View source for Rhodesian Security Forces

{{Short description|Military forces of the state of Rhodesia (1964–80)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Rhodesian Security Forces
| native_name        =
| image              = Rhodesian Security Forces Logotype.svg
| image_size         = 220px
| caption            = Emblem of the Rhodesian Army. The [[St Edward's Crown]] was removed in 1970 following Rhodesia’s declaration as a republic.
| image2             =
| caption2           =
| founded            = 1964
| disbanded          = 1980
| branches           = {{plainlist|
* {{army|Rhodesia}}
* {{air force|Rhodesia}}
* [[British South Africa Police]]
* [[INTAF|Ministry of Internal Affairs Guard Force]]
}}
| headquarters       = [[Harare|Salisbury]]
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = ''See list''
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Rhodesia|Commander-in-Chief]]
| minister           = ''See list''
| minister_title     = [[Cabinet of Rhodesia|Minister of Defence]]
| commander          = ''See list''
| commander_title    = [[Chief of Defense (Zimbabwe)|Head of the Rhodesian Armed Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                =
| conscription       =
| manpower_data      =
| manpower_age       =
| available          =
| available_f        =
| fit                =
| fit_f              =
| reaching           =
| reaching_f         =
| active             =
| ranked             =
| reserve            =
| deployed           =
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             =
| percent_GDP        =
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers =
| foreign_suppliers  =
| imports            =
| exports            =
<!-- Related aricles -->
| history            = [[Rhodesian Bush War]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Rhodesia|Military ranks]]
}}

The '''Rhodesian Security Forces''' were the military forces of the [[Rhodesia]]n government. The Rhodesian Security Forces consisted of a ground force (the [[Rhodesian Army]]), the [[Rhodesian Air Force]], the [[British South Africa Police]], and various personnel affiliated to the [[INTAF|Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs]]. Despite the impact of economic and diplomatic sanctions, Rhodesia was able to develop and maintain a potent and professional military capability.<ref name="Rogers 1998, p. 41">{{Harvnb|Rogers|1998|p=41}}</ref>

The Rhodesian Security Forces of 1964–80 traced their history back to the [[British South Africa Company]] armed forces, originally created during [[company rule in Rhodesia|company rule]] in the 1890s. These became the armed forces of the British [[self-governing colony]] of [[Southern Rhodesia]] on its formation in 1923, then part of the [[Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland]] military in 1953. After the break-up of the Federation at the end of 1963, the security forces assumed the form they would keep until 1980.

As the armed forces of [[Rhodesia]] (as Southern Rhodesia called itself from 1964), the Rhodesian Security Forces remained loyal to the [[Harare|Salisbury]] government after it [[Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence|unilaterally declared independence]] from Britain on 11 November 1965. Britain and the United Nations refused to [[list of states with limited recognition|recognise]] this declaration, and regarded the breakaway state as a rebellious British colony throughout its existence.

The security forces fought on behalf of the government against the [[Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army]] and the [[Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army]]—the military wings of the [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] black nationalist [[Zimbabwe African National Union]] and [[Zimbabwe African People's Union]] respectively—during the [[Rhodesian Bush War]] of the 1960s and 1970s.

The [[Lancaster House Agreement]] and the return of Rhodesia to de facto British control on 12 December 1979 changed the security forces' role altogether; during the five-month interim period, they helped the [[Governor of Southern Rhodesia|British governor]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] Monitoring Force to keep order in Rhodesia while the [[Southern Rhodesian general election, 1980|1980 general election]] was organised and held. After the internationally recognised independence of [[Zimbabwe]] in April 1980, the Rhodesian security forces, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army were integrated to form the new [[Zimbabwe Defence Forces]]. Around 5,000 Rhodesian military and intelligence personnel were recruited by South Africa in 1980 as part of [[Operation Winter (South Africa)|Operation Winter]].

== Rhodesian Army ==
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Rhodesian Army
| image = Rhodesian Army Flag.svg
| caption = Flag of the Rhodesian Army, used during the late 1970s.
| dates = 1927–1980
| country = [[Rhodesia]]
| allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}} (1927–1965)<br />{{flag|Rhodesia|1964}} (1965–70)<br />{{flagcountry|Republic of Rhodesia}} (1970–79)<br />{{flag|Zimbabwe Rhodesia}} (1979)<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}} (1979–80)
| branch = [[Ground forces]]
| type = 
| garrison = [[Harare|Salisbury]]
| colors = [[Shades of green#Rifle green|Rifle green]] {{color box|#006A4E}}
| colors_label = 
| equipment =
| battles = [[World War I]]<br />[[World War II]]<br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]]
| disbanded = [[Zimbabwe National Army|18 April 1980]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:Rhodesian Security Forces Logotype.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Shoulder flash & recruitment logo
| countries = Foreign volunteers drawn from [[7th Independent Company|France]], the United Kingdom and the United States.
}}
[[File:Melander and Hupli RLI 1979 simulation 2.jpg|thumb|upright|A Finnish reenactor portraying a Rhodesian trooper.  The primary infantry weapon of the Rhodesian Army was the [[FN FAL]] battle rifle.]]
The majority of the [[Southern Rhodesia Volunteers]] were disbanded in 1920 for reasons of cost, the last companies being disbanded in 1926. The Defence Act of 1927 created a Permanent Force (the Rhodesian Staff Corps) and a Territorial Force as well as national compulsory military training.<ref>Wilson, Graham ''Cap badges of the Rhodesian Security Forces'' ''Sabretache'', June 2000</ref> With the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers disbanded in 1927, the [[Rhodesia Regiment]] was reformed in the same year as part of the nation's Territorial Force. The 1st Battalion was formed in [[Salisbury, Rhodesia|Salisbury]] with a detached "B" company in [[Umtali]] and the 2nd Battalion in [[Bulawayo]] with a detached "B" Company in [[Gwelo]].<ref>p.46 Radford</ref> Between the World Wars, the Permanent Staff Corps of the Rhodesian Army consisted of only 47 men. The [[British South Africa Police]] were trained as both policemen and soldiers until 1954.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abc.gov.au/wa/anzac/allied.htm#ra |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020718064841/http://abc.gov.au/wa/anzac/allied.htm#ra |archive-date=18 July 2002 |title= Ex-Service Contingent – Allied Forces  |publisher=ABC Western Australia |date=18 July 2002}}</ref>

