View Full Version : Quite a nice photograph of a combat jump.
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 03:18
This was taken in 1978 during an assault on a fortified enemy base in Angola. We were under fairly heavy fire while descending so you can see I have unfastened my belly band so as to have my rifle immediately to hand on landing. The white cloud is in fact smoke from a bomb run made 3 minutes before P Hour.
What the Hell was your budy doing taking Photos on a Combat Jump?:p
Nice Photo.........
Destrier
08-18-2012, 08:36
What the Hell was your budy doing taking Photos on a Combat Jump?:p
Nice Photo.........
Multi-tasking
Inflexible Six
08-18-2012, 08:36
What the Hell was your budy doing taking Photos on a Combat Jump?:p
Nice Photo.........
My thought as well. I have one blurred snapshot of my unit in contact taken by a friend and my first question to him when he showed it to me was: "Why weren't you shooting?" :rolleyes:
Inflexible Six
08-18-2012, 08:40
delete
Nice photo!
Hairy situation, eh? ;)
MK262MOD1
08-18-2012, 09:52
This was taken in 1978 during an assault on a fortified enemy base in Angola. We were under fairly heavy fire while descending so you can see I have unfastened my belly band so as to have my rifle immediately to hand on landing. The white cloud is in fact smoke from a bomb run made 3 minutes before P Hour.
Guy,
Would you mind giving more background history on the jump / mission. This is a great photo and as a Mid 70s Africa military history reader I would be fascinated to hear your account.
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 12:01
What the Hell was your budy doing taking Photos on a Combat Jump?:p
Nice Photo.........
SF, I was also taking pictures and a movie at the same time. One needs something to show the kids what Dad did in the war, or not?
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 12:21
Guy,
Would you mind giving more background history on the jump / mission. This is a great photo and as a Mid 70s Africa military history reader I would be fascinated to hear your account.
MK, the full account of this operation is in my book which is available from Amazon, either for Kindle or a printed copy (I suggest the printed copy so you can see the colour pictures in full colour) or you can buy the OC of the operations's book Eagle Strike from Bushwarrior.com.
My book is called The Battle for Cassinga by Mike McWilliams and the Colonels is Eagle Strike by Jan Breytenbach. If you dont feel like buying either one, the book Skymen, by Bob Kershaw has a chapter on the raid.
If you still dont want to read those, here is a very brief summary.
The base Cassinga was 250 km into enemy territory in Angola. It was SWAPOs main transit and training camp for terrorists infiltrating into South West Africa in the south. We only had the facilities to drop 367 paratroopers onto the camp, so we executed a box drop around the camp at the time of their morning parade. Although the camp housed around 5000 troops, we hoped that the element of surprise and a brief bombing run would enable us to prevail. For various reasons, the attack group was dropped half on one side of a river and half on the other, delaying the attack by at least an hour and a half. This meant that the fight which we had hoped would take about two hours lasted most of the day. The enemy was well entrenched and used AA guns both at us in the air and in a ground role. Eventually we prevailed and helicopters came to extract us. We only had enough choppers to take half of us out and then refuel and return for the other half. While we were at half strength, waiting for the second lift, an armoured column of Cubans arrived form a nearby base to help SWAPO. We blew up the lead tank with a mine we had laid for this eventuality, but had to destroy the other twenty odd vehicles with RPG fire and some help from a Buccaneer, who was out of ammo. We inflicted Cubas biggest single days loss of men in the war on that day and were finally extracted by chopper thereafter. Scorecard showed about 1500 SWAPO dead, 150 Cubans dead and 3 of our Paratroopers KIA and one MIA in the croc infested river.
MK, the full account of this operation is in my book which is available from Amazon, either for Kindle or a printed copy (I suggest the printed copy so you can see the colour pictures in full colour) or you can buy the OC of the operations's book Eagle Strike from Bushwarrior.com.
My book is called The Battle for Cassinga by Mike McWilliams and the Colonels is Eagle Strike by Jan Breytenbach. If you dont feel like buying either one, the book Skymen, by Bob Kershaw has a chapter on the raid.
