Our Rhodesian Heritage

Birds of Rhodesia

2012-01-22T15:43:00.055+02:00

by R. W. RANKINE, M.B.O.U., M.S.A.O.S.

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Above: OSTRICH. Largest living bird, height 7-8 ft.; flightless; ground speed of 30 m.p.h. or more; male largely black with beautiful soft flight feathers, female brown. Conspicuous cock incubates eggsat night, inconspicuous hen by day. Predominantly vegetarian, eats hard objects to aid digestion. Clutch 15-20 giant eggs, commonly attacked by jackals; well-distributed in open grassland and lightly wooded country, but becoming more scarce.

Birds have always exercised a distinct fascination for man, even since his earliest days. In Rhodesia some of the first people to show this interest must have been the early bushmen, for many species have been identified from their rock paintings, which can be found all over the country.

Rhodesia is spectacularly well-endowed with bird life. Unfortunately, therefore, this series of pictures can show only a representative selection of the 620 species at present on the ornithological Checklist*. Of the 620, 80 are migrants, others are probably subtropical migrants, and 460 or more have been found to nest here. Of the 80 migrants, many come to Rhodesia, like the tourist, to escape the European winter, some completing epic journeys of as far as 14,000 miles annually to and from their northern breeding-grounds.

In contrast to that of many other countries, our bird population is unlikely to diminish: there is little cause for concern about the preservation of our birds, and, happily, no species is in danger of dying out.

For the visitor, it is interesting to compare the various types of Rhodesian birds with those overseas. In Europe, birds such as the cuckoo are known to form a single species. Here we have 11 cuckoos, 9 kingfishers, 13 swallows, 26 larks, 8 robins and 17 eagles, to mention just a few.

Although particularly abundant in Rhodesia's many national parks, birds may be seen every where, varying of course in different areas according, mainly, to climate and altitude. Contrary to expectations, the well-watered areas have fewer birds on the whole than the drier ones.

The best time to see birds is in the early morning, when they are feeding and on the move. At this time of day there is an abundance of birdsong, and the trees are enlivened with flashes of brightly coloured plumage. Later in the day, towards 10 a.m., most seem to disappear; they rest until about 4 p.m., when they will be found on the move again until sunset.

The diversity of our bird life has been amply illustrated by bird counts carried out by ornithologists in various areas of Rhodesia. On several occasions the watchers have listed more than 150 species in a single day.

In Britain it requires exceptional powers of observation to see more than 100 species in a year!

One of Rhodesia's most interesting birds is the Honey Guide. Joao dos Santos, writing in 1569, was the first to record this bird as leading people to bees' nests. He also stated that the bird flew in through the open church-windows at Sofala, in Mozambique, to eat the wax candles on the altar.

There are several species of the Honey Guide in Rhodesia, but only two of them lead to bees nests, and only one does so regularly.

Of the many spectacular and brightly coloured birds we have, the crimson-breasted shrike, the gorgeous bush-shrike and the common blue jay (a species of roller) are particularly outstanding.

Nor should we overlook the louries, with their green-and-purple plumage and scarlet wing feathers; the sunbirds; the bee- eaters; or the bright little waxbills.

As for songbirds, Rhodesia is often discount- ed as having none; but the belief is untrue. Although perhaps not so well known as the lark or nightingale immortalised in songs and poems, some of our robins, buntings, warblers, canaries and finches nonetheless sing beautifully. Many other birds are remarkable for their distinctive calls: among them are the "Go-away" bird (the grey lourie), the "Piet my vrou" (red- chested cuckoo) and the fish eagle, whose lovely call is known to most Rhodesians.

Practically every bird here extends its range to other countries, either to the north or= south, except one, the Swynncrton's robin. This bird wc can truly call our own, for it lives in the higher mountain forests along the eastern border, with a small population across the border in Mozambique.

Every year, in view of the large number of new dams and the growing number of bird enthusiasts, a few new species are added to our list. So far, 1967 has yielded two—the Cape eagle owl and the red-capped crombec. This progress will continue for many years and it would be unwise to forecast the date when the last record will be entered of the birds of Rhodesia.

End

Above: CAPE DABCHICK. Smallest grebe; length 6 in.; frequents small open sheets of water, swimming over surface in search of small water animals; floating nest of weeds; chicks can swim and dive on first day. Common in pairs or small parties throughout.

GREY HERON. Grey but with white neck; shy, resident, species; stands motionless for long periods while feeding; mainly fish diet. Drops down in long spiral flights to roost or nest. Mutual vociferous greeting on nesting; usually in colonies. One of the commonest herons.

Above: WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT (juvenile). Common on all larger areas of water in Rhodesia. Eats fish and occasionally frogs. Catches prey by swimming under water. Nest in colonies, mainly in trees. Adult bird has completely white throat, chest and belly.

Above: GOLIATH HERON. Largest heron. Slow flight with ponderous wing-beats and sagging legs; rather shy; generally haunts quieter areas of rivers and vleis. Diet: mainly fish. Nest at least 3 ft in diameter. Regionally common singly or in pairs.

Above: CATTLE EGRET. Smallest white egret, under 2 ft.; commonly known as the "Tickbird", but true tick bird is the Oxpecker; frequently accompanies cattle and large game for the insects they disturb; nesting rare, but widely distributed and common.

Above: WHITE PELICANS. One of two species occurring here; length nearly 6 ft Capture diet of fish by assembling in large flocks in true formation driving fish into shallows and scooping up into naked pouch. Surprising powers of flight. Found mainly Lowveld rivers, Zambezi. Not common.
MARABOU STORK. Tall carrion bird of repulsive, mangy appearance. Characteristic upright stance and guttural croak; has adopted to large extent habits of vultures; feared by them on account of powerful bill; it takes precedenceat carcase. Food: carrion, termites, locusts, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes and rats. Fairly common, singly or in small communities, especially in Lowveld, where it nests in large trees.

Above: HAMMERKOP Peculiar to Africa; one of nature's curiosities and regarded with superstitious awe by Africans; part heron, part stork, it subsists mainly on frogs and fish in open shallows. Intricate nest of large, hollow dome with inac- cessible opening, taking about 6 months to construct. Common.

Above: OPENBILL. Large-billed stork with sailing flight and projecting legs. Uses bill as nutcracker for diet of snails and fresh-water mussels. Individual feathers resemble cellophane. No record of voice. Gregarious except when feeding and partially nocturnal; appears in large flocks on Lowveld rivers, breeding recorded Gwaai River, Lowveld. Uncommon.

Above: SADDLEBILL. Largest Rhodesian stork, length nearly 6 ft., Distinctive appearance, male has scarlet eyes, female yellow; Ponderous flight; stalks around marshy areas or water in search of food. Breeds Rhodesia; commonest lower areas.

Above: WOOD IBIS. Distinguished from European "baby-carrying" stork by yellow "Roman-nose" bill, red facialpatch and black tail. Comparatively tame and often seen when not feeding with herons, spoonbills and other large waders. Probes for aquatic insects, fish and frogs, often with head totally submerged. Voice like squeaky hinge. Commonly occurs in small parties, especially in Lowveld, but well distributed throughout.

Above: WHITE STORK. Palearctic migrant arriving at beginning of rains, leaving end of March. General open vleis and grassland, performing useful function of devouring locusts, caterpillars, and army worms, lumbers decreasing.

Above: SPOONBILL. Flattened spatula bill, long legs and shy habits; frequents water or marshes, probing into mud or sweeping bill from side to side while feeding; beautifully blotched eggs. Nests upper Zambezi; commonest Lowveld, Zambezi Valley.

Above: EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Pronouneed rim round eye distinguishes it from other geese; frequently seen near water but also occurs in vast flocks in open lands. Commonly uses the old nests of other species, e.g. hammerkop; nests during cold weather. Resident; common throughout.

Above: KNOB-BILLED DUCK. Relatively large duck of conspicuous appearance. Commonly flies in "V" formation with characteristic swishing sound and deceptively slow wing beats. Frequent short hoarse whistle. Food: Water plants and insects, grass seeds and grain. Probably migratory with considerable local movements. Common.

Above: SPURWING GOOSE. Largest resident goose. Notoriously wary, hard to shoot and sometimes tough to eat. High-pitched whistle in flight. Feeds on vegetable matter, normally at night. Gregarious and common on larger stretches of water, congregating in flooded areas after rains.

Above: RED-BILL TEAL. Distinguished from Hottentot Teal by pink bill and larger size. Active species, not very shy. Food: aquatic plants and insects, small frogs and fish. Highly gregarious, usually found on all small dams. Commonest resident duck.

Above: WHITE-FACED DUCK. Active feeders and fliers by night, resting by day.Somewhat wary, whistling and circling when alarmed. Ponderous flight. Distinctive clear whistle. Aquatic food, grass seeds. Gregarious resident species widespread in Matabeleland. Common during rains.

Above: BLACK VULTURE (Outstretched wings). Huge turkey-head vulture held in awe by other species, hence old name "King Vulture'*; usually drives off other vultures at carcass until full, but feeds less grossly. Voice: a sharp yelp. Seldom more than two or three seen carcass but species general and common.

WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (perched). Gathers in large numbers at carcass, fighting, squealing and hissing; eyes and mouth of carcass attacked first, flesh extracted through holes in skin into which bird inserts whole head and neck. Commonest vulture throughout.

Above: SECRETARY BIRD. Peculiar to savanna veld of Africa south of Sahara.Resembles scribe with quill pen behind ear. Terrestrial habits and considerable running speed; also powerful flier. Voice: deep croak. Partial to snakes, attacks with feet. Well distributed, not common.

Above: LANNER FALCON. Magnificent flier, swooping at prey; trained for falconry. Voice: loud, metallic "chack, chack, chack". Food: birds, reptiles, insects, especially locusts. Nests during winter on rocky cliffs, or old eagles' nests. Common.

Above: EASTERN RED-FOOTED KESTREL. Migrates from Manchuria and Siberia in large flocks from August to March. Voice: "ki-ki- ki-ki-ki". Food: termites, insects, small mammals. Chiefly seen Mashonaland.

Above: YELLOW-BILLED KITE. Graceful sailing flier, steering and changing direction by means of tail. Daring, omnivorous thief, even snatching food from baskets on the heads of Africans, Large stick nest, lined with dung, rags, wool, etc. Common, also found near towns and villages.

Above: BLACK EAGLE (VERREAUX's) (left). Magnificent large eagle with yellow feet and bill. Particularly graceful in flight. Unusual yelping call. Uses element of surprise in capturing prey, mainly hyrax and other small animals. Common resident of rocky kopjes; plentiful in Matopos.

Above: MARTIAL EAGLE. Largest eagle. Strong and rapacious; executes larger kills with powerful swoop, often killing on impact. Voice: loud, ringing, repetitive "Kloo-ee". Food: often game birds and small animals. Nest may measure 6 ft. across. Widely distributed and relatively common in open country.

Above: BATELEUR. Perhaps our most beautiful eagle; adopted as insignia of Royal Rhodesian Air Force. Richly coloured and distinctive in the air; rocks from side to side as it steers, performing impressive aerobatics Voice: short, sharp bark. One of at least 67 species occurring in Southern Africa. Common and well distributed throughout Rhodesia.

Above: SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN. Robust game bird. Absence of white striping on belly differentiates from red-necked francolin. Voice: rising and diminishing "kwahli". Food: seeds, bulbs, insects. Usually seen in small family parties near streams or waterholes. Commoner in Matabeleland.

Above: RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN. Replaces Swainson's francolin in the Eastern Districts and Victoria Province. Used to be much more common, but has retreated with the increase in agricultural activity.

Above: CROWNED GUINEA FOWL. Horny casque distinctive. Great runners when disturbed, taking refuge in grass, bush or trees; alarm note: rattling "kek, kek". Food: varied; useful to farmers, consuming masses of grubs and insects. Excellent table bird; prior hanging or marinating recommended. The commonest and most valuable game bird.

Above: BLACK CRAKE. Small, unmistakable. Bolder than the other crakes. Flies low over water, treads water plants like the jacana. Voice: deep, growling "churr". Food: Insects, seeds, aquatic plants, snails, small fish. Usually in pairs or small parties. Commonest riverside rail.

Above: RED-KNOBBED COOT, Pugnacious and commonly seen in large parties swimming, chasing each other and belly-skating across water. Flies strongly when necessary. Often identified by a strange, humming "Vvvv". Food: insects, aquatic plants. Common throughout on larger open waters.

Above: CROWNED CRANE. Stately crane with magnificent golden crest. Indulges in playful dances and gambols often imitated in certain African dances. Trumpeting "Mahem" call gives it its African and Afrikaans name. Often domesticated. Food: small animals, insects, grain. Resident on the highveld, frequenting swampy borders in pairs and small parties.

Above: WATTLED CRANE . Largest crane. Distinctive wattles and lovely pink eye. Very wary. Terrestrial habits as of crowned crane. Voice: drawling, guttural "hornk". Food: small reptiles, frogs, insects, etc. Nests by choice on islets well out of range of jackals. Large flocks occur on swampy highveld borders and adjoining grassveld.

Above: BLACK-BELLIED KORHAAN. Thin-necked, long - legged member of bustard family. Spectacular in flight, dropping with wings over back. Rather tame and difficult to flush. Voice: drawling whistle, followed by a pause and cork-like pop. Food: insects, particularly dung beetles. Widely distributed in light woodland and open grassland.

Above: AFRICAN JACANA. (lily trotter). Two species occur in Africa. Unmistakable elongated toes and claws, used in running over floating vegetation, dives and swims. Food: water insects, seeds. Remarkably glossy eggs; floating nest of scanty material. Common wherever water-lilies occur.

Above: CROWNED PLOVER. Black crown, red legs, like other plovers given to running in starts. Noisy and attentive to intruders, swooping at them with wild cries. Food: beetles, grasshoppers, insect larvae. Common resident of short open grassveld and cultivations. Probably our commonest plover.

Above: THREE-BANDED SANDPLOVER. High pitched call often heard first, accompanied by bobbing head and body. Flight jerky. Food: insects and larvae. Probably commonest sandplover, nesting at edge of water.

Above: PAINTED SNIPE. Hen strikingly beautiful, larger than male; latter incubates and cares for young. Remarkable camouflage. Remains stationary when alarmed. Widely distributed but sparse.

Above: COMMON SANDPIPER. Palearctic migrant from North, some remaining throughout year. A wader, probing bill into mud in search of insects, larvae, etc.; characteristic bobbing of hinder part of body; widespread and common by quieter waters.

Above: WOOD SANDPIPER. Speckle-backed. Wades along grassy marshes, pools and streams pecking at insects, frogs and fish. Common palearctic migrant, but some stay in Rhodesia throughout the year.

Above: AVOCET (Awl-Bill). Distinctive upturned bill. Numbers fly in close formation, often alighting on water; swim and upend like ducks in deep water; feed with scythe-like action of beak in shallows. Restless species, some migratory, some resident. Commonest lowveld. Picture shows juvenile.

Above: DIKKOP (THICK-KNEED PLOVER). Both water and Cape dikkop occur here. Similar appearance; erepuscular and nocturnal in habits; squat among rocks and herbage by day. Food; insects, small animals.

Above: TEMMINCK'S COURSER. Small red-brown, plover-like bird witlr long whitish legs. Always running. Voice: metallic "err-err-err". Food: mostly insects. Restless; very common on burnt-off grass or shorter grassveld

Above: AFRICAN SKIMMER (Scissor-Billed Tern). Only skimmer in Africa. Forked tail, long wings. Flies swiftly, skimming low over water, especially at dawn and dusk, and dipping bill on sighting fish.

