RHODESIAN NIEMOLLER BATTLE VEST

In this video we are exploring the most unique piece of kit the South Africans have ever produced: a rhodesian camo Niemoller battle jacket/ battle vest.
They were produced in the mid 1980ies for the special forces and pathfinders for their secretive missions.
Instagram:
/ thefalguy308

[@RosaParksWasWyt]

*Her* “He’s probably thinking about other girls” *Him* “Thinking about milsurp equipment”

[@thefalguy9848]

*thinking about South African milsurp equipment." There, fixed it for you 😃

[@wodinloki9504]

Very cool video and info.

[@thefalguy9848]

thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@wodinloki9504]

@@thefalguy9848 I have the 83 jacket, chest rig and rucksack. Not sure if I should buy the metal frame. Also got the half combat waxis, need the full combat witht he double buckle. Also was my first leather boot and now I can't go back. Need a few more of those 2 liter canteens as well.

[@navrhy3075]

Howzit bru What optic is that on your R4?

[@thefalguy9848]

On the LM6? It's a CR21 reflex sight

[@navrhy3075]

@@thefalguy9848yes the LM6 sorry haha

[@vanzylbooysen4826]

Nou praat jy.

[@thefalguy9848]

Dankie tog. Ek doen my bes 🫡

[@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui]

Praat jy nou Afrikaans ou seun ?

[@thefalguy9848]

@@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui Ja ek praat Afrikaans. Maar my Afrikaans is nie die beste nie want ek het net Duits en Engels op skool geleer.

[@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui]

@@thefalguy9848 pragtig man, hou so aan.

[@yuval5628]

brushstroke was such an effective camo that rhodesia can't even be found on modern maps.

[@tmaxwell529]

😂

[@David-ct1rd]

Funny, but broke my heart as it is true.

[@hopedream11]

True Optical Camo. it disappears you even from Official international maps!

[@adlerarmory8382]

So effective it was a submission in the MarPat Trials. Imagine Uncle Sam's Misguided Children wearing RBS with the Globe, Eagle and Anchor on the pocket.

[@David-ct1rd]

@adlerarmory8382 think about how awesome that would have been. My original MOS was 0351. I would have loved it.

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

From the Rhodesian war - a taped upside down mag to the one in the rifle, fastest change - eject flip over. I noticed the pistol grip on the front of the FN , looks like a big help in stopping the “lift” when you fire. That was always a bit of a problem. Didn’t serve grew up on a Rhodesian farm fascinated by all the equipment. We as a family were given 2 FNs as were all farmers. We never had those pistol grips in Rhodesia.

[@thefalguy9848]

Those front grips do help reduce the muzzle climb by giving the rifle a better grip. Now very common on various weapon platforms.

[@hannesopperman7307]

Jou Afrikaans is goed my vriend. Lekker Loadout man!

[@thefalguy9848]

Dankie boet. Ek probeer my bes ons geskiedenis te bewaar.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

Im a simple man. I see FAL guy and i click. 😅🇺🇸🗽🦅

[@thefalguy9848]

Appreciate the support 🫡

[@00Mchenry]

Would love for someone to make new reproductions of this with modern materials.

[@thefalguy9848]

Extreme Gear Labs out of Colorado Springs has the blueprints from my vest. He can do custom rigs, but they come at a high cost.

[@ExtremeGearLabs]

Several derivations have been made for discriminating clients

[@deepbludude4697]

Check out Platatac they make some fine gear and some of its in Rhodesian pattern

[@SmokesKwazukii]

i love these rhodesian and south African battle jackets

[@TheNightrider88]

The fact that it is in Rhodesian camo is most intriguing.

[@thefalguy9848]

I agree. Very rare too. I wish I could get the other 2 items to complete the setup: the medical bag and the chest webbing.

[@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui]

It was made in the 80' s by Niemoller and the SADF, that is after Rhodesia came to a fall. It was made in green for South African Special forces and a camouflage scheme for 32 Battalion. Johan are reproducing Rhodesian camo for export, they also made some webbing. We have some of those including backpacks going around on the local market here in South Africa - this is a South African military product. It is also used till today by the SAPS Special Task Force aswell as SASF.

