The Saints by Binda, Alexander -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents List of maps Foreword Acknowledgments Author’s notes A brief background 1960 – 1961

Birth of a battalion The Congo A Company notes

1962 – 1964

Cranborne barracks—the new home The colours approved The break-up of Federation—unrest begins A Company notes

1965 – 1967

The colours and commandos The run-up to UDI Operation Pagoda Operation Yodel—first real contact Notes Recruits’ course Operation Nickel

1968

Operation Cauldron—baptism of fire Operation Glove Battalion organization and role Tactics and kit Commando notes Operation Flotilla Operation Griffin Meat patrol Operation Excess A night on the parade square Notes

1969 – 1970

Traditions Pitman’s elephant Notes Exercise Rum Jungle Operations with the Portuguese Operation Birch State of the nation Trooping the colour ‘A corporal’s war’

1971 – 1972

Tenth birthday Nicknames, flags and badges The taal Social misfits Notes Breakdown and build-up Operation Sable Altena Farm—the war ‘proper’ begins … again

1973 – 1975

Operation Hurricane—and ZANLA tests the waters The ‘cordon sanitaire’ and protected villages The Selous Scouts are formed MT report from ‘Landmine Mac’ ZANU war communiqué ‘I am a lieutenant in the RLI …’ ‘Scene’ at Madziwa Ambush Death of a driver Ops in Mozambique The Fireforce concept A black day for 2 Commando ZANLA on the back foot—and the Portuguese collapse Casevac A death at Pachanza Keep Standing Orders for Dying Notes Christmas tragedy

1976

Song of the 28th Escalation—Operations Thrasher, Repulse and Tangent Support Group becomes a commando Dawn joins 1 Commando Fresh poes, nashos and foreigners Fireforce matters 1 Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Hurricane 1 Commando at Segurança 2 Commando in Operation Hurricane Support Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Thrasher Battle of ‘Hill 31’ 2 Commando in Operation Thrasher

1977

Bogged down in politics Airborne Fireforce matters Dispatchers I Commando attacks Mavui Operation Aztec Now you hold it right there! 2 Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Hurricane Support Commando in Operation Hurricane Operation from FAF-5 2 Commando in Operation Thrasher 3 Commando in Operation Thrasher A gunner gets hit Support Commando in Operation Thrasher A tribute to a troopie 1 Commando at Malvernia Operation Dingo—the attacks on Chimoio and Tembué Captain Webster’s dairies A letter from 1 Commando

1978

Just another day A bad day for the Air Force Politics Operation Turmoil ‘Ceasefire’ and SFAs Atrocities and Operation Splinter Fireforce matters The Troopie Statue Notes Casualty rates and strengths Strange and other happenings 1 Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Thrasher Support Commando in Operation Hurricane Support Commando history and structure Operation Snoopy Operation Gatling Captain Webster’s diary The RLI’s ‘Lifesaver’

1979

Zimbabwe–Rhodesia and Lancaster House Fireforce matters Notes 3 Commando in Operation Thrasher 2 Commando in Operation Thrasher Support Commando in Operation Thrasher 2 Commando in Operation Repulse 3 Commando in Operation Hurricane 3 Commando in Operation Repulse Operation Oppress First contact, first kill Operation Uric Operation Miracle Operation Cheese Operation Tepid Captain Webster’s dairies The last casualty The last contact

1980

The beginning of the end Phase 1—ceasefire Phase 2—planning in political defeat Phase 3—elections Phase 4—the end approaches The final parade Postscript

Afterword Timeline Glossary Senior Personnel

Lists of Battalion Commanding Officers Regimental Sergeants-Major Officers Commanding Commando Sergeants-Major Adjutants Seconds-in-Command Biographies of Commanding Officers Regimental Sergeants-Major

Honours and awards Citations Roll of Honour Note from the publisher The RLI Regimental Association Photographic credits The Subscribers eBooks Published by Helion & Company