About 10,000 [[White people in Zimbabwe|white Southern Rhodesians]] (15% of the white population) mustered into the British forces during the [[Second World War]], serving in units such as the [[Long Range Desert Group]], the [[Rhodesian Armoured Corps]], [[No. 237 Squadron RAF]] and the [[Special Air Service]] (SAS). ''Pro rata'' to population, this was the largest contribution of manpower by any territory in the [[British Empire]], even outstripping that of Britain itself. Southern Rhodesia was in fact the first Commonwealth country to officially declare war on the Axis powers.<ref name=galetimeline>{{Harvnb
|Gale
|1973
|pp=88–89}}; {{Harvnb
|Young
|1969
|p=11}}</ref>

Southern Rhodesia's own units, most prominently the [[Rhodesian African Rifles]] (made up of black rank-and-filers and [[warrant officers]], led by white officers; abbreviated RAR), fought in the war's [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]] and [[Burma campaign|in Burma]].<ref>{{Harvnb
|Binda
|2007
|pp=41–42, 59–77}}</ref> During the war, Southern Rhodesian pilots proportionally earned the highest number of decorations and ace appellations in the Empire. This resulted in the [[Royal Family]] paying an unusual state visit to the colony at the end of the war in thanks to the efforts of the Rhodesian people.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

The [[Southern Rhodesia Air Force]] (SRAF) was re-established in 1947 and, two years later, [[Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia|Prime Minister]] [[Godfrey Huggins, 1st Viscount Malvern|Sir Godfrey Huggins]] appointed a 32-year-old South African-born Rhodesian [[Spitfire]] pilot, [[Ted Jacklin]], as air officer commanding tasked to build an air force in the expectation that British African territories would begin moving towards independence, and air power would be vital for land-locked [[Southern Rhodesia]]. The threadbare SRAF bought, borrowed or salvaged a collection of vintage aircraft, including six [[Tiger Moth (plane)|Tiger Moth]]s, six [[North American Harvard]] trainers, an [[Avro Anson]] freighter and a handful of [[De Havilland Rapide]] transport aircraft, before purchasing a squadron of 22 Mk. 22 war surplus [[Supermarine Spitfire (Griffon-powered variants)|Supermarine Spitfire]] from the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) which were then flown to Southern Rhodesia.<ref>Moss (n.d.); Petter-Bowyer (2003) p. 16</ref>

In April 1951, the defence forces of Southern Rhodesia were completely reorganised.<ref>Extracted from 'The Development of Southern Rhodesia's Military System, 1890–1953 by L. H. Gann, M.A., B.Litt., D.Phil.'</ref> The Permanent Force included the British South Africa Police as well as the [[Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps]], charged with training and administering the Territorial Force. The SRAF consisted of a communication squadron and trained members of the Territorial Force as pilots, particularly for artillery observation. During the [[Malayan Emergency]] of the 1950s, Southern Rhodesia [[Southern Rhodesian military involvement in the Malayan Emergency|contributed]] two units to the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]'s counter-insurgency campaign: the newly formed [[Rhodesian Special Air Service|Rhodesian SAS]] served a two-year tour of duty in [[British Malaya|Malaya]] starting in March 1951,<ref>{{Harvnb
|Binda
|2007
|p=127}}; {{Harvnb
|Shortt
|McBride
|1981
|pp=19–20}}</ref> then the Rhodesian African Rifles operated for two years from April 1956.<ref>{{Harvnb
|Binda
|2007
|pp=127–128}}</ref>

The colony also maintained women's auxiliary services (later to provide the inspiration for the Rhodesia Women's Service), and maintained a battalion of the RAR, officered by members of the Staff Corps. The Territorial Force remained entirely white and largely reproduced the [[Second World War]] pattern. It consisted of two battalions of the [[Royal Rhodesia Regiment]], an Armoured Car Regiment, Artillery, Engineers, Signal Corps, Medical Corps, Auxiliary Air Force and Transport Corps. In wartime the country could also draw on the Territorial Force Reserve and General Reserve. Southern Rhodesia, in other words, reverted more or less to the organisation of the Second World War.

Matters evolved greatly over twenty years. The regular army was always a relatively small force, but by 1978–79 it consisted of 10,800 regulars nominally supported by about 40,000 reservists. While the regular army consisted of a professional core drawn from the white population (and some units, such as the Rhodesian SAS and the [[Rhodesian Light Infantry]], were all-white), by 1978–79 the majority of its complement was actually composed of black soldiers. The army reserves, in contrast, were largely white.<ref name="lohman3">{{Harvnb
|Lohman
|MacPherson
|1983
|loc=chpt. 3}}</ref>

The Rhodesian Army HQ was in Salisbury and commanded over four infantry brigades and later an [[Special forces of Rhodesia|HQ Special Forces]], with various training schools and supporting units. Numbers 1,2, and 3 Brigade were established in 1964 and 4 Brigade in 1978.<ref name="freewebs.com">[http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/combinedoperations.htm Combined Operations – Brothers in Arms] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122213926/http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/combinedoperations.htm |date=22 November 2010 }}</ref>

*1 Bde – Bulawayo with area of responsibility in Matabeleland
*2 Bde – Salisbury with area of responsibility in Mashonaland
*3 Bde – Umtali with area of responsibility in Manicaland
*4 Bde – Fort Victoria with area of responsibility in Victoria province

