Rhodesian War Stories: In The Name Of Freedom

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  • Опубліковано 27 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 91

  • @mattiasdahlstrom2024
    @mattiasdahlstrom2024 4 роки тому +45

    I want to apologize for Sweden’s role in Rhodesia and South Africa. My country’s leaders were and are naive fools with little understanding and experience of the world, most of which is very different to Scandinavia in attitude and behavior. Thank you for your stories!

  • @jackhammond3982
    @jackhammond3982 4 роки тому +17

    I just wanted to say I love your stories. I lived in Rhodesia in the 70s and would say it was paradise. I have gone back many times to visit friends and have observed its deterioration. I took both my sons on a hunting trip 3 years ago and tried to explain its former state. They looked to me as if I were crazy....

  • @stevejory9679
    @stevejory9679 4 роки тому +80

    Could do a video about yourself, your military and personal career, and whatever you're comfortable to talk about.

  • @Baldric990
    @Baldric990 4 роки тому +25

    I love your channel! What you are doing is really great telling how it was during this time in Rhodesia. Having worked in Africa as a pilot and having been in Rhodesia (I don't like to use the name Zimbabwe) I find your stories so interesting.
    My Grandfather was going to move to Rhodesia in the early 1950's but was unable to due to injuries from an accident.
    I was also served in the military and one day was going through some boxes in the INTEL room. I found some maps of Rhodesia still with the operational areas marked on it. It now hangs on my wall at home.
    It is sad to see the history of a beautiful and rich country destroyed. I can understand the sadness you must feel.

  • @lappieslabuschagne2428
    @lappieslabuschagne2428 4 роки тому +65

    I've seen similar things when I was in the SAP some 30 years ago.... The brutality and terror is indescribable. That's why we called them terrorists , but now they are on parliament ..... A jackal changes in colour but never.......

  • @behind_nme_lines_ca531
    @behind_nme_lines_ca531 4 роки тому +12

    5RR sir, thank you so much for these stories. So heartfelt and compelling, and what a tragedy this story is. Anyone who believes communism is a struggle for freedom should pay close attention to this account for as you say acts such as these are carried out many times over in the history of such terrorist acts that are masked behind the false flag of liberation.

  • @tomwinterfishing9065
    @tomwinterfishing9065 3 місяці тому

    I enjoyed your latest story so much, I thought I best I start at the beginning 😄

  • @treeman5590
    @treeman5590 4 роки тому +3

    It's really good to see you sharing these stories, they aren't lost as someone passes, they are saved. It's sad to think how many other stories have been lost.
    Thank you.

  • @brobdingnagianone900
    @brobdingnagianone900 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you again for sharing. Really enjoy your recollections.

  • @MikeSmith-go8wk
    @MikeSmith-go8wk 4 роки тому +3

    This is incredible.. such a powerful story, the way he tells it, so simply, such tragedy.

  • @erichusayn
    @erichusayn 4 роки тому +2

    Just discovered your channel. Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos...

  • @Akb8185
    @Akb8185 4 роки тому +5

    Hi, thoroughly enjoy your channel. The history and prospective is amazing. I haven't been through all the videos, but the few I have, I tell you what. I actually feel the heartbreak, the anger and dismay that you talk of through your stories. It's all the more amazing to hear the horror that the terrorists spread to achieve what is only another horror today.
    I was wondering if you could put a bit up about yourself in the about section of a video?
    I recently watched a video about Andy Chaits last battle. And was amazed at the red tape that is involved in obviously getting your man.
    Regards

  • @solhamer3502
    @solhamer3502 3 роки тому +1

    Touching story.

  • @boomer6611
    @boomer6611 4 роки тому +13

    The things you notice in combat, the trembling lips on a person, the casting of the eyes down, or the glare of defiance, blood under the nails, small nicks or cuts. It is the little things.

  • @stephensmith4480
    @stephensmith4480 4 роки тому +15

    That is nothing short of subhuman behaviour. Acts committed in that manner can never be justified, in the name of anything. I can understand how you still feel today about those events, it is something you would remember for the rest of your life. As always, very interesting.

