Dawn Losper Herman Jooste

Welcome to “THE SITREP” – your RLI RA(Africa ) newsletter – Volume 12, March 2020.

Salutation

Greetings all ouens and crows wherever you may be. You will have received a copy of “The Sitrep”

during February - and it was never the intention to publish a volume every month – only when

interesting events, or stories, come to hand. It is hoped that you enjoy this issue, albeit running on the

back of February’s missives.

Prayer Meeting – 07 March 2020

When Bucks Theron announced his disappointment at the poor

turnout, for the reading of the roll of honour, – we got the message –

he meant it! Seriously, ouens – the gathering totalled 18 and was a

mixture of RLI, BSAP, Selous Scouts and Psyops. And here they

are – keep a sense of humour, ouens!

"Lung" Taylor – RLI U.P. Standing -RLI “Pork” Morreira – SU BSAP G.R.I. Mace – RLI

Chrome Dome – RLI U. N. Shaw – RLI G.F.S. Serious - RLI “Roller” Cruiser – Skuz’apo Scottie Bongs – RLI

Omar Heavens – RLI “Doggie” Styles – RLI “Goat” Tee – RLI Si Klops – BSAP D.J. Iguana Galapagos -

RLI

"Pro" Phile – RLI “Egg” Shelly – RLI I.N. Cognito - Psyops

There were more gathered for lunch but, the troopie statue remained pretty lonely that Saturday.

There was, of course, this oke (who prefers to fly below the radar – and has

special goggles for the purpose). His guest (John Stanton’s that is – OOPS!)

was none other than this man.

Neill Jardine was not only Rhodesia’s fly-half – he

is probably best known for his contribution to

Rhodesian education, having served at Fort Vic,

Churchill and Marlborough before taking

Headships at various private schools in South Africa. For those who know

Neil, it was a pleasure to see him – and an equal pleasure for those who

don’t know him – because, every Rhodesian has heard of Neil in one

context or another.

Impromptu speeches are not an anathema to Neill – and he “promptly”

entertained us with a few of his own “war-stories”, including a rendition

of a particular headmaster ordering a form-master to beat the whole

form – as a result of information not forthcoming from suspected pupils.

The beatings were duly delivered – but, fifteen minutes later, the headmaster returned to the form-

master with a message, “Sorry Form-master – wrong form!” Each boy in the class was issued a credit

of two “strokes” each!

That is not the sort of story one would relate in today’s western world – imagine the gasps and the

law-suits - but, the link with our Rhodesian days was more than identifiable. We have been there – and

got the T-shirt!

Neil Jardine has an uncanny knack for remembering names. So much so, that his trade-mark was to

remember every new pupil’s name, by the end of term – failure of which would result in Neil buying

the unknown student a litre of Coke. On the first day of a new-boy’s existence, at Churchill, (and no

doubt goaded on by seniors) the young lad walked up to Neil and asked, “Excuse me, Sir. Do you

know my name?”

“I’m afraid not”, replied Neil.

“Well, Sir – my name is Richard Brown – now, please can I have a Coke?”

It was a true pleasure to have you in our midst, Neil, and don’t leave it too long before you come again

– there is money to be raised!

Roll of Honour

The roll for March is as follows:

RLI

RoH March

KIA Rank First Name Surname Awards Commando DOD

Tpr

Eric Noel

Francis Ridge

14 Tp, 3

Cdo

18-Mar-

68

Rct

Tpr

Reginald

Alan

"Reggie"

"Japie"

Binks Training Tp 26-Mar-

68

Rct

Tpr

Christopher

Dillon Wessels Training Tp

26-Mar-

68

Tpr

Johannes

Jacobus

van

Staden Spt Grp

15-Mar-

74

Tpr

Michael

Derek

"Mark"

Ellis 1 Cdo 03-Mar-

78

Tpr Frank P. Battaglia

14 Tp, 3

Cdo

06-Mar-

78

KOAS

L/Cpl Victor J. Simons Base Grp

01-Mar-

68

Tpr

Gerald

Frederick Smith Base Grp

03-Mar-

72

WO1

(RSM)

Harold

"Harry" Birkett Base Grp

23-Mar-

73

DOAS

Tpr

John

Fredrick Ferreira Base Grp

27-Mar-

76

Rfn D.P. van Wyk Base Grp

26-Mar-

77

Tpr

Roy

(Robert?)

