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Review
Undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, effective counter-insurgency units in the history of warfare. --Lt-Col Robert Brown, Soldier of Fortune magazine
Africa@War is a ground-breaking series concept, studying Africas conflicts and military players in an informative and entertaining manner, examining some of the lesser-known campaigns and shedding new light on some of the better-known operations ... Both titles are great models of what the combination of authors and publishers can produce by way of useable case studies for the market place in a concise illustrated format. They are recommended as professional military education references. --Charles D. Melson, Chief Historian, U.S. MarineCorps
Each of the books in this series is a well-documented and researched synopsis of the events that they are focused upon. They layouts and presentation are logical and of a very high quality ... As an introduction to this field of operation, this series is outstanding. A definite asset for those wishing to improve their knowledge and understanding of the development of successful, multi-faceted doctrine in the fight against insurgent/asymmetric war. --Major Chris Buckham, Royal Canadian Air Force Journal
Africa@War is a ground-breaking series concept, studying Africas conflicts and military players in an informative and entertaining manner, examining some of the lesser-known campaigns and shedding new light on some of the better-known operations ... Both titles are great models of what the combination of authors and publishers can produce by way of useable case studies for the market place in a concise illustrated format. They are recommended as professional military education references. --Charles D. Melson, Chief Historian, U.S. MarineCorps
Each of the books in this series is a well-documented and researched synopsis of the events that they are focused upon. They layouts and presentation are logical and of a very high quality ... As an introduction to this field of operation, this series is outstanding. A definite asset for those wishing to improve their knowledge and understanding of the development of successful, multi-faceted doctrine in the fight against insurgent/asymmetric war. --Major Chris Buckham, Royal Canadian Air Force Journal
Product Description
Formed in 1973 by the legendary Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly at the behest of Rhodesian military supremo General Peter Walls, the Selous Scouts were to write their name into the annals of military history as one of the finest counterinsurgency units of all time, through their innovative pseudo-guerrilla tactics, brilliant reconnaissance operations into Zambia and Botswana and daring flying-column raids into Mozambique. Feared and hated by the liberation movements ZIPRA and ZANLA, the Scouts wreaked untold havoc and destruction on their Soviet- and Chinese-backed enemies, accounting for 68% of guerrilla casualties within Rhodesia alone during the bitter bush war of the 1970s. Uniquely ahead of its time, the regiment, a brotherhood of men that traversed cultural and racial barriers with their Shona motto of Pamwe Chete (together only), was to produce the type of soldier that earned for the unit one Grand Cross of Valour, nine Silver Crosses and 22 Bronze Crosses of Rhodesia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'll get one small criticism out of the way first. This book is shorter than I would have liked: just 72 pages, albeit in A4 format. That said, Peter Baxter has produced an excellent history, which brilliantly covers the work of the Selous Scouts in Rhodesia's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stem the ZANU-ZAPU tide. The book is very well written; Baxter's style makes for an easy, enjoyable read. The scope of the book is broad, ranging effortlessly from the tactical up to the military-strategic levels of war; across these levels, the author, who does not describe himself as a military historian, offers first-rate, persuasive military analysis. He also colours his work with a cast of interesting characters. This is a very balanced work - nothing is overdone - and I would very happily buy another of the suthor's books.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
The Story of the Legendary Armpits with Eyeballs!
24 Dec 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let me start by saying that I have read every book publish about the Selous Scouts (or had coverage of the Selous Scouts), and this book rates at the top of the list. This is for a few reasons. The first is that this book is affordable for all to read about this deadly and world renowned elite force. Most books on the Selous Scouts are out of print and/or very expensive to obtain, for that matter most Rhodesian Bush War books are generally all very expensive to obtain. For one they are printed overseas and shipping is also very, very high. It is not uncommon for a book with shipping to be over eighty dollars which if you are not a collector would be ridicules to spend. So for me this book rates high just for this reason.
As for as content this book I will briefly hit some salient points;
The contents;
Foreword
Prelude - A Brief History of War in Rhodesia. This chapter covers briefly conflict from settlement to the fall of Rhodesia in 1980. As well, as the coverage of Rhodesian participation in WWII with the SAS/LRDG and Malaya.
