The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry Review

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Having served in the current counter-insurgency conflict in Afghanistan I have a natural curiosity about other tactics and theories on counterinsurgency warfare. The Saints" the Rhodesian Light Infantry" is a indepth biography of one of the most effective and truely light infnatry forces in the history of the world. Over 500 pages of indepth firsthand accounts and stunning photos of the RLI. While it is considered to be an "unpopular war" in the circles of historians, I have found much of the material pertinent as well as enligtening. It is well worth the investment and for any militray historian or buff of the COIN wars of southern africa this is a must have. The DVD that is included makes a wonderful Multimedia companion to the text.


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Very little about the RLI had been published; it was often underrated, but arguably one of the most effective counter-insurgency units of all time. This was the unit that brought the 'Fireforce' concept to the world s attention - the devastatingly ruthless airborne envelopment and annihilation of a guerrilla enemy. 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 don't 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 descents - a staggering 73 op jumps - most under 500 feet! This is a glossy, coffee-table, pictorial format book 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 We have accessed a host of unique, previously unpublished photos and illustrative material and many former RLI members have embraced the project, generously contributing photos, memorabilia and anecdotes.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.

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