John

Godding 2 Cdo 22-Mar-

78

Sunset Calls

A notification from Ronel van Schalkwyk informed us that her husband, William Wray van Schalkwyk, passed

away on the 10 January 2020 having lost his battle with cancer. It is unsure, however, whether William was

actually RLI. Can anyone confirm because he is not listed on the nominal roll?

A Deed Well Done

During the final weeks of February, an exchange of emails took place between Ian Barnes (a S/Sgt

currently serving with the British forces), Col Ian Buttenshaw, Tpr Alan Strachan, Chairman Rudi van

Aarde and A.N. Other. Ian Barnes was enquiring whether anyone could verify that, his father, Pte J.W.

Barnes (2509) had actually served in the RLI from 1961 to 1964? The original email contained an

explanation for the enquiry. Pte J.W. Barnes lives alone, having been widowed some years ago. His

dwelling place, however, brings him into contact with several other servicemen – and, together, they

have shared “war-stories”. A problem arose when Pte J.W. announced that he was RLI but, had no

memorabilia to prove such – no uniform, beret, dog-tags or photographs. This lack of proof resulted in

Pte J.W. being somewhat ostracised from the group and labelled a “wannabee” and a fraud – not a

comfortable predicament for a man in his late 70s or early 80s.

Later, Ian Barnes forwarded photographs of his Dad’s dog-tags atop a group photo of the RLI, A Coy,

1962 – see Pte Barnes J.W – 3rd

row extreme left.

What additional proof could possibly be required? The RLI nominal roll also confirmed Pte J.W.

Barnes, A Coy, RLI, albeit a “72” prefix had, somehow, been attached to the 2509 service number,

making it 722509. There was no doubt, however, that our man is not only RLI, he is one of the

founder recruits of the regiment. It also transpired that, Pte J.W. Barnes did not have this evidence

because, some years ago, he had given his “treasure-chest” to his son, Ian, for safe keeping in the UK.

Pte John W. Barnes lives in Durban, in an apartment where other units are reserved for the aged.

An urgent email was despatched to Skippy Skipworth (chairman KZN branch), requesting Skippy to

pay Pte John W. Barnes a visit, reassure the veteran soldier, take him under the wing of the KZN

association and comfort the forlorn sole. Skippy duly accomplished the deed the very next day –

tracking down the old man, adorning his head with a brand new RLI cap, listening to John’s stories

(most of which revolve around a feared RSM by the name of Ron Reid-Daly) and promising to visit

again in the near future.

It was Bill Wiggill, in his closing address to the regiment, as he stood down from the chair of the

RLIRA (Africa), who said words to the effect, “We do not forsake our men – not ever – not on the

battle-field nor in civvy street.” - Isn’t that a nice story? Well done, Skippy and all involved.

A Little Nostalgia

Maj Don Price (OC 1 (Indep) Coy

For some time, various questions have been raised regarding the use of snipers during the Rhodesian

bush-war. Did we have any snipers? Did we have a sniper training school? Why is there nothing

written about snipers during the bush-war? Definitive answers to these questions are difficult. Perhaps

it all depends on one’s interpretations of the word, and meaning of, “sniper”. Reactions and comments

to what follows would be welcomed because, thus far, there does not seem to be conclusive proof that

snipers existed, and used, in the conventional sense of a sniper role – bar one.

Amongst the multitude of books, written post bush-war, there are references to Rhodesian soldiers

“sniping” at enemy and also attending sniper courses at the School of Infantry, Gwelo. Amongst these

references are to be found Major Don Price’s (and others’) experiences of silencing certain ZIPRA

elements (on Zambian soil) from across the Zambezi River. They achieved their strikes using high-

powered hunting rifles. Today, Don (BCR) prides himself on being a professional hunter, crack-shot,

expert marksman, etc., but does not lay claim to being a fully-fledged and certificated sniper. Also,

when the BSAP formed the SWAT team, snipers would have been a requisite but, did SWAT have

genuine snipers or, did they recruit from a hay-stack of marksmen in their midst?

Training a sniper is arduous, expensive and very time-consuming. It takes months, if not years, to train

a sniper to levels that allow him/her to be deployed operationally for purposes of sniping. Given the

Rhodesian situation – lack of funds, scant resources of manpower, six weeks in and six weeks out,

retraining before deployment, and a myriad of courses already on offer at the SchInf, one wonders

whether the sniper course, at SchInf, was actually a sniper school or a more up-market version of

marksmanship.

But - before we go any further – let’s “hear it from the stallion’s

mouth”

“An incident had occurred at Victoria Falls - ZIPRA terrorists had fired on

“The Flight of Angles”, a twin-engine plane, flying tourists over the main

waterbody of the Falls. The Sam 7 (Strela) rocket, fired by the group,

malfunctioned and a short while after take-off spiralled out of control and

went crashing down straight into the thatched roof of the 5 Star Elephant

Hills Country Club. Although 1 (Indep) Coy RR was based not 500m in a

direct line to this establishment, and rushed gallantly forward in an effort

to save the building, and despite a number of extenuating circumstance

ranging from out-dated fire extinguishers to poor design of the sprinkler

systems etc., etc ., the hotel was burned to the ground in a very short time.

In reaction to the above, COMOPS in Salisbury( The Commander being no

less than Lt Gen Peter Walls) instructed the then OC of 1 ( Indep) Coy RR, Capt Don Price( BCR), to do an

appreciation and come up with a plan to take hostile action away from the only viable tourist attraction (at the

time) in the country, the mighty Victoria Falls.

My idea was quick and simple: “Why not hit something that would hurt Zambia who is hosting the ZIPRA

forces responsible for the Strela attack? Why not hit their main life-line - the ferry at Kazungula?” That was the

plan I offered to COMOPS.

An almost immediate call on my “secre phone” (secret phone), from the Commander, gave the go ahead. I

was told to strike within 3 days and, hence, informed an SAS section, under Capt. Scotty Mc Cormack, to be

flown to the Falls in order to give depth to my plan.

THE PLAN: Was 3-phased: -

1. Infiltrate 2 x snipers to the waterfront at the edge of the Zambezi River, directly opposite a small ZIPRA

base down-river of the Ferry, by the hours of darkness. The snipers would then, at first light or when the ZIPRA

targets started their early morning toiletries at the water’s edge, start the proceedings.

2. The SAS team, with the help of a captured 85 mm recoilless gun mounted on a 1 (Indep) Coy 2.5 vehicle,

would then charge down to the river’s edge and take-out the ferry. In its dual role, the team was to extract the

“Sniper Team” and return to higher ground.

3. The operation was dependent upon the overall reaction from the Zambians and ZIPRA on the Zambian side.

A section of 4 x 25-pound artillery pieces had been sighted, in an enclave in a valley, just behind the Kazungula

Border Post. Should the situation escalate, and enemy troops be sent in to assist, then the order would be

given to take out all military targets on the neighbouring side of the border.

In addition to the above, the SAS team would mine the road and all minor tracks leading into the Zambian

Border Post, both with AP and anti-vehicle mines.

The stage was set and in the absence of proper trained “Snipers “I called the best marksman I knew, Ronnie

Van Heerden, to help me. He was based in Wankie National park as Warden of Robin’s Camp.

