Parachuting on Fire Force
The standard for Fire Force was 16 (4 sticks of 4) per Dak. Jumping at 500ft gave 20-25 seconds in the air. Good for a more accurate drop and less time as a sitting duck in the air. Highest number of Op jumps in the RLI: Cpl Des Archer 73, Lt Mick Walters 69.
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Note: no use of containers, webbing worn, weapon under right arm and helmets a mixture, including motor cycle helmets, you use what you can get.
Hit the showers, you lot...
Elements of 11 Troop, 3 Commando after an uninvited visit to Mozambique.
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Interesting photo. Top left is Chris Cocks - in Tarzan pose - (author of book FIREFORCE) then a Scotsman, then a Welshman and on the end an Englishman. Second from right at the bottom is the Troop Sergeant, an American.
And a little ceremonial too...
... it wasn't all "Rootin’ Shootin’ Tootin’" in the RLI:
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The RLI colours are now...
RLI history is finally getting more coverage
I look forward to reading this book. I've been studying Rhodesia for about7 years and little by little more and more books are popping up. Its frustrating money wise because of the cost of most books that come from overseas to the US.
Not to divert from this website but I was fortunate enough to write a 3 part article on the RLI Fire Force for sofrep.com . It's a basic introduction to the history and function but I had alot of positive feedback and am planning more articles on Rhodesian forces. I've also taken up fiction writing. Not about Rhodesia but warfare by PMC's in Africa. My books are linked at the end of the articles. I don't post much on the forums but I relish the influx of new scholarly articles. I learn so much.:D
http://sofrep.com/7791/rhodesias-coin-killing-machine/
http://sofrep.com/7796/fire-force-rh...achine-part-2/
http://sofrep.com/7798/fire-force-rh...achine-part-3/