S5 #072 The Rhodesian Light Infantry

The Unconventional Soldier

CONTENT

The guest today is former soldier and author of "Fire Force - A Troopers War In The Rhodesian Light Infantry" Chris Cocks. Chris was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1957. In 1976 he was conscripted for national service, and ended up serving 3 years in the Rhodesian Light Infantry or RLI. Then 18 months with PATU, the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit.

The RLI was an elite commando regiment formed in 1961 and played a pivotal role throughout the conflict which took place from 1964 to 1979. Originally conceived as a conventional infantry unit, the RLI evolved into a specialized counter-insurgency force, renowned for their relentless pursuit of guerrilla fighters. The ranks of the Rhodesiam Army consisted of regular soldiers, national servicemen, reservists and foreign volunteers from all around the world but their tactics, techniques and procedures were limited to what the country could afford to obtain in the face of rigid international sanctions.

This led to the development of highly mobile, aggressive fire force operations. This concept used helicopters and paratroopers to great effect and earned them a formidable reputation as they fought a large guerilla force and inflicted a heavy price on their enemy with an estimated ratio of 35 enemy casualties for each of their own. Despite these battlefield successes a small isolated country like Rhodesia could not sustain the cost in treasure and manpower of a high intensity COIN campaign and in 1979 British-brokered all-party talks lead to a peace agreement and new constitution guaranteeing minority rights. The following year Zanu leader Robert Mugabe won independence elections and the now Zimbabwe gained international recognition in April of that year. On this pod we’ll explore the stories behind their tactics, training, and the complex legacy they left behind as one of the world’s most efficient military units.

Chris's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. My choice is Chris's book "Fire Force" a no holds barred and brutal account of his service in 3 Commando and former soldiers will recognise the black humour in the face of adversity alongside the visceral account of close combat and death in the African bush.

Fire Force is available to purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fireforce-Mans-Rhodesian-Light-Infantry/dp/0958489092

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This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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