SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
September 2010 edition
Residents of Denbigh, in Denbighshire North Wales, recently commissioned a bronze statue to be erected in the town to commemorate their most famous son - the famed and celebrated Victorian African explorer and Imperial pioneer Sir Henry Morton Stanley.
Stanley had been born into poverty at Denbigh in 1841 under the name of John Rowlands. His youthful initiative and sense of adventure took him to the United States in 1859 however, where he settled in New Orleans and took up the name of a benefactor who he met there. He enlisted with the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, but following capture served in the US Navy. After the Civil War Stanley turned his hand to journalism, and following successful assignments covering the American Indian wars and an adventurous trip to the Ottoman Empire, he was appointed overseas correspondent by the New York Herald. It was in this capacity that he was sent to central Africa in order to try to find the lost missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone. He was successful in this quest, tracking down the famous man at Ujiji on the banks of Lake Tanganyika - allegedly greeting him with the words "Dr. Livingstone I presume". After this the "bug" of African adventure really bit, and Stanley embarked on several other expeditions to the dark continent "under three flags" - the American, the British and finally the Belgian. Under the latter auspices he worked directly for the great visionary Belgian King Leopold II, whose foresight and energetic determination for Belgium to "punch above her weight" ensured that the country obtained a vast colony in central Africa (which was to become known as the Belgian Congo), and thus ranked as one of the great European nation-states. Stanley's own name was immortalised by King Leopold when the third city of the new colony was named in his honour - Stanleyville. Stanley's last trip to Africa was a successful expedition to rescue Emin Pasha from the followers of the mad Mahdi in the southern Sudan, but after this he returned back to live in Britain. Even in "retirement" his patriotic zeal didn't cease however, as he was elected the Unionist MP for Lambeth North in 1895, and was knighted and awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1899. Henry Morton Stanley died in 1904, eulogised and hero-worshipped by the people of Britain, the United States and Belgium alike.
In view of all these fantastic achievements of Henry Morton Stanley it would be thought that nobody could possibly object to a statue being erected in his honour at Denbigh - but alas no. A small group of 60 left-wing weirdoes and throw-backs to the "politically correct" 1990s have initiated a press campaign to have the plan abandoned on the spurious grounds that Stanley's expeditions were "racist" and allegedly "led to hundreds of thousands of Africans being killed or mistreated" (in actual fact, of course, Stanley's expeditions brought civilisation and advanced health-care to central Africa, as well as halting the Arab slave trade - which led to hundreds of thousands of African lives being saved!). Happily, however, the people of Denbigh do not seem to have taken any notice of this ignorant and repulsive campaign. Over £31,000 has already been raised for the statue, a sculptor has been commissioned - and even the local Labour MP has lent his support!
We therefore express our full solidarity with the loyal citizens of Denbigh in their desire to honour their most famous son, and trust that after the statue has been erected our movement will be able to stage a visit to the town to pay our respects there.
But it isn't only the memory of Stanley the individual which is currently under attack by those who wish to destroy our Western heritage - the very existence of the great nation-state of Belgium is also currently being undermined. These attacks do not only come from sinister internationalist EU agencies who wish to "Balkanise" Western Europe, and from Flemish "nationalists", but also from those who should know better. Belgium is NOT an artificial nation - the very name dates back to a tribe inhabiting the area during Roman times. There may be linguistic differences between Flemings and Walloons, but not ethnic differences - both groups descend from the same Nordic ethnic stock.
Make no bones about it, if the EU and their useful-idiot collaborators succeed in splitting Belgium then France and Spain - and our own beloved United Kingdom - will be next in line. The unity and continued existence of Belgium as a great European nation-state is therefore in all our interests. Long live Belgium!
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SPRINGBOK CLUB/EMPIRE LOYALIST CLUB AUGUST EVENT
The Springbok Club/ELC staged a most memorable trip to the Rhodesian Light Infantry Regimental Association Museum at the RAF Association HQ in Bedford last month. Our sincerest thanks are extended to the RLI Regimental Association for organising such an inspiring event, which started with a video-presentation, followed by a conducted tour of the museum itself, before culminating with a marvellous meal served at the RAF Association bar. Particular thanks are due to Mr. Mark Pilbeam and to Mr. Glenn Seymour-Hall who stepped into the breach to conduct this visit after Mr. Martyn Hudson was most unfortunately hospitalised at the last minute. Needless to say, our sincerest best wishes are extended to Martyn Hudson for a full and speedy recovery.
The only disappointment of the day was that when the party reached the next stop on the planned trip - to see the famous RLI "Troopie" Statue now situated at Hatfield House - it was discovered that Hatfield House would be closing very shortly, so it therefore wasn't possible to pay our respects at the statue after all. It was consequently decided to make our return trip to Hatfield House for this purpose in November, and to make this the organisation's annual UDI Day celebration event, as unfortunately the planned guest speaker for November evidently won't be visiting the UK this year after all.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB/ELC SEPTEMBER ACTIVITY
The Springbok Club/ELC has been extended an special invitation to attend the official book-launch of Mr. Graham Gillmore's new book "The Philistines" (about his exploits whilst serving in the Pathfinder Company, 44 Parachute Brigade, of the SADF) in central London later this month. Unfortunately all tickets allocated to the Springbok Club/ELC have now been taken up, but a full report on this event will be appearing in next month's SCN.
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FUTURE SPRINGBOK CLUB/EMPIRE LOYALIST CLUB EVENTS
On Thursday 14th October the Springbok Club/ELC will be addressed by a very well known South African personality who is now resident in the UK. Full details about this event will be given in next month's SCN, but in view of the very special nature of this meeting we hope that all supporters will diarise the date, and will make an extra-special effort to attend.
As mentioned above, the Springbok Club/ELC will be making a return trip to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire during November in order to pay respects at the RLI "Troopie" Statue which is now situated there, and to celebrate UDI Day.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB/ELC BRANCH NEWS
The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC will be staging an informal gathering at Canterbury on Saturday 25th September. All Kent Branch members will be notified of the precise details through the post, but if anyone else is keen to attend please 'phone: 07711188430 for more information.
It is also hoped that the London Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC will be making a trip to the RAF Museum in Hendon in the near future. Full details will be given as soon as they are finalised.
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MAKE A DONATION TO THE SPRINGBOK CLUB
The Springbok Club has now installed a PayPal facility to its main web-page at www.springbokclub.org.uk so that all those who wish to help the ongoing work of the organisation may do so easily. [Alas we have learnt that there has been some difficulty in using this facility from certain parts of the world, so we would therefore ask all those making a donation also to inform us by e-mail, so that we can check and confirm that transactions have been completed successfully.]
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
The Swinton Circle staged a most inspiring meeting last month which was addressed by Mr. Christopher Rudd - the grandson of the famed Cape merchant and adventurer Charles Rudd. Mr. Rudd gave a totally enthralling illustrated talk about the history and work of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, an organisation which provides the opportunity for adventure on the high seas for those of all abilities which he has for long been associated with. His talk proved truly inspirational to all those present.
Details of the forthcoming most exciting Swinton Circle meeting are as follows :-
Date : Tuesday 14th September 2010
Time : Assemble from 18.00 hrs onwards, main activities to start at 19.00 hrs prompt.
Venue : The PERSEVERANCE (the upstairs Function Room), 11 Shroton Street, Marylebone, London NW1 6UG (nearest station: Marylebone - exit via the side entrance of Marylebone Station and turn right into Harewood Avenue, then take the first turning to the left into Hayes Place, which automatically becomes Shroton Street. The Perseverance is then on the right).
Main Guest Speaker : Mr. GARY CARTWRIGHT
Gary Cartwright will be addressing the Swinton Circle on the subject of Europe's future relations with Russia. He is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad on this subject, and his book "Putin's Legacy: Russian policy and the new arms race" was published last year. Gary has been a member of the Swinton Circle for many years and is currently Deputy Chairman. He has however been based in Brussels since 2004, working for a number of EuroSceptic organisations and MEPs.
In addition to Mr. Cartwright there will be two other special guests at this meeting who will be saying a few words on their respective subjects. Firstly there will be Mr. Bob Vinnicombe from Sydney, Australia, who will be reporting on the outcome of the recent Australian General Election, and secondly there will be Mr. Chris White, the former Conservative Party Press Officer at the European Parliament in Brussels and the founding publisher/editor of the EuroSceptic magazine "EU Reporter", who will be giving a brief report on the latest machinations of the EU. In addition to these speakers Mr. Robin Willow will also be providing some musical entertainment at this event.