If you still dont want to read those, here is a very brief summary.
The base Cassinga was 250 km into enemy territory in Angola. It was SWAPOs main transit and training camp for terrorists infiltrating into South West Africa in the south. We only had the facilities to drop 367 paratroopers onto the camp, so we executed a box drop around the camp at the time of their morning parade. Although the camp housed around 5000 troops, we hoped that the element of surprise and a brief bombing run would enable us to prevail. For various reasons, the attack group was dropped half on one side of a river and half on the other, delaying the attack by at least an hour and a half. This meant that the fight which we had hoped would take about two hours lasted most of the day. The enemy was well entrenched and used AA guns both at us in the air and in a ground role. Eventually we prevailed and helicopters came to extract us. We only had enough choppers to take half of us out and then refuel and return for the other half. While we were at half strength, waiting for the second lift, an armoured column of Cubans arrived form a nearby base to help SWAPO. We blew up the lead tank with a mine we had laid for this eventuality, but had to destroy the other twenty odd vehicles with RPG fire and some help from a Buccaneer, who was out of ammo. We inflicted Cubas biggest single days loss of men in the war on that day and were finally extracted by chopper thereafter. Scorecard showed about 1500 SWAPO dead, 150 Cubans dead and 3 of our Paratroopers KIA and one MIA in the croc infested river.
I'll get all three of those books. :cool:
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 13:26
I'll get all three of those books. :cool:
Dusty,
If you have Kindle, Skymen is an excellent history of paratrooping around the world and very good. Here is a picture taken at the launch of my book at Queen Victorias Rifles in London last December. Me with author of Skymen Bob Kershaw, who kindly attended.
ZonieDiver
08-18-2012, 14:21
Dusty,
If you have Kindle,
To quote Larry the Cableguy... "Now, that's some funny shit right there.":D
... and one MIA in the croc infested river.
Good Lord, given a choice I think I would rather be KIA than turned into croc crap...
For the life of me, I can't figure how folks live around them.
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 15:12
Good Lord, given a choice I think I would rather be KIA than turned into croc crap...
For the life of me, I can't figure how folks live around them.
They often dont.
To quote Larry the Cableguy... "Now, that's some funny shit right there.":D
lol He was playing it safe, Bro. :D
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 16:12
lol He was playing it safe, Bro. :D
Hollywood tells me all you Americans have every new gadget the minute it is launched. Have we been deceived....again?
ZonieDiver
08-18-2012, 16:18
Some of us old guys are more attuned to "kindling" than "Kindles"!:D
The first time I had ever heard of Angola, or "The Bush," was as a kid (probably 12 or 13ish) reading my Soldier of Fortune magazines. Thanks for the brief summary, Guy.
ZonieDiver
08-18-2012, 16:46
The first time I had ever heard of Angola, or "The Bush," was as a kid (probably 12 or 13ish) reading my Soldier of Fortune magazines. Thanks for the brief summary, Guy.
So... that's what happened to you! :D
So... that's what happened to you! :D
Negative, ZonieDiver, it was when I started cuting out the pictures of tanks and choppers and pinning them on my wall when we really noticed the changes:cool:
I remember your jump Guy..I was in Italy in the 509th ABCT at the time. We were envious but with Jimmy Carter as Pres we had a better chance of jumping thru our own asses.
Good luck with your book.
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 22:11
I remember your jump Guy..I was in Italy in the 509th ABCT at the time. We were envious but with Jimmy Carter as Pres we had a better chance of jumping thru our own asses.
Good luck with your book.
Thanks PRB, there is not really any money in it, being a bit of a specialized subject. In retrospect, I should have called it Harry Potter and the Camp of Doom. It is however in its second edition already, so for a SA military book, it is doing very well. It is quite a quick read. Only 40 000 words. The publisher says the target audience of mainly Paratroopers, have the attention span of goldfish, so perhaps that is why it is quite popular.
