Hi Everyone,

I am trying to get in contact with anyone who was (or knows someone who was) involved in the Rhodesian Bush War specifically in the period 1972 / 1973 and probably served in one or other of the BSAP, or C Sqn, or the first year of the Selous Scouts.

More specifically, I would like to contact anyone with knowledge and/or memories of...

a) early covert ops/recces into Zambia across the Zambesi in the area from Kariba, through Mana Camp and Chewore Camp, to Kanyemba (Camp) Station.

b) The covert recce in early '73 to Chiawe.

c) Covert recces to near Rufunsa on the Lusaka ~ Lilongwe road in the period '73 to '74.

d) The first (abortive) attack on the camp at Caponda, Tete, Mozambique in March 1975.

e) The identity of anyone in the attached picture.

For obvious reasons (even after 35 years) please keep confidentiality.

Many Thanks...

Why?

You're either a journo trying to research a story on the cheap or head of a Zanu death squad.

If you think these guys are scouts then:


The photo often quoted as being Scouts is not .

The photo is of some territorials on callup and 11 troop 3 Commando RLI.

The bloke at the front of the picture was SGT Laurie Ryan ex 4 RR tracker -
KIA later in the war.

Picture taken late afternoon 15 November 1976.



edited to correct my errors.

The man behind him is Grayham Huntley


thats behind him not to his left.

Editid to speel Grayham.

Both the Rhodesian SAS and the Scouts have their own websites (with message boards).
You are likely to get more feedback there.

Hi Everyone and Many Thanks for your very prompt responses…

Whiskybreath, you asked, “Why?”

~ Very simply I am conducting detailed research into little known aspects of the Bush War during this period as part of a larger project.

Mnairb said, “You're either a journo trying to research a story on the cheap or head of a Zanu death squad.”

~ Actually, I am neither and the hundreds and hundreds of hours spent on this project is certainly not cheap! In fact, research to find definitive, verified, and incontrovertible information can be rewarded from the most unlikely sources – hence, my query here. Success, as they say, would be Serendipity.

Old_Bloke said, “If you think these guys are scouts then:
The photo often quoted as being Scouts is not .
The photo is of some territorials on callup and 11 troop 3 Commando RLI.
The bloke at the front of the picture was SGT Laurie Ryan ex 4 RR tracker -
KIA later in the war.
Picture taken late afternoon 15 November 1976.”

~ Thank you for your information and Yes, this has been said before to me and you have to bear in mind there has been much disinformation and many ‘walts’ associated with it as well. However, other sources state that it is most probably a definitive Selous Scout photo with many interesting aspects to its origination and how it came to the public domain.

~ I would be extremely grateful if you were able to furnish any further information (either anecdotally or as personal experience) as to the source(s) of your information which would be very helpful to me.
~ In particular…
a) do you know where the photograph was taken and the circumstances?
b) why you can be certain as to the date? – Other information I have agrees with the time as being between 16:00 and 16:30.
c) do you have any further information on Sgt Laurie Ryan and especially his death as he does not appear in any Roll of Honour in my archive?
d) how are you able to determine the others are ‘Legs’ in particular, and from the “Lovers”?

~ I would ask you to please message any responses privately because we are getting into very sensitive territory.

Old_Bloke added, “The man behind him is Grayham Huntley
thats behind him not to his left.”

~ Any info as above.

~ Again, I would ask you to please message any responses privately because we are getting into very sensitive territory.

Sonofgreenfinch said, “Both the Rhodesian SAS and the Scouts have their own websites (with message boards).
You are likely to get more feedback there.”

~ Thank you for your suggestions which are gratefully appreciated. I am, in fact, in contact with a number of sources.

Thank you Everyone.

Originally Posted by donquixotedelamanche

Hi Everyone and Many Thanks for your very prompt responses…

Whiskybreath, you asked, “Why?”

~ Very simply I am conducting detailed research into little known aspects of the Bush War during this period as part of a larger project.

That's a non-answer, then. If you'd care to be more open about your purpose (writing a book about a specific but little known aspect of the Bush War or whatever) I'd be disposed to help, but not otherwise; I've had experience of the CIO's methods, and this wouldn't be beyond them.

Whiskeybreath,

I have PMed my reply to you.

Many Thanks.

Seen. OK, I'll get back to you.