Daniel Roxo: The Phantom of the Forest

Franciso Daniel (Danny) Roxo: Cruz de Guerra 1st class, Cruz de Guerra 2nd class, Medal of Distinguished Service, Honoris Crux Decoration, Pro Patria Medal, Southern African Medal.

A legend within the Portuguese Army and SADF was a highly decorated SF soldier who fought against communist insurgents all over Africa in the span of 10 years.

Daniel Roxo was born in Mogadouro, Trás-os-Montes. As a young man, he immigrated to Mozambique, where he settled as a professional hunter and safari guide. When the Mozambican War of Independence broke out, Roxo formed his African trackers, servants, and European acquaintances into a private militia, hunting FRELIMO combatants for government bounties.

After Mozambique’s independence, Roxo went into exile in South Africa and joined the South African Defence Force. After completing the Special Forces selection, Danny was seconded to Bravo Group, which later became 32 Battalion. Roxo was awarded the Honoris Crux for bravery during Operation Savannah for action during the Battle of Bridge 14, an engagement during which he single-handedly killed eleven enemy soldiers.

During a patrol, his personnel carrier struck a landmine and overturned, killing one man and crushing Roxo beneath it. The rest of the vehicle’s crew tried to lift it free, but it was too heavy. Col Jan Breytenbach wrote: “Roxo, in keeping with his dauntless character, decided to make the best of things, lighting a cigarette and smoking it calmly until it was finished, then he died – still pinned beneath the Wolf. He had not complained once, nor uttered a single groan or moan, although the pain must have been excruciating.”

There have been many men and women throughout history who have contributed in one way or the other in the battle against evil, injustice or terrorism. Portugal produced perhaps one of the finest self-trained guerrilla fighters the world has ever seen.

Author(s): Stephen Dunkley

Publisher: Groep7 Drukkers

ISBN: 97806207597931

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