Shadow Tracker Review

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(More customer reviews)Action adventure on the level of Stephen Hunter (Point of Impact, etc) set in the historical Rhodesia of the 1970's guerrilla war, the Shadow Tracker, Kurt Christianson, moves through combat like a ghost: like the even more ghostly Selous Scouts whose clandestine activities are not appreciated. Author Keith Nelson obviously has first hand knowledge which empowers his exceptionally tense and moving style. This is a truly great and enjoyable book.

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Kurt Christianson is a natural military strategist and survivor. Independent, unorthodox, resilient and resolute, he displays skills that flout established procedures. His courage and insight whilst in Special Forces in 'Nam unwittingly unravel a traitorous alliance, making him a threat to his superiors and placing his life in mortal danger. This threat, combined with his inability to adjust to civilian life, spurs him to leave his beloved and beautiful Maine coastline and embark on a path of revelation and serendipity. He crews a boat being delivered to the oil fields in West Africa, where he becomes embroiled in covert action and again demonstrates his innate and inspired tactical abilities. A hunted man, his journey leads him to bitter combat in a brutal landscape, tragic loss and to fulfill a San prophecy whilst wrestling with his alter ego - Mad Medic - and his Viking ancestry.The merciless and barbaric slaughter of a little girl and her family by terrorists move him to astonishing, crucial and shocking acts that change the course of a ravaged and savaged country. Kurt is also driven to revenge, a deed that violates his code of ethics and irreversibly affects his destiny. Ultimately, Kurt faces the inescapable and irrefutable knowledge that heroes are human and therefore fallible and that glory, however hard-won and merited, is illusory and hollow.Shadow Tracker, an adrenaline-charged adventure, engages the reader in events that remain unknown to most of the world and leave one breathless.

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Out of Action Review

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(More customer reviews)As someone who was both born, grew up and lived in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe during the period covered by this book, it probably had an even deeper impact on me. Certainly the author pulls no punches in his (at times) brutal honesty about the situation and himself. I found the description of his daughter crying, clinging and begging him not to leave the family to be absolutely heart-rending. And therein lies the biggest disappointment in the book. The "Afterword" concludes with the strong suggestion that "Despite all that happened, I finally came out of it alright with my (presumably?) new wife, children, job and so on". What about those who were so badly hurt by the author's astonishingly selfish behaviour over many years prior? Are they alright too?

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Originally published as Survival Course in 1999, now long out of print, Out of Action is a reworked and updated edition, the sequel to the bestselling Fireforce - one man's war in the Rhodesian Light Infantry. The book is divided into two distinct parts: Part 1, 'War', chronicles Chris Cocks's final 16 months of combat in the Rhodesian bush war, as a stick leader in PATU, the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit. It is a time of unbelievable cruelty as the part-time white reservists battle overwhelming odds, without air support and … without a future, as Mugabe's ZANLA guerrillas swamp the country in the build-up to independence in 1980.Part 2, 'Peace', recounts the author's painful adjustment to life as a civilian - a fifteen-year odyssey in the embryonic state of Zimbabwe. It is an intensely personal journey in which the author pulls no punches as he describes his clumsy attempts to come to terms with a) the new dispensation of black Africa and b) himself. It is a cri de couer, the story of a young man, brutalized by war, who seeks escape in alcohol and drugs, and who, in the process, causes immeasurable pain and suffering to those around him. These too are the casualties of war. Ultimately, though, it is a story of hope, of a man's triumph over his own demons.

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Delta Scout: Ground Coverage Operator Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed Tony's book in which he was a member of the BSAP (British South African Police) from the late 1970's until the early 1980's.He gives the reader a policemans perspective of fighting the terrorists.Tony would gather intelligence from a wide variety of sources and then either act upon this intel or pass it up the chain of command.

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As a young Patrol Officer, Tony Tretowan was to experience rural life in remote stations in the bush of Matabeleland. He embraced the experience and learned Sindebele within a few months. The book is richly interspersed with anecdotes of wild frontier life - of rowdy prospectors, obstreperous farmers, maverick hunters and bizarre eccentrics. He deals with a wide array of crimes and incidents - from murder, tribal suicide, sorcery, robbery and drunkenness to horrific vehicle accidents.But as the bush war intensifies, Tony finds himself more and more involved in paramilitary operations. Ground Coverage was a BSAP intelligence-gathering unit - operating literally 'on the ground' in the rural areas. Known by his enemy, Nkomo's ZIPRA guerrillas, as Baleka, or 'he who runs hither and thither' because of his propensity for rapidly covering vast areas, alone in his beaten-up police Land Rover, the second part of the book deals with the author's conversion from civilian policeman to full-blooded counter-insurgency operator in an African guerrilla war. Told with a sensitivity and pathos that is rare in military memoirs, Delta Scout is a brutally honest, compelling account of innocence lost.

