The regular army contains five main fighting units:-
Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) - an all-white regiment formally established in February 1961. It first saw action as part of a federal force on border control duty between Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and the Congo (now Zaire). In 1964-5 the RLI's role was switched from that of the conventional army deploying troops en masse, to a commando unit, deployed "by the best means available to do a clandestine job". Companies became known as "commandos", privates as "troopers" or "troopies". (RH 24.7.75) The RLI claims to be one of the most effective counter-insurgency units in the world, trained and adapted to bush warfare. In February 1977 the regime claimed that a total of 29 members of the RLI had been killed in action since the onset of the armed struggle, while the regiment had accounted for the deaths of "hundreds" of guerrillas. (RH 1.2.77) The RLI comprises a single battalion of about 1,000 men, divided into three commandos. It is believed to contain a large number of overseas mercenary recruits.
Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) - an all-African regiment staffed by white officers. According to the regime the number of African volunteers coming forward to serve in the regular army has increased in recent months and it is clear that recruiting efforts have been stepped up as the mobilisation of the white population approaches saturation point. A second RAR battalion of around 1,200 men was formed in 1975, a third was due to become operational at the end of November 1977 and a fourth is planned for early 1978. This could bring the number of black regulars to around 4,000 men. (Star 12.6.76; GN 20.8.77, 28.9.77).
Special Air Service (SAS) - like the RLI, an all-white unit. The SAS are elite troops who have undergone a three year training in free-fall parachuting, tracking and bushcraft, physical fitness, the handling of canoes and boats, etc., as well as counter-insurgency techniques. The strength of the SAS, like that of other security force units, is treated as classified information by the regime but it is believed to number about 300 men divided between three squadrons. (GN 6.3.76; SM 5.12.76)
Selous Scouts - believed to number about 1,000 men, the majority Africans. Their main official function is to seek out and assist the security forces to destroy guerilla units. While the Scouts are undoubtedly the most notorious of all the regime's security forces and have acquired a reputation for extreme ruthlessness and brutality, other units such as the SAS and the Police Support Unit (see below) operate in a very similar fashion. (see FOCUS 3 p.9; 10 p. 3).
Grey's Scouts - A mounted infantry unit set up in July 1975 and containing both white and African troops. Total strength probably around 250 (see FOCUS 10 p. 3).
A number of other units within the regular army have assumed a fighting role and been actively deployed in the frontline as the guerrilla war has developed. They include the Rhodesian Artillery (authorized to form a regular troop in October 1976), the Engineers Corps (specialists in mine warfare besides having responsibility for road, bridge and other construction works in the operational areas) and the Military Police. Members of the Rhodesia Women's Service of both the army and the airforce were accepted as full regulars from 1 July 1977 but as yet have no combatant capacity (RH 9.6.77).
BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE The BSAP, today the Smith regime's largest single fighting force, grew out of a nucleus of 500 men recruited by the British South African Company in 1889 to help consolidate the colonial occupation of Mashonaland. Up to 1954 members of the BSAP were trained both as policemen and soldiers, and doubled as a standing army. Today the BSAP play a crucial role in the regime's counter-insurgency operations. About two-thirds of the regular BSAP, overall strength 8,000, are Africans. Reservists are almost exclusively white. Since 1973 national servicemen have been accepted into the BSAP as an alternative to army training. Regular and reserve policemen, both black and white, are deployed in the war zones under the aegis of the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit (PATU), and operate as tracking and fighting units in "sticks" of up to five men. A mounted unit, similar to the army's Grey Scouts, was established in early 1977. Other elite units include:
Police Support Unit (PSU) - the BSAP's "mailed fist" operates on very similar lines to the Selous Scouts. PSU instructors are trained at the army's School of Infantry and units often team up with army and air force personnel in the field. (RFG 30.7.76; Star 17.7.76; see FOCUS 10 p. 3)
Special Unit - established in the first half of 1975 to counter urban guerilla warfare. In October 1976 the Special Unit was reported to comprise 30 men in the Salisbury area, two of whom were black. The men use helicopters for roof-top landings and are armed with pistols, submachineguns and automatic shotguns. (Star 16.10.76).
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) - the CID are known to be heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations, although their activities receive very little publicity. They are responsible, for example, for completing cases for prosecution under the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act - i.e. undertaking the interrogation of captured guerilla fighters, and those accused of harbouring or assisting them. (See also under TORTURE AND ASSAULT)
The BSAP's heavy deployment on active military service in the war zones has in fact led to undermanning in the urban areas. The 'normal' law and order functions of a civilian police force are to a large extent now undertaken by the elderly (i.e. over 50) or physically less fit white male volunteers of the Police Special Reserve. Unemployed Africans in the urban areas have also been recruited by the regime into plainclothes Crime Prevention Units, armed and operating largely unsupervised in the African townships. (see FOCUS 10 p. 4)