Chapter One - The Formation of the Selous Scouts. This is an interesting chapter covering the evolution of the formation of the Selous Scouts from early beginning with nucleus of Special Air Service (SAS) troops and British South African Police (BSAP) experimenting with pseudo methods. This chapter clearly explains the command relationship between the Army, BSAP and Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), explaining the complicated but streamlined joint organization of the scouts. Finally it covers the initial selection and assessment process developed to get "into" the scouts.
Chapter Two - Operations Commence. Covers in detail the merging of FireForce operations with Selous Scout pseudo teams acting as "pathfinders" for the Rhodesian Light Infantry (Commando0 (RLI) direct action elements to kill and capture terrorist. As well this section elaborates on the "turning" of terrorist for pseudo-operations.
Chapter Three - External Operations - Terrorizing the Terrorist. This chapter does an excellent job at explaining the evolution of external operations by the Selous Scouts flying columns, as well it gives a brief overview of all the major external operations.
Chapter Four - Intelligence and the Reconnaissance Troop. Covers the importance of intelligence, to support pseudo-operations as the techniques became known and semi-compromised by the BSAP and terrorist. The second half is on the formation and operational employment of the Recce Troop, in particularly the employment of small team and singleton recce operators for external missions.
Chapter Five - The Selous Scouts Spies. Interesting look at the use of undercover Selous Scout agents externally in bordering countries for advance recce missions, intelligence collection, direct action and assassination.
Chapter Six - The Mud Begins to Stick. This chapter covers the beginning of the end of the Selous Scouts, due to rivalry and service in-fighting; ultimately covering up to Reid-Daly's retirement and the disbandment of the scouts. Also covers a lot of the allegations of illegal activities supposable conducted by the Selous Scouts to include chemical warfare and poaching.
Chapter Seven - Operation Miracle. This chapter covers some of the major operations up to "Miracle"; coving this operation in detail. As the author states this was the last hurrah for major Rhodesian operation. This was a somewhat conventional joint operation that included Rhodesian air assets, SAS, RLI and the Selous Scouts.
Chapter Eight - The End. Is a brief look at Operation Quartzes and some of the various plans to assassinate Mugabe during the turbulent transition period. As well as the demobilization and disbandment of the legendary Selous Scouts.
This book is lavishly illustrated with excellent maps, graphics and line drawings, as well as load of color and B&W photography, a lot I have not seen in other publications or on-line. The format of the book reminds me kind of like the Osprey line of books but with a whole lot more detail. The book is also physically larger at approximately 13.5"x 10.5" which is not a standard size print, but it works well with the format. This book is also volume four of the "africa@war" series, currently only a four volume set that includes;
Volume 1 - OPERATION DINGO: Rhodesian Raid on Chimoio and Tembue' 1977 (Africa at War)
Volume 2 - FRANCE IN CENTRAFRIQUE: From Bokassa and Operation Barracude to the Days of EUFOR (Africa@War)
Volume 3 - BATTLE FOR CASSINGA: South Africa's Controversial Cross-Border Raid, Angola 1978 (Africa@War)
If you found this book to be interesting I also recommend looking at;
"Pamwe Chete" by Reid-Daly.
"Selous Scouts - Top Secret War" by Peter Stiff and Reid-Daly.
"Assignment Selous Scouts: Inside Story of a Rhodesian Special Branch Officer" by Parker.
"The Bush War In Rhodesia: The Extraordinary Combat Memoir of a Rhodesian Reconnaissance Specialist" by Dennis Croukamp.
"Selous Scouts: Rhodesian War-A Pictorial Account" by Peter Stiff.
All I can say is this volume on the Selous Scouts is a must own and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in irregular warfare, counter-insurgency and military history.
As for as content this book I will briefly hit some salient points;
The contents;
Foreword
Prelude - A Brief History of War in Rhodesia. This chapter covers briefly conflict from settlement to the fall of Rhodesia in 1980. As well, as the coverage of Rhodesian participation in WWII with the SAS/LRDG and Malaya.
Chapter One - The Formation of the Selous Scouts. This is an interesting chapter covering the evolution of the formation of the Selous Scouts from early beginning with nucleus of Special Air Service (SAS) troops and British South African Police (BSAP) experimenting with pseudo methods. This chapter clearly explains the command relationship between the Army, BSAP and Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), explaining the complicated but streamlined joint organization of the scouts. Finally it covers the initial selection and assessment process developed to get "into" the scouts.
Chapter Two - Operations Commence. Covers in detail the merging of FireForce operations with Selous Scout pseudo teams acting as "pathfinders" for the Rhodesian Light Infantry (Commando0 (RLI) direct action elements to kill and capture terrorist. As well this section elaborates on the "turning" of terrorist for pseudo-operations.
Chapter Three - External Operations - Terrorizing the Terrorist. This chapter does an excellent job at explaining the evolution of external operations by the Selous Scouts flying columns, as well it gives a brief overview of all the major external operations.
Chapter Four - Intelligence and the Reconnaissance Troop. Covers the importance of intelligence, to support pseudo-operations as the techniques became known and semi-compromised by the BSAP and terrorist. The second half is on the formation and operational employment of the Recce Troop, in particularly the employment of small team and singleton recce operators for external missions.
Chapter Five - The Selous Scouts Spies. Interesting look at the use of undercover Selous Scout agents externally in bordering countries for advance recce missions, intelligence collection, direct action and assassination.
Chapter Six - The Mud Begins to Stick. This chapter covers the beginning of the end of the Selous Scouts, due to rivalry and service in-fighting; ultimately covering up to Reid-Daly's retirement and the disbandment of the scouts. Also covers a lot of the allegations of illegal activities supposable conducted by the Selous Scouts to include chemical warfare and poaching.
Chapter Seven - Operation Miracle. This chapter covers some of the major operations up to "Miracle"; coving this operation in detail. As the author states this was the last hurrah for major Rhodesian operation. This was a somewhat conventional joint operation that included Rhodesian air assets, SAS, RLI and the Selous Scouts.
Chapter Eight - The End. Is a brief look at Operation Quartzes and some of the various plans to assassinate Mugabe during the turbulent transition period. As well as the demobilization and disbandment of the legendary Selous Scouts.
This book is lavishly illustrated with excellent maps, graphics and line drawings, as well as load of color and B&W photography, a lot I have not seen in other publications or on-line. The format of the book reminds me kind of like the Osprey line of books but with a whole lot more detail. The book is also physically larger at approximately 13.5"x 10.5" which is not a standard size print, but it works well with the format. This book is also volume four of the "africa@war" series, currently only a four volume set that includes;
Volume 1 - OPERATION DINGO: Rhodesian Raid on Chimoio and Tembue' 1977 (Africa at War)
Volume 2 - FRANCE IN CENTRAFRIQUE: From Bokassa and Operation Barracude to the Days of EUFOR (Africa@War)
Volume 3 - BATTLE FOR CASSINGA: South Africa's Controversial Cross-Border Raid, Angola 1978 (Africa@War)
If you found this book to be interesting I also recommend looking at;
"Pamwe Chete" by Reid-Daly.
"Selous Scouts - Top Secret War" by Peter Stiff and Reid-Daly.
"Assignment Selous Scouts: Inside Story of a Rhodesian Special Branch Officer" by Parker.
"The Bush War In Rhodesia: The Extraordinary Combat Memoir of a Rhodesian Reconnaissance Specialist" by Dennis Croukamp.
"Selous Scouts: Rhodesian War-A Pictorial Account" by Peter Stiff.
All I can say is this volume on the Selous Scouts is a must own and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in irregular warfare, counter-insurgency and military history.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Picture Book
27 Feb 2012
Format:Paperback
I came across this book while doing research on Operation Eland. My library actually purchased this book to help me with information on the Selous Scouts. I was disappointed. It only provides superficial information on the Selous Scouts. It is mostly filled with pictures and very little information. Most the pictures are reprints of what is in other Rhodesian books. I enjoyed sipping a Rockstar and perusing the pictures for about ten minutes, then discarded the book as weak. Lt Col Rod Reid Daly's book "Selous Scouts: Top Secret War" is obviously the "go-to" book for information on the Selous Scouts. Dennis Croukamp's book "The Bush War in Rhodesia" is a great autobiography on a actually Selous Scout operator.
Summary: Weak book with pictures. It is very thin. ie, not many pages.
Summary: Weak book with pictures. It is very thin. ie, not many pages.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Selous Scouts
11 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great book and has some never before seen photos of the Scouts.I would recommend this book to any collection on the Rhodesian Bush wars.
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