This book records the operations of the Rhodesian Air Force. It includes a complete log of all the airstrikes carried out as well as maps where these strikes have been meticously plotted. The maps are printed in full colour. There are numerous black and white photographs that illustrate the text. From the forward by Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Clarke Scudamore Slatter
“I am always impressed by those who have the skill, creativity and determination to record a history of important events in a readable, interesting form so that the history will not be forgotten and so that others may get so much enjoyment from it. This book by Prop Geldenhuys  does just that. It is the result of many hours of effort and research, determination and patience, creativity and sensitivity that will be valuable not only to those directly involved with this period in Southern Africa, but to all who read it.Â
Prop’s book joins a growing number of fine, new books set in Southern Africa and deals with the history of various aspects of life in the country and especially life in the latter half of the 20th century. These books are a valuable record, but also play an important role in the remedial process to assuage the pain that many of us who live, or lived, in Africa still feel at this time. Hopefully, they also help awaken the World to the realities of life in Southern Africa in the 20th/21st centuries.”
Prop joined the Rhodesian Air Force in 1962 as a young hopeful to attend “No 16 Pilot Training Course”. He flew during the entire period covered by this book and is thus eminently qualified to write about this subject.
As Group Captain Tol Janeke writes in the introduction:
“… He has painstakingly and methodically recorded the history, not only of the airmen who were privileged to fly the aircraft involved in the air strikes, but so many others.
… Here are the names of soldiers, policemen and internal affairs, men and women who added to the often unheralded courage behind the exciting story of these air strikes. The troops on the ground and those that flew in our aircraft with us, some of whom hated leaving their own familiar environment on the ground and in the bush.
To those historians and collectors of militaria, this book is one that fills in much
detail. It shows how operations started slowly and built up to a situation where virtually the entire country became involved. The mass of little numbered dots on the maps shows the position of widespread strikes in all the operational areas.”
The first copies of this book were on sale at the Virginia Air Show in Durban and the first copy was sold with the sound of a Mirage’s engine rumbling overhead as it performed aerobatics. An entirely appropriate occasion. This book is available for purchase from Just Done Productions, at http://www.justdone.co.za/. International purchasers can buy a copy from http://www.lulu.com/content/1001038 although they should be aware that only the South African version’s maps are in colour.
| Author | “Prop” Preller Geldenhuys |
| Cover Type | Paperback |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-920169-61-9 |
| No of Pages | 296 |
| Size | A4 |
| Publication Date | 13 July 2007 |
| South Africa | Rhodesian Air Force Operations |
| International |
1001038 |
| Price | R320.00 (subject to change) |
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(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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3 users commented in " Rhodesian Air Force Operations with Strikelog by Prop Geldenhuys "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI would like to order the book.
Hi Iain,
My apologies for not noticing your request to order the book – - please feel free to mail me at my e-mail address: pey@lantic.net — and I trust I will respond sooner!
Prop Geldenhuys
The book has finally made it’s way over to Blighty. – Thank you ever so much for the time and effort you have put into this and documenting something that few will know about and even fewer will appreciate. A wonderful book for any interested in the great place that was once home. My father, I’m sure, is raising a drink to you Prop.
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