MK262MOD1
08-18-2012, 22:23
I to will be getting all 3.
TiroFijo
08-18-2012, 23:31
Wow, great foto :)
I remember at the time watching pictures of the wrecks of the SWAPO and captured equipment and at the same time reading about Cuba's great victories in Angola...
Guymullins
08-18-2012, 23:59
Wow, great foto :)
I remember at the time watching pictures of the wrecks of the SWAPO and captured equipment and at the same time reading about Cuba's great victories in Angola...
Yes Tiro, we were no good at propaganda, and the truth was not palatable to anyone, not even our friends in the West. I see you are from Asuncsion in Paraguy. This operation took place on Ascension Day 1978. Many souls went to heaven on that day.It was the last war the Soviets and their surrogates, the Cubans were involved in before the Berlin Wall came down. As a result, neither Namibia or SA were cursed with a Communist Dictatorship when majority rule was granted. It is a great pity Rhodesia could not hold out as long, but got the Communist Dictator Mugabe instead.
Yes Tiro, we were no good at propaganda, and the truth was not palatable to anyone, not even our friends in the West. I see you are from Asuncsion in Paraguy. This operation took place on Ascension Day 1978. Many souls went to heaven on that day.It was the last war the Soviets and their surrogates, the Cubans were involved in before the Berlin Wall came down. As a result, neither Namibia or SA were cursed with a Communist Dictatorship when majority rule was granted. It is a great pity Rhodesia could not hold out as long, but got the Communist Dictator Mugabe instead.
I've often wondered why the world is so blind to how phenomenally screwed-up that situation turned out.
You can't change it by going over there and adopting pet kids, either.
TiroFijo
08-19-2012, 15:02
Yes Tiro, we were no good at propaganda, and the truth was not palatable to anyone, not even our friends in the West. I see you are from Asuncsion in Paraguy. This operation took place on Ascension Day 1978. Many souls went to heaven on that day.It was the last war the Soviets and their surrogates, the Cubans were involved in before the Berlin Wall came down. As a result, neither Namibia or SA were cursed with a Communist Dictatorship when majority rule was granted. It is a great pity Rhodesia could not hold out as long, but got the Communist Dictator Mugabe instead.
It is a real shame that Rhodesia could not hold... that period of time should be remembered with shame by the West, what a show of hypocrisy and stupidity. Since Paraguay was one of the few SA friends at the time I got "Panorama" magazines and the SA point of view too. Later in '91-93 I got to study in SA and traverl around africa to see things firsthand.
All the people and nations that were so shocked by the white rulers in africa are so unconcerned today about the "majority rule" dictators, their hideous crimes, and blatant incompetence.
Guymullins
08-19-2012, 15:39
It is a real shame that Rhodesia could not hold... that period of time should be remembered with shame by the West, what a show of hypocrisy and stupidity. Since Paraguay was one of the few SA friends at the time I got "Panorama" magazines and the SA point of view too. Later in '91-93 I got to study in SA and traverl around africa to see things firsthand.
All the people and nations that were so shocked by the white rulers in africa are so unconcerned today about the "majority rule" dictators, their hideous crimes, and blatant incompetence.
I spent a few years in Rhodesia, it was the nicest country I have ever been to and funnily enough, it had the best race relations too. Ian Smith was the most honest politician in the world at the time, and this was one of the reasons for his downfall. He could not ever really believe the British duplicity.
You can't change it by going over there and adopting pet kids, either.
Maybe I'll burn in Hell but, that's flat ass funny to me.
Ambush Master
08-19-2012, 15:56
This was taken in 1978 during an assault on a fortified enemy base in Angola. We were under fairly heavy fire while descending so you can see I have unfastened my belly band so as to have my rifle immediately to hand on landing. The white cloud is in fact smoke from a bomb run made 3 minutes before P Hour.
Just a quick question Guy, what altitude did you Folks Jump from?? It looks awfully high for a Combat Jump!!
