Rhodesian Security Forces
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| - | The '''Rhodesian Security Forces''' is the military agency of the [[Rhodesia|Republic of Rhodesia]]. | + | The '''Rhodesian Security Forces''' (RSF) is the military agency of the [[Rhodesia|Republic of Rhodesia]]. Is is comprised of the Rhodesian Army, the Rhodesian Army Special Forces, the British South Africa Police (BSAP), the Rhodesian Air Force, and the Department of Internal Affairs. The Prime Minister serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Much of the country's military hardware is of British or South African origin, although much of it is domestically manufactured; in fact, during the Rhodesian Bush War, the country was forced to design many indigenous weapons and vehicles, due to a mandatory arms embargo imposed by the UN. Much of the equipment of indigenous design, such as the Pig and Crocodile mine-protected APCs, were well suited to the country's climate and proved highly effective in anti-terrorist operations. The integration of the armed forces, which began gradually during the Bush War, was largely complete by the mid-1980s. Today the Rhodesian Security Forces is of the most highly disciplined, best-trained, and efficient militaries in the world, comparable to the IDF or the United States military. |
==Structure== | ==Structure== | ||
[[Image:Rhodesian security forces structure chart.PNG]] | [[Image:Rhodesian security forces structure chart.PNG]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Rhodesian Army== | ||
| + | The Rhodesian Army is the land component of the RSF. Its command structure and organization are modelled directly on the British Army. The Army is commanded by a Lieutenant-General responsible to the Minister of Defense. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Organization=== | ||
| + | *Army Headquarters | ||
| + | *4 Brigade Headquarters, 2 District Headquarters, and Special Forces Headquarters | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Light Infantry | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Special Air Service | ||
| + | *Selous Scouts | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Armored Car Regiment | ||
| + | *Grey's Scouts | ||
| + | *Rhodesian African Rifles (six independent companies) | ||
| + | *Rhodesia Regiment (eight battalions) | ||
| + | *1 Psychological Operations Unit | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Defense Regiment (two battalions) | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Intelligence Corps | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Artillery (one depot, one field regiment) | ||
| + | *6 Engineer Squadrons | ||
| + | *5 Engineer Support Squadrons | ||
| + | *3 Brigade Signals Squadrons | ||
| + | *2 Service Area Headquarters (Matabeleland and Mashonaland) | ||
| + | *2 Ordnance and Supplies Depots (Bulowayo, Salisbury) | ||
| + | *2 Base Workshops (Bulowayo, Salisbury) | ||
| + | *1 Air Supply Platoon | ||
| + | *3 Maintenance Companies | ||
| + | *3 Medical Companies and the Army Health Unit | ||
| + | *Tsanga Lodge | ||
| + | *5 Provost Platoons and the Army Detention Barracks | ||
| + | *6 Pay Companies | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Army Education Corps | ||
| + | *Rhodesian Corps of Chaplains | ||
| + | *Army Records, and Army Data Processing Unit | ||
| + | *Rail Transport Organization Platoon | ||
| + | *1 Military Postal Platoon | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Rhodesian Army Special Forces== | ||
| + | ===Rhodesian African Rifles=== | ||
| + | During the Bush War, the Rhodesian African Rifles were comprised of two battalions composed of black soldiers, commanded by white officers. Their knowledge of tribal cultures, ability to speak native languages, and bush skills allowed them to obtain local intelligence that the average white soldier could not, and function better in Rhodesia's climate and terrain than most white troops could. The RAR made a name for itself during the Malayan Emergency, when it fought with distinction and bravery against communist insurgents; however, their performance early in the Bush War was rather poor, until improved training remedied this. By the end of the war, many of the RAR's troops were participating in elite force operations, including the various "fireforces." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The RAR today is a fully integrated force, comprised of six independent companies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Rhodesian Light Infantry=== | ||
| + | The Rhodesian Light Infantry is a commando regiment proficient in counterinsurgency and anti-terrorism operations. It is composed of five battalions, each made up of four units with 90 personnel. Members are trained as paratroopers and provide the backbone of the "fireforces." The RLI specializes in external operations and cross-border raids, and is highly effective in intercepting attempted terrorist incursions into the country. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Rhodesian Special Air Service=== | ||
