Our videos and the creative energy we put into them are free for everyone to enjoy, and all we ask is that you leave a thumbs-up on any videos that you like and subscribe to our channel (also free;) For those of you who wish to support this channel further, however, I’ve posted links below. Thank you so much for being part of our community! www.paypal.com/paypalme/johnvzyl Join us on Patreon - www.patreon.com/johnvanzyl
My family lived at Rutenga from 1975 to 1982. We saw it all during the war. My parents worked for the Rhodesia Railways. Our house (the railways clinic) shared a fence with GSU camp at the station. I wrote a book THE TRAIN LEAVING SALISBURY which I have a full chapter about the war.
Thanks Wayne and John for the fascinating story. I and my family were staying in a company house near the Holiday Inn during that Nthabeni happening. I was the manager of a transport company and must say I was up all night wondering if our fleet of trucks were safe, as the skies were ablaze with rockets, tracer and explosions. Not knowing what was happening I chose to stay at home to protect my wife and three young children. At 3 am a guy ran past our house at a high rate of knots and I knew he was pooping himself. Following this incident I decided it was time to take my family to a safer country, and we relocated to Johannesburg on 19 May 1982. Keep up your excellent series guys. Much appreciated.
In this wonderful narrative Tony asked a question about the Congo and troops. There is an excellent history in the 4th chapter of the book, "A Maverick Soldier", by John Essex-Clark (Melbourne University Press, 1991). He not only describes the role of the army in the Congo, August 1961, he has also included a chapter of the RhAR in Malaya, 1956. It is an excellent history. Thank you, Wayne for sharing such interesting insights. Nice interview Tony.
Thanks gentlemen for the history lesson, very interesting indeed, Tony Ballinger you have a great personality, I like your interviews the best, I guess I'm repeating myself, I'm here because I have an interest in military history, so again much thanks to you both. Part 2 and 3 please! 👍
The MAP described was not a crocodile. The MAP was the fully enclosed armoured truck built on either a Nissian or 75 chassis. In army nomenclature a Croc was a MAP1 requiring a D licence, the big all enclosed Nissian was a MAP2 also a D licence and the Mercedes was a 75MAP, also fully enclosed and requiring an F licence.
Great interview Wayne. We were at some places at the same time. I was running the LAD at Joc Shabani when major Dennison was ambushed. When the cio started arresting the guys with cammo kit, I had a braai and burned all my kit. I too were phoned to report to Brady with the uprising. I refused to go. I was never demoped from the army. Thanks again for the great interview guys.
Guys another Great interview,tatenda for sharing your experiences. To all Rhodesians,Zimbobs and adptopted FMR world wide have a great Lekker Xmas and have a great new year.Take care keep it tidy
I remember as a kid on the Copperbelt when the refugees from the Congo came across the border into Northern Rhodesia. My folks put up a family of 4 for a few days. Husband, wife & 2 small kids. All they had was the clothes on their backs & a VW Beetle! Now they were REAL refugees, unlike these dinghy divers coming across the channel. Glad to hear that someone else found the A30 radio a piece of crap. A feel that money must have changed hands for that rubbish to have been approved. As Wayne says, once the seal was removed from a drum of Avtur, irrespective of how little Avtur was used, no other chopper would use the remainder. I believe this was to stop the chance of contaminated fuel, or sabotaged fuel!
