South West Africa/Namibia border 1987, 61 Mechanised Infantry Battalion Group and Charlie Squadron is joyriding in a SADF Ratel IFV .. picture says a thousand words. Some say, the driver is still getting an oppie .. all we know is he’s called the Stig!

Men of Steel. Looking every bit the SADF Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) – and epitomising a very special and unique breed of men, feared and loved by the troops and NCO’s (and some junior commissioned officers) all at the same time. Easily identified by the South African crest worn behind a red patch on the sleeve. This is Seargent Major H.G.…Read More

61 Mech base in the operational area 1980s

#Ratel‘s and crew. #Ombalantu 1988

61 Mechanised Battalion heads west of Ruacana en route to Cunene Province in Angola in response to the Cuban advance southwards. 22 October 1988

Three members of the SADF’s #61Mech Battalion Group take a rest during the fighting on the #Lomba river in Angola in 1987.

These young SADF national servicemen – most of them having just written a High School matric a year before – have just shattered the Angolan/Cuban coalition’s mechanised offensive, turning the tide at the height of this…Read More

Operation #Modular 8 October 1987. This is a second image of the destroyed SADF #61Mech Battalion Group #Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

The South African armored column had penetrated deep into Angola and had just formed a laager to take bearings on their position and objectives. Two Angolan Mig 23 fighter jets had spotted the…Read More