Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep77 | Greg Todd part 1 | Green Leader

[@BudFox575]

Absolute guts and brilliance by the Rhodesians. Fucking brilliant

[@stephenclarke2179]

As a 12-13 year old in 1978 watching from the backyard of our Mandara home, I have a strong memory of a single Hunter performing a victory roll over Salisbury. Could have been returning from any external raid of those times, but quite possibly OP Gatling. Still gives me goosebumps.

[@ericbivins8014]

I'm an American ,but I get goosebumps and a smile on my face listening to this! Good job Rhodesians!!!!

[@Toncor12]

Thanks Eric, we too still get goosebumps!!

[@The_ZeroLine]

I named my son Green Leader. When he was born I said “f*cking beautiful.” Only cowards attack civilians. Amazing any survived. Can’t believe what it’d be like to survive a crash like that and then being massacred.

[@Iamgone1961]

I was a 17 yo standing in a pharmacy in Byo when this was broadcast, everyone stood still listening, an eerie and very proud moment, god bless us exiles 🙏

[@Toncor12]

I got a copy of this in about 1980 and it has sat in my growing Rhodesian collection ever since. Great to hear it again.

[@francisigooch5269]

I was the pilot of the aircraft wanting to take off to the south in a HS748. Exciting times.

[@garycoppard3596]

Proud moment for Rhodesians. Excellently exacuted. Thanks for posting this recording. Take care and God bless ❤

[@russellfulton6935]

Outstanding John. I've listened to the recording countless times and it remains a source of enormous pride to have served with our incredible aviators and techs. Respect and salute to them all.

[@ScottTheBot07]

Roger that cheers

[@juliusdasilva1676]

What wonderful, brave men we had in all our forces.

[@rhodesia1578]

Thanks John and Greg 🙏🏻 best pilots on the planet .. Proud to be Rhodesian .. Rest In Peace my Rhodesian brothers.. you did us all proud. ! 🙏🏻 👏👏👏👏 salute and respect.. brilliant recoding 👌🏻👌🏻

[@allanwilson8642]

I was 8 years old when this happened, living in Salisbury. We had recently returned from Vic Falls on holiday, actually on the Hunyani, a week or 2 before. Luck, providence or co incidence spared me and my family as it so easily could have been us. Even as a little boy, I remember feeling such extreme hatred towards Nkomo and Mugabe's 'freedom fighters ' and cheered and whooped when news of this raid took place with my dad and much older cousins and uncle. I remember the cheesey T shirts you could buy, with a terrible depiction of what was supposed to be 'Green Leader's' face on it with the famous caption, 'Lusaka tower....this is Green Leader'. Very professional retelling of this landmark event in our history, Sir. Well done 👏

[@chrisjones6736]

I can remember so clearly the news coming through of the first Viscount. My neighbour lost a sister on that plane and I was there when he got the news. It was a body blow, just as you describe John.

[@sunandthesoil3736]

Its unbelievable how Greenleader took over the foreign airspace.

[@graemeswart906]

A mixture of sadness as to what happened before this and a feeling of proud to be in the Rhodesian Armed forces when we made the raid into Zambia. This is great to hear the full recording of the flight. Well done John.

[@graemeswart906]

"Those magnificent men in their flying machines"

[@atilla6612]

Great Stuff and Magnificent Stuff. "Like ant's running around down there" priceless !!!

[@uncleTee2023]

And what did that achieve? War is just an exercise in futility. A political settlement should have been sought. The war was lost and lost forever. There is no place for racism and segregation in any society...be it by whites or blacks. For the same reason, Mugabe failed dismally!

[@LanceKnott]

Thank you for the cockpit recording. it's brilliant.

[@gregorypaulbox3035]

We need more Rhodesians in this world!

[@derekstocker2071]

We are a reducing species sorry to say.

[@pamberinehondo9447]

"What the F*** is Greg Todd doing?"...ever since I heard the first Green Leader transmission many years ago, I always wondered what Chris Dixon was referring to...perhaps Greg could throw some light on this? Excellent editing John, thanks for this...Proud to be a Rhodie

[@michaelx1809]

I believe Dixon was referring to his bombs, painted bright red perhaps.

[@clivemidlane8152]

Absolutely brilliant, you can just feel the tension!!

[@scallywag9392]

Damn, that's made one old man. very happy! Well done you guys!

[@yaakovcomley]

Thanks so much for making this recording available to the public. A reminder of a difficult period in the bush war. Look forward to the upcoming interview.

[@sobieski478]

Born in Bulawayo, grew up in London, forever Rhodesian.