[@jasestrong]

Maybe it was made in a non SADF pattern for RECCE working in other countries for deniability? I am also a Huge Rhodesian Camo and Baby Poop on weapons and vehicles .

[@jasestrong]

Great video sir ! I love your content . I can’t get enough of the Rhodesian Bush war and the SADF. Kinda designed like a Brit kit with the mag pouches in the back .

[@thefalguy9848]

@@jasestrong yes, I believe its purpose was to be used outside of South Africa for Recce/ Pathfinder Ops.

[@brianvannorman1465]

Okay. You see the last name and think you can talk like that, To Me. It's true. A lot of the mix that made Africaans is also the ingredients in my own genetic soup A lot of Dutch, some Huguenots, a smidge of British. However my ancestors left for New Amsterdam and mixed with a few of the local girls. I don't even begin to understand what you are saying. Please speak slowly, loudly and stress the enunciations. It's like speaking to a sloe child.... because you are.

[@thefalguy9848]

??? I'm speaking my Afrikaans the way Afrikaans is supposed to be spoken. It's meant as an intro for my South African followers. I'll keep the Afrikaans intro as a way to preserve our culute, way of life and language.

[@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui]

The Niemoller Battle Jacket were made by Johan Niemoller originally for South African Special Forces, Johan himself were a Special Forces Operator back in the day - this webbing are still in service with SASF.

[@thefalguy9848]

Yes, I stated that in the video. Howevee, this particular rig is not in use anymore.

[@AdriaanduPlessis-yb7ui]

I am right here in South Africa, Johan and some guys I know personally are reproducing Rhodesian camouflage clothing for export - they are also manufacturing Niemoller webbings in Rhodesian camo. The first Niemoller webbings were green for SASF and camo for 32 Battalion. This is a South African military product made by Niemoller for the SADF - locally other Niemoller equipment are available such as backpacks. It is still use by SA Special Forces - operators choice.

[@Claudiu_Dumitru]

Ag man, for a second you got me scared "ooh, shit! Afrikaans? How am I going to translate that?" Then came the relief. **Edit: the -> then.

[@thefalguy9848]

Most of my videos have an Afrikaans intro. To keep our culture alive...

[@jcstander7551]

I also use patern 83 chestrig wirh AK mags. South African Police camo trousers. Netjies.

[@jonstahl364]

Perfect example here. Battle rig designed by the same soldiers that were actually going to use it. Not designers.

[@thefalguy9848]

100% the truth. And improved based on their inputs!

[@robshirewood5060]

People forget that Recce units are not supposed to get into combat they are stealthy Intelligence gatherers in their main role. The SAS in Borneo etc was in a similar role, the same thing applied, patrol and gather information and only "shoot and scoot" if enemy encountered.

[@DonPatrono]

I saw a lot of those on old pictures of Executive Outcomes, but in nutria brown rather than Rhodesian brushstroke

[@thefalguy9848]

Yeah, they were widely used in different variants. Various units such as the 32BN, SWATF, SAPs etc had their own version of the Niemoller or Pat83 gear

[@Claudiu_Dumitru]

About the optics: Armson, perhaps?

[@thefalguy9848]

CR21 reflex sight

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Pretty slick!!! I actually have a prototype that takes cues from this and the Pattern 83 LBE apart from others that I'm trying to get to market, love this stuff.

[@thefalguy9848]

Awesome! That must be a rare piece of gear!

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@thefalguy9848 Oh I meant I made a prototype hahahaha, but yeah hoping to get something going with it.

[@thadrobinson8343]

@@DJTheMetalheadMercenary I wanna see it

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@thadrobinson8343 I've got a couple videos overviewing it on my channel :) RRR/ LRRP Rig.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Interesting .. thanks for that. That small 'unknown' pouch .. that's for the bottle of 'Tabasco' .. a vital piece of kit 😏. The bottle, used upside down, also makes for an impressive 'meat tenderiser' on the odd occasion when tough freshly-harvested meat is come upon.

