It was winter. And in Bethlehem it gets fucken cold. In the mid 80’s you could get ex-German Army cold weather parkas from military surplus stores. I bought one of those, took off the German flag and wore it in the base. As long as you didn’t wear it on parade, nobody seemed to mind too much. In fact it became a bit of a fashion statement among the sappers.
I was sent down to Ladysmith (5 SA Infantry?) to do a mine warfare course for a new intake of troops. They were called storm pioneers (And only the army can think up crap names like that). Anyway, my sergeant and I arrive at Ladysmith, both dressed in our jackets, warm, German issue just as the infantry guys finished their morning parade. A SM saw us and immediately flew off the handle “Wat de fok dra julle!? Dis nie standard univorm nie!!! Ek kla julle sommer nou aan!” We both looked at him in mock amazement. “Maar Sammajoor, hulle reik hierdie goed uit in Bethlehem! Dis mos fokken koud daar!”
He looked at both of us. And decided on another tack “Ek wil ook een hè. Kan jy dit organize?”
We did actually. He was a cool dude. Found a cheap one and had it sent with a consignment of landmines that he’d ordered.
No, it's not me in the pic.
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