[@nicholaskendrick8967]

Great recording and nice to hear the airforce types can swear just as good as any soldier .

[@markcandrl6039]

Proud to be Rhodesian………

[@michaelx1809]

Fucking brilliant 👏 my uncle served for 3 years in the RLI ,American volunteer, Michael Pierce. 💚🤍💚

[@franktalan5441]

Awesome. I've got old soldier of fortune magazines from the late 1970's early 80s with stories from him in it. he was in the Rhodesian armored car regiment correct? the article was called "Rebel in Rhodesia" regards to him.

[@michaelx1809]

yes ,then went on to serve with the Rhodesian African Rifles, finished at rank of Sgt. ​@@franktalan5441

[@cyberphox1]

‘That was mush’ haven’t heard that in while 🤣 Excellent to hear the full audio

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

True! Lol

[@colcar123]

Very well done John, was great to hear the recording…looking forward to the interview

[@shirleymasurik5971]

I remember that so well, it was our 911.

[@douglastowler7690]

John this was beautifully done and what a tribute to All the BLUES who did such a superb job on this operation. THANK YOU for putting out the whole flight recordings..

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

You're very welcome

[@stu281]

Legend what the eff is Greg Todd doing so close. Classic. Greens accelerating cool as mustard. The Rhodesian accent fantastic as it is. On the raid Chris Dixon said shall I go. To me it sounded like SIugo. I flew for ten years and at first I thought it was a airforce acronym. But I got it in the end lol. Chris said Shall I answer him like oh shit. The rest is history. Real men who loved their country until us Brits who never lived there stuffed it for you. Disgraceful act from UK such a shame. We let you down. This is text book in how to fly a real mission.

[@alfredroyal3473]

Sit Nomine Digna. Showed the fuckers who was boss, one of the best raids ever.

[@josedasilva9658]

Unbelievable that without all the technology available today you took out terrorists without civilian casualties, pity the Americans can't say the same with their latest bombing where they attacked civilians in Afghanistan. Well done.

[@ianlamont2666]

Pity there are no camera footage of the actual strikes....amazing that Zambia just handed over the airspace as if it were just a normal day! All very civilised

[@alfredroyal3473]

They had no sodding choice, RhAF ruled the skies.

[@ginojaco]

Very, very well done John - by far the best version of the recording; and many thanks to Greg Todd for allowing this to be done. Looking forward to the interview very much too.

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

Many thanks!

[@mikelayard6581]

Superb account of the Air action - thank you John !

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

Many thanks!

[@stewartw.9151]

I had this recording on cassette tape years ago in it's full, unedited version. Got it from a colleague in Port Elizabeth. It disappeared when my home was burgled, sad to say!

[@AllanCash]

I remember I was in Lusaka, pre teen. The ground was shaking, windows were rattling. Wondering what was going on...

[@alnonickname570]

awesome.. walked proudly that day

[@lourensblignaut]

This was one hell of a moral booster. Dam the blue jobs made us proud that day. Thanks guys

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

I was too young to remember the actual event, I was only five but I know this story back to front like most of us. Amazing op and well deserved. Cowardly bastards.

[@TobiasMoyo-s1t]

green leader my man of hero

[@rogermoore6726]

Awesome 🙏🤜🤛👍.

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

Thanks ✌️

[@cliffsdepot]

Navigating was a hell of a thing in the days before GPS.

[@stewartw.9151]

It was a real skill which had to be developed. Map - Compass - Watch, but it got you there!

[@ambianknight6816]

I have some brass gifted me from my father from this raid. Alouette 20mm gunship rounds. My Dad and Uncle Neil (Scouts) used to take shots out of them.......

[@griffburbidge5638]

So good to hear

[@The_ZeroLine]

lol, Dixon seemed to find the Hawker Hunter pilot leader very annoying.

[@TrailWalker03]

Excellent editing job

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

Thank you very much!

[@vincesmith3305]

@@fightingmenofrhodesia Hi John could you do some interviews with guys who started the SAS before Rhodesia became independent. My father was one who joined the RLI later the SAS. I fear their stories will be lost due to age soon.

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

@@vincesmith3305 hopefully it's not too late already. Like the guys who went to Malaya...

[@vincesmith3305]

@@fightingmenofrhodesia If anyone knows how to contact John directly I have lots of contacts. I just don't know what is a good way to get the information to him. I don’t want to put anything on KZbin

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

@@vincesmith3305 email me at [e-mail]

[@ktmtragic1397]

Listening to that made me wonder. Is that why Rhodies don't do "authority " inbred it seems ? Absolutely loved it ! Thanks !

