Nothing quite beats that rawness of military humour. It’s the same the world over. This hilarious collection of South African military anecdotes will—for the less sensitive reader—have you doubled up with mirth.

It is an ingrained tradition for South Africans to stand around a fire in the bright sunlight or on warm evenings of summer and barbeque or braai as we all say. Naturally the drink of choice is beer and mostly copious quantities of the old amber liquid. Inevitably during the intentionally drawn out grilling phase (to enable more beer swilling) and after most of the usual topics of conversation have all but exhausted themselves, a comment or the mood, the fire or some such catalyst will spark a story with military content of such hilarity that has everyone in earshot, with or without military background, rolling on the floor. For most of us never had a choice, national service was compulsory. Some saw action; others didn’t, but all had an encounter, either dangerous or benign that was the cause for much mirth.

These are some of those stories.