During Zimbabwe's war of liberation (1965-80), fought between Zimbabwean nationalists and the minority-white Rhodesian settler-colonial regime, thousands of black soldiers volunteered for and served in the Rhodesian Army. This seeming paradox has often been noted by scholars and military researchers, yet little has been heard from black Rhodesian veterans themselves. Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army, demonstrating that they felt loyalty to their comrades and regiments and not the Smith regime. Howard also shows that units in which black soldiers served - particularly the Rhodesian African Ri?es - were fundamental to the Rhodesian counter-insurgency campaign. Highlighting the pivotal role black Rhodesian veterans played during both the war and the tumultuous early years of independence, this is a crucial contribution to the study of Zimbabwean decolonisation.
| ISBN: | 9781009348454 |
| Publication date: | 11th September 2025 |
| Author: | M T Howard |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 306 pages |
| Series: | African Studies |
| Genres: |
Military history Sociology African history Politics and government |
During Zimbabwe's war of liberation (1965-80), fought between Zimbabwean nationalists and the minority-white Rhodesian settler-colonial regime, thousands of black soldiers volunteered for and served in the Rhodesian Army. This seeming paradox has often been noted by scholars and military researchers, yet little has been heard from black Rhodesian veterans themselves. Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army, demonstrating that they felt loyalty to their comrades and regiments and not the Smith regime. Howard also shows that units in which black soldiers served - particularly the Rhodesian African Ri?es - were fundamental to the Rhodesian counter-insurgency campaign. Highlighting the pivotal role black Rhodesian veterans played during both the war and the tumultuous early years of independence, this is a crucial contribution to the study of Zimbabwean decolonisation.
Black Soldiers in the Rhodesian Army features in the following genres: Military history, Sociology, African history, Politics and government
Black Soldiers in the Rhodesian Army is available in Paperback, Hardback
Black Soldiers in the Rhodesian Army was written by M T Howard and published by Cambridge University Press
Black Soldiers in the Rhodesian Army has 306 pages
Yes it is part of African Studies series
£26.99