Two groups with armed elements emerged as the opposition to the white Rhodesian regime. These were the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), whose military wing was the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and its armed wing the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). Both groups were initially based in Zambia, and from the late 1960s began dispatching insurgents into Rhodesia who used guerrilla tactics. These attacks initially proved ineffective and the Rhodesian military, which had been bolstered by forces from South Africa, was able to effectively counter them. Rhodesia's security situation began to deteriorate from late 1972, when the guerrilla armies began making more effective attacks in the north-east of the country. The collapse of the Portuguese Empire in 1975 that led to the independence of Mozambique led to a further increase to the challenges facing the Rhodesian regime, with the guerrillas using that country as well as Botswana as bases.
A tactic in which security forces pose as 'pseudo' insurgents to gather intelligence was developed prior to the Rhodesian Bush War, and had also been used by police forces. Pseudo operations involve security force personnel being trained to closely imitate insurgents. Teams of these personnel then enter regions where insurgents are active and portray themselves as insurgents. After establishing credibility, the team collects intelligence on actual insurgents and their sources of support. These tactics can be most necessary in regions where the insurgents have eliminated the government's sources of intelligence, as was the case in north-eastern Rhodesia in 1973. In general, 'pseudo' teams undertake only intelligence collection work, and do not attack insurgents themselves. 'Pseudo' tactics are generally most effective when the teams include former insurgents who have been 'turned' to side with the government. The effectiveness of these tactics is partially dependent on their use not becoming known, as this will lead to insurgents improving their security processes. Internationally, there has also been a risk of pseudo units breaking the law. If local civilians learn that the security forces are posing as insurgents and using this as cover to break the law, the tactics can be counter-productive as they will erode support for the government. The British authorities used pseudo tactics during the Malayan Emergency, with this coming to the attention of the Rhodesians who took part in that conflict.
The ZANLA began to gain control over north-eastern Rhodesia from 1971, and considerably strengthened its influence over the population in the region over the next year. This led to the networks of informers who had provided information to the Rhodesian Government ceasing to do so, which made it difficult for the security forces to locate and counter the insurgents. In response, Special Branch began to establish pseudo teams in January 1973. The Rhodesian Army also formed two such teams in February; these comprised members of C Squadron 22 (Rhodesian) SAS, black soldiers from the Rhodesian African Rifles and former insurgents. These teams enjoyed success, leading to a decision to expand pseudo operations.
Due to the success of the Selous Scouts, Walls directed in mid-1974 that it be expanded from three to six troops. This process was completed by December 1974, and included 50 former insurgents being added to the unit. A Reconnaissance Troop was formed in the second half of 1976 to conduct scouting operations in Mozambique and Zambia; this unit had a peak strength of twelve men.
As part of the expansion of the Selous Scouts, the Rhodesian Army's Tracking Wing and Tracker Combat Unit were merged into it during 1974. The Tracking Wing became the Selous Scouts' Training Troop. The Selous Scouts continued to deliver training in tracking and trackers for the remainder of the war, with this forming a cover for the unit's actual role. The Tracker Combat Unit was made up of white reservists; while these men were not suitable for Selous Scouts operations, they were retained to help provide cover. These changes reduced the effectiveness of the Rhodesian Army's tracking capabilities.
The size of the Selous Scouts increased further over time, and eventually reached 1,800 men. Many of these were territorial soldiers who were not permanently attached. The rapid expansion of the Selous Scouts led to a drop in the quality of its personnel, which reduced the effectiveness of pseudo operations. This in turn caused the unit to increasingly undertake offensive operations where it directly attacked insurgents rather than gathered intelligence on them. From 1979 former Selous Scouts became part of a scheme where they were armed by the Rhodesian Army and paid bounties for killing insurgents.
The overlap in roles between the Selous Scouts and the SAS led to friction between the two units. They also competed for personnel, with the demands of the Selous Scouts leading to a decline in the effectiveness of the SAS as well as the Rhodesian Light Infantry and Rhodesian African Rifles.
