This is the story of Schalk W Fourie’s ten years in the elite South African Army Special Forces, commonly known as the “Recces.”

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SW started his military career as a national serviceman at 1 Special Service Battalion (Armour), in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He volunteered for Special Forces and a year later, after completing the hardest Special Forces Selection in the world, and numerous training phases from Medical, Signals, Basic Parachuting, Bush Survival to Minor Tactics, he qualified where 94% of his class dropped out.

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As a Special Forces Operator and  Demolitions Expert based in Durban, 1 Reconnaissance Commando / Regiment, SW was involved in most of the major operations between 1978 to 1988. In this book, he describes his first operations in Mozambique using D Squadron Rhodesian SAS as a cover, the seaborne attacks on the Lobito Oil Refinery, as well as the destruction of the Girual Bridge, both in Angola.

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His is an incredible narrative with more than a dozen pictures never seen before in public.  A must read for those interested in Special Forces and the South African Border War. During his time at 1 Recce, he also qualified in HALO jumping, a team leader, and received many military decorations for his efforts. In 1988, SW left the army as a sergeant major to pursue a civilian career.

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Co-written by George M James, military author of more than 50 books.