The SAS and the Fight for Rhodesia: A Look at the Courageous Few

DT: Great book.

United Kingdom on Nov 08, 2023

JD: Tough, hard, honest, rough. I liked the book

Germany on Jan 22, 2023

M. Jacobs: The story of Rhodesia is a fascinating one and unfortunately if you poll people, 90% have never heard of it. This isn't some grand history but a history of their special forces and their actions, told by the soldiers themselves, with a glimpse of the decline and fall of Rhodesia. Like with many books about special forces, it seemed at first to just be a collection of mostly unrelated war stories, most of which weren't especially interesting. But as the Bush War heated up and the UK blatantly betrayed their former subjects for a Communist dictator, the book gets a lot more interesting. I don't think Ill look at Thatcher the same way again. Mugabe is an evil man whose troops would kill little children by stomping on their heads or bayoneting them. And the UK government didn't care (neither did the US under Carter). You really get a sense here on how politics/diplomacy is really done even though its a relatively small part of the book. You also get a sense for how effective the Rhodesian SAS was with their extremely small numbers and ancient equipment from the 1940's. I also enjoyed the local politics regarding the surrounding countries like Mozambique.

The book doesn't really...

United States on May 28, 2021

Turkanaboy: Rhodesia's history from UDI to the start of Mugabe's rule is woven into this compelling account of the SAS' role in the 'bush war' in which Rhodesia bravely tried to stave off liberation forces supported by China and Russia, and their clients Mozambique and Zambia. The book ably delivers on its aim of showcasing the bravery and fighting skills of SAS soldiers, particularly Darrell Watt and a others whose names are etched in Rhodie folklore, and provides a good account of the political machinations taking place away from the battlefield which, eventually resulted in the end of Rhodesia.
The book would have been improved had Wessels managed to include testimony from fighters on the other side (first hand accounts from SAS troops are excellent), and acknowledged the incredible suffering that Rhodesia's support of RENAMO visited on the Mozambican population for decades. In places it also suffers somewhat from a lack of objectivity with regard to the reasons for the unit's high kill rates: while the SAS were undoubtedly brave and tough fighters, their opponents were generally a rag tag bunch of peasant conscripts with minimal military training - no match for the well trained, fit...

United Kingdom on Jan 26, 2019

John Morgan: This is a book full of first person/soldier accounts of the bush wars fought in and around Rhodesia in the 60s and 70s. The Rhodesians knew that if they surrendered, at the very least the Communists would have taken all their property-farms, money etc. So they were well motivated. And they were also extremely well trained.

In the end they had no choice but to surrender to the Communists and accept Black Rule. The David vs. Goliath struggle could only go on for so long. Look at modern day Zimbabwe today. Its another 3rd World backwater. And the same thing is happening in South Africa.

Communism brings oppression and economic ruin. Look at Venezuela today. And yet there is a growing socialist/communist movement in the United States right now. Look no further than Bernie Sanders. Lets hope that freedom loving Americans can do what the Rhodesians failed to do, stop the Marxists. The alternative is to open some bank accounts overseas and get out before Bernie and Friends take it all.

United States on Aug 07, 2018

Prohobo: PREFACE:
I thought I would quickly preface the book review with a little overview from a historical and broader political view. Rhodesia was a war of both colonial rule (black/white) and a proxy war during the Cold War. A small nation, struggling not only to define itself as the sun was setting on the British Empire, but also to gain a resolution peacefully. Many in Rhodesian (black and whites) saw what happened in the Belgian Congo and other nations when given independence (factions killing for power, death, and complete decay and despair). Rhodesia thought that working (within the nation) and with the U.K, they could eventually find a peaceful resolution. What they didn’t expect was the outside factions lead by two radical (yet opposing) political parties that would stop at nothing for control.

If one were only to read Western propaganda at the time, it was just about White majorities ruling over blacks. While true, there were some key facts that many in the West were not told (for obvious reasons - as the book will speak too); blacks could vote, blacks did own farms, and even during the war blacks fought for Rhodesia in several units. In fact, in 79, they had voted...

United States on Oct 07, 2017

Wellread: This is the most enthralling military book I have ever read. Knowing little about the war Rhodesia fought, it was recommended to me by an acquaintance who I have been told did indeed serve in the Rhodesian SAS. Whilst the book centres on the exploits of the incredible Capt Darrell Watt, it also offers a history of the incessant 15-year bush war that those plucky Rhodesians fought, and eventually lost – not on the battlefield but in the behind-the-scenes negotiations in London.

It is a book of non-stop action, heroics, professionalism, violence, resourcefulness and incredible military skills. It tells of a rare breed of men who never gave up until ordered to do so. It is also a book of betrayal of a nation that deserved better – and looking at Zimbabwe now, who could dispute that statement?

I am just old enough to remember seeing pictures on TV in the 70s of one of the downed Air Rhodesia Viscount airliners. I served for a short while in the British Army but saw no action. I never experienced the sense of camaraderie and loyalty that these men shared. But I can tell you that I would give 10 years of my life to have served with the men described in this book, to...

United Kingdom on Jul 31, 2016

Amazon Customer: I have just finished reading the book ''A Handful of Hard Men''. I must say that as a born and bred Rhodesian who served as a TF in the Rh AF that the book is a very down to earth and true reflection of what happened politically to us Rhodesians and our country Rhodesia. In effect we were led as though blind sheep to the slaughter, by the powers that were then. It shows the patriotism, dedication and spirit that abounded in the peoples of our country and forces. We were mostly all prepared to get on together with a moderate black leader in a new Zimbabwe. And work together, to build a better life and future for all. I think the way that the African's blended and fought side by side with us proves that.
It also gives a gallant description of some of Darrell and his men’s brave and at times heroic, and very successful battles that they took part in. Right from the horse’s mouth so to speak. Darrell was in my view from the same mould as the famous SAS WW2 operator Lt Col Paddy Mayne. It was the effort of soldiers like this and others that managed to keep our country going for so many years. One has to wonder why Darrell and a few others did not get the recognition that was...

United Kingdom on Jan 06, 2016