The Swinton Circle has also now finalised meetings to be addressed by sitting MPs every month from November 2010 until March 2011; full details of all these events will be included in future editions of the SCN.
We would also like to inform everyone that the Swinton Circle now has a presence on Twitter, on which news about the organisation and policy statements are regularly posted. This can be found on Twitter @SwintonCircle
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MESSAGE FROM THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Rhino poaching in South Africa is out of control with more than 70 animals slaughtered in the most horrific way imaginable since January 2010 to date.
Highly active criminal syndicates exploit the failing justice and conservation systems and indiscriminately slaughter pregnant females, calves and bulls. Highly sophisticated, and well-equipped with immobilizing guns and helicopters, the criminals go about their ghastly task of darting innocent and defenceless animals from the air, land their helicopters and then cut off their horns leaving the highly drugged animals simply to bleed to death. Those that do manage to come out from over-dosed drugged sleep suffer horribly until they are found by rangers and park management who have little choice other than to destroy the animals to end their suffering.
We desperately ask for your urgent donations to help us train and appoint 6 rhino guards to follow our rhinos day and night until this horrible crisis can be adverted and the police and conservation officials that form part of a special task force initiated weeks ago, and arrest the offenders and break the criminal syndicates.
We have already implanted micro-chips and GPS tracking devices in the rhino horns, but armed guards are urgently needed.
Kindly please make an urgent donation to help us fund the guards' training and salaries.
On-line credit card donations can be made via our interactive website at www.sanwild.com Use the dropdown box to find RHINO GUARDS.
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RHODESIAN LIGHT INFANTRY DVD
The Rhodesian Light Infantry Regimental Association in the UK (part of the world-wide RLI Regimental Association) has recently had a series of films on a single DVD created which tell the story of the Rhodesian Bush War, as seen through the eyes of the men who fought in it. This is a new set of films which are not in anyway related to those that have been around for a number of years, and the proceeds are to be used to maintain our Troopie statue, smuggled out of Zimbabwe, as well as the creation and maintenance of an RLI museum.
For more details about how to order this DVD please contact Mark Pilbeam at:
mark.pilbeam@dsl.pipex.com
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SEARCH SERVICE FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST CONTACTS
Find any South African, even those who have emigrated. We also search Botswana, Namibia and ex-Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.html
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MAKE YOUR OWN BILTONG AT THE FRACTION OF THE COST ....
Biltongmakers.Com has, for over 10 years, put a smile on many a South African face. No longer do they have to pay exorbitant prices for biltong that in most cases is not even to their liking!
Now you can make your own Biltong at a fraction of the price you pay right now and .... you can make it the way YOU like it!
Please visit www.biltongmakers.com and see all they have available.
You will never be without some REAL South African Biltong again!
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FLAGS etc.
The Springbok Club/ELC now retails Union Flag lapel badges and key-rings, price £2.00 each (plus 20% p&p).
Payments should be made to "The Springbok Club" and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.
Copies of S.A.Patriot-in-Exile (editions 30 to 36) are still available price R5.00 or 50p each, as well as batches of 50 copies (including copies of the original S.A.Patriot) price R80.00 or £8.00 (plus 20% for p&p.)
Payments should be made to "Patriotic Press" and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.
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BOOK OFFERS
"GOVERNMENT BY DECEPTION" by Jan Lamprecht
Details the disasters of Mugabe's Zimbabwe, and illustrates the similarities between Mugabe's rule and that of Mandela/Mbeki in South Africa. It can be ordered on-line at: www.AfricanCrisis.org
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"THE RAPE OF ZIMBABWE" by Ricky Wilson - which tells it like it was (and is)!
Rhodesia was once a prosperous and thriving country, and the story of the author's enterprising and entrepreneurial spirit in that land, followed by his desperate escape from the country when, as Zimbabwe, it became ruled by a tyrant, imparts a realistic perspective of the present desperate plight of many exiles from a country that was once a paradise and the breadbasket for so much of Africa.
