Fire Force: Rhodesian Light Infantry | Chris Cocks | Ep. 157

[@liciniodossantos175]

When we got called up to the army, you went to Bulawayo. After arriving there about 10 days later, the RLI, SAS etc, would come to the barracks looking for volunteers. I did so and about 20 guys were selected from said volunteers. We transferred to Cranborne barracks, for our basic training. On completion of basic training, we could pick which Commando, unless too many would pick a certain commando. I was accepted to Support Commando. On our first bush trip the 9 guys accepted to the commando did our Mortar course. After the training we were put into sticks and we would either go on patrols or Fire Force. We were very fortunate to have very good Officers and some very good Nco"s. The intake that I was called up in, (intake 146 ) started at 12 lunar months, This was soon changed12 calendar months. At the end of my call up, I had almost completed demobilization and only required to get the Regimental Sargent Major, and our called up was extended by 6 months. At the end of my now 18 months, our intake was extended by a further 3 months. The professionalism, was exceptional.

[@1underwaterant]

What a lovely guy. Very much of forthrightness and common sense and compassion.

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

I'm delighted you got Chris on. Such a genuine and nice guy. Fire Force is a fantastic book.

[@PropensityVisualized]

Americans in the RLI- when I was in Ranger School in 1995 a number of the SGMs there and in the Airborne force were Americans that were veterans of Rhodesia. They went to Rhodesia as SGTs and young SSG and received an immediate promotion upon return.

[@markaxworthy2508]

The US knew exactly who was there. In 1980 I went with an American friend (Arnold G.) to a recruiting office in an office block on Salisbury/Harare where the South Africans were surreptitiously recruiting people from the Rhodesian Security Forces. Arnold had been there before and been told to come back in a week. He said that on his return they had a precis of his US military records that could only have come from US official sources. I guess they had got them via the newly invented fax machine!

[@anthonyvenegas8299]

@@markaxworthy2508 you gotta tell your story

[@internet_internet]

Some friendly advice: Don’t look up this man’s name without including “Rhodesia”.

[@firephoenixgamers8590]

HAHAH

[@stevenbrown9275]

Excellent episode. Have more Rhodesians and South Africans please. Keep up the good work gentlemen.

[@patrickhayes606]

Lol yes, more oppressors of the natives please

[@jimmy5079]

@@patrickhayes606 people cannot help where they are born

[@patrickhayes606]

@@jimmy5079 absolutely true. But they can try to, hmm I don't know, maybe not oppress the Africans that live there too

[@pootytang2872]

​@@patrickhayes606 who cares they werent goin nowhere - the natives never even figured out the Wheel

[@jacklaurentius6130]

@@patrickhayes606 if you are white, South African whites already permanently deal with traitors such as yourself that threaten their existence. The day is coming where that happens worldwide. South Africa just had a mini civil war recently where African Bantu extremists attempted to seize power. I wish I could see how they would treat you.

[@alistairfulton6316]

Well done Chris and team. A great recollection of those difficult days in Rhodesia for all races. Thank you for the honesty and efforts to record the truth even though the rest of the world was destroying the populace of a once great and prosperous country. Alistair Fulton.

[@JeffSutherland-w7s]

Thank you so much for getting this man on camera. I am a miniature painter and tabletop wargamer who is currently enjoying miniature simulation of this time period and tactics in 28mm scale. Just taking my 1/72 scale Alouette off the shelf to beginning assembly and painting this week. I use Force on Force rule set, Bush Wars module and Eureka miniatures. A-symmetrical warfare is quite interesting on the tabletop.

[@dougearnest7590]

Greetings, are you in the USA? I am getting into miniature wargaming and have for a long time (unrelated to gaming) been interested in African bush wars in general and Rhodesia in particular. Are you using the 1/72 model with the 28 mm figures or are you using 20 mm? I love those 28 mm figures, but I'm wanting to play with 20 mm and can't find a source in the USA. For some reason (I think it's an anti-money-laundering thing) my US debit card doesn't work when ordering something from overseas. (Too bad, because I don't know how to get rid of all these millions of dollars I'm running out of room to store.)

