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Pathfinder Company – The Philistines – Due for release in the UK in October!!

This is an all new work by acclaimed military historian Graham Gillmore, boasting 200 b/w photos and maps

Colonel Jan Breytenbach set’s the scene - “On Ascension Day, 1978, a composite South African parachute battalion jumped onto the tactical HQ of SWAPO’s PLAN army, based at Cassinga, 250 kilometres north of the Angolan border to destroy the facility, their logistics, and to wipe out a strong concentration of SWAPO guerrillas. The airborne assault, part of Operation Reindeer, was an unqualified success; the whole base was destroyed. 608 PLAN fighters were killed, with many more wounded which pushed the final SWAPO death toll to well over a thousand. We lost only four paratroopers killed in action plus a dozen or so wounded. According to airborne experts in Britain and Australia, this was the most audacious parachute assault since the Second World War; the mounting airfield was well over 1,000 nautical miles away. I was the commander of that airborne assault, which although successful above all expectations, also highlighted many shortcomings, some of which nearly led to a disastrous outcome.”

44 Parachute Brigade was formed later that year, with the need for a specialist Pathfinder Company patently clear. Into the ranks came professional veterans from the UK, USA, Australasia, Rhodesia and elsewhere, from such Special Forces units as the SAS, Selous Scouts and the RLI. “This is their book, a collection of stories about the founding and deployment of a unit of ‘Foreign Legionnaires’, from different parts of the world who became welded together into a remarkable combat unit, unsurpassed by any other South African Defence Force unit in their positive and aggressive approach to battle. For me it was an honour to have faced incoming lead together with them.”

Graham Gillmore enjoys country life in the natural beauty of East Anglia and the Fens but was born a Londoner in 1952. An innate fascination with history and all things military inevitably led him to joining the Grenadier Guards, and for six months the Guards Depot drilled into him soldiering skills of the highest standard. Graham left the British Army in 1977 to join the Rhodesian Light Infantry in their war to prevent communist terrorists overthrowing the country. After two years as the signals rep to Support Commando, 1RLI, Graham was promoted to Signals Troop Sergeant, but with the fall of Rhodesia to the Marxists in 1980, he moved to South Africa to continued the anti-terrorist fight with the Pathfinder Company, 44 Parachute Brigade.

He returned to England still on crutches after being wounded in Angola and joined the Territorial Army. After a career in VIP security Graham is now a leading member of the Victorian Military Society for whom he runs The Diehard Company, an internationally known and highly regarded re-enactment group. He advises and writes articles on the British Army on Home Service and on campaign during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Pathfinder Company is going to be a winner. As soon as we have it, we’ll let you know!

Tailhooker to Mudmover hits the UK!!

Tailhooker to Mudmover hits the UK

Out of print and with limited stocks available, this book traces an extraordinary career through nearly four decades of military aviation. Dick Lord tells a tale of military flying at its very best. He covers in amusing detail, the life of a carrier pilot in both the Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm and the United States Navy. His unusual career then led to combat in Southern African as a Mirage F1 squadron commander. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the South African Air Force.

If you enjoyed From Fledgling to Eagle and Vlamgat, then this book is for you!

Tailhooker to Mudmover

View Details and purchase here

Blue and Old Gold – UK Availability and Distribution

Blue and Old Gold

There’s been huge interest in Blue and Old Gold – we’re delighted to say that this notable work is now available in South Africa and copies are heading for these shores now. We expect to have stocks for sale and distribution in early February. Our apologies to all of you that have waited patiently - and for so long. When the stocks arrive we will endeavour to get reserved copies out to you all as soon as possible. The standard edition retails at £45.00 and the leather bound, limited edition, £150.00 If you have any specific queries with regard to Blue and Old Gold then do email me at steve@30degreessouth.co.uk Thank you for your support and interest!

Patrol and SB capture

The 'RLI Troopie' Commemorative Figure - A Word of Thanks

A big 'Thank You' to everyone that supported the commissioning of the commemorative 'RLI Troopie' figure. All 60 of the limited edition figures have gone and if you are the proud owner of one of these figures - then hold on to it! It's an investment that will sure see it's value grow. They now adorn sideboards, mantlepieces and study's in Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Next up is 'The SAS Operator', a similar piece being commissioned in partnership with the C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 Special Air Service Regiment Association. We'll bring you details as soon as we're able to - rest assured you will not be disappointed in what will be another fine piece of sculpting by our friends at Peter Hicks Associates! So stay tuned!

RLI Troopie' figure

Coming soon.......

In partnership with the C (Rhodesia) 22 SAS Regimental Association & Peter Hicks Associates,

The SAS Trooper Figurine - A limited edition bronze resin figurine

Full details to be announced shortly

Top Guns Enjoy Book Tour Success!

A big thank you to all of our loyal customers and supporters who came to visit us at Duxford, The London Club of the Rifles, the Midland Air Museum, Coventry, and the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford. It was a pleasure to meet with you all. Dick and Peter have asked that I pass on their thanks for a full and stimulating time. They much enjoyed talking to everyone and sharing their experiences.

(Left) Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer discusses the intricacies of Combat Air Support with A10 pilot, Lt. Debbie Altoid | (Right) Navy Hawk pilot Martin Whittaker with Dick Lord’s ‘From Fledgling to Eagle’

Click here to view the Gallery of book tour images

We have a small number of books signed by Dick and Peter. So, if you are looking for a signed copy of 'Vlamgat', 'From Fledgling to Eagle' or 'Winds of Destruction' then contact us at now at steve@30degreessouth.co.uk

COMING SOON - Strike Toys Casspir & Buffels!

We have unearthed a small number of these rare South African military toys - made of tin plate metal and tougher than a Rhino's hide!!! Prices to be confirmed but we are looking in the region of £50.00 for the Casspir and £40.00 for the Buffel. They are almost indestructible and great for the Study or home bar!

Casspir

Buffel

Contact us to reserve your vehicle in military nutria now!

Chinooks, Merlins, Pumas and More – The Force Multipliers we’re Lacking in Afghanistan?

A constant debate during the Top Guns book tour was the use, or not as the case might be, of helicopters in Afghanistan and the lessons that can be learnt from the Rhodesian experience. Richard Wood, author of our newly released and best selling ‘Counter-Strike From the Sky’, reflects on this question.

Helicopters

“Although 40 years ago, the tactics evolved in the Rhodesian bush bear re-examination and should not be forgotten. Fighting a war on a shoe-string due to the financial restraints dictated by Rhodesia’s international pariah status, the Rhodesians were forced to rely on their ingenuity.

Examples include devising ways to reduce the casualties suffered when vehicles detonated Soviet-designed anti-tank mines and also exploiting what is called local expertise – the art of tracking and, from lessons learnt in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, the concept of horse-mounted infantry. The horse in savannah woodland gave the advantage of speed over the insurgent quarry along with coverage of ground, and height above the shoulder-high veld grass.

Helicopters2

Furthermore, from the Mau Mau insurgency, the Rhodesians adopted and adapted the concept of pseudo-warfare, inserting teams purporting to be insurgents into affected areas. These teams pinpointed the whereabouts of the enemy. This was part of the intelligence-gathering effort which included monitoring external radio transmissions, informer networks, and surveillance which included inserting teams into observation posts. The uncovering of the whereabouts of the insurgents required a means to entrap them and eliminate them – vertical envelopment..........

Until 1979, the Rhodesians possessed only the French Alouette III helicopter which could transport four fully armed soldiers. In the early years of the Bush War, 1966-1972, they had made best use of this for transporting troops, casualty evacuation and the like. Their pursuit of insurgents led to pilots leapfrogging stop groups ahead of trackers to block off escape routes. In the same period, the Rhodesian SAS experimented with vertical envelopment. The acquisition in 1974 of the Matra MG151 cannon allowed the Rhodesians to convert Alouettes into helicopter gunships. They soon realised that the most effective use of the gunship was for it to also carry the commander of the helicopter-borne troops. The role of a Fireforce’s commander became a key ingredient in the success of it. The combination of effective helicopter-borne infantry and paratroops with aerial firepower would wreak a fearful toll”.

Lessons to be learnt for Helmand Province? Read Richard’s commentary further in ‘Counter-Strike From the Sky’. Available now priced £24.95 + £6.05 secure delivery. We have a small number of copies signed by the author and a small number signed by three Rhodesian Bush War veterans; Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer RhAF, Air Lieutenant Mike Borlace SCR and Major Jerry Strong RLI. Move quickly before they are gone!

