When I was conscripted into the 1st South African Infantry Battalion in 1988 I, like many other politically disinformed white South African youths never really questioned the reasons behind the conscription. Most of us were not even aware that Cuba, backed by Soviet and East-German advisors were maintaining thousands of troops in Angola.
   JD perching in a Ratel
     

Almost as soon as my two years were over, I quickly forgot that I'd ever been a soldier in the South African Defence Force. Many years afterwards though, I started remembering. Whilst searching for information on the internet I found this official document compiled for the South African Defence Force Review in 1989 by Colonel C.J. Nöthling. The chronicle, spanning more than 70 years, sheds interesting light on the history of the SADF and it's many conflicts in the regions of Southern Africa.

Besides my own experience in 1 SAI Battalion, this section also features the experiences of Corporal Simon Hare who was with the South African Army Corps of Engineers during 1983 and 1984. The stories and photos on this site typify life during the compulsory period of national service in the SADF, a life experienced similarly by just about every other National Serviceman at the time.

If you're interested in furthering the informative experience then be sure to check out my SADFlinks page where you'll find an ever growing list of weblinks relating to the South African Defence Force, once regarded as the most well trained fighting force in Africa.