In this video, we take a look at the 1 special service battalion, who were sent into the Angolan bush war during the 1970's and 1980's. This unit was made up of conscripts, who were able to fight against the insurgency as well as play often a more conventional role against Russian, Cuban and Angolan forces always with a belief that bullets would not harm them. We explore the history of the 1 special service battalion and their role in the Angolan bush war, as well as the conscripts who made it possible. This battalion was a key player in many of the cross border raids into Angola.

How rapidly times alter. As the so-called ‘Winds of Change’ swept through colonial Africa, the process of decolonisation gathered inexorable pace. Rhodesia was a prominent example. In July 1964, it experienced its first terrorist incident when a white farmer was murdered. Relations with the British government worsened the following year over the issue of majority rule, resulting in Rhodesia’s unilateral declaration of independence on 11 November 1965. To some it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream. To others, in both countries, the view was very different.