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Dropzone Africa: Airborne and Airmobile Warfare in Southern Africa: 1961-1994 Review

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(More customer reviews)Pre-ordered this book when it first appeared on Amazon, now it was here and gone. It has been so long Amazon pulled the order. Do not post your publications on Amazon if you do not intend to send them. Thanks 30 Degrees South!

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Much has been written on airborne and airmobile warfare from a First World perspective, but very little has been written from Africa's. The African-and especially southern African-operational theatres posed unique challenges. The lack of infrastructure, the lack of key points to attack, as well as the lack of mobility facing conventionally mounted forces and their subsequent inability to respond rapidly over the types of distances inherent in most African operational theatres, all played a role in the development of a uniquely African approach to this type of warfare. France's experiences in Algeria and the birth of the helicopter ‘gunship' and its associated tactics led the way. Foremost among the forces operating in subsequent theatres were the Portuguese, Rhodesians and South Africans during their various counter-insurgency (COIN) campaigns, with the helicopter playing a pivotal role with its mobility, firepower and shock effect. This book studies the role played by their airborne and airmobile forces during these campaigns as well as their equipment, doctrine and tactics. While it is safe to say that the advent of rotary-winged aircraft had a seminal impact on modern warfare, it had an even greater effect on the COIN battlefield. Combining both the advantages of the glider (concentration of force upon landing) and the parachute (vertical descent) and having none of their disadvantages, it changed the face of vertical envelopment overnight.

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Fireforce: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great book, written by a guy who has more combat jumps than ANYONE in the US or UK military (well, that's unsubstanitated...but I'm pretty sure.) The book's about a conscript who signs on to become a regular in the Rhodesian Security Forces, Rhodesian Light Infantry. These guys jumped in combat several times a week. The American Paratroopers who had the most jumps in WW2 had maybe 5 combat jumps. The author had close to 40. I cannot say enought good things about this book. It's well written and easy to read. Very informative and full of good information. I'm reading these books to get insight on how to win against guerillas. The Rhodesians won militarily, but lost due to politics. It's the typical story of how the military does the right thing, fights well and wins, but is held back by gutless politicians. OK enough rant from me. The book is good. Lots of action, lots of detail. I'm not a professional reviewer (as if you couldn't tell), but this book was great! One of those that I didn't want to be over! The only better book I've read on the Rhodesian Bush War is At The Going Down Of The Sun, by Charlie Warren, another trooper that served with the author in the same unit. Both books are good and highly reccomended.

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Fireforce is the compelling, brutal but true account of Chris Cocks' service in 3 Commando, The Rhodesian Light Infantry, during Zimbabwe s bitter civil war of the '70s a war that came to be known almost innocuously as 'the bush war'. 'Fireforce', a tactic of total airborne envelopment, was developed and perfected by the RLI, together with the Selous Scouts and the Rhodesian Air Force. Fireforce became the principal strike weapon of the beleaguered Rhodesian forces in their struggle against the overwhelming tide of the Communist-trained and -equipped ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrillas.The combat strain on a fighting soldier was almost unbelievable, for the Rhodesians, who were always desperately short of ground troops, were sometimes obliged to parachute the same men into action into as many as three enemy contacts a day. While estimates of enemy casualties vary, there seems little doubt that the RLI accounted for at least 12,000 ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrillas - but not without cost. Fireforce is not for the squeamish. Although it has been written with unforgettable pathos and humor, it tells of face-to-face combat in the bush and death at point-blank range. It is a book which does nothing to glorify or glamorize war, for as Chris Cocks found at such a young age, war is merely a catalogue of suffering, destruction and death.Fireforce has been described by critics as being to the Rhodesian War what All Quiet On The Western Front was to World War I and Dispatches was to Vietnam. Read it ... it will an experience you never forget.