Above: DOUBLE-BANDED SANDGROUSE. Short bill and legs. Considered a "game bird". Loud "chuck-chuck" call when flushed. Food: mainly hard seeds. Pair off in breeding season. Flocks congregate at waterholes at dawn and dusk. Especially common in drier mopane country.

Above: CAPE TURTLE-DOVE. Colour variable. Well-known "how's father" call; spends the majority of its time on the ground picking up grain and seeds; characteristic habit of bobbing its head back and forth with each step. Climbs steeply, spiralling in descent. Common.

Above: NAMAQUA DOVE. One of the smallest doves. Exceptionally long tail; male has dark face and yellow bill. Delightful aviary bird. Flies swiftly, displaying cinnamon wings. Walks rather hunched up when searching for weed seeds, usually on old cultivated lands or gardens. Perches and nests very low. Commonest in arid districts.

Above: MEYER'S PARROT. Distinguished from Cape parrot by green rump and belly. Flies fast. Shrieking call. Food: fruit, berries, maize. Good pet, but rarely taught to talk. Nests in natural holes in trees. Usually in small parties in woodlands not far from water. Commonest of our three parrots. Both sexes similar, younger bird paler in colour.

Above: PURPLE-CRESTED LOURIE. Strikingly beautiful, especi- ally with scarlet wings displayed in flight. Hops on branches as if on springs. Loud attractive voice, commencing like English pheasant and ending in continuous "kooking" call. Food: fruit. Frequents riverine forest and woodlands.

Above: WHITE-FACED OWLET. Longish ears, perches by day in dark trees. Voice: typical owl hoot commencing in a stutter. Food: largely insects. Normally uses hawks' or other birds' nests. Widely distributed in pairs in woodlands.

SPOTTED EAGLE OWL. One of the commonest large owls. Rests by day among rocks or large trees, emerging at dusk. Voice: loud "hu-hoo". Food: mainly rodents and insects. Very common in dense woodlands.

Above: SOUTH AFRICAN NIGHTJAR. Nocturnal, lethargic. All species alike and similarly coloured; this nightjar having more rufous colouring around the head. Continuous "wheeting" call, a familiar woodland sound on moonlit nights. Food: insects, taken from fixed perch. Woodland habitat. Commonest nightjar.

Above:RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Coly"). Prettiest mousebird and strongest in flight, with rapid wing; beats. When disturbed fly off in sequence, crashing into neighbouring bush. Adopt hanging position on perch. Creep mouselike on branches while feeding. Menace to fruit growers. Wonderful pet. Common.

Above: PIED KINGFISHER. One of our commonest kingfishers. Conspicuous habit of hovering over water and diving head first to capture prey. Carries latter to favourite perch, usually beating it to death before swallowing It. Nests in holes in bank. Common throughout Rhodesia.

Above:NATAL KINGFISHER. Brilliantly coloured. Resembles European species. Perches low on reeds, diving; for prey. Dry-land non-fishing species very similar to the fish-eating malachite kingfisher. Call: shrill "chip" when flying. Food: mainly insects. Nests in holes in banks. Common in thick bush country.

Above: CARMINE BEE EATER (right). Probably the most beautiful of all our brilliantly coloured birds, length about 14 in. Individuals scatter by day, darting at insects from twig perch. Roost and nest in large twittering colonies In holes in river banks. Widespread, but nowhere common.

Above: LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Blue Jay) (left). One of the commonest colourfuf birds. Courting display of spectacular aerobatic-rolls and tumbles, accompanied by high-pitched cackle and beautiful outspread wings. Nests in holes in trees. Commonly seen perched by roadside throughout country.

Above: AFRICAN HOOPOE. Long curved bill and large spread crest. Onamatopoeic name. Sporadically flicks open and folds crest as it bustles along probing for insects. Flight like butterfly. Nesting sites varied, from holes in ground to termite mounds. Common resident of savanna veld and settlements.

Above: YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL. Large and clumsy with stout, curved bill. Generally waddling on ground, occasionally flapping and gliding in ponderous flight. Voice: repealed "tock-tock". Food: mainly insects. Especially numerous in drier mopane areas.

Above: CRESTED BARBET. Colourful relative of woodpecker, shorter curved bill. Voice: characteristic continuous purring trill like alarm clock. Food: Insects, fruit. Excavates own nest in trees. Widespread and common in all woodlands.

Above: WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW Blue and white with chestnut head patch. Resident. Feeds on the wing like all swallows. Usually near water. Commonest of smaller swallows, 23 species of which occur in Southern Africa.

FORK-TAILED DRONGO. (left) Conspicuous black, fork-tailed bird with numerous long rictal bristles. Perches boldly in pairs or alone on prominent vantage points, from which it hawks passing insects. Aggressive and vivacious. Metallic voice. Very common.

Above: GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER. Occurs in riverine acacia. Drums on bark of trees for insects and their larvae, procuring them by inserting tongue into crevices. Nests in holes in dead trees. Often accompanying bird parties.

Above: BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE. Unmistakeable black head. Frequents forests and brachystegia woodlands, Utters fluid whistling notes. Nest: a bag of "wild-man's-beard". Beautifully marked pinkish eggs. Common.

Above: BLACK-EYED BULBUL (Layard's Bulbul). Very common and known as the "toppie" in Rhodesia; friendly and cheerful with call described as "come back to Calcutta". Upon sighting snake, cat or small carnivore, numbers gather chattering ceaselessly. Diet: soft fruit, berries, insects. Nests at greatly varying heights; eggs vividly spotted. Widespread.

Above: PIED CROW. The commonest crow; length 18-20½ in.; bold, wary, able to fend for itself; frequently in pairs or small parties near refuse dumps and abattoirs; mainly carnivorous. Call: loud, nasal repetitive "kwaak"; can be taught to talk well; increasingly popular pet. Generally unpopular with farmers; habitually attacks weakened sheep. Wide but erratic distribution.

Above: KURR1CHANE THRUSH. Somewhat shy bird with orange bill, inhabiting woodlands, usually near water. Nest: basin structure glued to branch with mud. Finely speckled eggs. Common species, widely distributed.

Above: GROUND-SCRAPER THRUSH. Conspicuous white chest with black spots; similar to European thrushes; appears squat because of shortish tail. Strong flight; habitual flicking of one wing at a time; onomatopoeic 'litsitsurupa" call gives it its Sechuana name. Partial to big trees, especially near cattle kraals and houses. Scratches among fallen leaves. Widely distributed.

Above: WHITE-BROWED ROBIN (Heuglin's Robin). Characteristic white eyebrow; one of Rhodesia's finest singing birds; song emotional and ventriloquial; repetitive phrases reaching crescendo. Food: insects. Common in bush areas and gardens.

Above: TAWNY FLANKED PRINIA. Warbler-like bird distinguished from other prinias by plain
underparts; characteristic "weeping" alarm note. Food: insects. Oval nest woven of green
grass and fibres, typical of prinias. Generally well distributed in coarse vegetation, usually
near water, in pairs or small parties.

Above: WHITE-FLANKED FLYCATCHER. Male has lovely golden eye; hunts actively for insects, hopping along branches or flying out of them; voice, falling three-note whistle; typical flycatcher's bowl-shaped nest. Common resident, frequenting drier forest savannas or dry river beds in pairs.,

Above: CAPE WAGTAIL. Characteristic bobbing tail; grey-brown upper parts, dark band across chest and white outer tail-feathers; general favourite; protected; well-accustomed to human habitation; usually seen singly, in pairs or family parties in gardens or near water. Food: mainly insects and sand-hoppers, captured with great agility and dexterity. Voice: varied, loud and clear; often nests about houses. Commoner South African resident.

Above: CRIMSON-BREASTED SHRIKE. One of Rhodesia's most brilliantly coloured birds; characteristic white wing bar, brilliant scarlet from under tail to chin; not very shy but quick-moving; takes long hops on ground. Food: insects. Usually sings in duet. Strictly confined to acacia thorn veld where it builds shallow basin-shaped nest in fork of thorn tree. Eggs pale greenish white with clearly defined spots. Common Matabeleland.

Above: PARADISE FLYCATCHER. Beautiful long-tailed male; catches prey on wing, in undulating flight; small egg cup nest of moistened lichen. Common wet-season migrant, frequenting gardens, riverine vegetation, wood- lands.

Above: FISCAL SHRIKE (Butcher Bird);. Notoriously cruel; impales some prey on thorns or barbed wire. Diet: very varied; largely beetles, grasshoppers, but also other birds. Call: harsh grating challenge. Common throughout.

Above: GLOSSY STARLING. There are four species of the beautiful short-tailed glossy starling in Rhodesia, but it is impossible to differentiate in the field. Nest in natural holes in trees. Food: insects, fruit and occasionally seeds. Very common throughout.

Above: PLUM-COLOURED STARLING. Male brilliant; female dull; Intra-tropical migrant; usually frequents "Brachystegia"; nests in holes in trees. Food: insects, fruit. Common during rains.

Above: SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD. Males brightly coloured, females dull (as in all sunbirds); characteristic finely pointed curved bill of sun-birds for puncturing flowers and extracting nectar; also eats insects; often nests near hornets or inside thick spiders' webs; unrestricted to definite habitat; generally distributed and common.

Above: MASKED WEAVER. Typical of the many varieties of weaver occurring in Rhodesia. Food : seed, insects, soft parts of flowers and fruits. Nesting; colonies by streams or open woodland; hanging nest with inverted entrance; common throughout.

Above: RED-BILLED QUELEA. Unmistakable; main menace to seed-growing farmers throughout Africa. Swift-flying flocks sometimes number millions (lower picture); nests in hundreds of thousands; mainly low-lying areas; widely distributed.

Above: RED BISHOP. Same sub-family as masked weaver and quelea; red only in breeding season, brown and sparrow-like rest of year; grain pest. Common throughout vleis and swamps below 6,500 feet.

Above: PIN-TAILED WHYDAH. Promiscuous; usually seen with several females; becomes
dull sparrow-like bird in dry weather; eggs laid mainly in waxbill's nests; young reared by them. Food: seeds. Common.

Above: RED - THROATED TWIN- SPOT (Peter's). Named from double white spots on belly. Food: grass seeds. Voice: a tinholing cricket-like sound; domed nest; frequents edges of
evergreen and riverine forest.

Above: RED-BILLED FIREFINCH. Closely associated with settlements; very tame; waxbill; often seen in camps and suburbs of towns. Food: seeds and small insects. Distinctive nasal "tweet, tweet" call. Widely distributed and common below 5,400 ft. in thickets and riverine scrub.

Above: BLUE WAXBILL. The only waxbill with pale blue underparts; tame, familiar little bird; a great favourite in aviaries; common around houses and gardens; often builds its round nest near wasps for protection. Very common throughout, especially in thorn veld.

Above: SWEE WAXBILL (South African). Distinctive combination of black tail, red rump and green back but quiet and easily overlooked; occurring at Zimbabwe Ruins. Food: grass seeds and small insects. Voice: gentle "swee, swee". Recumbent pear-shaped nest; rare here; common South of Limpopo.

Above: CAPE CANARY. Distinctive grey head; male much brighter. Food: seeds. Loud, wild song reminiscent of English lark; small basin-shaped nest built entirely by female over some two weeks; large noisy flocks gather at dusk. Restricted to Eastern Highlands.

END OF ARTICLE

This guide reprinted from Rhodesia Calls by Graphic Printers, Rhodesia, and published by the Rhodesia National Tourist Board.

Publication was made available to ORAFs by Lewis Walter Thank you Lewis

Acknowledgement and Appreciation
Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Comments are always welcome.

Extracted and recompiled by Eddy Norris for use on "Our Rhodesian Heritage" blog.

* The birds shown in the pictures arc named according to the listing in Roberts* Birds of Southern Africa.

Diesel Loco at Triangle Station in 1973

2012-01-20T21:17:00.003+02:00

Extracted from the cover page of the Rhodesia Railways magazine dated September, 1973.

Material made available by Diarmid Smith. Thanks Diarmid

Please remember that comments are always very welcome. Send them to orafs11@gmail,com

The "Pride" Of 14 Up

2012-01-19T10:36:00.003+02:00

DRIVER F. ROE; GUARD L. VAN RYNEVELD
ACCIDENT REPORT: LIONS-PRIDE-RUNNING OVER OF

On the morning of the 15.07.73 at approximately 00h40, I was the driver of 14 Up, when at a point some five kilometres beyond Intundhla, I perceived, reflected in my headlights, a pride of lions, running along the track towards Dett, at an estimated speed of 20 k.p.h.

Due to the fact that I was headed in a like direction, but at a speed considerably in excess of that generated by the lions, I duly overtook the pride, who contrary to my expectations, obstinately refused to acknowledge my due right of way.

A collision therefore occurred, in which I rendered two lion hors de combat, placed a further two on the critical list (from which I understand they never recovered) and caused an estimate of three more to be rostered on "light duties" with various abrasions, contusions and other wrongs and injuries, commensurate with a 15th class argument.

Thereafter I observed a partial drop in the vacuum, and as is my normal wont on these occasions

forthwith roundly cursed the fireman for priming the engine, a further check revealed that in this instance the drop was due to some other cause.

Immediately therefore I acted upon the instructions as laid down per clause 12(3)(A) in the General Appendix, and having brought the train to a stand still, alighted from the cab, and clutching my coal hammer, commenced to investigate the cause of the trouble.

Two bogies behind the engine, I found a truck damaged, the flexible rubber hose to the vacuum cylinder having been ripped off by the body of a lion passing under the truck. I whistled up my guard, who with his usual complete disregard for his own safety and showing fearless bravery and devotion, quite beyond the call of duty, walked up from his van, all the way through this dangerous area, infested with predators and carnivore at every bend, in order to assist me in effecting temporary repairs to the truck. (On his return he walked back through the coaches).

The guard mentioned to me that he had heard a noise (one presumes that of a lion in the process of transgression to the "hereafter") at the time of the impact, but had taken no action, as he presumed at the time that it was in all probability only some passenger who had fallen out of the train and who was lying by the side of the track screaming in agony.

We both agreed that it would not have been politic to delay a prestige mixed goods, such as 14 Up over so trifling a matter.

Running repairs completed I drove the train to Dett, where the damaged vehicle was detached. I believe "the overall delay including a slow trip after the incident was 60 minutes. No further incident was experienced.

End

Extracted and recompiled by Eddy Norris from the Rhodesia Railways magazine of September 1973. Magazine made available by Diarmid Smith. Thanks Diarmid

Also please remember that comments are always very welcome. Send them to orafs11@gmail,com

The Sable Magazine

2012-01-15T11:42:00.002+02:00

The Southern Rhodesia Reconnaissance Regiment Magazine for July 1942

The Sable

Next Publication 30th October, 1942. All contributions to reach the Editor by the 1st October at the latest.

Contents

" The Ideal in War ".
An Officer's Stars.
Commentary.
Strange Stories—No.
" The Grave ".
The Hairy One.
An Explanation.
Camp Personalities.
Essays in Science - 1
Round and about Camp.
Hymn of Weight.
Life and Letters of a Medical Orderly.
Asi Sabi Luto.
Imagination.
Sport.
"Life": Fourth Series.
The W.A.M.S. at Work.
Africans Entertain.

" The Ideal in War "

What is accomplished by war, what is gained? This is the question that lies at the back of every mind as the papers are scanned, and headlines shout a sea victory here and an air debacle there, of the loss of a thousand lives and the wrecking of a thousand homes. Futility? No, not futility, for an ideal lies before us, and an ideal lies before the enemy too. We Britons are at heart all idealists. Maybe one would be justified in saying that modern war, or any war for that matter, is futile; but before passing judgment one would have to lay aside the outer garments of greed, cruelty, necessity, lust, and search for the pure body that lies within—the ideal.