During the [[Rhodesian Bush War|Bush War]], the army included:
*Army Headquarters 
*The [[Rhodesian Light Infantry]]
*[[Rhodesian Special Air Service|C Squadron (Rhodesian) SAS]] (in 1978 became 1 (Rhodesian) Special Air Service Regiment)
*[[Selous Scouts]]
*[[Rhodesian Armoured Corps|The Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment]] (The Black Devils)
*[[Grey's Scouts]] [[File:Rhodesian Eland902.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Eland Mk7|Eland-90]] armoured cars of the [[Rhodesian Armoured Corps]].]]
*The [[Rhodesian African Rifles]]
*The [[Rhodesia Regiment]] (eight battalions, numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10); also National Service independent companies numbered 1–6 and, briefly, [[7 Independent Company (Rhodesia)|7]]), though at times one or more of these independent companies were attached to the RAR during the Bush War.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121011234230/http://www.rhodesianforces.org/RhodesiaRegiment.htm Rhodesia Regiment]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rhodesianforces.org/rhodesianforces.org/6IndepCoy.html |title=6TH INDEPENDENT COMPANY: A BRIEF HISTORY by G.D.P Morgan |access-date=15 April 2023 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230415150441/https://www.rhodesianforces.org/rhodesianforces.org/6IndepCoy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Psychological Action Group (Psyac)
*The [[Rhodesian Defence Regiment]] (two battalions)
*The [[Rhodesian Intelligence Corps]]
*The Rhodesian Artillery (one depot, one field regiment)
*Six Engineer Squadrons (numbered 2, 3, 4, 6, 7) 1 Engr Sqn
*5 Engineer Support Squadron
*1 Brigade<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Rhodesian Army Order of Seniority as at 26th February 1979|url = http://rhodesianforces.org/RhodesianArmyOrderSeniority.htm|website = rhodesianforces.org|access-date = 2016-02-23|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130950/http://rhodesianforces.org/RhodesianArmyOrderSeniority.htm|archive-date=February 25, 2017}}</ref>
**Headquarters Abbreviation: HQ 1 Bde
**Signals Squadron Abbreviation: 1(Bde) Sig Sqn
*2 Brigade<ref name=":0"/>
**Headquarters Abbreviation: HQ 2 Bde
**Signals Squadron Abbreviation: 2(Bde) Sig Sqn
***12 Signals Squadron Abbreviation: 2(Bde) 12 Sig Sqn<ref>unconfirmed</ref>
****Located: Llewellyn Barracks
*3 Brigade<ref name=":0" />
**Headquarters Abbreviation: HQ 3 Bde
**Signals Squadron Abbreviation: 3(Bde) Sig Sqn
*4 Brigade<ref name=":0" />
**Headquarters Abbreviation: HQ 4 Bde
**41 Troop, Signals Squadron Abbreviation: 41 Tp 4(Bde) SigSqn
*Two Services Area HQs (Matabeleland and Mashonaland)
*Two Ordnance and Supplies Depots ([[Bulawayo]], [[Harare|Salisbury]])
*Two Base Workshops ([[Bulawayo]], [[Harare|Salisbury]])
*1 Air Supply Platoon
*Three Maintenance Companies (numbered 1 to 3)
*Three Medical Companies (1, 2, 5) and the Army Health Unit
*Tsanga Lodge
*Five Provost Platoons (numbered 1 to 5) and the Army Detention Barracks
*Six Pay Companies (numbered 1 to 5, 7)
*Rhodesian Army Education Corps
*Rhodesian Corps of Chaplains
*Army Records, and Army Data Processing Unit
*Rail Transport Organisation Platoon
*1 Military Postal Platoon
*Training establishments: School of Infantry, 19 Corps Training Depot, School of Military Engineering, School of Signals, Services Training School, Services Trade Training Centre, Medical Training School, School of Military Police, Pay Corps Training School, School of Military Administration.
*Rhodesian Women’s Service  
===Ranks===
{{main|Military ranks of Rhodesia}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Rhodesia}}
|}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Rhodesia}}
|}

== Rhodesian Air Force ==
{{main|Rhodesian Air Force}}

The [[Royal Rhodesian Air Force]] (RRAF), as it was named in 1954, was never a large service. In 1965, it consisted of only 1,200 regular personnel. It was renamed as the [[Rhodesian Air Force]] (RhAF) in 1970. At the peak of its strength during the [[Rhodesian Bush War|Bush War]], it had a maximum of 2,300 personnel of all races, but of these, only 150 were pilots actively involved in combat operations. These pilots, however, were rotated through the various squadrons partly to maintain their skills on all aircraft and partly to relieve fellow pilots flying more dangerous sorties.

===Ranks===
{{main|Military ranks of Rhodesia}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Rhodesia}}
|}

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Rhodesia}}
|}

== British South Africa Police ==
{{main|British South Africa Police}}
The police force of Rhodesia was the [[British South Africa Police]]. They were the main first line of defense in both [[Southern Rhodesia]] and, later, [[Rhodesia]], with the specific responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country.<ref name="freewebs.com"/>

BSAP units:
* [[British South Africa Police]] ('The Regiment')
** Patrol
** Criminal Investigation Division (CID)
** Police Anti-Terrorist Unit (PATU)
** Support Unit (the 'Black Boots')
** Special Branch
*** SB-Scouts
** Police Mounted Unit
** Urban Emergency Unit (Riot & SWAT)
** Police Reserve

==Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs==
{{main|INTAF}}
While not a part of the Security Forces, [[INTAF|Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs]] officers were heavily involved in implementing such civic measures as the protected villages programme during the [[Rhodesian Bush War|Bush War]]. The INTAF consisted by District Assistants and District Security Assistants, and led by District Commissioners.

* Administrative Reinforcement Unit (ARU)

== Prison services ==
{{main|Rhodesia Prison Service}}
The [[Rhodesia Prison Service]] was the branch of the Rhodesian Security Forces responsible for the administration of Rhodesian prisons.

== Guard Force ==
{{main|Guard Force}}
This was the fourth arm of the Rhodesian Security Forces. It consisted of both black and white troops whose initial role was to provide protection for villagers in the Protected Village system. During the latter stages of the [[Rhodesian Bush War|Bush War]] they provided a role in the protection of white-owned farmland, tribal purchase lands and other strategic locations. They also raised three infantry Battalions and provided troops in every facet of the war in each of the Operational Areas. It was a large component of the Security Forces, with a strength of over 7,200 personnel. Its headquarters were in North Avenue, [[Salisbury, Rhodesia|Salisbury]]. Its training establishment was based at [[Chikurubi]] in Salisbury.