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Winds of Destruction: The Autobiography of a Rhodesian Combat Pilot Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent history written by an officer who played a central role in realizing the air-ground joint coordination essential to Rhodesia's lethal "Fire Force" operations against communist insurgents. It is also de facto a history of the Rhodesian Air Force before and after UDI. Lavishly illustrated and detailed, it is a must-have for any serious student of the war. Since titles on Rhodesia sell out and become costly to find when out of print, one would do well to purchase this sooner rather than later.

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A unique account of one man's service in the Rhodesian Air Force, spanning a period of twenty-three years from 1957 to 1980 - through the politically turbulent years of Federation; the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (U.D.I.) by Ian Smith's government in 1965 and thirteen years of relentless, uncompromising bush warfare against the never-ending tide of Robert Mugabe's and Joshua Nkomo's ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrillas. In a grueling conflict that permitted no quarter, the Rhodesian Air Force (Rh.A.F.) fast became one of the Rhodesian Defence Force's most lethal and effective counter-insurgency organs. In pre-emptive bombing strikes against enemy camps in Mozambique, Zambia and as far afield as Tanzania; in its integral role as a troop-carrier and airborne strike force in 'Fireforce' operations; in working closely with such specialist units as the Selous Scouts, the S.A.S., the R.L.I. and the R.A.R., the Rhodesian Air Force was never far from the action and in no small way responsible for the astonishing military successes against a vastly numerically superior army.This all in spite of the international sanctions against Rhodesia, which ordinarily would have brought a nation's armed forces to its knees. However, forced by circumstances, the Rh.A.F. was obliged to maximize usage of its aging fleet of fighter-bombers, transports and helicopters and to resort to innovative techniques in terms of tactics and weapons systems, many of which were later adopted by the South African Air Force in its own counter-insurgency operations in Angola and Namibia in the '80s.

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The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry Review

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Having served in the current counter-insurgency conflict in Afghanistan I have a natural curiosity about other tactics and theories on counterinsurgency warfare. The Saints" the Rhodesian Light Infantry" is a indepth biography of one of the most effective and truely light infnatry forces in the history of the world. Over 500 pages of indepth firsthand accounts and stunning photos of the RLI. While it is considered to be an "unpopular war" in the circles of historians, I have found much of the material pertinent as well as enligtening. It is well worth the investment and for any militray historian or buff of the COIN wars of southern africa this is a must have. The DVD that is included makes a wonderful Multimedia companion to the text.


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Very little about the RLI had been published; it was often underrated, but arguably one of the most effective counter-insurgency units of all time. This was the unit that brought the 'Fireforce' concept to the world s attention - the devastatingly ruthless airborne envelopment and annihilation of a guerrilla enemy. Dubbed 'The Killing Machine' by Charles D. Melson, chief historian of the US Marine Corps, the RLI was a veritable 'foreign legion' with over 20 diverse nationalities serving in her ranks. The RLI fought the bitter Zimbabwean 'bush war' for 15 years, against the overwhelming tide of communist-trained guerrillas. Kill rates don't win wars, but during its brief 19-year history, it is estimated that the RLI accounted for between 12,000 and 15,000 enemy guerrillas, for the loss of 135 men. RLI soldiers were recipients of four Silver Crosses and 42 Bronze Crosses of Rhodesia. An RLI trooper holds the world record for operational parachute descents - a staggering 73 op jumps - most under 500 feet! This is a glossy, coffee-table, pictorial format book with hundreds of color photos, maps, rolls, honours and awards. It is not intended as a definitive history but, with more of a classic 'scrapbook' feel, the presentation attempts to capture the essence of this fine unit - what it was like to be a troopie, one of the 'ouens'. We have accessed a host of unique, previously unpublished photos and illustrative material and many former RLI members have embraced the project, generously contributing photos, memorabilia and anecdotes. Ian Smith has written his tribute in the front and the foreword is by the last CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Charlie Aust.

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PK van der Byl: An African Diplomat Review

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(More customer reviews)A balanced, insightful, honest and amusing insight into the life and times of the unique PK van der Byl. As ever, history and personalities are more complex and intriguing than the media portrays. Africans, white and black have benefited from the selfless dedication of people like PK van der Byl, the world needs more of their non-PC brass neck. I recommend reading the book....