[@Modge17]

Fire Force is a great book, I also got a copy from my grandad to read. Currently reading Survival Course which is the sequel and I’m hooked!

[@robertoles3654]

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview! I can recall as a young boy the issues occurring in Africa, the fighting going on in Rhodesia, Angola, and of course Idi Amin was very big news. Excellent questions asked of Mr. Cocks by both of you and I will definitely purchase the books-Great job by all!

[@RyanSmith-dy7fk]

Amazing episode with an absolute legend. Had never heard much about this conflict but I’m so glad I listened to this!

[@Rhodie0001]

Great interview to a degree. Around 1:51:15 Chris makes almost a foreign mentality statement about people "still" supporting Ian Smith. What I think Chris fails to appreciate is how many of us were as native to Southern Africa as were the blacks. For example, my earliest grandfather arrived on the shores of Southern Africa in 1658; at that time the majority of black folk within a thousand miles of Cape Town had been brought there as slaves by the whites. For almost a century and a half, we coexisted with the San and Koi with increasing numbers of blacks migrating into the area. By the late 1700's the British arrived with their big stick and stole the land, imposing British law and did so with a heavy hand. We (our ancestors) trekked north and eventually secured the two Boer republics (OFS + Transvaal) until diamonds and gold were discovered and the British again came stomping in with their big stick. Again the trek north was made, this time into Rhodesia and in a remarkably short period of time, a modern country was forged. Never forget, the blacks were as much foreign imports into Southern Africa as were the whites. We are people of Southern Africa and the land was as much ours as it was theirs; we were as determined to fight for it as were our forefathers. Over three hundred centuries of my ancestors are buried on Southern African soil and I was and am a proud Rhodesian. We saw the ruins Africa had become and did not want that to happen to our beloved land.

[@s.wvazim6517]

Ian the greatest stats man the world had he was to honest for africa

[@kmg1892]

You need to read the book. "They were South Africans". Your perception of the British is miles off. Do yourself a favor and read the book.

[@KroiAlbanoiArbanon]

The difference is the bantus are indigineous to Africa by evolution whereas Boers and Brits are not. Also you brought malay and indonesian slaves not blacks. The khoi khoi and san relationship was not peaceful either. The khoi population of cape town was decimated by smallpox brought by the dutch. Then there are the khoi khoi dutch wars. The bushmen were seen as fauna during apartheid and colonial period. Besides most of bantus living in south africa are hardly bantus. They indigineous admixture. They are basically coloreds.

[@gordo3697]

Ever since I heard that warren zevon song ive been fascinated by the bush wars and the follow on mercenaries

[@mrs8171]

Agreed. Great song! RIP Warren.

[@KwangTheMongrel]

I have a rad T-shirt based on that song. Had a Tommy gun in the middle and all the locations mentioned in the song (including Berkeley lol)

[@gordo3697]

@@mrs8171 He was a fascinating man

[@gordo3697]

@@KwangTheMongrel my platoon commander in Iraq was a Berkley graduate really weird

[@jameshermes5576]

Which song?

[@lokischildren8714]

Chris cocks book Fireforce is one of the best books on the bush war .The is a fantastic interview from a very humble guy.

[@David-lx4yb]

I read Fireforce several years ago. It’s an excellent look at the RLI and life in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

[@mrs8171]

Love the astute small-unit tactical questions & detailed explanations. Always curious to see "the how" that the tactics evolve. Thanks. Great work guys.

[@firstnamelastname9444]

Fantastic episode and Chris was an excellent guest! Definitely going to be reading Fireforce now!

[@ecolivelihoods]

Agree Fireforce is one of the best books about combat and the lot of the ordinary soldier, along with Justin Taylor's "Whisper in the Reeds" about the Angolan Bush War, the best to come out of those decades of struggle and turmoil in Southern Africa. Chris is a deeply thoughtful man and fine soldier. Respect!

