Word: rhodesian
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Mission Accomplished. Whether or not the warnings had their intended effect, the Rhodesians reported their mission accomplished after five days at Mapai, and packed up to return home. The joint operations command in Salisbury announced that 32 guerrillas had been killed and only one Rhodesian-a pilot who was shot down after taking off from the airstrip at Mapai. For its part, Mozambique reported that it shot down three Rhodesian planes and a helicopter, and engaged the Rhodesian forces in "heavy fighting." Minister of Combined Operations Roger Hawkins denied such claims, as well as Mozambique's announcement that...
Lost Time. Rhodesian blacks were more apprehensive. They recall a similar search-and-destroy operation last August on a U.N.-sponsored refugee camp in Mozambique that reportedly killed some 700 civilians (the Rhodesians claimed to have killed 320 guerrillas). "We fear this place could become like Angola," said a black insurance salesman in Salisbury. "Why can't they all talk? We're frightened of what might happen next." Added a leading black lawyer: "It's an open invitation to [Mozambican President Samora] Machel to get someone to help him. The danger is getting the Russians...
Although the mission was humiliating evidence that Rhodesian forces can cross Mozambique's borders any time they choose, Machel's government downplayed the raid as "just another aggression." Mozambique officials believe that Smith was merely trying to up the ante by raising the stakes of Mozambique's support for the guerrillas-and perhaps forcing Maputo to seek outside help. That in turn, they theorized, would justify Smith's seeking help from South Africa. If Smith did have such a Machiavellian motive, he was apparently mistaken. A top aide said that South African Prime Minister John Vorster...
...Rhodesian army ranks among the world's finest fighting units. But it is hamstrung by a lack of supplies and spare parts, and, above all, by the hostility or indifference of black villagers, whose hearts and minds are the key to military success in a guerrilla war. Unless the political climate changes, the best the army can do is keep up the present level of containment. Eliminating terrorism-the basic goal of Smith's regime-will be beyond...
Perhaps the most famous Rhodesian military unit is the Selous Scouts (named for British Explorer Frederick Selous), a secret, mixed-race tracker group of about 300 men who are renowned for their ability to survive in the bush. If water is not available, they will slake their thirst by sucking moisture from the stomach of a slaughtered kudu, the graceful spiral-horned antelope. Black members of the Scouts have masqueraded as guerrillas in order to discover the political leanings of black villagers. Consequently, whenever the Salisbury government charges that innocent civilians have been tortured or murdered by guerrillas, the nationalists...