61 Mech | 61 Mech

Initial launch of our website

Since our website was launched on Thursday , 26 February 2009 until Saterday , 19 September 2009 , 244 members have subscribed to the 61 Mech Veterans Association .

We have intentionally not made a big splash of this launch , because we first wanted to reach our existing compatriots through word of mouth , and hopefully with their sympathetic support address all the technical hitches that may rear their ugly heads.

By the time that we invite the Friends or Supporters of 61 Mech to join this website, we trust that all these teething problems will be resolved and that our members will also be comfortable with the systems that will enable them to submit photo’s and stories for publication on the website.

Favourable feedback

The feedback we have received so far , is very favourable and we are appreciative of all these constructive comments.

Barry Fowler from Sentinel projects

Barry Fowler from Sentinel projects wrote:“May I commend you on your excellent site!I am Barry Fowler , the coordinator of Sentinel Projects where there is a collection of personal accounts of SADF service , including some 61 Mech accounts…”

Visit the Sentinel website.

Robert de Vries from SABOV

Robert de Vries from SABOV,www.sabwv.co.za , wrote:“SABOV wil julle gelukwens met die webtuiste en alle voorspoed toewens. Ons vertrou op ‘n suksesvolle samewerking in die toekoms tot die voordeel en in die beste belang van alle gewese SAW soldate wat betrokke was in die bosoorlog , direk of indirek.”

Mark Craig from the Rhodesian and South Africa Military Engineers

Mark Craig from the Rhodesian and South Africa Military Engineers , www.SASappers.net , wrote : “Congratulations on developing what promises to be a fantastic website…I served with the 32 Battalion recce wing for a number of years in the 1980’s and recall fond moments with 61.”

Jaap Steyn , former 61 Mech commander

Jaap Steyn , a former commander of 61 Mech wrote:“Dit is ‘n baie groot behoefte om BAIE DANKIE en BAIE GELUK te se. Mense besef nie altyd hoeveel ure spandeer word om so iets daar te stel nie.Julle het iets reggekry wat baie mense aan gedink, oor gewonder of dalk begeer het, maar net nie wou aanpak nie.Nou is daar ‘n forum waar al die opoffering, swaar tye, lekker herinneringe en kosbare tye gekommunikeer kan word. Nou sal die wereld kan sien wat ons gehad het en waarom ons trots is.”

Roland de Vries, former 61 Mech commander

Roland de Vries, a former commander of 61 Mech , wrote :“Where I am currently sitting in Juba, South Sudan, I have a hawk’s eye view of what is going on down under. I can sense the ripple effect of the 61 Mech website going live.As a former commander I am extremely proud of this historical moment. I can imagine that all 61 Mech members will celebrate this occasion. Well done.”

James Dekker from the South African Army Experience

James Dekker from the South African Army Experience , www.sa-soldier.com , wrote:“Congratulations on a well made site guys !…once again well done and I will add your project to my LINKS page !”

Members are invited to submit their stories and photo’s

Once you have subscribed , you are invited to submit your stories and photo’s for publication on the MEMBER site of this website.This is the very purpose of this website, to serve as platform for the picture of how you experienced your time with 61 Mech.

We have a substantial contribution of photo’s and stories from the first years of existence of this unit on the MEMBER site , from mainly 1979 to 1981 , and as the veterans explore the long forgotten boxes in their garages, they may just chance upon those old letters , documents and photo’s that we want to save on this website.

Declassified military documents

The Military Intelligence department has declassified a number of documents relating to Operation Daisy , Operation Modular, Operation Hooper and Operation Packer of which some have been displayed on our MEMBER site already.

Soon we will be able to add documents relating to Operation Sceptic and Operation Protea as well , which will include the actual orders that were given and even a war diary which gives graphic details of the events that transpired during that specific operation.

We have acquired very interesting documentation regarding Operation Reindeer as well , which especially deals with the involvement of the mechanised assault group on the bases that were attacked as part of Bravo/Vietnam target.