vitriol from SWAPO and FAPLA and instead focuses it on the post-1990 politicians and securocrats. In this way, the book holds much more weight and fells more impartial than many accounts. To this end, I think that RSM Nortje should be ackowledged.
The book is not without a few faults. The constant mention of obscure place names, dates, and units might turn some off, and with the amount of detail the overall picture gets a little lost at times. Overall, however, this is an excellent introduction to the unit and a useful lead-in to his considerably more in-depth two volume work set to release in the US this Fall/Winter.
September 5, 2012
This book was written by a former regimental sergeant major of 32 battalion, a posting that he achieved at an unusual young age. He served on that unit for a good part of his military career.
Because of that, and because of the enthusiasm with which he describes the accomplishments of his unit and defends it against the defamations made by its foes, I approached the facts in this book with caution.
By I don't think there's real reason for that: first because the author went to great trouble to access confidential documents archived by South Africa's military. And also because if a military unit inspires such fierce loyalty, there must really be something special about it.
The result is, by far, one of the best military history books I ever read.
It combines careful presentation of the facts with exciting narration of military operations. It's enriched with a great amount of line drawings and maps (something I find lacking in almost all military books) that help a lot to understand the dimension of the incursions into Angola.
It's very well structured, starting by describing the context in which the battalion was founded (South Africa's intervention in Angola during the independence process, motivated by the struggle for independence of Namibia), followed by the "portfolio" of the unit (structure, home base, traditions, etc) and then by its "curriculum": the description of the military operations it was involved in.
As appendices you get a glossary of military terms and equipment (very useful for those unfamiliar), Roll of Honour and a list of the Battalion traditional songs.
To top it all a collection of photos taken on Buffalo Base and on military operations.
A great homage that other more prestigious and well-known military units should be envious of.
Because of that, and because of the enthusiasm with which he describes the accomplishments of his unit and defends it against the defamations made by its foes, I approached the facts in this book with caution.
By I don't think there's real reason for that: first because the author went to great trouble to access confidential documents archived by South Africa's military. And also because if a military unit inspires such fierce loyalty, there must really be something special about it.
The result is, by far, one of the best military history books I ever read.
It combines careful presentation of the facts with exciting narration of military operations. It's enriched with a great amount of line drawings and maps (something I find lacking in almost all military books) that help a lot to understand the dimension of the incursions into Angola.
It's very well structured, starting by describing the context in which the battalion was founded (South Africa's intervention in Angola during the independence process, motivated by the struggle for independence of Namibia), followed by the "portfolio" of the unit (structure, home base, traditions, etc) and then by its "curriculum": the description of the military operations it was involved in.
As appendices you get a glossary of military terms and equipment (very useful for those unfamiliar), Roll of Honour and a list of the Battalion traditional songs.
To top it all a collection of photos taken on Buffalo Base and on military operations.
A great homage that other more prestigious and well-known military units should be envious of.
March 16, 2012
A must read for any enthusiast.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews