Rhodesian SAS or Selous Scouts
With numbers around 1500 the Selous Scouts inflicted over 60% of casualties suffered by the terrorists in the 1960s and 70s Bush War. Prime Minister Ian Smith authorized 'Hot Pursuit' raids into Mozambique as well as in Rhodesia. The White Minority government relied on black soldiers as well as white and the armed forces were highly successful against the rebels. The weight of world opinion and sanctions wore the nation down and finally a black government was formed. Since then President Mugabe, a former terrorist has proven to be a tyrant who has suppressed the opposition party, tortured opponents and brutally evicted white farmers from their land, turning the country from a prosperous nation into an economic basket case. Former Australian PM, Malcom Frazer was instrumental in supporting his rise to power.
The Selous Scouts travelled light, wearing PT shorts and little supplies apart from ammunition and water bottles. They also sometimes used horses that enabled them to see over the tall bush grass.
The figure was made from Airfix Multipose 8th Army and Afrika Korps and placed on an Airfix Collectors series base.
The figure was made from Airfix Multipose 8th Army and Afrika Korps and placed on an Airfix Collectors series base.
Re. Mr Mugabe, one does feel that had Zimbabwe contained some mineral deposit or other substance vital to the well-being of Europe and America then something would have been done about him a long time ago. He could certainly be classed up there with certain Middle Eastern rulers who are no longer with us.
ReplyDeleteNice looking model, but I think with regard to kit that you may be mixing the Selous Scouts up with the Rhodesian Light Infantry. The Selous Scouts were formed in 1974, also the mounted regiment was the Grey's Scouts
ReplyDeleteThanks Ash. I based the model on a picture in the Osprey book on the SAS and made this model over twenty years ago but I'll dig the book out and have a look. You sound like you know the topic.
ReplyDeleteI must apologize for Malcolm Fraser. All commonwealth nations should have been assisting Rhodesia. Western politicians were bribed/corrupted.coerced by lobbyists of a certain ideology than was/is very destructive
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan. I reduced my political comments on my blog - I used to have an opinion page. I do keep my political opinions to a minimum here as too much can alienate readers who may have different political opinions but still enjoy toy soldiers.I realise that my main object is the glorification of toy soldiers but I couldn't resist including something political here. Rhodesia was more prosperous than Zimbabwe.
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