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Recce: A Collector's Guide to the History of the South African Special Forces
The quintessential professional—prepared to die for his country, but not trained to … this is the elite ‘Recce’ soldier
This book has been some 15 years in the making and can claim, with some justification, to be the definitive publication on the ‘Recces’, unlikely to be topped for many, many years. The South African Special Forces have invariably been portrayed as a sinister force, used in covert operations locally and abroad but this is pure political expediency and media propaganda. The unit’s operators are shy, humble soldiers, whose primary role is intelligence-gathering, although they will take offensive action, ruthlessly, if necessary. Highly trained professionals in a class of their own, these elite troops have garnered for themselves an international reputation par excellence. Included in this unique book
• Foreword by the late Major-General F. W. Loots
• A comprehensive history of the Reconnaissance Regiments and auxiliary units
• Selection and training processes and techniques
• Insignia, kit & equipment
• Honors & awards
• Memorabilia, memorials & museums
• 2,500 full-color images; actual-size insignia (including fakes)
This book has been some 15 years in the making and can claim, with some justification, to be the definitive publication on the ‘Recces’, unlikely to be topped for many, many years. The South African Special Forces have invariably been portrayed as a sinister force, used in covert operations locally and abroad but this is pure political expediency and media propaganda. The unit’s operators are shy, humble soldiers, whose primary role is intelligence-gathering, although they will take offensive action, ruthlessly, if necessary. Highly trained professionals in a class of their own, these elite troops have garnered for themselves an international reputation par excellence. Included in this unique book
• Foreword by the late Major-General F. W. Loots
• A comprehensive history of the Reconnaissance Regiments and auxiliary units
• Selection and training processes and techniques
• Insignia, kit & equipment
• Honors & awards
• Memorabilia, memorials & museums
• 2,500 full-color images; actual-size insignia (including fakes)
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 26, 2012
This book, without question, has a lot of great and useful information. It has hundreds of excellent insignia and operational photos. It is, however, a book primarily intended for collectors of insignia, Regimental items and awards, and those interested in the nitty gritty of its selection processes and information on things such as founding members, medals, etc. There are also a number of good operational photos and some well done sections on load carrying gear.
The issue is that the authors are excellent authors on the insignia side, but for people such as myself, who are interested in their uniforms and equipment, it is not as good. The uniform section has at least one mislabeled item, and several others unmentioned in the picture captions (including the use of Recce copy Cuban Elm Leaf camo), other uniforms such as DDR Rain, FAPLA Grey Lizard, Egyptian Lizard, and Rhodesian camo (despite several operators wearing it) receive little to no mention. Equipment is similarly covered. They do an outstanding job of thoroughly documenting the webbing the group used, and this is a great read (with the exception of one seemingly normal Chicom SKS rig which was apparently custom made, though no explanation given.) Again, however, the reader is left to discern some of the content themselves. For example, no listing is given of the weaponry employed, but there is a very clear picture of an operator equipped with an American MAC-10 SMG with silencer. Not only is this a weapon I have never otherwise heard of the Recce's using, but no mention, let alone explanation, of this appearance is given. Considering there were a number of ex-Selous Scouts in their midst, and the Scouts had found the Uzi 9mm somewhat lacking for ops it is a wonder why the South Africans would have a Mac-10. Especially when it would be much harder to source than the Israeli-made Uzi and was generally considered a less-capable weapon. Insight, or even mention, of this appearance would have been highly valuable.
Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, and perhaps much of this is common knowledge otherwise, but this feels a bit like an insignia/memorabilia collecting book with some operational/gear info thrown in. Make no mistake it is an excellent book, excellently photographed, and helpful in bringing to light information on a number of subjects. If one is interested in camouflage uniforms, equipment used other than webbing, and the like, be cautious is purchasing this item.
The issue is that the authors are excellent authors on the insignia side, but for people such as myself, who are interested in their uniforms and equipment, it is not as good. The uniform section has at least one mislabeled item, and several others unmentioned in the picture captions (including the use of Recce copy Cuban Elm Leaf camo), other uniforms such as DDR Rain, FAPLA Grey Lizard, Egyptian Lizard, and Rhodesian camo (despite several operators wearing it) receive little to no mention. Equipment is similarly covered. They do an outstanding job of thoroughly documenting the webbing the group used, and this is a great read (with the exception of one seemingly normal Chicom SKS rig which was apparently custom made, though no explanation given.) Again, however, the reader is left to discern some of the content themselves. For example, no listing is given of the weaponry employed, but there is a very clear picture of an operator equipped with an American MAC-10 SMG with silencer. Not only is this a weapon I have never otherwise heard of the Recce's using, but no mention, let alone explanation, of this appearance is given. Considering there were a number of ex-Selous Scouts in their midst, and the Scouts had found the Uzi 9mm somewhat lacking for ops it is a wonder why the South Africans would have a Mac-10. Especially when it would be much harder to source than the Israeli-made Uzi and was generally considered a less-capable weapon. Insight, or even mention, of this appearance would have been highly valuable.
Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, and perhaps much of this is common knowledge otherwise, but this feels a bit like an insignia/memorabilia collecting book with some operational/gear info thrown in. Make no mistake it is an excellent book, excellently photographed, and helpful in bringing to light information on a number of subjects. If one is interested in camouflage uniforms, equipment used other than webbing, and the like, be cautious is purchasing this item.
Displaying 1 of 1 review