Top Secret War: Rhodesian Special Operations

The self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia in Africa fought a low-intensity conflict for more than a decade as part of its bid for independence and dominance of its African majority population by a European minority. Crucial to this was a small professional armed force (police, Army and Air Force) that was able to provide internal security, border control and conduct successful counter-insurgency operations within its own borders. When the Frontline States of Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique provided active sanctuary and sustenance for nationalist forces, the Rhodesians launched external operations spearheaded to a large extent by its special forces to ‘detect, destroy, delay, disrupt and deceive’ terrorists or guerillas. In the end, Rhodesian special forces were the supported rather than a supporting effort.