Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep267 | Sgt Mike West - Part 3 | Bounty Hunting!
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
- Born poor, he battled on the streets of the mining towns; from orphanage to reformatory to warder on Pretoria Central’s ‘Death Row’. After a brush with the law, he went north to join the fight for Rhodesia, and served with distinction in the Grey Scouts, the RLI and then the SAS.
Fighting ferociously to the bitter end, the politicians ended his war and he returned to his homeland to re-enter the fray with the Recces. Unorthodox in his methods, scornful of dogma, a rebel in their ranks, he rankled his seniors but was seldom far from the thick of the action.
Attacking the enemy from the air, land and sea, he led from the front against the Russians, Cubans, Angolans and SWAPO. Like his mentor, Rhodesian SAS Captain Darrell Watt, the man he idolizes, he was denied the recognition he deserved.
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Spoken as the true story. Forthright humble and honest recollection of a very fine soldier and character.
Soldiers like mike and Darryl don't get medals, they get everlasting respect.
Salute
He assumes his responsibility in this horrendous situation. À man of principle which he applied by his actions. Respect.
Mike the fact that you stayed with your mate Salute I would be proud to have been in action with you In RLI we always said we would never leave our mates behind!
Quite right Trevor, & we never left any body behind until Puma 164!
Lived an excellent life in spite of a poor hand
Much respect
What an example to the youth
I’m only 17 but I still watch these videos because I have always found Rhodesia’s fight not only inspiring but taken straight out of a movie. These men fought like lions for their country, and families, against unbelievable odds. Any of you Rhodesian fighting men that see this I want you to know, after 44 years you still manage to inspire younger generations all around the world. I am an American, and where I’ve grown up many label you men as the bad guys, but in my eyes you are heroes. Godspeed and God bless, I hope you all have peaceful and happy lives after the hell you men went through. I can't express how much I look up to you and how inspired I am by your bravery and devotion to something bigger than yourselves. You men are real heroes.
Thank you so much!
Suffice it to say the S .A.S. still keeps on it's orbat a space for the long defunct Rhodesian S.A.S. squadron.Thats how much respect they have.
Amazing 🤩
'12 RPDs in a line, and Darrel Watt...' What's gonna stop us? Dare say they could still take on anyone and anything even now. Nails!
True man of war Mike. Well done to you, Hannes and team. Appreciate all your memories being made public. Stay well.
Never judge a man unless you have walked in his boots and his foot steps... Different time.Same place.
Men of valour.👍
Mike you are an absolute legend. Your experiences are matched by few, and you resemble what all men should strive to be.
Hannes, as always your interviews are amazing. You narrate these perfectly and really draw the best out of the whole interview.
Well said
Wow Mike you are a man amongst men and we are so grateful that you came to our aid when it got so hairy. Sadly as always the b------ politicians and big money screwed us over, the little guys who fought for principles and ideals. Outdated ideals maybe but the Rhodesians fought , and we truly treasure and appreciate your contribution.
May you have a quiet and fulfilling life now old soldier.
Makorokota Baba!!
Wow. Gone are the days of men of this caliber. I just dont see the youth of today ever being as tough mentally and physically as these fine soldiers.
An excellent interview yet again, having purchased his book it has been enlightening listening to his stories in his own words. Very interesting indeed.
Jeez, about a million miles from my own life story!
The things you guys have lived through!
Thanks again for shedding light on these moments of history.
What a makonya. Wish you's all the best.
Personally, I wouldn't call this bounty hunting. This was war...If the operators got paid by the farmers, so be it...P.S. I think the term 'operators' only applies to the Recce's, but happy to be corrected...Looking forward to the next few installments of this chat
What a soldier, I could listen to him all day …. Salute….!
❤till today i listen to these great musicians. I am 68 this year. I grew up in this era where the 70's music was so captivating. The music of today bar a few exceptions are nowhere as good.
Mike you're man amongst men. What an amazing story. I wonder if I know Sgt Andy Chait C squadron SAS a very good friend of mine from school.Gone to soon. I salute you.
