Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep61 | Maj Nigel Henson 1st Talk / The Early Years
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- This talented Fire Force commander probably experienced more call-outs than anyone else as the OC of Support Commando, RLI. His military career spanned most of the Rhodesian Bush War from 1965-1980. In this series of talks, Nigel shares some of the highlights of those unforgettable times. When a nation was fighting for survival against overwhelming odds.
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I'm too young to have been involved in the Rhodesian conflict. But I was born and lived in Rhodesia. It was guys like you that made me sleep safely and survive. For that I salute you and thank you for your service. As a young child I was unaware of the hard work, suffering and sacrifices made for me. Thank you very much for serving us. And thank you Hannes for the video that raises awareness of the tremendous debt we owe to the Rhodesian military..
Ditto all you said.
Yes I just missed the war finishing high school in 1980. I too feel a great debt of gratitude towards these men. We lived on a farm and despite the war raging around us we always had total confidence in the Rhodesian army. Rhodesia now seems a distant but treasured memory. So much nostalgia when I hear a couple of pop songs from those days, then some sadness. The farm today is deserted, Mugabe’s imports from Chitingwiza left many years ago. Now just bush and some cement foundations where buildings used to be.
Nigel Henson was an outstanding officer and Commando Commander. I am both proud and privileged to have served under his command in 1977. He was amongst our Army's pre-eminent fire force commanders, no question about that. His name is rightly listed amongst notable and respected commanders like Bruce Snelgar SCR, Don Price BCR, Bryan McDermott, Colin Hendrie, Andre Dennison OLM, BCR and others.
Thanks Russell. Good context mate
I wish I'd been old enough to serve my country. Thank you to all who did. I cry for home.
Thank you all so very much for your kind words.John and Hannes did a wonderful job.Find the helo scenes so evocative.
Negative Sir... Thank You Sir. Utter and Absolute Respect and Salute to you all...
I was in Johannesburg in the late 80s and bought a copy of Selous Scouts by Peter Stiff as told to him by Lt. Col. Ron Reid Daly. My interest in the war started with my reading this most fascinating account of the courage , loyalty and determination to preserve a way of life that they had worked and sacrificed for. I have visited Harare twice when working at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. It was a very sad betrayal by the Brits of people of their stock. You have much to be proud of.
Yes I feel very strongly the Brits betrayed us. They fell over themselves to move the Ugandan Indian community to Britain when idi Amin took their businesses away. Today Boris Johnson has invited Hong Kong residents to move to the UK. Despite being of largely Anglo-Saxon ancestry my wife daughters and I are not welcome as immigrants in the UK. My parents lived out their final years after Mugabe seized their farm living on food hand- outs from their church congregation. A shameful episode in British history.
did you happen to read "The Elite" by; Barbara Cole? That's a good one too. It's about the SAS
Many thanks Nigel Henson for positively considering your participation in this series! I was keenly awaiting your contribution to this history. Looking forward to your future episodes!
Top Sunray. Huge respect and gratitude. Always looked younger than his age and still does. Thanks John and Hannes. Another top class episode.
Thank you.
Thanks for a good chat by a real trooper.We were on the Command and Staff Course in 1980 at the Army College ,when it was clear that Mugabe won the election. Nigel got up and said "sorry I am
out of here " .He then left to go back home. He was a good officer and a good operational commander. I wish him the best .
Great hearing from you!!
Nigel,thanks for the reply, I believe you are in DS.I will contact you .Borries
I really enjoyed seeing the original footage from the Bush War. It would be wonderful to see a documentary with actual footage. Stay safe to all those in South Africa. It is so sad and worrisome as to what is occurring in Durban.
Beautiful intro.
Thank you!
From an army struggling to find I d to the best in the world.salute no wonder brits had second thoughts!
Enjoying a blast from the past, so many memories. Would have enjoyed Vernon Prinsloo RIP, Trevor Hodgeson RIP and John Dawson on this podcast. Great work guys.
Excellent! Thank you for the continuation of this incredible series and presenting your special guest speaker. Most appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to the next one , I had 3 brothers in Spt Comado under Maj Henson , i know they had GREAT respect for him .Best regards the Beech family
Very, very interesting!!
Very good to put on the record from what humble beginnings Rhodesia's Forces started out, almost from nothing thanks to the breakup of the Federation, and how organized and battle-ready they quickly became when needs be. From there it was Game On. Look forward to Part 2.
Sent chills up my spine.What memories it brought back. Excellent job guys.
Another excellent balanced story of events from the early years. Thank You for the information.
My dad - was in the Police Reserve early Patu in 1966. He was sent out to the Viljoen Farm attack in dark blue overalls - that's what the Police Reserve wore - with a 303 rifle and 5 rounds.
Fabulous intro, and as ever, highly professional men documenting the history, keep up the good work John and Hannes.
Many thanks!
Another fantastic interview, shedding even more light on events in Rhodesia that MUST, in my view, continue and be preserved for reference in relation not only of actual events and re-counting, but of the duplicity of so-called' friend Nations in times of crisis. I'd almost rid my mind of that dreadful little-man, Harold Wilson, with his sly, malevolant air, and insidious persona and policies. My Mother found him loathsome, and treacherous. My Mother intensley disliked anyone that was disloyal, or who told lies. Her love for Rhodesia was immense. It is my 62nd birthday today, I miss my Mum.
Happy Birthday Tim! Mine is tomorrow (20th July), I turn 65 :) I miss my Mom too...
