The Rhodesia Coup - Operation Quartz Hectic 1980

In the aftermath of the Lancaster House talks and in the run up to the 1980 Southern Rhodesia election, elements throughout the former Rhodesian Security Forces who had little faith in the peace process began preparing for the worst.
They came up with two plans, Quartz and Hectic, which would involve the deployment of thousands of troops, police officers and support personnel, and the targeting of tens of thousands of guerrillas.
The plan would have resulted in a temporary-at-best military takeover of the country and the reversal of the fortunes of the preceding 15 years.
Everyone knew it was coming and yet in the end, the only people that could stop it were those planning it, who then buried it's existence, leaving scant details to be release here and there for the next 40 years. Details I've put together for this video, which I hope you enjoy!
This is the first of the many ideas I had for short-ish documentaries I had, it took a lot longer than I anticipated to find reliable sources and MUCH longer than I anticipated to edit it all down.
Total time to get together all the footage and photos and edit the video comes to something like 60 - 70 hours, so I hope it's been worth it.
Discord: www.discordapp.com/invite/fH5CSRRYWe
Patreon: www.patreon.com/majorsamm
Merch!: www.redbubble.com/people/HandleLikeEggs/shop
Chapter listing:
00:40 | The Crisis
08:10 | The Coup
12:55 | The Aftermath
Sources:
Unpopular Sovereignty by Louise White
The Rhodesian Civil War by John Frame
Bush War Rhodesia by Peter Baxter
The Rhodesian War by Paul Moorcraft & Peter McLaughlin
The Collapse of Rhodesia by Josiah Brownell
Ending Civil War by Matthew Preston
From Rhodesia to Zimbabwe by Henry Wiseman & Alastair M. Taylor
"Ethereal Relaxation"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@expandedhistory]

I absolutely love this documentary style video MajorSamm. Although majority of us are probably use to your “music video style,” these new types of History videos are pleasant to watch.

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot, I was hoping folks wouldn't be too opposed to a shift in style so I'm very glad you and lots of others have enjoyed it.

[@expandedhistory]

@@MajorSamm No I absolutely love it. I’m sure majority people who love your channel like myself also love history. Being a History KZbinr myself, you’re doing an amazing job MajorSamm. I would love to do a collaboration with you one day!

[@godslonelyman2596]

@@MajorSamm do one on the Marcos Era

[@tanyonslater770]

@@MajorSamm does this mean no more ones with music 😕

[@powerbite92]

@@MajorSamm Respectfully, the guerillas were not confined to the camps, the dregs of the townships were sent to the camps to enjoy the freebies, the actual guerillas melted into the population, the bush and into border areas with their extensive small arms weaponry. The Zipra were still considering a conventional invasion from neighbouring Zambia almost til the end. The Rhodesians had every right to plan in case the worst happened just as Zipra and Zanla were planning their own extremely murderous Plan B's in case things went awry for them... but it wasnt realistically on the cards during the election. That came later. The idea that Lord Soames had in any way delivered the country and the guerillas into the Rhodesian army hands was just non-existent in reality. Incidentally Lord Soames was very much a stuffed shirt and he and his little entourage were considered a joke by the Rhodies that dealt with him. But the lethal powers he represented - the US, and to a lesser extent the UK, were not to be sneered at and the Rhodesians knew the game was up for them regardless.

[@realpolitik7366]

Man, you put a ton of work into this. Can’t thank you enough!

[@MajorSamm]

I did indeed, no need to thank me, thank you for watching!

[@kristinaindriliunaite912]

My 3 year old son's favorite song is lawyers guns and money. Not only do us grown adults appreciate what you do but your a legend. It gets me in trouble when his daycare asks me why or how he knows that, "because I'm giving him a better education than what I pay you for ma'am"

[@Ryies12]

Suprised you haven't done more videos like this. You're musical war compilations rock, but nothing beats learning about history.

[@MajorSamm]

It's mostly a time issue but now that I'm focusing on quality not quantity I'll definitely be focusing more on documentary style content.

[@kmusicology]

where can i find these music compilations

[@xcreeseseater38]

I love these so much. It's like in depth expanded looks into conflicts like shown in your shorter "music video" content. I would be so pleased with you and the channel if you started doing more and more documentaries on these conflicts you ring to us!

[@MajorSamm]

Glad you enjoyed it, I have quite a few more ideas for obscure topics that I'll be working on in the future. I've wanted to do this for a long time and the music videos were the perfect primer for a lot of people on these topics

[@blazeaglory]

Yeah the "simple man's" version...