[@thefalguy9848]

Haha, what a great purpose of the pouch. Thanks for sharing that expertise

[@kedragon6460]

Bruder du könntest noch die andere SADF PATTERN 83 BATTLE VEST drüber anziehen und das wäre immer noch ein Raumwunder. Und man könnte immer noch einen Plattenträger darunter anziehen. Mach einfach das Video, in der Kombi, die Nachbauten von MFH zur SADF PATTERN 83 BATTLE VEST sind die besten, und die von Brandit naja geht - ist im moment meine Arbeitsweste im Sommer warum ganz einfach die US 2 Liter Canteenflaschen passen in die Brandit nur mit pressen und so stark rausziehen das es einem weh tut - man macht da nichts rein. Bei der MFH, geht alles rein raus. Da freut man sich.

[@thefalguy9848]

Oft wird in der SANDF die Pat 83 battle vest über den soft armor getragen. Platz hat man genug. Ideal ist es nicht aber egal. Ja, Platz hat man darin. Muss mir wieder mal ne Pat 83 battle vest kaufen, habe meine letzte für gutes Geld verkauft.

[@kedragon6460]

@@thefalguy9848 mfh hat die Lösung, bw discount,

[@XiJayPeg]

Rhodesian camo so cool it’s in Ukraine

[@CA.0verview]

10:42 so what the length of that stock , 8”?

[@dw7094]

Okay, I give up. Why would you need a Rhodesian battle vest?

[@thefalguy9848]

Collecting unique gear and preserving the military history of South Africa.

[@donald2665]

I have found that the South African Brush Stroke Camo/ Rhodesian Brush Stroke (I have long thought that this was SA in Origin but Rhodesia just might be the Origin.) is the most difficult to find in Modern just produced Kit and UNIFORM (Rip-Stop Shirts and Trousers) of any Camo available on the market. It is plainly a very desired type of Camo in the arena of camo generally, however it is beyond bizarre difficult to get new camo products in the original coloring and pattern. In fact it is unobtainium......for no logical reasons that have been explained to myself.

[@Odd_Interaction]

I still use an original SADF M83 vest or the M83 chest rig. Have to admit it still puts the old U.S. Govt. Issue Load Bearing Vest LBV II to shame.

[@thefalguy9848]

100% agreed on that. And the South Africans did lay the basis for many LBV to come

[@dilemaz85]

I run my m83 over my alice belt rig and it fits beautifully

[@Odd_Interaction]

@@dilemaz85 m83 Vest or M83 Chest Rig?

[@dilemaz85]

@@Odd_Interaction vest/battle jacket depending on your definition....as long as you don't load all the belt space up on the alice. But it makes a good 1st line/2nd line if your on a budget like I am

[@Odd_Interaction]

@@dilemaz85 I always liked the fact you could unzip or unbuckle the vest or the U.S. Army’s LBE so you could lay flat on you stomach or grab some shut eye.

[@TheFirstVonGunther]

Very cool. I can see where the battle jacket got its ideas from!

[@thefalguy9848]

Thanks. Yes, this one did influence the 32BN and Pat83 battle jacket!

[@mrdrprof99]

WHERE DO PEOPLE KEEP FINDING THESE!?

[@thefalguy9848]

With lots of luck and help from some South African collectors. These are incredibly rare

[@joshuagunderson6593]

Man I wish we had more modern options for “assault vests” like this. The Russian 6sh117 is a pretty solid contender but good luck getting one today unless you want to pay vastly more than it’s realistically worth.

[@thefalguy9848]

The Pat83 vests are still good to go with some minor modifications...

[@halojumper5105]

South African webbings has been always ahead of the game! Quietly used by European SF.... and even today I will consider it as super good if no noisy Velcro but we can compensate.... Dankie!

[@thefalguy9848]

Very true. It could use some updates to make it more modern but that's about it

[@stickfighter1038]

Remember the Alice gear I was issued in the late 80s in the US Army. This is battle vest was better kit for the 80s.

[@thefalguy9848]

100% agreed. It took the US Army a hot minute to figure out how to improve the kit they issued to soldiers...!

[@ExtremeGearLabs]

Oh that's a sexy rig! Oh yeah I had that in the Labs for a bit. I would love to get my hands on that raw fabric as it was pretty knappy and solid feeling

[@thefalguy9848]

You are asking for a lot but I shall ask our mutual friend. Maybe he can find something!

[@Bryan-uw1ny]

Sweet rig

[@thefalguy9848]

Thanks

[@MAHAKALAXXXV]

what is the camouflage of on your pants and by whom/who makes it?

[@thefalguy9848]

SAP Taakmag camo. Made in South Africa

[@Themodellingguy-v4v]

Goeie werk hou so aan ❤❤

[@thefalguy9848]

Dankie, sal so doen

[@robkilcollins310]

Phenominal video! Thank you for sharing! Looking foward to anymore content you have.

[@thefalguy9848]

Thanks. More content to come 🫡

[@BayouDoggin]

Good video

[@thefalguy9848]

thanks

[@BayouDoggin]

The plastic fasteners/buckles on the pouches are/were standard fasteners found on 782Gear - Rifle Mag pouches (M16A1) w/ integrated Frag. Grenade holders - '80s USMC , not sure about other branches

[@ExtremeGearLabs]

Actually these buckles are MUCH smaller, I had to import the replacements from Canada to repair the rig in the video

[@adlerarmory8382]

Those Niemoller rigs used Fidlock pinch fasteners, a skosh smaller than the A.L.I.C.E. fastener, they can still be found in black plastic.

[@BayouDoggin]

Ok, was not aware of that, in the video they look very similar. Appreciate the correction info.

[@markcampbell8533]

Say, what optic do you have on your LM-6?

[@thefalguy9848]

Vektor CR21 reflex sight

[@hkpro99]

Great video! Keep it up man, really enjoy your stuff!

[@thefalguy9848]

Thanks for the support

[@cagrihancakmak3048]

The Pattern 83 battle jacket is better.

[@thefalguy9848]

The Pat83 is a never version of it. Calling it outright better is wrong since they are made for different missions/ users.

[@cagrihancakmak3048]

@@thefalguy9848 the Niemoller looks like a belt kit but it doesn’t hold as much as a traditional belt kit like the PLCE which costs not more than 80 bucks as a full kit and they are not hard to find

[@cagrihancakmak3048]

@@thefalguy9848 but i guess it is a nice collectable piece of history 👌🏼

[@thefalguy9848]

@@cagrihancakmak3048 sometimes it's not always about the money but about the history behind it. The PLCE came after this particular Niemoller jacket so it doesn't come as a surprise that it holds more/ has a better design as a LBV...

[@donovannotmyname7306]

What sight is that on you R5?

[@thefalguy9848]

CR21 reflex sight

[@donovannotmyname7306]

@@thefalguy9848 Thanks Chief, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find one would you?

[@thefalguy9848]

@@donovannotmyname7306 Somewhere in South Africa I'd assume... These sights are very rare

[@donovannotmyname7306]

@@thefalguy9848 I was beginning to think that

[@SmokesKwazukii]

battle jackets are so dope

[@thefalguy9848]

I agree. They could use some updates though but still work well as load bearing vests.

[@angelcabrera6141]

What optic is that?

[@thefalguy9848]

CR21 reflex sight

[@LonnyWilliams-x5m]

Do you have the south african defence force m83 battle jacket?

[@thefalguy9848]

I used to have one before I sold it

[@LonnyWilliams-x5m]

@@thefalguy9848 what’s your option on the m84 battle jacket?

[@thefalguy9848]

@@LonnyWilliams-x5m solid piece of gear. Slightly outdated by today's standard. I do not like the back panel with the separation between the two pouches though.

[@LonnyWilliams-x5m]

@@thefalguy9848 what’s outdated about it?

[@thefalguy9848]

@@LonnyWilliams-x5m buckle system, pouch setup, velcro/ zips, backpanel that prohibits comfortable carry of a rucksack

[@donwj086]

Outstanding

[@thefalguy9848]

Thank you