Conquerors throughout the ages have waged war because they held an ideal before them. Either the wish to place their own people at the head of others, or to gain for their people the necessities of life, or to suppress and defend against the marauder. True, plunder is often the goal of the attacker, but wars for the sake of plunder are usually insignificant wars.

Let us examine these ideals in detail. Julius Caesar and Napoleon are perhaps the best known examples of conquerors who had at heart the will to make their own nations great and powerful. Perhaps there were personal motives too, but I do think that with both these men their peoples stood to gain far more than did the generals themselves. We know how Caesar waxed and waned, but in so doing made Rome the first capital of the European world. We know, too, how Napoleon over-ran Europe, but in the end also failed. Thus, the ideal of gaining power by crushing weaker nations fails, and will always fail, though it takes a thousand years to bring about the downfall.

Next we find the ideal in war that seeks to gain only territory and spoils, in order to allow the surplus population of a country with a small area to live and flourish, and in order to feed and clothe the teeming millions. Britain, in the past, has conquered towards this end, and so has Japan. Both these peoples had small mother countries, and had to find an outlet for the enormous populations and had to feed and clothe the poor in their cities.

Now we come to war that has as its ideal and object the suppression of violence and the crushing of the attacker; the kind of war that to-day we are fighting. A struggle to end Nazism, to defeat militant Japan, to teach bombastic Italy that honour and right in the end prove unbeatable.

Germany invaded her neighbours, and their neighbours, and Hitler seeks to invade all Europe and Africa and whatever country he can reach in his mad lust after power. But he will not succeed. Against him he has all the might, all the wealth, all the muscle and brain of four great nations, and above all, he has to contend with the steady will of great peoples to win and to uphold honour and honesty. And this is their ideal. True, he has behind him a powerful and brilliant army, but his resources for replenishment are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, while Britain, America, Russia and China grow stronger and stronger, looking forward to the creation of safety, tolerance and happiness in their own countries. A life of safety from the greedy invader, of tolerance for the minorities that have settled within their boundaries, of happiness in security and plenty, these are their aims, and God grant that soon these ideals will be attained, and the object of crushing the wrong doer achieved.

So many of us do not realise that to win a war one must give more than muscle and blood, one must give brain-power, individual freedom, possessions, and above all one's will to win—the governing ideal. Men and women must feel that each step forward is a step nearer the end of all this horror and bloodshed, which is in the meaning of war, and in gaining these strides towards victory some of us offer our strong young bodies to form the head of the army spear, others offer wealth and power to fashion the unbreakable shaft, while the hand that guides this wonderful weapon is nerved by the brain and courage of our leaders.

We are fighting now for our families, our homes, our future right prosper; but we are fighting, too, on weaker nations that lie trodden in the dust shod beneath steel shod heel of ruthless invasion and conquest. Britain never fights so well as when she is protecting the weaker fellow, and righting the wrongs done to her friends; in this struggle she has both these reasons for fighting, plus the protection of her own peoples and lands. No wonder the enemy is feeling the strength of our own mailed fist, when it is directed by such fine ideals, and we shall never rest until Hitler and his hordes, Mussolini and his misled people and Japan's militarists learn that it does not pay to molest and attack weaker nations.

We have before us the ideals of right and honesty, and with such banners to wave, we have little cause for fear as to the ultimate end of this conflict: " dulce et decorum est pro patria mori "—it is good and proper to die for one's country—but we add: " it is good and better to die for the great ideal."

Delighted! I'm a home guard- Guard all the bally homes and so
forth don't ye know!

An Officer's Stars WHY THEY ARE WORN
By M.P.

Why is an army officer designated by stars on his shoulder when stripes or rings would serve just as well? is it just so that he will be different from Navy or Air Force Officers or is it due to a mere accident inthe design of the uniform that his rank is shown by stars?

As a matter of fact it is neither. The star he wears on his shoulder has a very interesting history for it is the badge of an order of knighthood. Its design is that of the badge worn by a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

The history and origin of Knighthood is obscure, but it seems certain that the words, Knight and Knighthood are only modern versions of the Old English, " Cniht and Cnihtad." " Cnihts" belonged to a group of people who, in the 12th century, were mainly attendants upon Sovereigns and great personages.

Under the feudal system it became part of the " cniht's " duties to manage the levies of armed men which his feudal Lord was called upon to raise from time to time and so he became a sort of quasi-military steward.

With the start of the Crusades, the British Army began to take on something of the character which it has to-day. It became largely a paid army of volunteers which was raised for service outside England and it was officered by the " Cnihts." At one time, therefore, Army Officers were necessarily Knights but, as the Knights of olden times were a privileged and select class of persons, it became necessary to appoint suitable deputies for them in order to augment the number of leaders required by a rapidly expanding Army. At the same time, leaders had to be chosen from among the bravest and most skilful in the noble art of war. Such men, though not actually qualified for knighthood, in the regular sense, were, by virtue of their skill in warfare, qualified to lead portions of armies in the field. Consequently they were at least entitled to a form of " Junior Knighthood." Thus it came about that officers became Knights by courtesy.

In Great Britain, to-day, there are three Orders of Knighthood. Prime Orders, such the Order of the Garter; Family Orders, such as the Royal Victorian Order, and Orders of Merit. Of these, the last is the category into which falls the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. This Order is, in its turn, divided into three grades. There are: Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commanders, and Knights Companions. The Order of the Bath was instituted by King George 1st, in 1725, and all present-day Officers who wear stars on their shoulders wear the badge of a Companion of the Order which bears the motto: " Tria Juncta in Uno." Thus it will be seen how a very ancient and honourable tradition has been perpetuated in an officer's uniform to-day. In the 12th Century was the beginning of Knighthood when '' Cnihts '' were no more than followers of some sovereign Lord. Great Britain started to send her armies abroad and chose Knights as leaders. The Army grew, more leaders had to be found and officers, by virtue of the leadership they exercised, were admitted to membership of an Order of Knighthood.

Commentary
By "Kachetchete"

In times of great stress and national emergency it is common practice for the man in the street to form his conclusions from newspaper and wireless announcements regarding major events; and the present war is no exception to this general rule. We are nearly all, to some degree, " armchair strategists " as, each of us being personally involved in some way, we are apt to attach too much importance to ourselves and our ideas. This is merely one aspect of human nature.

However, a moment's reflection will show us that, for our own benefit, our sources of information may at times provide us with an incomplete picture. In other words, when, judging from reports of battles and political activities, we find it difficult to make an accurate assessment of the future, that time has arrived to seek for signs elsewhere. In doing so, we must bear in mind that even the apparently insignificant facts may be portents of world shaking events in the future. A molehill brought about the untimely end of an English Monarch and the builder of that small mound of earth went down in history as the " Little Gentleman in the Grey Velvet Waistcoat." Had the lives of a naughty King and an orange girl who was "no better than she ought to have been," been separated by one generation, the first and greatest institution in the world for the care of old soldiers might never have been founded. A coach, stuck in a gateway caused a French King's head to roll in the basket beneath the guillotine. Pages could be filled with such examples.

At the time of writing it is difficult, from reports, to set the Eastern and European situations side by side and pass accurate judgment on the general position. But we are lucky. We have not got to examine eveiy square foot of the sacred ground for little heaps of earth, search for naughty girls at the cinema or measure to the nearest tenth of an inch the separation between the various gates of the Tank Park. Did we but realise it, an event of such breath-taking importance has this day taken place in our very camp, that a day of National Rejoicing should be ordered and the Paymaster instructed to advance at least a month's pay in order to enable R.A. Ranks All to do justice to the occasion and not disgrace themselves before the citizenry of Umtali by staging celebrations on a more end-of-course scale.

It has become apparent that the sea roads are wider open than ever, that commerce across the oceans is becoming once again a simple matter, and that we can once again make free use of what has of recent months become a valuable and essential war material. Therefore, THE WAR IS NEARLY OVER. The sign is here in our midst for all to see. It is not in a place where the voice of the R.S.M. will boom forth "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet," not where your actions in searching may bring you under suspicion from your wives, sweethearts or M.P.'s, not where you are liable to be charged under the official secrets act. It is in a place you all visit regularly (I hope).

My readers are by this time in a state of frenzied excitement and I have not the heart to keep them longer in suspense. If any of them are reading this during a gas lecture, and have, for some unknown reason (this is written in early May) not yet observed the sign I am about to reveal, my advice to them is to raise one hand in the air (as taught at school) and gaze hard at the Instructor with an expression of agonised appeal, in order immediately to wangle a plausible excuse to confirm the stupendous statement I am about to make.

Here it is: The Troops have again been issued with Paper, White, Blank, Purposes, Epistolary, Other Than, For.

****

Is Everything All Right?

A young married couple, not too well blessed with worldly goods, decided that their first baby should be born at their cottage. Time approached and the doctor was called in.

Young husband, waiting outside in trepidation, gasps when the doctor opened the door and said, fetch me a cold chisel; he went and got one. Three minutes after doctor opened the door and said get me a pair of strong pliers. Again with quaking knees the husband supplied the request. But, when three minutes later the doctor opened the door and said get me a seven pound hammer, the husband could not resist asking:

Doctor, are things going all right?

Oh, all right, replied the doctor, but I can't get my damn bag open.

*****

Strange Stories—No. 4
These two unusual narrative poems, by " Mont,* replace the strange story that is customarily printed under this heading.

WAS IT A DREAM?"
'' One day I listless strayed the veld
With useless gun and tightened belt.
A shim'ring haze lay o'er the bush,
'Twas hot as Hell—the midday hush.
Then weary feet led weary limbs
To where a tree the sunlight dims,
I laid me down while heat-waves fade
Beneath the branches' welcome shade.

Scare had I closed my sun-scorched eyes
When close beside me gently sighs
A man with dark and wrinkled skin,
Who spoke of death and untamed sin
As if he knew the weight of both.
(Gone were my tiredness and sloth)
For as I looked upon his face
And watched his eyes and quick grimace
I felt as if I read his soul—
This country of his life took toll-—
The story of a thousand men
That went before and come again!
They sought, and seek the yellow wealth—
He tells of toil and failing health.

" We tramped the bush with pick and pan,
We broke the earth till blood-sweat ran,
We washed the dirt with shaking hand
And eagerly the dust we scanned,
But only rarely came the thrill
That led us over rock and hill.
No kith had we, no loving kin
We're outcasts, filthy bearded chin
Bloodshot eyes with far-way strain—
Seeking the treasure of river and plain,
But scarcely finding enough to save
Our weary bones from a godless grave.
Then when at last we found the gold,
We felt so useless and tired and old—
The metal to liquid gold was turned
And down our throats its w^y it burned.
Till came a day, when sick and ill,
WTe lost our hold—we'd had our fill
Of all Life's kicks and curses vile—
We lost our lives—we made no pile!
We died! I died! my body stank;
You'll find my bones o'er yonder bank.
And now goodbye, my youthful friend,
I wander this veld from end to end
Trying to warn those utter fools
Who seek their end with mining tools!'
He vanished then—I rubbed my eyes—
No dream was this 'neath burning skies,
I rose and wandered to the site,
And there they lay—his bones, bleached white,
Beside a rusted pick and spade
Where long, long since a hole was made.
No—'twas no dream—my arms I gave
To bury those bones in the ready grave.
And by their side I laid the set—

****

" THE GRAVE "
(Inspired by Rachmaninoff Prelude in C Sharp Minor).

" The grave is slowly filled with new-thrown earth.
The mourners turn their backs on what was theirs.
The mother softly weeps—her heart is dead,
The wife, so young, convulsed with sobs and prayers.
And now the cloak of night enwraps the world.
The coffin lies at rest beneath the mound,
And in it sleeps the still and ashy form.
The wind to trees gives voice—a mournful sound.

The hour of midnight comes and ghosts are out.
The lifeless body in its oaken tomb
Begins to stir, and stretches cramped limbs.
The flickering eyes see not the awful doom
Till arms are raised and find the boards above.
'Tis dark—the blackness like the raven's wing—
The atmosphere is foul and hardly breathed,
He struggles till his heart and eardrums sing.
The horror of his fate his mind pervades,
He lies and thinks, and fear assails his soul.
Consigned by men to fill this living grave—
Great God of mercy, what a ghastly role!
He gasps for breath and wildly beats the walls.
His movements now are weak, and failing fast,
And agony to breathe that fetid air.
Now thoughts of life are dim and quickly passed.
Resigned to Fate's last mocking, devil's trick,
He sighs, and blood froths at his mumbling lips,
Then tranquil in that coffin's murky close
Resign'dly waits with Death to come to grips.
But Life still bids him fight; but no avail;
He scare can move—the weight of failing lungs
His hopes of living crushes—then a dream:
A golden ladder with ten thousand rungs,
And lying there, he sees his spirit climb,
Its eyes are fixed on something high above.
The cares and fears of earth are left below
With thoughts of hate and joys and mortal love.
The pain wracked body in that lonely grave
No longer feels the ties of men on earth,
His soul is gone. It rests with other souls,
To wait its turn again to come to birth.''
Perhaps his restless soul digs yet."

Don't Point
An Australian mother and small son were seeing the sights of London. Suddenly the youngster spotted a man high up on a building cleaning windows. Standing still, the boy pointed upwards and exclaimed in loud tones: " Crikey, ma, look at that b--y b-d up there.

His mother embarrassingly slapped the child and scolded: " How many times have I told you not to point."

The Hairy One
By " Ranger."

We were seated in our usual group around the clubroom fire when Turner, a glass of whisky in his hand, proclaimed:—

"You chaps all remember old Henson the Forest Department timber surveyor. Here is a yam about him that may interest you."

We refilled our glasses, lit up our pipes and leaned back to listen to another of Turner's stories.

" You say, Bwana, that to-morrow we move into Njanje's section. I think our labours there will not be long or difficult, for when I left my old kraal on the Njanjeni there was not much timber. The ground is also flat and therefore will be easy to survey."

Henson digested his boss boy's information thoughtfully. If Mangwe's statements as to the scarcity of timber and the flatness of the country were correct, then a month might see this section completed and he could be back in civilisation for Christmas. His pleasant thoughts were interrupted by Mangwe who stood respectfully a few feet from the gently flickering fire.

" I have heard, Bwana, that a new fear has descended on the villages along the Njanjeni. When I lived near the river we feared lions, elephants and locusts. These were natural fears and ones that men could understand, but this new cause of alarm is an evil spirit which roams the river banks, and as you know, Bwana, these inexplicable things are very terrifying I think we should not waste much time over the poor timber along the Njanjeni's banks."

Henson sternly replied that there was no time for absurd stories when they should be preparing their belongings for an early start in the morning.

The timber certainly was rather poor, Henson decided, as he tramped along the river bank the following afternoon. The distant trumpeting of an elephant across the river brought back to him Mangwe's story of the previous night. Probably he would hear more news of the " spirit " that was troubling the simple natives when they reached the village. From Mangwe he had gathered that, on several occasions, the villagers had seen in the early dawn, or in the evening, a large, hairy man wandering along the river banks. Some of their goats and calves had been taken, and to crown all, a girl who went late one evening to the water hole was found there next day with her back broken and her ribs pulped. Some of the more daring of the men had followed the large, rough footprints of the murderer as far as a deep donga choked with Senanga thorn. There, however, their courage had failed and they had returned, having discovered nothing more than the devil's home.

Henson, having satisfied himself that his boys were busy making the camp at the village, and having paid the customary visit to the induna, wandered round and skilfully questioned several natives about the Hairy One who was causing so much panic. He heard nothing new, but found one young man—the lover of the dead girl—who was willing to lead him to the terror's haunt.

Henson with Mangwe behind, followed the guide up the river for some distance. The native then stopped and flatly refused to go any further as the sun was setting fast. Henson, having aired his views on the guide's bravery in sarcastic terms, signed to the now frightened Mangwe to follow him, and continued on up the river.

