S5

CONTENT
The guest today is former soldier and author of "Fire Force - A Troopers War In The Rhodesian Light Infantry" Chris Cocks. Chris was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1957. In 1976 he was conscripted for national service, and ended up serving 3 years in the Rhodesian Light Infantry or RLI. Then 18 months with PATU, the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit.
The RLI was an elite commando regiment formed in 1961 and played a pivotal role throughout the conflict which took place from 1964 to 1979. Originally conceived as a conventional infantry unit, the RLI evolved into a specialized counter-insurgency force, renowned for their relentless pursuit of guerrilla fighters. The ranks of the Rhodesian Army consisted of regular soldiers, national servicemen, reservists and foreign volunteers from all around the world but their tactics, techniques and procedures were limited to what the country could afford to obtain in the face of rigid international sanctions.
This led to the development of highly mobile, aggressive fire force operations. This concept used helicopters and paratroopers to great effect and earned them a formidable reputation as they fought a large guerilla force and inflicted a heavy price on their enemy with an estimated ratio of 35 enemy casualties for each of their own. Despite these battlefield successes a small isolated country like Rhodesia could not sustain the cost in treasure and manpower of a high intensity COIN campaign and in 1979 British-brokered all-party talks lead to a peace agreement and new constitution guaranteeing minority rights. The following year Zanu leader Robert Mugabe won independence elections and the now Zimbabwe gained international recognition in April of that year. On this pod we’ll explore the stories behind their tactics, training, and the complex legacy they left behind as one of the world’s most efficient military units.
Chris's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. My choice is Chris's book "Fire Force" a no holds barred and brutal account of his service in 3 Commando and former soldiers will recognise the black humour in the face of adversity alongside the visceral account of close combat and death in the African bush.
Fire Foorce is available to purchase on Amazon www.amazon.co....
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This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company isarr.com/.

[@ALEXJP76]

Another amazing podcast, I first read Fire Force many years ago and still have a copy, great to hear accounts from the man himself.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Thanks for listening and taking time to comment Alex.

[@SAbound]

I have a signed copy of “fire force” one mans war in the Rhodesian light infantry. Galago publishing 1988. Very happy I still have after all these years.over due for another read,nearly 40 years. Served as a teenager in the CAF infantry reserves, my Sergeant was in the RLI until 1979 then moved on to the Caprivi strip with SADF.

[@JeremyHall-dm7bk]

Chris - that 'time long ago' - you bought it back to me so well in this excellent interview! Jeremy.

[@eebenbarlow7107]

Very interesting discussion, thanks Chris.

[@michaelmulligan0]

FN of course being capable of automatic fire unlike the SLR

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Listening back I realised we missed that important point!

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

The difference between the Rhodesian war and other counter-insurgency conflicts is that the number of insurgents vastly outnumbered the COIN force.