You can order this book via http://www.diadembooks.com/zimbabwe.htm
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"THE SEVEN WATCHMEN" by David Ruppert
A new fascinating novel titled "The Seven Watchmen" by David Ruppert should appeal to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians. It can be ordered from Crest Publishing in South Africa at www.crestpublishing.co.za - or those abroad can buy it directly from David at rupedf72@comcast.net. It's also available on www.Amazon.com
Glenn MacAskill and Michael Bowery of Crest Publishing have also written three books each. Glenn MacAskill is ex-BSAP Special Branch and still working (as Mugabe has denied him any pension) and Michael Bowery is ex-South African Special Forces. Due to the difficulties confronting White writers in the "new" South Africa they launched Crest Publishing to self-publish their own books, and have been doing this since October 2006. Michael Bowery is author of: "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" and "Kill the President", whilst Glenn MacAskill is author of: "King's Gold", "Crime Lords" and "Of Royal Blood". Special discounts to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!
For more information, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 97910, Petervale, Transvaal, 2151, South Africa, e-mail: crestbooks@mweb.co.za, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za
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"THE SAINTS" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.142 : Miss RICHENDA LITTLEJOHN of Durban.
Richenda Littlejohn (we are not certain whether this is the correct spelling of her somewhat unusual christian name) worked as a head waitress at the restaurant of the Bell Inn, Durban North, during the 1980s. A friendly, vivacious and extremely beautiful young woman, a number of former patrons of the Bell Inn would be very keen to learn where she is now.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
All those who were unable to attend last month's Swinton Circle meeting which Christopher Rudd addressed might like to have a look at the Jubilee Sailing Trust's most impressive web-site, which can be accessed at :-
http://www.jst.org.uk
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Sir,
South Africans have harped on “solving crime” for far too long now. We start to need asking what this government is doing to “prevent” this from happening. “Solving a crime” doesn’t solve anything. Preventing a crime saves a nation.
If you want to: Our Government’s web-site is FULL of documents like The Police Act, The Constitution, The Minimum Services Standards, The Bathopele White Paper, The Victim’s Rights Charter ... In ALL of these documents it is clearly stated that the Government’s first and foremost obligation is to keep this country’s citizens SAFE ... and we are being murdered at the rate of more than 50 people per day.
When are we then going to start asking what this Government is doing to PREVENT crime from happening?
Right now, all we do is listen to Government’s excuses for not being able to “manage” the crime. Lack of resources, lack of vehicles, lack of training, lack of staff, lack of time, lack of forensic capabilities, lack of information ... and every time we ask a question the answer remains the same: “We can’t do this by ourselves, we need the public to get involved in the fight against crime!”
It is NOT the public’s responsibility to “fight” crime. We are not equipped, trained or have the time. That is why we’re paying taxes to Government ... to provide us with a fully functional Police Force that maintains Law and Order ... but do they?
As long as we fail to keep this Government accountable ... that long the situation will continue.
Yours etc.,
Johann Marx, Roodepoort, Transvaal, South Africa
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LIFE SAVING ADVICE
Sir,
If you knew someone was unknowingly entering a dangerous area, wouldn't you warn him or her?
I believe it is the unquestionable responsibility of all ex-South Africans to warn all their friends and family about the danger of going to South Africa, even now that the World Cup is over.
How would you feel if you failed to warn someone who ends up mutilated, crippled, murdered, robbed, beaten up, or raped in South Africa? Find stats and web-sites that reveal the violence in South Africa and e-mail it to all your people, and ask them to do the same. Let's warn people, reveal what is really going on, and save some lives. Those still living in South Africa should be doing the same. Let the world know what savages are awaiting them in South Africa, and sleep with a good conscience.
Yours etc.,
Robin J. Elliott, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (www.RobinJElliott.com)
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U.S.A. TODAY
Sir,
Looking at an article about the mosque at Ground Zero reminded me of the small town in Texas where local Muslims planned to build a mosque. The hog farmer next door decided to start public pig races - just to send a message. I don't know what happened after that.