The decline in the effectiveness and discipline within the Selous Scouts led to concerns from other elements of the Rhodesian Army. Selous Scouts were accused of poaching ivory, and Reid-Daly's office was bugged by investigators. He was convicted by a court-martial after publicly confronting Lieutenant General John Hickman, the commander of the Rhodesian Army, over the bugging and left the Army afterwards.
Most of the white members of the Selous Scouts moved to South Africa to join that country's security forces. The 900 black members of the unit were offered other positions within Zimbabwe's security forces, and were mainly split across three battalions of the Rhodesian African Rifles. Many of the black former Selous Scouts were murdered following the transition to majority rule.
While an Army unit, the Selous Scouts came under the operational control of Special Branch from its establishment in November 1973. This involved Special Branch controlling where the unit operated and how the intelligence it collected was used. Special Branch also had some influence over the Selous Scouts' training. In terms of Army hierarchy, the Selous Scouts reported directly to Walls. The unit was under orders from Special Branch to not pass any information directly to the Rhodesian Directorate of Military Intelligence, which contributed to very little of the intelligence it collected being provided to Army units.
The Selous Scouts and other Rhodesian special forces continued to report directly to Walls for military purposes after he became the Commander of Combined Operations (COMOPS) in 1977. The Army headquarters provided administrative and logistical support. As the Selous Scouts increased in size and increasingly undertook offensive operations it became impossible for Special Branch to adequately oversee the unit.
Each troop within the Selous Scouts comprised three sections, each usually with nine to twelve men. The size of sections varied, however, and could be as large as 30 men. Selous Scout teams usually included both black and white personnel, with the men forming close bonds. Until almost the end of the war, all of the officers in the Selous Scouts were white.
In line with 'pseudo' doctrine, the role of the Selous Scout was to infiltrate the black population of Rhodesia and penetrate networks of insurgents. They were to then collect intelligence on the locations of insurgent forces and guide attacks on them. Where possible, Selous Scout teams would remain in place for lengthy periods. Selous Scout teams were also used in a 'hunter killer' role, in which they followed insurgent supply networks from contested areas within Rhodesia to neighbouring countries and killed any insurgents they located during the process. Selous Scout teams were usually successful in impersonating insurgents, even though their tradecraft was at times poor. The unit was more successful in penetrating ZANLA than ZIPRA, as the latter was better disciplined and had stronger command and control processes.
To prevent the regular army or police from firing at Selous Scout teams while they were operating, authorities would declare "frozen areas", where all Army and Police units were ordered to temporarily cease all operations in, and withdraw from, without being told the actual rationale. Little information was provided to the Army units on the results of these operations or the intelligence that was collected. 'Freezing' areas generally proved operationally successful, but there were several occasions in which the security forces inadvertently attacked and killed Selous Scouts.
A key element of the Selous Scouts' methods was 'turning' captured insurgents to join the Rhodesian security forces. This was normally attempted shortly after insurgents were captured, with them being both threatened and offered incentives. The captured insurgent was usually approached by a former insurgent. In the resulting conversation, the former insurgent emphasised the hardships insurgents were experiencing and that those who were captured faced the death penalty under the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act. This legislation imposed severe penalties for people found to be members of subversive organisations, including the death penalty or long prison terms. The captured insurgent was also offered a lump sum payment as well as a soldier's salary if they agreed to fight for the Rhodesian government. If an insurgent agreed to be 'turned' and passed further vetting, they were assigned to a Selous Scout team and operated in regions in which they would not be recognised. Where possible, their family was housed on a Selous Scouts base. Only a small number of 'turned' insurgents ever deserted or betrayed the unit. Some of the prisoners captured by the Selous Scouts who refused to be 'turned' were killed.
One of the tactics used by the Selous Scouts was to violate local customs while posing as insurgents with the goal of reducing support for the actual insurgents. The Selous Scouts also sought to increase the divisions between the ZANLA and ZIPRA by posing as members of one group and then attacking members of the other group. These tactics became publicly known and embarrassed the government.
