South African Paratrooper Selection and training

[hist2004]

The average age ranges in the mid-twenties. The selection and training of today's parabats remains exceptionally rigorous to ensure that the standard of combat efficiency is retained at it's very high level. Generally, members of 1 Para will visit the various battalions each year early in the training cycle to look for volunteers. These must then pass a PT test at their unit prior to appearing before a selection board, which looks at their character and motivation. To Give would-be paras the endurance and the fitness they will need for operations in the harsh African conditions, the instructors of the 44th Parachute Regiment place particular emphasis on basic physical training. Young men volunteering for service with the parachute forces first undergo a battery of medical tests - as stringent as that for flying personnel - before setting off on a 4km timed run. Before they can recover their breath, they tackle the second test: 200m run in which each man carries a comrade on his back. The applicants are then put through various psychological and physical tests - though these are usually well within the reach of anyone with sufficient motivation and willpower. The real ordeal will then start: for four long months, the paras will sweat it out during forced marches, physical exercises, shooting a sessions and kit inspections - all this barracked by the screams of their eagle-eyed instructors. Built like the a quarterback, the average South African drill instructor is a stickler for regulations, just like his British counterpart, and as stubborn as a mule. For example, trainees always take their grooming kit along with them on long marches and at dawn, when back at the base with aching bones, devote whatever little time is left they have to rest to 'spit and polish'.

Those who are accepted are then transferred to 1 Para, where they first complete the normal three-month basic training course, with some differences: PT twice a day, no walking in camp under any circumstances and a 5-10km run to end each day. Some 10 to 20 percent drop out during this phase, returning to their original units. All this builds up to what is called the ‘koeikamp’. It is 3 days of the ultimate challenge of physical and psychological endurance.

The would be paras get 1 rat pack (ration pack) to hold them trough this ordeal. During these days they are given tasks to perform in an allocated time slot Night marches, boxing, digging trenches and the carry of artillery canisters is just a few of the tasks that has to be completed under strict regulations. Each year the sequence of what ‘tests’ will be done to get the strongest out of the ‘wannabees’ changed so it comes as quite a surprise each year. Due to lack of sleep, hunger and extreme physical tasks a lot of the men give up. Leaving the best. The only obstacle, to finish the qualifying 12 jumps. Until the 90’s the Pt course was 2 weeks, but due to national service being shortened to one year the army had a need to change and make the training more compact and fast paced. Some of the ‘older’ Parabats still do Pt courses to make sure there’s no slack in the type of soldier that’s chosen.

After a six week ordeal, the selected few (about 40% of the original intake), will make the 12 jumps required to obtain their wings. During this time the chances of being disqualified are also very high. This phase is followed by some six weeks of advanced individual training, during which such subjects as driving and maintenance, supporting weapons, signalling and unarmed combat are covered. Their instructors, however, always find that something is left to be desired with the inspection which invariably follows. To harden their muscles, trainees are made to carry a telegraph pole for two days, at a rate of 20km daily. Back at base, the 'marble', a stone weighing about 25kg which the soldier must carry wherever he goes, is used as a substitute for the same purpose.

Hardened by gruelling training and conversant with fighting tactics honed through 20 years of war, the South African para rightfully ranks among the world's toughest airborne soldiers.

http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/6638/introduction.htm

Regards,
Hist2004

[Haiw]

Wasn't Trident-za a SA para?

[Trident-za]

Wasn't Trident-za a SA para?

Yes, I was.... and as soon as I've read Hist2004's post, I'll add some comments :)

[Trident-za]

Interesting post, Hist2004. Where did you get the info, if I may ask? Mostly accurate, there are one or 2 minor errors.

The "battery of medical tests" consists of 8 tests, which are designed to weed out the complete "no hopers". The run is (or was?) 3.2km with combat vest, 4 litres of water, rifle and 8 loaded magazines. The "200m run" was actully 150m. Both you and the guy you carry are loaded up as per the run. You carry the guy slung over your shoulder and run 75m to a line, turn around and run back. It's unpleasant (assuming an 80kg friend, you are carrying almost 100kg while running) but not too strenuous really :)

The other 6 tests were pushups, situps, climbing up a 5m rope, clambering over a 2m wall (with full kit as above), shuttle-kicks, shuttle-runs. The shuttle-runs truly suck! There are 2 white lines, 7 metres apart. You have to touch the ground behind the line with both hands, turn and run to the other line where you repeat the process. From 1 line to the other represents 1 shuttle-run. Cut-off time was 90 seconds to do 40 shuttle-runs. Try it... no matter how fit you are, it just sucks :lol:

The "koeikamp" was also unpleasant :lol: I think we got 4 hours of sleep over the 3 days, and were on the go for the rest of the time. Lots of route marches carrying stupid things like concrete blocks (the "marble"), telephone polls, 75kg stretchers etc etc. Similar to what the British Parachute Regiment does....