[@GreencampRhodie]

RIP to the AR casualties (one of the passengers was a friend's Dad - surname Francois). Thank you to our military heroes, in the air & on the ground, on the battlefield & backstage. To the virtue-signalling world - YOU caused this & have blood on your hands, for the war then & evil ever since 1980!

[@wogmait]

Great work, any change of interviewing the navigator from green leader if he is still us ?

[@richardlyte-mason8414]

My hero

[@matthewthomas3890]

Awesome

[@tonywalton1052]

"Did you copy all that?"

[@dylancrockart6939]

Are there any figures as to what the CT casualties were? and what the Rhodesian casualties were? And the stoppage that was mentioned was that from a story mentioned from one of the guests in a prior interview?

[@powerbite92]

Official sources: Rhodesia: 1 killed (SAS Trooper) 3 wounded (Helicopter Crash) - Zipra: circa 1500 killed, 1348 wounded, 1 captured. Cuban losses unknown.

[@dylancrockart6939]

@@powerbite92 thank you very much

[@mississippimoondog]

Fuckin magnificent

[@NotraceOfRay]

Fucking beautiful!

[@chieftandriver703]

The destruction of Rhodesia followed by the destruction of South Africa was the beginnings of the destruction of Europe My brother was in Rhodesia from 1977 and lived there as the Mugabe regime was handed the country by the British government Bit by bit the old colonial world was destroyed. Now it’s the turn of Europe to be dismantled by the same elites that destroyed Southern Africa I asked my brother recently (he is now in Cape Town) why these countries were destroyed He simply said ‘the West wanted it that way’

[@craigemslie8426]

To this day i am angry. Bless the rest of the world for turning an eye, stuff you all

[@lifanobanda9759]

"Roger thanks, cheers".kk

[@avionics21]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@avionics21]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@protrackeastercape2442]

Ha ha the day rhodesian air force ruled Zambia

[@Selous_Scout]

Wow that was great to listen to ….Zambia handing over the airspace to the Rhodesians showed the respect/fear they had for the Rhodesian Air Force …..The western world have a lot to answer for leaving you fine folks to deal with communist terrorists on all fronts ( it makes me mad what my government the uk did to ruin a fine country ) I was born in 1976 and the clips I’ve seen you had a good standard of living

[@JustAnotherNorthman]

I was born in 1980 in Denmark and I feel the exact same way.

[@chabuchabu430]

No ,the Zambian security forces were under strict orders not to engage with Rhodesian forces.They didn’t engage not because of the so called green leader.that is the full context but Rhodesian worshiping cowards would not acknowledge that

[@chabuchabu430]

They were invaders and quite frankly you should be thankful your descendants get to call our country theirs too.

[@tightcamper]

It was the end of Nkomo after that and sentenced him to political oblivion. Then he was stupid enough to do it a 2nd time. Even ZANU were unimpressed. Then if that wasn't enough the stupid bugger tried to take on, the now unencumbered by war, former Rhodesian army at Entumbane. The man turned out to be a fool.

[@dougdenhamlouie]

Have you in SA access to the covid-19 vax? I keep hearing of old mates dying of covid? How bad is it in SA. Texas Gunsmith

[@cmavuso6068]

I was in Zambia training when these cowards attacked innocent civilians at FC (Freedom Camp). It was brutal and many of our comrades perished. May their soul rest in peace. Because of the proximity of this base to Lusaka the Zambian government did not allow us to deploy AA guns however when we were given the Mulungushi army base we gave the Rhodesia Airforce a hard time most the projectile were short down and we had few losses from daily bombardment by the RAF and suspect the SAAF jets and or pilots were involved.

[@fightingmenofrhodesia]

I appreciate your comment but if you had AA guns it was clearly a military target. However, it's always tragic when innocent civilians are killed in war.

[@TheDeviantgeezer]

You say you were training, for combat ? That makes you a legitimate target why would you have ‘innocent civilians’ at a military training base ? Your ‘comrades’ got what they deserved the only civilians murdered were on the two viscounts,

[@DerSchleier]

@cmavuso6068

[@jamesguest7438]

My Matebele friend gets upset when I post the video. This is brilliant because I enjoy listening to the navigation before satellites. It's what I did. I appreciate the skills and efforts. I love the Rhodesians sounding more English than the English but they are African. It's a record of history and vital it was recorded and available to listen to. Thanks. I love the tension and the reactions and thoughts of people. I understand lots of people were killed and that's going to get reactions. I get the murderers attitude. I'd undoubtedly feel the same if I was Matebele. Fascinating whatever your political philosophy and I wish people could appreciate the skills and maybe the accents. That is a hard sell when a lot of people became casualties of war. I get that.