The covert war
Subtitle: Koevoet operations in Namibia, 1979-1989
By: Peter Stiff.
Publisher: Galago
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Alberton [South Africa]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 512
Subjects: Namibia. -- South West African Police Counterinsurgency.; SWAPO.; South Africa -- Armed Forces -- Namibia.
Description: The mostly untold story of Koevoet - the South African Police's highly successful counter-insurgency unit. Initially based on the Selous Scouts of Rhodesia, it was formed in 1979 and deployed in Namibia until independence in 1989 when it was disbanded as a sop to the UN. During its almost ten year existence it fought in 1,615 contacts and killed or captured 3,225 of SWAPO's PLAN soldiers - the equivalent of almost six battalions of troops. But it paid a high price in blood and lost almost 160 policemen killed in action with another 949 wounded - more grievous casualties than any other South African fighting unit since World War II.--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.