As other reviewers have said the writing could be better. For me it was how the narrative flowed more than anything. There were times where I could not put the book down and others where I kind of forced my way through. However with all of the action it never seemed to drag badly. It was interesting how the author really tried to get other perspectives and include them in the book: I will certainly admit, Crouks is headstrong, tenacious, stubborn and probably a good soldier in the field. But he is also unlikable, self-centered, arrogant, unprofessional, immature and incapable of writing a compelling story in my opinion. Wood, J. R. T. (June 2005). So far and no further! Rhodesia's bid for independence during the retreat from empire 1959–1965. Victoria, British Columbia: Trafford Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4120-4952-8. In his career as a soldier, Dennis at first served in an infantry unit, but later served as member of the elite Selous Scouts under the command of Lieutanant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly. During the late 1960's the Rhodesian bush war started and ZANU and ZAPU guerillas infiltrated into the country. As a member of the armed forces, Dennis was often involved in skirmishes with the guerrillas. In 1970, not only did he become the most junior rank officer to be awarded the Rhodesian Bronze Cross, but also the first recipient for gallantry and determination in action after a fierce battle.

The commander of the Selous Scouts is given a chance to respond to Croukamp's claims many times throughout the book. While this is a credit to the author in terms of honesty, it kind of got old and I found myself skipping them.These 21 men had been due to pass out two weeks later but had been brought through early to assist in the operation. [49] Lieutenant-General Peter Walls". The Daily Telegraph. London. 27 July 2010 . Retrieved 27 September 2011.

Edwards was replaced as commanding officer of the RLI on 1 December 1964 by Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Walls. [21] A personable, jovial commander, Walls shared Smith's views on the independence question, and less than a month after his appointment incurred a reproach from his superior, Brigadier Rodney Putterill, when he allowed his men to wear paper hats marked "RLI for UDI" at Christmas dinner. [22] Walls had formed and commanded C Squadron (Rhodesian) SAS in Malaya during the early 1950s, and he was instructed to reform the RLI into a commando regiment along similar lines. Along with intensive specialist training, the new commanding officer replaced the peaked caps with tartan green berets to reinforce the Battalion's new role. He also instituted a new structure: unlike most commando units, which are battalions in their own right, Walls decided to keep the RLI name and have the sub-units referred to as "Commandos". A Company was renamed 1 Commando, B Company became 2 Commando and C and D Companies combined to form 3 Commando. HQ Company was retitled Base Group, which also controlled Support Group. The result of this reorganisation was that the RLI, in its new commando form, comprised five troops, each of 25 men. [23] During 1965 Walls expanded each Commando to number around 100 men, each divided into four troops. Each of these was in turn split into two 12-man patrols. [24] This original pair of cheetah mascots died on 6 October 1963, as did several sets of replacements over the years. New cheetahs were generally introduced some time after the deaths of their predecessors, but even during these intervals the unit's roll would specify the animal as its official mascot. [6] In February 1975, a nine-month-old cheetah cub was donated to the regiment by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management; this cheetah became "Trooper Saint", the RLI's permanent mascot. [7]Dennis Croucamp was a combat veteran, author and adventurer who died at 2.30am on Saturday January 9. Croukamp, Dennis E. W. (December 2005). Only My Friends Call Me "Crouks": Rhodesian reconnaissance specialist. Cape Town: Pseudo Publishing. ISBN 978-0-620-29392-1. Comparing the two conflicts, the tour(s) of an American infantryman would rarely go over a maximum of a couple of years. What would it be like to fight a war for over 14 years?

The Bush War" is too broad a title: this is no general documentary, but one mans memoirs of his experiences in the Rhodesian forces. Palley, Claire (1966). The constitutional history and law of Southern Rhodesia 1888–1965, with special reference to Imperial control (Firsted.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. ASIN B0000CMYXJ. Colour Sergeant Wally Ferreira died on 13 December 1968 while attempting to save the life of Lieutenant Charl Viljoen, who had fallen into the Zambezi and was drowning. Ferreira jumped in to save him and was also drowned. [72] For his "gallantry and leadership" in this action, Al Tourle was awarded the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia on 23 October 1970. [56]When Operation Cauldron was closed on 31 May 1968, 58 of the 126 fighters who had crossed from Zambia had been confirmed killed and 51 had been captured. Of the 17 outstanding, nine had returned to Zambia, leaving eight unaccounted for. A modern re-enactor simulates a Rhodesian Light Infantry trooper from the mid-1970s. RLI soldiers favoured practicality while on operations and typically wore a lightweight T-shirt and shorts. From 1977 the wearing of regulation camouflage, including long-sleeved shirts and trousers, was strictly enforced because of the easy visibility of exposed white skin. [1] Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (April 2008) [1982]. The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-84415-694-8. Perhaps that is the most startling element in the book for me: for all of the author's insight and reflection there is no sense of remorse for those that he killed or injured. Maybe this is the answer to my #1 question above in that he and his fellow soldiers were fighting for a homeland - their homeland. In the later stages of the book (and the war) Croukamp comments on how the members of the RLI seemed more ruthless than when he started in the mid sixties. Obviously the average soldier felt threatened and desperate as things dragged on and on.

I was fascinated by what felt like his absolute addiction to war and adrenaline fixes (freefall parachuting when not fighting) and the venting of lots of spleen over events that it took him twenty+ years to get to print, and a seemingly astonishing level of recall. As he remarks at the end this was a corporal's war and the whole thing is viewed from this perspective, including inevitably lots of resentment about officers. van Rensburg, A. P. J. (1975). Contemporary Leaders of Africa. Cape Town: HAUM. ISBN 0-7986-0156-6. OCLC 1676807.Croucamp was a long-time sufferer of leukaemia and kidney disease, with his death was attributed to Covid-19. Throughout the action, which lasted nearly six hours, Croukamp displayed outstanding leadership for so junior a non-commissioned officer and conspicuous gallantry under heavy fire. His courage, determination and personal example were an inspiration to the whole troop. His prompt action in the initial stages of the engagement undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades.” Croucamp lived a very interesting life, and adventure seemed to be a main driving force. Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) he served with the Rhodesian Light Infantry and Selous Scouts and was awarded the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia on October 23 1970 while serving with 3 Commando RLI. I've read a lot of books about Rhodesia's desperate struggle to keep their freedom. This is without a doubt one of the best. Not to be confused with the Selous Scouts special forces regiment, which was founded in 1973 and headed by Major Ron Reid-Daly. [5]