The Selous Scouts were probably responsible for killing black business owners in rural areas who provided support for the insurgents. These killings were conducted secretly.
Special Branch provided the Selous Scouts with poisoned clothing, food, beverages and medicines that the unit inserted into the guerrilla supply chains. The use of contaminated supplies resulted in the reported deaths of over 800 guerrillas, and the likely death toll probably reached well over 1,000.
The Rhodesian Directorate of Military Intelligence estimated in 1978 that the Selous Scouts were responsible for 68% of insurgent fatalities within Rhodesia. These casualties largely resulted from attacks by Rhodesian Army units on insurgents located by the Selous Scouts. However, the unit's ruthless tactics were counter-productive as they contributed to further alienating Rhodesia's black population from the government. This formed part of broader flaws in the Rhodesian counter-insurgency strategy, and the historian Jakkie Cilliers has written that "the Selous Scouts were merely the instruments of an overly aggressive and punitive strategy, simply directed at killing as many insurgents as possible and punishing the rural black population to force them to desist from support for the insurgent forces.
The apparent success of the Selous Scouts led to the unit being glamorised. However, the Rhodesian leadership considered the all-white SAS to be more professional and security conscious than the Selous Scouts.
The Selous Scouts were involved in the Rhodesian military's attacks on insurgents and their bases in neighbouring countries, often known as external operations (or 'externals' for short). These operations became frequent from 1976. The unit's role in external operations included intelligence collection and directly attacking insurgents. In the intelligence gathering role, the Selous Scouts' Reconnaissance Troop conducted one or two man long-range reconnaissance patrols to locate or gather information on insurgent bases in Mozambique and Zambia. During direct attacks the Selous Scouts often impersonated soldiers of the country they were operating in.
While the attacks made outside of Rhodesia by the Selous Scouts were usually militarily successful, they worsened the country's political position. This was because they resulted in civilians and members of the armed forces in the neighbouring countries being killed.
The Selous Scouts had a reputation for brutality. The unit conducted a number of atrocities against villages that were believed to have collaborated with the guerrillas. Members of the units also poached ivory, smuggled guns and beat and killed civilians. During attacks into Botswana, the Selous Scouts committed arson and abducted civilians. The use of insurgent uniforms and civilian clothing by the Selous Scouts may also have violated the 1907 Hague Convention and the Geneva Conventions which prohibit military personnel from wearing enemy uniforms in most circumstances and require that they clearly distinguish themselves from civilians.
Some of the actions undertaken by the Selous Scouts were illegal under Rhodesian law. Selous Scout teams at times attacked Rhodesian Security Forces units and white farms in attempts to persuade local civilians that they were actually insurgents. Another tactic involved repeatedly calling in air strikes and fireforce attacks on insurgents after they had left a specific kraal leading the insurgents to kill innocent civilians in the kraal because they suspected civilians of informing on their positions; it was intended that this would sow divisions between the insurgents and civilians. The Selous Scouts also labelled insurgents as traitors to the insurgent cause and then publicly killed them leading to "disillusionment and bewilderment" among local civilians; this led to several murder investigations being opened into members of the unit. While these illegal activities provided substantial short-term benefits for the Rhodesian government, over the longer term they became well known among civilians and undermined the rule of law and the government's legitimacy.
Atrocities conducted by Selous Scouts operating under the guise of insurgents were often blamed on the insurgents in Rhodesian propaganda publications and broadcasts. These atrocities included mutilating civilians, with photos of the victims being included in Rhodesian propaganda.
