1200 ‘immigrants’ — or refugees from peace

Press, 14 March 1977, Page 8

1200 ‘immigrants’ — or refugees from peace

By

MATT FRANPOULA,

, of the Associated Press, through NZPA

i About 1200 foreigners mostly from the United States, Britain, Australia, Portugal, South Africa, and Canada, have joined tht Rhodesian Army in its war against black nationalist guerrillas. These men. mostly in the 20s or early 30s, are largely left-overs from conflicts elsewhere in Africa, in Vietnam, and Northern Ireland. Some could not find jobs when they returned home from other wars. Most gravitated to Rhodesia as one of the few places where a man can escape the boredom of civilian living by putting his life on the line. The Rhodesian Government is reluctant to talk about these troopers, or have them interviewed by the press. Officials are annoyed by reports calling the foreigners mercenaries.

Technically the men are immigrants who join the Armed Forces for a threeyear hitch to fight in the growing guerrilla war. Military sources say it is not unlike immigrants joining the American or British Army.

Most recruits find out about Rhodesian Army opportunities by word-of-mouth among former military buddies. The Government, however, does some advertising in hunting and gun magazines.

One of the largest ads appears on the back cover of “Soldier of Fortune” magazine in the United States. It shows the silhouette of an infantryman running with [a rifle with the caption: [“Join the Rhodesian Army.” [About 400 of the troopers [are American.

,; The Rhodesian Government does not make promises to prospective recruits. [ some of whom have been [disillusioned at the rank I they received. I One Army source said he -would rather have men with ino military experience beI cause they have no pre[conceived notions about I army life and are easier to [train. [ A regular infantryman, I known as a trooper, is paid about SUS6OO a month in Rhodesian currency. A captain, depending on his experience and time in service, may earn SUS7SO to SUS9OO a month. New arrivals fill out forms noting their military background and are sent for training where they are evaluated and given a rank that may be higher or lower than their past army positions. A qualified helicopter pilot who had been with the American special forces was not given his old rank but assigned to be a training instructor. In another case, a former United States Marine captain was initially placed at first lieutenant, but was promoted to captain after a year. [ The foreigners are not [easy to find. They stay in [military zones along the borIder, and only a handful of [foreigners are in each unit I In the past month, eight linen deserted the army and [fled to the neighbouring I black-ruled count ries of BotIswana or Zambia. One was (arrested in South Africa and 'returned to Rhodesia. A Rhodesian Army re(cruiter said, “You’ve got deserters in every army. We 'can do without the sort that 'want to desert.” The Rhodesian military is

'adamant about secrecy and (troopers are cautioned [against talking carelesslv, 'for which they can be ini'prisoned. Americans, long familiar [with Vietnam da vs when I they used to talk openlv of I their experiences, generally [ keep their stories to themselves. [ One American tn the elite I Selous Scouts said he would [like to describe just how [successful their operations ; have been. This unit makes [occasional raids deep into [Mozambique where black | nationalist ''guerrillas alleg ledly are encamped. [ Unlike Vietnam, the [chance of an infantryman being killed is slight. In four I vears of conflict, about 235 Rhodesian militarymen have been killed in action, while more than 24(Hi guerrillas or guerrilla suspects have been killed, according to Government fi-’iires. Onlv a handful lof the dead were foreigners. The Rhodesian Armv gen I erally works in small group* land sets frequent ambuahc* [lf outnumbered. Rhodes soldiers can cal) in rein forcements by helicopter. They rarely use artillerv and an air strike from one [of their aging British-built [Vampire or Hunter jets is a luxury. i Most of the fiOOO-siroti' 1 [regular Rhodesian Arms s [composed of black volun beers led hv white Rhodesian [or foreign officers. Black i guerrillas are poorly led and [trained. ; Observers, familiar with I other wars, say the Rhodeisian militars is a first rale [counter-insurgent force. Thr [Prime Minister (Mr lar Smith) has said his armv can keep the insurgents a’ bay for 10 years or more.