[@ratdetecting4780]

great interview, with a quiet, down to earth guy. Met him in late 90s when he owned Covos day books. got books signed & he pulled out his para jump log book

[@paulchanguion2934]

Good evening Chris, an exelent interview, well spoken, thank you

[@rideawhiteswantrex]

Hi Chris, thank you for signing my copy of "The Saints" The Rhodesian Light Infantry. 👍

[@raymondwright2985]

Chris. I still have your autographed copy of fire force. It has travelled a long way and read by a number of my friends, and now in Atlanta Georgia

[@Coconutscott]

This guy's books are fantastic, very well written.

[@Bsim2020]

Excellent interview. I’m going to get my copy of Fire Force out and read it again, now.

[@michaelburke5481]

Really enjoyed this ! amazing look inside the conflict that was

[@dirkshumbadrinkersb4908]

Des Archer was the guy who had the world record for operational jumps

[@zanebeswick3551]

You guys are brilliant thank you , I enjoy your podcasts very much

[@thomasmitchell7645]

There is a Dutch guy who has posted a video illustrating and explaining in detail how the Fire Force concept worked in practice, and also explaining why it failed as a strategy to win the bush war. I have read "Fire Force" and it is a great book.

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

What's the video?

[@DerSchleier]

Said "Dutchman" is taking you for a ride... down the Nile. The "fire force" tactic worked perfectly as the Rhodesian military was winning the war... on the battlefields. The Rhodesian military had one of the highest K/D ratios in recorded history. Only N.S.D.A.P. Deutschland comes close with their K/D ratio during World War II. The "money-lenders" used their power to enact trade embargos and economic sanctions on Rhodesia. Guess who controls CCP China, Bolshevik Russia, United Kingdom and the United States?

[@gbone7581]

He said they should rather have tried to win the hearts and minds but there is/was no chance of that.

[@anon2034]

1:05 "top five memoirs" - can you tell us the other four? Great podcast. I will get Fireforce by Chris Cocks.

[@martinmcgreal7943]

Great viewing, thank you

[@ulrichpike5805]

Fireforce is a great book, I clearly remember Chris telling the story of his flat feet in the book...A great story told by a great soldier...

[@phyrr2]

John Van Zyl has a lot of interviews with Rhodesian fighting forces but has also interviewed people from ZIPRA. Highly suggest you give him a look. www.youtube.com/@fightingmenofrhodesia

[@deepnudist5055]

Thanks for this. It's important to get both perspectives

[@MrGoblin60]

Great interview. I read Chris' book several years ago and was privileged later to have met one of the men he did his rookie training with (Rob Scott). There was no boasting from Rob, he had a balanced political view and judged people solely on their merits. These guys had it rough, saw it all and gave of themselves.

[@joejoe809]

Great stories and great book to read.

[@LandmineMac]

Howzit Chris my china. Thank you for this video. I hope that all who view it take time to consider the gravity of conflict. Go 3Cdo (The Lovers).

[@JeffreyThomas-th2ps]

I did my stint in the Sandf passed out as a officer full lt, when I got back it was so loud all the noise we were so quiet then you are always looking fir the next cover coupled with where is my rifle ,pistol ect that was mild to what these guys went through ,may the lordbless you and keep you.😢

[@gbone7581]

I suspect it was the SADF, the SANDF are useless!

[@jameshermes5576]

Awesome podcast ,thanks guys.

[@Andre_XX]

Great interview guys, thanks.

[@andre51286]

my dad was 3cdo RLI 74-80

[@davechristopherson8092]

His book and the rhodesian bush war by Dennis Crukamps book are must reads. The fighting men of Rhodesian you tube channel are must reads and watch for those interested in this history

[@petero7937]

I once had a book written by Russians who served in Angola. It was pretty interesting. What I found odd was in Angola there were separate logistics, warehouses etc for all the Communist bloc countries involved and they all had different shortages and abundances. The one Russian noted the very accurate South African artillery fire later on in the Angolan bush war.

[@moirapettifr7127]

People are very interested in the heartbreak of Rhodesia. And the books by Alexandra Fuller prove that. Scribbling the Cat was a heartbreaking but incredible book as well about a Rhodesian soldier.

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

The Rhodesian Bush war is so interesting. I’m consuming everything I can find about it, and the geopolitical context it was in.