Historians hold differing views on the extent to which the Selous Scouts committed atrocities. Paul L. Moorcraft and Peter McLaughlin argued in 1982 that the Selous Scouts' "notoriety for treachery and brutality was only partly deserved, for the bulk of its members were engaged on routine military tasks". They also stated that as the Selous Scouts came under the direct command of the Commander for Combined Operations, the most senior officers in the Rhodesian security forces were complicit in at least some of the atrocities the unit committed. Theodore L. Gatchel has written that the Selous Scouts were frequently accused of a wide range of crimes, but it is difficult to differentiate their real crimes from false accusations and atrocities committed by the actual insurgents. He noted that the unpopularity of the Rhodesian regime resulting from its colonial and racist policies meant that accusations made against the unit were widely believed. Michael Evans observed in 2007 that the Selous Scouts "became rogue elements, as guilty of illegal activities as the very guerrillas they were fighting" and "significant numbers" of the unit "became implicated in activities that included torture, field executions, political assassination, kidnapping and the use of chemical warfare". Mpho G. Molomo described the Selous Scouts in 2009 as "a terrorist unit within the Rhodesian security forces". Piers Brendon wrote in 2010 that "the Selous Scouts committed the worst atrocities" of any Rhodesian unit. Ian Martinez has written that the Selous Scout's killings of prisoners and use of chemical and biological weapons were war crimes.
Following the dissolution of the Selous Scouts in 1980, most of its white soldiers emigrated to South Africa and were integrated into the South African Special Forces and the South African Police's special units. This formed part of an effort by the SADF to recruit white veterans of Rhodesian counter-insurgency units that was designated Operation Winter. Reid-Daly was among the Selous Scouts who moved to South Africa, and was appointed the head of Transkei Defence Force (the military of the nominally independent 'bantustan' of Transkei) in the early 1980s. He recruited other former Selous Scouts to train the force, but was forced to resign in 1987 after Transkei's rulers were overthrown by a military officer who had previously been trained by the Selous Scouts.
The former Selous Scouts contributed to the adoption by the South African security forces of the unit's ruthless tactics. For instance, former Selous Scouts comprised most of the initial personnel of the South African Koevoet unit, and it used similar tactics. This unit was responsible for many human rights violations. The South African Police's Vlakplaas paramilitary hit squad that was established in 1979 was also inspired by the Selous Scouts, as was the Civil Cooperation Bureau that was formed in 1986. Following the end of the Apartheid regime in South Africa some former Selous Scouts joined private military companies.
Evans 2007, pp. 180–181. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Evans 2007, pp. 179–180. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Evans 2007, p. 182. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Evans 2007, p. 183. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Evans 2007, p. 185. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Evans 2007, p. 185. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Cilliers 1985, p. 118. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 119. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, pp. 119–120. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
"Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly". The Telegraph. 21 September 2010. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/754119141/?clipping_id=125369757&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjc1NDExOTE0MSwiaWF0IjoxNjg1MTQ1MzUxLCJleHAiOjE2ODUyMzE3NTF9.kSY2mgLDoy8bUDncU_fZQSH8AabFqHuOk7Gokb7l7zM
Cilliers 1985, p. 120. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 121. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 123. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 123. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 10. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Melson 2005, pp. 57–82. - Melson, C. D. (2005). "Top Secret War: Rhodesian Special Operations". Small Wars and Insurgencies. 16 (1): 57–82. doi:10.1080/0959231042000322567. S2CID 145455177. http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0959-2318&volume=16&issue=1&spage=57
Ceremonial Farewell Parade 8 December 1963, pg. 12 http://www.rhodesia.nl/ceremonialparade.pdf
O'Brien 2001, p. 40. - O'Brien, Kevin (September 2001). "Counter-Intelligence for counter-revolutionary warfare: The South African police security branch 1979–1990". Intelligence and National Security. 16 (3): 27–59. doi:10.1080/02684520412331306200. S2CID 153561623. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02684520412331306200
Purkitt & Burgess 2005, p. 90. - Purkitt, Helen E.; Burgess, Stephen F. (2005). South Africa's Weapons of Mass Destruction. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253345065.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1998, p. 86. - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/report/finalreport/Volume%202.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 124. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 127. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Stapleton 2014, p. 240. - Stapleton, Tim (2014). "Bush tracking and warfare in late twentieth-century east and southern Africa". Historia. 59 (2): 229–251.