[@connorb5658]

Love this sort of content. Can see the amount of effort put into the research and understand it must have been taxing but would love to see more like this. Great work Samm.

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot man, and thank you for watching, the hardest part was definitely scouring books for bits and pieces of information but it worked out in the end and I'll be sure to make more!

[@nm2000]

A brilliant short-documentary, much better than what the BBC could potentially have ever produced! I really like the fact that you focus on the facts and tell them in an objective way, without circling around the unnecessary theme of majority rule. It really would have been interesting if the Coup had happened, as the SADF would probably have supported the it with own troops or at least Air Force Units.

[@woodland5325]

it would surely have been a bloodbath, there was no better path forward had the coup happened it would have gone down like congo for sure

[@Harry_84]

Perhaps, but the SADF had become much less active in Rhodesia since 1977 in order to try, with little success to appease the west. Once majority rule happened Zimbabwe was lost and the only thing they could get from Zimbabwe was bush war veterans. Doubt the SADF would have become involved. I always think it’s a shame that they never did assassinate Mugabe, there were many attempts but Ken Flower was undercover working with the British and Mugabe was warned (by the Brits) multiple times, at the last minute. Sad.

[@fredrik8500]

Plant Earth is literally a technical and visual marvel, you fucking duns.

[@evanpetelle5669]

@@marktwain168yep & genocided his “brothers”

[@dr.vikyll7466]

Why is majority rule uneccesary?

[@A10warthoglol]

I love this immensely, since Rhodesia and it's history is quite a complicated topic, it's nice to see a unbiased and quite accurate version of events portrayed like this. Bravo, good sir!

[@destroyerarmor2846]

Rhodesia was a fascist occupation. Nothing complicated here

[@williamdraken6018]

@@destroyerarmor2846 Rhodesia was an astronomically more functional, safe and prosperous country than the failed state of Zimbabwe. South Africa is turning into the same shit hole due to the same factors.

[@destroyerarmor2846]

@@williamdraken6018 just stop. Imagine if a foreign regime imposed apartheid on any Western nation today.

[@Jay-Leigh863]

​@@destroyerarmor2846 I suggest you just stop. You're the one promoting hatred and racist bullshit! FYI, many countries, East and West, have imposed apartheid because it actually allows different cultures to live their culture! Ignorant brainwashed twats spreading hatred while not having the facts is the real problem with the world!

[@alnat950]

​@@williamdraken6018 Fuck apartheid and fuck colonialism

[@wanderaloney]

Excited to watch! Thanks for your work, sir

[@MajorSamm]

Hope you liked it, you're very much welcome

[@mook-landstrider1908]

I watch plainlydifficult for disaster docs and with this new format you've taken the military doc youtuber. Love it.

[@jackdransfield2230]

I remember a post you made detailing how you are looking to make changes to your content and this documentary style take on one of the lesser known conflicts is genuinely interesting and a welcome change. I seldom comment on KZbin videos but as a subscriber I thought this was great.

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for watching

[@skullcollectorSKIN]

Absolutely outstanding 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Please keep up the excellent work. I’ve been a die hard fan of your channel since the beginning. Can’t thank you enough

[@Spiffy___]

Cheers MajorSamm on a great historical video. I know you've mentioned wanting to break out of the "musical video guy" mold and you've done it with this one. Keep it up mate.

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for the vote of confidence, I'm glad you liked the video, thank you for watching!

[@ralphaarken6286]

Excellent resumé. As a young Captain in the Rhodesian Special Intelligence at the time, we were briefed and tasked in Quartz and had been building the int picture in the Eastern Border area for some months prior to the elections. In the end it never happened. We stood down. I went to university in South Africa. As you say - a What if? That we’ll never know the answer to, though it has to be said that given all the wars I’ve subsequently covered, the outcome could not have been a good one - but would it have been any worse than it is now….? 😢

[@nimbusinu1139]

This is like one of 3 yt videos on this and this is the best by far. God bless

[@smiler0616]

Fantastic documentary. Thank you for the considerable time and effort it must have taken to put it all together.

[@hudsonchalmers6504]

I was set up on Enterprise road opposite the Park Lane Hotel. Sand Bags ,MAG ,FN's and a converted Bren. Orders when the word came, anything that moved was to be taken out. Then against all expectations , we got the order Stand down and go home. So we did

[@Commie_Safari1979]

Incredible topic thank you for covering, I highly suggest "A handful of hard men" and " we dared to win" plus "men of war" by Hannes Wessels for more context of the SAS and Selous Scouts

[@joer9156]

Also 'Three Sips of Gin' by another Scout

[@Commie_Safari1979]

@@joer9156 absolutely, I prefer Wessels content but I really enjoyed that one too

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for watching and thank you for the recommendations, I'll add them to my list

[@Commie_Safari1979]

@@MajorSamm cheers thanks

[@kadensullivan5994]

@@MajorSamm They're fantastic works. Selous Scouts Top Secret War is also highly recommended as is The Equus Men.

[@sweatysocks8214]

I seriously love your videos. The historical ones qnd the music ones. You put love and care into them that is just amazing to see

[@shubit7991]

Love this! There is always demand for history videos, and yours are top notch!

[@LegoGuy_Productions]

This was an incredibly interesting video presented in a very understandable way. I absolutely support you continuing to make more documentary-like content like this if you so wish, and I’m sure that if you do you’ll cover many more interesting topics. Outstanding work, mate!

[@deletdis6173]

Awesome video, Mr. Samm. I watched the whole thing and found myself wanting more.

[@kerrydixons-lovechild8195]

Cracking video, A guy called Andy Ryan wrote a fantastic book called Bravo 10 about his time in the RhSAS, another great book about this subject is "A Handful of Hard Men". Thanks for taking the time to make such a great mini doc. Great work.

[@Harry_84]

Great book indeed. I’d recommend Mukiwa and Crocodile eats the sun by Peter Godwin too. The former about life as a civilian and also life in the BSAP in the war and the latter about life in Zimbabwe after independence especially regarding land reform. 👍🏻

[@TigerDude333]

I doubt he admits to being a racist fuckhead trying to prop up minority rule.

[@nagatothagod]

The maps look amazing Sam! Looking forward for more live streams!

[@MajorSamm]

Glad to hear it, whenever I have to make more I'll be sure to stream it

[@reubenjames7779]

What a great video. So many things that took place in my lifetime I really know nothing about. Thank you for the education and the inspiration to dig deeper.

[@willwasson981]

Really interesting bit of history filled a bit of a gap! And brilliantly delivered. Can't wait for what's next

[@thalison..]

Que bom que voltou. Excelente canal!

[@Hundlaserr]

Extremely informative and excellently produced video. Thank you for this!

[@whogoesthere4451]

Love to see more of this, i'm happy you uploaded again

[@Rhodie65]

This gives me a lot of insight instead of the small wikipedia article, thanks!

[@MajorSamm]

The wikipedia article is woefully underwritten and I'm not sure if it even existed until a few months ago, I'm glad my video could help and you're very much welcome.

[@88njtrigg88]

I had absolutely no idea till watching these documentaries. Totally blown away.

[@Mia-yq1mx]

This has been hands down my favorite video you've done. I'm shocked it is 10 months old and just came up in my feed, but then again knowing the algorithm not really. But this was very well done.

[@handsomegeorgianbankrobber3779]

Major Samm with another 17 minute masterpiece on something I had never heard of, and Im certainly not alone when it comes to this.

[@travster64]

Awesome content mate, i find it all fascinating. Love your usual videos and this one too. You and Operations Room are my favs for this stuff.

[@deadpoolmodofino7201]

Síii ya era hora hace tiempo que no subías un vídeo de éste tipo gracias por tu contenido a ver si algún día haces alguno sobré España 🇪🇦

[@estebanenrique5777]

We miss you Samm, nice to watch a video of yours again :)

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you, I didn't mean to be gone so long but this video took a lot of work :)

[@ArthuriusG99]

Ive known of your channel for a couple years now, earlier within the Ukraine conflict I listened to the live streams you had and I really am impressed on how well you present information on the issue and personally I was a little blown away seeing these unthinkable images from Eastern Europe straight outta World War 2, straight up at this point some areas are looking like Syria especially Mariupol. Keep up the awesome work man!

[@kortez7744]

Oh hell yeah, I love the new format! Always felt like you could tell even more than what you showed in the videos!

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you man, and thank you for watching, I was thinking the same thing which is why I decided to start making longer documentary videos.

[@johnburn7000]

Amazingly done man, can't wait to see what else you come up with

[@orionvulpes6407]

Great video! Glad you're back!

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot, I didn't expect it to take so long to make but I think I have a hang of it now

[@kristinaindriliunaite912]

Outstanding. We'll done, brilliant. History swept under the rug, brought to light. This should be shown every February in the USA.

[@richardlitwin4046]

That was absolutely fascinating. Thank you for all your work.

[@iainkemp3274]

You've done very well to research and create that in only 60 to 70 hours. Thank you.

[@APolishPlayer]

Wow! I dont know if I missed some videos, even with the notif bell on/.... But so fucking awesome to see you and the team you curated doing projects like this!!! GOBBLESS HOSS

[@Kibbe_Surdo]

amazing content love the new format and editing thank you

[@r3dcoat397]

Great stuff and a very interesting topic. Can’t wait for the next one

[@cauallyawsome4761]

I enjoy both this documemtary and your other content , honestly i would like to see more short documentaries , really hope for a Yugo one ! Great stuff man keep it up 👍

[@Tony_Z__]

Hey, thanks for the shout out at the beginning, appreciate the stuff you do!

[@jerrydewit5513]

Brilliantly done sir!

[@jlee7811]

Very informative man. Thanks for putting out the content.

[@jamesmmcgill]

Great job, man. Thank you for the mini-documentary.

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you! You're very much welcome, thank you for watching!

[@Ratpick45]

Amazing, Keep it up! love the history perspective you provide!

[@michaelnuss372]

Exceedingly well done and great footage selection

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot!

[@cheemsdog7662]

I love this topic, it gives alot to think about. Do these more. They are great.

[@TheFightingCanuck]

Absolutely phenomenal lad, a really fascinating subject and a great compilation of footage and maps to compliment. I'll look forward to similar projects in future. Would still love to see a video of this style about Boende if ever you find the time. Take pride in a project well done.

[@mrphucyoo8281]

Great video by the way,enjoyed all the bush war ones you have done so far,music too!

[@onceuponapriori]

Excellent work on this. Really enjoying this channel and learning a lot. Thank you!

[@drbrundle1016]

well made mayor , its good to know those stories , thx for your great channel.

[@joehuntly8506]

Brilliant video mate, like this style of video alongside your usual. Keep up the good work.

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks for watching man, glad you enjoyed it

[@bernardoohigginsvevo2974]

The legend is back boys, and he's back with a banger

[@PROSPERMANYANYE1905]

Thank you,this is wonderful compilation & narration

[@eule5248]

i really enjoyed learning more about this via your documentary style video. keep up the great work!!

[@stephenhogg6313]

Well researched and presented. Thanks

[@dozyrabbit]

Fantastic, please make more!

[@hinken3716]

I love this kind of content. Keep it up!

[@lorenzotincani]

The major is back again! Fantastic video btw

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for watching

[@pavelkrenek8422]

Good work! I appreciate it and enjoyed it. Thx

[@Star_Lion_33]

Brilliant video of a pivotal event in my country's past. Speaking as a Zimbabwean. Very well researched. You hit it spot on. Thanks mate. 👏🏻💯👍🏻

[@fabrizzilippini5583]

Excellent job major, hope you will continue in this way with this type of video

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot man, I have a fair few more ideas for documentary videos so stay tuned, and thank you for watching!

[@fabrizzilippini5583]

@@MajorSamm I think many of us are waiting for the next one, the combination of historical/political context and the military aspect of the thing with details on forces which are on the ground is simply perfect

[@lantirremori6288]

Great video man. Keep up the good work.

[@TheRevovuk]

Amazing coverage! Great work!

[@realliferamen6987]

Love this! Please make more like it!

[@greenpedal370]

Here are my recollections. I was based at 3Bde in Umtali. The day before the election results a group of us senior NCOs were addressed by our Squadron commander. He read out the Operation Quartz signal applicable to Op Thrasher. He described it as a contingency against a break down in law and order and that Op Quartz was to protect and evacuate the White population. A similar plan existed within the SADF to accommodate an influx of refugees from Zimbabwe. At the end of the briefing our commander said this was also how a coup would have been planned. As a career soldier I was very excited and hoped Op Quartz would be enacted. In the end all went off very smoothly, and I believe without incident. in the Op Thrasher area. We were shell-shocked for a day or two but very quickly got into the mindset of integrating the Armies and that introduced another series of interesting adventures.

[@Connor_G21A]

That’s too bad … what may have been if the plan was carried out …

[@greenpedal370]

@Connor_G21A It would have been a catastrophe!

[@Connor_G21A]

@@greenpedal370 couldn’t of been any worse then what it became …

[@RACC_970]

Wow amazing documentary vingette Samm, Superb quality and research

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for watching, it took a long while to research but I think it was worth it

[@besselloutdoors]

Commentary sounding extra Yorkshire in this one

[@MajorSamm]

It's what makes the channel unique, don't get Yorkshire on the BBC

[@santiagodaviddelgadocarcac6272]

Good to see you, Major.

[@MajorSamm]

Good to see you too

[@frog7362]

Nice to see you trying new things

[@MajorSamm]

Feels good to finally get the video done, thank you for watching

[@Der_Nachfrager]

Love your Documentary Videos, there Always great and are not in some Overdone Topic but actuall good History.

[@NSYresearch]

Excellent stuff, as someone who was a little too young to totally understand what was going on at the time but old enough to remember the names etc. It's good to see the details now when I can watch and learn. Cheers Sam

[@joer9156]

An excellent documentary, thank you for this.

[@rasa960]

Thanks for the interesting film.❤❤❤

[@TheFirstVonGunther]

Hell yeah, MajorSamm! Good job!

[@thefoolsjourney6885]

Cool change in videos Major, deffo down for more.

[@12gauge1oz]

Well documented. Nice job, thank you.

[@ZombiePowerDrink]

Thanks fir putting this together

[@MajorSamm]

You're welcome, glad you liked it!

[@milica8546]

yes! this is amazing! i would absolutely love to see more documentaries from you! not that I don't like music videos, that is why i subscribed, but i especially loved this.

[@austindavis1686]

great video man!

[@azj_]

*"When the world need him the most he return 🗿"* - Sun Tzu

[@ethanmcfarland8240]

The avatar

[@youtuberobbedmeofmyname]

Amazingly well put together video. I'd love to see more like this on former Colonial territories and countries.

[@MajorSamm]

Thanks a lot and thank you for watching. I have a fair few ideas related to the decolonisation period ready to get worked on but can't give an ETA other than Soon(tm)

[@FridgeOps]

Good stuff, really enjoyed it

[@Edwarderson]

Extremly well made video and it shows your love for history and moments in history that are not talked about to often.

[@Maggydags]

Mate, that is honestly a very well explained, in depth but not to the point of confusion history lesson. I really enjoyed this content and I hope you do more.

[@MajorSamm]

Glad I could get it all across alright, thank you for watching and more is on the way

[@panzerjagertigerpelefant]

Sam, this is beautifully done brother. I am absolutely smitten by this. Keep creating content. Ps. They were not joking about your reading voice in the stream lmao. Different, but still chill and cool to listen to. The cutest history KZbinr I tell you.💖

[@beenasfarastodecidetouseve6733]

Great video mate.

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

Always wanted a more accessible way to understand the Rhodesia thing. Thanks Major Samm.

[@MercMountaineering]

This is a very complex topic to cover that happened and I am glad that you have focused on it. Regardless of the political or other elements, I will say this the "Selous Scouts" did an amazing job of executing their mission. I'd love if you could do a documentary style video in this style on them. Or... you know, a really cool video, but I'd very much doubt that it would be possible due to the nature of the job. Either way, I really appreciate the distillation of a complex situation. Thank you for your efforts.

[@MrLukedanger]

It’s not that complicated, the media lie and make it more complex than it needs to be, the bantus like mugabe who took over aren’t even from Zimbabwe, even though they claim they are, and once they got in they massacred the native people of Zimbabwe the matabeles, aka the Matabele massacre. There was no apartheid in rhodisia

[@cayminlast]

Excellent video, very much appreciate your work on this story of historic importance for the time. The Rhodesian Army was a force to be reckon with, some of my fellow SADF veterans served in clandestine ops with the 'Rhoadies'. could you please do a similar video on the 'South African Bush/border War', thank you.

[@0g0mogosepikworld31]

Smooth editing and interesting subject. Fine job good sir

[@MajorSamm]

Thank you for watching, good to hear it

[@HunterTheGoon]

I found your channel through your music videos. Pairing songs with photage is something I do in my mind, and to see what I think being made into a wonderful cinematic is great. I will say I also very much enjoy this as well. Great video on a topic I desire to know more about. Thank you.

[@hardrocksuk]

Enjoyed this. Thank you :)

[@MajorSamm]

Good to hear, you're very much welcome, thank you for watching :)

[@flamingeskimo1136]

Fantastic video, thanks