After a six week ordeal

This bit confuses me.... I was at 1 Para for 6 months (and it was bloody nasty stuff) before getting to jump for the first time.

Out of curiosity... the year I was "in selection" for the Paras, 76 guys (including myself) voluneered to run an ultra marathon which was 89km in distance. We obviously couldn't do any training specifically for the marathon due to our other training, but all 76 of us completed in. (took me 10 hours and 6 minutes, I was one of the slowest :oops: )

Thanks for posting this, Hist2004. Enjoyed reading it :)

[hist2004]

Trident-za-
You’re the one that deserves the thanks, not me. It’s because of veterans like
you that the forum members get to read about a particular selection and then
have the opportunity to read an individuals personal experience, and can ask
questions. I added the link, so if you see anything else that needs updating,
please do.

Regards,
Hist2004

[Haiw]

Just a thing that isn't really clear to me; so all the paras are basically conscripts who volunteer to do their service with the paratroops instead of a normal unit? And how long are they in?

[Jack Mehoff]

How come there are no black SA in those pictures?

[Trident-za]

How come there are no black SA in those pictures?

Jack, the photo's on that website were taken in the mid 1980s. I can't remember if black people were "allowed" into the para's at the time (they were definitately there in my time) but.... the companies would have been trained seperately anyway. We have ELEVEN official languages in South Africa.... putting them all into one training squad would be quite silly.

Haiw... not sure how it works these days... but conscription was a given in my day and the paras recruited conscripts who volunteered. However, that doesn't mena that all the para companies were conscripts. Nowdays there is no conscription so I would assume they are all "permanent force".

As an aside, the first battle that the SA paratroopers ever lost was in the mid 1990's (after democracy).... they lost 8 guys in a single firefight against the Lesotho army, and withdrew..... I'm not sure if any conclusions can be drawn from this, but its a long long long way from the "old" paras who assaulted a 2000 man strong base camp in Angola and lost 3 guys while taking the base.....

[Trident-za]

And how long are they in?

Haiw... difficult question to answer because of the changing political/military scenario. I was in the paras at the time that Mandela was released, and there was serious change going on... so, I guess the best "case study" would be a friend of mine who was there in the late 1980's (he tried to talk me out of going to the unit btw).

His conscription was 2 years... 13 months training (no political correctness whatsoever, and a bloody tough training regime, trust me)... 8 months in Angola. His company was involved in "external" combat operations on numerous occasions during that 8 months (including 4 attacks on enemy base camps with 500+ terrorists). Please bear in mind that in Angola, the Russina air force ruled, so ABSOLUTELY no air power or fancy technology... this was all serious "man on man" stuff.

When his conscription ended, he returned to the civilian world (obviously), but... over the next 3 years he spent an additional 8 months in Angola on "camps" . In short, the old paratroopers got a ****load of action... and all of it without the benefit of technology. If the **** hit the fan, it was up to you to deal with it, no airstrikes available. The old guys are "serious" veterans with a lot of combat experience.

For myself, I spent 5 months operational, all in an urban environment. We didn't have technology to use either. Oh, and ALL my operational experience was at night, and we didnt have NV equipment either. It got... exciting... from time to time.

[Trident-za]

Hist2004 wrote:

Generally, members of 1 Para will visit the various battalions each year early in the training cycle to look for volunteers. These must then pass a PT test at their unit prior to appearing before a selection board, which looks at their character and motivation.

OK, just to give an idea... I was originally posted to 5 South African Infantry... the recruiters came around and there were 185 vulunteers from this unit. After the initial testing, 78 of us made it through to 1 Para (42%). From the whole SADF 365 recruits arrived to attempt the course. At the end of the day, 142 of us got our wings. Thats a 39% pass rate, ignoring all the moron rambo wannabes who never made it to 1 Para in the first place.

Oh, and during my time there 4 guys volunteered for SF training. At the start of that SF selection course there were 110 guys. 8 guys passed SF selection, including.... 4 guys from my Para unit :)

[duck]

Sorry if it's a silly question, but is the Zulu tribe well represented in SA Para/SF units today? I've had the impression (maybe illusion) that they have always been more conservative and warrior-like than other tribes in SA.

[TarwarWarrior]

You know, the more I learn and read about the SA Forces, the more awe struck I am. I have done some research on my own about the SA Recce's and the RLI. This info on the paras was new to me.

I always laugh when it comes to the 'Which force is better- Deltas, SEALs, or XXX?' threads. Seems that nobody but the few know anything about the South African Forces. What a bloody tough and elite lot.

Well done Trident-za!

-TW, out!-

[hist2004]

These facts are about SA SF and it speaks volumes about the calibre of
these troopers-Hist2004

1. South African Special Forces Operators are known internationally by their nickname of "Recces" . This is the abbreviated form of the original name of the Special Forces Regiments - the Reconnaissance Regiments.
2. In 2002, the South African Special Forces community celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of a Special Forces capability in South Africa.
3. By the conclusion of the war in Angola in 1988, out of the more than 100 000 persons who had applied to attend the Pre Selection interviews to attempt the Special Forces Operators Training Cycle, fewer than 480 had Qualified as Special Forces Operators. Out of this number, more than 80 Operators were killed in action during the Angolan war.
4. By the beginning of 2003, fewer than 900 persons had ever Qualified as South African Special Forces Operators - fewer people than have ever successfully climbed Mount Everest. Out of this 900, more than 200 are deceased.
5. Since the inception of Special Forces in South Africa, retired and serving Special Forces Operators observe the Saint Michael ceremony every September. Saint Michael is the protector and Patron Saint of Paratroopers, (every Qualified Operator is also a qualified Paratrooper), and this ceremony holds a special significance for Operators - especially during times of war.
6. Throughout its history, the South African Special Forces has been a non-racial entity, and always had approximately equal numbers of black and white Qualified Operators.
7. The most highly decorated Special Forces Operator to date is a black Operator from 5 Reconnaissance Regiment, who was awarded the Honoris Crux Gold in 1980.
8. Despite the fact that Special Forces Operators are held to a much higher standard than the rest of the military when it comes to the awarding of medals, the South African Special Forces Operators is still the most highly decorated military entity in South Africa in respect of Bravery Medals since the end of the Second World War.
9. All South African Special Forces Operators are highly qualified in all aspects of Land, Airborne and Seaborne skills, tactics, operations and deployments; and are able to and have Operated in virtually all possible terrain and climatic conditions.
10. Special Forces Operators usually wore beards because they were unable to shave during their deployments. Shaving would waste precious water, and the enemy would be able to smell the shaving cream or soap if it was used. The beards also helped with camouflage of the face for both black and white Operators, as the sun would not reflect off a beard like it would off a shaven face. Similarly, the long hair as seen in some photographs of the Recces is as result of the long periods the Operators spent behind the enemy lines on operations, where they could not cut their hair.
11. During war, Operators could expect to be physically deployed in actual operations against the enemy - primarily behind enemy lines - for an average of 9 to 10 months per year. Many Operators did this for 10 to 15 years.
12. During war, the average weight of kit carried by Special Forces Operators is 60kg to 80kg. For long-distance deployments or Small Team operations, the average weight of kit carried is 100kg. The heaviest kit carried by Small Teams or Long deployment Operators is 130kg.
13. An unofficial form of achievement within the South African Special Forces is when an Operator has completed a " Gunston 500" - named after the Surfing Championship. In the South African Special Forces context, a "Gunston 500" entails conducting an operation behind enemy lines, where one walks for 500 kilometres or more with full kit. Many Operators, and most who took part in the Angolan war, have completed at least one or many " Gunston 500's" .
14. During the Angolan war, 95% of all Special Forces operations were carried out behind enemy lines - over distances of anything from 10 km to 2000 km behind the enemy lines.
15. During reconnaissance of enemy targets and fixed positions, Special Forces Reconnaissance Teams usually comprise 2 to 4 Operators. They conduct reconnaissance on enemy bases from direct line of sight positions right on the edge of the bases, and would penetrate inside the bases. These bases comprised and can comprise anything from several hundred up ten thousand plus enemy soldiers.
16. During the Angolan war, Special Forces Reconnaissance Teams who entered into contact with enemy forces during reconnaissance missions, or during infiltration or exfiltration, had to conduct Escape and Evasion to escape capture or death. The distances over which E&E was applied in such situations - on foot - has varied from 20 km to over 1000km.
17. Historically, more than 55% of all Operators were at one time or another Wounded in Action - some on multiple occasions. Very often, they dressed and treated their wounds themselves, and seldom left the field or operations for treatment.
18. The South African Special Forces have the highest statistical Killed in Action ratio of any South African military unit since the battle of Delville Wood during the First World War. During the Angolan war, an Operator had statistically only a one in five chance of long-term survival, due to the nature, frequency and number of operations which they conducted.
19. The first South African soldier Killed in Action at the beginning of the Angolan / former South West Africa war was a Special Forces Operator, and the last South African soldier Killed in Action at the end of the Angola / former South West Africa war was a Special Forces Operator.
20. During the entire Angolan war, the total strength of all the Special Forces Regiments combined was never more than 200 to 250 Operators at any one time, due to their Killed in Action and Wounded in Action statistics, retirements and resignations.
21. Special Forces Operators have never had equal of superior numbers to the enemy when attacking enemy fixed positions, and have always been heavily outnumbered in all their engagements.
22. During the Angolan war, amongst the Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces against which South African Special Forces Operators worked were Russians, Ukrainians, East Germans and others. Also present were Cubans, North Koreans, Vietnamese, and various other Soviet-aligned forces. These included Regular Army, Air Force, Navy and Special Forces elements of these forces.
23. During the later stages of the Angolan war, the Soviet Union diverted much of its war materiel meant for Afghanistan to Angola - including the most sophisticated Russian arms outside the Soviet Union itself. Angolan airspace became classified as the most hostile airspace in the world, with the Soviets having total air superiority for virtually the whole war. This meant that Special Forces Operators never had the possibility of re-supply, support or evacuation on the majority of their operations, and once they were in, they were completely and utterly alone until they returned.

Regards,
Hist2004

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

12. During war, the average weight of kit carried by Special Forces Operators is 60kg to 80kg. For long-distance deployments or Small Team operations, the average weight of kit carried is 100kg. The heaviest kit carried by Small Teams or Long deployment Operators is 130kg

I think this is where 'SAS britain' came in. rofl

[Red]

12. During war, the average weight of kit carried by Special Forces Operators is 60kg to 80kg. For long-distance deployments or Small Team operations, the average weight of kit carried is 100kg. The heaviest kit carried by Small Teams or Long deployment Operators is 130kg

I think this is where 'SAS britain' came in. rofl
lol

[Haiw]

12. During war, the average weight of kit carried by Special Forces Operators is 60kg to 80kg. For long-distance deployments or Small Team operations, the average weight of kit carried is 100kg. The heaviest kit carried by Small Teams or Long deployment Operators is 130kg

I think this is where 'SAS britain' came in. rofl
rofl rofl
You think the SADF did death marches too? :lol:

Thanks for the info Trident-za & Hist2004

[csqnsas]

Trident-za,

Howzit?.

I thought you also had to have a "dog" for a long time or was that befor the "marble".

[Trident-za]

Trident-za,

Howzit?.

I thought you also had to have a "dog" for a long time or was that befor the "marble".

Wow - there's a phrase I never expected to read on these forums :) Howzit going man? The "dog" thing was before I time I guess.

Were you in the squadron? One of the guys I know was in C squadron in the late 70's before coming to SA where he spent a year or 2 in the Recces.

[csqnsas]

NO Mad Bob came into power before we went on ops and that ment you were not badged just "serving with".

To be fu;;y badged you had to prove your worth on at least one real Op. The war ended befor that.

We all went back to Uni or school or left.

[Trident-za]

Thats a bugger... to go through all that just to not be badged because of things outside your control. Still, making it through that selection course is a huge achievement. Matapos (spelling??) Hills didn't look like a nice place to go for a "quite stroll" carrying a lot of kit :)

[csqnsas]

For (Conscripts) never had as much "info" as the Regs or the old and bold wanting to transfer but all of the routes were well known by then and everybody found a lot of short cuts(cars and busses when and i) even a bicle was used- Myth I think the Matops are a load of granit outcrops and you could not cyle on them. The worst thing was carrying a bloody normal house brick . Not a "marble" but a brick all the time - totally pointless, not building up any muscle or stamina for anything -except now I can see it was to test your resolve for a seemlingly stupid task for a long time .