The guard force cap badge was a castle on top of a dagger, below the castle was a scroll reading 'Guard Force'

== Auxiliary Army (Pfumo reVanhu) ==
{{main|Security Force Auxiliaries}}

== Combined operations ==
[[File:Rhodesian Security Forces operational areas.png|thumb|350px|Map showing operational areas of the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Bush War.<ref name=abbottbotham7>{{Harvnb
|Abbott
|Botham
|1986
|p=7}}</ref><ref name="cilliers29">{{Harvnb
|Cilliers
|1984
|p=29}}</ref>|alt=A map. See description]]

The [[Rhodesian Bush War]] required that each of the security forces work in a combined effort to combat the enemy. Therefore, it became essential to establish an organisation known as [[Combined Operations Headquarters (Rhodesia)|Combined Operations Headquarters]] (COMOPS) in Salisbury to co-ordinate the efforts of each service. The Rhodesian army took the senior role in Combined Operations and was responsible for the conduct of all operations both inside and outside Rhodesia. COMOPS had direct command over the Joint Operational Centres (JOCs) deployed throughout the country in each of the Operational Areas. There was a JOC per Operational Area.<ref name="freewebs.com"/>

The operational areas were known as:
*''Operation Hurricane'' – North-east border, started in December 1972
*''Operation Thrasher'' – Eastern border, started in February 1976
*''Operation Repulse'' – South-east border, started in May 1976
*''Operation Tangent'' – Matabeleland, started in August 1976
*''Operation Grapple'' – Midlands, started in August 1977
*''Operation Splinter'' – Kariba, started in June 1977
*''Salops'' – Operations in and around Salisbury, started in 1978

== Senior military officials in Rhodesia ==
Source: original regiments.org (T.F. Mills) via webarchive.
*Commandant, Southern Rhodesia Defence Force: 	
**19uu 	[[Colonel|Col.]] [[George Parson]], [[CBE]], [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]]	
**1936.10.09 	[[Brigadier|Brig.]] [[John Sidney Morris]], [[CBE]], KStJ, KPM, CPM 	
*Commander Military Forces
**Col D. S. H. Somerville (1939–40)
**Brig J. W. Watson (1940–43)
**Brig E. R. Day (1943-)
**1947 	[[Major-General|Maj-Gen]] [[Storr Garlake|Storr "Dooley" Garlake]], [[CBE]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Salt |first1=Beryl |title=A Pride of Eagles: A History of the Rhodesian Air Force |date=2000 |publisher=Covos Day Books |isbn=0-620-23759-7 |page=301 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yUXdCQAAQBAJ&q=Maj.-Gen.+Storr+Garlake&pg=PA301 |access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref>
*Chief of the General Staff: 	
**1953 	        [[Major-General|Maj-Gen]] [[Storr Garlake|Storr "Dooley" Garlake]], [[CBE]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waters |first1=Jonathan |title=Obituary: Peter Garlake 1934–2011 |url=http://zimbabwefood.blogspot.com/2011/ |website=Zimbabwefood |access-date=7 August 2018 |date=31 December 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328055227/http://zimbabwefood.blogspot.com/2011/|archive-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref>
**1959.04.12 	[[Major-General|Maj-Gen]] [[Robert Edward Beaumont Long]], [[CBE]] 	
**1963.06 	[[Major-General|Maj-Gen]] [[John Anderson (general)|John Anderson]], [[CBE]] 	
**1964.10.24 	[[Major-General|Maj-Gen]] [[Sam Putterill|Rodney Roy Jensen Putterill]], [[CBE]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grundy |first1=Trevor |author-link1=Trevor Grundy |title=Sam Putterill |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12455071.Sam_Putterill/ |website=The Herald Scotland |access-date=7 August 2018 |date=5 December 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227125207/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12455071.sam-putterill/|archive-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>
*GOC Rhodesian Army:	
**1968.10 	[[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen]] [[Keith Coster|Keith Robert Coster]], [[OBE]], ICD, SASS	
*Commander of the Rhodesian Army: 	
**1972.08 [[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen]] [[Peter Walls|George Peter Walls]] [[Legion of Merit (Rhodesia)|GLM]] [[Defence Cross for Distinguished Service|DCD]] [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]]  	  	
**1977.05.16 [[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen]] [[John Selwyn Varcoe Hickman]], OLM, [[Military Cross|MC]] 	
**1979.03.08 	[[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen]] [[A.L.C. 'Sandy' Maclean]], OLM, DCD

