@@chriscocks3670 thanks for sharing your story and valuable history to us. I plan on ordering the book soon, I love learning about these lesser known wars but usually there is no in depth sources about the guys on the front. Kudos to you brother 👍🏻
Hi Chris, Very good interview, best wishes to all your family, they must be very proud of you, take care, thank you, Cheers Michael C Partridge (11th Troop, 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry)
As a Zimbabwean born child I obviously hold some bitterness towards the former colonizers, their sympathizers and collaborators but ultimately this is the real cost of war the number of war vets that I have known in my family and my life in general with similar stories but never got help is crazy.
@@mattyallen3396 Obviously Shona. I'm Ndebele and am bitter at Shonas for the genocide they carried out against other minority tribes. One day, a war to settle this score will break out.
How can you feel bitterness against your colonisers who educated you, gave you law and order, gave you a working first world infrastructure, schools and government? I have the photos, taken by my great grandfather in the 1890's, of your forefathers living in their primitive conditions and their savage tribal social structures. Be thankful to the white settlers who died to give you civilisation.
What an honest and humble account Chris and huge respect to what you have worked your way through in life....thanks so much for your sacrifices in allowing so many in my generation to grow up in a beautiful country you fought to protect and despite all the turmoil of war or having to fight etc and surviving to live another day......I would love to read your books and in particular your latest one... I wish you loads of success and to your family a bright future
hey Chris, respect for your honesty, in your great book also. I thought i would just say that you were a victim of that war too, and i am really sorry for what you went through. I was a kid in Rhodesia at the time and few whites had any doubts about the morality of the government's war effort at the time. Does some of the guilt comes from the fact that you "enjoyed" some your time in the conflict ? But I put it to you that you were molded and used by the machine, and is that not just a natural state for a young guy in that situation, operating in a high risk environment at peak performance. Judging by what you shared, you have paid a high price for many years, and i hope you can finally find the peace that you deserve and have worked hard to find. All of us are reared as a product of our time.
Chris Cocks, I read your book ages ago (I still have it), so this is great! Don't know why I didn't see this earlier. Anyway, please be sure that you, and the other Rhodesians, are well respected and not forgotten. Thank you for fighting for us. Rhodesians remember, and Rhodesians are thankful.
Hi Mr Chris I was lucky to get a go flight with a g car when I was a six year old laaitie and the fire force guys painted my boet and my faces black with their camo cream direct from their own faces. I just want you to know that we really loved you guys and I will never forget that day.my boet was too scared too get in the alo but I did only too scream my head off up stairs the door gunner gave me a wink and I immediately relaxed enjoying the rest of the flight.
It is (was?). That's how I read it. I could never bring myself to pay the very steep price quoted on Amazon for an old copy. I was able to download it on my e reader and read it while in Afghanistan circa 2011. Must still be out there somewhere. No pics though...
A interesting pair of interviews, brought back a lot of memories, well not brought them back just reminded me of what that a lot of us went through in my case from 75- to 78 when I got out back to SA. Went there as a naive 23 year old , Englishman, learned a lot about my self and , how to drink. , and how to love the bush.
Gavin, thanks for this awesome channel about a topic that needs to be discussed a lot more in our society. Chris, thanks for being braving brave enough to openly discuss this debilitating condition & writing your book 'Fireforce'. I am pleased that you are doing well. I was intake 135 and in 3C, 14 Troop, finished my time before you arrived. Take care brother. Gavin & Chris, please read 'The Body Keeps Score' by Bessel van der Kolk.
Lots of respect to Chris,but I'm struggling with the chronology of his story,for example in 1979 demobbed,joined PAT,worked on a Farm, farming cotton and and..then war is over,he doesn't have anything to do!! What happened to the farm job? Then he narrated the genesis of Mugabe Vs whites confrontation in Zim then he mix it with Gukurahundi,by the time the land issue was solved Mugabe way ,the Gukurahundi issue was already long gone.. anyway some good history lesson of my beloved country.thanks Chris
omg, horrible stuff lol sheesh. Piles of bodies, and little babies ugh. Cold War days were horrible. Thanks for sharing this, and it's amazing to listen to.
