Deon Lamprecht - Bloedbroers

Loading player...
“Dis politici wat oorlog verklaar, nie ons nie. Ons het gedoen wat ons geglo het ons moes doen en hulle [die vyand] ook . . .” - Marco Caforio, ouddienspligtige

Op 10 Junie 1980 gedurende 'n eindelose dag van bloedige gevegte onder die Angolese son is 13 lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag dood en etlike beseer toe 61 Gemeganiseerde Bataljon Groep 'n kompleks van Swapo-basisse in die suide van Angola aangeval het.

Gedurende Operasie Sceptic het tweede luitenant Paul Louw sy peleton in vier Ratels na die slagveld by die doelwit Smokeshell gelei. In die chaos wat daardie dag gevolg het, is 12 dienspligtiges in sy peleton van 44 noodlottig gewond en hy is self ook beseer. Een van sy troepe, die 18-jarige HP Ferreira, is met 'n 14,5 mmmasjiengeweer deur sy pelvis geskiet en hy is ook deur etlike AK-47 koeëls getref. Hy het wonderbaarlik oorleef.

Louw, nog met die bloed van sy manne aan sy klere, en 'n handjievol ander soldate het die aand deurgebring in 'n Ratel wat deur 'n RPG-vuurpyl getref is. Hulle was heeltemal afgesny van die res van die aanvalsgroep en het nie geweet of hulle die son sou sien opkom nie.

In Bloedbroers vertel van die oorlewendes van hul ervarings tydens die geveg. Dit werp ook lig op wat met soldate gebeur nadat die laaste skote afgevuur is en volg die veterane toe hulle vier dekades ná die operasie vir die eerste keer na die slagveld teruggekeer het.
2 Sep 2024 English South Africa Books · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

The Lions' Den by Iris Mwanza

Join us for a riveting conversation on Pagecast as Sewela Langeni sits down with Iris Mwanza to explore her gripping debut novel, The Lion's Den. This legal thriller set in Zambia's turbulent political landscape tackles themes of justice, gender equality, and systemic oppression. More about the book: Rookie lawyer Grace…
7 Apr 32 min

The Gambling Animal by Don Ross and Glenn Harrison

Join David Gorin as he sits down with Don Ross to discuss The Gambling Animal, a compelling exploration of human behaviour and risk-taking. Discover the psychology behind gambling, its societal impacts, and why we’re wired to take chances. Tune in for an insightful conversation. More about the book: Evolution is…
31 Mar 32 min

White Supremacy A Brief History of Hatred by Gavin Evans

This week on Pagecast, Beverley Roos-Muller sits down with Gavin Evans to discuss his thought-provoking new book, White Supremacy: A Brief History of Hatred. Tune in for a deep dive into the complex and often disturbing history of white supremacy, and explore how its legacy continues to shape our world…
24 Mar 29 min

Sir Herbert Baker by John Stewart

This week on Pagecast, Michele Magwood is in conversation with John Stewart about his book, the first complete and comprehensive biography of Sir Herbert Baker. More about the book: Architect Sir Herbert Baker left an indelible mark on South Africa and much of the British Empire in the first half…
17 Mar 27 min

The Dating Playbook by Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela

This week on Pagecast, Ndizwanga Nemanashi is in conversation with Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela about her book, The Dating Playbook. You can look forward to hearing Dudu answer all your burning questions about dating, love and desire. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Dating is an extreme sport and no one survives it unscathed…
27 Feb 23 min