Many thanks to all involved for a superb series. Congratulations.
The untold stories coming to life . Fantastic interview and so interesting . Looking forward to part two ! Thanks Hannes, John and Nigel for these important stories for the world to hear and have a clearer understanding of what actually happened. No thanks to Britain and the US for their part and their constant denial of their involvement of intelligence betrayal . My respect goes to the men who fought hard for our right to survival of the green and white ! Bless them all , may the ones who sacrificed their lives be at peace !
Thanks again for another greatly intresting interview as allways👍
Major Henson is a "has been there done that" soldier with a great story to tell.
I can't wait to listen to the follow up/next time hi is on😊
Your channel with your guests and their stories are the best👍
Keep up the good work 😊
I’m sure that making a series like this must be really challenging to make BUT, how are us common folks supposed to be able to cope with the suspense of having to wait for the next episode of this magnificent series????
I mean, episode 60 was aired on June 30, 2021. Episode 61 aired today, July 11, 2021. Ten days with nothing interesting on any available visual platform. I’ll not lie, it’s been excruciating.
Anyway, superlative episodes like today’s go a long way in making up for the sheer emptiness of the recent interval.
Congratulations and PLEASE keep up the truly outstanding work.
Hannes and John are doing great work, and there are other channels putting out talks with guys who have been there and done that. MACVSOG, SAS, Spetsnaz, and so on.
lest we forget Mate.i was a cadet Ranger with Parks from 72: i have much to say as i recall those days, after and beyond. old Batt here.
Another great podcast chaps. Keep em coming,.
Thanks! Will do!
Brilliant, as always, some REAL history.
Another great interview with a wonderful insight to the early years. Looking forward to the next episode.
Another OP prominent in the bush war. I think it was the tough boarding school life, with seniority, cadets and a fierce esprit de corps that made so many OPs outstanding leaders in so many fields, particularly the armed forces.
Respect !!
another incredible video and interview.
god bless all of you Rhodesians. you’re courage and sacrifice won’t be forgotten, thanks to John and Hannes.. also Martin over @ 5RR is amazing ( y’all should team up or atleast collaborate. that would be incredible hehe )
cheers! have a good week, everyone!
I enjoyed it very much,keep well
Great interview, what a career. Respect and thank you 🙏👍.
Great presentation and many thanks !!!
Thank you too!
Another cliffhanger! You know how to tease the appetite 😂😎👍👍🙏🙏
Morning John, Love intro always very professional
Thanks Hudson 🙏🏼
Great intro Hannes. Looking forward to the next one 👍🏻
Really enjoyed that interview and the intro
Mr van Zyl is a good producer
Thanks Nicholas, much appreciated. I still feel like a beginner though, lol
Regardless of the political party or mood at the time the Brit's would never allow an invasion of Rhodesia to take place, the British public would never wear it. Interesting topic Oman, Sir Ranulph Fiennes wrote a book about it, "where soldiers fear to tread" I believe, or Feather men maybe?. can remember exactly. Looking forward to part two. Interesting comment Nigel made about not fitting into the Selous Scout, different kettle of fish all together those lads.
I think the Hartley terrorist group were known as the Nevada Group, and were accounted for. Names like Mandizha and Felix Rice come to mind. I will check up. Great episode, Nigel and Hannes.
I'm a rhodie so I often just wonder how good it could have ended if we just had the might that the good ole u s a had. Damn I just deleted what I wrote.what if we could have just half of the choppers that were thrown off ships after Saigon fell.if I think of a as
great channel sir. From California. and yes, Rhodesians should have tried to share power, but I think it was too late. RIP to ALL the Troopies. I read SOF magazine in the late 70s and 80s and will always remember the full page ads, "Be a man among men". Did Rhodesia pay for those ads?
Good intro.
I'm glad you like it
Great intro John. Question for you, why were the troops boarding the helicopters holding their FN backwards? (~2mins in)
So you never got sand and crap up the barrel from the rotors
The main reason was to not punch holes in the perspex with your barrel as you enplaned, so butts forward.
@@fightingmenofrhodesia Really John, never knew that but then again always in the back seat so no Perspex 😂. Live and learn even at our age 👍
@@fightingmenofrhodesia thats interesting.I imagined it would be safer pointing in front and down. Thanks 😊
British Army 1990s we were told to hold them pointing parallel to rhe chopper and downwards, as an ideal.
After whom was Brady Barracks named .?
Very little to add, in the 60’s & early to mid 70’s in usa i would not have know anything about Rhodesia except in 1972 two Rhody gals entered our civics/history class. They were from different families. Apparently these families had sold out well as they lived in a hiso district. During the election the 2 gals were flaming McGovern liberals taken to the max on every lib policy espoused by dems at that time... think the ppl in usa were too interested in Vnam and little was ever posted in press on Rhodesia. As stated were it not for these 2 at that time i would would never hear of Rhod’s ... i looked upon these 2 as “ok your families were reposted to our city” like a corporate exec being relocated to new duty... never any mention of the war or ongoing struggle.
Interesting. The Democrats of the 60s, 70s would be considered conservative by today's standards. The barometer has gone so far left that moderate liberals are nothing short of trotskyist.
I don’t think your correct in saying that the British couldn’t have done the Falklands without USA logistical support most of the support came from satellite intel the logistical support is the use of our own islands that the USA rent from us ascension islands but we are allowed to use it as it’s ours and we have a base there other help such as stingers as great as they are didn’t really do much yes the sat photos were useful but not deal breakers