Four Ball, One Tracer: Commanding Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone

Brutally honest and devoid of hyperbole, this is Roelf van Heerden's Executive Outcomes. / Unapologetic, unassuming and forthright, the combat exploits of Executive Outcomes (EO) in Angola and Sierra Leone are recounted for the first time by a battlefield commander who was physically on the ground during all their major combat operations. From fighting UNITA for the critical oil installations and diamond fields of Angola to the offensive against the RUF in Sierra Leone to capture the Kono diamond fields and the palace coup which ousted Captain Valentine Strasser, van Heerden was at the forefront. He tells of the tragedy of child soldiers, illegal diamond mining and the curse of government soldiers who turn on their own people; he tells of RUF atrocities, the harrowing attempt to rescue a downed EO pilot and the poignant efforts to recover the remains of EO soldiers killed in action. Coupled with van Heerden's gripping expose', hitherto unpublished photographs, order of battle charts and battle maps offer unprecedented access to the major actions as they took place on the ground during the heydays of EO.

REVIEWS


"A unique and valuable account of the tactics and objectives of Africa's most famous - and infamous - mercenary army. Roelf van Heerden tells his story with clarity and precision, as he unfolds EO's defining campaigns. A must read for any serious student of the private military paradigm."

James Brabazon, author of My Friend the Mercenary


"I was keen to lay my hands on Ruff's book and when I finally managed to get a copy, - its title is "Four Ball One Tracer" - I was enthralled. Roelf tells the story of EO from the day he signed up to join the company, the nightmare that was Soyo and until the end of the Sierra Leone campaign. Roelf discusses a lot of things - the training, the tactics, the hardships and the laughs. He tells his story as he lived it - straight and to the point. He also pays tribute to the many good men who served in EO and used their skills and knowledge to bring about positive change in war torn countries. I do not want to spoil anyone's anticipation but I would recommend Roelf's book to anyone who is interested in a lot more detail about EO's operations."

Eeben Barlow, Founder, Executive Outcomes


"At times harrowing, sometime humorous, this book provides a fascinating and eye-opening insight into the murky world of private military companies."
Warfare Magazine