Iron Fist from the Sea: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988)

Title: Iron Fist from the Sea
Subtitle: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988)
Authors: Arne Söderlund, Douw Steyn
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Imprint: Delta Books
Limited edition. Johannesburg, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781868427772 / ISBN 978-1-86-842777-2
Softcover, 15 x 23 cm, 398 pages, many b/w photographs and maps

About: Iron Fist from the Sea: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988)

Iron Fist from the Sea: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988) is a balanced and accurate history of 4 Reconnaissance Regiment's operations, and the South African Navy's role in these operations, during South Africa's Border War of the 1970s and 1980s. The most outstanding feature of this fascinating book is the primary research the authors rely on. They succeeded in getting access to previously classified documentation and were able to interview many of the men that were involved in the creation and development of the unit and the seaward capability, as well as the planning and conduct of these operations.

From Cabinda in Angola to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, 4 Reconnaissance Regiment conducted numerous clandestine seaborne raids during the Border War. They attacked strategic targets such as oil storage facilities, transport infrastructure and even ships. All the while, 4 Recce's existence and capability was largely kept secret, even within the South African Defence Force. With unparalleled access to previously top-secret documents, the authors describe 50 operations undertaken by 4 Recce, other Special Forces units and the South African Navy. The daunting Operation Kerslig (1981), in which an operator died and others were injured during a raid on a Luanda oil refinery, is retold in spine-tingling detail.

The book reveals the versatility and effectiveness of this elite unit and also tells of both the successes and failures of its actions. Sometimes missions went wrong, as in Operation Argon (1985) in which Captain Wynand du Toit was captured and later paraded in front of the world's media. This fascinating work will enthral anyone with an interest in Special Forces operations. Iron Fist from the Sea takes you right into the raging surf, into the adrenaline and fear that is seaborne raiding. This book is an updated and condensed edition of Iron Fist from the Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988 (2014).

Rear Admiral (JG) Arne Söderlund served in the South African Navy for 40 years. In late 1977, he commissioned South Africa's second strike craft, PI562 (later renamed SAS PW Botha), as First Lieutenant and Operations Officer. In early 1980, he was appointed as the first Captain of SAS Oswald Pirow. He served at the Naval Staff College and later at the South African Defence College, and was Naval and Military Attache in London from 1994 to 1997. He retired in 2006 and joined the Naval Reserve. He has edited a number of naval and maritime publications, and was co-author of a book on South Africa's Navy.

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel (Douw) Steyn served 19 years as a Special Forces operator, specialising in advanced demolitions and sabotage techniques. He was awarded the Honoris Crux for clearing mines under fire during Operation Savannah. In 1981, Steyn was appointed as the Operational Commander of the Raiding Group of 4 Reconnaissance Commando and led various seaborne operations to destroy strategic military targets in Angola and Mozambique. He retired from the Army in 1996, and currently works as a security specialist in Durban.

Content: Iron Fist from the Sea: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988)

Abbreviations and Glossary
List of maps
Prelude
South Africa's Special Forces
4 Reconnaissance Commando (4 Recce)
The South African Navy and its forces
Early seaborne operations
Opening the western front
Support operations in the east
Drama in Luanda
More operations in Angola
Back to Mozambique
The tempo increases in the west
Operations in Angola (1985 and 1986)
The final years
Unique 4 Recce waterborne operations
Sources
Index
About the authors

List of maps: Iron Fist from the Sea: Top Secret Seaborne Recce Operations (1978-1988)

Reach of the South African Navy and Special Forces
Special Forces bases in South Africa
Targets and key points in Mozambique
Targets and key points in Angola