The donga, when they reached it, was unmistakable, with its thorn-choked entrance. Treading quietly now, the two took up a position on the edge of the gulley. Henson with his heavy rifle across his knees felt his faithful servant's body tremble as they crouched behind a screen of bushes with eyes riveted on the darkening scrub below. Across the river a jackal barked.

"Bwana, He comes!" whispered Mangwe who pointed with trembling fingers to the shadows below.

Grunting and snuffling and forcing a way through the sharp Senanga, ambled the shape of a huge hairy man. Suddenly, pivoting to face them, it stopped. Henson stiffened in the slow movement of his rifle. For a tense moment Mangwe's gentle moaning was audible then the stillness was broken as, roaring and grunting, the Hairy One charged up the slope towards them. Henson dared not fire. The light was poor. A miss would be fatal. A moment later the huge form, arms outstretched, rose from the bushes and was silhouetted against the sky. With a muttered oath Henson fired, reloaded, and fired again.

"Hurry, Mangwe. Stop your groaning and make a torch so that I can see this ' evil spirit ' that bullets have killed."

In the flickering light of the grass torch, they cautiously bent to examine the grotesque, inert form. Henson straightened himself suddenly.

" Good God! No wonder the natives couldn't understand. A grizzly bear!"

Turner paused, drained his glass and stared at each of us in turn.

"I know you chaps expect tall yarns from me. A grizzly in the middle of Africa does seem ridiculous, but you may recall that while Henson was on this survey job, there were reports in the papers of the escape from Bell's Circus, while at the Victoria Falls, of their performing grizzly. . . . Waiter, another whisky!"

****

NOTE.

"The Sable," Number 5, will be published on the 30th of October. Due to the restrictions on the use of printing paper, the magazine will necessarily be smaller than it is at present. We hope that quality will replace quantity and that contributions will inundate this office before the middle of September. Stories, poems, photographs, articles, jokes, all will be welcome copy—so send your contribution in right away, to The Editor, " The Sable," Park River Training Camp, Umtali. EDITOR.

****

An Explanation
By Professor Ettenna.

The following is an excerpt from a book on archaeology, published in the year 2842 A.D. The authors are descendants of our 18-20 group, so you will understand why their outlook seems a little blighted. The book deals with excavations over a wild, barren country, and the unearthing of the P.R.T.C. is the subject matter of this chapter.

"News of the workings of an ancient civilisation having been made known, we set about the task of seeking further information on the lives of the prehistoric dwellers. After many months of scratching and scraping, traces of primitive and barbaric man were discovered beneath an accumulation of rubble and filling systems. Numerous dwelling places were located, and the vast distance between each building proves that the ancients were fond of cross country walks.

Most energetic.

"We unearthed a curious and aboriginal system of inter-communication used by Early Man. It consisted of a series of handles, bells and wires. Painful noises were caused by their operation, and how the dwellers of this haunted place ever survived their telephonic system is a knotty problem no one will ever solve.

"One of the first buildings to be exposed was one obviously used for the keeping of wild animals. From an inspection of the bones it appears that either the fierce some dinosaurus or the common pig lived in the enclosure. Our experts are unable to state any reasons or definite purposes behind the rearing of these animals, except that they may have been kept to indicate the direction of the wind.

"Extensive investigations show that women also frequented this desolate spot. They were a terrifying and imposing squad who were conveyed hither and thither by means of a half-ton chariot. It is understood that these Amazons did wear flat shoes, bright buttons, and occasionally intelligent expressions. They did also parade as soldiers: the origins of Lost Horizons.

"An interesting building was erected to the south east of the site. The barricade or entrance bears the curious inscription Yregrus Latned, and it was obviously planned as a place of horror and torture. Vicious lathes, drills, pincers and knives lie strewn about this chamber. Surely many terrible atrocities must have been committed in the gloomy compartment, whilst other victims were waylaid in an adjoining room where an imposing array of poisons (Oil of Castor and such like) adorned the walls. Too ghastly for words.

"From a consultation of records it appears that special quarters were set aside for embalming the barbarians. This particular section was termed the Sergeants' Mess, and for embalming purposes large stocks of soothing syrups and spirits were laid in stock.

"Many are the wonders of this barbarous situation, and many must have been those who actually did the wondering. A department of note, labelled D. & M. (we can barely trace why) supplies further evidence that the ways of prehistoric man were difficult to under- stand. Surely the ancients did delight in causing loud sounds, for with the slightest encouragement a stationary chariot does make violent explosions and blasts. There is, too, a pipe leading from a strange receptacle (ref. home-made wash-basin) which, when carefully placed across the entrance, does cause other savages to trip, and to swear in unknown tongue.

"The archives are not entirely destroyed, and they contain many reference papers which have assisted us in surmising the fate and extraordinary existence of the Ancients. A few questions as yet outstanding are receiving attention, but amongst random reflections we wonder why the building termed Q did not possess its own system for communicating with the outer world; why a leader did select strange green material to hang before his wall openings (prehistoric term " windows") and above all, how the remaining leaders did contrive to disentangle their respective chariots from the chariot ranks in front of their dwelling place. It is all very obscure, and it is not for us to unravel the mystery which must have pervaded this unusual site some thou- sand years ago."

****

Claustrophobia

At the beginning of the Battle of Britain, a certain large departmental store decided to use its deepest basement as a shelter for the staff during air-raids. As the basement was not very well ventilated, the medical adviser to the firm decided to make sure that no one suffering from any lung or other similar complaint was taken down. He therefore prepared a short list of medical questions to be answered by each employee. One of the questions was "Do you suffer from claustrophobia." Much to his amazement, almost every woman replied that she did suffer from this. Being puzzled he sent for the chief woman clerk and asked her if she had explained, as directed, to the other women, the meaning of each question on the paper. She replied, " Yes, and I told them that claustrophobia means ' fear of confinement' "

****

I

Essays In Science—1
By Ramraf.

In these times everything may be suspected of having political or religious implications. If I speak of my carpet people may persuade themselves that it is to the Turkish Political scene that I am alluding. If I discuss Gothic Architecture, some will perchance be found to accuse me of being a Religious Propagandist. Yet it is written, a man must speak or explode. Let all that follows be freed from any suspicion of touching on such sancro^anct themes: I have no wish to deal with them.

The purpose I have here is merely to discuss the Bantu peoples from the viewpoint of some of the discoveries of modern biologists. I wish to examine the truth of the popular verdict that the African belongs to an inferior race, and also of the somewhat rarer belief that he is our fellow or our equal. Are some folks justified in treating him as one of the lower animals, or at any rate as an intrinsically lower form of human life to themselves? Is the adulation of the other extreme to be tolerated? What does Modern Science tell us? Is he our inferior? Is he our equal?

The answer is, neither. Our everyday ideas, our ordinary questions and arguments are in this light beside the point. Just as the law, founded on the science of Jurisprudence produces legal situations and decisions which contradict the common sense of the man in the street, so modern biology profoundly shakes the prejudices of the layman.

Modern research over a wide field has concluded in the first place that men are not equal. Height, weight, intelligence, will power, imagination, personality, ability, physical strength, are such complex endowments that few can be found possessing equality in more than two or three aspects. Some folk have equally black skins, others lack the protective pigment that gives the skin such a colouring: such simple characteristics have a narrower range of variability and therefore people can be equally white, though whether a white or black skin is superior depends upon the climatic or social inclemency one may encounter. I am not as good as the next man, nor is he as good as me: we all have our advantages and our handicaps in the race of life where no one starts from scratch nor from the winning post: where we each run our own course, not against others if we are wise, but against ourselves. Professor Einstein would not be the equal of any Recce in arms drill, but he is a far finer mathematician than any of us can hope to be. Complete Equality is the rarest coincidence among men, occurring only in the case of Identical twins. In all other cases our fundamental make-up is different from that of others, and therefore there can be only a limited scope for comparison and equality.

In the second place it has been demonstrated that men's natural abilities do not coincide with those of the racial or social group to which they may belong. Statistics drawn from very extensive research show that there is indeed a higher average intelligence quota for a highly skilled or civilised group than for one less skilled or civilised: for instance the average I.Q. for Professional Workers is far higher than that of Unskilled Labourers, slightly less so than that of Skilled Labour, still less so than that of small Business, and only slightly higher than that for Big Business. Among different racial groups there is likewise evidence to show that the more civilised nations have a correspondingly higher average I.Q.

Now Intelligence is an inherited characteristic, according to the orthodox biology of to-day: it can be developed by environment, but not bestowed nor increased. (There are other attributes such as Character and Temperament which seem to be far more influenced by environment than by Tieredity). The surprising thing is that among the lowest groups are found people with an Intelligence Quota equal to the highest in the groups "above " them. Corresponding with this is that certain other folk, in, say, the group with the highest average I.Q. would only attain the lowest standard: a genius may be born in a tenement, and many imbeciles in a manor.

In the per-scientific era snobs and other perverted individuals could with impunity pretend that they belonged to or comprised a superior race or class, born to lord it over those in their power. Indeed, the last strongholds of this hateful prejudice have not yet all of them received the attention of surgeon or psychiatrist. Others proclaimed the opposite assertion that men are born equal. Neither statements have a very high truth value, but the latter at least emphasises that our basic needs, and therefore our basic rights, are far more equal than man in his selfishness supposes.

So much for inherited characteristics, where there is a tendency for all groups to receive a share in the inheritance. Personality and Moral Character are far more dependent in their quality and strength on the Environment: so also is the opportunity to develop intellectual powers and to make use of them. Here the members of a " higher " group score heavily. There is also a tendency for able folk in a " lower " social group to drift into the occupations and ways of life of a higher one, thus heightening the average I.Q. of the group to which they go and lowering that of the group in which they were born. Between rigidly divided racial groups, however, this does not at first occur.

There is also such a thing as Culture, an obscure and costly prize for which a man must give all that he has and fare far forth over the flaming boundaries of the world. The educated have a start here which practically excludes competition. But this is a quest in which there is need not for competition but for cooperation, and it is the duty of a higher racial or social group to give the spirit of its culture by example rather than by teaching to those who are less fortunate. It must neither bully nor pander, but lead and inspire.

Are we really such wonderful people after all?

RAMRAF.

Round and About Camp
By Piccy & Co.

Cenotaph Wreath

This message has been received for publication in this issue The Sable: " On Monday the 25th May, 1942, after the official opening of the annual conference of the B.E.S.L. by His Worship the Mayor of Umtali (Clr. W. R. Love), the delegatesformed up, and headed by the colours, marched to the Cenotaph where wreaths were laid on the War Memorial in memory of our sacred dead. The enclosed card was taken from the very beautiful wreath of the Reconnaissance Regiment. This wreath was much admired and appreciated by all present as a very fine gesture from the Regiment."

The card referred to above consisted of the Sable head with a message saying: "In Glorious Memory of Our Gallant Comrades who fell in the Great War, 1914-18. From all Ranks of the Reconnaissance Regiment, Umtali."

A Chillie Evening in the O.R.S. Mess

No, my spelling is quite good, thank you. Dinner was anything but chillie that night, as the popular Orderly Officer agreed. We are inclined to think that the Wet Canteen did a roaring trade.

Dispersal's and Reversals

The driver who quickly dispersing
Failed to cease his learned discoursing
Got a smack in the back
A h-of a whack
And found out that he was reversing.

A Soccer Aside

At a recent football match there was a vigorous tackle between two opponents, which ended with both of them on the ground. One of them sat up and said, " You can't do that, cockey." The other was one of our smartest officers.

Paper—Shortage of

After learning, musically, of the shortage of this material in the quaint old town of Mohbeel, I was interested to notice during a recent visit to K.G. VI. barracks, that a similar condition existed there.

The Long and the Short of it

We feel that there is no truth in the rumour that the soldier signing out and wearing the regulation length of shorts, was turned back for wearing his longs too short.

Who Hesitates

It has been noticed that when a certain auxiliary unit has been given the order " DISMISS " on parade, there is apt to be an argument as to which.

Keep Still There

We all know that you must not bat an eyelid when standing to attention on parade. We think, however, that the Officer mounting Guard could not see the slight facial spasm among the men,while groping on the ground for his glasses which he had dislodged with a salute.

Daylight Raid.

It is rumoured that one of our squadrons will in future wear a distinctive beret badge —the Sable head encircled with orange blossoms—in recognition of a daring daylight raid.

Late News

The Royal Sickliers, under the command of Cpl. Chancellor made a fierce attack on the Southern front, bringing down 2,000 blades during the first day's onslaught. Six Sickles failed to return.

At a later stage General Thirst fought his way back, but finding the Canteen front open, our Veteran made a Counter Attack—it was a " STOUT " effort.

Family News

Pte. Ray has become the proud father of a bonny boy—well done Robbie. Sgt. Greener is to be married during the next week or so and we wish him every happiness in his new venture.

We congratulate Lieut. Grainger on his recent marriage, and wish them both health and happiness in their future together.

Also to Sgt. Jimmy Martin, our best wishes on his marriage a short while ago.

There have been a number of recent promotions, the most popular being that of Capt. Hobbs who has obtained his Majority. Our congratulations, Sir, also to Captains Puzey and Veitch, the very latest step-ups.

In addition there have been eight new sergeants appointed: Peirson, Chadd, McVey, Ellenbogen, Puttrill, Simpson, Rennie, Greener, and to them our hearty congratulations.

Capt. Benoy has taken over the duties of Adjutant in place of Capt. Stone. We wish the latter good luck in his new surroundings.

S/M. Pop Berlyn, who is doing great work among the Ities in the Gatooma Internment Camp, writes that he can still mop 'em up—we wonder what he means!

Opening of the New Sergeants' Mess

The new Sergeants' Mess was officially opened by the Commanding Officer on the evening of the 22nd of June. The officers were the guests of the mess. After the official party, many of the members and their guests remained on to enjoy the delights of Bacchus et alia. The result was a few sore limbs and-a host of sore heads. The Mess is a great improvement on the temporary one used hitherto, and the members fully appreciate the added comfort.

News of the Waffling W.A.M.S.

Cpl. Boyd and Woods have just returned from Salisbury having had a week's instruction on the parade ground—pity the poor W.A.M.S. now!

Pte. Sylvia Cripps' fiance, Sgt. Errol Davis, late of this Camp, broadcast to her in the Laager Programme from London on the 2nd. Ain't Love Grand - apologies from the W.A.M.S. "for listening in!

The W.A.M.S. achieved great fame on the United Nations' Day Parade (there were no survivors). The Right Marker was last seen reporting to the Parade S/M. Any person having any information as to the whereabouts of this W.A.M. will report to the Orderly Room.

A great party was held in the Mess in honour of Sgt. Scott from Gwelo, and news was received the following morning from a certain R.Q.M.S. that all W.A.M.S. were under arrest for being drunk and disorderly and setting a bad example to the 18-20's. "With the very kind permission of Lieut. Puzey 14 W.A.M.S. hovered around the Workshops the other day. It was
a most interesting tour." (We're coming again!)

Pte. Rennies had returned to her nuts and bolts. All W.A.M.S. welcome Pte. Leigh—our latest Rookie, she has been put under the tender care of our Refrigerator Queen.

Miss Angela Cripps, who was transferred to the Pay Office in Nairobi, has been promoted sergeant. She writes that she is enjoying every minute of her new life. Good luck Angela, keep it up.

The Camp Library

Through the generosity of Mrs. Chace, who donated a splendid collection of books, the camp library became a thing of the present. Pte. (Mrs.) Outram very kindly brought the total of volumes up to the 400 mark by the gift of a number of very good books. Our sincere thanks to these generous ladies and to Capt. Benoy, who has always shown a great interest in the establishment of this library.

****

Enthusiasm.
Boy, at a party, to stunning looking girl: "May I take you home?" Girl, quite enthusiastically: Why, yes, where do you live?"

