Britain's Rebel Air Force: The War from the Air in Rhodesia, 1965-1980

by Roy Conyers Nesbit; Dudley Cowderoy; Andy Thomas

• ISBN13: 9781902304052
• ISBN10: 1902304055
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Grub Street

Summary

The first book to cover in depth the Rhodesian War of Independence. In 1965, the South African territory of Rhodesia declared its independence from Great Britain and formed its own republic. Sustaining the rebellion were the men of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force, trained in the methods and aircraft of the RAF. The pioneering spirit of the Rhodesians and their improvisational skills helped them devise new methods of air warfare and enabled them to circumvent international sanctions. This important new account of the war from the air in Rhodesia has been written by three former RAF officers with considerable experience in the country. They have interviewed the pilots and aircrew members who served in this conflict which became increasingly more violent, widespread and bloody.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	4	(1)
Early Beginnings	5	(8)
Prelude to Tragedy	13	(11)
First Shots in the Bush War	24	(10)
Fireforce	34	(13)
Cross-border Strike	47	(9)
Sanctions-Busting	56	(10)
Green Leader	66	(10)
Paradaks, Warthog and Command Dak	76	(14)
The Russian Front	90	(11)
The Last Hundred Days	101	(11)
The Bateleurs	112	(11)
The Air Force of Zimbabwe	123	(10)
Appendix A RRAF/RhAF Chiefs of Air Staff	133	(1)
Appendix B RhAF Bases	133	(1)
Appendix C RRAF/RhAF Rank Structure	134	(1)
Appendix D Comparative Strength 11 Nov 1965 -- 18 Apr 1980	134	(1)
Appendix E Honours & Awards	135	(8)
Appendix F Squadron Standards	143	(2)
Appendix G RRAF/RhAF Aircraft 1965-1980	145	(11)
Appendix H Rhodesian Civil Airline Fleets	156	(2)
Appendix I RRAF/RhAF Losses 11 Nov 1965 -- 18 Apr 1980	158	(5)
Appendix J Royal Navy warships conducting Beira Patrol	163	(1)
Appendix K RAF and RCAF Units on Oil Lift & Beira Patrol Duties	163	(1)
Appendix L South African Air Force -- Units involved in Operations in Rhodesia	164	(1)
Bibliography	165	(2)
Maps: Rhodesia during the Guerilla War	167	(3)
Mozambique during the Guerilla War	168	(1)
Zimbabwe in Southern Africa	169	(1)
Index	170