Danie Van den Berg

http://www.justdone.co.za/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/37/products_... During the Bush War, and in fact even to this day, not much has been known about 31 Battalion or its people. The idea behind the book started when the author realised that very few books had been written about 31 BN, and not much had been shown about the people at the base or what they had done. Due to the secrecy surrounding all activities during the Bushwar, and especially at this Unit, it was virtually unknown till the late 1980’s. When 31 Bn was relocated to South Africa, people started taking notice of Omega’s people, often getting the wrong ideas due to incorrect, and often amusing, reporting.

This book is a coffee table book with few words, but has lots of candid photos showing the activities at Omega. The Book focuses on Charlie Company, the company seen as the most successful at this unit, which was the company with which the Author served as a young 2nd Lt. The Book takes the reader through the history of 31 Bn, including the starting years, the base at Omega, Charlie Company and its people , the operations, the Reunion and a brief look at how the base looks today (2006).

The book was the result of contributions from people who had been at the base, both as visitors and as soldiers. Most of them shared the feeling that this was the correct time to give the general public, historians and ex-soldiers an insight into what made Charlie Company tick. They also felt that it was of no use having photos, but denying the world outside the opportunity to experience the real Omega. The general opinion was that the photos must say everything and that the words must just fill the gaps, a book that will be on the coffee table, close to the fireplace, close to hand, so that one can page through it at any time and experience Omega as it was to its people, some of the best soldiers there have ever been, dedicated and trustworthy till the end.… (more)