Later
Martin
Just a quick question Guy, what altitude did you Folks Jump from?? It looks awfully high for a Combat Jump!!
Later
Martin
How do you expect them to get decent pics at 500 feet? :D
Ambush Master
08-19-2012, 17:21
How do you expect them to get decent pics at 500 feet? :D
I'd be more concerned with the "decent SIGHT PICS" that I'd be providing with all of that additional loiter time under canopy!! Hell, I've deployed a "Belly Wart" Tricon out of the door @ around 100'AGL and I really wouldn't have cared to have been shot at for the time that I was under canopy!! Having been shot at, quite a bit, I would not care to be under canopy for very long!
Since there was a "Belly Band" involved here, I'd assume that a Reserve was there. I'd think that a combat Jump would have been minimal altitude and even less gear!!
greenberetTFS
08-19-2012, 18:11
To quote Larry the Cableguy... "Now, that's some funny shit right there.":D
ZD is right about Kindle Guy,an old walrus like me just got finished ordering my printed copy of your book from Amazon,really eager to read it after going thru these posts..........;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Guymullins
08-20-2012, 03:07
Just a quick question Guy, what altitude did you Folks Jump from?? It looks awfully high for a Combat Jump!!
Later
Martin
It is very deceptive, I think mainly because of the "cloud" which was at tree height and the early morning light on the sparse bush. Our usual jump height is 800 ft, but on this occasion, all aircraft ran in at 500ft (there were 7) and were meant to pull up to 700 ft for exit. However, the scale of the DZ had been miscalculated by 50% so the pilots of the attack group, which I was in, pulled up late and began dropping immediately as the DZ was half the size we had been told it was. I was seventh in the door, so I estimate this picture was taken at about 400 ft as I had already had time to unfasten my belly-band and asses my drift and pull down on a lift-web to avoid the river. Remember, that photo was taken at almost the same level as I , so the ground is not vertically viewed, so it looks much further than what it actually was. The 16mm movie I shot of the jump showed I was in the air for 29 seconds.
Inflexible Six
08-20-2012, 14:23
367 SA Paras vrs 5000 Swapos + Assorted Cubans Advisors=1500 Swapo KIA and 150 Cubans. And only 4 SA Para KIAs. With all due respect to your fallen troopers, it must have been quite the turkey shoot.
TiroFijo
08-20-2012, 15:51
Mike, what percentage of the casualties were inflicted by the air force bombing prior to the Parabats jump?
How well trained were the SWAPO? I understand their commander fled under the attack. But I'm sure it took bronze balls to advance against AA artillery and a hugely superior (in numbers) and determined enemy in entrenched positions, no matter what level of training disparity.
There was quite a lot of propaganda by the cubans and their allies after this raid, claiming unfair attack on a refugee camp, intentional killing of non combatant women and children, and BS like that. Just like the previous Cuito Carnevale "victory". But the truth is that the south africans almost always fared amazinly well against the soviet block/cuban supported armies and guerrillas.
Inflexible Six
08-20-2012, 17:10
Mike, what percentage of the casualties were inflicted by the air force bombing prior to the Parabats jump?
How well trained were the SWAPO? I understand their commander fled under the attack. But I'm sure it took bronze balls to advance against AA artillery and a hugely superior (in numbers) and determined enemy in entrenched positions, no matter what level of training disparity.
There was quite a lot of propaganda by the cubans and their allies after this raid, claiming unfair attack on a refugee camp, intentional killing of non combatant women and children, and BS like that. Just like the previous Cuito Carnevale "victory". But the truth is that the south africans almost always fared amazinly well against the soviet block/cuban supported armies and guerrillas.
Yeah, by "turkey shoot" I didn't mean to imply in the least that it wasn't a hard fought and dangerous fight. On the contrary, I think the disparity in casualties shows what happens when highly trained professional combat troops meet irregulars who choose to stand their ground instead of running. I think there's not a soldier here who isn't impressed by the odds you paras faced that day...and all who've been in hard fought contacts would like to have seen the same outcome, the enemy stays in one place long enough so you can kill him in large numbers. Bravo.
twistedsquid
08-20-2012, 17:28
Bravo Zulu GuyMullins and crew
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 08:38
Mike, what percentage of the casualties were inflicted by the air force bombing prior to the Parabats jump?