Ronnie was armed with a .300 Holland & Holland (now almost obsolete, being replaced by the more efficient

American .300Win Mag). I was armed with my old Bruno 30.06 sporting rifle with a 4 x power Weaver Scope.

Neither of us had done any human sniper work but, we had made a few exceptional long shots whilst hunting.

We called for an aerial photo of the target area that we studied in the 1 (Indep) Coy camp by lamp-light. There

appeared to be a clump of reeds close to the water’s edge, directly opposite the ZIPRA camp - range as per the

photo and 1:50,000 map was 760m.

The next morning (day 2 from H hour) we practised on the Vic Falls rifle range, pacing out the distances. We

would need to be close together because of the cover but, this would not be for a prolonged period of time - a

quick hit on a few targets and then out - hopefully! We would operate as a 4-man team (2 x snipers each with

own scope-spotter. Both Ronnie and I were involved in the Safari industry and, fortunately, each had spotting-

scopes. Ronnie was a “fundi” in weapons and calibres. He produced, magically, some 110 grain Remington

Core-Lox Accelerator ammunition for my aging 30.06 and his weapon. These rounds were the latest, almost

like the tank “Shroud shell” that, when fired and exiting the barrel, releases a set of “fins” that accelerate the

projectile, in this case to a velocity of 4200 ft/per sec. Obviously, very flat shooting and just what we needed!

We went in when the half-moon was just waning, sneaking in over the 2 km approach. We soon located the

reed bank and positioned ourselves, spotters laying side-by-side. We had brought along sandbags that we

stacked to support our weapons. Then came the long wait - lots of “mozzies” and noise coming from across

the river – it’s amazing how sound travels at night and especially over water. I whispered to Ronnie and the

others to keep a close watch on our neighbours who were rather too close for comfort, the BDF (Botswana

Defence Force (approx. 100 m away to our West). In the meantime, and concurrently, things were happening.

The SAS had come across downstream but, close enough to the target area and were busy mining the

approaches to the camp and Border Post. Behind us, silently too and without lights, our own troops were

positioning the guns in the valley behind the Kazungula Border Post, the forward medical facility, our back-up

support troops, and, lastly, a small command centre manned by my 2 i/c Lt Neill Jackson. Time dragged on but,

at about 06:30 hrs, 3 x ZIPRA (clothed in rice-fleck cammo) came to wash, brush their teeth and “spend a

penny or two” directly opposite us. I would begin the shooting followed by Ronnie on my left. I adjusted my

right elbow, cradling the butt in my shoulder and lifted my head to take in the rear of the Weaver scope.

Immediately the targets came into view and I held high over the centre of one body and gently squeezed off

the round, all the while thinking of our short but, most valuable practice-run on the range the day before. The

BOOM of the rife report was very LOUD and somewhat unexpected. Fifty, or so, white egrets squawked into

the air. Before I registered the recoil of the rifle, I saw the “target” throw his arms up and slump forward! YES!

Then things happened quickly - Ronnie took out 2 “targets”, I scored a direct hit on one more before all hell

broke loose from the BDF position. The BDF were firing across the river onto the ZIPRA base, thinking they

were under attack! The Zambians, upstream, retaliated and fired at the BDF, some rounds coming close to our

position. Utter chaos! The ferry had hurriedly taken aboard a huge 20-wheeler green truck and began its slow

chugging across the mighty Zambezi River. I acquired the aim-picture again on another target and despatched

him without really giving it too much thought. Suddenly, in amongst all the bullets and explosions, came the

sound on the SAS Unimog. Scotty had arrived with the boys! They screeched to halt next to us and, whilst

returning fire on the BDF position nearby (basically to put their heads down), adjusted the mounted 85

recoilless and fired on the advancing ferry. The first round narrowly missed the side of the boat with a huge

splash of water. Quickly, rearmed, they fired again and this time there was a direct hit on the boat’s command

turret. A plume of fire and smoke erupted as the fuel was ignited and the ferry listed to one side, the huge 20-

wheeler’s weight and momentum forcing it down below the surface. People were “disembarking” - jumping

into the water. From the vehicle came a cheer and a shout, “Bus is leaving, all aboard!” We scrambled onto

the Unimog and raced back to higher ground, laughing and giving “high-fives” all round!

