Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep253 | S/Sgt Greg Ashton - Part 1 | D Squadron (Rhodesian) SAS, SADF RECCE
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
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Part 2 is really very, very interesting....(Tony B)
Every thumbs up.this channel gets oppressed by the algorithm an these guys are the Canary in the coal mine an much much more.most underated and unrecognised fighters and possibly the best and most valiant soldiers ever maybe in any historical era too,think of the odds these pioneers dared to win against.whole world against them and hating them for wanting to exist off the sweat of there brows
I am a patriotic American of Italian and Portuguese Ancestry born in Marin County Calif. in 1957. Many of My relatives and a Son are combat veteran’s. My Paternal Grandfather was a decorated Italian Soldier who fought at Adwa in 1896 and escaped capture there. I love all the Veteran’s interviews and respect their service and sacrifices . I agree with You 100% on the Bush War Veteran’s and the words of the St. Crispian’s Day speech at Agincourt ring true especially in regard to the Rhodesian’s . Whenever I hear Rhodesia it evokes deep emotion’s in Me that validate everything You said .
@@pelonehedd7631 nice reply thank u ,and i see what you mean about the st.crispin speech.beautiful poetry but just the way it was for these guys .it is tailor made for them actually. They will be remembered and admired in military history forever I'm sure
Great to hear Greg's story - a top class bloke. I went to high school with Greg some fifty years ago and we were both boarders. I remember him as a quite but thoughtful person who liked to read. His life has certainly taken some interesting twists since the Lowveld High days and he has packed much into the intervening years.
Relates his experiences like a writer. Thanks for the great stories and for your service
Great story bringing back numerous memories of my own young days growing up in the bush in Rhodesia. Can't wait for episode 2. Many thanks.
Great to hear a Lowveld High boy doing amazing stuff. Good on you. Ex White River.
Thank you, Barbara
Fantastic story telling Greg..You sound like a real Rhodesian. Loved it. Can’t wait for part 2. 🍻
I love all these great interviews. As a American who has a Son serving in the Special Forces and many relation’s who were combat veterans I hold the Rhodesian Forces , People and their cause in the very Highest Regard. I cannot help admitting that I hold My Manhood Cheap for not having been one of their Happy Few.
I personally highly respect US forces too and among all men that fight we are brothers in arms.
Good Man. What a time it was. Even among the horrors of war, compassion and kindness always prevailed. Speaking as a Zimbabwean/Rhodesian of British stock.
Excellent story teller, thank you Greg. Good questions, thank you Tony.
thank you Anna, I have been given some stick for talking too much so it's nice to hear your view.
Great soldiers the Rhodies- hard bitten professionals- arguably the finest bush soldiers in the world in the 70's. Former Rhodesia is a mess now after years of corrupt, inept African rule. I refuse to refer to it by it's current name, there is only Rhodesia as far as I am concerned. RESPECT from Britain.
A great talk by someone who knows how to explain what he went through. I can't wait for the book.
Great episode, thanks to all, K
Great stories by an eloquent chap. Thank you.
Enjoyed this one very much. Insights from outsiders (who became part of us) on our soldiers and way of life reveal details we took for granted. If we say it was a wonderful and unique country, we are biased, but when those who came and joined in say the same thing, it is even louder. It was a special time and place.
Fantastic interview Greg & John, beautifully detailed and great timeline flow.
Many thanks to all, looking forward to Part Two.
Salute and Respect
God Bless always
Great chat. Very interesting and a great story teller.
Bloody fantastic story. Thanks chaps.
Inspiring stories! Thank you for recommending “The power of one” by Bryce Courtenay. Fascinating read.
What an interesting interview- thank you Greg and Tony.
A very clear and informative account - very well narrated thanks Greg - a helluva good account of details . Not easy in an unfamiliar environments and amongst other soldiers . Thank you for your help and involvement !
Good Onya ,
Brilliant talk. Thanks guys. Really looking forward to part 2.
Coming soon!
Enjoyed the interview, Thanks! Andrew
Great interview Greg and Tony. Thanks too to John. As with all the other interviews, Greg maintains the humbleness. Can’t wait for part 2. How many sleeps until then Tony? 😂
It's up to John but as we are very short of material he may want to space it out by a week or so. The response to our interview appeals is appalling. I actually cried in part 2, Greg's descriptive ability is second to none.
Stuart 'Spof' Fee is certainly one of the more colourful SAAF pilots of yesteryear. I remember him as a co-pilot on Hercs at 28 Sqn in the mid 1980's. It would actually be great if somebody could do an interview with this ubiquitous gentleman.
thanks for sharing! Not much connection to Rhodesia or SA other than ancestors in the Boer war and British Army etc in India, commonwealth. Fascinating stuff and appreciate your sharing!
Another good interview; in my ignorance I initially thought that D Sqn 22 SAS was being referred to by accident... very much looking forward to part 2.
Very articulate and interesting speaker.
Wow, great story telling ability there Greg. Pretty sure its not 'all roses' but good to hear, can't wait for the next episode. Thanks for the interview. to you and Tony.
cheers boet!