How well trained were the SWAPO? I understand their commander fled under the attack. But I'm sure it took bronze balls to advance against AA artillery and a hugely superior (in numbers) and determined enemy in entrenched positions, no matter what level of training disparity.
There was quite a lot of propaganda by the cubans and their allies after this raid, claiming unfair attack on a refugee camp, intentional killing of non combatant women and children, and BS like that. Just like the previous Cuito Carnevale "victory". But the truth is that the south africans almost always fared amazinly well against the soviet block/cuban supported armies and guerrillas.
Tiro, it is hard to say because we were not counting at any time, but it was less than 100. The Alpha bombs we used were a great disappointment. They , instead of bouncing up and exploding sunk into the soft sand that the base was built on. They made a great spectacle, but caused very little damage. One can see from the photos I took, that the parade ground had only a few bodies on it. The vast majority of bodies were in the trenches which surrounded the town. Everyone I shot was in the trenches, apart from a Russian who I shot while he was trying to radio for help, he was in one of the bases buildings. There were quite a few woman soldiers, all armed and unifornmed and there were some children that SWAPO had kidnapped from SWA in order to con the UN into believing it was a refugee camp. These luckily were not harmed but we unfortunately did not have any spare capacity to take them home on our helicopters.
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 08:55
Yeah, by "turkey shoot" I didn't mean to imply in the least that it wasn't a hard fought and dangerous fight. On the contrary, I think the disparity in casualties shows what happens when highly trained professional combat troops meet irregulars who choose to stand their ground instead of running. I think there's not a soldier here who isn't impressed by the odds you paras faced that day...and all who've been in hard fought contacts would like to have seen the same outcome, the enemy stays in one place long enough so you can kill him in large numbers. Bravo.
Inflexible, our army was made up of a tiny Professional component , who were responsible mainly for training, the rest were civilians who were called up for National Service after leaving school, thereafter for operational duties every year for at least 3 months per year. Paratroopers often did two tours of 3 months per year. At Cassinga, we had about 5 or 6 Professionals and the rest were Civilian force soldiers. I and most of my mates, was almost 30 at the time, so had done quite a lot of operational service before that attack. The SWAPO were very well trained and it took us almost the whole day to silence the three AA guns, because every time we silenced them, they would be re-manned in moments. Of course we were quite highly motivated in that it was a Win or Walk situation. If we didnt prevail, we would have had to walk back through enemy territory 250 km to our border with very little water ,food or ammo. It didnt help SWAPO that their commander, Dimo Amaambo hopped into his jeep the minute the bombs rained down and headed for the hills. So , yes it was a bit of a turkey shoot, but we were not raw troops by any means, so our bushcraft, fire discipline and caution helped us keep casualties to a minimum while still winning the fight. I am sure that, had young National Servicemen been used, the casualty figures would have been very high.
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 09:09
I'd be more concerned with the "decent SIGHT PICS" that I'd be providing with all of that additional loiter time under canopy!! Hell, I've deployed a "Belly Wart" Tricon out of the door @ around 100'AGL and I really wouldn't have cared to have been shot at for the time that I was under canopy!! Having been shot at, quite a bit, I would not care to be under canopy for very long!
Since there was a "Belly Band" involved here, I'd assume that a Reserve was there. I'd think that a combat Jump would have been minimal altitude and even less gear!!
Yes Ambush, we had reserves and our rifles, LMGs and RPGs were strapped to our sides with the belly bands. A piece of paracord was also fastened to your weapon and your belt so as not to lose it if you undid the belly band in the air. We jumped with two belts of LMG ammo , 9X 20 round mags, kidney pouches stuffed full of grenades, a smoke bomb, a water bottle, some tarzan bars to eat and in my case, a six pack of beer in a wet sandbag. Some carried mortar rounds, RPG rockets or Medic Packs too. I carried a platoon medic pack, a 16mm movie camera and 2 X 35 mm still cameras and quite a bit of film. My pockets were stuffed with packs of cigarettes too in case I had to walk back, I could trade them for water from my mates.