This is truly an amazing country - you've obviously heard about the "tea party" movement here in the USA. Their web-sites are www.flipthishouse2010.com and www.resistnet.com - it's gaining ground and hopefully we'll be able to get rid of Obama in 2012. The immigration bill in Arizona is gaining popularity too and it's just so good to see people standing up to this "communist" government of ours. When we lived in Arizona we had that dumb homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano for our governor - I wish I was there now that they have a governor with the guts to do what's right!! Have you heard about the sheriff of Maricopa county in Arizona? He has created a tent city for a jail in the desert - and you know how hot that must be - and he makes the prisoners wear pink overalls and actually has chain gangs - can you believe it - they really do exist in this day and age. He's been voted back in time and time again so the people approve.
Yours etc.,
Tricia Jackson, Florida, U.S.A.
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ROGUES GALLERY
Alas we hear that Mr. Allan "Judas" Robertson, who was expelled from the Swinton Circle in early 2009 for gross misconduct, is continuing to usurp the organisation's name simply by adding the prefix word of "London" to the title (the organisation was originally called the 'London Swinton Circle', but the word "London" was dropped several years ago when the organisation began to expand). Fortunately most of the people who Robertson has hoodwinked into speaking for his tiny clique of political extremists and cranks have been relative nonentities, but one of his more recent guest speakers has apparently been a somewhat more substantial figure, namely Mr. Godfrey Bloom, the UKIP MEP for Yorkshire. Mr. Bloom, however, is very much of a maverick and a controversial character within UKIP ranks, and a better idea of the calibre of person who Robertson now associates with can be discovered by viewing the following web-page :-
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Brothelvisit-Euro-MP-under-fire.1381786.jp
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OBITUARIES
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL PETER WALLS
Lieutenant-General Peter Walls, who died on 20th July aged 83, was General Officer Commanding the Rhodesian Army, and subsequently Head of Joint Operations Command, during the Rhodesian Bush War against Marxist-backed terrorism.
Born in Rhodesia in 1927 into a military family (his father had volunteered for service in the newly-formed RAF), Walls enlisted with the British Army towards the end of WWII, and after gaining his commission was posted to the Black Watch. An attempt to transfer him to another regiment did not meet with his approval however, so he resigned his commission, returned to the then Southern Rhodesia, and promptly re-enlisted with the Southern Rhodesian Army. He saw active service in Malaya during the military operation against the Communist insurgency of 1951 to 1953, where he served with great distinction and gained a high reputation. In 1964 he was promoted to become commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the RLI, and in this position was not afraid to show his political colours by openly supporting moves by the Rhodesian Front Government of Ian Smith (with whom he enjoyed close personal ties) to declare UDI - much to the disapproval of some of his more senior officers.
Shortly after UDI was declared Peter Walls was appointed General Officer Commanding the Rhodesian Army, something which proved to be an inspired choice. Very much of a "soldier's soldier" he enjoyed the total confidence of his officers and men alike, and his visionary and (then) unorthodox tactics of fighting a counter-insurgency war (putting into operation tactics which he had experienced during the Malaya Campaign) proved highly effective, showing that what many had previously considered to be an unwinnable war could actually be won. Under Walls' increasingly dominant command (he was appointed Head of Joint Operations Command in 1977 - effectively being in charge of all of Rhodesia's armed services) the Rhodesian forces had the ZIPRA and ZANLA terrorists completely on the run, and suffering casualty rates which they clearly could not sustain. It was at this stage, alas, that John Vorster's NP Government in South Africa stabbed Rhodesia in the back in order (foolishly as subsequent history proved) to try to save South Africa, by withdrawing all South African support for the country.
It was then that Peter Walls' career started to become controversial. Ian Smith decided that Rhodesia could not survive without South African support, though many people disagreed, particularly if he was to go above the heads of Vorster's Government and appeal directly to the White South African electorate, and if even more ruthless action was to be taken against the terrorists. Walls alas proved subservient to his political masters, in spite of the fact that several other officers in the Rhodesian forces advocated that he seize the military initiative. When the Rhodesian Front Government finally sold-out to the Muzorewa faction of ZANU (by then re-named UANC) in 1979 Walls went along with this development, even though it was obvious to all but the most myopic that Muzorewa only represented a short interval prior to a total takeover by Mugabe's ZANLA terrorists. Walls was prepared to serve under Muzorewa - and even incredibly under Mugabe thereafter! This of course lost him the support of many who had previously served under him with pride and admiration, particularly when the rumour started spreading that he had the opportunity of eliminating Mugabe personally during the Muzorewa interlude, but had flunked the chance.