Another entertaining talk, cheers 🍻
These accounts are in a league of their own. There are no words_ Gratitude
Salute
😊Thank you Guy's 🎉
Rhodesian Tobacco Association. That’s something I’d like to know more about.
Great talk Mike lot of respect.
Need to buy his book!
A warrior of note , all these hunters haven't hunted till they hunt a man with a weapon , and shoots back .
Then boast you a hunter
Thanks
Thank you for your support, it's very much needed and appreciated! God bless
Reminds me of that song by Johnny Cash. " Sue"
If you speak of Len Momsen then i confirm he was a lovely man.
A Man among men.
Does anyone remember Joop Oosterhuisen SAS ?
Good day guys.
Will there be a Part 4 ?
I hope so!
My Mum, who was from Umtali, was friends with the Barry brothers - Remo and Bill as I recall. I'm assuming the father and uncle of the man who's unfortunate death is described here. (8361 P/O A.M. Henderson D Troop, BSAP Support Unit).
❤
In Rhodesia, they made MEN!
I would say there had to be something in the water, but they probably had clean water, unlike today with all the fluoride and hormone disruptors.
How are you still alive…!? Just read your book 😮 incredible life!!
Tragic story
this incredibly informative video about commercial farmers resorting to paying special force soldiers part time and unsupported, when off active duty, they were so desperate to rid their particular area of CTs: and it apparent the security forces were so streached they couldmt help, resulting in enoumous areas falling under CT control:
means the war was effectively and in reality, lost, but kept going through RF govt and COMOPS propaganda, and the urban saftey bubbles of Salisbury and Bulawayo connected via escorted convoys, population were effectively, in the total, lemming like, dark ad to the reality.
It is unbelivable that the people didn't think months before, when escorted convoys first started, that the sheer need for such transport and logistics convoys, was direct, very loud code, that the security forces had lost control inside the county, and that the war was effectively then lost, and send protest to Smith and his cabal.
it also v dissapointing the naive view of those (a lot) whom blame SA and Vorster whom cut fuel supplies in forcing Smith to agreement.
Vorster and the SAn's were not stupid and we're not about to get stupider, and called Smith's bluff, as they had no intention of having to get involved in some enoumous, UN mouth frothing, SA negative from all sides, forced rescue mission, when the situation turned genocidal, which was not far off the knife edge.
they also thanked their fortuitous stars, that Rhodesian Union Jack waving toffs with RAF mustaches refused to join the union in 1910, as all this would have been game over for SA if Rhodesia happened to be a province : and in fact Rhodesia was played as a suitable sacrificial pawn in delaying the end game of Apartheid that was approaching, and the Nats knew it
unfortunately, the myth of Rhodesians being perpetually indestructable if it were not for being let down by SA, is shown to be utterly false in this vid which indicates what the reality and actuality was at that time, on the ground in the fight against the Back Nationalists and the communist bloc: it effectively was over long before it ended
one wonders if things may have turned out completely differently, if Southern Rhodesia had opted for independance with universal franchise, in 1961 like Zambia. Look at Zambia today: a place to be
I remember my father saying "look at those Zambian baboons on that side of the river, circa 1963: today the Zambians say" look at those Zimbabwean baboons on that side of the river,,,,,,
"Some people don't like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster."
"If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it's not" (Rhodesia did not end up with a "bright day)
(Elon Musk)
I'm afraid you're lost if you think of Smith in terms of a cabal. Of course a lot of what else you've said is fair game. But it's not that the people didn't think but that they thought bravely - something this world lacks these days, to think bravely. How impressive was it not that the farmers stayed on as neighbours were blown up, while the BSAP befriended CT's out of pure fear in case their lips or breasts were torn from their body and worse. What you describe about Rhodesia perfectly fits SA so what the hell did Vorster actually achieve? Zip. If Zambia is your model then well done for checking out the rear view mirror but here's the kicker: if people settled and built up a country from nothing, then they're damn well entitled to defend it in a manner which protects their investment.
A different age. Don't make guys like this anymore ;-)