From fighting the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola for critical oil installations and diamond fields to the offensive against the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone to capture the Kono diamond fields, and the palace coup which ousted Captain Valentine Strasser, van Heerden was at the forefront.
He tells of the tragedy of child soldiers, illegal diamond mining and the curse of government soldiers who turn on their own people; he tells of RUF atrocities, the harrowing attempt to rescue a downed pilot and the efforts to recover the remains of soldiers killed in action.
Coupled with van Heerden's gripping expose, hitherto unpublished photographs, order of battle charts and battle maps offer unprecedented access to the major actions as they took place on the ground during the heydays of Executive Outcomes.
About the Authors
Andrew Hudson holds three post-graduate degrees, works internationally and enjoys travelling. He divides his time between earning an income, indulging his passion for collecting books on conflict in Africa and road running in weird and wonderful locations.
Roelf van Heerden decided at a young age that the vastness and unpredictability of the wild African outdoors were far superior to the confines of an office. With his sights set firmly on the next high ground, the next mountain range and the next mirage, he set off on his life's adventure as a soldier.
- ISBN10 1907677763
- ISBN13 9781907677762
- Publish Date 15 May 2012
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 10 October 2016
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Helion & Company
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 320
- Language English