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(More customer reviews)In the southwestern region of Africa from 1966 to 1989 a bloody border war took place in Angola and Namibia. A key aspect of the conflict was the use of military air power. "From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force During The Border War" by Brigadier General Dick Lord has written a comprehensive and definitive history of the South African Air Force (SAAF) operations as part of every major South African Defence Force (SADF) operation from the outbreak of hostilities to the 'April Fool's Day War' in 1989. Lord writes with a particular expertise drawn from his own personal operational reports and diaries, enhanced with recorded anecdotes of aviators from individual squadrons and flyers from all manner of military aircraft from Mirages to C-160s to helicopters. Of special note is the descriptive information on SAAF coordination with various ground troop units. "From Fledgling to Eagle" is more than a simple recording of battles, but also offers analysis into such aspects of the conflict as Angola as a Soviet proxy in an attempt to weaken South Africa as a regional power. Informed and informative, is a terrific read and a welcome addition to personal and academic library Military History collections in general, and Military Aviation Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.
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'From Fledgling to Eagle' chronicles the evolution of the SAAF in the 'Border War' that raged in Angola and South West Africa (Namibia) from 1966 to 1989, covering all the major South African Defence Force (SADF) operations from Ongulumbashe to the 'April Fool's Day war' in 1989. Dick Lord, who writes in a 'from the cockpit' style, has drawn on his own first-hand operational reports and diaries, incorporating anecdotes from dozens of aviators from a wide variety of squadrons - Buccaneers, Canberras, Mirages, Impapas, Bosboks, C-160s and 130s and helicopters. He also expands on the close relationship the SAAF had with the ground troops in a variety of operations - such units as the Parabats, Recces and Koevoet.However, Lord studies the broader ramifications of the conflict in that it was not a simple black-white war. Angola was really just a sideshow for the Soviets who wanted to bleed the SAAF in a war of attrition before attempting total domination of South Africa - their ultimate goal. Although he gives credit to the enemy when they put up a stiff fight, he clearly outlines the overwhelming South African successes and dispels, in accurate detail, all enemy claims by giving an accurate account of each battle.
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