Tatenda Tony , Wayne and John .. another interesting and engaging episode… you are correct about ZIPRA .. The Rhodesians should have made a plan with them to go head on against ZANLA against Bob and his gang .. the Zimbabwe we know would have have been a very different place today . But I know people in higher places had already set the stage for Mugabe to take the top job . How sad things ended without closure 😢🙈. Sadly too many good men died for what seemed nothing today . Respect and salute the fallen and for the current ex military warriors . Rest in peace 🙏🏻
Wayne, were you at Rutenga when the "Enemy"had a go at the fueltrain with a RPG7, missed the tanker and hit the rail. We were used as Stop groups for RAR who did the follow up
Tony the MAP was based on the Mercedes 45 chassis. The Nissan Crocodile was mainly used by the cops, Support Unit. I never saw an army unit use the Crocodile
Hi Mac, this article will verify the RLI used Nissan-chassis Crocodiles and they were used to carry RAR and Rhodesian forces in the Entumbani incident in 1981 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_Armoured_Personnel_Carrier
@@Toncor12 l left Zim in June 1980, & up to that time had never seen Crocodiles used by the army, so after that time l cannot verify what was used by the army. Another great interview Tony. You are definitely getting better 👍 & once again great to hear from another TF soldier who was there passed the bitter end.
Fabulously informative talk Wayne and Tony... I still can't believe RAR helped cement uncle Bob in Zim by taking down Zippra, what a twist of fate for the European communities in Rhodesia!
If we did not step in to calm the situation in Bulawayo, there could have been serious trouble in the town which would have spilled over into the suburbs. As a serving unit in the army, we had allegiance to the government of the day, whether you supported it or not.
Our videos and the creative energy we put into them are free for everyone to enjoy, and all we ask is that you leave a thumbs-up on any videos that you like and subscribe to our channel (also free;) For those of you who wish to support this channel further, however, I’ve posted links below. Thank you so much for being part of our community!
www.paypal.com/paypalme/johnvzyl
Join us on Patreon - www.patreon.com/johnvanzyl
My family lived at Rutenga from 1975 to 1982. We saw it all during the war. My parents worked for the Rhodesia Railways. Our house (the railways clinic) shared a fence with GSU camp at the station. I wrote a book THE TRAIN LEAVING SALISBURY which I have a full chapter about the war.
Thanks Wayne and John for the fascinating story. I and my family were staying in a company house near the Holiday Inn during that Nthabeni happening. I was the manager of a transport company and must say I was up all night wondering if our fleet of trucks were safe, as the skies were ablaze with rockets, tracer and explosions. Not knowing what was happening I chose to stay at home to protect my wife and three young children. At 3 am a guy ran past our house at a high rate of knots and I knew he was pooping himself. Following this incident I decided it was time to take my family to a safer country, and we relocated to Johannesburg on 19 May 1982. Keep up your excellent series guys. Much appreciated.
Great talk Wayne!
In this wonderful narrative Tony asked a question about the Congo and troops. There is an excellent history in the 4th chapter of the book, "A Maverick Soldier", by John Essex-Clark (Melbourne University Press, 1991). He not only describes the role of the army in the Congo, August 1961, he has also included a chapter of the RhAR in Malaya, 1956. It is an excellent history. Thank you, Wayne for sharing such interesting insights. Nice interview Tony.
Thank you very much indeed Chris and I look forward to buying a copy of that book.
Great once again.
I remember so well the confusion at the end of the war.
So sad.
Agreed, one of the guys I was with threw all his kit out the window of the barrack block and caught a taxi home when Bobs was announced as the winner.
Thanks gentlemen for the history lesson, very interesting indeed, Tony Ballinger you have a great personality, I like your interviews the best, I guess I'm repeating myself, I'm here because I have an interest in military history, so again much thanks to you both. Part 2 and 3 please! 👍
I very much appreciate your comments boet, thank you. (Tony)
@@Toncor12 👍 Thanks
Brilliant talk, well done Wayne and Tony. Fascinating to hear from a TA who was involved right from the start to the end. Brilliant 👍
Thanks Middie!
Thanks so much for your encouragement Clive
Great to see you so well Wayne. Thank you for the informative interview!
Another excellent interview. Thank you.
The MAP described was not a crocodile. The MAP was the fully enclosed armoured truck built on either a Nissian or 75 chassis.
