Operation GROCER (May-June 1978) was a pioneering covert maritime reconnaissance operation conducted by South Africa during the South African Border War. It is historic for being the very first deployment pairing the South African Navy with the SADF Special Forces (the “Recces”).
Key Aspects of the Operation
- The Mission: The Daphne-class submarine SAS Emily Hobhouse (commanded by Commander R. Auer) entered Moçâmedes Bay (now Namibe, Angola). The crew conducted periscope photo reconnaissance of the port infrastructure and shoreline.
- Special Forces Insertion: Under the cover of darkness, the submarine launched two Zodiac inflatable boats carrying operators from 4 Reconnaissance Commando (led by Major M. Kinghorn).
- The Objective: The team successfully reconnoitered the beach and surrounding terrain to map out viable landing sites for future amphibious and sabotage operations
The aims of this operation were twofold; the first being to reconnoitre the areas around Moçâmedes (later renamed Namibe), Porto Alexandre (later renamed Tombua) and Bahia dos Tigres and gather geographic and oceanographic intelligence for the planning of future clandestine seaward operations. The second objective was to confirm existing doctrine with respect to clandestine seaward operations in cooperation with submarines of the South African Navy.
Eight members of 4RC were selected to participate in the operation. The officer commanding, Major Malcolm Kinghorn, was the Mission Commander and the only officer. The remaining members of this ground-breaking team were SSgt J.M.J. Botes, Sgt L.J. Joubert, Cpl J. Kloosterziel and LCpls J. Potgieter, D.T. Swart, H.J. Terblanche and C.F. Wilke. A Special Forces doctor, Lt (Dr) R.J. Bucke, was attached to the team to provide medical support and to establish the ability to handle battle casualties aboard.