Picture of the day
- Thread starter jwhc
- Start date
Speaking of small warships, I saw this little U-boat in Biloxi, Mississippi and goog-all tells me it's still there.
One of our most serviceable boats.
http://www.hmcsojibwamuseum.ca/
Grizz
Alouette III helicopters as well as some other variants, built under license in South Africa and I believe Israel, were used as combat utility types in Rhodesia/Angola/South Africa and Israel.
They were light and agile but could only carry very limited loads
I don't think I've ever been in another helicopter type that continuously flexed so much in a noticeable manner.
CWO José Manuel Fernandes Dacosta MMM first joined the South African Defence Force in September 1977. He was one of many thousands of black Angolans who resisted communism after the fall of Portuguese Angola.
Serving during the height of the South African Border War, Dacosta qualified as a Special Forces Operator, earning the coveted laurel, dagger, and compass rose in 1982. He would spend another 39 years in the Special Forces, serving in both the SADF and SANDF after 1994.
Today, it was announced via Manuel Ferreira in the excellent Facebook group "Forgotten Heroes / The Portuguese contribution to the defence of Africa" that Dacosta had finally retired, a whopping 45 years later, this past April.
Dacosta retired as a Chief Warrant Officer with the following decorations: Military Merit Medal, Pro Patria Medal, Southern Africa Medal, General Service Medal, Unitas Medal, Good Service Medal (Bronze), Good Service Medal (Silver), Loyal Service Medal, Loyal Service Medal (w/ 40 year) bar. On top of that, he is the holder of an extremely rare 30 year Special Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).
A remarkable career and a gallant man, who still "fears naught, but God".
We pause to remember Major Neville "Spike" Powell MBE, WB.
In August 1954, Spike was a young national serviceman attached to the Devonshire Regiment. Tasked with hunting down a deadly band of communist Mau Mau rebels. While on patrol, the group faced a complex ambush that killed and wounded several British soldiers. With compete disregard for his own safety, Spike rushed the enemy, killed two and forced the remainder to rout. It was later discovered he had killed two Mau Mau officers, both of whom carried No. 4 Model T rifles and had been British Army trained snipers.
For his gallantry, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Released from national service, he quickly became bored and did brief mercenary stints in Congo and Oman. In 1965, he quickly volunteered for the Rhodesian Light Infantry where he was commissioned as an officer.
Again, Spike got bored, resigned his commission in 1969 and joined up with Oman's elite Muscat Regiment. Doning his Rhodesian Army cammies, he participated in the coup d'etat against the despotic Sultan Said bin Taimur. He and other rebels burst into the Sultan bedchambers and subdued his bodyguard. Exercising poor trigger discipline as he drew his gun, the Sultan accidentally shot himself in the foot. He was quickly subdued by Spike and his men. The relatively peaceful coup allowed for the abolition of slavery in Oman, and Spike was presented with the Sultan of Oman's Bravery Medal (WB).
As the Bush War intensified, Spike returned to the RLI in 1975, and was promoted to Major. He continued to serve in the RLI until the fateful day when he boarded Air Rhodesia 827 on 12 February 1979. The clearly marked civilian airliner was hit by a Strela-2 missile fired by communist guerillas. All 59 people on board perished when the plane crashed shortly after take-off. Spike was 55 years old.
In life, he spoke fluent Kikuyu, fought bandits and communists, and saved thousands from the bonds of slavery. In death, his mystique and storied past made him a legend.
In August 1954, Spike was a young national serviceman attached to the Devonshire Regiment. Tasked with hunting down a deadly band of communist Mau Mau rebels. While on patrol, the group faced a complex ambush that killed and wounded several British soldiers. With compete disregard for his own safety, Spike rushed the enemy, killed two and forced the remainder to rout. It was later discovered he had killed two Mau Mau officers, both of whom carried No. 4 Model T rifles and had been British Army trained snipers.
For his gallantry, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Released from national service, he quickly became bored and did brief mercenary stints in Congo and Oman. In 1965, he quickly volunteered for the Rhodesian Light Infantry where he was commissioned as an officer.
Again, Spike got bored, resigned his commission in 1969 and joined up with Oman's elite Muscat Regiment. Doning his Rhodesian Army cammies, he participated in the coup d'etat against the despotic Sultan Said bin Taimur. He and other rebels burst into the Sultan bedchambers and subdued his bodyguard. Exercising poor trigger discipline as he drew his gun, the Sultan accidentally shot himself in the foot. He was quickly subdued by Spike and his men. The relatively peaceful coup allowed for the abolition of slavery in Oman, and Spike was presented with the Sultan of Oman's Bravery Medal (WB).
As the Bush War intensified, Spike returned to the RLI in 1975, and was promoted to Major. He continued to serve in the RLI until the fateful day when he boarded Air Rhodesia 827 on 12 February 1979. The clearly marked civilian airliner was hit by a Strela-2 missile fired by communist guerillas. All 59 people on board perished when the plane crashed shortly after take-off. Spike was 55 years old.
In life, he spoke fluent Kikuyu, fought bandits and communists, and saved thousands from the bonds of slavery. In death, his mystique and storied past made him a legend.
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
I'm most of the way through Ronald Atkin's book on the Dieppe raid. None of us have a right to winge about "a bad day at work" ever again. What a horrifc frickin' goat rodeo.
One of the wee ships involved in the raid was Steam Gun Boat #5, renamed "Grey Owl" in 1943.
For reasons that entirely escape me, CGN isn't letting me embed pics on the thread at the moment. Here's SGB #5.
Some notes on the class:
Lovely things, if a bit delicate. SGB #5 was shot up some by the German convoy they encountered en route to Dieppe.
One of the wee ships involved in the raid was Steam Gun Boat #5, renamed "Grey Owl" in 1943.
Some notes on the class:
Lovely things, if a bit delicate. SGB #5 was shot up some by the German convoy they encountered en route to Dieppe.
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Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
Thanks, Diopter.
I'm most of the way through Ronald Atkin's book on the Dieppe raid. None of us have a right to winge about "a bad day at work" ever again. What a horrifc frickin' goat rodeo.
One of the wee ships involved in the raid was Steam Gun Boat #5, renamed "Grey Owl" in 1943.
For reasons that entirely escape me, CGN isn't letting me embed pics on the thread at the moment. Here's SGB #5: https://ibb.co/gRJmY0B
Some notes on the class:
Lovely things, if a bit delicate. SGB #5 was shot up some by the German convoy they encountered en route to Dieppe.
Hello Dan two other books on Dieppe worth reading up on are John Mellor Forgotten Heros and the Shame and the Glory Dieppe by Terrence Robertson. They compliment each other nicely as the Robertson book is heavy on the pre raid planning and conduct and the Mellor book is heavy on the post raid POW experience. A rough go all round for the 2nd Div.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You can still see the real deal HMCS Haida and go aboard for a tour. It's moored at Hamilton Harbor. I had a family member who served aboard her during the closing weeks of The Korean War deployment.
One Day In August is excellent and will give you a new perspective on the raid.
DE 413 Samuel B Roberts
Victor Vescovo
@VictorVescovo
·
7h
With sonar specialist Jeremie Morizet, I piloted the submersible Limiting Factor to the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413). Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed. It was indeed the "destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."
Victor Vescovo
@VictorVescovo
·
7h
With sonar specialist Jeremie Morizet, I piloted the submersible Limiting Factor to the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413). Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed. It was indeed the "destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."