In army nomenclature a Croc was a MAP1 requiring a D licence, the big all enclosed Nissian was a MAP2 also a D licence and the Mercedes was a 75MAP, also fully enclosed and requiring an F licence.
Great interview Wayne. We were at some places at the same time. I was running the LAD at Joc Shabani when major Dennison was ambushed. When the cio started arresting the guys with cammo kit, I had a braai and burned all my kit. I too were phoned to report to Brady with the uprising. I refused to go. I was never demoped from the army. Thanks again for the great interview guys.
Guys another Great interview,tatenda for sharing your experiences. To all Rhodesians,Zimbobs and adptopted FMR world wide have a great Lekker Xmas and have a great new year.Take care keep it tidy
To you too boet, thanks for watching.
Bro always 🙏🦍
Great interview much respect
I came off a callup in 1980 April. I just took my Kit to Cranborne handed it in , went home and never heard a thing again.
Well done,sir!
Salute Wayne. Good to see you are in good health my friend. You bring back many great memories 😅Lt. Ged Smith F Troop 1st Field Regiment 1RhA
I remember as a kid on the Copperbelt when the refugees from the Congo came across the border into Northern Rhodesia. My folks put up a family of 4 for a few days. Husband, wife & 2 small kids. All they had was the clothes on their backs & a VW Beetle! Now they were REAL refugees, unlike these dinghy divers coming across the channel. Glad to hear that someone else found the A30 radio a piece of crap. A feel that money must have changed hands for that rubbish to have been approved. As Wayne says, once the seal was removed from a drum of Avtur, irrespective of how little Avtur was used, no other chopper would use the remainder. I believe this was to stop the chance of contaminated fuel, or sabotaged fuel!
Tatenda Tony , Wayne and John .. another interesting and engaging episode… you are correct about ZIPRA .. The Rhodesians should have made a plan with them to go head on against ZANLA against Bob and his gang .. the Zimbabwe we know would have have been a very different place today . But I know people in higher places had already set the stage for Mugabe to take the top job . How sad things ended without closure 😢🙈. Sadly too many good men died for what seemed nothing today . Respect and salute the fallen and for the current ex military warriors . Rest in peace 🙏🏻
I agree, very sad. Have a great Christmas
@@Toncor12 tatender brother 🙏🏻.. merry Christmas to you and your family. Appreciate your support to the channel
@@rhodesia1578 cheers!
Let’s get a part 2!
Thanks guys that was great.
Cheers boet thanks for the encouragement.
Wayne, were you at Rutenga when the "Enemy"had a go at the fueltrain with a RPG7, missed the tanker and hit the rail. We were used as Stop groups for RAR who did the follow up
Tony the MAP was based on the Mercedes 45 chassis. The Nissan Crocodile was mainly used by the cops, Support Unit. I never saw an army unit use the Crocodile
Hi Mac, this article will verify the RLI used Nissan-chassis Crocodiles and they were used to carry RAR and Rhodesian forces in the Entumbani incident in 1981 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_Armoured_Personnel_Carrier
@@Toncor12 l left Zim in June 1980, & up to that time had never seen Crocodiles used by the army, so after that time l cannot verify what was used by the army. Another great interview Tony. You are definitely getting better 👍 & once again great to hear from another TF soldier who was there passed the bitter end.
Fabulously informative talk Wayne and Tony... I still can't believe RAR helped cement uncle Bob in Zim by taking down Zippra, what a twist of fate for the European communities in Rhodesia!
If we did not step in to calm the situation in Bulawayo, there could have been serious trouble in the town which would have spilled over into the suburbs. As a serving unit in the army, we had allegiance to the government of the day, whether you supported it or not.
@@graemeswart906 thank you for that, just to be sure, I was not blaming the army in any shape or form.. Just a terrible twist of fate!!
Thanks boet! (Tony)
Rhodesia Lives.
Very interesting
Glad you think so!
does
Does Fred Sargent ring a bell
Episode ep140