Rhodesian Bush War: The Epic Struggle of the Dingo Firestorm

Victor P.: Excellent written account of this incredible operation by the finest and most effective soldiers and air crews in the world at that time. The Rhodesians were not defeated on the battlefield, they (both white and black), were betrayed by deceitful and venal Western politicians, especially the British ones and turned this once beautiful country into a Mugabe Marxist dictatorship hell-hole. Couldn't put it down, finished it off over the weekend. Highly recommended!

United States on Nov 02, 2020

James: This is a well told and exciting true story.
It would appeal to those who follow the Vietnam conflict much of with which it coincides.

Australia on Jan 27, 2020

Matthew: Great read about a very interesting operation, provides lots of background information for those wanting it and the maps that are included in the book are great accompanying pieces.

Canada on Aug 02, 2017

Sam The Sham: Very interesting book covering one of the greatest battles fought by the Rhodesian military against the communist insurgency back in the 70's. If you are a history buff, or had family in Rhodesia at the time (my uncles, aunt, and grandparents) then you will have already known of how the Rhodesian Army & Airforce had to not only fight the insurgency but double dealing from the British & AMericans as well. The book is well written and covers the battle in an unfolding story written by a trooper who was there. Being familiar with the Rhodesia and having been there several times the book was easy for me to read & digest. However it is written in such a manner that anyone who likes military actions and reading about them will like this book. I highly recommend it.

United States on Mar 08, 2017

D. Austin: A seriously good read!

This book provides a good theoretical background to the Rhodesian Bush War and then cones like the tip of a bullet to focus specifically on the entire Operation Dingo adventure and those that took part, from start to finish. Author, Ian Pringle appears to have been fortunate enough to get one-on-one interviews with many of the protagonists prior to them passing on. Each of their recollections therefore are 'from the horses mouth" and offer a more personal account of the event.

As someone with more than a passing interest in the Zimbabwe / Rhodesia history, but knew little of Op Dingo prior, Pringle's writing had me thoroughly engaged throughout. I had it read a lot quicker than I expected mind you, but then I was reading it with a great deal of fervour for 2-3 hour stretches every night. I was only disappointed I finished it! Put simply, this is a great book, well researched, written and presented. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in world politics, Southern Africa, modern warfare and the story of Rhodesia as a whole. You will not be disappointed. Five stars!

United States on Jul 07, 2015

Steve Gillman: An excellent book that describes the battle in the context of the times very well. A well documented piece of history.

Germany on Dec 13, 2014

Etienne Westmont: This was an interesting read, but too narrow in its scope. The author admits that his main interest was in the aviation dimension of the battle; he could have revealed this in the title. The ground operations merited more attention. Nevertheless, a good book and a rather sad requiem for a tragic country.

United States on Nov 28, 2014

A. Volk: Dingo Firestorm is the code name of the former Rodhesian's state's bush war against local independent movements/terrorists/freedom fighters. Written by a pilot, the focus is very squarely on the aerial operations. Which is somewhat fair, given, as the author states, that everyone who took part in the operation was either in the air, or got there by air. The book is broken into two parts: the lead-up to the battle and the actual battle itself. The former is interesting, but drags on a little bit as we get biographies of the various pilots who took place in the battle. Perhaps if there was more depth on the kind of training they received rather than their life histories it would be a bit more exciting.

The latter half of the book is where the action starts to pick up. The attacks were against major Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army training grounds that were home to thousands of freedom fighters/guerillas (depending on your POV). They involved initial strikes by Hawker Hunter jets, followed up by canberra bombers and vampire jets. Only seconds behind were a flottilla of transport and gunship helicopters that dropped off special police, while Dakotes dropped strings of...

Canada on Oct 28, 2013

J at Kwaj: this story provides background and then details the planning and execution of two very successful raids using limited resources.

It is amazing how much was accomplished by a relatively small Rhodesian military against a much larger insurgent force for so many years. This is particularly amazing considering the relative ease of funding and supply for the insurgents compared to the international sanctions against the Rhodesian settler government.

I was in my late teen and 20s when the Rhodesian war was happening.
I knew little about it and was likely mislead by the mainstream media as to what was happening.
Because of this book I plan to read more deeply in the various liberation and post-colonial wars in the southern Africa area.

United States on Sep 22, 2013

Dennis Martin: During the Bush War the Rhodesians developed the all-arms Fireforce; dropping heli-borne and parachute troops onto a terrorist contact, while supported by air cover. Operation Dingo took the Fireforce concept as the basis for an attack on a massive terrorist camp in a neighbouring country. In Dingo Firestorm Ian Pringle has set out to give the most complete account of this battle ever written.
His book starts decades before the Bush War, as he traces the origins of the founding of Rhodesia, the first Chimurega, and the pioneering efforts of aviation in the country.
In 1920 the first aircraft to land on Rhodesian soil was the Vickers Vimy Silver Queen ii, piloted by Quintin Brand and Pierre van Rynefeld as they attempted the first London-Cape Town Flight. In 1977 the nephew of Quintin Brand would fire the first shots of Operation Dingo from his Hawker Hunter jet.
Mr Pringle, himself a pilot with fast jet experience, has interviewed numerous sources who were involved in the planning and execution of the op. Prominent interviewees includedGeneral Walls, Air Marshal Norman Walsh and SAS Commander Brian Robinson [who gave only a brief interview as he dislikes talking about...

United Kingdom on Mar 22, 2013