[@uraninite8151]

Interesting. I have talked to a 1 Commando and Zim SAS Veteran who fought in Congo in the 90s. He was based at Cranborne. I have met a few former SADF/Rhodesian guys (or their family) too, the question of whether it was worth it is a difficult one. Perhaps try get some more veterans out of Africa. If possible from other conflicts like DRC, Nigeria, post 89, Eritrea Angola, UN FIB. Greetings from SA!

[@s.wvazim6517]

Was it worth it... that a deep question but I'm lucky enought to chat to old worriers being in zim. Most old zipra chaps say they if rhodesia was the state zimbabwe was now theybwould not have fought

[@kathrynludrick4821]

Great interview

[@tprdfh51]

Hugh McColl was KIA serving in the Rhodesian Army...Bob Smith (from GA) was badly wounded in a contact and invalided from the Army with one leg shorter than the other. He moved back to the USA and after all of the close calls he survived in the Bush War he was killed while mowing his lawn when the driver of a tractor trailer lost control of his rig and ran over him.😔

[@Erosgates]

That’s horrible….

[@clarencelafuentes4801]

Rest in peace.

[@esmemostert6476]

That's really really awful for a hero to die in such a way 😢😢😢😢

[@georgesykes394]

Just read FireForce excellent book.

[@mtkoslowski]

During the Rhodesian bush war I was a policeman in Bulawayo in Matabeleland. The worst insult I heard one black person utter to another was “Your mother wears shoes.” It turns out that during the 1940’s some black women, later known as ‘ladies of the night’ wore European women’s shoes while the rest of them were barefoot.

[@HelenNerantzoulis]

These were our gallant fighters e HEROES , which gave their lives to save RHODESIA E HER NATION ❤❤ 👍👍👍

[@Angelo-g6l]

Chris…you sound sick man

[@trevorpalmer1891]

Nice Chris!

[@jennifernichols9468]

Lots of Rhodie ex-pats in South Texas

[@atilla6612]

Brilliant 😎

[@sentfromdaniel]

You know how snipers will use visine to hydrate the eyes? If only they could make something in a liquid form for the throat…. Great show guys

[@DamionJustin]

Selam from 🇿🇦

[@sauravdebnathdebnath1927]

GUYS U NEED TO INTERVIEW A SAS and a GURKHA and INDIAN 9 para sf

[@dicky3340]

Good shout , I'd love to hear from a Gurkha who served in the S.A.S. The changes in their lives will make the " where did you come from ? " beginning section riveting on its own. Never mind their fighting stories. Such humble,loyal and brave people.

[@dicky3340]

Good shout , I'd love to hear from a Gurkha who served in the S.A.S. The changes in their lives will make the " where did you come from ? " beginning section riveting on its own. Never mind their fighting stories. Such humble,loyal and brave people.

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

Great book. Gripping, hilarious in parts, and tragic.

[@markaxworthy2508]

Rhodesia had some very good units but they had a growing tail of units of ever decreasing quality and effectiveness due to rapid over expansion. The country was littered with Africanising RR, BSAP, GF, Intaf DSA's, SFA's, assorted militias, Brightlights, etc., who you never read about. Reading about the Rhodesian War from the RLI, SAS and Selous Scouts perspective is like looking at the USA's experience in WWII from just the perspective of the Airborne, or Rangers. If anybody wants to know something of this long security tail, I would highly recommend "Operation Lighthouse: Intaf in the Rhodesian Bush War 1972-1980" by Gerry van Tonder and Dudley Wall. Most of the RSF were not leaping in and out of helicopters on externals.

