RHODESIAN WAR, THE

This book depicts the military history of Southern Rhodesia from the first resistance to colonial rule, through the period of U.D.I. (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) by the Smith government to the Lancaster House agreement that transferred power. There are vivid accounts of the operations against the "guerillas" by the security forces and the intensity of the fighting will surprise readers. Atrocities were undoubtedly committed by both sides but equally the protagonists were playing for very high stakes. This is more than just a book on military operations. It provides expert analysis of the historical situation and examines events up to the present day, including Mugabe's operations against rival tribes and white farmers. For a thorough work on its subject this book cannot be bettered. Essential reading for those wishing to learn more about a counter-insurgency campaign. The ingenuity of the Rhodesian military fighting against overwhelming odds and restricted by sanctions is impressive but the outcome culminating in the Lancaster House Agreement was inevitable. A military history of the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe—spanning from 1890 to the 1970s. In this exciting book, authors Paul Moorcroft and Peter McLaughlin examine the military history of Southern Rhodesia, from the first resistance to colonial rule through the period of UDI by the Smith government to the Lancaster House agreement that transferred power. They recount the Rhodesian security forces’ operations against the Black nationalist guerillas, and the intensity of the fighting and courage of the participants will surprise and enthrall readers. Atrocities were committed by both sides, but equally the protagonists were playing for very high stakes. But this is more than just a book on military operations. The authors provide expert analysis of the historical situation and examine events up to the present day, including Mugabe’s operations against rival tribes and white farmers. For a thorough work on its subject, this book cannot be bettered. It is essential reading for those wishing to learn more about a counter-insurgency campaign. The ingenuity of the Rhodesian military fighting against overwhelming odds and restricted by sanctions is impressive, but the outcome culminating in the Lancaster House Agreement was inevitable. Praise for The Rhodesian War “An outstanding exception to most accounts of the Rhodesian civil war . . . achieved impressive objectivity in concentrating on operational issues.” —Anthony Verrier, author of The Road to Zimbabwe “The book is full of intrigue and plots. South African intelligence wanted to assassinate Mugabe, but there might also have been plans afoot to kill of Britain’s Prince Charles during his visit to Harare.” —Heidi Kingstone, The Star (South Africa) "This classic account of the Rhodesian war has been revised and updated 25 years after it was originally published. Widely praised by military experts worldwide, it has become a standard text for the study of counter-insurgency, especially its application to the current 'war on terror' in Iraq and Afghanistan. It covers the three main stages of war. First from 1965 when the security forces were winning to a 'no-win' war from 1972-1976 and finally, the intense period from 1976-1979 when white Rhodesians, led by Ian Smith, were saved from defeat by the Lancaster House talks in London. The military structure, strategy and tactics of both sides are analysed with graphic details of individual contacts in the bush to the daring raids into neighboring states. The book also considers the international pressures on the rebel state and the social effects of the war inside the country on both blacks and whites. The immediate aftermath of the war is examined, in particular Zimbabwe's continuing conflict with South Africa pre-Nelson Mandela. The final chapter looks at the war from the perspective of the last three decades, especially in the light of Robert Mugabe's destruction of a once-prosperous land"--Jacket This book depicts the military history of Southern Rhodesia from the first resistance to colonial rule, through the period of U.D.I. (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) by the Smith government to the Lancaster House agreement that transferred power. There are vivid accounts of the operations against the "guerillas" by the security forces and the intensity of the fighting will surprise readers. Atrocities were undoubtedly committed by both sides but equally the protagonists were playing for very high stakes.This is more than just a book on military operations. It provides expert analysis of the historical situation and examines events up to the present day, including Mugabe's operations against rival tribes and white farmers. For a thorough work on its subject this book cannot be bettered. Essential reading for those wishing to learn more about a counter-insurgency campaign. The ingenuity of the Rhodesian military fighting against overwhelming odds and restricted by sanctions is impressive but the outcome culminating in the Lancaster House Agreement was inevitable. [Elib] This is more than just a book on military operations. It provides expert analysis of the historical situation and examines events up to the present day, including Mugabe’s operations against rival tribes and white farmers. For a thorough work on its subject this book cannot be bettered. Essential reading for those wishing to learn more about a counter-insurgency campaign. The ingenuity of the Rhodesian military fighting against overwhelming odds and restricted by sanctions is impressive but the outcome culminating in the Lancaster House Agreement was inevitable. Bisac Code 1: HIS027130