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Bush War Operator

Memoirs of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, Selous Scouts and Beyond

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Bush War Operator

By: A.J. Balaam
Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman
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Anyone living in Rhodesia during the 1960s and 1970s would have had a father, husband, brother, or son called up in the defense of the war-torn, landlocked little country. A few of these brave men would have been members of the elite and secretive unit that struck terror into the hearts of the ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrillas infiltrating the country at that time - the Selous Scouts.

Twice decorated - with the Member of the Legion of Merit (MLM) and the Military Forces' Commendation (MFC) - Andrew Balaam was a member of the Rhodesian Light Infantry and later the Selous Scouts for a period spanning 12 years. This is his honest and insightful account of his time as a pseudo operator.

In later years, after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, he was involved with a number of other former Selous Scouts in the attempted coups in the Ciskei, a South African homeland, and Lesotho, an independent nation, whose only crimes were supporting the African National Congress. Training terrorists, or as they preferred to be called, "liberation armies", to conduct a war of terror on innocent civilians, was the very thing he had spent the last 10 years in Rhodesia fighting against. This is the true, untold story of these failed attempts at governmental overthrows.

©2014 A.J. Balaam (P)2020 Tantor 20th Century Military & War Modern World Africa Memoir War
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Mr. Balaam had a very tough time and most would agree that service in the Selous Scouts was not glamorous. Thanks to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice even though they lost the war to the communists in the end. I think a lot of fighting men had it a lot easier in regular forces and the entire book is a moan and complaint about how shit his experience was. I enjoyed it though and found relief in that life could be a lot worse than it is.

Moan from start to end but enjoyable nonetheless

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the war from a soldiers perspective, very descriptive and well told. I really enjoyed the way the memoirs were told, gave a good picture of the the rugged bush and harsh elements that the Rhodesian soldiers had to endure.

great memoirs

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Really good listen. Alot of bush war tips and trips present in this book.

Tips and tricks from a old dog

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the author is very credible and sounds like a person relating genuine experience rather than telling a story. I enjoyed it but the toll this cost the author is apparent. read if you want a ring of truth to things.

Very much the memoirs of the time.

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Good fast paced and interesting from a man who has had a interesting and challenging life

Pace of story

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