The distinctive unit insignia of the Rhodesian Armoured Corps, featuring the Sable antelope which is prevalent on other Rhodesian symbols.
Active
1941–1956 1972–1980
Disbanded
1980–1981
Country
Rhodesia
Allegiance
British Empire (1941–1956) Rhodesia (1972–1979) Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979) Zimbabwe (1980)
Branch
Rhodesian Army
Type
Line Cavalry
Role
Armoured corps
Size
Battalion
Garrison/HQ
Blakiston-Houston Barracks, Salisbury
Nickname(s)
"The Black Devils"
Motto(s)
Asesabi Lutho (Sindebele: We Fear Nothing)[1]
Cerise & Old Gold
Armoured Cars
Eland Ferret Marmon Herrington MPCV Staghound
Engagements
World War II
East African Campaign
Battle of Monte Cassino
Spring 1945 offensive in Italy
Cold War
Aden Emergency
1981 Entumbane Uprising
Rhodesian Bush War
Operation Eland
Operation Miracle
Commanders
Commander (1972–1978)
Major Bruce Rooken-Smith
Rhodesian Army
Commander (1978–1979)
Major Darrell Winkler
Rhodesian Army
Commander (1979–1980)
Major (SA) van Graan
South African Army
Commander (1980–1981)
Lt. Col. Bruce Rooken-Smith
Zimbabwe National Army
Military unit
v
t
e
Rhodesian Bush War
First Phase (1964–1972)
Oberholzer murder
Sinoia
Pagoda
Yodel
Nickel
Cauldron
Flotilla
Griffin
Excess
Birch
Alcora Exercise
Panga
Second Phase (1972–1979)
Altena Farm
Whistlefield Farm
St Alberts School
Overload
Victoria Falls
Long John
Eland
Ignition
Hill 31
Aztec
Woolworths bombing
Odzanu Junction Farm
Dingo
Montclair Hotel
Vumba massacre
Flight 825
Snoopy
Gatling
Salisbury
Flight 827
Vanity
Beira
Chamber
Mineral
Placid
Motel
Uric
Miracle
Lancaster House
Quartz
Hectic
Related incidents
Nhari Rebellion
Cashel Helicopter Crash
Beira Patrol
The Rhodesian Armoured Corps, nicknamed the "Black Devils" — was the only standing armoured battalion of the Rhodesian Security Forces. During World War II, it took part in the Allied Spring 1945 offensive and the Battle of Monte Cassino as part of South Africa's 6th Armoured Division.[2] The unit was among the first to enter a liberated Florence in July 1944. Prior to 1963, its crews were trained in the United Kingdom or Aden Colony[3] and were known as the "Selous Scouts" under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.[4] After Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, maintaining the armoured vehicle fleet became a responsibility of the Rhodesian Light Infantry until Major Bruce Rooken-Smith reactivated the former Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment in 1972. During the Rhodesian Bush War, the regiment fought in several major campaigns and battles, particularly Operation Miracle in September 1979.[5] It was superseded by the new Zimbabwe Armoured Corps between 1980 and 1981.[6]
^"Zimbabwejournalists.com: Open letter to the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
^Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment
^Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment Uncovered
^Ceremonial Parade
^Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (April 2008) [1982]. The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. pp. 90–96. ISBN 978-1-84415-694-8.
^Peter Gerard Locke & Peter David Farquharson Cooke, Fighting Vehicles and Weapons of Rhodesia 1965–80, P&P Publishing, Wellington 1995 ISBN 0-473-02413-6, p. 97 - 147.
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Global Information
Rhodesia
British Empire (1941–1956)
Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979)
Zimbabwe (1980)
Rhodesian Army