SADF 32 Battalion Recce Rucksack w/ Frame
Before “Recce” was cool, it was bloody, brutal and fast.
32 Battalion of the SADF was formed in 1975 with many members being former members of the Angolan armed forces or Rhodesian armed forces. It was an Elite light infantry unit that was created with the express purpose of being able to covertly execute operations both inside and outside the South African borders against communist forces. The unit was so feared from their reputation as fierce, aggressive and effective combatants that they were nicknamed “The Terrible Ones” by their foes. Despite the notarity, the Battalion always remained relitively small. They had a peak strength of about 700 members total among their several Companies. After they were disbanded in 1993, former members went on to form several private security firms that just as, if not more notorious in Africa such as Executive Outcomes and Sandline International. As time has gone on there seems to have been an effort to destroy much of the original equipment and clothing, so to find it has become increasingly rare over time, not that it wasn’t already rare with such a small size.
The nature of the work 32 Battalion did during the Bush War meant they needed specialized rucksacks. What they ended up with was something that greatly resembles an American large Alicepack, but with some changes.
Although the flap, closures, frame and straps are all essentially the same as the Alicepack, there are some key differences.
The main flap contains a slit for documents
A smaller pocket inside the main compartment for a hydration bladder or things you want to be able to access easily
3 large external pockets (one on the front, one on each side)
1 smaller pocket on each side of the pack below the larger side pouches
A bottom pouch for your sleep system/bivvy
Rugged aluminum external frame
Comfortable foam kidney pad
NOTE: Due to weight and dimensions, please order these separately from other items.
These packs are in the extremely rare and sought after Winter/Dry Season variant of the 32 Battalion pattern. There may be a small defect or two on these packs, but nothing that impedes function. These include a frame, straps, the pack itself and kidney pad with intact straps.
