Formed in 1973 by the legendary Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly at the behest of Rhodesian military supremo General Peter Walls, the Selous Scouts were to write their name into the annals of military history as one of the finest counterinsurgency units of all time, through their innovative pseudo-guerrilla tactics, brilliant reconnaissance operations into Zambia and Botswana and daring flying-column raids into Mozambique. Feared and hated by the liberation movements ZIPRA and ZANLA, the Scouts wreaked untold havoc and destruction on their Soviet- and Chinese-backed enemies, accounting for 68% of guerrilla casualties within Rhodesia alone during the bitter bush war of the 1970s. Uniquely ahead of its time, the regiment, a brotherhood of men that traversed cultural and racial barriers with their Shona motto of 'Pamwe Chete' (together only), was to produce the type of soldier that earned for the unit one Grand Cross of Valour, nine Silver Crosses and 22 Bronze Crosses of Rhodesia.

About the Author

Dennis Croukamp was born in Rhodesia in 1945. After national service in 1964 he joined 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry. In 1968 he was awarded the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia for valour in combat during Operation Cauldron. He served five years with the Selous Scouts from 1974 and returned to the RLI in 1979.