Life and Letters of a Medical Orderly—II.

My Dear Angela,
Just a few lines snatched from my leisure moments —the first I've had for positively WEEKS, my dear, —too negroid. Well, it's because the Malaria season's over now and we can all relax; it was simply unbelievable what a rush we had, my dear—too delirious there. We had dozens of patients in the Ward, and scattered in positive GALAXIES, my clear, ALL overthe verandahs and passages my dear—too Malthusian, One had to Squirm along under or over beds wherever you went, and there was hardly room to breathe, my dear—too congested. Anyway, this fever is all very nice for the patient; why he just lies there as the passive agent my dear, too ecstatic, while we wogs sweat him and change him and bath him and feed him, and I'm blessed if he doesn't start sweating all over again—too monotonous don't you think. Well, anyway, it's a worse disease to nurse than to have, my dear—positively hedonistic.

Well with all the overcrowding anyone with the sense of a Socialist could see that something had to be done—I mean too critical and all that. Well, any- way, as luck would have it I had just read a book on Psychology for Nurses, my dear.—too technical. Anyway, it said one must be kind to the patient and how Cheerfulness helped him to recover and all that. Well we'd been going flat out—go to it, don't you know, my dear, too Churchill—and I couldn't see how we could do any more so I resorted to Kindness and Cheerfulness; well not in my spare time exactly because I hadn't any, but while I was on the job, my dear—too Stoic. If it really was so good as the book said then I reckoned we'd soon get rid of the patients, my dear—too Machiavellian, but not a bit of it, the scheme didn't work.

The fellers in Hospital reckoned they'd never had such a good time in their lives, they enjoyed it so much they didn't even want to go on sick leave, my dear—too awkward. Well, eventually things moved to a crisis when the M.O. was confronted by a tearful patient begging us not to send him out into the world again and everybody blamed me, my dear—too humiliating. I even began to think they might give me the sack from the Army, my dear—too compulsory. So I decided on a new course of action.

It was only to the very sick and to the dying that I continued to be nice. As soon as a patient showed any signs of recovering, BOOM, I developed a Sergeant Major attitude, my dear—too repulsive, and what do you think happened next? Why all the patients started shamming, two ate soap and sent their temperatures up to astronomical heights, one developed epileptic collapses combined with all the symptoms of Prussic Acid poisoning, another swallowed his false teeth, and three of them fainted in succession from the right, my dear—too exciting, but nevertheless lamentable, for the hospital was now a sort of popular club and the canteen had to close down because of the competition, besides there weren't many fellows on parade any longer and the situation was deteriorating rapidly so I decided something must be done and I began to get to know each bloke as he came in so that I could soon tell whether he was going to sham or not, and it was only the heroic and really sick patient who received any services from me, my dear—too cunning, because in three days the hospital was empty save for three lodgers. So you see my experience is far more valuable than all these lah-dee-dah books, and now I'm going to turn my back on Study and base my life on fact, not theory, my dear—too simple, and I'm really beginning to take an INTEREST in my work—learning all about fibias and tibulas and splints and pressure points, because what will the chaps think up at the front of a Medical who can't even tie a tourniquet and anyway, it stops me getting browned off.

Well, a patient is ringing his bell now, and I think it's one of the shammers, so I must go and give him the gun. Therefore I will close now

From Your Realistic
MARMADUKE.

****
Asi Sabi Luto
By O.S.W.

Asi Sabi Luto,
With our flashes red and white,
This is the song we Recces sing,
Who fear nought as we fight.

Maybe we'll go up North,
To the desert sky and sun,
There we will fight for all we know,
Till the foe is on the run.

Perhaps we may go East,
To fight the skulking Jap,
Through jungle swamps and forests thick,
To chase them off the map.

To England we might go,
To Motherland of all,
To chase the foe from off her shore,
To answer Empire's call.

And those who stay behind,
To defend our own Home Land,
Should we too be in the front line,
We'll make a gallant stand.

Asi Sabi Luto,
With our flashes red and white,
This is the song we Recces sing,
Who fear naught as we fight.

****

Imagination

There seems to be a movement on foot to deprive us of the use of the word " manoeuvre " in Rhodesia, and to limit us to using " field exercise " as an expression more appropriate to our size and strength. We must rise and resist such tampering with hallowed terms, for what have we to do with European fields with their neatly trimmed hedges. And, anyway, it is botany classes and horses that are led out into the fields for their exercises. The Rhodesian soldier goes out into the expansive African veld for training, and with pride and mysteriousness he speaks to his wife or girl friend sotto voice of his absence, for an unknown length of time in an unknown part of the veld, on manoeuvres.

A manoeuvre, according to the dictionary, is a planned movement of troops. It may he objected that sometimes things happen which are not according to plan, or that sometimes there seems to be more sitting about than movement, but it is for neither of these reasons that some would wish to remove the word from Rhodesian military usage. The difficulty is whether we are large enough to call ourselves troops in the dictionary's sense of the word. What we need here is imagination, which makes one man a battalion and one gun a battery. Imagination is, unfortunately, a very rare thing among grown-up people, and we even encourage children to forsake their happy childlike gifts to become the sophisticated, matter of fact, little ladies and gentlemen, who have got the inside story of Father Christmas. But sometimes we remember that we ought to become little children, that some fairy tales had their origin in actual fact, that some of the wildest nightmares have come true in our own day, and that our unpreparedness is due to people who had no idea or never imagined that it could happen. A modern soldier is trained in many things and, not least, in the use of imagination. In this country the Axis has not provided an enemy for us, and so we imagine one, though the R.A.R. or some other body of men have sometimes obliged.

In the still sparsely populated veld we advance as part of a considerable army, or we withdraw under the imaginary rain of shells, bombs and bullets. In the cloudless African sky we imagine the existence of hostile aircraft spying us out and seeking somewhere to empty their bomb racks and magazines. Though aircraft pay us visits but rarely, we know we can be difficult to find, and we hope that, when we see and hear, and no longer imagine that enemy planes are above, the enemy will indulge in imagination and believe that only bush exists below. Imagination can be very useful to the soldier. Some like to imagine that their bed camp is equipped with a soft sprung mattress, or that the armoured car is well upholstered, or that blankets which the rain has found are quite dry. It is certainly pleasant on a route march with the perspiration oozing out to have an imaginary long, cool drink. And some like to imagine what it will be like to live in days of peace again with no brass to clean, no webbing to bianco, no rifle to bother about, and, above all, no interfering bugle calls to answer. We have just had to fill up forms about what we hope to do after the war, and that has set us thinking about the future,about security and opportunity, about home life and peace. It is then that we remember that we are fighting and prepared to fight because of these very things.

****

Sport

The usual article on sport must of necessity be both brief and sketchy in this issue. The reason being that the Editor has received very little information from the correspondents responsible.

The boxing team from the camp distinguished itself in the Army Championships, held recently in Salisbury. We tied with the Light Battery in points. Tprs. Curran and Winson won their fights while Segal, Van der Merwe and Van den Berg reached the finals. S/M Ben Johnstone was largely responsible for the training of the team, so our thanks are due to him.

In the Army v. R.A.F. match, Curran gave an excellent and plucky exhibition against Leckie, the R.A.F. and Scottish champion. Curran was our only representative in this Service Championship tournament as Winson, unfortunately, was not able to participate.

Association football has been the main form of sport during week-ends. The Camp teams have done well in all matches against the Town and against visiting R.A.F. teams. Fitness and stamina have been the deciding factors in all matches, while one or two members of the team have played outstandingly through- out the season.

It is hoped that more matches with the R.A.F. will be arranged, as the fine sporting spirit and atmosphere of camaraderie add to the zest of keen games.

A very fine team of athletes travelled to Salisbury to take part in the Championships. The outstanding member of the team was Tpr. Heckler who won both the hundred and two-twenty in the Army Championships.

In the Service Championships the Army team, consisting of 30 members, comprised 15 from this Camp, a very good proportion. Although the Army team was beaten by the Air Force, it did remarkably well, when the fact is taken into consideration that the R.A.F. have so many from whom to choose, and their numbers include some men who have had the experience of big meetings overseas.

It is hoped that a squash court will be built soon for the use of the officers and men. The main difficulty here will be the supply of balls, but ways and means will be found to overcome this difficulty, we feel sure.

The longer training hours now in force have, to a great extent, handicapped those keen on sport. The afternoons close all too quickly, and there is little time left for games after hours. Still, as we all feel that some real benefit is being derived from the extra time spent in training, we have few complaints.

" Life ": Fourth Series

The Woman

Said of the talker—she shifts her brain into neutral and lets her tongue idle on.

Of the ungainly one—she looked as if she had been poured into her clothes, and forget to say " when."

Of the bargain hunter—she stumbles along, chin deep in parcels.

Of one of the smart set—she possesses a pagan body with a Chiselhurst mind, and a soul like a modern bathroom, fitted with every convenience.

Of the well dressed diner—she wears a Biblical gown: low and behold.

Compliments are like perfumes, to be inhaled, not swallowed.

It's a great life if your don'ts weaken.

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

The Future is only the Past coming in through a different door.

The English sailor prefers rum, the American tar likes rye, but the Italian sticks to port.

Dolores Ibarruri, Spanish patriot, in a speech to her people: It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

Love at first sight often ends with a divorce at first slight.

French King: The people are revolting.
French Queen: Yes, aren't they.

Money doesn't make you happy—but it quiets the nerves.

It is predicted that Hitler will die on a Jewish holiday. In any case, they will make it one.

You act like a baby.
Yes, I was born like that.

Give a motorist an inch and he'll try to park in it.

****

The Old Stork Story

A dear old lady from the country was spending a holiday with her city relatives, and one day took her two little nephews, aged six and seven, on a visit to the zoo. At each enclosure she would tell the children something about the animal or bird that happened to be in it. The youngsters were becoming rather bored, and when, in front of the bird pens, she stopped and pointed out a stork, saying, " That, dears, is the big stork. He brought you both to your Mummy when you first arrived in this world." The younger of the two boys nudged his brother and said, " For goodness sake tell the old thing—she doesn't know."

* * * *
Teacher's Story

A small girl held up her hand in class and said to the teacher: " Can little girls of ten have babies?" "Of course not," replied the amused teacher. Little boy's voice from the back of the class: " I told you so, Windy!"

****

The W.A.M.S. at Work
By O.S.W.

There's a branch you may not notice, for their's are scattered posts,

In the Offices and Storerooms, in ones and two's, not hosts.

They sometime do foregather and fall in for Parade,

For they must learn they're soldiers and what to do and say,

But then they leave the sunny square and to their work they go,

To tickle up the typist's keys and type on row by row.

You can often see them sitting in an Office or a den,

Filling up strange forms with figures and a pen,

You will see them in the Stores weighing meal and flour and meat,

You can see them "bossing " niggers or dealing out the mail,

And raking in your savings or taking cables through the rail.

There are many thousand items in a modern army's stores,

And they issue socks and trousers and sometimes even drawers.

They'll sell you all your cigarettes or sweets if you don't smoke,

And if you try to beat them down they treat it as a joke.

And if you need some pay and don't know what to do,

A W.A.M. is there to work it out and fix it up for you.

Their activities are endless and they function all the time,

And as they grow in numbers we'll add another rhyme.

And when the War is over and we're all in civvies then,

Don't forget the little Army of the pencil and the pen,

In the background of the picture but working just the same

Doing just their little bit to help the Motherland to fame.

****

Great Expectations

The scene was an air-raid shelter. The warden called down: " Any expectant mothers in there?" A chirpy male voice answered: "Blimey, give us a chance, guvnor, we aint bin 'ere for more than ten minutes."
* * * *
C.B.

A young N.C.O. on leave in England, was not keen on returning to his regiment in the Middle East, so he cabled his C.O. as follows: "Boat crowded; returning later; have given berth to old lady.
The reply he received shook him: "Congratulations; next confinement in barracks."

* * * *
Kind Lady: How did you come to be wounded, my good man?
Wounded Soldier: By a shell, Mam.
Kind Lady: Did it explode?
Wounded Soldier: Oh, no. It came up behind and bit me.

****

Africans Entertain
By " Lewisite "

Without hesitation, I considered the highlight of the recent manoeuvres to have been the evening of the 10th day—at sunset. Most members of my unit remember the scene, the sun just setting in a flaming orb of glory, and the still, quiet hush, indescribable, except by saying simply that it was the hush of sunset. Perhaps the twerp-twirp of a bush pigeon, almost unheard because of its monotony, or the buzz of flies ever present —flies can distinguished—but that is all.

The two Companies of our Ambulance had joined at sundown for the evening meal, and we sat and smoked and discussed the day's manoeuvres while " Uncle Ben " prepared his usual hot and tasty repast.

. . . And then, round the bend of the road, partly hidden by a kopje we heard the African members of another Field Ambulance break into song . . .

At first we listened, eating our meal in quiet enjoyment, and then later, after we had finished and heard the rattle of bone instruments and the words of songs we recognised, we wandered over and sat on the oppo- site of the road listening to and watching the performers.

We heard a new intriguing version of "Bless 'em all," and thought the African version even better than the George Formby tune! Then, seeing our Sgt. Major approaching, they sang another number of their own composition aptly entitled, " The Sgt.-Major took mah number," an amusing story about a raw recruit which seemed particularly to tickle our Sgt.-Major. Following this, the man with the bones by this time having worked himself up into a frenzy of enthusiasm,—for the African loves to be taken notice of—we got a topical tune entitled " No. 1, Stretcher," this song no doubt being inspired by the stretcher drill they had been taught a la St. John Ambulance Brigade handbook!

By the time the stretcher song and dance was finished and some delightfully harmonious African tunes rendered, the sun had set and it was time for us to move off. As this particular Field Ambulance was attached to us during this phase of the manoeuvres, they began to move off too—off into the night towards their own vehicles. I watched for a moment and waited and listened, for I had an intuition that they would sing one more tune, and then, across the bush it came—to the tune of " My Bonny."

'' Mah U-boat is under the Ocean
Mah Graf Spee is under the sea,
The Reich is in such a commotion
O do'n mention Churchill to me!"

Well, one can imagine that after a good hot dinner and the unexpected musical interlude, the men of the Field Ambulance, although tired, felt refreshed and ready for any instructions and movements which lay ahead. Which proves the proverb that " variety is the spice of life."

Most Rhodesian Africans have a flair for entertainment, and the evening performance recalled very vividly to my mind the African entertainment I had witnessed while up in N. Rhodesia.

I remember that, just after the outbreak of the present war, the local African tribes staged a display of loyalty before the Commissioner of the Kitwe-Nkana district. The display was held on the splendid grounds of the Rhokana Club, one of the finest sports grounds, I venture to state, in Africa. Here the Africans considered that the best show for the occasion should be a representation of the Coronation Ceremony. The natives love to dress up, and I am sure the native stores must have completely sold out their stocks of gaudy material, and the performers looked as if they were ready for a pow-wow, or " smelling out " ceremony! Anyhow, their intentions were sincere enough; and there was the " King " and " Queen " and even the " Archbishop of Canterbury." This latter important personage announced, amid terrific cheers from the thousands of African onlookers, that he would " Crown the King and annoy (meaning annoint) the Queen." The District Commissioner kept a straight face, and the crowd commenced their harmonious singing, the like of which I had never heard before, except perhaps on a smaller scale at Negro Spirituals at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

But the finest example of African musical talent, I think, was the Rhokana Native Band, on the N. Rhodesia Copper Mines. This Band, composed entirely of about 40 Africans, took about four years to train, and its personnel were just ordinary Mine boys. Its instruments, one had to admit, were very good, and the object of its foundation by the Mine management was ostensibly for their own mine compound entertainment.

