Rhodesia, 1965-1979. Period photos and Bush War history, daily. Fireforce, Selous Scouts, RLI, RAR, and the Rhodesian Air Force.
Rhodesia
Joined September 2026
- Tweets444
- Following430
- Followers350
- Likes1.9K
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Operation Miracle. In late September 1979 a column of Unimogs screened by Eland-90s drove at the ZANLA base at Mavonde, near Chimoio, while Scouts and RLI men went in around it. The base covered some 60 square kilometres and held thousands of men.
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Polish-made T-55 operated by the Rhodesian Armored Corps during the Bush War in 1979
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Soldiers from the Rhodesian Light Infantry practice with their FN FAL rifles on a firing range, around 1977. Known as "The Saints," the RLI was a light infantry commando battalion that built its reputation during the Rhodesian Bush War, and is still often discussed among the most effective counterinsurgency units of its era.
Its fame came from Fireforce, a rapid reaction tactic in which small groups of soldiers were flown into contact by helicopter, often supported by paratroopers dropped from Dakotas, to surround and engage insurgent groups within minutes of them being spotted. At the height of the war, RLI troopers could find themselves deployed into action several times in a short period, and many made combat parachute jumps far more often than soldiers in most modern armies.
The FN FAL was their standard rifle, a reliable 7.62mm battle rifle well suited to the open bush and the close, fast engagements that Fireforce produced.
Rhodesia Action retweeted
The Rhodesian Bush War was a probably the most SOF-focused war in history.
The bulk of the offensive action on the counter-insurgent side was done by a handful of elite infantry and special forces units:
-Rhodesian Light Infantry
-SAS
-Selous Scouts
-Rhodesian African Rifles
Rhodesia Action retweeted
In a Rhodesian Fire Force mission, the whole group (32 men, 4 Allouettes, a C-47 Dak and a Lynx) was in the air within minutes of the call being received.
The commander, in the K-Car (the lead Allouette being used as a command helicopter), would be briefed en route to the drop zone.
He would have to come up with a plan on the way to the drop zone.
Upon arrival, the K-Car would circle the battlefield at up to 800 feet and direct the sticks (or "stops") to drop in certain places.
You had to be very adaptable to do this job!
Rhodesia Action retweeted
One of the most effective counter-insurgency tactics in history was the Rhodesian "Fire Force".
The Rhodesians had to protect a vast area from insurgent strikes.
Their solution was to have three Fire Force groups ready to deploy at a moments notice.
Each Fire Force group an initial wave of 32 men, transported in 4 Allouette III helicopters and a single C-47 Dakota aircraft. They would also have a single "Lynx" light attack aircraft.
When observation posts or scouts spotted insurgents, a Fire Force unit would get to the area and do an aerial envelopment.
4-man sticks carried by the Allouettes would drop in to set up a perimeter. Then the main force in the Dak would land and sweep in. The insurgents would be surrounded and usually defeated with low losses for the Rhodesians.
If there was heavier resistance, the helicopters would return to base and pick up a second wave of troops.
At any one time there were 3 Fire Force groups at the ready, each one stationed at a single airfield.
To fight a widely dispersed enemy that could strike anywhere and anytime, this kind of rapid response vertical envelopment was highly efficient.
Obviously only works with a very professional military where most of the infantry are trained in para-drops though. Many armies today couldn't pull this off.
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Member of the Rhodesian Selous Scouts. Holding what seems to be an FN MAG 7.62 mm.#Rhodesia #oldschool
Rhodesia Action retweeted
My brother was in the 75th Ranger Regiment for ~10 years during the GWOT.
He also knows more about the African bush wars than anybody I know. Some of my posts come from his extensive library.
In this 馃У I get his takes on Rhodesian paratroopers. 1st of several parts. (1/17)
Rhodesia Action retweeted
A soldier in the First Rhodesian Light Infantry, with mascot cheetah. March, 1975.
Rhodesia Action retweeted
de Havilland Vampire the second jet fighter operated by RAF and first RAF single jet engine fighter.
first flight Sept 20th 1943, intro to service 1946. Over 3,000 produced and served with more than 10 Air Forces. last operational Vampires retired by Rhodesian Air Force in 1979
Rhodesia Action retweeted
You called for a gunship? 馃槈 A Rhodesian gunner performing preflight checks in an A茅rospatiale Alouette III (G-Car) light utility/gunship helicopter. Such helicopters were a key component of Rhodesia's Fire Force commando tactics used during the 1970s Bush War.
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Why did the Rhodesians wear short shorts?
Other than the FALs, the shorts might be the most distinctive part of the Bush War, but few know why they wore them
So we鈥檒l explore that in the short 馃У馃憞
Rhodesia Action retweeted
Selous Scout on patrol in Rhodesia
Skilled in tracking and bush warfare, the Selous Scouts often fought in little more than gym gear.
#1970s
Rhodesia Action retweeted
.@DonShift3, in his Lessons from teh Rhodesian Bush War, on how Rhodesia's civilian farmers had to remain ever-vigilant to prepare to defend themselves against communist terrorist attack:
"[Farmers] slept behind chain link fences, lined with explosives, with rifles at arm's reach, tensing for an eruption of violence while they slept. Hallways and bedrooms became bunkers. With the roads unsafe, dinner parties turned into overnight stays, if they happened at all. In Centenary and Mtoko, in Mount Darwin and Mrewa, white farming families adapted to life under siege. They didn't just live on the front line, white farmers WERE the front line in the Bush War."
