Croukamp Dennis. Only My Friends Call Me Crouks

Cape Town: Dennis Croukamp, 2006. — 478 p.Dennis Croukamp was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and lived an idyllic life in the bush. As a young boy he spent his free time fishing and hunting and had shot his first buck at the age of seven. After leaving school he was called up to do his national service and thereafter in January 1965 enlisted in the Rhodesian Light Infantry as a Private. He served in the Rhodesian Army until 1980, rising through the ranks to eventually retire with the rank of Warrant Officer.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.As a member of the famed Selous Scouts, Dennis became a reconnaissance specialist and carried out numerous reconnaissance mission in Mozambique. Whilst on one of his missions he became seperated from his two companions and spent the following six days making his way back to Rhodesia, all the while being pursued by FRELIMO soldiers. During this epic escape and evasion saga, Dennis had no communication with his base; he had no food or support and had to walk nearly 200 kilometres to get back to Rhodesia.Dennis experienced guerrilla warfare from its inception in Rhodesia in 1967 until the cease-fire in 1979 and the eventual transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. He had an exciting and adventurous career; was wounded in combat, and saw action on all border areas of Rhodesia and also in Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana. Some senior officers have told their experiences of the Rhodesia bush war, but this book gives the views and experiences of a man in the rank and file of the Rhodesian Army. He pulls no punches in telling his story and the book reflects his ability as a narrator.Contents:FOREWORDPrefaceCHAPTER 1. EARLY YEARSCHAPTER 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE ARMY 1964CHAPTER 3. ARMY INTRODUCTION CONTINUESCHAPTER 4. 3 COMMANDO RHODESIAN LIGHT INFANTRYCHAPTER 5. URBAN OPERATIONSCHAPTER 6. TRAINING EXERCISESCHAPTER 7. UDI, RURAL OPERATIONS AND VILJOEN MURDERSCHAPTER 8. MY FIRST PROMOTION 1967CHAPTER 9. OPERATION CAULDRONCHAPTER 10. BORDER CONTROL AND MORE OPERATIONSCHAPTER 11. OPERATIONS IM MOZAMBIQUECHAPTER 12. EXILED TO LLEWELLIN BARRACKSCHAPTER 13. SELOUS SCOUTS SELECTION COURSECHAPTER 14. MATABELELAND OPS AND LONG LEAVECHAPTER 15. MY FIRST SCOUTS RECONNAISSANCECHAPTER 16. ESCAPE AND EVASIONCHAPTER 17. ESCAPE AND EVASION (CONTINUED)CHAPTER 18. CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONSCHAPTER 19. BIG BANG IN LITTLE RussiaCHAPTER 20. LAST YEAR IN SCOUTSCHAPTER 21. A BUG (NOT AN INSECT)CHAPTER 22. SCHOOL OF INFANTRY INSTRUCTORCHAPTER 23. GOOD NEWS ALL ROUNDCHAPTER 24. AN EXCITING LIFESTYLE DRAWS TO A CLOSEBIBLIOGRAPHYREFERENCES