The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Alexandre Binda

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Alexandre Binda. 30 Degrees South Publishers. Johannesburg, South Africa 2007. ISBN 9781920143077 / ISBN 978-1-920143-07-7

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Alexandre Binda. 30 Degrees South Publishers. Johannesburg, South Africa 2007. ISBN 9781920143077 / ISBN 978-1-920143-07-7

It would be advantageous, but by no means essential for you, the reader, to open Alexandre Binda's book, The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, with some understanding of the background and history of Southern Rhodesia.

Alexandre Binda  

That sadly short yet vivid, colourful and stirring history, encompassing a unique flavour of frontier adventure and traditional pride, washed with the resilient waters of fierce independence, would impart an important insight, not only with regard to the political 'reasons why1 but also to Rhodesia's people—those born and bred, those who adopted the country and those who chose to fight and die for a once-sacred garden of Africa. The people and their history blended in a unique manner to create an equally unique army, which, in turn, gave birth to the Rhodesian Light Infantry. Tutored under the auspices of the British Commonwealth, the unit grew and matured in peace and war to become one of the finest regiments of a small and determined army, which itself became the most efficient and successful irregular warfare machine ever known in Africa or indeed, perhaps, the world. Today, with the unfolding passage of history, ex-members of the Regiment live in every corner of the globe. This is understandable. At the close of the Rhodesian 'bush war' the unit counted no fewer than seventeen nationalities within her ranks. The unheralded popularity of Rhodesia's cause attracted a surprising number of international volunteers who integrated with the tough local conscripts and seasoned regular veterans to produce a remarkable and unique band of brothers. There is little doubt that every individual looks back on those, now distant, days of Rhodesian Light Infantry service, filled with a complex, wide spectrum of emotional memories, some sad, some bad, some shadowed by anxiety and fear, some with pain... but all with pride. Such is the legacy of war. There is little doubt that the dominant and common theme is one of comradeship, true comradeship, that rich prize known only to the fighting man, that rare human quality generated through shared dangers, hardships, laughter and a pride of unit. They were unique soldiers, serving in a unique regiment, a regiment painted with the gold that enhances only the most special things in life. As with its parent country, the Rhodesian Light Infantry has received little public acknowledgment over the years, this despite an outstanding record of professional conduct and success, seventeen bullet holes through a parachute canopy during a single combat descent, the most combat parachute jumps in a single day ever recorded. The Regiment presented a rare character of military professionalism balanced by outrageous leg-pulling laughter and ribaldry. They were men of men, their regiment unrivalled in the pages of war and its history. The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Alexandre Binda, is long overdue. It presents a sorely needed historical record and will remain a gift of unrivalled value, subtly illustrating the character of the Regiment and the men of all ranks who marched and fought and died with such pride. It is a history in the true sense for all is now gone and only memories remain in a rapidly changing world. Through this work, The Incredibles' will live on—they will never die. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and those who study the military profession and its history, now have access to the past and to a remarkable and wonderful regiment. We will never forget.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. W. Aust MLM
Former Commanding Officer
1st Battalion The Rhodesian Light Infantry
Denton, Lincolnshire, February 2007

This is the foreword to The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Alexandre Binda.

Title: The Saints
Subtitle: The Rhodesian Light Infantry
Author: Alexandre Binda
Publisher: 30 Degrees South Publishers
Johannesburg, South Africa 2007
ISBN 9781920143077 / ISBN 978-1-920143-07-7
Hardcover, 22 x 27 cm, 544 pages, numerous images

Binda, Alexandre im Namibiana-Buchangebot

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry

The Saints: The Rhodesian Light Infantry, often underrated, but one of the most effective counter-insurgency units of all time.

The Rhodesia Regiment. From Boer War to Bush War 1899-1980

The Rhodesia Regiment. From Boer War to Bush War 1899-1980

Formed in 1899, the Rhodesia Regiment fought for British interests in the Boer War and, in the end, for their own country during the Bush War until 1980.