Also all the good jobs and Ops always went to the Sqn Warriors anyway.
Conscripts normally only went as normal troops as filler ins.
As it was the writing was on the wall , we all knew it but stii -through "Thick,N thin"

[nano100]

Hi Hist2004 & Tridents-za


Interesting post, Hist2004. Where did you get the info, if I may ask? Mostly accurate, there are one or 2 minor errors.

The "koeikamp" was also unpleasant :lol: I think we got 4 hours of sleep over the 3 days, and were on the go for the rest of the time. Lots of route marches carrying stupid things like concrete blocks (the "marble"), telephone polls, 75kg stretchers etc etc. Similar to what the British Parachute Regiment does....

Thanks for posting this, Hist2004. Enjoyed reading it :)

Firstly - I am old now - still have the beard but grey and became a bit bald - also grey. I came by accident to this site and read your posts - So hear I goes out of memory only, because it is 29 years of the past and after the war finished I got out and started a new life and is an engineer now with a wife and two wonderfull kids - but still one sided.

I just turned around as I knew in 1984 that the politicians will not make it, the army yes, but not them. Unfortunately every war is lost or won by the effort,guts and money being given by the politicians - in the RSA anyway. We fought, their children got a soft Navy job except the GENERAL - the Bushwolf, Germany had Gen Rommel, the Desertwolf, we had the best General after Rommel in the world -GENERAL CONSTANT VILJOEN - also a Para qualified soldier, and his son was also an officer in the Para's with a full combat role in all operations from 1980.

Memories:
1 Para came to Diskobolos Base in Kimberley and recruited, I was immediately interested due to my rebel nature and thick headedness, guess it is the German blood and temper (4th generation in RSA) and was selected after a battering of physical tests in that immense heat of 35-40°C. Arriving by train in Bloemfontein and the loaded in Samils that was driven over every flippen pavement.

Dropped at the Arendnes ( Eagle Cage ) and being immediately run about the parachute packers facility, got the steel "kis" and being run with that too. That is where I sensed that it will not be a joke. And yes the instructors were the biggest gorrillas I ever saw. They gave me hell as I did not want to be intimitated. One night they took turns in running me till 3.00AM through the "hindernis baan" - obstacle course in the pitch dark and the next day giving all the hell you do not want.

Anyway the fresh intake was the "rowers" and situated to the side of 3 Mil Hospital. Centre was the "blougatte" - in training and to the other side the was the "ou manne" - combat para's. The "rowers" was also the servants of the "ou manne" and duties included washing, ironing and polishing floors.

I remember that at 10H00 clock was lights out and the the BS started with your instructors coming from town - totally drunk as an Englisgh Lord - and throwing the fire buckets full of red dirt over the polished floors with a fire hose to wet it. 4H00 was wake time, that mess had to be cleaned in stark darkness, and when lights came on at 4 o'clock everything was finally cleaned, bed side was nibbled with your teeth to exact squareness, 6 o'clock was inspection and raw call, and till 7 o'clock was running about the parachute packers structure - then breakfast and then all the basic training with the intention to break as many as possible guys before the PT course of 2 x weeks. I weighed 68 kg's and after 3 x months I was send home for the 1st time and I weighed 54 kg's with the PT course starting the Monday.

Jip - tough times - but there was an unexplainable pride to know you were in a process of becomming one of the best.

The basic was hectic - all those tests you guys speak about, I remember - we did it once a week, the 2.4km was every Friday, the 3.2km was done but I cannot remember the schedule for that. The "skaapdra" (guy slung over the shoulder ) was done either before or after the pull-ups. Those pull - ups were done at the side of the parade grounds and the "skaapdra" across the length of the parade ground. Rifles was included and either hitting your mate or you.

The "koeikamp" was regurarly visited and tired, mud drenched you just went to stand under the shower with the R1 rifle and showered the mud away and washed every part of the rifle with water and soap - it was the only way to clean it. Sometimes the instructors switched off the geysers (locked - you could not get to it ). Especially in those cold Vrystaat winters - 8.0° - 3°C are not a nice temperature to take a shower.

I just remember that you was never allowed to stand still - not even in the qeue for breakfast, lunch or dinner - not even Sundays. But at the Para's you did not eat of of tin plates - it was porcelain, that impressed me when I went there.

I will tell more tommorrow.

[Schad]

ahhh vleisbomb memories....

