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  1. #1
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    Default BOOK REVIEW: Ratel - The Making of a Legend

    This two volume set published in June 2020 covers the design, development, production, and operational deployment of the South African Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV).

    Volume 1 (Origins) - 547 pages, covers the emergence of the requirement for an ICV for the SA Army, the evaluation of contenders, and the development of the Ratel and its many variants. It also addresses the origins of mechanisation (or mobility) in the South African Army.

    Volume 2 (Life with Ratel) - 467 pages, covers the employment of the Ratel from its inception through to the end of the Border War in 1989. It also covers the development and evolution of the mechanised infantry doctrine of Ratel from a basic ICV to a fully-fledged combat system. It eventually addresses the question “Did the new Ratel ICV and the new mechanised infantry doctrine work?”

    From my brief overview of the books Volume 1 gives a practical and fascinating example of the systems development life cycle of a weapons system, and is thus quite technical. Volume 2 includes accounts from those who developed the tactics and battle-handling of mechanised infantry and mechanised operations, anecdotes from those who saw combat in the Ratel, and little known facts about the Ratel.

    The books were co-authored by members in the project team from Armscor, sub-contractors, and the SADF; and army commanders who actually used the ICV, so the information is first hand. A great effort in recording and preserving an important part of South African military history.

    Volume 1 contents (abridged):

    • Foreword by General Constand L Viljoen
    • Preface: Ratel – The Making of a Legend
    • Prelude to Volume 1: Origins
    • Part 1: From World War II to 1973
    • Part 2: Design, development and evaluation of the Ratel SS XDM
    • Part 3: The Ratel 20 ICV
    • Part 3a: Ratel Mk 3
    • Part 4: The Ratel variants
    • Part 4a: Variant requirements that could not be a converted Ratel 20
    • Part 4b: Ratel variants formally approved
    • Part 4c: Ratel variants improvised to serve special operational requirements
    • Part 4d: Ratels modified without project authorisation
    • Bibliography


    Volume 2: contents (abridged):

    • Foreword by General Constand L Viljoen
    • Preface: Ratel – The Making of a Legend
    • Introduction to Volume 2: Life with Ratel
    • Chapter 1: The Ratel story – Summary
    • Chapter 2: Ratel main evaluation 1975/76 – a user’s view
    • Chapter 3: Mechanised infantry battle handling
    • Chapter 4: Premature deployment, the “chicken and the egg”
    • Chapter 5: The operational units
    • Chapter 6: Life with Ratel – General
    • Chapter 7: Life with Ratel – Operations
    • Chapter 8: How did Ratel fare? The watershed events
    • Chapter 9: Ratel in non-armour terrain
    • Chapter 10: Mechanised combat in the bush: the conventional phase
    • Chapter 11: The good, the bad, the ugly, the forgotten
    • Chapter 12: Was Ratel good enough?
    • Chapter 13: Conclusion
    • Bibliography: Volume 2
    • Glossary Volumes 1 & 2
    • Index of persons: Volume 2
    • In praise of the Tiffies
    • Epilogue


    Attachment 32105

  2. #2
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    Default Re: BOOK REVIEW: Ratel - The Making of a Legend

    Thanks for this, where can one find the books?
    Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CorditeCrazy View Post
    Thanks for this, where can one find the books?
    Bushwar books should have it

  4. #4
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    Default Re: BOOK REVIEW: Ratel - The Making of a Legend

    Thank you
    Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.

  5. #5

    Default Re: BOOK REVIEW: Ratel - The Making of a Legend

    For interest sake and not to hijack the thread, have you watched the movie "The Pentagon Wars"?

  6. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pirate View Post
    Bushwar books should have it
    They will receive copies of the reprint run next week according to their website. R700 a set

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by paulnb View Post
    They will receive copies of the reprint run next week according to their website. R700 a set
    Good info, thanks

  8. #8

    Default Re: BOOK REVIEW: Ratel - The Making of a Legend

    Still waiting for my copy ordered months ago from bushwarbooks

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