Ratel: The Making of a Legend Willem Botha, Roland De Vries, Jan Ehlert, William Haddad, Johan ("Sarge") Nell, Tony Savides, Wessie Van Der Westhuizen 50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Edition

Ratel: The Making of a Legend Willem Botha, Roland De Vries, Jan Ehlert, William Haddad, Johan ("Sarge") Nell, Tony Savides, Wessie Van Der Westhuizen

50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Edition

The definitive history of the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle, marking fifty years since it first entered service with the South African Army in 1975. This landmark work, now in an updated 2026 edition incorporating corrections and additional material not available at the time of initial publication, is the most comprehensive account ever produced of southern Africa's most iconic armoured fighting vehicle.

Volume 1: Origins traces the Ratel's development from the mechanised infantry doctrines of World War II through the critical design, evaluation, and procurement decisions of the early 1970s. Drawing on primary sources, official project documentation, and the firsthand testimony of the engineers, officers, and commanders who built and fielded the vehicle, it covers the full development arc from the Springfield Bussing Buffel contender trials through Operation Whisky, Operation Bariton, and the Ratel SS XDM prototype programme, culminating in the Ratel 20 ICV entering production and service.

Volume 2: Life with Ratel and Volume 3: The Ratel Register document the vehicle's operational life, its many variants, and the comprehensive register of individual vehicles.

Available editions:

Leather-bound Special Commemorative Edition with numbered gold challenge coin: R2 500

Hardcover Special Commemorative Edition with silver challenge coin: R1 750

 Hardcover Special Commemorative Edition (no challenge coin):R1 450

Softcover (no challenge coin): R950

Challenge coin (separately): R395