  • @kamilksiazek8019
    @kamilksiazek8019 Рік тому

    Great materials

  • @frankhinkle5772
    @frankhinkle5772 4 роки тому +6

    May the young officer rest in peace.

  • @occisoft8082
    @occisoft8082 7 місяців тому

    I love this

  • @vidard9863
    @vidard9863 4 роки тому +4

    You know, I have become so used to stories that I kept on expecting a big reveal, a Sherlock Holmes moment. How odd it is that I think in the fantasy of fiction and forgot the tragedy of reality.

  • @lancejackson3524
    @lancejackson3524 4 роки тому +2

    You cannot help having feelings of great sadness at stories of this nature. The poor man was made to suffer by a gang of thugs and murderers. These stories are important to hear although it is unpleasant. The world turned its back on Rhodesia, such a travesty.

  • @þþþþþþþþþ
    @þþþþþþþþþ Рік тому

    What is the name of the march at the beginning of your videos?

  • @christianroy1598
    @christianroy1598 5 років тому +7

    Excellent shamwari, I have been really enjoying these videos. Do you still live in Africa?

    • @fiveromeoromeo5225
      @fiveromeoromeo5225  5 років тому +11

      Christian Roy, I do indeed. Keep well and all the best.

    • @katastrophe7022
      @katastrophe7022 4 роки тому +1

      @@fiveromeoromeo5225 So, you probably stay in SA? I will have to inform the South African authorities and the Human Rights Council that there is a Rhodesian war criminal in our country. Don't worry, I already downloaded all your videos as evidence, no need to shut down your channel / delete all your self-incriminating videos.

    • @colinm2056
      @colinm2056 4 роки тому +17

      @@katastrophe7022 silly ass, still desperate for attention & validation.

    • @thomasjuniordhaki2508
      @thomasjuniordhaki2508 4 роки тому +9

      @@katastrophe7022 Can you just not watch cartoons or something else rather? Start with Zuma & Zim Criminals first.

    • @thomasjuniordhaki2508
      @thomasjuniordhaki2508 4 роки тому +8

      @@katastrophe7022 Freedom Fighters killed more unarmed civilians that war did all in the name of Freedom Fighting. Im not quite sure if those unarmed civilians looked like "the enemy" at that time or what. All i say is everyone did wrong and do not try to judge whilist intoxicated & biased by your communist propaganda. Thank You.

  • @rogerhowell6269
    @rogerhowell6269 4 роки тому +2

    Good Bush story, Cheers!

  • @swilson7674
    @swilson7674 4 роки тому +1

    This is a good history lesson for myself. I know next to nothing about Rhodesia

  • @JNS4444
    @JNS4444 4 роки тому +2

    Could you talk about weapons and kit. FAL, MAG, VHF and HF radio. Webbing and kit

    • @JNS4444
      @JNS4444 4 роки тому +1

      Rations too

    • @calummackenzie1797
      @calummackenzie1797 3 роки тому +2

      The FN/R1 & the MAG all used the NATO 7,62×51 round. Amount of ammunition carried was up to each individual soldier & stick (4 man squad - normally 3x FN & 1MAG) At the beginning of the war (1972) for me & my stick it was normally 4x20 round magazines for the FN & 200 rounds (4x50 round belts linked up) for the MAG. Some guys would have an M962 hand grenade & l as the NCO carried a white smoke grenade for air-to-ground target or FLOT (forward line of own troops) identification. This was in reality a WP (white phosphorus) grenade or what l called "instant braai" (barbecue) for obvious reasons. Invariably one or other also carried a rifle grenade, namely 32z or the larger 28r which was for soft skinned vehicles. We might also carry an Icarus flare (parachute flare) & l carried a pencil or mini flare gun (looked like an aluminium cigar tube. Us Territorial soldiers weren't equipped with claymore mines until about 74 or 75. These were used for night time ambushes on possible infiltration routes. By the time things had hotted up in 76 l had learnt 2 things
      1) the M962 frag grenade was useless in thick tall grass. The grass absorbed the blast & shrapnel
      2) with the terrs now coming in of groups of 80 - 100 (a lot were just porters carrying in ammo & landmines etc) 80 rounds per rifleman x 3 & 200 rounds on the gun was not enough.
      So by the time March 77 came & we were going to the Honde Valley which was a real "hot" area l was now carrying 9 magazines. 1 on the weapon 4 in 2 double magazine pouches on my webbing belt, & 4 in chest webbing. I also carried 1 WP hand grenade, 1 WP/or frag rifle grenade (l think it was now a 42z). In my pack l had a 50 round belt for the MAG, 2 boxes of 20 rounds & the claymore or mini claymore. The gunner now had 250 rounds (5 X 50 round belts) on the gun. My other 2 men in the stick also each carried a 50 round belt for the gun. As l said each guy decided to carry what ammo they wanted. Some gunners would carry 400 rounds (2 x 200 round belts in kidney pouches worn on the sides & not the back)
      Radios, we started with the A60 which was a big but light radio that had an antenna like a welding rod. Another good thing was if the handset was u/s you could use the speaker as a microphone. We got the A30 which was a small light weight radio with a large flexible antenna. It was a piece of crap. We progressed to the A63 about the same size as the A30 but with a short antenna on a flexible goose neck. This was a great radio. Later on l used a B76 (l think, l may have this wrong) which like the A63 & also a great radio. I seem to remember this radio besides only having 12 or so channels you also had an A, B & C switch, effectively giving you 36 channels.
      Rations were in a cardboard box that contained enough food to sustain you for a day. It consisted of tins of like bully beef, chopped ham, beans&franks, creamy chicken & rice. Peas, mixed veg. Then you'd get plastic bags with sugar, powdered milk, salt tea bags or coffee bags. Instant mash potato or par boiled rice. Tubes of margarine, jam, cheese & salt tablets & multivitamins. A powdered cool drink (orange or lemon flavour). You could take as many "dog" biscuits as you wanted as these were kept in the kitchen store & not provided in your rat pack. Hope that helps

  • @michielvanstaden2698
    @michielvanstaden2698 5 років тому +27

    Did you ever find out what really happened, later?

    • @fiveromeoromeo5225
      @fiveromeoromeo5225  5 років тому +51

      Regrettably no further details came my way. One was also too busy with the demands of each new day to worry too much about what had gone before. There was just too much happening. Thanks for the question.

  • @highlandrab19
    @highlandrab19 3 роки тому +1

    Is it just me or have some of the videos dissapeared from the channel?

  • @B.F.R-Extra
    @B.F.R-Extra 5 років тому +3

    What happened to the old man?

    • @fiveromeoromeo5225
      @fiveromeoromeo5225  5 років тому +13

      Mr Nic...I never heard. It was in a pretty remote part of the country. The cops and our Depatment of Internal Affairs, would certainly have tried to get him to a place where medical help was available, but the nearest hospital would have been hours away by road transport. Speaking for myself, I had no trained medics with me - right throughout the war, so as soldiers we were hardly in a better position ourselves. However, we knew we could at least rely on being air-lifted by chopper to a medical facility if the need arose.

    • @B.F.R-Extra
      @B.F.R-Extra 5 років тому +10

      Five Romeo Romeo sorry to bother you again but what did you do after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe did you got to South Africa our Britain also do you plan on making a book about all this stuff?

  • @CZECHMATE650
    @CZECHMATE650 4 роки тому +2

    Thank You So much for sharing your stories! Terrorists are all the same, Mame rape torture kill in the name of their backwatds Ideology! I saw similar things in Afghanistan early on in the war (02 & 03)

  • @mississippimoondog
    @mississippimoondog 4 роки тому

    Looks like we might be bush poppin some floppies here soon mate

  • @godfreygatsi-pu2cc
    @godfreygatsi-pu2cc Рік тому

    I like your channel because it helps me understand from your perspective. Unfortunately your bias is obvious because I've never come across any mention of the atrocities commited by the ' Rhodesians' in your videos. Your stories would have more credibility if the mentioned the state sponsored Selous Scouts and their methods. The special brach operations and even soldiers of your unit. This was a war situation and I'm sure there were no angels on both sides.