[@TimSerras]

I’ve just read the book and in general it is very comprehensive and gives one an idea of what the RLI really was. However mr. Cocks downgrades the Portuguese Army which is unfortunately very common in many Rhodesian war stories. Amazing! A poor country, smaller then Rhodesia, fighting three wars thousands of miles from home, over a decade, territories like Angola, four times the size of Rhodesia, Mozambique, twice the size of Rhodesia and Guinea Bissau, by far the toughest of all African wars are branded by Mr. Cocks incompetent and unwilling to fight their wars, hoping Rhodesians would do it for them. Incredible! As far as I know, Rhodesians only collaborated with the Portuguese in Tete province, in Mozambique, because of Zipra terrorists using that route. To the Portuguese, Tete was a minor problem. Hardly mentioned in Portuguese military books. Rhodesians are classified as good trackers and that’s about it. No mention of their disastrous intelligence. Portuguese do mention very valuable South African collaboration specially air support in Angola, just like they did in Rhodesia. Finally. Portuguese Army was 100% Portuguese. No Brits, Yankees, aussies, kiwis, porks, rockspiders etc. to do their fighting. White, mulatto black they were all Portuguese. Mr. Cocks was very unfortunate by making those remarks on the Portuguese Army.

[@leojmullins]

I experienced the Portuguese army in Mozambique. The conscripts from Europe were sharkshite. They did not want to be there and had no interest in being soldiers. But the local Portuguese army members were very much like us Rhodies.

[@TimSerras]

@@leojmullins Most conscripts from metropolitan Portugal were in fact rural peasants who could hardly read or write. Their training was very basic. They didn’t even know why they had to fight. However. If you compare guerrilla or semi conventional wars throughout the world, Portugal fared better then most, eg. US in Vietnam, France in Indochina and Algeria, Belgians in Congo, etc. Portuguese special forces made a big difference and most were basically from Portugal. I suggest you read John Cann’s books about the Portuguese colonial wars. I agree that colonial forces (conscripts too) had to be better because they were at home like the Rhodesians. Still, I think that Portugal’s efforts fighting three wars simultaneously so far away from Lisbon was simply amazing. My opinion.

[@markaxworthy2508]

I thought the "Porks" WERE the Portuguese? The difference between a Portuguese conscript and a Rhodesian on call-up was that the former wasn't defending his home and didn't really want to be in Africa at all. When this feeling became general in Portugal, the government was overthrown and Portugal withdrew from empire.

[@TimSerras]

@@markaxworthy2508 I don’t get your point. Portugal, just like Rhodesia, was facing military sanctions. Although a NATO member, it could not use NATO equipment in its African wars. It had to use outdated military hardware and improvise. Rhodesia’s killing machine, the K-Car is a improved version of the Portuguese Lobo Mau chopper gunship, as an example. Grey Scouts copy of Angola dragoons. Using turned terrs as special ops (Flechas) to confuse and terrorise the enemy also a copy (Selous Scouts). Don’t come with the Malay SAS bullshit, because there you were fighting chinks, impossible to desguise. Operation Green Sea (Portuguese invasion of Conakry to free Portuguese prisioners of war) was much more spectacular then any other in Africa, despite being secret (no air support or cover) Lisbon still denies its involvement. Big difference between a loudmouth and a profesional. Secret ops are supposed to be secret. Finally. Portugal fought 3 wars, thousands of miles from Lisbon, for over a decade. Rhodesia lasted only 4 years when things got really hot (Portuguese withdrawal) despite strong SAAF support. Those, my friend are the facts. You may be great story tellers, I prefer the peasant that fights for his life, his comrades and wants to get home alive, although he did not understand much why he had to fight.

[@johnfarley4201]

GOD BLESS RHODESIA AND SOUTH AFRICA.

[@AmericaFirstRifleman]

😮 Rhodisia doesn't exist bro

[@seanwalter4018]

Really enjoyed the episode! I'm curious about the height of the combat jumps Chris mentioned being around 500', with some much lower. I read that training jumps are ~1200 feet, but what does US doctrine say about the *typical* height for combat jumps? Thanks again!

[@calummackenzie1797]

Sean this was done to reduce 'hang' time. Less time for the enemy to shoot at you whilst you were at your most vulnerable. From door to floor was in the region of 15 - 11 seconds!

[@sheepsfoot2]

@@calummackenzie1797 I always remember in his book they refered to themselves as " MEAT BOMBS " AHA HA HA tough lads !

[@calummackenzie1797]

@@sheepsfoot2 if you watch Fighting Men of Rhodesia Episode 144 at about the 1hr 16mins l mention an RLI Paradak drop

[@sheepsfoot2]

@@calummackenzie1797 thankyou !