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Historically relevant and important, with much previously unpublished political information, PK van de Byl's story is controversial, uncompromising and 'in-your-face', but also eminently readable, laced with anecdotes and humor. The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the white man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl; one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government led by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offense to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colorful character with a devilish sense of humor. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.

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Nineteen With a Bullet: A South African Paratrooper in Angola Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a kick ass, right on the money account of military service and combat on (and across) the Angolan border. Congratulations to the author on writing a first class, harrowing account of life in an elite front line unit. Without a doubt the most entertaining book I've read in a while.

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Nineteen with a Bullet - A Paratrooper in Angola is a fast-moving, action-packed account of Granger Korff's two years' service during 1980-81 with the elite 1 Parachute Battalion at the height of the South African 'bush war' in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola. Apart from the normal counter-insurgency activities of Fireforce operations, ambushing and patrols, to contact and destroy SWAPO guerrillas, he was involved in several massive South African Defence Force (SADF) conventional cross-border operations, such as Protea, Daisy and Carnation, into Angola to take on FAPLA (Angolan MPLA troops) and their Cuban and Soviet allies. Korff s military 'career' is marred with controversy. He is always in trouble - going AWOL on the eve of battle; into battle; facing a court martial for beating up, and reducing to tears, a sergeant-major in front of the troops; fist-fighting with Drug Squad agents; arrested at gunpoint after the grueling seven-week, 700km Recce selection endurance march - are but some of the colorful anecdotes that lace this account of service in the SADF. Korff's writing is 'frontline' - punchy, brutal, self-deprecating and at times humorous - but always honest, providing the reader with what it was like to be one of apartheid's 'grunt' soldiers.

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Counter-Strike from the Sky, Second Edition: The Rhodesian All-Arms Fireforce in the War in the Bush 1974-1980 Review

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(More customer reviews)The book Counter-Strike from the Sky by J. R. T. Wood details the use of the Alouette III K-Car and the practices that lead to the counter-insurgency tactics that became Foxfire in Rhodesia. Counter-Strike from the Sky details the concepts of Fireforce and the dates that it was implemented, details the equipment used in the program, as well as the history before, during, and after it that brought it into existence. J. R. T. Wood has also included a DVD with the book that some will find an added benefit. Before starting this book it would be helpful to have some idea of what Fireforce is, but not a requirement. The beginning of the book provides the background needed and the ideas of the concept in the first few pages and chapters. The information and set up is comprehensive. In this book research into the details the years of Fireforce and the phases down to detailed numbers, "894 mines were detonated or recovered a the rate of 2.44 mines a day," and, "From 1972-1980 there were 2,504 detonations by vehicles of landmines ... killing 632 people and injuring 4,410." This shows me the amount of time and energy that has been put into getting both the facts and the story correct in this book. The glossary and prologue are important pieces of the book and are located at the beginning of the book and are very helpful to the reader. If a reader is looking for specific information there is and index that has been included as well. There are three rather large sections in the book, two of photos and one of maps and diagrams that give the reader a visual reference.
This is not a book I would recommend to just any reader of Rhodesian history. It is not a book that can be picked up as light nightly reading and it is certainly not a book that one would pick up thinking that they would escape back to another day and time. It is a book that I would recommend to any historian of this time period. J.R.T. Wood has done a wonderful job of organizing and presenting the data into a all-inclusive unit.

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Fireforce as a military concept dates from 1974 when the Rhodesian Air Force (RhAF) acquired the French MG151 20mm cannon from the Portuguese. Coupled with this, the traditional counter-insurgency tactics (against Mugabe's ZANLA and Nkomo s ZIPRA) of follow-ups, tracking and ambushing simply weren't producing satisfactory results. Visionary RhAF and Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) officers thus expanded on the idea of a 'vertical envelopment' of the enemy (first practiced by SAS paratroopers in Mozambique in 1973), with the 20mm cannon being the principle weapon of attack, mounted in an Alouette III K-Car ('Killer car'), flown by the air force commander, with the army commander on board directing his ground troops deployed from G-Cars (Alouette III troop-carrying gunships and latterly Bell 'Hueys' in 1979) and parachuted from C-47 Dakotas. In support would be a propeller-driven ground-attack aircraft armed with front guns, pods of napalm, white phosphorus rockets and a variety of Rhodesian-designed bombs; on call would be Canberra bombers, Hawker Hunter and Vampire jets. A documentary DVD is also included in the book.

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