@@chriscocks3670 Hi, Chris! Just finished watching both episodes of this podcast and I want to thank you so much for sharing. We have a few things in common. I'm a veteran. 25 years in the US Navy. No one shot at me, though I had a more than a few instances when I thought I was about to bite it. I think of those times often, but nothing like the PTSC you have had to suffer through. I am so happy that you're working through it day by day. I'm also a recovering drunk. 41 years last February. There is no doubt that AA saved my life. I would have been dead long ago if I hadn't finally gotten my act together. But this isn't about me. I just wanted to say thanks again for telling us your story, God bless you for your sincere service, and thank God that AA came into your life. I heard you say that you don't go to meetings anymore. Me neither, but if we were to go I would be honored to shake your hand as a brother. Take care. P.S. - Just bought your book "Fire Force". Can't wait to read it. P.P.S. - I think another story people would like to hear is your wife's. It must have been quite the roller coaster for her too.
@@remaguire Hi Robert, thanks for a wonderful post. In many respects AA is indeed the hand of God. IN fact, at all levels. You bring up a very valid point about the wives sharing their stories. Not just them but parents, children etc. WE always tend to think we were the only ones who were scarred. Take care Chris
Fire Force is one of the best military memoirs I’ve ever read
Eloquent accurate heartfelt memory evoking thank you Chris.. keeping this for the grandchildren !
Fire force is a great book ..
Wow, thanks. Cheers
Chris
Thanks!!
@@chriscocks3670 thanks for sharing your story and valuable history to us. I plan on ordering the book soon, I love learning about these lesser known wars but usually there is no in depth sources about the guys on the front. Kudos to you brother 👍🏻
@@theartistformerlyknownaslu3871 thanks. This means a lot
Hi Chris, Very good interview, best wishes to all your family, they must be very proud of you, take care, thank you, Cheers Michael C Partridge (11th Troop, 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry)
It was an honor to listen to that interview. Best wishes to Mr. Cocks and his family.
Excellent interview, as a veteran I am relieved to hear , my 30 year old flash backs are normal ! Thankyou
Yes, very normal. Still a scourge for me. Cheers Chris
What is seen cant be unseen, what is done cant be undone. Strength brother
@@pquirk7008 Nice comment - and oh so true. Thanks
As a Zimbabwean born child I obviously hold some bitterness towards the former colonizers, their sympathizers and collaborators but ultimately this is the real cost of war the number of war vets that I have known in my family and my life in general with similar stories but never got help is crazy.
I appreciate this. The only real winners were the politicians.
Are you Mashona or Matabele?
@@mattyallen3396 Obviously Shona. I'm Ndebele and am bitter at Shonas for the genocide they carried out against other minority tribes. One day, a war to settle this score will break out.
How can you feel bitterness against your colonisers who educated you, gave you law and order, gave you a working first world infrastructure, schools and government?
I have the photos, taken by my great grandfather in the 1890's, of your forefathers living in their primitive conditions and their savage tribal social structures.
Be thankful to the white settlers who died to give you civilisation.
Do you know the British Colonisers are long dead? The current generations inherited the present situation, they did not cause it.
I have exchanged emails with Chris over the years. A humble gentleman and very candid. Good man.
OK Boomer ... please let on your ID
What an honest and humble account Chris and huge respect to what you have worked your way through in life....thanks so much for your sacrifices in allowing so many in my generation to grow up in a beautiful country you fought to protect and despite all the turmoil of war or having to fight etc and surviving to live another day......I would love to read your books and in particular your latest one... I wish you loads of success and to your family a bright future
Great talk Chris, this will live with us always, also enjoyed your interview on Fighting Men of Rhodesia.
hey Chris, respect for your honesty, in your great book also. I thought i would just say that you were a victim of that war too, and i am really sorry for what you went through. I was a kid in Rhodesia at the time and few whites had any doubts about the morality of the government's war effort at the time. Does some of the guilt comes from the fact that you "enjoyed" some your time in the conflict ? But I put it to you that you were molded and used by the machine, and is that not just a natural state for a young guy in that situation, operating in a high risk environment at peak performance. Judging by what you shared, you have paid a high price for many years, and i hope you can finally find the peace that you deserve and have worked hard to find. All of us are reared as a product of our time.
@chris cocks I think you hit the nail on the head about zim farmers courting the opposition, annoying Mugabe and resulting in losses of farms.
