Rhodesian COIN (consolidated thread, inc original RLI)

[Rhodesian]

Deep down, though, profound mistrusts lingered from the war years, and Mr. Mugabe began to pay heed to reports circulating at the time that General Walls had indeed plotted against him.

And not without good reason:
http://www.rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm

I remember many of us on the ground were annoyed when Quartz was cancelled, but we were young and we didnt really give any thought to what would happen in the long term - Pointless? Perhaps, but then again seeing what has happened since, perhaps not, hind-sight is a perfect science.

I.R.

[JMA]

And not without good reason:
http://www.rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm

I remember many of us on the ground were annoyed when Quartz was cancelled, but we were young and we didnt really give any thought to what would happen in the long term - Pointless? Perhaps, but then again seeing what has happened since, perhaps not, hind-sight is a perfect science.

I.R.

As a young staff officer at one of the brigades I did much of the drafting of the Op Order for Op Quartz in that area. It was quite simple, take out the Assembly Points where the insurgents had been grouped and place troops at all the vital installations on the brigade area. The Op would be triggered once the elections results were announced and showed that Mugabe had lost and carried out before his forces could drift back into the bush to continue the war as they had threatened to do if they did not win the election. It was a simple contingency plan which did involve the South Africans. Of course everyone knew but the Brits refused to acknowledge that the assembly points were full of men and kids from the villages while the main insurgent groups remained in the villages to make sure the people voted correctly. So they wanted Walls out and went after him on this. Again the Rhodesians were proved naive in that they actually believed the Brits were going to insist upon a free and fair election being held. But the Brits just went through the motions having already decided that they were going to hand the country over to Mugabe.

[davidbfpo]

From the UK's Daily Telegraph:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...ter-Walls.html

Added 29th:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...walls-obituary

[Rhodesian]

Howzit - Apologies if the following webpage has been highlighted elsewhere, I missed it. This is a blog containing the notes etc for a book no longer being written, called Choppertech.

http://choppertech.blogspot.com/

It contains some fascinating insights into Fire Force as seen from the Tech/Gunners point of view, and includes many operational notes/logs of both internal operations and the strikes inside Mozambique etc.

Cheers
I.R.

[JMA]

Howzit - Apologies if the following webpage has been highlighted elsewhere, I missed it. This is a blog containing the notes etc for a book no longer being written, called Choppertech.

http://choppertech.blogspot.com/

It contains some fascinating insights into Fire Force as seen from the Tech/Gunners point of view, and includes many operational notes/logs of both internal operations and the strikes inside Mozambique etc.

Cheers
I.R.

I.R., it is important that Beaver's book gets published. Please go to his blog and leave a message to that effect. He must be encouraged to finish the job.

Did you know that he was the gunner who shot down that Botswana Defence Force Islander (fixed wing aircraft) with his side mounted 20mm cannon in his Allouette III gunship during a cross border scene in Botswana?

[JMA]

It is with deep regret and sadness to the RLI, Selous Scouts and Rhodesian forces fraternity that uncle Rod Reid-Daly passed away peacefully at home on the 9th of August 2010. RIP Uncle Ron.

[Boris]

I never meet the man. Only know of him by his book, and by what others have said about him. From what little I know, his passing is a loss to many.

[JMA]

It is with deep regret and sadness to the RLI, Selous Scouts and Rhodesian forces fraternity that uncle Rod Reid-Daly passed away peacefully at home on the 9th of August 2010. RIP Uncle Ron.

A Celebration of the Life of Lt Col Ron Reid Daly was held in Cape Town on 20 August 2010

[H3nnys]

Hi Guys

I would like to know if anyone knows the name of the Documentery that was shot in 1974 of the RLI

I saw it once many years ago and one of the chapters or scenes was shot with my fathers troop at mount darwin in 1974 and I think it was in Afrikaans although I can not remember as I was still a young boy when I saw it

I am desperately looking for the movie again and was hoping that someone here might know what it was called

Thank you

[davidbfpo]

There are a few people who will know more! Could it be the work of Lord Richard Cecil, see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Richard_Cecil

The RLI have an active regimental association and at least one poster here belongs and they'll belong along shortly.

[Rhodesian]

Hi
The RLI Association can be found at http://www.therli.com assuming you're not already aware. I personally don't know of this specific documentary, but there are contact details for the various sub-branches within the Contact Us tab of the association's web page, and someone may know of the work you speak of. There are also a few DVD's out there that have been collated and produced in the last few years, and it may be that the footage can be found in one of them? Try http://www.rhodesianvideos.mazoe.com/

Wish you well in your search, let us know if/where you find it, a few folks here would be interested.

Cheers
I.R.

[JMA]

There are a few people who will know more! Could it be the work of Lord Richard Cecil, see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Richard_Cecil

The RLI have an active regimental association and at least one poster here belongs and they'll belong along shortly.

Richard Cecil and Nic Downie's work "Frontline Rhodesia" was first aired on Thames TV in early 1979 (I'm pretty sure)

[JMA]

Hi Guys

I would like to know if anyone knows the name of the Documentery that was shot in 1974 of the RLI

I saw it once many years ago and one of the chapters or scenes was shot with my fathers troop at mount darwin in 1974 and I think it was in Afrikaans although I can not remember as I was still a young boy when I saw it

I am desperately looking for the movie again and was hoping that someone here might know what it was called

Thank you

You probably need to go to youtube and do a video search under "Rhodesia". 1974 were the early days. Try this Video

If you private message me some more details on your father I'll try to steer you in the right direction.