Bush War Operator

Memoirs of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, Selous Scouts and Beyond

By: A.J. Balaam

Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

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

From an operator’s perspective - the day to day of the bush war

The author takes you through his life, from a young man to the RLI to the Selous Scouts to the SA Security Service. The heat, the flies, the wounds, the fear and introspection.

Great read!

A true story of a hard war.

I have enjoyed the story of the hell that Andy went through and ended up in a bad spot anyway. You can never trust a politician, something that his life proves true. America is headed down the same path now, and unless God saves us, we will endure a similar situation.

I expected so much more from a Scout.

No wonder his comrades didnt like him much. Half the trouble he got into was his own doing. I'm genuinely disappointed.

Entertaining

This book kept my interest. The author has many great stories and is adept at conveying them. Narrator was excellent also

Rhodesians Never Die

wow just amazing
very good look into the Bush war and it's operations WOW

A difficult story

This story is a semi-disjointed collection of excerpts from the authors life. He does not shy away from the ugly, confusing suffering of his time in service. This is an interesting counter balance to A Handful of Hard Men. Where that story is exciting and full of rah rah wave the flag excitement. Bush War Operator is upfront about the unpleasant side of war. Not what I expected but very good none the less.

Educational and Insightful

Insightful to the efforts to sace Rhodesia from the Marxists. Had Rhodesia been saved, they would would adpated and transitioned from minority rule.

Fascinating and Unflinching

Fascinating and unflinching account of a very difficult time and place in history. I couldn't stop listening. The editing needs some work, as it is a little confusing at times. It is well worth the listen.

A wild ride if nothing else

A very frank account of many experiences that seemed to stick out for the author. It can feel at little disorganized at times but not distractingly so. It is not a complete guide to the bush war and it is not a play by play of all interesting events. The book feels like the stories are being told to you by the author over some beers.
I totally recommend if you want an unconventional look at an often overlooked period of history by someone who was there.

Interesting

Interesting insight of actions and adventures of the author, and tactics of the Selous Scouts. But felt like he bounced around and left gaps in the story after giving teasing pieces of information.