The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry (Alexandre Binda, Chris Cocks)

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry

Alexandre Binda, Chris Cocks

Published by 30 South, South Africa, 2007

ISBN 10: 1920143076 ISBN 13: 9781920143077

Dubbed The Killing Machine by Charles D. Melson, chief historian of the US Marine Corps, the RLI was a veritable foreign legion with over 20 diverse nationalities serving in her ranks. The RLI fought the bitter Zimbabwean bush war for 15 years, against the overwhelming tide of communist-trained guerrillas. Kill rates dont win wars, but during its brief 19-year history, it is estimated that the RLI accounted for between 12,000 and 15,000 enemy guerrillas, for the loss of 135 men. RLI soldiers were recipients of four Silver Crosses and 42 Bronze Crosses of Rhodesia. An RLI trooper holds the world record for operational parachute descentsa staggering 73 op jumpsmost under 500 feet!

A glossy, coffee table, pictorial format with hundreds of color photos, maps, rolls, honours and awards. It is not intended as a definitive history but, with more of a classic scrapbook feel, the presentation attempts to capture the essence of this fine unit what it was like to be a troopie, one of the ouens. We have accessed a host of unique, previously unpublished photos and illustrative material and many former RLI members have embraced the project, generously contributing photos, memorabilia and anecdotes. Ian Smith has written his tribute in the front and the foreword is by the last CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Charlie Aust.