Conscription ensured combat-readiness for the growing number of battalions and independent companies established throughout the country, providing a solid basis for the regiment to play a vital role in countering the ZANLA/ZIPRA guerrilla insurgencies of the 1960s and ’70s. Through the 1950s and ’60s, the experiences of Rhodesians in successive areas of conflict-Malaya, Suez, Aden and Nyasaland-significantly enhanced aspects of Rhodesia’s territorial army, particularly with regard to counter-insurgency warfare. In 1947 the Crown bestowed the ultimate accolade, with the title ‘Royal’ prefixed to the regiment.
![rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu) rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu)](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lLEAAOSwt9JgSL5Q/s-l300.jpg)
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During the Second World War the indomitable combat prowess and leadership talents of Rhodesia Regiment volunteers were strongly evident in many theatres, including North Africa, Somaliland, the Middle East, Italy, the Adriatic, Western Europe and South East Asia. Shortly after, many volunteered to join the Allied forces on the Western Front. In 1914 Rhodesians again rallied to the Crown with the formation of two battalions of the Rhodesia Regiment to counter the German presence in South West and East Africa. Major Andrew Banks, British Army currently serving with the Directorate of Planning (Manpower)Īs the 19th century and Queen Victoria’s long reign drew to a close, volunteer squadrons of the Rhodesia regiment, recruited by Colonel Baden-Powell, were positioned along the border with Bechuanaland, to defend Rhodesia against Boer aggression. "The text, pictures and illustrations, combine into a volume that is now a benchmark for regimental histories." This is what is being said about this book: Published by the Rhodesian Services Association as part of a major historical record. Rhodesia Regiment 1899-1981 by Peter Baxter, Hugh Bomford, Gerry van Tonder et al
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Which came first is hard to pin down as all where used at the same time in different areas.Clothing Caps, Berets, Badges Medals & Ribbons Posters & Maps DVDs & Ring tones Other goods Books For Africa Calling it first pattern is reasonable, there are other patterns of camo made by different manufacturers at least one screen printed on to complete shirts, another manufacturer used printed cloth to make shirts, this cloth was imported and is not the Rhodesian pattern, more a woodland style. Rhodesia had a shortage of bais edging so the neck line and sleeves would just be hemmed in tee shirt material. Screen printing a completely assembled khaki tee shirt where available right to the early 80s, these where made in Rhodesia, the variations come about by missing a screen in the process or sometimes turning a screen. I am on the extreme right wearing the hand screened t shirt which I consider the first pattern print unless corrected by a deeper knowledge here.Īlso in the background with the radio I put him wearing an Arid cap. Many many years ago I did a photo shoot of Rhodesian camouflage items in my collection. he was a bit later 1970s in Bulawayo and Vic Falls, by then the sticks only wore Rhodesian Police Issue Cammo, all private purchase foreign camo was binned. Spoke to a member of Black Group on Friday. If anyone has any photos of the items in isolation, please post them so we can get a better shot of this very obscure Rhodesian pattern. This is the only thread I've ever seen it discussed in detail:
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It looks very Portuguese, but the pattern shape is very different. The photo has another interesting BSAP test pattern that later became the Zimbabwe vertical lizard pattern. I saw this jacket in this photo of PATU "Black Group" in 1968 (from ) This is the same print used in the 2-lower pocket version Kia kaha posted. The prints are fairly inconsistent in terms of color order, and in one case print quality, though I've noticed that the pattern shapes on this first pattern are distinct from the common pattern. I also have several early pattern combat jackets. It is amazingly hard to photograph since the yellow-green is not very different from the base khaki color of the fabric.īased on the pattern shapes, jacket cut, and tag (196_, with the last digit blank I have an early jacket with the same style of tag but with the last digit filled in by hand), I believe the arid version was produced right when the standard, common version of the pattern was made. I actually own an "arid season" jacket as described in the first post.