  • @luciovidaurriiii9314
    @luciovidaurriiii9314 4 роки тому +1

    Dankie brotha ....Kill a Commie for your mommy ( from the 50's I think) Enjoy your videos....These stories remind me of my buddy that was a policeman in Namibia ....Willem...I love Africa but worry about it's future...

  • @johnkidd1226
    @johnkidd1226 4 роки тому +1

    they seem to do an awful lot of foot tracking and when they catch up, they might get one or two. why did they not use Huey gunships, they would have gotten a lot more with less risk.

    • @davynhainstock7503
      @davynhainstock7503 4 роки тому +1

      Couldn't get them

    • @johnkidd1226
      @johnkidd1226 4 роки тому

      @@davynhainstock7503 I'm surprised. Vietnam surplus Hueys were cheap and plentiful at the time.

    • @Clint-thoughts-travels
      @Clint-thoughts-travels 4 роки тому +6

      @@johnkidd1226 Rhodesia was a small country with limited funds and we had sanctions against us.

    • @johnkidd1226
      @johnkidd1226 4 роки тому

      @@Clint-thoughts-travels Ok, wasnt aware of the sanctions.

    • @ggpp4898
      @ggpp4898 4 роки тому +4

      @@johnkidd1226 Yes one of the few countries that had a wide swathe of sanctions against them . The USA (as per normal) wanted to have access to the Chromium for Rhodesia, whilst maintaining the UN sanctions decree.....the Rhodesians told them to get stuffed!

  • @metromoppet
    @metromoppet 4 роки тому

    Mukomana ari musango akakuvadza zvakanyanya. Tinobhadhara zvakadaro

  • @donaldshelton1720
    @donaldshelton1720 4 роки тому +1

    Change the country and it could be USA in Vietnam same story sad so sad

    • @dougearnest7590
      @dougearnest7590 Рік тому

      Many similarities (with communist insurgents committing atrocities the media don't care about) but a huge difference. Rhodesia survived and thrived for years after the leftwing media had turned the world against them and the country was boycotted by the whole world. If the US would have supplied Rhodesia with one percen't of what it spent on Vietnam, it could still be Africa's breadbasket, a Republic to which people from all over sub-saharan Africa could escape to freedom from oppression. Basically, the whole world owes Rhodesians an apology.

  • @karibakid
    @karibakid 4 роки тому +1

    ONLY ONE MANS OPINION OTHERS CAN ALSO RELATE AND TELL THE STORY.WHAT UNIT DID YOU SERVE AND RANK AND SERVICE # I THINK YOU ARE EX B.S.A.P

  • @rangeelashah9931
    @rangeelashah9931 4 роки тому +1

    what is going on here, I don't understand it? i googled Rhodesia and the first few things that came up are pertaining to white supremacy and stuff so I guess something is being covered up? Can someone help me out or point me in the right direction so I can be in on the action too?

    • @strimbimmin328
      @strimbimmin328 3 роки тому +6

      Rhodesia was the name of what is now referred to as Zimbabwe when it was a British colony. Under white control in the 50s, 60s, and 70s it was the most developed and economically independent country in Africa. Power was transferred to the black majority and they’ve proceeded to run it into the ground for the past 50 years. A fact that the lefties don’t want to acknowledge.

    • @dougearnest7590
      @dougearnest7590 Рік тому

      Just to add to this, Rhodesia was in the process of trying to educate the black population so they would be better prepared to assume greater roles in government, business, etc. When this happened, the ones wanting to destabalize the region (USSR and China) stepped up pressure on the West to ensure Rhodesia wouldn't survive. So control was turned over to the insurgents and now you can read about Zimbabwe and what a glorious place it is. A real communist success story. Sort of like South Africa, which Saint Nelson Mandela said would become a "land of milk and honey" once the communists took over. @@strimbimmin328

    • @tomwinterfishing9065
      @tomwinterfishing9065 3 місяці тому

      I’m doing a great deal of research into Rhodesia and Southern Africa in general. It’s complicated history. Very interesting, often saddening. The truth, we may never fully know, but so far, my understanding of it all is quite different from how contemporary ‘history’ portrays. Very big, invisible powers, were turning geographically and the region was affected to a devastating degree. There were very few winners in Africa. The ripples are still visible today.