I spent the summers of 1956 and 1957 (ages seven and eight) on the cattle ranch of friends of my mother in Idaho. There I learned how to ride and shoot. I also came to learn about cow ponies. Cow ponies were smart, professional and did most of the actual work... you just pointed them at what cattle you wanted to keep away from the fence repairs and they wouldn't let it within … [Read more...] about Riding to War With the Rhodesian Mounted Infantry
John Alan Coey was an American who fought and died in Rhodesia. This article is a commentary and analysis of a complicated and unique person based on his memoirs. It was received well and regarded as accurate by those who knew him, including his brother. I consider Rhodesia a bit of American Military History due to the fact that an estimated 300 Americans, mostly Vietnam … [Read more...] about An American adventure and sacrifice in Rhodesia
It has been 32 years ever since Chris Cocks first published his acclaimed book narrating his experiences with the elite Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI). Now, five editions later, he is reprinting his masterpiece. But it’s not just a reprint. Cocks has gone in and re-wrote the book to make it even better. “Over the last three decades, the book has undergone around five … [Read more...] about Epic tale of Rhodesian commandos gets a reprint
Read the previous part here. With the 1960s coming to a close and the success rate of incursions into Rhodesia from Zambia dropping to practically zero, both African nationalist groups ZANU and ZAPU looked for alternatives. To the east of Rhodesia lay the country of Mozambique. Rhodesia and Mozambique had established a good relationship and many Rhodies went to the beaches … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS: Battle against all odds
You can read the previous part here. We explored the historical background of the Rhodesian SAS C Squadron. Now it is time to focus on a few of the missions that they undertook during the Rhodesian Bush War, a war that threatened to destroy the government of Rhodesia, take the land and evict those of European descent. There are resources available (though hard to find) … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS: Covert external operations
The men of the Malayan Scouts returned as Heroes to their Native Rhodesia. Filled with experience and the haggard look of men hardened by battle, they were promptly deactivated. Rhodesia relied mainly on the Rhodesian African Rifles, the Native Regiment led by white officers and Territorials or Reservists for their standing Army. Like many Armies around the world, Special … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS: selection & operator training
The U.K.’s Special Air Service needs no introduction to anyone remotely interested in military history or Special Operations. However, there is much more to learn about this elite unit when one traces its existence and influence across the once global British Empire. Much of the power of the Brits was derived from their colonies and their stock of available military recruits. … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS, a little known but deadly Special Operations unit
The ground doesn’t lie. Short of teleporting or being a ghost, a human being will leave some evidence of its presence or movement. It is science; tracking is empirical and fact-driven. It is not an abstract, ancient art form. Those two basic tenants would be drilled into our brains during the week-long combat tracking course with the Scott-Donelan Tracking School. The … [Read more...] about Learn to Track Like a Rhodesian Scout
Good morning. This is the Rhodesian Broadcast System: Two American ex-Marine deserters from the Forces who robbed jewelry stores in Salisbury, while carrying stolen Uzis, were involved in a shoot-out with authorities at the South African border. The two men managed to escape by stealing an aircraft from Charles Prince airport. Their most likely destination is Zambia. The … [Read more...] about Damn the Terrs: American warriors fighting for Rhodesia
In this SOFREP exclusive interview, we sat down with Keith Nell, the Rhodesian Special Air Service operator who was assigned to hunt down and eliminate the terrorists responsible for what has been called “Rhodesia’s 9/11.” By 1978, the Rhodesian Bush War between ZIPRA and ZANLA communist terrorists had terrorized the local villages in the area. He was assigned to train the … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS Files: What was the Rhodesian SAS?
In this SOFREP exclusive interview, we sat down with Keith Nell, the Rhodesian Special Air Service operator who was assigned to hunt down and eliminate the terrorists responsible for what has been called “Rhodesia’s 9/11.” By 1978, the Rhodesian Bush War between ZIPRA and ZANLA communist terrorists had terrorized the local villages in the area. Nell was assigned to train the … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS Files: Training indigenous personnel
In this SOFREP exclusive interview, we sat down with Keith Nell, the Rhodesian Special Air Service operator who was assigned to hunt down and eliminate the terrorists responsible for what has been called “Rhodesia’s 9/11.” By 1978, the Rhodesian Bush War between ZIPRA and ZANLA communist terrorists had terrorized the local villages in the area. Keith Nell begins the interview … [Read more...] about The Rhodesian SAS Files: Flight RH 825 is shot down