Fascinating. Thanks for the insights/comments posted.
Just bought a copy from Amazon.
Will post a review as soon as I am done reading. Since there are no customer reviews right now, you will be able to tell if I gave u a good or bad review. :p
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 11:56
Fascinating. Thanks for the insights/comments posted.
Just bought a copy from Amazon.
Will post a review as soon as I am done reading. Since there are no customer reviews right now, you will be able to tell if I gave u a good or bad review. :p
Thanks PTI, remember, we are not meant to write, we are meant to shoot.
Team Sergeant
08-21-2012, 12:17
Great pic!
May or June? 1978 we (1-505) were alerted and almost on our way to Africa to give Idi Amin Dada and his posse a dirt nap. We were all a bit disappointed when we were told the mission was scrubbed.
I'll also be purchasing your book! Love paratrooper stories! (even if I do have a short attention span..);)
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 13:57
Great pic!
May or June? 1978 we (1-505) were alerted and almost on our way to Africa to give Idi Amin Dada and his posse a dirt nap. We were all a bit disappointed when we were told the mission was scrubbed.
I'll also be purchasing your book! Love paratrooper stories! (even if I do have a short attention span..);)
Hi Team,
There was a French or Belgium operation a week or two after Cassinga where their paratroopers rescued some white nationals in the Congo I think it was, maybe Kolwezi? If I remember correctly, American aircraft were involved as they didnt have their own handy. I wonder whether that was what you were preparing for? I will look it up and report back.
Here we go. From Wiki : On Saturday,13 May 1978, Ex - Katanges Soldiers supported by Angola, occupied the city. The government of Zaire asked Belgium, France, Morocco and the United States to restore order. The 2e REP, an elite paratroopers unit of the French Foreign Legion, were sent in to drive out the rebels and rescue any hostages. The Belgian army also deployed a force of some 750 Paracommando Regiment paratroopers and moved out just over 1,800 Europeans to other cities in the region. 700 Africans, including 250 rebels,[5] 170 European hostages and 6 paratroopers died.
Inflexible Six
08-21-2012, 14:02
and in my case, a six pack of beer in a wet sandbag.
Okay, beer on a combat jump, BBQ & waterskiing on a sub...where do I sign up? :D
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 14:07
Okay, beer on a combat jump, BBQ & waterskiing on a sub...where do I sign up? :D
Inflexible, the bad news is, the subs are sunk and the destroyers are destroyed, but the good news is...........the beer isnt finished yet.
Team Sergeant
08-21-2012, 15:23
Hi Team,
There was a French or Belgium operation a week or two after Cassinga where their paratroopers rescued some white nationals in the Congo I think it was, maybe Kolwezi? If I remember correctly, American aircraft were involved as they didnt have their own handy. I wonder whether that was what you were preparing for? I will look it up and report back.
Here we go. From Wiki : On Saturday,13 May 1978, Ex - Katanges Soldiers supported by Angola, occupied the city. The government of Zaire asked Belgium, France, Morocco and the United States to restore order. The 2e REP, an elite paratroopers unit of the French Foreign Legion, were sent in to drive out the rebels and rescue any hostages. The Belgian army also deployed a force of some 750 Paracommando Regiment paratroopers and moved out just over 1,800 Europeans to other cities in the region. 700 Africans, including 250 rebels,[5] 170 European hostages and 6 paratroopers died.
That was the operation we were alerted for and later scrubbed. It would have been my "sixth" jump.....;)
Hi Team,
There was a French or Belgium operation a week or two after Cassinga where their paratroopers rescued some white nationals in the Congo I think it was, maybe Kolwezi? If I remember correctly, American aircraft were involved as they didnt have their own handy. I wonder whether that was what you were preparing for? I will look it up and report back.