[@henryhoward9454]

It seems no one really answered your questions. I can give you the U.S. perspective from the 90s. Mass tactical jumps for training were 800'. Actual combat was 500'.

[@ericvantassell6809]

Great podcast. Did you ever have Dennis Croukamp on? COVID got him :-(

[@powerbite92]

When did he pass?

[@TheTeamHousePodcast]

COVID also took my friend Auddis Ward who served in Vietnam and then as a medic in the Selous Scouts.

[@ericworst]

You all should read Out of Action - his other book - bleak in the extreme.

[@paleranger2.057]

My entire father's side of the family emigrated to the US from Rhodesia in 1981, and my grandpa and great-uncle both fought in the Bush wars. Ultimately, Ian Smith and the Rhodesian government were correct that black rule would run the country into the ground and allow mass genocide. I find it a bit irritating that Chris didn't elaborate more upon the atrocities towards whites under Mugabe's rule. Thousands of whites were assaulted, raped, and murdered during the land redistribution fear campaigns. This was followed by famine throughout central Africa directly connected to the loss of the industrial farms owned by whites who legally bought the land. When the Dutch first arrived in southern Africa, only the Khoisan were present, and sparsely populated at that. the Zulu people migrated south during colonization for greater economic prospects. Now they claim we stole their land which is 100% false. The only tribe present were the Khoisan and very little land was actually conquered from them. Im sure I sound bitter but this part of my family history was stolen from us.

[@cherryplum4193]

Numbskull Rhoadie, how many blacks did your family murder?

[@paleranger2.057]

@@cherryplum4193 you've gotta have an IQ below 80

[@williampounds5191]

I mean you stole it first.

[@paleranger2.057]

@@williampounds5191 did you read the entire comment? most blacks living in southern Africa are zulus who are from farther north and migrated down after colonization. The original people of southern Africa were hunter-gathers known as the khoisan. Southern Africa was very sparcely populated when the dutch first landed.

[@clarencelafuentes5331]

The transfer of having blacks into positions to make decisions, such as commerce, administration, Road building, medical, etc..., was to do so peacefully and with the person mentored to work and sustain the continuity of the country. The Internationalist, shadow government, wanted to have a militant in control and let the violence happen. Recommend "The Great Betrayal" by P.M. Ian Smith.

[@totame6644]

It's sad to see what Zimbabwe turned into once communism took root.

[@markaxworthy2508]

Zimbabwe never had Communism. It went quickly to a crude form of crony Capitalism without any intervening period of Communism. The Terrs were primarily African Nationalists who had to go to the Eastern Bloc for arms because thy couldn't get them from the West. It was a pragmatic decision more than an ideological one.

[@tmcg1907]

"...he was dispatched, I'm ashamed to say...we were taught get rid of them, don't keep them..." Brutal. Honest. Real.

[@Angelo-g6l]

War

[@Toncor12]

I agree that the RLI deserves all the accolades it got but Chris is rather disparaging of territorial and other non regular units but I can assure you that without the territorials the war would have ended very quickly. It's ironic that 'his' horse-mounted PATU sticks were the "best men ever". Some of the biggest kills were from territorial input. I also think that he sort of agreed that people left the country due to being racists. The main reason is that family people knew in their heart of hearts that things would go badly in the long run and took their family's to safer lands.

[@Mark-te5uz]

When you look at American and Australian history etc, they too were settlers, the only difference was that they wiped out most of the original inhabitants. In Rhodesia, with the arrival of the Europeans, there were very few black inhabitants and at one point there were more whites than blacks.. There was a book called "Where Lions once roamed" written by a man who was one of the first people to arrive Rhodesia and he lived in Umtali, I cannot remember his name, but in it he mentioned that there were very few inhabitants in Rhodesia, it was only because of the white mans intervention IE medicine, that their numbers increased. I have tried to get a copy but cannot find one anywhere..if anyone can find one, get it, its mega interesting..

[@potatokitty]

Rhodesia had one of the best armies in the world by far.