Inevitably Walls' flirtation with Mugabe inevitably didn't last for long, and he soon left what was by then Zimbabwe to live in South Africa, where he remained in seclusion even after the ANC terrorists took control. Controversy didn't leave Walls however, as he was accused of being involved in ivory smuggling (unproven), but more bizarrely became involved in the staging of music festivals on the Witwatersrand. Perhaps uniquely among the leading figures of Rhodesian independence he never wrote his memoirs, and indeed never made any sort of public statement after his retirement. Maybe he realised just what bad judgement he had made in 1979, and couldn't face admitting this fact.
At the time of his death, however, we choose to remember more the Peter Walls who was a great and inspirational military commander who saved Rhodesia from destruction during the 1970s, rather than the Peter Walls who made a serious mistake by not acting in 1979.
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LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RONALD REID-DALY
Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald "Ron" Reid-Daly died in South Africa on 9th August 2010, ironically less than a month after the death of his great military colleague and mentor Peter Walls.
Ron Reid-Daly was born at Salisbury, Rhodesia, on 22nd September 1928. Little is known about his early life, but he joined the C (Rhodesia) Squadron of the British SAS in 1951, almost immediately seeing active service in the military operation against Communist insurgents in Malaya. It was at this time that he first met fellow-Rhodesian Peter Walls, a contact which was to prove very important for his later career.
After the Malaya Campaign Reid-Daly transferred to the Southern Rhodesian Army, working his way up through the ranks to become a Regimental Sergeant-Major, before retiring in 1973. His retirement didn't last for long however, for he was persuaded by his old colleague Peter Walls - by then General Officer Commanding the Rhodesian Army - to form a new elite special forces unit within the Rhodesian Army to became known as the Selous Scouts. Walls had evidently remembered the talents which Reid-Daly possessed in counter-insurgency operations in Malaya well, and saw him as the ideal man to lead the new force. Immediately commissioned, Reid-Daly set about his new task with gusto. The Selous Scouts, although ostensibly being a tracking unit, actually operated behind enemy lines and across international borders, often even infiltrating terrorist ranks.
Ron Reid-Daly was a man of great natural charisma, and quickly became a cult figure not only within the Rhodesian armed forces, but also among the wider Rhodesian public. In his new role he was outstandingly successful, and using many tactics honed whilst serving in Malaya - as well as many new ones developed as a result of the specific experiences of he Bush War itself - the Selous Scouts under his command scored many of the greatest victories over the ZANLA and ZIPRA terrorists, and made a significant contribution to the fact that by the late 1970s the terrorists were on the run.
Reid-Daly was in no way implicated with the political sell-out of 1979, nor with the fact that his colleague Peter Walls did not act at this time. Perhaps this was the reason why he was accused of ivory smuggling at this time (a charge also made against Walls himself several years later), a charge which he strenuously denied and indeed took legal action over. He resigned his commission immediately, so although serving for a few months under Muzorewa he never had to make a decision as to whether to serve under Mugabe, which Walls alas chose to do. Knowing of his track record fighting the terrorists at close quarter it would seem very doubtful that he would have done so.
After leaving the by then Zimbabwe-Rhodesian Army Ron Reid-Daly immediately moved to South Africa, where he was soon recruited to command the infant Transkei armed forces. This appointment would seem to have been something of a smoke-screen however, as he somehow managed to smuggle out all Rhodesian military records with him to Umtata, as if waiting for a call from the South African authorities for ex-Rhodesian manpower to help in an intensified struggle against ANC terrorism. Alas, of course, the South African authorities - like some, but by no means all in Rhodesia - preferred to surrender rather than to fight.
Ron Reid-Daly was a great man who achieved great successes in the fight against international terrorism during the Rhodesian Bush War, and who still had a lot more to offer in the defence of Western civilisation if called upon. Alas far lesser men ensured that this opportunity was never to be. Ron Reid-Daly's name must never be forgotten however, as he can still be an inspiration for generations to come.
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See you again next month!