Mr. Mickey Brown, a mining engineer and incidentally a very talented musician, undertook the difficult task of teaching the Africans who formed the Band, first of all to read music. But after the first few setbacks, he found the job far simpler than he had imagined. After 18 months, it was apparent even to one with no ear for music, that the band was going to be far above the " compound " class, for which it was intended, and just before the war, Mr. Brown conducted the band at charity concerts throughout Northern Rhodesia. It was called " The Rhokana Silver Band," and, by Jove! the boys were good. After a little practice together they were able to read and play most of the popular compositions from classics and jazz; needless to say they excelled themselves at the latter.

Mickey Brown was rather depressed in September, 1939, for most of his trained musicians enlisted in the N. Rhodesia Regiments, but he is happier to-day for he trains the bands of the N.R. European Defence Force.

* * * *
Closing an argument: By gad, I wish you were a statue and I a pigeon.

Camp Personalities
By "Bow Wow"

The C.O

"Jaz" O.C. Sickliers

Mr. Spittler

Staff Sneyd

Mr. Green

The Padre and "Titch"

Mr. J.P.B. Whaley and The R.S.M.

The following advertisements appeared in this magazine.

The Southern Rhodesia Reconnaissance Regiment Magazine of July 1942
PRINTED BY- THE RHODESIAN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO., LTD.. P.O. BOX 96, UMTALl, S. RHODESIA, FOR THE SOUTHERN RHODESIA RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT, P.O. BOX .250, UMTALl, S. RHODESIA

End of Magazine

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Lewis Walter Thank you Lewis

Lewis's father Charles served with this regiment and his father, also named Lewis, walked from Beira to Umtali.

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.
Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.
Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Outward Bound Mountin School, Melsetter

2012-01-11T10:03:00.010+02:00

By Chuck Osborne

I attended No.138 Standard Course, Outward Bound Mountain School, Melsetter, (then) Rhodesia, from 20th February 1975 to 12th March 1975, kindly sponsored by the Air Force.

Above: Tessa's Pool

We were collected from Umtali (now Mutari) station, and travelled in a (very) rural bus to the School in the Chimanimani Mountains. There were about 20 of us altogether and were divided into 3 'patrols' which were named after the mountain rivers (I was in Haroni Patrol) - most of us were sponsored by government departments, and mostly policemen. Our daily routine started at 5am with a run, increasing in length as the course progressed, followed by circuit exercises that were timed and numbers recorded. Then it was into icy Tessa's Pool to cool off before breakfast. Each patrol had daily chores allocated - dining room duty (setting and cleaning dining tables), boiler duties (chopping wood for the water boilers using an 'Imperial Log' as a guide) and others. After breakfast we either had lectures on outdoor subjects or hit the assault/rope course, did rock climbing, abseiling, orienteering, canoeing/kayaking, initiative exercises, etc. There was no TV so after supper, we did role-playing games, oral presentations, or occasionally had free time.

We did 4 patrols into the mountains starting with a short one and building up to a 5 day trek. We were issued 'dog biscuits' along with our food, which were developed from an SAS recipe that were really good for helping you recover from a few hour's hard marching - the objectives needed serious trekking to reach in the time allowed. We weren't supposed to venture too far into Mocambique as the whereabouts of any Frelimo fighters was unknown, but one cave that we favoured was a little way over the border. We tried to plan our day's march to end at a cave, as it rained for most of the time. One week whilst we were there, the school recorded 35 inches (890 mm) in one week, and we were on patrol for 4 of those days hence our preference for caves !!! This also caused problems crossing rivers that were normally little streams, but had become roaring torrents, aggravated by the fact that the two African chaps in our patrol couldn't swim. We carried ropes for this type of situation.

Above: our favourite cave - note the sleeping bags drying

Below: Myself abseiling

On one of our patrols, we were due to do white water kayaking high up in the mountain at a site set up by the school. When we arrived late the evening before, we were told that the kayaking had been cancelled because the patrol before us had completely smashed one canoe and damaged another, due to the raging river. That night we selected a site way above the high water mark by the river to pitch our bivouacs for the night. It rained most of the night, and when I awoke, the water was nearly up to my bivvy, and I had to wake the guy next to me as the bottom of his sleeping bag was in the water !!!. We then battled to get out of that valley as the steep track was just a mud slide, the wrong way.

We also did the 48 hour 'solo' where we were each placed into a designated area in the mountains on our own, and not supposed to have contact with others. Before we went out on the solo we were issued minimal rations - a small tin of bully beef, and of savory mince, half a cup of rice, 2 dog biscuits, 2 matches and small piece of striker, 2 tea bags, 2 teaspoons of sugar, an exercise book, pencil and 2 pieces of toilet paper. We could do what we liked with the book, use it for toilet paper if we wanted, but if we wrote in it, they wanted to see it. Our packs were searched for contraband before setting off. As a bird watcher, I was allowed my binoculars and bird book - they didn't find the box of matches that I hid internally by unscrewing a front lens. I couldn't find much dry wood to burn and used most of my box of matches to get a fire going... I found a semi-dry cave, but it had a sloping floor, so I built up a ledge to sleep on, half of which broke up and disappeared down the slope during the night, fortunately the bottom half. The next night I found a disused hut that was almost dry, but at least the floor was level.

Above: A gap in the ranges

Interesting geological features - King of the Mountain?

The Chimanimani Mountains are a game reserve. Eland have been re-introduced, and were lucky to see them occasionally, but they were very wary. On one occasion, we startled a small buck, probably a duiker, and it became trapped in a small ravine - and who do you think wanted to jump in and kill the terrified little thing for food - the two policemen on our patrol of course... We eventually convinced them otherwise. The geological formations were amazing and beautiful, not that we had much time to admire them.

My Air Force issue camou boots almost lasted a week before they rotted off my feet. Fortunately, the school had a small shop that stocked essentials, which included Bata Tommy shoes, but not the size 12's that I need, but I exhausted their stock of size 11's and cut the nose off. My glasses broke when on patrol, but was able to repair them with twigs and twine made from vegetation - looked jolly funny but it worked.

Outward Bounds Mountain School from above

Altogether, I enjoyed the course and found out a lot about myself. Only wish I could afford to send my two sons on a course.

Kind regards,

Chuck Osborne,
Hamilton,
New Zealand.

End

Thanks to Chuck for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Chuck Osborne attested into the Rhodesian Air Force with 31 LAR in August, 1973

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Rhodesia Railways Magazine - August 1973

2012-01-08T12:31:00.006+02:00

A few items of interest taken from this magazine. Hope you enjoy them?

The new water treatment plant takes shape at Mpopoma near Bulawayo.

RHODESIA RAILWAYS' new motive power depot at Mpopoma, near Bulawayo, is to be equipped with a water treatment plant which will be among the most advanced in Southern Africa.

Effluents from the washing of locomotives and the flushing out of radiators will be mechanically and chemically treated before the water is allowed to drain into the main sewer system.

The plant, covering an area of 1 600 m2, will cost R$50 000 to construct and will treat water at the rate of 66 000 litres a day.

Waste water from the depot's cleaning areas will be channelled into two parallel concrete chambers where deposits of oil and grease are first removed by skimming. It will then pass into flocculation tanks for treatment with sodium aluminate and aluminium sulphate for the removal of soluble oils. This process will be speed up by agitating the water with compressed air. After settling, any remaining soluble substances can be drawn off from the bottom of the tanks. Other

solvents will be added as required to neutralise detergents and chemicals used in the radiators of diesel engines.

When free of pollutants the water will drain into the municipal sewer system, but provision is made to reclaim the water for further use within the depot, if necessary.

The Railways anti-pollution committee, appointed in January, 1972, and comprising technical staff from the various engineering branches, has made considerable strides in cleaning up effluents from Railways workplaces. Water reclamation is however not new to Rhodesia Railways, who for many years have operated a treatment plant at both the Salisbury and Bulawayo steam locomotive power depots.

Though not as sophisticated in design, the principle is the same and the "treated water is pumped into overhead tanks for re-use as boiler feed water.

End

Ready For Anything

(Above) This railway truck carried the latest in heavy guns — Boer war vintage. Judging from it's appearance one wonders who was in the greatest danger — those manning the gun or those on the receiving end!

End

50 years back

New Works During 1923-24

'"THE principal New Works in hand and proposed for execution during the current financial year are as follows:—

AT BEIRA — Re-construction of the section of the new wharf, 160 feet in length, which collapsed on 18th May, 1922, is in hand. The piers are now being lighted by electricity and equipped with electric capstans. Two additional 3-ton cranes are also being installed.

In order to cut out some of the present handling of chrome ore over the piers and avoid a considerable amount of shunting, a narrow gauge system has been laid down from the chrome dumps to the piers. The ore will be loaded either by hand or by means of a grab from the dumps into coco pans which will, for the present, be propelled by hand directly on to the piers, where the body of the coco pans will be lifted by the cranes and the contents dumped into lighters.

Siding facilities are being increased by the construction of three additional loops in the Marshalling Yard, and a dead-end siding adjoining the T.Z.R. Dock. The copper dumps are being extended by the addition of two dead-end sidings.

Goods shed accommodation is being increased by the extension of No. 4 shed by 150 feet, which will add an area of 7,500 sq. feet.

End

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Diarmid Smith
Thank you Diarmid.

Rhodesia Railways Magazine, August 1973

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Tilcor

2012-01-07T08:50:00.017+02:00

Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation
(Development with a national purpose)

Cover: Irrigation and wheat — new methods and new crops are transforming and improving the life of the traditional tribesman.

Above: The wheat harvest at Chisumbanje, the main winter crop. Cotton is grown in summer. The 41 000 ha of black basalt soil is fertile and holds water well, while the flat nature of the area is ideally suited for large estate management.

The capital, provided by Government, which has been invested in the creation of growth-points by Tilcor, exceeds R$20 million.

Some of the amounts invested in various areas are:
Seki : R$11.5 million
Chisumbanje: R$8 million
Sanyati: R$I,5 million
Katiyo: R$l,15 million
Tuli: R$300 000
Tshotsholo: R$200 000

All profits from the sale of crops is ploughed back into further group development. Tilcor's ultimate aim is that growth-points, with all= their facilities, will be controlled by the local Africans.

Below: Cotton is a money-maker, both at Chisumbanje and Sanyati. At Sanyati the creation of a central collection and marketing system has encouraged the continued growth of this important crop in the surrounding tribal trust lands. A ginnery for this area is now planned.

In Rhodesia there are 18 million hectares of land reserved for the African, within which a largely traditional way of life continues to exist. By contrast, in the areas dominated by Europeans, due to their more materialistic background and ability to attract and generate capital, development has been rapid and efficient.

The country, therefore, faces an imbalance of development and standards of living — due to the inability of the traditional African areas to organise the capital necessary for growth.

To assist the transition from a subsistence to a cash economy was the essence of the mandate given to Tilcor (Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation) by an Act of Parliament in 1968. In specific terms, to plan, promote, assist and carry out development, in the Tribal Trust Lands, for the benefit of the tribesman.

There are, of course, within tribal areas, a network of Government facilities such as schools, health clinics, and agricultural and community advisory services. But these are barely able to cope with their ever-increasing work — and Government is not entrepreneurial in spirit.

Tilcor's task is to find suitable areas where capital development in an activity in which the rural African can play a full part would lead to a natural development of urban complexes closely related, economically and socially, to the surrounding area.

To establish the magnitude of the task, a survey of all 167 tribal areas of Rhodesia was carried out. During the same period, two large-scale agricultural development projects at Katiyo and Chisumbanje were set in motion.

The three year survey (1969-1972) gave rise to a new policy concept for Tilcor — the Growth Point policy. In simplest terms, this involves the setting-up of profitable development projects in areas remote from existing main centres, whose natural resources can be processed conveniently on site and then transported. Such projects would in turn stimulate general development in the areas. Most important, they would promise increasing employment opportunities for all sectors of the tribal community. Because Tilcor operates on commercial lines, the accent of these growth points is on sustained profitability.

The Eastern Highlands of Rhodesia were already known to be of good tea-producing potential and was the area selected for Tilcor's earliest projects.

From virgin bush in 1969, the Katiyo project, totally undertaken by Tilcor, now has 300 ha under tea. This crop is being processed through a modern tea factory, which when geared to full production will turn out over 1 million kg. of made tea yearly.

New areas being opened up at Katiyo will be supplied from the 2 million cutting nursery of high-yield clonal

Above: The introduction of a cash economy system leads to immediate improvements in living standards, and women particularly are relieved of their traditional labour and acquire modern mother craft and social skills at organised clubs.

Above: Immense capital expenditure in dams, canals, pumping equipment and piping are incurred by Tilcor — to bring water to the land all year round.

Above: Gathering tea at Katiyo, where the yield has been so encouraging that a processing factory has been installed a year ahead of schedule.

(Above): The creation of rural centres has led to improved health and social services for the previously dispersed tribesmen — a feature envisaged in the Tilcor philosophy, material, the largest of its kind in Southern Africa.

Coffee trees, already planted, warrant the building of a factory to process the crop and the 16 tonnes of coffee beans that it is estimated will be harvested in the first season starting May 1976 will be processed here.

At the opposite end of the Eastern Border from Katiyo is another vast development — Tilcor Chisumbanje Irrigation Estate. The present irrigated area of 2 450 ha of black basalt soil is used to grow cotton in summer and wheat in winter. This is as large an area as can be managed by drawing water from the Sabi River, but the recently completed Ruti Dam will allow a further 10 000 ha to be put to the plough.

The permanent labour force on the project now stands at 750, but during cotton-picking ten times this number are employed as casual labour.

Local participation is encouraged in the project. An initial 125 tenant farmers reaped net profits for the 1973-74 season of between $700 and $1 100 each, an extremely satisfactory return when the base rental of $160 plus a cropping cost per hectare has already been deducted from the gross profit. This year the number of tenants has risen to 145.

Local enterprise has already moved into the area with ancillary services such as stores and grinding mills, following the growth-point policy pattern.

The menfolk are not the only ones to benefit from the estate. The women adapt rapidly to their improved financial status and participate eagerly in women's club activities and adult literacy classes.

One of the newer projects is the Sanyati Agricultural Scheme. Situated on the banks of the Umniati River, 1 000 ha of old alluvial soils have been cleared, ploughed and planted. This year there are 975 ha of cotton and 101 ha of groundnuts, the balance taken up with trial crops. No development of this size could be complete without housing, and 225 permanent housing units have recently been completed in a fully planned township.

The immediate development planned for Sanyati is a cotton depot now being built in the industrial area of the scheme. A cotton gin in the same area will provide the next development. This would cater for the processing needs of not only the Sanyati area, but also neighbouring proven, high-yield cotton areas — the growth-point concept at work.

Two pilot schemes that envisage crop processing as their major activity have been started in Matabeleland. In the Lupane area is the Tshotsholo scheme. With cotton the main crop on the 100 ha scheme, trials on maize, onions, tomatoes, rice, beans, groundnuts, grapes, citrus and

Above: The Market in Salisbury is the focal point for handicrafts produced in remote areas of Rhodesia by tribesmen. Made from natural materials, in traditional fashion, the sale of these goods is often the first step out of a subsistence economy

(Below) : Seki Industrial Area, near Salisbury, is the first Tilcor essay into the provision of factories for industrialists in areas where there are large pools of labour. This enables the African to enjoy regular work without deserting his home and family for a distant city.

(Above) : The provision of adequate housing, with water and electricity is a key part of Tilcor growth points. The traditional housing may have been more picturesque, but the people who live in these new houses are enthusiastic about the improvement.

Guavas are in progress to establish which can be grown most profitably by tribesmen in the surrounding areas.

Already, very successful dehydration of tomatoes and onions has been carried out at the sister scheme at Tuli in the Gwanda area.

Each project operated by Tilcor has, either on the ground or as part and parcel of its projected planning, proper residential villages with well-built, permanent housing, stores, clinics, beer halls and a full range of sporting and social amenities.

Moving from the agriculturally orientated to industrial schemes, there are three industrial complexes either operational or planned in tribal areas in close proximity to Salisbury, Umtali and Bulawayo. The emphasis of these schemes is that they are actually situated within tribal areas, thereby ensuring a higher rate of cash flow into the surrounding villages.

This also has the effect of stemming the drift of the population to the urban areas, as they now have their town with all its amenities and services in the tribal area.

All this seems to be an impressive list of achievements and plans, but some gaps are obvious. What, one might ask, about the people living in remote, or dry and un-irrigable areas? What about tapping Rhodesia's vast mineral wealth? Both these aspects are being planned for.

In the more remote areas over 2 000 families are engaged in the production of traditional tribal home crafts. Of these, about 800 carry on their activities on a regular basis, using their industry as a main source of income. The remaining 1 200 only use their craft as supplementary income. Items produced find a ready local and tourist acceptance and sale at "The Market", a Tilcor subsidiary outlet for crafts, in Salisbury.

From the beginning of recorded history in Rhodesia, the African people have been known as miners of metals and minerals, and this is being further encouraged and developed in areas where agricultural potential is low.

In the extreme north of Rhodesia, in the hot, dry, Zambezi Valley, are Tilcor's most recent ventures. At Mushumbi Pools Estate, given Government approval in June, 1975, already 200 ha of wild bush has been cleared and planted to cotton. Plans for this estate envisage 1 000 ha under cultivation and seasonal employment for 3 000 tribesmen. This is in an area where, until Tilcor moved in, there was not even a reasonable road. Nearby at Mzarabani a sister estate and growth point is to be established.

Time and people do not stand still and this is the focal point of all Tilcor's operations. Future profitable schemes will be of greater value to all sectors of the African population and ultimately to the Rhodesian national economy as a whole.

Tea is a refreshing drink to most people — but a new way of life at KATIYO

(Above): Pickers pluck only the two leaves and a bud at the end of every twig. It is hard work, but it enables the young men to earn a wage without leaving their homes.

(Below): A tourist's view of the broad Honde Valley from the Inyanga escarpment. There are numerous viewpoints within 30 km of this holiday area's hotels and cottages.

NESTLED at the foot of Rhodesia's highest mountain range, at Inyanga, is a valley of incredible beauty. Lush, fertile plains sweep upwards, in a living canvas of colour, to meet the forbidding grandeur of majestic peaks.

Dropping steeply from the Inyanga escarpment to an altitude of only 700 metres above sea level, the Honde Valley, in the Holdenby Tribal Trust Land, runs eastwards to the Mocambique border. Its fertile abundance comes from the waters of the Honde, Pungwe, Nyakombe and Ruwere rivers.

(Above) : The Mtarazi Falls, claimed to be the second highest falls in the world, hurtle over the edge of the Inyanga Escarpment into the thickly wooded slopes below. These dense woodlands are the haunt of the rare blue duiker.

(Below) : Even in the high-rainfall Honde Valley irrigation is needed in the dry season to keep the tea in perfect condition. Beyond this section of the estate are some of the new houses for workers.

It is the home of immense specimens of the African Mahogany tree (.Khaya nyasica), one of which is referred to as the "Big Tree" as it stands some 55 metres tall. It is the setting for the Mtarazi Falls, second highest in the world, which come tumbling 500 metres down to the valley floor.

The tribal population of the valley has never been large, the majority being of Shona extraction. There are a few Ndebele, descendents of Lobengula's impis who, when they failed to carry out his orders in the area, decided to settle rather than return to Matabeleland and face the royal wrath!

One of the biggest problems which faced this underdeveloped area, was the steady exodus of young people to the larger centres of the country.

To counteract this and, at the same time, develop its massive agricultural potential, an investigation was launched, in early 1969, into the possibilities of growing tea. As a result, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which had for some six or seven years operated a plot-holder

(Above) The pickers bring their work for Weighing in, while the overseer checks the contents of the baskets to ensure that only "two leaves and a bud" have been included. On this depends the quality of the future processed tea.
End

tea scheme in the region, authorised the African Development Fund to invest up to $20 000 on seedlings and establishing seed beds.

Shortly after, Tilcor took over the operation with the object of growing tea profitably under irrigation, using vegetatively propagated planting materials, on an estate-managed basis. In addition, by establishing tea factories, processing plants and ancillary installations, it was felt that local tribesmen could be converted from subsistence to a cash economy
level.

Thus Katiyo Tea Estate was launched — incidentally the word Katiyo means literally "newly hatched chick". Access roads were built through the valley, a nursery established, tea lands surveyed, cut and cleared, and an efficient over- head irrigation system installed. In all, R$I,15 million has been invested. To the layman, tea is merely a pleasant tasting beverage, enjoyed by preference with or without the addition of milk, sugar or lemon, and drunk with or without ceremony.

To the expert, however, the tea bush is a thing of beauty and much of its cycle and growth pattern is still not fully understood. Basically, the bush is planted, watered and, if it survives, achieves its first "flush" of pluck able shoots any time within 6 to 18 months of planting out, and reaches maximum production during its ninth year of growth.

As Katiyo was established on a sound technical footing, the end of the 1972-73 season saw 95 hectares of land producing green leaf. By the middle of the 1976-77 season, no less than 300 hectares of land will be returning green leaf of high quality.

As the main area of profitability in tea production is in the processing — where very reasonable returns per kg of tea can be realised — a R$140 000 tea factory, on the estate, was planned for 1976. However, the production of tea surpassed all expectation and therefore plans had to be advanced by a full year. The factory began production in February, 1975, and by the end of July, 110 000 kg of made tea had been produced. The 1976 production estimate of made tea is 330 000 kg.

Development has advanced in other directions and, at present, there are 20 hectares of land planted to Arabica coffee. The first yield is due in May this year and is estimated at being about seven tonnes. Again, with the primary development of coffee, the allied secondary development of a coffee pulpery and processing facilities on the estate will be ready by the time the crop is harvested.

In the next year or so, the coffee lands will be expanded to cover 88 hectares, which should provide an ultimate yield of at least 32 tonnes a year.

(Above): The new tea-processing factory at Katiyo, which is the first industrial development in the Holdenby Tribal Trust Land. Beyond stretches the fertile valley Which has yet to be developed, opening up a new way of life for the tribesmen.

With electricity and roads already developed for the Katiyo tea estate further development should follow swiftly. Already coffee plantations are ready to bear, and experimental crops are being planted to ascertain the area's suitability for intensive agriculture.
ENd of Caption

The real benefit of Katiyo however, is in the job opportunities creatcd in all sectors. Once both tea and coffee production arc in full swing, the scene will be set to encouragc the move of industry and ancillary services into the area.

End of Article

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Diarmid Smith . Thank you Diarmid.

Tilcor article was a supplement to the magazine Rhodesia Calls March – April 1976, it was included in the magazine. So presume the publisher would be Rhodesia Calls

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

God in Zimbabwe Rhodesia

2012-01-02T10:21:00.067+02:00

Compiled by Rev. E. C. Wesson

23 Sunningdale Rd., Southdowns

GWELO

Zimbabwe Rhodesia

Published by The Lundi Park Baptist Church

P.O. Box 1069

GWELO

Zimbabwe Rhodesia

Printed by RCP (Private) Ltd., Bulawayo

I was privileged to come to Rhodesia in July, 1976, some four years alter the war really commenced in full swing. Many stories were circulating of miraculous escapes. These were exciting to listen to and inspiring to think about. They reminded me of 'God's Hall of Fame' as we find it in Hebrews, Chapter 11.

In this chapter, we find ordinary people doing supernatural things, such as; subduing kingdoms, obtaining the promises, stopping the mouths of lions, quenching the violence of fire, escaping the edge of the sword, etc. In Verse 35 of the same chapter, the tempo changes and we find some being tortured, stoned, mocked, Imprisoned, not accepting deliverance.

An Army officer tracking with his men, all of a sudden came face to face with a gang of terrorists. The officer, being a Christian and realising there was no way out, commanded his men, "Down on your knees and pray!" This they did and, at that precise moment, God sent a swarm of bees which drove the terrorists off.

Farmer's wife in South Western District went to hang up her washing. Was aware ofan evil presence so prayed earnestly. Some day or two later was faced with security forces who had captured tens., who told them that they had been waiting in-the bush outside the farm house to shoot the woman. They could not shoot for, as she walked out of the house, giant soldiers in while walked in front of her and when she returned to the farmhouse, these soldiers covered her withdrawal.

A man, sleeping by himself on a farm, was praying before going to bed. He got up from his knees to feel impressed to get down once again and pray some more. Not knowing what this meant, he simply obeyed the inner voice. The. next day, a group of terrorists were captured arid admitted to wanting to attack the farm house, but they could not, for it was surrounded by soldiers dressed in white.

Nor all have miraculously escaped, for some have been maimed for life, wounded, abducted, or even paid the supreme price — death.

This has been the scene in Rhodesia for some years now, and it is in my opinion that these fantastic miracles should not go unrecorded. I therefore began collecting first-hand accounts wherever possible for my own use. Lately the conviction has grown that many could benefit from these accounts. Hence this book! As, through this printed page, these modern day miracles arc shared with a greater circle of people, it is with the prayer that God should be glorified.

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
GAL. 6 : 14.

Rev. E.C. Wesson

Foreword
BY THE CHAPLAIN GENERAL

Having had ihe privilege of being a Chaplain for the duration of our present hostilities, I can look back over the past 12 years and say, without fear of contradiction, that there have been more miracles performed by God in this country, over that period of time, than ever before.

Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has made Himself knowable and contactable through His Word, but as you read these accounts of miracles you will realise that the One we can contact, and know and love is still in the miracle working business.

After having read the various accounts miracles' recorded in this booklet and knowing that these are but the tip of the 'Miracleberg', one can only record one's humble (thanks to our Lord and Saviour that He is 'Supernatural'.

In this booklet we read of miracles of deliverance, not one, but many. But there are also miracles of healing, not one, but many, that have taken place in this country. There are also miracles of' new birth', not one, praise God, but many, and we who have had the privilege of living in this our land, through its many years of pain and suffering, can look back and say with full assurance that 'our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think.'

Col. the Rev.
NORMAN WOOD.

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHERS

The Lundi Park Baptist Church have been right behind their pastor, the Rev. Errol Wesson, in the publishing of this book. They have shared in its compilation by securing articles. Some of the me bers have actually been through incidents and have written them for the book. The members, friends and adherents have constantly encouraged its publication by practical encouragement, prayer, typing the manuscript, checking the proofs, and financial assistance. They are happy to send this book out with rhe prayer that God may use it to draw others closer to Him.

THE LIVING TESTIMONY OF A YOUNG RHODESIAN SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION OCTOBER, 1976

"Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?"

These are the opening words of the melancholy hit number from a popular film. I want to share the testimony of a young Rhodesian soldier who knew where fie would go on death.

Graeme Fanner was 19 years of age when he was called up to do his national service at the beginning of 1976. On completion of his military commitment, he was to have gone to the medical school at Salisbury University.

Graeme, a devout Christian, excelled at everything he undertook. He received the Gold Medal in the President's Award Scheme, designed ro develop the character of young people of all races and similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Graeme was a medic with a unit of tough professional soldiers who respected this young national serviceman for his determination to be every bit as good as they were in the war. They took note that he had an added ingredient to his life, which removed the fear of death.

Graeme loved his trooper friends and witnessed to them. Whilst home for a few days rest after his training was over, he told his mother, 'Don't worry- about me. I am not frightened to die to be with the Lord. I would rather that I be killed than one of my unsaved friends.'

Whilst his unit was operating in the north-eastern border area, Graeme was mortally wounded by terrorists. Our Lord was good in caring for the last hours of his life. He did not die immediately alone in the bush, but in a Christian environment. He asked for and held his Gideon New Testament while he was carried to the helicopter which flew him to Karanda Mission hospital.

The American Missionary surgeon worked on him for nearly six hours during which time servicemen and African student nurses gave him 17 pints of blood. Although much prayer was going up for him all that day and everything humanly possible was done, the Lord took this young Christian home to be with Himself.

The Pastor mentioned Graeme's words about dying rather than his friends at the funeral service and that had a profound effect on all, particularly on his buddies. They remembered how he had told them, 'If anyone has to die, it will have to be me because you're e not ready to die.'

Later, in his well-thumbed Testament, his parents found a slip of paper on which he had written, 'bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ'.
Galatians 6 : 2. This was his personal text for which he died defending the country he loved.

It seems that the Lord is using Graeme's witness in death far more effectively than in lite. Marry soldiers have heard and responded to his testimony. More will hear of it in the future as the library in his memory has been started at the mission which will be used by the troops guarding and visiting the hospital. This tragic death has become a victory for faith.

W. G. G. MacARTHUR
22nd July, 1977.

Basically what happened on the 21st October, 1978 was this...

We had just finished lunch when I asked Allan, aged 8, and Sylvia, aged 6, to move the two horses into some shade. The horses were tied to the inside fence of our two security fences.

Allan and Sylvia went out the gate of the first fence and along the fence to where the horses were. They had just untied the horses and began to walk them to the shade when 12 terrs (terrorists) opened fire on them. The terrs had come up from behind our sheds and the closest was 25-30 metres from Allan and Sylvia. The furthest was no more than 50-55 metres from them.

Allan ran down the fence, some 20-25 metres, through the gate and up to the house. The gate to the house is about 30-35 m. (Allan and Sylvia were both under fire the whole time they were running. The attack switched to the house later.)

Sylvia initially ran to a tree between the two fences. She could not have been behind the tree for quite literally a few seconds, when she realised Allan had gone. She then left her shelter and ran to the house. Her distances were the same as Allan's.

After the attack we went out and collected 193 spent cartridge cases. The tree where Sylvia had been had 21 bullet hits. The inside fence had numerous hits in the line where the children had run. The ground across which they had run was completely open without any form of cover except for the one tree which was not in the line of fire.

In the meantime, we in the house returned the fire, and managed, with God's help, to beat off the attack. We do not know if we managed to hit any of the terrs or not. Not one of us, however, had even a scratch except for Sylvia who had two marks, which we assume, were from the sand being thrown up by bullets as she ran.

There can be no other explanation except God's hand and keeping. This also applies to the timing of the attack because:

1: At the time we had two chaps with us and we were, literally, in the process of leaving for a meeting when the attack started.

2: A few minutes later would have found me at the outside fence, checking that the gates were locked and the alarm was on. I would have been no more than 10 metres from one of the terrs.

3: Five minutes later three men would have been in open ground closing the vehicle gates as we left. Some 40 metres odd from the gang.

4: After that, my wife, four children and another lady would have been completely on their own in the house.

When one stops and realises what could have happened (e.g. Allan or Sylvia being wounded between (the fences), one can only say Jesus was there and He protected us.

That evening the children were saying their prayers, as normal, and they only had thanks for God. We are grateful that there was no bitterness on their behalf and still isn't. They can and still do only thank God for His keeping.

Sylvia was telling my brother and others about the attack and said, "Do you know why I wasn't hit? Because Jesus had His arms around me and the bullets just bounced off Him."

Strange as it may seem, we are thankful for the experience, it was a turning point in each of our lives. We know that our God is able. We give him all the honour and glory — it was not of ourselves.

GAVIN CONOLLY.

This miracle happened on the Vumba road about the end of September 1978

My son and his wife were returning to his farm one Sunday afternoon. This farm is in the Vumba adjoining the Zimunya Reserve. They came to a dangerous corner, heavily wooded, and across the road branches were spread — signs of intended ambush. They decided to dash for it and got through — no shooting or other reaction. The next day, one of Paul's (my son's) labourers told him that ten minutes before his car arrived at that corner, the locals had invited the eight terrorists to a beer drink.

