19 with a Bullet: A South African Paratrooper in Angola

by Granger Korff

A fast-moving, action-packed account of Granger Korff’s two years’ service during 1980/81 with 1 Parachute Battalion at the height of the South African ‘bush war’ in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola. Apart from the ‘standard’ counterinsurgency activities of Fireforce operations, ambushing and patrols, to contact and destroy SWAPO guerrillas, he was involved in several massive South African Defence Force (SADF) conventional cross-border operations, such as Protea, Daisy and Carnation, into Angola to take on FAPLA (Angolan MPLA troops) and their Cuban and Soviet allies. Having grown up as an East Rand rebel street-fighter, Korff’s military ‘career’ is marred with controversy. He is always in trouble—going AWOL on the eve of battle in order to get to the front; facing a court martial for beating up, and reducing to tears, a sergeant-major in front of the troops; fist-fighting with Drug Squad agents; arrested at gunpoint after the grueling seven-week, 700km Recce selection endurance march—are but some of the colorful anecdotes that lace this account of service in the SADF.

Genres: Africa, Military Fiction, History, South Africa, War, Angola, Military History

376 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2009

Reviews

[Ricardo Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly outstanding. I wouldn't give five stars to a war account (I keep the maximum rate to the highest levels of literature) but this book was just too perfect!

I read hundreds of war accounts, from several wars, mostly from Second World War and from the Portuguese Colonial Wars in Africa. Everything is perfect in 19 with a Bullet. The reader just can't stop reading. It's full of personal reflections, experiences, action. And the author really knows how to write this all down on paper.

As a Portuguese I am specially interested in bush warfare and this book really brought me new elements, and it was great to compare the South African operational procedures with our own. Very good! The best book I read in quite a few months.

[Nic Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy read for me as I was able to relate to almost every experience that the author detailed in this book. I found it brought back many memories - both positive and negative - of a war many of us question to this day as to why? why? why?

This book is certainly for the author part of his mending process, albeit many years later, and he has delved very deep into his memory bank to again bring to life, for the reader, a very detailed record of the life of a young lad, fresh out of school, thrown into war that changed so many people's lives.
The author made it clear that for many years the pent up anger and the torment of what he had done and what he had been involved in that had dug itself deep into his psyche had an impact on his life and it is clear on his mates lives as well.

This book is packed full of action from page to page and is recommended reading for all who have served who want to enjoy a laugh or shed a tear and all who want to get a clearer understanding of what so many went through during the bush war time.

Good on you Granger Korff!

[Marize De Klerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about the angolan bush war!

[Heather Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book it gave me an insight into what our boys had to deal with through those years and a better understanding of what that war was all about. Very interesting. Difficult for a sensitive woman's heart but a necessary educational read.

[Anatolikon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for being so candid.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nineteen with a Bullet A Paratrooper in Angola" is a fast-moving, action-packed account of Granger Korff 's two years service during 1980/81 with the elite 1 Parachute Battalion at the height of the South African bush war in South West Africa and Angola. Apart from the normal counter-insurgency activities of Fireforce operations, ambushing and patrols, to contact and destroy SWAPO guerrillas, he was involved in several massive South African Defence Force conventional cross-border operations, such as Protea, Daisy and Carnation, into Angola to take on FAPLA and their Cuban and Soviet allies. Korff 's military career is marred with controversy. He is always in trouble going AWOL on the eve of battle; into battle; facing a court martial for beating up, and reducing to tears, a sergeant-major in front of the troops; fist-fighting with Drug Squad agents; arrested at gunpoint after the grueling seven-week, 700km Recce selection endurance march are but some of the colorful anecdotes that lace this account of service in the SADF. Korff 's writing is frontline punchy, brutal, self-deprecating and at times humorous but always honest, providing the reader with what it was like to be one of apartheid 's grunt soldiers.

[Simon Mee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced and well structured book that has interesting insights as to the effects that killing has on someone. Even in a "low intensity" conflict, there was a lot of action. The apparent stresses build up in the narration, with the burnout apparent by the end. There is no question that Granger Korff had incredible mental strength, and sympathise with how it started to fray.

I was however concerned about the number of apparent war crimes, including the killing of wounded, mutilation of bodies, and the deaths of innocents (even where accidental). While there are hints of reflection about the wider actions, the epilogue is a bit trite in acknowledging that maybe the apartheid state that regularly invaded southern Angola to defend its occupation of Namibia was possibly the bad guy. I wasn't there, but we only do hear the voice of the occupier.

Well worth a read, but with the above caveats.

[Viking Litespear · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't Hemingway, but it isn't bad either. Korff obviously isn't a professional writer, but if you can overlook some minor flaws, it's a great read. If you've ever spent time enlisted or in the infantry, his story will resonate. With a good editor, this would have been a great book, but regardless, I looked forward to each new chapter.

[sim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma crónica em primeira pessoa da acção das forças armadas sul africanas nas suas fronteiras e no interior de Angola em acções contra as swapo e mais tarde as fapla.
É uma obra prima com uma visão estratégica e ampla bibliografia? não não é.
É um livro escrito na primeira pessoa por um soldado raso que viveu na linha da frente.

[Corto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about a war no one in this hemisphere knows about (unless they're an int'l affairs geek). Fascinating stuff, especially the last chapter and the epilogue about coming to grips with his PTSD- which easily could be a book of its own.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent action packed story. Taking place during the early stages of South Africa's border war on SWA/Angolan border.

I enjoyed the book by found it quite disturbing & left wondering how anyone makes it's out of battle without being seriously unhinged?

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've ever read. Changed my entire outlook and mentality on my life, as well as made me appreciate where I am. Everybody read this. Everybody. I guarantee you will get something out of it.

[Anemari Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw, honest writing.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close to my heart.

A great read.After reading this maybe some of our Koevoet friends will show the bats and infantry a little respect?

[Wai Zin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second read. I upgrade it to 5 stars.

[Paul Hardisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring memoir. Used it while researching for The Abrupt Physics of Dying.