Cilliers 1985, p. 130. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 131. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
White 2016, p. 12. - White, Luise (2016). "Animals, prey, and enemies: hunting and killing in an African counter-insurgency". Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 34 (1): 7–21. doi:10.1080/02589001.2016.1182746. S2CID 156065621. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02589001.2016.1182746
Cilliers 1985, p. 133. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Stapleton 2014, p. 240. - Stapleton, Tim (2014). "Bush tracking and warfare in late twentieth-century east and southern Africa". Historia. 59 (2): 229–251.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly". The Telegraph. 21 September 2010. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/754119141/?clipping_id=125369757&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjc1NDExOTE0MSwiaWF0IjoxNjg1MTQ1MzUxLCJleHAiOjE2ODUyMzE3NTF9.kSY2mgLDoy8bUDncU_fZQSH8AabFqHuOk7Gokb7l7zM
Melson 2005, p. 72. - Melson, C. D. (2005). "Top Secret War: Rhodesian Special Operations". Small Wars and Insurgencies. 16 (1): 57–82. doi:10.1080/0959231042000322567. S2CID 145455177. http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0959-2318&volume=16&issue=1&spage=57
Ellman, Paul (7 March 1980). "Selous Scouts to be disbanded by April". The Guardian. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
Ellman, Paul (26 April 1980). "Mugabe acts to quell violence". The Guardian. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
MacManus, James (22 March 1980). "Army cuts threaten Rhodesian unity". The Guardian. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
Melson 2005, p. 74. - Melson, C. D. (2005). "Top Secret War: Rhodesian Special Operations". Small Wars and Insurgencies. 16 (1): 57–82. doi:10.1080/0959231042000322567. S2CID 145455177. http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0959-2318&volume=16&issue=1&spage=57
MacManus, James (22 April 1980). "Future of white-led army units doubtful". The Guardian. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
"'Dirty tricks' men to stay". The Guardian. 29 June 1980. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 2010, p. 181. - Moorcraft, P. L.; McLaughlin, P. (2010). The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811707251. https://books.google.com/books?id=oL-jaeM63P8C&pg=PA207
Cilliers 1985, p. 123. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 133. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 133. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 11. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 9. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 17. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 123. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 21. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
McLaughlin 1991, p. 266. - McLaughlin, Peter (August 1991). "Victims as Defenders: African Troops in the Rhodesian Defence System 1890–1980". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 2 (2): 240–275. doi:10.1080/09592319108422981. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09592319108422981
Cilliers 1985, p. 124. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 126. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 21. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 24. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 122. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 133. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, pp. 23–24. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 25. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 126. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 13. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Gatchel 2008, p. 65. - Gatchel, Theodore L. (2008). "Pseudo Operations - A Double Edged Sword of Counterinsurgency". In Norwitz, Jeffery H. (ed.). Armed Groups: Studies in National Security, Counterterrorism, and Counterinsurgency. Newport, Rhode Island: US Naval War College. pp. 61–74. ISBN 9781884733529.
Cline 2005, p. 13. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 126. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 13. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 22. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Martinez 2002, p. 1171. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
Cline 2005, p. 20. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 20. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Dzimbanhete 2017, p. 301. - Dzimbanhete, Jephias Andrew (March 2017). "Reverberations of Rhodesian Propaganda in Narratives of Zimbabwe's Liberation War". Journal of Pan African Studies. 10 (1): 295–307.
Cross 2017. - Cross, G. (2017). Dirty War: Rhodesia and Chemical Biological Warfare, 1975–1980. Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1-911512-12-7.
