Legacy Conversations – Frans Fourie – 1 & 4 Recce (4 Recce Operations and Project Ivory)

Colonel Frans Fourie speaks to us about his 18 years in South African Special Forces. He passed Selection in 1978 and by 1995 was the commander of 1 Reconnaissance Regiment and before that, acting 2IC of 4 Recce. During his career, he went on many operations, mostly with the seaborne specialists, 4 Recce. Some were spectacular, like Ops Kerslig where he won the Honoris Crux and many more. His list of decorations besides the Honoris Crux (HC) is the Southern Cross Medal (SM), Military Merit Medal (MMM), Honourably Mentioned in Dispatches, Pro-Patria Medal, Southern Africa Medal, General Service Medal, Unitas Medal, Good Service Medals (Bronze 10 years and Silver 20 years) and Commendation Certificates from Officers Commanding Special Forces, 4 Special Forces and Chief of the Army.
In this three-hour episode, he speaks of his time with 4 Recce, dealing with a few operations and the navy (including submarines). He then reveals his role as commander of a top-secret covert gathering unit that worked extensively across Africa. This Team or Group within 4 Recce was not part of Ops Barnacle and in a more modern way is dealt with extensively in the George M James Series of books (of which Col Fourie has nothing to do with).
It is fascinating as he talks of famous operations like the attack on Namibe harbour, Angola, and much more. Then in the second part, he speaks of the top-secret covert intelligence-gathering efforts, Project Ivory. This is fascinating as he describes life under deep cover behind enemy lines. Colonel Frans also answers questions left in the previous episode. In the next episode, we look at his time as OC 1 Recce (and 2IC of the Special Forces Brigade). If you have questions for the Colonel, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes (of which there will be many).
Links:
Sponsor - www.georgemjames.com
Website - www.legacy-conversations.org