[There and Back Again]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rc5AeKitxU&index=9&list=PLA713C069BFA96444[/ame]

I'm a collector of camouflage patterns and, for years, have been looking for vintage Rhodesian camouflage uniforms/gear to no avail.

In my search I've encountered countless historical pieces and such and found it interesting how the Rhodesian nation (1890 to 1980), at least its military forces, were extremely effective. Highly effective in combat, even revolutionizing jungle combat techniques to some extent, the Rhodesian forces had their colors/regiments retired in 1980 having never lost a war.

 

[Sweets]

The Rhodesians may never have lost a war but they did lose their country. I met a few who emigrated as things fell apart and I always had the strong impression they clung to Britishness too much and never fully Africanized in the way that would have been required to hold on to their land. As to whether that would have been a good or a bad thing, I can't say but for sure the natives got possession and slid into the third world without even stirring up a ripple.

 

[Ric Flair]

there's a guy I see at the range I shoot at that was in the Rhodesian army. He's got some neat stuff. I love his SCAR with ACOG mounted.

Are you looking for a piece of their camo? Want me to ask him next time I see him?

 

[Harleystoo]

Haven't seen that name "Rhodesia" in many decades. Sad thing we did to that country. You might check the FALfiles for uniforms and gear.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111420366464?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Mods: no dog in this. Just FYI.

Check these guys out. They seem to have some Rhod stuff.

 

[jbrooks]

You might post over on falfiles.com, there are a lot of Rhodies there.

JWB

 

[There and Back Again]

Great suggestions Gents. Thanks.

Sweets, they didn't lose their country... it was a country formed from the British Empire and the British Empire abandoned it nearly altogether. Rhodesia was returned to the indigenous because the "World" eaders wanted it such (politics).

Some accounts have the Rhodesian kill/death ratio at roughly 160/1. There isn't a modern military force which wouldn't want that K/D ratio. There is scant video material on this era/conflict but there are several good books.

 

[Jaillt]

From everything that I read on the subject it seems the Selous Scouts was a very capable and ruthless9some may say) Sepc. Ops unit

 

[rwp50]

Book suggestions

Would you be able to suggest any titles?

Thanks,

Rwp

 

[Palladin]

Rhodesian Cammo, badges, and insignia

Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)

http://www.tridentmilitary.com/SouthAfrican.htm
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=rhodesian+camo
http://www.southafricanmilitaria.com/Default.asp
https://www.warstore.co.za/

 

[There and Back Again]

I recommend NOT using eBay for anything "Rhodesian surplus" related. If there is one thing Rhodesian Vets and fellow collectors have told me it is that. No eBay. Period.

The Trident Military website linked above by Palladin only recently delved (as of last year I believe) into manufacturing reproduction Rhodesian uniform apparel. Here is the link for their supposedly up and coming stuff:
https://www.tridentmilitary.com/rhodesia.html

Here is a link to a true vintage Rhodesian bush jacket:
http://www.ak47.net/forums/t_1_5/14...rn_camo_repros_located_.html&page=1#i40470338

 

[Dekker]

To be brutally honest Rhodesia fell due to lack of support from both the US and British. Had either not cut their support financial/material Smith would have not have been forced into a truce. One of the main supporters of the Rhodesians were the South Africans and they too ended up pulling their support due to pressure from the US/Brits. I cannot help to think what political agenda the US had during a time they let a free country fall to communists/ZANU. Guerrillas were crossing over from Zambia, Mozambique at will and receiving support from those countries.
Simply the Rhodesians ran out of supplies, no spare parts for the helicopters (all were grounded by the end), vehicles, fuel, ammo.

 

[edm]

A guy I work with was over there after he left the Marines. He is a fal fan also....

 

[There and Back Again]

Two countries were supporting Rhodesia despite the U.N. forced sanctions. Rhodesia's military gave up the ghost because they received no help from their mother country (Britain) coupled with the fact thousands of communists had entered their country simply overwhelming them with sheer numbers (communists were slaughtering Rhodesian civilians wholesale by the end).

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmmUVLiJVPU[/ame]

 

[There and Back Again]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMrD53Jofc[/ame]

 

[CPTKILLER]

This was a complex situation with a small country fighting a ware on a shoestring with a poor and obstinate understanding of international relations and politics.

There are a number of good books on this and not to surprisingly there were a significant number of foreigners including Americans in the Rhodesian Army.

 

[There and Back Again]

Exactly. I remember reading a "recruitment" related story in SoF magazine back in the late 1970's. This story relayed harrowing accounts of soldiers fighting on behalf of Rhodesia.

If anyone is interested in what became of Rhodesia (now named Zimbabwe) there are articles out there in particular one by Christian Sciene Monitor. The non-natives who remained in "Rhodesia" after it was disbanded are nowadays living life on the edge routinely being preyed upon by native bandit groups who kill off non-natives (particularly in the more rural/farm based regions).

Funny thing is... Mugabe (a Marxist) realized the value of retaining the "non-natives" and allowed them to keep their businesses after Zimbabwe was formed. Sadly though he has done little to nothing to defend the non-native lives and their property keeping his otherwise Third World Nation afloat.

Zimbabwe will falter as soon as their last diehard non-native farming family turns to dust.

 

[There and Back Again]

Oh... and here is an "honor roll" of American combatants in Rhodesia:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crippled_Eagles

 

[Jefe73]

Rhodesia had about 250,000 whites (and less as things got worse w/ many leaving) and about 5-6 million blacks (natives).

With no firm and consistant support from South Africa, sanctions and pressure from Britain, US and the UN and,

The terrorists receiving succor from Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and the Eastern Block/ China,

Do the math.

Mugabe and Nkomo just "ground down" and eventually overwelmed the Ian Smith regime's ability to resist.

 

[There and Back Again]

Not to mention how someone within Rhodesia's Army forewarned Mugabe of the incoming raid to kill/capture him... Mugabe escaped a mere couple hours before the helicopters landed and the Rhodesian Army broke his camp/slaughtered his personnel.

If only they had KIA'd Mugabe then... perhaps Rhodesia would still be around... although probably not... with the United Nations, the United States, and Britain all lobbying against Rhodesia's sovereignty.

 

[Jefe73]

I heard stories that it was Ken Flowers, the CIO chief.
I dont think that it was ever proven and Flowers denied it.
Flowers also was CIO chief for "President" Mugabe for awhile after Mugabe's victory in the fixed elections.