Rhodesian Selous Scout Regimental Poster - 18x12"
Original print from the "Uniforms of the Security Forces of Rhodesia" by Laird and Drake, as printed by Musketeer Press in Salisbury 1979. The original collector's edition is extremely rare, with only 500 elephant hide bound copies made at the end of the Rhodesian Bush War. For decades, many of these books were stripped for their prints and sold individually, often in shoddy condition. We are proud to reproduce poster prints from this long out of print work, with painting prints and text indicating histories of various Rhodesian Security Force units.
The Selous Scouts were perhaps one of the most notable units of the Rhodesian Bush War, from their humble origins as the Tracker Combat Unit (TCU) in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment prior to UDI, to the hardened regiment of skilled psuedo-operators during the last cross border operations in 1978-79. Like many regiments formed during the actual Rhodesian Bush War period, the Selous Scouts were a creation of necessity. After the early terrorist incursions in Rhodesia in 1967, it was quickly identified that a special forces unit with a focus on tracking and pursuit tactics would be needed. The TCU would evolve in the "Takkie Wing" by 1971 under the umbrella of the School of Infantry. In 1973, Lt. Colonel Ron Reid-Daly would officially form the regiment as the "Selous Scouts" - taking on the name of the late Frederick Courteney Selous, a legendary hunter, tracker and soldier who was killed in the First World War.
The unconventional tactics, combined with expert bushcraft and soldiering skills made the Selous Scouts a cut above all other units of the Rhodesian Security Forces. The regiment's brutal selection course, and asymmetrical operations during the course of the Rhodesian Bush War remain a envy of special forces units around the world until the present day. The multi-racial unit would have a presence in almost all major operations of the latter half of the Rhodesian Bush War. Given their intense operational tempo, the regiment never formally marched together until 1980 when they were disbanded. At full strength, with their black "Pamwe Chete" banner, the regiment marched off into history.
By the end of the Rhodesian Bush War, they had suffered 36 operators killed in action, but accounted for 68% of all guerilla deaths from 1973-1980. They did this while never numbering more than 500 operators at any given time. Their tactics as special forces operators continued to the studied today at the highest levels of military command and academia.
Measures 18 inches x 12 inches, printed as a full bleed colour on extra thick 1.5mm glossy stock. Please note, the Fireforce Ventures watermark is only on the preview image, and not on the poster you will receive.
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