== Military equipment of Rhodesia ==

===Small arms===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:left;"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[Browning Hi-Power]]<ref name="Moorcraft">{{cite book
|title=The Rhodesian War: A Military History
|last1=Moorcraft
|first1=Paul L.
|author-link1=Paul Moorcraft
|last2=McLaughlin
|first2=Peter
|author-link2=Peter McLaughlin
|date=April 2008
|orig-year=1982
|location=Barnsley
|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]]
|isbn=978-1-84415-694-8}}</ref>
| Semi-Automatic Pistol 
| {{BEL}}
|
|-
| [[Enfield No. 2|Enfield revolver]]
| Revolver
| {{GBR}} 
| Enfield No. 2 Mk I Revolver. 
|-
| [[Mamba (pistol)|Mamba]]
| Semi-Automatic Pistol 
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}} 
|
|-
| [[Star Bonifacio Echeverria|Star]]<ref name="Fireforce">{{cite book | last = Chris Cocks| title = Fireforce: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry| date = 3 April 2002|edition= 1 July 2001|pages= 31–141 | publisher = Covos Day| isbn= 1-919874-32-1}}</ref>
| Semi-Automatic Pistol 
| {{flag|Spain|1785}} 
| Model 1920, 1921, 1922, Star Model BM.
|-
| [[Walther PP]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Semi-Automatic Pistol 
| {{Flag|West Germany}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[American-180|American 180]]<ref>{{cite book | title=Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988 | publisher=Helion and Company | author1=Steyn, Douw | author2=Söderlund, Arné | author2link=Arne Söderlund | year=2015 | pages=96, 102 | isbn=978-1909982284}}</ref><ref>Special Weapons on Rhodesia by Dana Drenkowski, A Wide Variety of Unique Weapons are used in Rhodesia's fight against terrorism, Soldier of Fortune</ref>
| Submachine gun 
| {{USA}}
| Issued to [[Rhodesian Special Air Service|SAS]]
|-
|[[Austen submachine gun|Austen]]<ref name="Saxonwold">{{Citation |title=Small Arms |year=2012 |type=Museum exhibit |location=[[Saxonwold]], [[Johannesburg]] |publisher=[[South African National Museum of Military History]]}}</ref>
|Submachine gun
|{{AUS}}
|Austen "Machine Carbine" Mk I.
|-
| [[Sanna 77]]
| Submachine gun 
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}} 
| Issued primarily to [[Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs]]. 
|-
| Northwood R-76
| Submachine gun 
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}} 
| 
|-
| [[Owen gun|Owen Gun]]<ref name="Saxonwold"/>
| Submachine gun
| {{AUS}} 
| 
|-
| [[Sa vz. 23|Sa 25 (vz. 48b)]]
| Submachine gun 
| {{CZS}} 
|  Some of local manufacture. 
|-
| [[Sten]]<ref name="Saxonwold"/>
| Submachine gun 
| {{GBR}} 
| Mk II. 
|-
| [[Sterling submachine gun|Sterling]]<ref name="Moorcraft"/>
| Submachine gun 
| {{GBR}} 
|  
|-
| [[Uzi]]<ref name="zimstudy">{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Harold|title=Zimbabwe: A Country Study|pages=237–317}}</ref>
| Submachine gun 
| {{ISR}} 
| Some of local manufacture. 
|-
| [[AK-47]]<ref name="PTW">{{cite book | last = Rod Wells| title = Part-Time War| year = 2011|edition= 2011|page= 155 | publisher = Fern House| isbn= 978-1-902702-25-4}}</ref>
| Automatic Rifle 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[AKM]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm|title=Operation Quartz – Rhodesia 1980|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407234736/http://www.rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm|archive-date= April 7, 2023}}</ref>
| Automatic Rifle 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured and used by [[Rhodesian Armoured Corps]]. 
|-
| [[FN FAL]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Battle Rifle 
| {{BEL}} 
| Belgian FNs, South African R1s. 
|-
| [[Heckler & Koch G3]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Battle Rifle 
| {{Flag|West Germany}} 
| G3A3, received from Portugal. 
|-
| [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Battle Rifle 
| {{GBR}} 
| Issued primarily to reservists. 
|-
| [[Lee–Enfield]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/ArtOfWar_RhodesianAfricanRifles.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=5 May 2013 |archive-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821222415/http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/ArtOfWar_RhodesianAfricanRifles.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Bolt-action rifle
| {{GBR}} 
| Some converted into sniper rifles.
|-
| [[M16 rifle|M16A1]]<ref name="Moorcraft"/>
| Automatic rifle 
| {{USA}} 
| Used very late in the war. 
|-
| [[Ruger Mini-14|Mini-14]]
| Semi-Automatic rifle 
| {{USA}} 
| Smuggled from U.S. 
|-
| [[SKS]]
| Semi-automatic rifle 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[Bren light machine gun|Bren]]
| Light machine gun 
| {{GBR}} 
| Mk 3. 
|-
| [[Browning M2]]
| Heavy machine gun 
| {{USA}} 
| 
|-
| [[Browning M1919]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Medium machine gun 
| {{USA}} 
| Helicopter-mounted weapon. 
|-
| [[Degtyaryov machine gun|Degtyaryov 1938/46]]<ref name="img205.imageshack.us">{{Cite web |url=http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1605/32591727ik7.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=5 May 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121212/http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1605/32591727ik7.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Light machine gun 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[FN MAG]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| General purpose machine gun 
| {{BEL}} 
| MAG-58. 
|-
| [[KPV heavy machine gun|KPV]]
| Heavy machine gun 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[PK machine gun|PKM]]
| General purpose machine gun 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[RPD machine gun|RPD]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Light machine gun 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[RPK]]
| Light machine gun 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[Browning Auto-5]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Shotgun 
| {{USA}} 
| 
|-
| [[Ithaca 37]]
| Shotgun 
| {{USA}} 
| 
|-
| [[Dragunov sniper rifle|Dragunov]]
| Sniper rifle 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]] M963
| Fragmentation grenade 
| {{Flag|South Africa|1928}} 
| Sourced via South Africa,<br /> Derived from [[INDEP]]'s licence-made [[M26 grenade]]
|-
| [[STRIM 40|STRIM 32Z]]<ref name="Croukamp">{{cite book|title=Bush War in Rhodesia |last= Croukamp |first= Dennis |year=2007 |chapter=Chapter 10 Border Control & More Operations |publisher= Paladin Press |location=Boulder, Colorado |isbn=978-1-58160-992-9 |quote=Rifle Grenade Used as a Hammer: 'While I had been away on leave [in 1969], a new piece of ordnance had arrived. This was a 32Z anti-tank rifle grenade that fitted over the end of a rifle barrel and was propelled by a ballistic cartridge. As everyone else had fired a practice 32Z grenade, I thought it would be a really good idea for me to fire one.'}}</ref><ref name="RhR">{{cite book|title=Rhodesia Regiment 1899–1981  | editor1-last = Baxter
 | editor1-first = Peter
 | editor2-last = Bomford
 | editor2-first = Hugh
 | editor3-last = van Tonder
 | editor3-first = Gerry |year=2014 |pages=471–488 |publisher= 30 Degrees South Publishers |location=Johannesburg |isbn=978-1-92014-389-3 |quote=The Rhodesian rifle grenade manual (for the 32Z and 28R) was the source}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buymilsurp.com/french-40mm-strim-ap-type-32za-rifle-grenade-p-40194.html |title=Military Surplus Virtual Museum – French 40mm STRIM AP Type 32ZA Rifle Grenade |publisher=buymilsurp.com  |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=4 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925020857/https://www.buymilsurp.com/french-40mm-strim-ap-type-32za-rifle-grenade-p-40194.html|archive-date= September 25, 2022 }}</ref>
| Anti-tank rifle grenade 
| {{FRA}} 
| Sourced via South Africa? 
|-
| [[STRIM 65|STRIM 28R]]<ref name="RhR"/><ref name="Mampara">{{cite book|title=Mampara: Rhodesia Regiment Moments of Mayhem by a Moronic, Maybe Militant, Madman |last= Walsh |first= Toc |year=2014 |pages=74, 140 |publisher= 30 Degrees South Publishers |location=Johannesburg |isbn=978-1-92821-130-3 |quote=There is a photo on page 120 of a Rhodesian 28R rifle grenade attached to a rifle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://aquellasarmasdeguerra.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/armas-utilizadas-en-la-guerra-de-rhodesia1964-1979/ |title=Armas utilizadas en la guerra de Rhodesia 1964–1979   |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=4 May 2016 | language =es |trans-title=Weapons used in the war of Rhodesia 1964–1979|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104010424/https://aquellasarmasdeguerra.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/armas-utilizadas-en-la-guerra-de-rhodesia1964-1979/|archive-date= January 4, 2023}}</ref>
| Rifle grenade 
| {{FRA}} 
| Sourced via South Africa? 
|-
| [[Poudreries Réunies de Belgique|PRB]] 424
| Rifle grenade 
| {{BEL}} 
|  
|-
| [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]] 42 Zulu
| Rifle grenade 
| {{Flag|South Africa|1928}} 
| Sourced via South Africa,<br /> Derived from PRB 424
|-
| [[Mecar]] [[ENERGA anti-tank rifle grenade|ENERGA]]
| Anti-tank Rifle grenade 
| {{BEL}}
| Latterly sourced via South Africa
|-
| [[M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine|M18 Claymore]]<ref name="Moorcraft"/>
| Anti-personnel mine 
| {{USA}} 
| 
|-
| [[Mk 5 mine|Mine G.S. Mk V]]
| Anti-tank mine 
| {{GBR}} 
| 
|-
| [[Bazooka]]
| Anti-tank weapon 
| {{USA}} 
| M20 Super Bazooka. 
|-
| [[M72 LAW]]
| Anti-tank weapon 
| {{USA}} 
| {{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
|-
| [[RPG-2]]<ref name="Delta">{{cite book | last = Anthony Trethowan| title = Delta Scout: Ground Coverage operator| year = 2008|edition= 2008|page= 185 | publisher = 30deg South Publishers| isbn= 978-1-920143-21-3}}</ref>
| Anti-tank weapon 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|-
| [[RPG-7]]<ref name="Moorcraft"/>
| Anti-tank weapon 
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured. 
|}

