Vlamgat - the term the South African Air Force personnel affectionally called their Mirage fighter jets. Vlamgat means 'flaming arse' in direct translation - and for good reason.

Here two Mirage III D2Zs, numbers 843 and 849 at the weapons camp in Langebaan in 1985 - one of which is having a 'wet start' - where excess fuel in the combustion chamber and tail pipe is burnt off in a phenomenon called 'torching'

Arguably the most famous Boer involved in the border war, Wilhelm Friedrich Ratte (born 14 February 1948) the youngest son born to a South African mother and German father. He is a former member of the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service of the Rhodesian Army, and former Lieutenant Colonel in 32 Battalion, the most decorated unit in the South African Defence Force. Ratte volunteered to join the Rhodesian Army in 1973 and was in the Rhodesian Light Infantry and later transferred to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service.[2] After six years in the Rhodesian Army and before the 1980 disbandment of the Rhodesian Special Air Service, Ratte left and joined the South African Defence Force. He was transferred to the elite 32 Battalion in 1979 with the rank of lieutenant. His command and reconnaissance skills during reconnaissance operations such as "Project Spiderweb" earned him many promotions. He was referred to by Eeben Barlow as being "simply the finest, most professional soldier ever trained by the SADF."

South African Air Force Dakota 6884, now converted into a C-47TP seen here flying up the West Coast from AFB Ysterplaat to CFS Langebaanweg in formation with an SAAF Oryx Helicopter that is well camouflaged against the background, flying in the Dak's 5 o' clock position.

Just Another Angola... | Going Postal

In the 1970s and 80s, thousands of SADF volunteers from South Africa fought and died against Communist forces in Angola, whose Afro-Marxist contingent was heavily supported by various sponsors composed of Soviet, Western, and Globalist backers...

A SADF Field Engineer is seen clearing a mine in the operational area of South West Africa.

This road was well known to just about every "mine hound" as it was so frequently mined by PLAN insurgents.

However, it was business as usual for this engineer - notice his buddies are well back and no blast protection equipment or robots. Just skill, steady nerve and excellent training.

Speaking of "mine hounds" - here's a real one. This great image of a SADF dog handler and his dog on operations in Ovamboland, South West Africa/ Namibia. This particular Black Labrador is trained to sniff out explosives. Vital in a war so dominated by land mines.

Cape Town Highlanders 1976. The C.T. Highlanders stage a homecoming parade in Darling street upon their return from the Angolan border operational area on the 17th of March 1976

Commonly known as 'black is beautiful' camouflage paint - these SADF troopers are getting ready for a night patrol on the Angolan/South West Africa border. Notice the leather covers/patches for their watches.

Zwarte Piet camouflage?

Mounted infantry play a game of football in 1983 at Otavi, the base for the South West African Specialist Unit (SWASPES) which consisted of mounted infantry, dog handlers, trackers and a special unit motorcycle platoon

Me and the boys taking the Ratels out for a spin