[nano100]

Yip - vleisbom = meatbomb and that is the Xangongo badge tribute badge. No offense to 1 SAI, you did your job well. Remember that fight, one of your 20 mm Ratels blew the statue in center of the town to pieces.

Schad - just telling a forgotten story. I came to the site by accident. 29 Years back and was quite interesting to read stories about the past. I turned my back on all and life a civilian life after that. So, yes I try to tell something to the bottom as it was and as remembered.

No hero stories, that can be left to the macho's but normal stuff that happened to a 18 yr old kid being put to military service of the time. I do not intend to put up hero stories, all the SADF soldier of all sections was hero's, they did their part with pride. I try and get the stuff in correct order with only my memories and impressions seen from my side and I was and still is proud to be part of it.

Most of all, I survived and you also and alot others, some with scars, others with no scars and for that we must be thankfull.

I saw some of your Ratel gunners and drivers ( the fresh ones ) after their stints to battle, - will never forget the expressions on their faces after tackling tanks, RPG's and the normal battle stuff that had to be endured. I said in a "the most viewed" thread that I admire you guys for what you did.

Any pathfinders here ?
Any more para's of the 78 -83/84 group ?

[Schad]

Lol for those here that never went to Bloem, 1 SAI and the Parabats had a love hate relationship, both sides looked down on each other and when we operated together we looked down on everyone else!

I was 1980 intake, 1981 with 61 for Daisy, Protea and Carnation.

[Timmy!]

I was never interested in South Africa's military history or anything related to it, but after reading this thread I really want to dig more information about it. You guys, who served in Para's, have my huge respect!

Nano100, I have a question to you


I weighed 68 kg's and after 3 x months I was send home for the 1st time and I weighed 54 kg's with the PT course starting the Monday.
That was during the tests, right? And what about after? I mean, while weighting 50-60 kgs, I can't imagine how one can carry your kit that weights 100 kg for long distances??

[Schad]

You'd be amazed what you can actually do - after 2nd phase I weighed 62kg down from about 75kg and I'm 1,94meters tall.

The year after I finished and klaared out an army buddy of mine and myself walked from East London to Durban up the Wild coast -about 430km, we were carrying about 50kg each and that was our "holiday"

[nano100]

I was never interested in South Africa's military history or anything related to it, but after reading this thread I really want to dig more information about it. You guys, who served in Para's, have my huge respect!

Nano100, I have a question to you


That was during the tests, right? And what about after? I mean, while weighting 50-60 kgs, I can't imagine how one can carry your kit that weights 100 kg for long distances??

Timmy

"Timmy - they always "broke" you - totally and that means physically and partly mental and after surviving the basic's and 2 x week PT course of 7.00AM till 17H00PM of 40min periods with 5 min breaks allowed, where the only possible means to make it was by your mental state. The "chute training" of 3 x weeks started where you was further abused to nut's ends - there after and on receiving wings, they build you up to be the soldier intended but discipline was the name of the game - extreme discipline, I think sometimes it was excessive but I think now that it saved lives and brought honour to the unit - it was never, never and not ever dropped an inch. But you "gained" body and weight - I myself went back to ± 68 - 70 kg's. Timmy - I believe it was more a 80 kg's but honestly I cannot tell you the exact weight. I guess we never would have thought that there would be such a discussion about something like weight - I think we would have weighed it then - lol."


Yes we did it - my wildest "trek" was 72 days behind the closest "friendly" base in Angola. We never actually weighed the kit but it was close to that I guess based on the usual trained "skaapdra" exercises that was a common thing in the Para's. I base it on the following if moving out with company / platoon / section - as ordered ;

