11 November 2014

Rhodesian Defender

Policeman, Rhodesia 1971 (Note: Land Rover Defender)

3 comments:

Robert said...

UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) or Rhodesian Independence Day today (50 years on).
What we have here, no doubt, is a member of the British South African Police. You couldn't mistake him for anyone else in the Rhodesian military because there isn't a weapon in sight in this photograph, the fire is merrily blazing away, his vehicle is parked in the open, his campsite is poorly chosen, etc. I could go on and on but why bother.
It's 1971 people, 7 years after UDI, the war is not widespread, yet, but there is enough of it around to warrant constant vigilance which we don't see here.
No wonder we, Grey's Scouts, the RLI and the rest of the military, had to takeover....because the BSAP missed the chance to nip the kaffir invasion in the bud...but they no doubt had fun camping out.
Unfortunately, I could not make a difference in cleaning up the mess they made though I tried to do my bit from 1974-1979.
Tonight, I will "raise my bumper and drink to all of those who fought for dear Rhodesia and wore it's army's clothes."
I invite all of you to join me in toasting Rhodesia's 50th....
RHODESIA WAS SUPER!!!

makabusi said...

Robert, UDI was 49 years ago, not 50. I don't think that you can blame the BSAP for the eventual success of the of the guerrilla army.

Cod, that is a Land Rover, note inset healights not a Land Rover Defender, that term only came ion many years later.

Ivar said...

“If this cause, that is dear to my heart, is doomed to fail, I pray Heaven may let me fail with it, while my face is toward the enemy and my arm battling for that which I know is right.” – Major General Patrick Cleburne, C.S.A.

God Bless Rhodesia, every one of those men is a giant in an age of pygmies.