| + | Modelled on the British unit of the same name, the SAS specializes in counterinsurgency and clandestine operations. Members are rigorously tested for both physical and mental stamina, and trained in parachuting, canoeing, bushcraft, explosives techniques, and much more. It is one of the most renowned and efficient elements of the security forces. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Selous Scouts=== | ||
| + | The most effective - and perhaps the most famous - component of the Rhodesian Army Special Forces is the Selous Scouts, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Grey's Scouts=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
[[Category:Military of Rhodesia| ]] | [[Category:Military of Rhodesia| ]] | ||
Revision as of 02:18, 5 November 2007
The Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) is the military agency of the Republic of Rhodesia. Is is comprised of the Rhodesian Army, the Rhodesian Army Special Forces, the British South Africa Police (BSAP), the Rhodesian Air Force, and the Department of Internal Affairs. The Prime Minister serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Much of the country's military hardware is of British or South African origin, although much of it is domestically manufactured; in fact, during the Rhodesian Bush War, the country was forced to design many indigenous weapons and vehicles, due to a mandatory arms embargo imposed by the UN. Much of the equipment of indigenous design, such as the Pig and Crocodile mine-protected APCs, were well suited to the country's climate and proved highly effective in anti-terrorist operations. The integration of the armed forces, which began gradually during the Bush War, was largely complete by the mid-1980s. Today the Rhodesian Security Forces is of the most highly disciplined, best-trained, and efficient militaries in the world, comparable to the IDF or the United States military.
Contents |
Structure
Rhodesian Army
The Rhodesian Army is the land component of the RSF. Its command structure and organization are modelled directly on the British Army. The Army is commanded by a Lieutenant-General responsible to the Minister of Defense.
Organization
- Army Headquarters
- 4 Brigade Headquarters, 2 District Headquarters, and Special Forces Headquarters
- Rhodesian Light Infantry
- Rhodesian Special Air Service
- Selous Scouts
- Rhodesian Armored Car Regiment
- Grey's Scouts
- Rhodesian African Rifles (six independent companies)
- Rhodesia Regiment (eight battalions)
- 1 Psychological Operations Unit
- Rhodesian Defense Regiment (two battalions)
- Rhodesian Intelligence Corps
- Rhodesian Artillery (one depot, one field regiment)
- 6 Engineer Squadrons
- 5 Engineer Support Squadrons
- 3 Brigade Signals Squadrons
- 2 Service Area Headquarters (Matabeleland and Mashonaland)
- 2 Ordnance and Supplies Depots (Bulowayo, Salisbury)
- 2 Base Workshops (Bulowayo, Salisbury)
- 1 Air Supply Platoon
- 3 Maintenance Companies
- 3 Medical Companies and the Army Health Unit
- Tsanga Lodge
- 5 Provost Platoons and the Army Detention Barracks
- 6 Pay Companies
- Rhodesian Army Education Corps
- Rhodesian Corps of Chaplains
- Army Records, and Army Data Processing Unit
- Rail Transport Organization Platoon
- 1 Military Postal Platoon
Rhodesian Army Special Forces
Rhodesian African Rifles
During the Bush War, the Rhodesian African Rifles were comprised of two battalions composed of black soldiers, commanded by white officers. Their knowledge of tribal cultures, ability to speak native languages, and bush skills allowed them to obtain local intelligence that the average white soldier could not, and function better in Rhodesia's climate and terrain than most white troops could. The RAR made a name for itself during the Malayan Emergency, when it fought with distinction and bravery against communist insurgents; however, their performance early in the Bush War was rather poor, until improved training remedied this. By the end of the war, many of the RAR's troops were participating in elite force operations, including the various "fireforces."
The RAR today is a fully integrated force, comprised of six independent companies.
Rhodesian Light Infantry
The Rhodesian Light Infantry is a commando regiment proficient in counterinsurgency and anti-terrorism operations. It is composed of five battalions, each made up of four units with 90 personnel. Members are trained as paratroopers and provide the backbone of the "fireforces." The RLI specializes in external operations and cross-border raids, and is highly effective in intercepting attempted terrorist incursions into the country.
Rhodesian Special Air Service
Modelled on the British unit of the same name, the SAS specializes in counterinsurgency and clandestine operations. Members are rigorously tested for both physical and mental stamina, and trained in parachuting, canoeing, bushcraft, explosives techniques, and much more. It is one of the most renowned and efficient elements of the security forces.
Selous Scouts
The most effective - and perhaps the most famous - component of the Rhodesian Army Special Forces is the Selous Scouts,
