During Zimbabwe's war of liberation (1965–80), fought between Zimbabwean nationalists and the minority-white Rhodesian settler-colonial regime, thousands of black soldiers volunteered for and served in the Rhodesian Army. This seeming paradox has often been noted by scholars and military researchers, yet little has been heard from black Rhodesian veterans themselves. Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army, demonstrating that they felt loyalty to their comrades and regiments and not the Smith regime. Howard also shows that units in which black soldiers served – particularly the Rhodesian African Ri es – were fundamental to the Rhodesian counter-insurgency campaign. Highlighting the pivotal role black Rhodesian veterans played during both the war and the tumultuous early years of independence, this is a crucial contribution to the study of Zimbabwean decolonisation.
Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army during the war of liberation (1965-1980). It enriches scholarly understandings of the motivations and loyalties of colonial troops.
Arvustused
'Black Soldiers is an important contribution to the burgeoning literature on violence in late-colonial Africa. It rightly insists that we give proper consideration to agency, nuance, and complexity when attempting to understand the actions and ideas of actors embroiled in the wars of decolonisation. This book must be read by anyone interested in Zimbabwe's path to independence and the wider issues of violence and the role of the military during decolonisation in Africa.' Daniel Branch, University of Warwick 'Clearly written and cogently argued, this book focuses on Black soldiers in the Rhodesian army during Zimbabwe's liberation war and the early years of independence. Its contribution is significant. Highly recommended.' E. S. Schmidt, CHOICE
Muu info
Draws from original interviews to provide insight into why thousands of black soldiers fought loyally and effectively for the Rhodesian Army.
Contents; List of Figures; Preface; Acknowledgements;
1. Introduction
The Loyalties of Colonial Soldiers;
2. The Creation of Black Rhodesian
Soldiers' Regimental Loyalties;
3. 'The Rhodesian Army was the Best in
Everything': The Professionalism of Black Rhodesian Soldiers;
4. Racism and
Soldierly Loyalty During the War;
5. The Impact of the War Upon Soldierly
Loyalties;
6. 'They Just Follow the Government of the Day': The Politics of
'Apolitical' Black Rhodesian Soldiers;
7. A New 'Government of the Day'
Dawns: The Loyalties of 'Formers' in Zimbabwe, 19801981; Conclusion: The
Loyalties of Professionals; References, Index.
M. T. Howard is a historian and journalist from East Sussex and holds a master's and a doctorate from the University of Oxford, where he won the Terence Ranger Prize. He also received the Society for Military History's 2021 Coffman Prize honourable mention. His work has been published in journals including the Journal of Military History, the Journal of Southern African Studies, and the Journal of Cold War Studies.