===Missiles and Recoilless Rifles===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[MILAN]]
| Anti-tank missile 
| {{Flag|France}}/{{Flag|West Germany}} 
| 9 launchers, 75 missiles.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} 
|-
| [[M40 recoilless rifle|M40]]
| Anti-tank weapon
| {{USA}} 
| 
|-
| [[B-11 recoilless rifle|B-11]]
| Anti-tank weapon
| {{USSR}} 
| Captured late in the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhodesianservices.org/user/image/publication05-2012v3.pdf |title=Operation Aztec: 28 May 1977 |author=Gerry van Tonder |publisher=rhodesianservices.org |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=11 May 2016 |quote=Weaponry included 81mm mortars and a Russian B19[sic] recoilless rifle.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421072337/https://rhodesianservices.org/user/image/publication05-2012v3.pdf|archive-date=April 21, 2022 }}</ref>
|}

===Vehicles===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|In Service
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
!colspan=5|Scout & reconnaissance cars
|-
| [[BRDM-2]]
| Scout Car
| {{USSR}}
|
| Captured.
|-
| [[Eland Mk7|Eland]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Reconnaissance car
| {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| 60
|
|-
| [[Ferret armoured car|Ferret]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Scout Car
| {{GBR}}
| 28
| Mk 2/2.
|-
| [[Marmon-Herrington Armoured Car|Marmon-Herrington]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Reconnaissance car
| {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
|
|
|-
| [[T17E1 Staghound]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Reconnaissance car
| {{USA}}
| 20
| Combat ineffective for the Bush War
|-
!colspan=5|Utility trucks
|-
| [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes-Benz L1517]]<ref name="locke95">{{cite book|last=Peter Locke|first=David Cooke|title=Fighting Vehicles and Weapons of Rhodesia 1965–80|pages=5–152}}</ref>
| Utility Truck
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
|
|
|-
| [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes-Benz LA911B]]<ref name="locke95"/> 
| Utility Truck
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
|
|
|-
| [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes-Benz LA1113/42]]<ref name="locke95"/> 
| Utility Truck
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
|
|
|-
| [[Bedford MK]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Utility truck
| {{GBR}}
|
| 
|-
| [[Bedford RL]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Utility truck
| {{GBR}}
|
| 
|-
| [[Unimog|Unimog 416]]<ref name="Fireforce"/>
| Utility Truck
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
|
|
|-
!colspan=5|Armoured personnel carriers
|-
| [[Buffel]]
| Wheeled Personnel Carrier
| {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
|
| 
|-
| [[Bullet TCV|Bullet]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Infantry Fighting Vehicle
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 1
|
|-
| [[Crocodile Armoured Personnel Carrier|Crocodile]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Wheeled Personnel Carrier
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 130
|
|-
| [[MAP75 Armoured Personnel Carrier|MAP75]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Wheeled Personnel Carrier
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 200–300
|
|-
| [[MAP45 Armoured Personnel Carrier|MAP45]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Wheeled Personnel Carrier
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 100–200
|
|-
| [[Leopard security vehicle|Leopard]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| MPAV
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
|
|
|-
| [[Mine Protected Combat Vehicle]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Infantry Fighting Vehicle
| {{Flag|Zimbabwe Rhodesia}}
| 60
| 
|-
| [[Pookie (vehicle)|Pookie]]
| Mine Detection and Removal (by Contact) vehicle
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
|
| Built on [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen Kombi]] chassis.<ref name="locke95"/>
|-
| [[Hippo APC|Hippo]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Wheeled Personnel Carrier
| {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| 
| 
|-
| [[Shorland armoured car|Shorland]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Armoured Car
| {{GBR}}
| 2
| Custom hulls and Ferret turrets.
|-
| [[Thyssen Henschel UR-416]]<ref name=ohio>{{cite web |url=http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/grimsley1/dialogue/postcolonialism/zimbabwe/chapter3.htm#_edn21 |title=WAR SINCE 1945 SEMINAR AND SYMPOSIUM, Chapter 3 |publisher=Ohio State University |date=n.d. |access-date=2013-10-12 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014152336/http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/grimsley1/dialogue/postcolonialism/zimbabwe/chapter3.htm#_edn21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Armoured Personnel Carrier
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
| 10
|
|-
| [[Universal Carrier]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Armoured Personnel Carrier
| {{GBR}}
| 30
| Improved Universal [[Bren]] carrier.
|-
!colspan=5|Tanks
|-
| [[T-34]]<ref name=rhodie>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhodesianforces.org/RhodesianArmouredCarRegt.htm |title=Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment Uncovered |publisher=rhodesianforces.org |access-date=2013-06-18|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524085029/http://rhodesianforces.org/RhodesianArmouredCarRegt.htm|archive-date= May 24, 2022}}</ref>
| Medium Tank
| {{USSR}}
| 15
| Captured from [[Mozambique]].
|-
| [[T-55]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Main Battle Tank
| {{Flag|Polish People's Republic|name=Poland}}/{{USSR}}
| 8
| Polish T-55LD tanks provided by South Africa.
|-
!colspan=5|4×4 light vehicles
|-
| [[Mazda B-Series#Third generation (1971–1979)|Mazda B1600]]<ref name="locke95"/>
| Light truck
| {{Flag|Japan}}
| 300
| Fitted with machine gun turret.
|-
| [[Land Rover]]
| 4×4 Vehicle
| {{GBR}}
|
| Mine-resistant variant designated ''Armadillo''.<ref name="locke95"/>
|-
| [[Willys MB]]
| Jeep
| {{USA}}
| 
| M38.
|}

