PAST EVENTS
At our August meeting Cmdt Mick McKenna delivered the second part of his talk on the Rhodesian Army units in which he had served. On this occasion he spoke on the Rhodesian African Rifles in whose First Battalion he served from 2nd Lieut to Officer Commanding. The RAR was quite a unique regiment, one of the very last colonial regiments, consisting of native troops, officered by Whites, used in policing the far-flung regions of the Eritish Empire. During WWI its forerunner, the Rhodesian Native Regiment, was raised with two battalions, but was disbanded, or rather suspended, in 1919. During that war another colonial regiment, the whole Newfoundland Regiment, had been virtually decimated in the battle of the Somme in 1916. When WW II broke out, with this tragic example in mind, and as there were only 75 000 Whites in Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Government was not going to expose its whole fighting force to the risk of one throw of the dice. It therefore did not put its precious man-power into one single "national" regiment, but sent its volunteers overseas in batches to be seconded to a variety of British regiments.
In order to provide internal security during the absence of its many volunteers a battalion of black Rhodesians was raised under the name of the Rhodesian African Rifles. At the end of 1943 after this unit had been in existence for three years and well trained, it was ordered to Burma where it arrived in 1944. It fought well and became involved in one particularly severe battle, the date of which was subsequently observed as the regiment's annual day of remembrance. After the war the regiment was deployed from 1951 - 1953 in the Canal Zone in Egypt on garrison duty. From 1963 - 1968 it saw service in Malaya and became involved in deep penetration and long-term ambush operations and showed itself well qualified for this type of warfare. During its spell of duty in Malaya it became brigaded with the South Wales Borderers (of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift fame) and established close and continuing ties with that Regiment; so much so, that when the RAR was disbanded at the end of the Rhodesian Bush War, its colours were spirited out of the emerging Zimbabwe and laid up at Brecon, Wales, the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Wales (SWB).
For the next four years after its return from Malaya the regiment was again home-based and engaged in peacetime activities. However, when the first serious incursions of terrorists into Rhodesia began in 1972 the regiment had to adapt itself again to a wartime situation. From 1972 to 1980 portions of the regiment became continually involved in military operations. As time would not permit our speaker to trace the course of the bush war, he devoted his remaining time to a description of the regiment as such, its own characteristics, its men and officers, training, dress and equipment, discipline and other aspects peculiar to a specific unit. This part proved as interesting as its history. After numerous questions had been asked, our Chairman thanked the speaker for a most interesting talk and expressed his appreciation of the warm and easy manner in which it had been presented.
FUTURE EVENTS
Programme of Monthly Meetings:
SEPTEMBER 12TH Talk by MR GRAHAM NICHOLLS on "THE TAMING OF THE LANDMINE".
October 17 Cmdt Danie Laäs will talk on "Operation Modular" (with special emphasis on 61 Mechanised Battalion Group's attack on the Angolan 47th Brigade).
November 12 Fellow-member Major Darrell Hall will give an illustrated slide talk on "The Gulf War".
December In recess.
January 9 Lt Col JCW Aust will talk on The Rhodesian Light Infantry.
The venue for all meetings is the functions room, first floor, Westville North Library, 167 Blair Atholl Road, Westville. The library is on the corner of Blair Atholl and Iver Roads, at the robot-controlled intersection of Blair Atholl - Iver - Dunkeld Roads. Meetings are held on the second Thursday in the month (unless otherwise announced) at 19H45. (7.45 p.m.) Please bring your own glass and bottled or canned refreshments. Ice will be supplied. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.
SEPTEMBER 21ST BRIGADE PARADE IN REVUE An invitation has been received to attend this historic and intricate closing down parade by 84 Motorised Brigade. Please contact RSM Ken Gillings if you wish to attend. Tel. (031)305 7254 (of'f'ice hours). In his absence, Ken's secretary JEAN will take messages.
HALT! ACTION FRONT! With Colonel Long at Colenso by Darrell Hall. This is the story of the three batteries of 4th Brigade Division, Royal Field Artillery (7th, 14th and 66th), and the six "Long l2s" of the Royal Navy, which operated under the direct command of Colonel C.J. Long RHA, commanding the Artillery of the Natal Field Force, at the Battle of Colenso, on 15th December 1899. Privately published with maps and illustrations. Copies are obtainable from the author Major Darrell Hall, Box 22nmn364 Glenashley 4022 at R25 (incl)
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm