SADF
Andre Rabie
Star Model B
Star pistols - most notably the Model B, Super B, and Model BM - served as standard sidearms for the South African military and police for decades. Manufactured by the now-defunct Spanish company Star Bonifacio Echeverria, these 1911-style, all-steel firearms are...
Olifant Mk1A
The Olifant Mk1A is a South African main battle tank (MBT) that represents an extensive upgrade of the British Centurion tank. The development of the Olifant series began in the 1970s as South Africa sought to modernize its aging Centurion fleet to meet the demands of...
Servaas Nicolaas “Nick” du Toit
The "Wonga Coup" (2004): In March 2004, Du Toit was arrested in Equatorial Guinea alongside several other former 32 Battalion members. He was accused of leading an advance party for a failed coup d'état aimed at overthrowing President Teodoro Obiang.Black Beach...
Piet Uys
Carlos da Conceição da Trindade
Dogtag Memories: The Misadventures of an SADF Conscript
A raw, darkly humorous memoir that follows one conscript’s chaotic journey through South Africa’s military machine during the border war. Drafted into the Defence Force in 1977 as a carefree seventeen-year-old, Jon Goetzsche’s tranquil schooldays were abruptly...
62 Mechanised Battalion Group
62 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Army (SADF); although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of a Mechanised Infantry Battalion forming the core of the group, Main Battle Tank Squadron,...
Eland 90
The Eland 90 is a South African-produced, four-wheeled light armored car that was used extensively in various conflicts across Southern Africa, most notably by the defense forces of South Africa and Rhodesia, during the Angolan Civil War and the Rhodesian Bush War....
M79
The M79 is known as the "Snotneus" in South Africa, which translates to "snot-nose," a nickname for the weapon's distinctive appearance and the way its projectiles would land in the field. The M79 was used by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and supplied to...
Omauni
Omauni was started when no roads were running west to east. When the initial reconnaissance was done with a Landrover and two Unimogs they did not find the 17h30 cutline as it was not clear where it converged with the border fence. They continued east and found the...
54 Battalion
The 54th South African Infantry Battalion (54 SAI) was formed in 1976 as one of several modular battalions designed to adapt to operational requirements. Its main responsibility was to secure the area around the Eenhana base
M-4 Patmor
The 60mm Patmor is a lightweight, man-portable patrol mortar system, primarily associated with South African defence companies like Denel Land Systems and Truvelo. "Patmor" is a contraction of "Patrol Mortar". Key Features and Specifications Type: Muzzle-loading,...
Ratel 90
The Ratel 90 is a South African wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant, designed primarily for fire support with a low-velocity 90 mm gun. It was a key asset in the South African Border War, known for its high mobility and long operational range. Key Features...
Johan Blaauw
the first recipient of the Honoris Crux Medal in the battalion on 17 December 1975