Combat-wise, South Africa's ANC military wing does not even begin to compare. They were obviously a gutsy, well-trained and well-motivated guerrilla force to have survived almost a quarter century of hostilities: indeed, as an insurgent force they were streets ahead of other guerrilla groups such as those who fought the Portuguese and the Rhodesians. Most salient, Venter takes a fresh look at the enemies that were ranged against the SADF, and in particular how SWAPO guerrillas fared. Elsewhere he deals with the medium-range intercontinental ballistic missile programme that was developed (with Israeli help) in conjunction with building the bomb. He also has American nuclear specialist David Albright - one of the leading authorities on nuclear proliferation - take a long hard look at Pretoria's atom bomb program. These include details about units like the South African Air Force 44 Squadron which converted Dakota aircraft into flying gun platforms similar to those used in America's war in South-East Asia. Al Venter's latest book on South Africa's 23-year Border War along the Angolan frontier offers a host of new perspectives.
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