Another amazing talk. The SAS were outstanding soldiers, the best of the best..
Thanks gentlemen! 🙏 Appreciate! Keep doing your style Tony, it brings much to these interviews! Your questions and thoughts are important and interesting!
Undertaking a left turning truck is never going to end well. Especially a MAP!
I never saw a cyclist and only knew about him when I heard "thunk" on the armour and a wail from the unseated rider Lol :)
I really enjoyed listening to this story, thank you. I look forward to part 2.
Remember doing that on North cliff Hill
We had no English / Afrikaner drama in 74 when i was called up
Certainly not in Zimbabwe
He’s talking about country primary school in the late 60’s. I was the one Greg defended…😂
Great. Very clear interview
Thanks Greg and Tony - I rather enjoyed part one... off to part two now!
Thank you Greg 🎉😊
Great interview much respect
Great story, thanks Greg Ashton.
Very informative interview Greg, great chat, Tony. Nice seeing 2 Rhodesians but on opposite sides sides. I dont mind a mosquito, bee or ants but flies... That is taking it to the top level. 🤬🤬🤬 😂
To correct a detail- in neither WWI or WWII was conscription implemented in South Africa. Understandably No one in their right mind thought the Afrikaners would fight for Britain.
The 3 other Dominions Canada, Australia and New Zealand all had conscription.
This was a very interesting episode of FMoRh to watch. Greg has an incredible determination to succeed and it paid off in this case of black ops in Rhodesia. Some guys hated the Russian Front. It was such an unhealthy place (See Only My Friends Call me Crouks by Dennis Croukamp BCR.) Thanks Greg and Tony for part 1. I look forward to part 2.
I've yet still to read Dennis' book ...
@@GregoryAshton_house_n_hill It was the first book I read on the personal accounts of the bush war. Awesome book so we bought all the others.
Greg, jou yesterday. Thanks mate.
As a Surveyor and Rifleman learnt to ignore Mopani flies
I moved from the UK to SA in 1983 and ended up living in the suburbs of Boksburg on the East Rand, up until around 1993 I was constantly scrapping with the Afrikaaner guys, my dad also made a dumb move and bought a house right over the road from the local Afrikaans Technical High School, walking home from school every day became a crucible of hand to hand combat for me...
Definitely toughened me up though
Well told! Very interesting. Talking about the "Power of One" story. Parts of the movie was shot in Bulawayo. Some scenes were filmed at the Bulawayo railway station area where I worked in the 90s. I later watched the movie. I really enjoyed listening to your story. Looking forward to Part 2.
What music opens this video? It almost brings me to tears.
"An Ode to Us" Howard Harper-Barnes (Epidemic Sound)
@@fightingmenofrhodesia thanks 👍🏻❤️
Great video, I have watched a few of the posts of fighting men of Rhodesia, I have some very interesting photos of my late uncle. John Henry Hodgson (known as Jack).
He lived out in Rhodesia however had to move to South Africa some photos are of him testing the 1st steerable parachute for the Rhodesian Army. Also a picture of A man called Jock Hutton, who I think has been mentioned in of of your videos. Who he was instructing on his 1st freefall. In 1958. Along with other interesting info. He was parachuted into the Normandy Landings , also served in Burma ,I also believe he served in Malayia and I also have his Rhodesian Parachute membership card which I have,along with a photo of the inauguration of in Salisbury 1956 by Gen. Lathbury. I never managed to see my late uncle however my late father always talked about him and did manage to speak to him when contact was re established . The stories my dad told me seem un believable however I have other info if you would be interested in and I could forward on pictures etc
Thanks
Hi William, please contact me via email at bugeisha7@gmail.com
muito bons rapazes. estou com saudades de mim, cara
Great conversation
My Med in Rhodesia I was classified as A1 Minus vision. Missed my Heart murmur from Rheumatic fever. I did not tell them.
I saw the movie Power of One but didn’t know there was a book
I thought C Sqd 22 SAS was the Rhodesian SAS and A & B Sqd were British SAS
"D" squadron was a cover name given to 1 SA Recce
Correct Roger. The "22 Sqd" was dropped and "c Sqd. or Rhodesian SAS was used. Then D Sqd. was created through 1 Recce fulfilling a role and a cover solution was found.
Didn't it end up as Rhodesian SAS Regiment?
@@chrisjones6736 no, it was always a temporary callsign.
@Toncor12 I was sure I saw it on a security summary document in 1979 but that was a long time ago. SAS I knew always just referred to 'the Squadron'.
Greg Ashton is very good at explaining the story. I just wish Tony would stop questioning him and let the story flow.
One comment every ten minutes breaks the flow does it? It's just my style, I know many questions I have asked have clarified points for people in past videos. Did you have the answers to the questions I asked? I think not.
@Toncor12 I personally feel that the audience is there to listen to the guests story and when to many questions are asked then it takes them off track and the thread gets lost a bit, but each to their own. I like Koos Kotze way of letting the guest talk then asking questions at the end. Anyway it's you guys who do such fantastic work bringing us great guests that are much appreciated so I will carry on watching no matter. Thank you.
