MASODJA
The history of the Rhodesian African Rifles and its forerunner the Rhodesia Native Regiment                By Alex Binda
Commissioned and compiled by Brigadier David Heppenstall
and the RAR Regimental Association (UK)

Originally formed as The Rhodesia Native Regiment during World War I, this fine regiment first saw action in East Africa, pitted against the wily von Lettow-Vorbeck and his army of German askaris. Disbanded and later re-formed, the regiment was to distinguish itself during World War II in the North Africa and Burma campaigns. Using the counter-insurgency experience gleaned from the Malayan Campaign of the 1950s, the RAR provided the front-line troops in the battle for Rhodesia in the country’s bitter civil war of the 1960s and 1970s.

In the spirit of The Saints—The Rhodesian Light Infantry, collectors and military enthusiasts will now be able to add to their collection of leather-bound, limited editions. 150 limited, leather-bound copies of Masodja will be available for purchase through 30° South Publishers. The response to this has already been very encouraging with many collectors matching their numbered editions of The Saints to that of Masodja. This limited edition will carry book plates signed by the author, Alex Binda, and Brigadier David Heppenstall.

Available from 30° South

Insignia and History
of the Rhodesian Armed Forces, 1890 - 1980
By Dudley Wall

ISBN: 0-620-29064-1
111 pages, full colour soft bound paperback (Foolscap)
54 colour plates of insignia of all services
(Rhodesian Army, Rhodesian Air Force, Intaf and Guard Force)
stable belts, flags, uniforms, berets, badges of rank, etc.
75 type written summaries of unit histories.
3rd Edition 2005, R250

This is a most interesting book with a history of most of the Rhodesian Forces and the insignia (past and present) of each.

The histories are on the brief side, but give a good background to how the Rhodesian Forces were structured, and why the various units were formed. The Insignia are shown in outstanding colour plates. They are comprehensive, but not exhaustive.

Considering the very broad base of the subject matter, I think the book is marvellous, and a good purchase for anyone interested in the badges and insignia of the Rhodesian Forces.
You can contact the author/publisher by e-mail.

Rhodesia Medal Roll
Honours and Decorations of the Rhodesian Conflict 1970 - 1981

ISBN: 0-9553936-0-4
312 pages, full colour soft bound paperback
Published 1 Oct 2006
Cover Price £17.95

This excellent book contains the details of over 12,000 Rhodesian Honours awarded to individuals between 1970 and late 1981. Such honours were recorded in notices published in the
Rhodesia Government Gazette,
The Zimbabwe Rhodesia Government Gazette,
The Southern Rhodesia Government Gazette
and the Zimbabwe Government Gazette.

The book corrects a few errors and omissions in the roll that were previously reproduced in publications in the late 1970s.
GSMs, DSMs and Prison GSMs are not included

This is a definitive record of Honours and Decorations. They are listed in Decoration Order. At first glance I suspected that that would make it impossible to research an individual's awards, but in fact an excellent index makes it a very easy task.

A must have for anyone wishing to study Rhodesian Military History, or to authenticate claims of valour and other honours.

The Saints - The Rhodesian Light Infantry

ISBN: 978-1-920143-07-7
400 pages, full colour on 100gsm art paper
Standard edition format: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket
Leather edition format: Wintan (Sapin) bonded leather + slip case
Msasa Enterprise 90 min DVD included
More details: http://www.30degreessouth.co.za/home.htm .

Winds of Destruction
Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer, MLM, DCD, MFC.

The 588 page autobiography of a Rhodesian born pilot covering the Rhodesian bush war of 1967 - 1980.
This life story of Peter, known as PB, from his early days as a child to his retirement from the Air Force is a detailed and cracking read. He is well known for his enthusiastic development of air recce skills on No 4 Sqn, and later, in the development of air to ground weaponry, so this personal account gives us an insight and interesting view of Air Force life, operations and weapons development before and during the Rhodesian war.

ISBN No.141201204-X.
Printed by "Trafford Publishing"
Soft cover.
To obtain a copy E-mail: sales@trafford.com

Pride of Eagles by Beryl Salt

A Definitive History of the Rhodesian Air Force 1920-1980
ISBN No. 0-620-23759-7
Printed by Creda Communications, Elliot Ave, Epping II 7460, RSA

If you have a book connected to the military of Rhodesia that you would like to see reviewed on this web site, please send it to the web master. Please note that books will not be returned, but kept in the web site reference library.

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