1. 6 x 35 round magazines - Chest webbing
2. 2 x 50 round magizines
3. 1 x R 4 rifle
4. Ammo replinishment x 3
5. 1 x loaded RPG with 3 x anti personal or tank.
6. 3 x 60's mm mortars - support
7. 3000 x rounds LMG - support
8. 3 x 3 pouched - 40 mm "snotneus" rounds - support
9. ± 21 x Liters of water.- 8 x Std, 4 x 2 Liter, 3 x 81's Mortar cases filled and sealed with plastic around the screw threads behind the backpack.
10. And in the worst case and hated - 1 x landmine - RSA made, the 40/60 RDX/TNT one and 1 x 80's mortar around the neck resting upon the chest webbing. And the most hated = 120 mm mortar.
11. 2 x A53 and 1 x B52 radio batteries - support
12. Pending the guy - 4 - 6 handgrenades of the choice he wanted.
13. 1 x Star 45 with 3 x clips - own choice.
14. 3 x weeks rats reduced to tinned food you want, the few porridge "cups", "chees'ies" Tarzan bars, dog biscuits, coffee/tea etc.
15. Sleeping bag, small spade, "bivvie" which was used for cover against rain or to catch water.
16. 1 x set of clothes, no food stuff like knifes/forks etc but opened the tinned foods with "not supplied but forced to buy green beret" combat knife which by the way were used to eat, clean teeth, cut nails, cut sticks, combat etc.
17. Somewhere you just had place for a toilet roll or two but mostly with grass / leaves.
18. And of course - ciggarettes - there was always place.
19. You moved out in 15 min walk, 1 min stand still sequence - we knew that taking it too fast will get you one or other time.
20. Guess = about 80 kg's without any explosives like PE 4 / cortex / det's.

The worst was to know that air cover was very limited. You got it if asked for from mostly the Imp's (Italian aircraft with rockets ) but if you were within range the good guys from the Gunships was available. But you loaded and prepared to fight without air cover, it was never a given and due sometimes to the density of the bush, just too dangerous or the range for the aircraft was to stay there was just to long. And of course - it would attract Mig's to the fight. You must remember it was always guerrilla warfare - not conventional.
The other fact is that you was mostly out numbered - the few times you were equal or out numbered them was a rare occurence.

Just some humour - those Tarzan Bars - energy choclate bars in Rum & Raisin, Mint & Choclate flavour - but you farted like a prize winning bull.:oops:rofl

[Timmy!]

Damn, looks like you guys were as mules, carrying all this dozens of kg, plus in constant danger behind enemy lines.

Respect!

[shuredgefan]

I read an article a few years ago about a program, in the South African Army, to clear a lot deadwood (50 year old infantry privates, AIDS infected, etc.) out of units that had become near 0% combat effective.

Anybody know how that's coming along?

[nano100]

Again for those that forgot;

The worst was the drill instructors - the 2 x red bars above the rank insignia on the left side. Drilling in itself was a setious business, much time was spent on it ..and alot of running and PT if one is out of line - precision was their game and not one instructor wanted to be shamed by his mob - if he was shamed, you got it with PT.

The field courses started around the base, later to the dreaded "De Brug" training fields, cold, windy and a lots of koppies (hills). The 1st thing on ariving was to start digging the trench and keep it goiing the first night - deep with lots of grass below you and as a cover above you to help keep out the cold. Then at 5.30 am, the hill running started - up and down with only the rifle (R1 - training rifles) till 7.00am. Then the coffee and biscuits and at 11.00 am the brunch - trainning till 5.00 - 6.00 pm.

And at later courses you did the night route marches - usually in the cold, wet winter and started out as a group and being reduced each night till 2 x man teams. Coming back to "camp" meant ****y traps and hitting a ****y trap meant doiing another route march the same night - but a bit shorter. The bottom line was that although you reached your goal and being tired, it does not mean the job is finished and fully completed - thus although the end is in your site and you thread on the brim of the "camp" there is still danger and your guard, senses and instincts must still be up and running in the worst of conditions and tiredness. Route marches at night started with sort ones in groups and as confidence grew it was extended to longer ones ( ± 6 hr's + ) with all the map and compass readings, initially without any kit, later on it is full kit - BUT next morning it was the normal daily stuff of hitting the theoretical / field lessons and the usual punishing stuff. You was actually dead tired and did not mind cold food - no cafe's just army food, so yes, you ate what was served to gain energy.

Mostly, when goiing back to base meant not riding but running with kit in columns - 21 km of tired people - tired as doggone tired. At that stage you received one std issue army bottle of water. And I will never forget, as cold as it gets at night, so hot it gets on midday. On the 1st one they caught us - driving the water truck alongside us with the rear water tap open and telling you that there is enough water - you can drink all you own supply - and after all and nearly everyone have done it, the truck just speds away - leaving you and later on - dead thirsty, legs that do not want to carry the weight but pushing and pushing - another lesson teached - never believe what is told, never think what you see is what you will get and "vasbyt" - (bit to the crunch), work extremely sparingly with what you have. So yes when reaching the camp you actually go and lie under a water tap.