Cassinga Day Remembered

31 years ago today, on the 4th May 1978, South African Parabats launched one of the most audacious military assaults ever – the airborne assault on the SWAPO training and support camp near Cassinga in Angola.

The assault saw SADF parabats, organised into four under-strength parachute companies led by Colonel Jan Breytenbach of 32 Battalion renown, dropped into combat. The subsequent fierce and bloody battle resulted in more than 800 SWAPO combatants killed, for the loss of 6 Parabats. Encountering anti-aircraft weapons in a ground role and determined resistance, the airborne soldiers had to overcome stiff opposition.

Operation Reindeer was an astounding feat of arms – one that paid testimony to the training and military professionalism of the Parabats. ’19 With a Bullet’ author, Granger Korff, served with 1 Parachute Battalion at the height of the South African ‘bush war’ in early 1980’s. His astounding book gives an insight into the Parabats and how they work.

We’ll have copies soon – so pre-order now – they will go quickly. If you’ve read McNab’s ‘Bravo Two Zero’ and Dan Mill’s ’Sniper One’ then this is for you. Stand by too for news of next year’s UK book signing event – the Red Devils will be dropping in with ’19 With a Bullet’. We’ll keep you posted on how you can attend this unique event at the Airborne Assault Museum, Duxford.

(Click for enlarged image)

South Africa 2010 Travel Guru

Click the Image or here to view the PDF

Jumping into the UK soon – Granger Korff’s Parabat work!

An exciting new work coming to 30 Degrees South UK soon – Granger Korff’s action packed account of life as a South African ‘Parabat’!

‘19 with a Bullet—A South African paratrooper in Angola’ is a fast-moving account of Granger’s two years’ service with 1 Parachute Battalion at the height of the South African ‘bush war’ in the early 1980’s.

A South African paratrooper in Angola

Apart from the ‘standard’ counter-insurgency activities of Fireforce operations and ambushing patrols in both South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola, Granger was involved in several massive South African Defence Force (SADF) conventional cross-border operations, such as Protea, Daisy and Carnation - incursions into Angola to take on FAPLA (Angolan MPLA troops) and their Cuban / Soviet allies.

Having grown up as an East Rand rebel street-fighter, Korff’s military ‘career’ was marred with controversy. He was always in trouble—going AWOL on the eve of battle in order to get to the front; he faced a court martial for beating up, and reducing to tears, a Sergeant-Major in front of the troops; he fought with Drug Squad agents and was arrested at gunpoint after the gruelling seven-week, 700km Recce selection endurance march—these are just some of the colourful anecdotes that lace this account of service in the SADF.

If you’ve read Dan Mill’s ‘Sniper’ and Jake Scott’s ‘Blood Clot’, then ‘19’ is for you. We will be advising availability as soon as we can!

Click here to view larger a version of the image above

‘Red Caps host Delta Scout Launch’

Red Caps host Delta Scout Launch

Pictured with Cpl Aaron Lawrence at Rochester Row, London, is ‘Delta Scout’ author Tony Trethowan’ and 30 Degrees South UK’s Steve Crump (left) and Bill Welsh (right). More than 60 guests attended in what must be one of London’s most unusual venues, its only Military Police Station! Served the best South African wines, our author for the night was introduced by General, the Lord, Michael Walker, a trustee of the BSAP Trust. On taking to the floor, Tony Trethowan spoke of his reasons for writing ‘Delta Scout’ and of the relevance of such writing today – reflection, reconciliation and a reference for future generations.

A mammoth signing session followed, before Tony left for Oman. “Book launches come and go, but I’ve seen none finer than this. We’re delighted to host so many of our friends here and it is a privilege to have our guests from the BSAP Regimental Association with us” said Bill Welsh.

“There are few books that make me sit up, yet ‘Delta Scout’ was one such work” said Steve Crump. “A true story of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. What a fantastic event and a great venue – thank you to the Royal Military Police for their support and hospitality. What’s coming next? The launch of “Fledgling to Eagle” in 2009.“

‘Delta Scout – Ground Coverage Operator’ by Anthony Trethowan. Available now from 30 Degrees South UK, price £14.95.