We Dared to Win: The SAS in Rhodesia

Great read, great history, certainly don't get truth like this from most of today's schools. These fellas were true heroes at a time when the cards were stacked against them. Shame on Great Britain, the U.S. and the rest of the cowards that were against the Rhodies. Now the country is a basket case and a shell of its former self. A pity.

This was an excellent collection of experiences from the SAS operators in Rhodesia during the Bush War of the 1970s. I think it gave a good picture of what the soldiers were going through during that war. These were men who were doing what they could to defend their country. I recommend this if you want to get an understanding of what those soldiers were experiencing. It is not a full military history of the war but a collection of memories from several soldiers during the conflict.

Wonderfully written book showcasing the courage and heroism of the special forces elements during the Rhodesian war. It's such a shame they were ultimately betrayed by their own people.

Truth is necessary for justice. This tells the truth about Rhodesia and the Selous Scouts, SAS and other men who fought for Rhodesia. After the tragedy and death of two world wars many men and families who were trying to heal were advised by their government to go to the colonies and build new lives. The governments of the West then quickly changed their minds - infiltrated by Chinese, Middle Eastern and Russian money and agitation from India. The result was that to be Rhodesian was to be a pariah. And yet these were our best, brightest and bravest. While Russia, china and middle eastern theocracies poured money into evil terrorists like robert mugabe, the men this book describes fought against all odds with a valour that equals the Spartans at Thermopylae. I honour them.

This is an absolutely riveting story which escapes the view of 99.9% of people in the US who have a completely America-centric and ultra-limited view of issues outside of our experience. On top of that, “We Dared to Win” will be dismissed by most because of issues with apartheid, etc. I only stumbled across the history of Rhodesia recently and am embarrassed for not knowing anything written about here, especially since my Marine Corps time was just after events covered in this masterpiece. Was blown away by the pace of operations the Rhodesians maintained and the very long odds they faced. Anyone who thinks Zimbabwe is now better off is not a serious thinker. These men, while they were able to operate, held the line against communism in Southern Africa. I would have hated to fight against them.

Interesting read but I find when a writer is talking in the first person it becomes very self opinionated, which is probably only natural. Anxiously awaiting the second part of my order to see how the two books factually compare with each other. Be interested to know why one book arrived in a flash and the second has taken well over a month to get here. Thanks anyway folks... DH

Being an American I did not know much about the Rhodesian conflict so this book was an excellent read. Gives both the operational details as well as geo political background throughout the book. Definitely recommend this book.

As an American from the same generation as most of these men I recall my suspicions of false reporting coming out of Rhodesia and then Zimbabwe in the late 1970s thru the late 1990s. My cynicism suspicions of the American Press were vindicated with my readings of Hannes Wessels books. The other 'A Few Hard Men" told more of a story of bravery while Andre Scheepers' account seem more of after-action reports with refection and analysis add in. Both books hit a home run. 'We Dared to Win' illustrates that a strong case be made that the Rhodesian SAS and Selous Scouts were among the best operators in the world. I drew many similarities to reading of Americans SF (MAC-SOG and Seals) in Vietnam. The exception being the Rhodesians were literally fighting for their own land and country. Allow me to become philosophical for a moment. The betrayal and abandonment of free world principles to Marxist backed belligerents is the same problem we face today, whether it is in the world at large or of our own countries. Those brave Rhodesians provide us a glance what to expect when western nations fool themselves into believing ludicrous notions of reparations and wokeness. They (our leaders) continually cast knowledge and common sense aside for aggrandizement and delusional virtue. I would offer this to those men reading this review and to all who still feel betray and bitter 40+ years later. You Dared to Win, and You Did. As to your previous inept leaders and traitors may I suggest the following final point borrowed from the book quoting Theodore Roosevelt. "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure ...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy or suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat". Andre and Hannes thanks for reminding men of common sense of that.

Wonderfully written, kept my interest.

The book gives one a detailed insight into the hardships these men endured. It also gives a lot of insight of what happened behind the scenes and the political back stabbing that led to the demise of the country.

As a retired soldier, I have always had an interest in the Rhodesian bush war and was a firm supporter for Ian Smith and its people's fighting to keep a country. I'm reminded of a couple of close friends who left our Battalion in the early 70s, they almost convinced me to go with them and a part of me still regrets not taking on that great adventure. I saw one of the guys on a news report after a notable fire-fight which saw 34 T's killed; so I'm glad they got the adventure they were after while the rest of us staged on in NI. I have read several books and accounts, this one is first class and I take my hat off to the courage and daring do of those who fought this war. Finally, I am massively embarrassed to this day about the back stabbing and subterfuge of the British Government who jumped into bed with Mugabe and sold out the country, it was shameful, the bread basket of Africa reduced to dust and utter corruption while lost souls of its white tribe were scapegoats for the despot, slaughtered and scattered to the winds. My heart goes out to you all and best wishes to the Rhodesian military veterans one and all. A dam good read - thanks

This book filled in many gaps in my knowledge of a war that we were prevented from winning and for what so many good people, both black and white, died. Political expediency and it's perpetrators should all feel very proud of themselves. The words that come to mind readely are Retrebution and Restetution. If the World Court in the Haig has any meaning at all it should visit the Mugabe family wealth throughout the world and restore these stolen Billions to the people of Zimbabwe. I will not hold my breath. We have leagle systems - we don't have "Justice" systems.

This is a very interesting read for anyone who was involved in the bush war in Rhodesia . It’s more a selection of short stories depicting sorties and enemy contacts made by the Rhodesian SAS . It highlights the ingenuity and bravery of a band of men who despite their tender age fought bravely for their country . This book is hardly a novel but was written to maintain a record of the bush war and for that I am grateful to the authors . It is very sad to watch your once vibrant country totally collapse .