Dave Mannall, I have just finished reading your book. It is the best personal account to date I that I have read about a war which brings many truths home, of a time some choose to forget, yet it can never be erased from our minds. I entered my National Service in August 1989 and by then the war was well over for us, so I can only assimilate with what you guys went through in Basic Training. From there we were all trained in our own fields and specialties, myself being in Signals. The first chapters were extremely entertaining and only those who served can appreciate those days and events of Basic Training. Fortunately we tend to keep the positive memories although we never forget those times of Afkak!! Some very funny accounts in your book which brought back many memories about those uncertain days, where we tried to fit into a machine that was shaping us for its use and purpose, which can only be appreciated by those who served. I got some very weird looks at the airports and on the planes over the past few days as I laughed at the many memories you jogged for me. As for The Battle On the Lomba, none of us that were not there, can begin to imagine what you guys went through. All I can say my friend is REPECT!! Respect to you guys that against all odds, overcame a far superior enemy with the odds badly stacked against you. Your book gives us an accurate and riveting, adrenalin filled rush of what you guys went through as mere boys fighting in a mans war. I think the thing that really struck home for me is the photo on page 104. Mere boys, who had no idea how their fates would pan out. That photo today would be observed by 99% of people as a group of teenage boys having a good time as a band of close knit friends. The truth is that, it is a group of boys being shaped into men and placed in a war that no one wanted to be in. You guys answered the call my friend and I can only say that I have huge respect for what you guys and many others achieved during that period of the Bush War. RIP those that did not come home. Thank you for sharing your experience with us in an honest, down to earth and extremely well written account, of that period when as you say, a South African Armoured Battalion shattered Angolas Last Mechanised Offensive. SALUTE and RESPECT my friend!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:45:10 +0000
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