So ended my one and only time for glory as a “sniper”! Damn proud I was and still am - of the range and what

we achieved with such unprofessional equipment and lack of sniper training. Those were the days!

A note on sniper rifles in the Rhodesian Army

Sometime after the Kazungula incident, I happened to be on a Captains to Majors Course at the SchInf in

Gwelo. Captain Tony Simon (OC Group 5 in Salisbury) was also on the course and I can recall him telling me

about 5 x Lee Enfield .303 sniper rifles, that the army owed, were held at Group 5.On my return I approached

Bde and requested 1 (Indep) Coy be issued one of these weapons for any further tasks that might arise. The

weapons (and this was really interesting to me) were fitted with barrels selected from the Birmingham Small

Arms factory in UK where, apparently, 1 in 1,000,000 barrels are “true” and selected for sniper work. The

Rhodesia Army had five of these weapons but, they were never used until Sgt Clive Mason arrived. Clive was

ex SAS (Australia) who joined Selous Scouts. Clive was an amazing sniper/soldier, in the true sense. I had great

respect for Clive and it is crying shame that he was not recruited to train snipers as he wanted to do. R I P

great soldier

Another very interesting aspect here - mounted on these special (antiquated rifles from the Second World

War era) was their scopes. The scope, as I remember, was a variable power (UK manufactured, presumably

from the same arms factory) but, with a difference to any other rifle scope I have ever seen. The aiming

reticule, inside the scope, was a tapering post that came from the “roof” of the scope, down to the middle of

the aiming window – much like a stalactite. The idea here being, one could not block-out the target this way,

as was and still is, the opposite with all civilian scopes where the aiming post comes from the floor up, like a

stalagmite! This “stalactite” design made perfect sense because, a shooter will, normally, bring the barrel up,

rather than down, in order to get a fix on the target. The “stalactite” concept ensures that the target is not

obliterated by the aiming post.

In passing, I tried to inspire and train several snipers but, it was very difficult with absolutely no support from

the top, no equipment and no funding. In the end, I gave up. Sniping was considered by our “brass” to be a

classical-war tactic, with no place in our little war even though it was common knowledge that snipers were

used to great effect in Borneo, Viet Nam, etc. Strangely, towards the end of the bush-war, sniping was

becoming popular and certain “crack-shots” were used in the RLI Commandos. When I took over from Maj.

Bruce Snelgar SCR (RIP) I remember Dave Cohen was the 3 Cdo Sniper. He was a brilliant shot and still is today,

even though he now concentrates on clay-pigeon shooting where he has truly excelled - being the World

Champion several times - well done Dave! They were called “snipers” but, never did the very specialised

training required, nor deployed alone as Mason did. Weapons were standard FN’s, with scope and bipod, not

really the right tool for the right job! In my humble opinion, it is very sad because I am sure we could have

achieved much!

One note before leaving the subject - on joining cadet course Inf 25(11) in 1968, I remember being treated to a

fine display of long-range shooting, on the SchInf rifle range, by the RSM, at the time, none other than Peter

“Plank” Cooper, later to become Maj. RIP (ex 1RLI). Unbeknown to us, Pete was deployed, well camouflaged,

way up and off the range in the 1000 m mark area and equipped with one of the “special .303 Lee Enfield’s”

mentioned earlier. He despatched four targets, at great range, moving to different shooting platforms- a tree,

an ant hill, etc. After each shot the cadets were shown the shooter’s position, indicated by a white flag, and

then told to face the butts for more shooting. Eventually, “Plank” made his way down to join us - what a

remarkable officer and soldier. Plank was a properly trained British sniper who, apart from the demonstration

given to a bunch of raw officer cadets, was never used - such a dreadful waste.”