Thankyou Chris
Chris Cocks, I read your book ages ago (I still have it), so this is great! Don't know why I didn't see this earlier. Anyway, please be sure that you, and the other Rhodesians, are well respected and not forgotten. Thank you for fighting for us. Rhodesians remember, and Rhodesians are thankful.
Hi Mr Chris I was lucky to get a go flight with a g car when I was a six year old laaitie and the fire force guys painted my boet and my faces black with their camo cream direct from their own faces. I just want you to know that we really loved you guys and I will never forget that day.my boet was too scared too get in the alo but I did only too scream my head off up stairs the door gunner gave me a wink and I immediately relaxed enjoying the rest of the flight.
It would be great to have Fire Force available for purchase in digital format. Sounds like a great read!
It is (was?). That's how I read it. I could never bring myself to pay the very steep price quoted on Amazon for an old copy. I was able to download it on my e reader and read it while in Afghanistan circa 2011. Must still be out there somewhere. No pics though...
An excellent interview. I read Fireforce years ago and it was a great read.
Amazing discussion
Thanks Gilmore
Excellent and refreshing. Thanks Chris.
Thanks you! Cheers Chris
A interesting pair of interviews, brought back a lot of memories, well not brought them back just reminded me of what that a lot of us went through in my case from 75- to 78 when I got out back to SA. Went there as a naive 23 year old , Englishman, learned a lot about my self and , how to drink. , and how to love the bush.
NIce post Alistair, thanks
Thanks Guys ! Awesome vid ! Thanks again !
There have been some links identified between cortisol and cancer. Maybe stress contributes to cancers in veterans.
As a avid member of AA I was waiting for that statement :)
Gavin, thanks for this awesome channel about a topic that needs to be discussed a lot more in our society. Chris, thanks for being braving brave enough to openly discuss this debilitating condition & writing your book 'Fireforce'. I am pleased that you are doing well. I was intake 135 and in 3C, 14 Troop, finished my time before you arrived. Take care brother. Gavin & Chris, please read 'The Body Keeps Score' by Bessel van der Kolk.
Sounds a good read. Cheers Chris
Grateful thanks, Quentin. NIce to make comms with another LOver
There is no sanctions against Zimbabwe. There are some targeted restrictions against individuals and the Military.
👍👍👍
Lots of respect to Chris,but I'm struggling with the chronology of his story,for example in 1979 demobbed,joined PAT,worked on a Farm, farming cotton and and..then war is over,he doesn't have anything to do!! What happened to the farm job? Then he narrated the genesis of Mugabe Vs whites confrontation in Zim then he mix it with Gukurahundi,by the time the land issue was solved Mugabe way ,the Gukurahundi issue was already long gone.. anyway some good history lesson of my beloved country.thanks Chris
After 1980 there was a sense of loss, a gap in your life after the army
I think there always is for any serviceman. A sense of emptiness
omg, horrible stuff lol sheesh. Piles of bodies, and little babies ugh. Cold War days were horrible. Thanks for sharing this, and it's amazing to listen to.
How many books have you written Chris
3 of my own and 3 co-authored
@@chriscocks3670 Hi, Chris! Just finished watching both episodes of this podcast and I want to thank you so much for sharing.
We have a few things in common. I'm a veteran. 25 years in the US Navy. No one shot at me, though I had a more than a few instances when I thought I was about to bite it. I think of those times often, but nothing like the PTSC you have had to suffer through. I am so happy that you're working through it day by day.
I'm also a recovering drunk. 41 years last February. There is no doubt that AA saved my life. I would have been dead long ago if I hadn't finally gotten my act together.
But this isn't about me. I just wanted to say thanks again for telling us your story, God bless you for your sincere service, and thank God that AA came into your life. I heard you say that you don't go to meetings anymore. Me neither, but if we were to go I would be honored to shake your hand as a brother.
Take care.
P.S. - Just bought your book "Fire Force". Can't wait to read it.
P.P.S. - I think another story people would like to hear is your wife's. It must have been quite the roller coaster for her too.
@@remaguire Hi Robert, thanks for a wonderful post. In many respects AA is indeed the hand of God. IN fact, at all levels. You bring up a very valid point about the wives sharing their stories. Not just them but parents, children etc. WE always tend to think we were the only ones who were scarred.
Take care
Chris