books on the Rhodesian conflict

[texaxile]

Hi,
I have an interest in historical conflicts such as this, I've got a chunk of literature on the Dhofar confflict (an interest started during my dad's tenure in Oman in the 70's) where I met a couple of Rhodesians socially. To begin with, I'd like suggestions for initially an impartial and factual source on why it began and how it developed, and also any "boots on the ground" sources of information or accounts.

I have a copy of "The great betrayal" and am half way through. I've yet to read "Dingo Firestorm" on my Kindle.

I'd also like to research further the Rhodesian Rifles, so any worthwhile suggestions would be appreciated.

Virtual covid free pints all round.

cheers.

[Levin]

texaxile said:

Hi,
I have an interest in historical conflicts such as this, I've got a chunk of literature on the Dhofar confflict (an interest started during my dad's tenure in Oman in the 70's) where I met a couple of Rhodesians socially. To begin with, I'd like suggestions for initially an impartial and factual source on why it began and how it developed, and also any "boots on the ground" sources of information or accounts.

I have a copy of "The great betrayal" and am half way through. I've yet to read "Dingo Firestorm" on my Kindle.

I'd also like to research further the Rhodesian Rifles, so any worthwhile suggestions would be appreciated.

Virtual covid free pints all round.

cheers.

There aren't a long list of books written on the subject of the Rhodesian Bush War. David Kenrick's Decolonisation, Identity, and Nation in Rhodesia would be worth your attention, if it isn't prohibitively expensive to purchase. You have done well to find a copy of The Great Betrayal, for it is by no means a common book. Just be aware there is an updated version entitled A Bitter Harvest with an additional afterword. It doesn't add an enormous amount to the book and, odds are, someone has scanned or reposted the entire afterword somewhere on the Internet.

When you say the 'Rhodesian Rifles,' how do you mean this? There was the Rhodesian African Rifles, a majority-African regiment, and the Rhodesian Light Infantry, which was basically exclusively white until very late in the war. If you mean the RAR, off-hand I cannot think of a book on the subject. I've no doubt that one exists but you may find you're looking at booksellers and publishers in Zimbabwe. For the RLI, take a look for A.J. Balaam's Bush War Operator and Chris Cocks' Fireforce.

If you mean the actual service rifles of the Rhodesian security forces, Osprey Publishing has a good work on the FN FAL. With Rhodesia landlocked and under sanction, there was a variety of weaponry employed based on where they could obtain weapons. For this reason, photographs exist of soldiers holding H&K G3 rifles as well. For a closer look at a Rhodesian FAL, YouTube will prove your best bet: Ian McCollum (Fireforce Ventures) and Larry Vickers (Vickers Tactical) have taken a closer look at Larry's genuine Rhodie rifle.

Hopefully this helps!

[Coolbananas]

Anything on the Selous Scouts would be very interesting. I think there was a book on the subject that you might try to find.

One of my best friends whom I've known since we were kids in South Africa is Rhodesian, family left there in 1980, his father was a Scout as was our English teacher funnily enough, a haunted man, we later discovered.

I later had a neighbour who served in the Scouts, the few stories he told me about his time in the War were incredibly interesting but it took a bit to get him talking. All three men didn't volunteer much, just not something they wanted to dwell upon.

[Levin]

Coolbananas said:

Anything on the Selous Scouts would be very interesting. I think there was a book on the subject that you might try to find.

One of my best friends whom I've known since we were kids in South Africa is Rhodesian, family left there in 1980, his father was a Scout as was our English teacher funnily enough, a haunted man, we later discovered.

I later had a neighbour who served in the Scouts, the few stories he told me about his time in the War were incredibly interesting but it took a bit to get him talking. All three men didn't volunteer much, just not something they wanted to dwell upon.

Balaam's Bush War Operator deals with both the RLI and the Selous Scouts so might be of interest. The other book you're thinking of might be Timothy Bax's Three Sips of Gin. For you to have known three Scouts is very impressive, and I am intensely jealous for I have no doubt they would have fascinating stories to tell.

[Haddock82]

Not sure if it's totally what you are after but my old work colleague (He's retired now) wrote a book about his experiences in Rhodesia

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Part-Time-War-Recollect...

Amazon link if you are interested.

[texaxile]

Thanks for the replies Gents, most helpful, and Levin I did mean the RAR, sorry. I recall meeting a gent many years ago who had served with them, he had a few interesting stories on his time there, so I'll keep on searching for sources.

I've ordered a copy of "Bush War Operator" for my Kindle, along with a free copy of "Sitting Target" which should keep me out of trouble, as well as getting Rods book that you linked for me Haddock82 , thanks for that bud!.

cheers chaps

[Levin]

The only work I've been able to think of on the RAR is John Wynne Hopkins' Masodja although it is hideously expensive (circa £200 on Amazon). Although it pre-dates Rhodesian independence the other work I might suggest considering is John Fitzmaurice's 'The Consolidation of the Rhodesian African Rifles.' Fitzmaurice's work is a thesis published through the University of Colorado; at the time of writing simply searching the title returns a .pdf link on Google.

I haven't read Fitzmaurice's work so I couldn't possibly comment on the quality but it's by far the cheapest entry point into reading about the RAR, at a grand total of free (legally, too!)

[andy_s]

If you want to get further [much further] into it after Balaam then Selous Scouts; The Men Speak by Pittaway is highly rec'd., just chock full of detail and pictures. It's almost a regimental history.



https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51070979-se...

Edited by andy_s on Thursday 27th January 14:13

[texaxile]

^^^^^^^^^

Many thanks for the suggestion. I can't seem to find it anywhere though!. There's a copy of "Pamwe Chete" on Ebay for £125 plus £30 P&P, little bit beyond my budget though!.