@@brendonalison2472 I appreciate your input, thanks.
Disagree, in a discussion that is over an hour long it is best to ask questions at the time than wait to the end and then have to go back, keep up the great work Tony, looking forward to the continuing story.
It's an interview, not a lecture; occasional questions are helpful if the interviewee mentions something that may not be generally understood or needs expanding. 👍
🫡🙏
Dude, sounds like you should have given horse riding, not rugby...!!
I did, Dave. A slow learner, I guess ...
D squadron ??? That’s Brit SAS. C squadron was Rhodesia.
@angushamilton2077 • 22 hours ago
It's a little convoluted; the British "22 SAS Regiment" was constituted early 1950 and deployed into the Malayan Emergency in 1952 comprised of A, B, C and D Squadrons with C Squadron being manned and led almost entirely by Southern Rhodesian volunteers.
The Southern Rhodesian volunteers originally landed in Malaya under the designation SRFEVU (Southern Rhodesia Far East Volunteer Unit) but were soon re-designated by the British Military Command as "C (Rhodesia) Squadron, Malayan Scouts (SAS)" in 1951 and then again later that same year as "C (Rhodesia) Squadron, SAS Regiment (Malayan Scouts)".
In 1952 the unit was again re-designated, this time as "C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 SAS Regiment". This (Rhodesian) Squadron was disbanded when it returned to Southern Rhodesia from Malaya, in March 1953.
However, in late 1961 the unit was resurrected at Brady Barracks, Southern Rhodesia as "C Squadron, Rhodesian SAS Regiment" which went on to train alongside the British "22 SAS Regiment" in Aden in June 1962.
In 1964, just after the dissolution of the Federation, it again underwent re-designation, albeit subtle; this time as "C Squadron, Rhodesian Special Air Service Regiment". Official communication and co-operation between the latter and Britain's "22 SAS Regiment" continued until UDI in Nov 1965.
In June 1978 the unit was re-designated for a final time as "1 (Rhodesian) Special Air Service Regiment" and its three operational Troop formations re-constituted as A, B and C Squadrons. D Squadron was added soon after comprising entirely SA Recces.
At this time Britain's "22 SAS Regiment" was known to be comprised of four operational Squadrons: A, B, D and G. C (the Rhodesian Squadron) being designated as vacant in the British Regiment's OrBat. Its unknown if E and F Squadrons ever existed within this Regiment at this time. It is possible they were part of "21 SAS Regiment " or "23 SAS Regiment", the TF equivalents of the Regular "22 SAS Regiment".
Its unlikely that direct or effective command of the Rhodesian Squadron in it numerous iterations by Britain's "22 SAS Regiment" or British Military Command continued after March 1953. This would reflect Rhodesia's autonomous position within the British Empire up to Nov 1965.
@@fightingmenofrhodesia awesome info. So when it went from C squadron to Rhodesian SAS ( due UDI) they then had squadrons within it. Thankyou that clears that up. I’m sure D squadron at 22 in Hereford would’ve been bit surprised that they were full of recces in the past 🤣
@@fightingmenofrhodesia I guess if you are going to be strictly accurate. Rhodesian SAS was never fully fledged SAS as 22 Reg partakes in artic , jungle , desert , bush , close protection , etc. Whereas Rhodesian SAS was really only bush warfare ?
@@fightingmenofrhodesia E squadron is ghost squadron. Existence is often denied as its apparently attached to M16 Known as the Increment ….Jamesy Bondy. Nikisi Nkisi seveeeeen kinda shite
For context its worth remembering that during the 'Malayan Emergency' (1948-1960) two separate SAS Regiments were deployed: '22 SAS Regiment' from Britain deployed in 1952 and '1 NZ SAS Regiment' from New Zealand deployed in late 1955 early 1956. 'C (Rhodesia) Squadron' was an integral formation of Britain's '22 SAS Regiment' for the last year or so of its deployment in Malaya, not a separate Regiment like the '1 NZ SAS Regiment'. But like 'C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 SAS Regiment', '1 NZ SAS Regiment' was also disbanded upon its return home to New Zealand, in 1957. And also later resurrected, in Oct 1959.
Interestingly Australia's '1 Squadron, SAS Regiment' was also deployed into Malaya (Sarawak) in Mar 1965, several years after the 1948-1960 'Malayan Emergency' ended, to counter Indonesian aggression in Borneo. Other than initial, orientational instruction from Britain's '22 SAS Regiment' who were already deployed in-country, Australia's '1 Squadron, SAS Regiment' operated almost entirely independent of the former. And unlike 'C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 SAS Regiment' and '1 NZ SAS Regiment', Australia's '1 Squadron, SAS Regiment' was not disbanded upon returning home from Malaya; the Regiment was in fact expanded to three Squadrons.
It's worth remembering that whilst '1 Rhodesian SAS Regiment' was 'disbanded' in Dec 1980 it survived the military transition that followed 'Independence', apparently re-designated as '1 Zimbabwe SAS Regiment'. And a legacy of involvement by the various SAS Regiments in Malaya was the establishment of the Malaysian Army's Regular '21 SAS Regiment' which remains operational today.