[@markaxworthy2508]

Nope. It had some very good bits but they had a growing tail of units of ever decreasing quality and effectiveness due to over expansion. The country was littered with BSAP, GF, DSA's, SFA's, assorted militias, Brightlights, etc., who you never read about. Reading about the Rhodesian War from the RLI, SAS and Selous Scouts perspective is like looking at the USA's experience in WWII from just the perspective of the Airborne or Rangers.

[@CdeMao]

They fought people without proper equipment no vehicles no shoes no air force obviously you had a great advantage you committed atrocious crimes

[@markaxworthy2508]

@@CdeMao ZANLA and ZIPRA had plenty of proper equipment by the 1970s. Their problem was that they were starting from scratch without any military background and took time to assimilate them. As a result, their casualties were extremely high. Nor were they short of shoes! The Rhodesian problem was that they had little high quality manpower, and such as they had was under continuous operational pressure. Although their casualties were relatively very low compared to their enemy's, over time they were gradually being worn down by continuously expanding operations. Yes, they had an air force, but it was obsolete, its aircraft few in number and it had difficulty in getting spare parts through sanctions. The Rhodesians were operating on a shoe string with what they had, not with what they really wanted or needed. Atrocities were not the exclusive preserve of the Rhodesian Security Forces.

[@CdeMao]

@@markaxworthy2508 My family were victims from Assembly keeps in reserves remember there was no need for this war our guys were on foot from Mozambique to Mtoko was amazing no pay that's what we call Heroes then we forgive our enemies imagine

[@markaxworthy2508]

@@CdeMao I knew Mtoko (you use the old Rhodesian spelling) well. You are thinking of Protected Villages, within which there were defensive Keeps for Internal Affairs and Guard Force. The PVs were a failure because they alienated the population without providing them with the facilities that might have compensated for the loss of easy access to their lands between the curfew hours. Yup, ZANLA had to walk in to Mudzi, Mtoko and Mrewa districts from Moczambique through their Takawira Sector and this made resupply slow. They had no pay, but they could take whatever they wanted from the population of the TTLs, APLs, stores, buses, etc., etc.. What may have made them heroes was not their activities but their preparedness to take heavy casualties and yet keep on coming. This took courage.

[@wadedavies3924]

We may need these tactics soon in Chicago. Same enemy with the same sponsors and domestic traitors.

[@rossington1680]

There is one enemy in parts of Chicago.( Chicago is a big place with millions of people living in the Area.) That enemy is poverty. Desperate people do desperate things.

[@wadedavies3924]

@@rossington1680 The Communist credo is always to appropriate the property of hard working people and distribute it to the poor lazy people but in actual practice, it's quite the opposite. The Rhodesians lost their war and Zimbabwe became one of the most impoverished states in the world. They are given a choice of taking loans from the IMF to feed their people in exchange for selling their natural resources to wealthy nations cheap. Instead, they have opted to consort with other impoverished, tyrannical states and further persecute their hard working white population. Desperate people caught in the vicious cycle of ideology.

[@TrueNativeScot]

@@rossington1680He was talking about Jews riling up blacks against Whites, ye dingus

[@jz1528]

Everything y’all said is too true

[@SAFARIBLADESMITH]

come down to Florida. we play recces lekker down here. 😂😂😂

[@roodmnt]

Other reasons for the white exodus was the soviet stylized terror campaigns by Mugabe against its own citizens. In my national service in the SADF we had instructors who would tell us of their trip south, armed civilians in convoy to guard against ambush etc on their way out.

[@redskyatnight123]

Great conversation, I feel sad that my country England let rhodesia down, from a thriving country best in Africa to a complete shitwhole Zimbabwe

[@nickwillobey2205]

Fight the good fight!!!

[@kw7807]

Which is now Zimbabwe

[@chrisndlovu4601]

Whites that remained in Zimbabwe to date are the wealthiest even after the farm invasions. I suggest the good gentleman comes back home to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a country where you can make a good living, The Matebels are the people that suffered after the war, amazingly enough, the British government was involved in the elimination of the Matebels...A long revenge for the losses that they had during the war...Very unfortunate chronicles of war...