Cilliers 1985, p. 132. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 130. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 132. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
McLaughlin 1991, p. 266. - McLaughlin, Peter (August 1991). "Victims as Defenders: African Troops in the Rhodesian Defence System 1890–1980". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 2 (2): 240–275. doi:10.1080/09592319108422981. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09592319108422981
Cilliers 1985, p. 127. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 11. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 127. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 11. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 127. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 195. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 177. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 36. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 2010, p. 44. - Moorcraft, P. L.; McLaughlin, P. (2010). The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811707251. https://books.google.com/books?id=oL-jaeM63P8C&pg=PA207
Stiff & Reid-Daly 1982, p. 397-406. - Stiff, P.; Reid-Daly, R. (1982). Selous Scouts: Top Secret War. Alberton, South Africa: Galago.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 36. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 2010, p. 44. - Moorcraft, P. L.; McLaughlin, P. (2010). The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811707251. https://books.google.com/books?id=oL-jaeM63P8C&pg=PA207
Prokosh 1994, pp. 47–48. - Prokosh, Eric, ed. (1994). "Disappearances" and Political Killings: Human Rights Crisis of the 1990s. A Manual for Action. Amsterdam: Amnesty International. ISBN 0939994917.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 36. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Cline 2005, p. 11. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Cline 2005, p. 12. - Cline, Lawrence E. (2005). "Pseudo Operations and Counterinsurgency: Lessons from Other Countries" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/1712.pdf
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 49. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Brendon 2010, p. 598. - Brendon, Piers (2010). The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997 (1st Vintage books ed.). New York City: Vintage Books. ISBN 9780307388414.
White 2016, p. 13. - White, Luise (2016). "Animals, prey, and enemies: hunting and killing in an African counter-insurgency". Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 34 (1): 7–21. doi:10.1080/02589001.2016.1182746. S2CID 156065621. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02589001.2016.1182746
Molomo 2009, p. 141. - Molomo, Mpho G. (2009). "The Link between Sustainable Development and Security in Botswana". In Cawthra, Gavin (ed.). African Security Governance: Emerging Issues. Tokyo: United Nations University Press. pp. 131–156. ISBN 9789280811773.
Gatchel 2008, pp. 68–69. - Gatchel, Theodore L. (2008). "Pseudo Operations - A Double Edged Sword of Counterinsurgency". In Norwitz, Jeffery H. (ed.). Armed Groups: Studies in National Security, Counterterrorism, and Counterinsurgency. Newport, Rhode Island: US Naval War College. pp. 61–74. ISBN 9781884733529.
Cilliers 1985, p. 128. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 128. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, pp. 128–129. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Cilliers 1985, p. 129. - Cilliers, Jakkie (1985). Counter-Insurgency in Rhodesia (PDF). Beckenham, United Kingdom: Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3412-2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/21750468.pdf
Burns, John F. (16 July 1979). "Elite Salisbury Force Hunts Guerrillas Like Wild Game". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/07/16/archives/elite-salisbury-force-hunts-guerrillas-like-wild-game-10-to-15-get.html
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United Nations High Commissioner for (1 February 1991). "Zimbabwe: Information on the Selous Scouts with respect of Human Rights". Refworld. UNHCR. Retrieved 24 September 2021. https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac9780.html
Dzimbanhete 2017, p. 298. - Dzimbanhete, Jephias Andrew (March 2017). "Reverberations of Rhodesian Propaganda in Narratives of Zimbabwe's Liberation War". Journal of Pan African Studies. 10 (1): 295–307.
Martinez 2002, p. 1164. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
Morse 2006, p. 26. - Morse, Stephen A. (2006). "Historical Perspectives of Microbial Bioterrorism". In Anderson, Burt; Friedman, Herman; Bendinelli, Mauro (eds.). Microorganisms and Bioterrorism. New York City: Springer. pp. 15–30. ISBN 9780387281568.
Martinez 2002, p. 1169. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
Martinez 2002, p. 1164. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 49. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Moorcraft & McLaughlin 1982, p. 232. - Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (1982). Chimurenga! The War in Rhodesia, 1965-1980. A Military history. Marshalltown, South Africa: Sygma/Collins. ISBN 0620062142.
Gatchel 2008, p. 69. - Gatchel, Theodore L. (2008). "Pseudo Operations - A Double Edged Sword of Counterinsurgency". In Norwitz, Jeffery H. (ed.). Armed Groups: Studies in National Security, Counterterrorism, and Counterinsurgency. Newport, Rhode Island: US Naval War College. pp. 61–74. ISBN 9781884733529.
Evans 2007, pp. 188–189. - Evans, Michael (June 2007). "The Wretched of the Empire: Politics, Ideology and Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia, 1965–80". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 18 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1080/09574040701400601. S2CID 144153887. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09574040701400601
Molomo 2009, p. 141. - Molomo, Mpho G. (2009). "The Link between Sustainable Development and Security in Botswana". In Cawthra, Gavin (ed.). African Security Governance: Emerging Issues. Tokyo: United Nations University Press. pp. 131–156. ISBN 9789280811773.
Brendon 2010, p. 598. - Brendon, Piers (2010). The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997 (1st Vintage books ed.). New York City: Vintage Books. ISBN 9780307388414.
Martinez 2002, p. 1171. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
MacManus, James (22 April 1980). "Future of white-led army units doubtful". The Guardian. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
Purkitt & Burgess 2005, p. 91. - Purkitt, Helen E.; Burgess, Stephen F. (2005). South Africa's Weapons of Mass Destruction. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253345065.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1998, p. 89. - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/report/finalreport/Volume%202.pdf
"Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly". The Telegraph. 21 September 2010. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/754119141/?clipping_id=125369757&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjc1NDExOTE0MSwiaWF0IjoxNjg1MTQ1MzUxLCJleHAiOjE2ODUyMzE3NTF9.kSY2mgLDoy8bUDncU_fZQSH8AabFqHuOk7Gokb7l7zM
Martinez 2002, p. 1170. - Martinez, Ian (December 2002). "The History of the Use of Bacteriological and Chemical Agents during Zimbabwe's Liberation War of 1965-80 by Rhodesian Forces". Third World Quarterly. 23 (6): 1159–1179. doi:10.1080/0143659022000036595. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993569. S2CID 145729695. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0143659022000036595
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1998, p. 70. - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/report/finalreport/Volume%202.pdf
O'Brien 2001, p. 44. - O'Brien, Kevin (September 2001). "Counter-Intelligence for counter-revolutionary warfare: The South African police security branch 1979–1990". Intelligence and National Security. 16 (3): 27–59. doi:10.1080/02684520412331306200. S2CID 153561623. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02684520412331306200
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1998, p. 74. - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/report/finalreport/Volume%202.pdf
Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1998, p. 30. - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/report/finalreport/Volume%202.pdf
Purkitt & Burgess 2005, p. 103. - Purkitt, Helen E.; Burgess, Stephen F. (2005). South Africa's Weapons of Mass Destruction. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253345065.
French, Howard (19 May 1995). "Apartheid's hitmen go back to war". The Guardian. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
White 2016, p. 8. - White, Luise (2016). "Animals, prey, and enemies: hunting and killing in an African counter-insurgency". Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 34 (1): 7–21. doi:10.1080/02589001.2016.1182746. S2CID 156065621. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02589001.2016.1182746
White 2016, p. 9. - White, Luise (2016). "Animals, prey, and enemies: hunting and killing in an African counter-insurgency". Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 34 (1): 7–21. doi:10.1080/02589001.2016.1182746. S2CID 156065621. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02589001.2016.1182746
Palmer 1983, p. 576. - Palmer, Robin (October 1983). "Review: From Zimbabwe to Azania? A Review Article". African Affairs. 82 (329): 574–578. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a097565. JSTOR 721219. https://doi.org/10.1093%2Foxfordjournals.afraf.a097565
White 2021, p. 33. - White, Luise (2021). Fighting and Writing: The Rhodesian Army at War and Postwar. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. ISBN 9781478021285.
Castner, Brian (1 June 2022). "The White Power Mercenaries Fighting For The Lost Cause Around the World". Time. Retrieved 27 August 2023. https://time.com/6180611/white-power-mercenaries-fighting-the-lost-cause/
Ismay, John (10 April 2018). "Rhodesia's Dead — but White Supremacists Have Given It New Life Online". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/magazine/rhodesia-zimbabwe-white-supremacists.html
Sheridan, Danielle (24 November 2021). "Fury as new Army regiment's cap badge 'identical' to apartheid terror squad". The Daily Telegraph. ProQuest 2601729913. Retrieved 19 December 2021 – via Proquest. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2601729913