| Main centres: | 1-3 business days |
| Regional areas: | 3-4 business days |
| Remote areas: | 3-5 business days |
Condition: Good. Two smallish light moisture stains on the very edge of first 170 or so pages. Content clean and book solid.
Format: A4 softcover
Published: 2010 (PelsA Books)
Pages: 329
ISBN: 9780620467384
The thesis of L.J. van Wyk was used as basis for this book. The source of all supplements will, wherever possible, be mentioned. Photographs have been added with indications of the suppliers.
THE BOOK RECOUNTS ONLY A BRIEF HISTORY OF 1 Parachute Battalion (1 Para Bn) 1960 1991 and I therefore do not profess this account to be a complete version of that history. I share the sentiment of being an airborne soldier. I received my parachute training at the age of 35 with the Recces, at Dukuduku in Zululand, with Warrant Officer First Class Pep van Zyl* as course leader and Warrant Officer Second Class Dave Tippett as my instructor. It was an honour to be able to execute an operational jump and I personally think that is the highlight for every parachute member to experience it was for me.
Attempting to summarise and render the full story of 1 Para Bn from inception to 1991 in a shortened version is practically an impossible task. Many occurrences, verbal reports, personal experiences of many South African parachute soldiers and much unwritten historical data were lost in course of time, therefore rendering a true account of the history of the unit incomplete. The current leg of the unit, which is one of pride and prestige, also makes the completion of this book exceptionally difficult.
The real emotional experience sensed by every wing bearer during training, ceremonial appearances and operational utilisation cannot be rendered. It can be done even less with their feelings towards their unit. Historical objectivity is therefore, due to the above reasons, difficult to maintain.
The importance of this book lies in its coverage of the history of the Battalion and if any ex-paratrooper should read the book, to remind them of their own personal experiences during training and operations.
A follow-up on and companion book to this book will be We Fly with the Eagles, the history of all the other parachute units of South Africa. A book on personal stories of individual paratroopers is being compiled by my friend, Jonathan Pittaway, with the title Bats The men speak.