The worst is the telegraph poles - always from "De Brug" and 21 km long, 2 x men on a pole and in those that got the strain of the drill instructor got car tires in the middle - up to five. It was also a common thing at 1 Para to send individuals out after 5.00PM on a punishment route with poles - you got something like 3.5 hrs to complete.

The cherry on the top was the 106 anti tank being mounted on the Chev jeeps with 3 x gears - good jeeps though - It was very nice to train and operate but and the but came as a big surprise, the jeeps were driven of and those 106's were dismantled and taken down the "koppie" - waiting for the jeeps - they never come back - 5 x man team take that complete damn gun and with kit have to carry it to base - from the gate of "De Brug" + the few km's inward - all the way. It brought alot of swearing and speaking another languages towards the army, drill instructors etc to the surface. I think the rage made it - and it served to make a fine net of comradeship, it even produced inner competition to teams to get at base first. I think the worst was to pass 1 SAI and the infantry snarling **** to you while passing their fence - a long fence and you do not even have the voice nor the power to tell them to take a hike.

Alot of these stuff happened - they let you discover inner energies you would not dream about. I believe they had a kinda of a program between building it up - as individual and then in groups and allowing the groups to sort themselves out and then taking the best men for junior leaderships etc.

This kinda training goes on after receiving wings - my group consisted of ± 1250 kids and only ± 225 passed as qualified. A few that was thrown off in PT course but deserved a 2nd PT course or jump course made it to ± 250 men. Thus a 20 % pass rate.

The PT course initially was done in 2 x weeks time. Started always on a Monday and many a time after a pass of home for the 1st tinme in 3 x months. It started strictly 7.00 am and kept on till 5.00am. It consisted of 40 min periods with a 5 min break and consisted of marble, pole, running, skaapdra, 5 Ton wagon by 5 x men over rough terrain, koeikamp, fighting, boxing each other etc but always it was intended to break you firstly physically to get the most out and then mentally. The 1st 3 x days was critical - everything was in pain but you ate your meals - missing it and there is no energy. 5 Days was a turnpoint and a relieve and then came the weekend - mostly used to catch up with sleep and then that MONDAY - it knocked the hell out on numbers but by Wednesday the lot is mostly what will end - only those that get hurt or was hurt will not complete - it was not nice to see but that was the Para's - no excuses. The idea was to keep the lesser amount of men, they never stuck to a "designed" figure and if they could not get 2 x companies of at least 100 x men they would rather stick with 1 x company of 125 men. Thus numbers never counted, only the quality.

After PT course and wings you were "promoted" to a "blougat" - in training for combat, guerilla and conventional warfare with a "big" head which your instructors will get quickly rid of to normality. The final good and in depth serious training started here.

At about 12 -13 month's the guys were ready for the Angolan experience.

That is it - any more questions and I will answer as I remember.

Sometime later I will set a story about the friendly "hits" on 1 SSB & 1 SAI troops and columns - it was tradition by the Para's to set the score who is who in the SADF hierachy.
Ek wil net jou gat krap, Schad.rofl

[PARABAT]

Yip - vleisbom = meatbomb and that is the Xangongo badge tribute badge. No offense to 1 SAI, you did your job well. Remember that fight, one of your 20 mm Ratels blew the statue in center of the town to pieces.

Schad - just telling a forgotten story. I came to the site by accident. 29 Years back and was quite interesting to read stories about the past. I turned my back on all and life a civilian life after that. So, yes I try to tell something to the bottom as it was and as remembered.

No hero stories, that can be left to the macho's but normal stuff that happened to a 18 yr old kid being put to military service of the time. I do not intend to put up hero stories, all the SADF soldier of all sections was hero's, they did their part with pride. I try and get the stuff in correct order with only my memories and impressions seen from my side and I was and still is proud to be part of it.

Most of all, I survived and you also and alot others, some with scars, others with no scars and for that we must be thankfull.

I saw some of your Ratel gunners and drivers ( the fresh ones ) after their stints to battle, - will never forget the expressions on their faces after tackling tanks, RPG's and the normal battle stuff that had to be endured. I said in a "the most viewed" thread that I admire you guys for what you did.

Any pathfinders here ?
Any more para's of the 78 -83/84 group ?

Check out this site, this is were all the ex BATS, Pathfinders, SF etc get together...Great site with some amazing pictures.You can only become a member if you were any of the above. The mods dont take any **** due to several Waltir Mitty nobheads gaining access and causing **** ......:fork:

Anyway...here goes....

http://www.airbornesoldier.com/Forums/