[@samuelseymour7850]

Don't forget about the Rhodesia Regiment, the citizen soldiers, 1years national service mid 1974 to 1975, then 3 six week call ups in a year, then emergency call up in early 1976, that lasted a year, then 6 weeks in 6 weeks out, until early 1980, then just told the war is over guys, you can go home now ?

[@malcolmbliss777]

Crush it like Quint! We love Narragansett!

[@johnmorreira1060]

Why do you keep referring to terrorists, as guerrillas?

[@danipopa1635]

Professional armies in both SA and Rhodesia. How come they lost the war and the countries? Lack of strategy. Those wars meant surviving or disappearing.

[@wildbill60]

👍💯

[@ColBishop]

He looks like Tom Hanks

[@Angelo-g6l]

Sure does but coughs like a dog

[@12Georgia83]

👊

[@ickekoep]

What were the Americans doing there? Civilian volunteers? Immigrants who volunteered? Militarily attached?

[@jameshermes5576]

Volunteers. Didn't you hear government advertised for mercenaries

[@tprdfh51]

The Rhodesian Army did not employ mercenaries...foreign volunteers were accepted once they were vetted but they had to apply for citizenship and as part of their service in the Regular Army they had to serve for a minimum of 1 year in the Security Forces.

[@zanewelensky6146]

Not only the Americans, South Africans, Irish, French, German, English, Australian, New Zealanders, Canadians, Croatian and and... Look up Robert McKenzie, world class soldier, and just so you know, Soldier of Fortune magazine was conceived in Rhodesia. Some even lost their lives for the cause of 'freedom' ... all while your Carter screwed us with sanctions.

[@tprdfh51]

@@zanewelensky6146 by any chance are you related to Sir Roy?

[@zanewelensky6146]

@@tprdfh51 I am yes, he was my great uncle, younger brother to my grandfather, Ben Welensky.

[@thomaswhite518]

3 to 5 hundred is a fukn base jump.......damn.

[@Mark-te5uz]

Disappointed with this interview, a touch of a sellout here..

[@watkinsrory]

Reality is not being a sell out.

[@chrisndlovu4601]

He comments as if he was dealing with monkeys during the war, why not talk about the losses that the racist Rhodesian forces encountered during operations. Go to the archives and see the thousands of Rhodesian forces that were killed. I was an intelligence officer during the war, we were experts in suburban guerrilla warfare where we were working for army generals as garden boys, and gathered serious intelligence of the Rhodesian Forces operations which resulted in serious success. We were professionals and respected every member of the fighting forces, I want him to explain what happened when they met ZIPRA forces in the bush, those are untold stories...But we were not monkeys, but brave fighting men and women that even scared the British themselves, and our expertise was consulted during the Iraq surban war with tremendous success...

[@ChrisPohl-cj4vt]

America, Australia, who took land from who??!@

[@Djzommer1]

3430

[@donbrown2391]

Maybe I missed it, but this guy didn't mention using chemical and biological weapons against their enemies. Wonder why that is...

[@tprdfh51]

Two reasons simpleton: 1) he wasn't asked; 2) it didn't happen.

[@phatalbert9310]

@@tprdfh51 wish they did use it though those Rebs used 2 cannibalize lil gals seen some horrid stuff there

[@AmericaFirstRifleman]

Both sides did bad things LOL. I hate one people romanticized the rodeosians while overlooking their brutality.

[@dirkshumbadrinkersb4908]

That's like the pot calling the kettle black....the yanks sure aren't innocent when it comes to brutality aspects, where ever they been involved worldwide @@AmericaFirstRifleman

[@s.wvazim6517]

If they did they would have killed many more....but guess what

[@dylanbaxter9613]

Maybe, only one side of the story.

[@kw7807]

White infantry?

[@dylanbaxter9613]

Cocks, you tell only one side of the story. You cannot talk for me.

[@NoneOfyourbusiness-ob2yz]

Anyone know where Mike Borlace ended up? He flew Kcar from memory in 78?

[@TheLifeEvents]

Great, Thanks. But I do not understand the product placement!