Rhodesian SAS

[cbreedon]

I have a question on the Rhodesian OOB. Formation 125 has an end date of 1963 but everything I have read the SAS lasted until the end of Rhodesia in 1979-1980. Any idea why it ends in 63?

[DRG]

A good question nobody has ever asked before. I suspect the answer is the information in Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Special_Air_Service


With the breakup of the Federation at the end of 1963, the Squadron was virtually destroyed by many taking the "golden handshake" and some remaining in Northern Rhodesia which included all the officers and the OC at that time. Only 38 NCO's and men remained to serve in Southern Rhodesia. The Unit was relocated to Cranborne Barracks in Salisbury. The initial years after the break-up found the unit having difficulty in attracting recruits. This was largely due to the high standards required of an SAS soldier and also due to the "ill feeling" between the SAS and the RLI (from where most of the recruits should have been selected).

38 NCO's and men isn't much of a unit but do note that these units fill the gap between the end of 1963 to the end of Rhodesia

019 Commando Tp - Available: 01/64-12/80
085 G-Car Grp C [H] - Available: 02/74-12/80

....using UC 83

as well as these

003 Combat Commando - Available: 01/64-12/80
020 Cmndo Support - Available: 01/64-12/80
041 Fire Force [H] - Available: 02/74-12/80
048 Fire Force Pl - Available: 01/64-12/80
085 G-Car Grp C [H] - Available: 02/74-12/80

.....using UC 85

and UC 85 is the same UC that the RhSAS is drawn from so they are there doing the same job just named differently. Combat Commando has the same EXP and MOR modifiers as the RH SAS

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

You can find valid non-wiki information to support that Squadron A, B and C were fully active until mid 1980 at least. See Daily Mail article on ops from 1978-1980 against Magambe and his rebels and look up “Operation Quartz” meant to “neutralize” him and his government after the 1980 elections. From my search
‘When was Rhodesia’s SAS troops dissolved?”

Sorry can’t “cut and paste” refs with IPad. Can post it Monday late or Tuesday as I’m taking an extra day for whatever. This might be enough for “Operation QUARTZ” from Rhodesia.nl

Rhodesian SAS 1962 - 1980.

Pat

[troopie]

The Rhodesian SAS was disbanded on 31 December 1980. In June 1978 C Squadron SAS became 1 Rhodesian SAS Regiment. There is no paracommando unit class in the game and the SAS were paracommandos.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Just back to our daughters, here's the references I mentioned in my last posted here...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5174307/Secret-British-weapon-took-Mugabes-soldiers.html
http://rhodesia.nl/quartz.htm
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6245890/sas-kill-robert-mugabe-secret-mission-rocket-launchers/


Gotta Run Now!!

Regards,
Pat
:capt: