Paratroopers or “Parabats” from the 3 Parachute Battalion, South African Army, recovering the body of Rifleman Edward “Eddie” James Backhouse, today in 1977. He was 22 years old.

The opposing SWAPO forces he faced, had been funded and trained by the Eastern Bloc. They were well entrenched behind a maze of infantry trenches, anti-aircraft guns, and artillery. However, by 10 May 1978, the South Africans accounted for nearly 1,000+ killed and 200+ SWAPO terrorists captured.

Eddie had been killed earlier day when the photo was taken, during intense fighting as part of the first day of Operation #Reindeer. He was one of the seven SADF men killed in action throughout the entire operation.