WHITES IN ARMY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29262, 21 July 1960, Page 13

WHITES IN ARMY

Regular Unit ■ Planned SALISBURY, July 20. Rhodesia has decided to raise its first white regular army unit and a special air services squadron. . u. The news was given by the Minister for Defence, Mr J. M. Caldicote, in Parliament yesterday during a debate in which he announced an addition of £3,000,000 to the existing defence estimate of £5,000,000. The regular volunteer battalion of whites for the army will be raised in the next 12 months. Until now the rank and file of the regular Federal Army has been African. . , ... They would be equipped with F N rifles and machine-guns. The special air services squadron would be integrated into the British Army order of battle, and a considerable part of its advanced training would take place in Britain. A regular European reconaissance squadron would also be raised. Later the Prime Minister, Sir Roy Welensky, said that what had happened in the Congo and Nyasaland would not happen in Rhodesia. ... “It has been our role as white men to bring the light of civilisation to this Continent. We have no intention of letting the light be snuffed out. We are determined to see our achievements continue.” Thai Royal Couple Guests Of Queen

LONDON, July 19. The Queen entertained King Phumiphon and Queen Sirikit of Thailand at a glittering State banquet in the white and gold State ballroom at Buckingham Palace tonight. The King and Queen of Thailand arrived this morning for a four-day visit.