Let’s face it – there would have been no shortage of applicants had Rhodesia established a sniper

regiment similar to the likes of the RLI, SAS and Selous Scouts. Rhodesia was famous for possessing

marksmen – Frederick Courtney Selous being, perhaps, the first. Later, there were recipients of the

Queen’s and President’s medal such as Al Tourle (RLI), Boet Lamprecht (RhAF) and Gordon James

(Adj SchInf). Don Hollingsworth (BSAP) won the Southern African Service-Shooting Championships

in 1978, on the Hamilton Range, Bloemfontein – as did Barry Enslin (Intaf), a year later, with a score

that has never been bettered. Not forgetting, of course, that wise-crack (correction - crack-shot) Wrex

Tarr (BSAP) who was not only handy with a pistol but, rifle as well. Wrex always referred to it as a

“gun” because he used it for fun – RLI training was so much more refined, don’t you think?

Boet Lamprecht Dave Westerhout

Whilst on the subject of pistols, let us not forget Dave Westerhout – and then, of course, the Bisley

specialists. For heaven’s sake, there was a whole ten-toed “tribe” of them, from Marula, known as the

Rosenfels Brigade! So, no matter which military unit, civvy occupation or civil service department,

Rhodesia had a plethora of sniper material.

Part of the Rosenfels Brigade Wrex Tarr

To return to the “bar one” expression above – it has no bearing on a chocolate snack. The reference,

concerns a genuine sniper who served in a genuine sniper roll whilst with the Rhodesian forces. As

Don mentioned, his name is Sgt Clive Mason, who learnt his sniper trade in the British Royal Marines

and who later joined the Australian SAS before signing on with the Selous Scouts. Clive preferred to

deploy alone, armed with his trusty Mk IV SMLE .303 rifle. Legend has it that Clive would dress up

in his “mopani-tree” cammo and depart, into enemy territory, with only the CO knowing his

destination. On 15th

March 1977, Sgt Mason had already accounted for six targets, in an enemy camp

near Malvernia, just across the border from Villa Salazar. Being a genuine sniper, Clive’s philosophy

was somewhat different from that of an ordinary marksman. His reasoning being – taking out medical

personnel and kitchen staff has a far more demoralising effect than targeting senior officers. With no

medical attention, and nothing to eat, an army cannot march very far. On that day, the enemy had no

idea exactly where Sgt Mason was hiding - whilst picking off their medical and food supplies,

seemingly at will, and success with every shot. Fire was returned, in the general direction, from where

the occasional thumps of the .303 could be heard. It was a fluke round, from this aimless barrage, that

ended Clive’s life. It is doubtful, however, that Clive was alone on this operation – one report states

that Clive stood up, from his position, and the fluke round hit Clive in the head. How would this be

known if Clive was alone – perhaps he had a spotter alongside? Clive is buried in Warren Hills –

indicating that his body was recovered from Mozambique. He could not, therefore, have been alone

entirely.

Rumours abound that Sgt Clive Mason ran his own sniper school during call-ups and whilst on R&R.

Rumour also has it, however, that nobody ever graduated from this school because recruits were, and

never would be, as good as Clive. Yes – the candidates were exceptional marksmen but, the other

rigours required of a genuine sniper were not teachable in the time allowed – personal camouflage in

any given situation, patience, non-smoking and, above all, dealing with loneliness.

RIP, Sgt Clive Mason.

Clive is on the far right in this photo.

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Cheers. There is no doubt that the RLI uniforms, seen on parade, provide a degree of “eye-candy” for

the “crows” in attendance – and, similarly, for the ouens - especially when checking out this month’s

cover photo of Dawn. Just remember, no matter what your gender – “You can always check the menu

– but, it is much wiser, and far less expensive, to eat at home – ek se!”

Keep your head down, pecker up, and pay your subs. Until next time.

Ed