I was wondering when this would come up... How does one find out when things have been declassified?
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 15:53
That was the operation we were alerted for and later scrubbed. It would have been my "sixth" jump.....;)
Well, it took the heat off us. Our excursions into Angola were frowned upon by everyone and his dog, so any distraction was welcomed. I think you guys had a similar problem going into Laos during your Vietnam punchup?
Guymullins
08-21-2012, 16:25
That was the operation we were alerted for and later scrubbed. It would have been my "sixth" jump.....;)
Would that be 6th Combat jumps Team?
mark46th
08-21-2012, 17:10
"Well, it took the heat off us. Our excursions into Angola were frowned upon by everyone and his dog, so any distraction was welcomed. I think you guys had a similar problem going into Laos during your Vietnam punchup? "
Guy- The U.S. being in Laos wasn't a well kept secret.
Team Sergeant
08-21-2012, 18:02
Would that be 6th Combat jumps Team?
LOL, nope, my sixth jump period.
I enlisted in Jan 1978, went to basic training, infantry training, airborne school and landed at Ft. Bragg and was assigned to 1-505 within 24 hours of my arrival. They were going to war. It was the fastest "in processing" I've ever seen.
"Welcome, here's your gun and ammo, we're going to war!"
Inflexible Six
08-22-2012, 13:54
Inflexible, the bad news is, the subs are sunk and the destroyers are destroyed, but the good news is...........the beer isnt finished yet.
I'll drink to that. :cool:
Inflexible Six
08-22-2012, 13:56
"Well, it took the heat off us. Our excursions into Angola were frowned upon by everyone and his dog, so any distraction was welcomed. I think you guys had a similar problem going into Laos during your Vietnam punchup? "
Guy- The U.S. being in Laos wasn't a well kept secret.
Nope. The US lost more than 100 helos during Lam Son 719. Hard to keep that secret.
Guymullins
02-12-2014, 11:20
My book, The Battle for Cassinga, has been selling quite well since first publication in 2011. Today I see that it was rated as in the top 1.4% of Amazon sales. It seems that most sales are coming from the US and the UK now. The home market of South Africa has been saturated. Thank you all for the support, especially American Paratroopers and Special Forces.
Team Sergeant
02-12-2014, 11:28
Well done Brother! You need to go on a book signing tour in the USA!
My book, The Battle for Cassinga, has been selling quite well since first publication in 2011. Today I see that it was rated as in the top 1.4% of Amazon sales. It seems that most sales are coming from the US and the UK now. The home market of South Africa has been saturated. Thank you all for the support, especially American Paratroopers and Special Forces.
You're welcome! It's a good book.
CDRODA396
02-12-2014, 13:09
Guy you've mentioned your camera and a film a couple of times...where can that be see? ;)
RichL025
02-12-2014, 14:05
Just bought a copy myself.... for my KINDLE :D
Guymullins
02-12-2014, 23:54
Guy you've mentioned your camera and a film a couple of times...where can that be see? ;)
This film was shown on national TV just after the raid in 1978. It was Army property and I was never able to acquire a copy. With majority rule, the military archives have been purged of anything that would embarrass the present regime, and this film did.
To this day, I still chase rumours of its continued existence, but so far, to little effect.
Guymullins
02-12-2014, 23:55
Just bought a copy myself.... for my KINDLE :D
It wont burn you know. The best you can hope for is an insomnia cure.
Guymullins
02-13-2014, 00:03
Well done Brother! You need to go on a book signing tour in the USA!
I would love to. I was last in the US in 1981 for the World Skydiving Champs at Z Hills Florida. Had a fine time then, but our Rand was at R1=$1.20. Today $1=R12 so things are terribly expensive for us. My wife was at a teaching conference in Virginia last year and a cup of Starbucks coffee cost her what a three course meal would cost at home.
I hope my new book which should come out within ten months will get me over to the US for promotions and signings.