===Artillery===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|In Service
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun|BL 5.5]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| 140mm Howitzer
| {{GBR}}
| 4
|
|-
| [[BM-21 Grad]]
| 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher
| {{USSR}}
| 
| Captured.
|-
| [[L16 81mm Mortar|L16]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| 81mm Mortar
| {{GBR}}
| 30
|
|-
| [[M101 howitzer|M101]]<ref name="Keegan">John Keegan, page 589 ''World Armies'', {{ISBN|0-333-17236-1}}</ref>
| 105mm Howitzer
| {{USA}}
| 6
|
|-
| [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| 87mm Howitzer
| {{GBR}}
| 18
|
|-
| [[OTO Melara Mod 56]]
| 105mm Howitzer
| {{ITA}}
| 18
|
|}

===Air Defence===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|In Service
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[37mm Gun M1]]
| Anti-aircraft gun
| {{USA}}
|
|
|-
| [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]<ref name="img205.imageshack.us"/>
| Anti-aircraft gun
| {{CHE}}
| 1
| Captured.
|-
|[[Zastava M55|Zastava M55 20mm autocannon]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210729094915/https://rhodesian.tripod.com/rrd.html Photos of a Zastava M55 autocannon captured by the Rhodesian Security Forces in Mozambique, September 1979.]</ref>
| Anti-aircraft gun
| {{YUG}}
|
| Captured.
|-
| [[Strela 2]]
| Surface-To-Air Missile System
| {{USSR}}
| 15
| Captured.
|-
| [[ZPU]]<ref name="Keegan"/>
| Anti-aircraft gun 
| {{USSR}}
| 10
| Captured.
|-
| [[ZU-23-2]]
| Anti-aircraft gun
| {{USSR}}
| 
| Captured.
|}

===Air force equipment===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Country of Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|In Service
! style="width: 250px; text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[Aermacchi AL-60]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Utility Aircraft
| {{ITA}}
| 9
| AL-60F-5 "Trojan".
|-
| [[Aermacchi SF.260]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Trainer Aircraft/Light Attack Aircraft
| {{ITA}}
| 31
| SF.260C and SF.260W "Genet".
|-
| [[Alouette II|SNIAS Alouette-II]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Light Transport Helicopter
| {{FRA}}
| 8
| 
|-
| [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Helicopter
| {{FRA}}
| 48
| Several supplied by the [[South African Air Force|SAAF]].
|-
| [[Beechcraft Baron]]<ref name="Deadline">''Rhodesia''. Deadline Data on World Affairs, 1979 Volume, Issue October 1 p. 1-5.</ref>
| Transport Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 1
| Baron 95 C-55.
|-
| [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Helicopter
| {{USA}}
| 11
| Agusta-Bell 205A.<br />Used very late in the war.
|-
| [[Britten-Norman Islander]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Transport Aircraft
| {{GBR}}
| 6
|
|-
| [[Canadair North Star]]
| Transport Aircraft
| {{CAN}}
| 4
| C-4 Argonaut.
|-
| [[Cessna 185]]
| Utility Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 17
|
|-
| [[Cessna 421]]
| Transport Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 1
|
|-
| [[Cessna Skymaster]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Light Attack Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 21
| Reims-Cessna FTB 337G 'Lynx'.
|-
| [[de Havilland Vampire]]<ref name="Deadline"/>
| Fighter
| {{GBR}}
| 32
| 
|-
| [[Douglas C-47 Dakota]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Transport Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 12
|
|-
| [[Douglas DC-7]]
| Transport Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 2
|
|-
| [[English Electric Canberra]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Bomber
| {{GBR}}
| 18
|
|-
| [[Hawker Hunter]]<ref name="zimstudy"/>
| Fighter
| {{GBR}}
| 13
| Hunter FGA 9.
|-
| [[North American T-6 Texan]]
| Trainer Aircraft
| {{USA}}
| 21
| AT-6 Harvard, sold to South Africa.
|-
| [[Percival Pembroke]]
| Transport Aircraft
| {{GBR}}
| 2
| Percival Pembroke C.1
|-
| [[Percival Provost]]<ref name="Deadline"/>
| Trainer Aircraft
| {{GBR}}
| 16
| Provost Mk 52.
|-
| [[Supermarine Spitfire]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregistry/spitfire-pk355.html|title=Supermarine Spitfire Registry – A Warbirds Resource Group Site|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113010001/http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregistry/spitfire-pk355.html|archive-date= January 13, 2020}}</ref>
| Fighter
| {{GBR}}
| 22
| Mk 22.
|-
| Golf<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=308200|title=RhAF The Armament Story · 1951 – 1980 |publisher=ourstory.com/orafs  |access-date=11 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801084342/http://ourstory.com/thread.html?t=308200|archive-date= August 1, 2009}}</ref>
| [[General-purpose bomb]]
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 
| 
|-
| Alpha
| [[List of cluster bombs|Cluster bombs]]
| {{Flag|Rhodesia}}
| 
| The Canberra carried 300 Alpha bombs in groups of 50 inside six hoppers fitted to the bomb bay<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/33/alpha-bomb|title=Air Force Weapons: Alpha Bomb|publisher=Dean Wingrin  | access-date=11 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412155235/https://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/33/alpha-bomb|archive-date= April 12, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[SNEB]] 68mm
| Aircraft rockets
| {{FRA}}
|
|
|}

==See also==
*[[British South Africa Police]]
*[[Rhodesian Light Infantry]]
*[[Selous Scouts]]
*[[Grey's Scouts]]
*[[List of weapons of the Rhodesian Bush War]]
*[[Rhodesian African Rifles]]
*[[Rhodesian Armoured Corps]]
*[[Rhodesian Air Force]]
*[[Fireforce]]
*[[Security Force Auxiliaries]]

==Notes and references==
;References
{{reflist}}

;Journal articles
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite journal
|last1=Lohman
|first1=Major Charles M.
|last2=MacPherson
|first2=Major Robert I.
|date=7 June 1983
|access-date=19 October 2011
|title=Rhodesia: Tactical Victory, Strategic Defeat
|journal=War Since 1945 Seminar and Symposium
|publisher=[[Marine Corps University|Marine Corps Command and Staff College]]
|location=Quantico, Virginia
|url=http://www.rhodesia.nl/Rhodesia%20Tactical%20Victory.pdf
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407234737/http://www.rhodesia.nl/Rhodesia%20Tactical%20Victory.pdf
|archive-date= April 7, 2023
}}
{{refend}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book
|title=Modern African Wars: Rhodesia, 1965–80
|last1=Abbott
|first1=Peter
|last2=Botham
|first2=Philip
|location=Oxford
|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]
|date=June 1986
|isbn=978-0-85045-728-5
}}
*{{cite book
|title=Masodja: The History of the Rhodesian African Rifles and its forerunner the Rhodesian Native Regiment
|last=Binda
|first=Alexandre
|editor-last=Heppenstall
|editor-first=David
|location=Johannesburg
|publisher=30° South Publishers
|date=November 2007
|isbn=978-1920143039
}}
*{{cite book
|title=Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia
|last=Cilliers
|first=Jakkie
|location=London, Sydney & Dover, New Hampshire
|publisher=Croom Helm
|date=December 1984
|isbn=978-0-7099-3412-7
}}
*{{cite book
|title=The years between 1923–1973: half a century of responsible government in Rhodesia
|last=Gale
|first=William Daniel
|year=1973
|location=Salisbury
|publisher=H. C. P. Andersen
}}
* {{cite book |title=Fighting Vehicles and Weapons of Rhodesia 1965–80 |last1=Locke |first1=Peter G |last2=Cooke |first2=Peter D F |year=1995 |publisher=P & P Publishing |location=Wellington |isbn=978-0-47302-413-0 |oclc=40535718}}
*{{cite book
|last=Rogers 
|first=Anthony 
|title=Someone Else's War: Mercenaries from 1960 to the Present 
|year=1998 
|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]
|location=Hammersmith
|isbn=978-0-00-472077-7
}}
*{{Cite book
|title=The Special Air Service
|last1=Shortt
|first1=James
|author-link1=James Shortt
|last2=McBride
|first2=Angus
|publisher=Osprey Publishing
|location=Oxford
|year=1981
|isbn=0-85045-396-8
}}
*{{cite book
|title=Rhodesia and Independence: a study in British colonial policy
|last=Young
|first=Kenneth
|year=1969
|location=London
|publisher=[[J. M. Dent|J. M. Dent & Sons]]
}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
|title=Dirty War: Rhodesia and Chemical Biological Warfare, 1975–1980
|last=Cross
|first=Glenn
|year=2017
|location=Solihull, UK
|publisher=Helion & Company
|isbn=978-1-911512-12-7}}

* Hickman, A.S., ''Rhodesia Served the Queen.  Rhodesian Forces in the Boer War, 1899–1902'', Volume I, Government Printers, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1970.
* Hickman, A.S., ''Rhodesia Served the Queen.  Rhodesian Forces in the Boer War, 1899–1902'', Volume II, Government Printers, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1975.
* Lovett, John, ''Contact: A Tribute to Those Who Serve Rhodesia'', Galaxie Press, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1977.
* MacDonald, J.F., ''The War History of Southern Rhodesia 1939–45'', Volume I.  Government of Southern Rhodesia, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, 1947.
* MacDonald, J.F.  ''The War History of Southern Rhodesia 1939–45'', Volume II, Rhodesiana Reprint Library, Silver Series Volume 11, Books of Rhodesia, Bulawayo, 1976 reprint.
* Wood, J.R.T. (ed.), ''The War Diaries of Andre Dennison'', Ashanti Press, Gibraltar, 1989.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230219010541/https://rhodesianmilitaria.com/ Rhodesian Militaria: Army] – Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Army & Brigade patches.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230306053735/http://www.rhodesianforces.org/rhodesianforces.org/index.html Rhodesia Army Association]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20221210025439/http://rhodesia.nl/ Rhodesia and South Africa: Military History]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20220906210619/http://www.baragwanath.co.za/leopard/ Rhodesian 'Leopard' Mine Protected Vehicle on display at the War Museum, Johannesburg.]

{{Rhodesian Security Forces of the Bush War}}
{{Rhodesian topics}}

[[Category:Former armies by country]]
[[Category:Disbanded armies]]
[[Category:Disbanded armed forces]]
[[Category:Military of Rhodesia]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1964]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1980]]