That same Sunday afternoon, a friend had asked me to a service at the Christian centre where special prayers were being said for our Security Forces and for all the people who lived in dangerous areas. We had all prayed very hard.

A Testimony From Rhodesia

This is the time to stand firm for Christ, and we wish to tell you about an African minister from the reserve area of Murewa, in Zimbabwe Rhodesia, who did just that. He was a real child of God.

There were some Christian Europeans who used to visit him. The so-called "anti-God" people or terrorists objected to this. They came and asked him: "Why do you allow these Whites to come to your home?" He replied: "I cannot chase them away, there is no difference between them and me. They are God's children too. I cannot hate them. I shall never stop anyone coming to my home. All are welcome. I fear God."

The terrorists then took this minister and tied him to a tree. They wanted to burn him alive. While he hung there, they asked him if he was going to receive white visitors again. He said: "I do not change my mind, I love everyone. Kill me if you want to!" Against all expectations the terrorists released their victim.

He walked a few steps away and knelt down to pray, thanking the Lord for His deliverance. Many of the onlookers were deeply stirred by this man's courage. He was allowed to go free.

There is a rumour that later on this courageous servant of Christ was indeed killed by the terrorists.

Do not be afraid of the suffering to come, the devil will throw some of you into prison, to put you to the test. . Only be faithful till death, and t will give you the crown
(Rev 2:10)

TOR was based in the Belingwe area, which is rather hilly country. Late one afternon as he was returning to Base camp, driving a Landrover, with four coloured soldiers on the back, they were ambushed by terrorists and came under very heavy fire by both rocket and A.K. machine guns over a distance of approximately one hundred metres. A rocket just passed over their heads and the Landrover was riddled with bullet holes, some even in the steering wheel, in the seat behind him, also in the fuel tank and two tyres were deflated. By the grace of our dear Lord, they were able to pass through this and carry on for a distance of two kilometres before the Landrover ceased to go. The only casualty was one of the men received an ankle injury. On examining the area later, they discovered 530 expended A.K. cartridges.

This is surely another miracle of how our gracious Lord hears and answers prayers.

The Rev. John Bull, a missionary serving with the Africa Evangelical Fellowship in Rhodesia, whose wife, Mrs. Beulah Bull, is a member of the Bulawayo Baptist Church, recently had an amazing experience of the Lord's protecting grace.

Normally, Mr. Bull used a motor-cycle as a means of transport. Recently, after paying a visit to some friends, he was persuaded to accept the loan of their car in order to travel home.

I had been travelling for about an hour, he writes, when, after negotiating a bend near the top of a hill, I noticed an unfriendly person ahead. It looked as though he had a gun in his hand, but I could not see distinctly as he was about 50 yards further up the road. I could only drive on, and he began shooting.

It seemed unlikely that I would be able to pass him safely because he was standing on some rocks right next to the road and I doubted whether the car would be able to take the pounding of automatic fire for long. Another gun started shooting . . . but its mechanism was faulty, for which I am thankful.

The car's engine was put out of action... two tyres were pierced... right front and left rear, which helped to keep the car from pulling off into the rocks.

The car had enough momentum to clear the top of the hill and it came to a stop 200 yards further on. I left the car and trotted the two to three miles on a wet, slippery road, to the mine gates to raise an alarm. When we returned we found that all the windows and the windscreen had been smashed and the boot forced open. My kit and my boxes of Bibles and tracts had been taken. I trust that they will read some of the tracts, even in mockery, because the Word of God is sharp and powerful and even terrorists can be saved!

Mr. Bull goes on to acknowledge the part played by his prayer supporters in this remarkable deliverance. Is it not wonderful, he continues, to pass within a couple of yards of men firing A.K. automatics and not be touched by one bullet? This is the Lord's wonderful protection — and His peace was there too.

David Odendaal

DAVE was travelling on an African bus in the Tribal Trust Land with other members of the police, about 50 kilometres from Que Que, when they were stopped by an African. The driver, thinking he wanted transport, stopped. The African immediately stooped down and lifted his gun and fired directly at Dave, but the bullet struck a reinforced channel which is only a couple of inches wide and this, praise the Lord, is what protected Dave. The terrorist then discarded his gun and fled, but two other terrorists then fired at the bus, without success and disappeared into thick bush after other members of the police returned fire.

On examining the gun that was left behind, it was found that the magazine had jammed.

This surely, was once again an answer to prayer for which we thank the Lord.

Kept By the Power of God!

A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
(by one of our lady evangelists from Zimbabwe Rhodesia.)

Thank God for His protection during the holiday. Before we closed, I heard many people speaking about the dangerous situation in our village. Some warned me not to go home because it was unsafe. There was great fear in my heart. I prayed much about it. The Lord told me not to fear, and He gave me wonderful promises.

So I went home, trusting in God's protection. Upon my arrival I heard even more frightening things. My mother said: " I am happy that you have come, but this place is not safe for you. The terrorists have had their meetings in our village . . . They just take the girls." My mother was really worried about me. She also said that the terrorists do not want to hear anything about the Lord Jesus. She told me that if they were to find out that I am a Christian they would kill me.

I found that nobody was going to church anymore. In fact, there were no more church services. Everything had changed. One could feel the spirit of fear everywhere.

Daily I prayed that God would protect me and cover me with the precious Blood. He heard my prayers and kept me safe during the whole holiday. I have never been in any danger and have never seen even one terrorist. This did not mean that they were not around, but God shielded me. The day I left home my mother just praised God for His faithfulness.

Yes, I used to hear about war - but now I know what it is Like! People are dying and suffering, and there is no peace at all. It seems as if this war is going on and on.

On our way back to Salisbury our bus broke down. This happened at 6 o'clock in the evening. The driver just ran away and left us in the bush. We did not know what to do or where to go. There were terrorists and soldiers around. We were in a lion's den. They began to search the luggage of the passengers, but they never demanded my suitcase nor asked me even one question.

Some wanted to shoot us or to set fire to the bus. I said to the Lord that if this was the time to die I would be ready to go. But He kept us. Oh, how great is our Lord! Truly, He will never forsake His own.

A unit of soldiers made contact with the enemy in a village outside Enkeldoorn. They were all local men and two of them were committed Christians. These two were left to guard the vehicle and radio. The other men had to run from gunfire and find cover. This they did — in a pumpkin field! The two Christians started praying when they heard the firing and notified the police station of the situation, thus the praying wives heard about the urgent need for prayer. When the operation was over and the men told the story, it was discovered the captain, six foot six inches and weighing over 200 lbs, had escaped injury miraculously, behind a pumpkin!
(Verified by P. Steyn, Enkeldoorn.)

We have shared in miracles of escape. Last Friday, at 9 p.m., we were phoned from Chipinga —100 miles away — and friends informed us that. Phil and Lynn Alexander and their family were under attack by terrorists. We immediately dropped everything to intercede for the safety of this fine young family who have given of themselves totally to win and nurture Christians, Black and White, in this front-line town. Half an hour later we were able to get through to Chipinga and Lynn's shaky voice assured us that they were all unharmed although the house was extensively damaged. Roy was scheduled to go there the next day, and as he surveyed the damage and heard of the miracle of escape he knew that it was only intervention by God that had saved that precious family. An uncommitted army major later came to the same conclusion. The terrorists had cut their way through the security fencing and a 20-strong gang had approached to within 20 yards of the wooden farmstead where the family sat in the two front rooms with their large picture windows, and had opened up with automatic weapons and rocket grenades. 250 rounds of Armour-piercing bullets riddled the house, and two rocket grenades exploded against it but caused no injury. A third came through the window of the bedroom where Lynn lay on the floor, entangled in the curtain above her head but failed to explode! Had it done so it would certainly have killed her. A fourth grenade was fumbled by one of the terrorists and it exploded near them. Thinking that Phil was retaliating, they fled! They never had a chance to use the rockets and mortars which they had come prepared to use. Three bullets in direct line of the sleeping baby had failed to penetrate the last half inch of wood, and not one of the family was in any way injured. Phil's, reading for the next morning was from 2 Cor. 1 .8-11. Do read this in the Living Bible, perhaps it will stir your heart as it stirred the little church in which Phil gave his testimony on the Sunday, and cause you to pray for members of God's family who are in dangerous places. That area particularly, is crawling with terrorists, so do continue to pray for Roy's safety as he travels to our church groups, black and white.

ROY COMRIE.

A Christian soldier driving a vehicle in the N.E. operational area, loaded with troops, suddenly saw a landmine explode in front of his vehicle. The soldiers were showered with debris but no one was hurt, neither was the vehicle damaged. God had detonated the landmine in answer to the prayers of this man's mother in Gwelo and a lady praying in Immanuel Church, Salisbury! (verified by R. Baier, Que Que.)

Another family was ambushed — a man with his three-year-old son and his mother's cook and her three children. The Landrover was riddled with bullets — like lacework. Nobody was touched. The engine was devastated and by rights should have stopped. How- ever, it continued for five kilometres until they were out of the danger area.

My Testimony

It was February — somewhere in the Zimbabwe Rhodesian bush on top of a high feature. Four of us manned a relay station. It was a lonely station, but an important one.

Up to this time I had been what I thought at odds with Christ and die Church. I did not attend as regularly as I should and in general was fed up with the whole works.

Just prior to my trip into the bush, I said to the wife, I am prepared to give the Church one more chance (I think the Lord had already started His work).

On the way to our final destination, we stopped at a troops' canteen for coffee, and something made me pick up one of these small Bibles and put it in my pocket (The Lord?).

After about a week — during a quiet period I was lying on my bunk (which was the bottom one of two). Malcolm Clark was standing reading — it turned out to be his Bible. I reached into my pocket and took out the Bible I had taken from the canteen, I can't remember if I asked him something about the Good Book, but we were soon talking about the Bible. We moved outside and I told Malcolm how I felt towards the Church and CHRISTIANITY. We talked for a long time and as we talked I realised the fault was not with the Church or Christ, but with myself — this took me totally unprepared and I was at a loss as to what I should do and I told Malcolm as much. He suggested that I go somewhere by myself and quietly pray and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into my life and take control — so, on that 21st day of February, 1978, I asked the Lord to come into my life. It was as if someone had lifted a great burden off my shoulders and for the first time in my life I really felt at peace.

After I returned from the bush, the wife later told me she had noticed a difference on my return. I used to swear and use foul language after my spells in the bush, but this was now almost non-existent. I know Satan has, and will continue to try to win me back to his side, but with the Lord batting for me, he has no chance.

The First Sunday back from the bush, I went to Church and took Communion — for the first time in about 20 years. This seemed to give me more strength to fight the devil.

I attend Bible Study classes regularly now and sometimes I am amazed at how I took so much for granted. I praise the Lord and thank Him daily for coming into my life. Every time I think of it I have the same wonderful feeling.

DENNIS CAUVIN.

The convoy was ambushed by Russian-backed terrorists and we had two or three hits on our vehicle,' including the loss of a rear tyre. Gordon sustained a minor bullet wound in the upper leg. He had the only real injury. All this took place near Biriiri School and it is in this area that the Christians just meet in homes in twos and threes as led by the Holy Spirit. The terrorists have forbidden them to sing, read Bibles or pray in their homes. The security regulations forbid public meetings of more than five persons. Some who were 'doubtful' have turned back to the old ways, but true Christians are, we believe, being strengthened. Bibles are selling well and hymn books are sold out.

From
GORDON and ELIZABETH SMITH
(A.E.F., Melsetter)

North East Operational Area, 22nd August, 1974. We had just completed a hectic patrol, and were returning to base. The next day we were going back to Inyanga to complete clearing operations and then be sent home.

I was sitting on the back of an army RL, along with ten other fellows. We turned off the road we were travelling on and onto another dirt road. One of the chaps who had escorted the vehicle on its way to pick us up, commented, "Oh, we're changing roads, this must be a better one than the one we came on." The words had no sooner left his lips, when we hit a boosted landmine. The noise was instantly deafening. All I felt, was myself starting to fly and watched some of the other guys flying through the air over me. The vehicle cartwheeled and then rolled twice. I was thrown about 30 metres before hitting the ground. I remember sitting in the dust, and feeling the blood run down my face. A large portion of the top of my scalp had been ripped off when I hit the road. My legs had lost their feeling, as I discovered when I tried to move. I could hear the guys screaming in pain all around the road.

I noticed that the chap who had been sitting next to me was crushed under the vehicle — killed instantly. Another chap who was sitting immediately in. front of me, was lying amongst some sand-bags, badly smashed up. He, too, died within a few minutes.

"Lucky for you hey" — some people say, but I don't believe in luck. That was the protection of God.

Soon choppers arrived and we were uplifted to the Andrew Fleming Hospital in Salisbury.

The next day, one of the fellows who was a close friend of mine, died from internal injuries. He, too, had been sitting close to me on the truck.

Wow! that shattered hip for a while. Here I was, with no feeling in my legs, two crushed vertebrae, and a twisted pelvis. On top of that my close buddy dead. What was God doing?, I asked myself. I came under some heavy treatment from the devil in those few days.

Then God started to work. Firstly, I was able to lead a South African Policeman, who was in the same ward as I was, to the Lord.

The folk around Salisbury who knew me started to pray for me, and God heard those prayers. Two weeks later I was walking around, although in considerable pain, but God had touched me with his healing hand, and before long I was back to almost normal. My head was healed so well that there is not even a scar left.

Praise the Lord for the testimony He has given me to share. What a mighty God we serve.

MIKE RUTTER.

I had a very bad scene on the 20th of March, 1979. We came under very heavy fire of over 60 C.T.'S. I had a section of 6 men and we were just by ourselves in that area. We were ambushed and taken by surprise. We automatically}' reacted and advanced lor about 75 metres. We were stopped by very effective fire. We fired all our rounds to the last half mag. Fortunately, one jet fighter from Gwelo, which was on battle practice, rolled about twice above us and the C.T.'s thought that the' Fire Force had arrived. They all ran away, each man in his own direction. We then again advanced. We went through the contact area in a sweep and we only picked up one stick grenade. This contact reminds me of Psalm 22 v. 1-31.

Surely God helped us on this date. We all should have been captured or killed but the Lord showed me His powers and protected me from my enemies. Oh the Lord is my helper — what shall men do unto me? The Lord answered my prayer and delivered me from my enemies.

This was written by an
AFRICAN SERGEANT IN THE SUPPORT UNIT who loves the Lord.

A Rhodesian Woman's Prayers

"CALL-UP"

God give me courage not to weep when I say farewell yet again. It does not get any easier, though I had thought I would get accustomed to it. Give me your peace, Lord, which is not of this world. Give me a calm and gende spirit, and a determination to carry on my daily life as normally as possible without my loved one. In this way, I can support him and be a strength to him and the country.

Lord, keep me diligent in prayer.

"MY SON, THE TROOPER"

God, it does not seem possible that that young hardened soldier is my son. Where have the years gone? It seems only the other day that he was target shooting with his pellet gun. Now Lord, his FN rifle seems an extension of his body. Could it be the camouflage that has opened my eyes to the fact that he is now a man? Or is it because I see a new mature determination and earnestness in his spirit? I thank God for the good training he has had. This gives me confidence in his ability, but keep him from becoming too hard and callous. Keep him close to You.

Protect him from the enemy.
Protect him from accidents.
Protect him from landmines.
Protect him from fears.

Keep his eyes on his path of duty, knowing that You are there to guide his way. When he walks through the shadows, may he fear no evil. May he feel secure in the knowledge that he has a caring and praying family.

Bring our son home safely.

'Because He Lives, I can face Tomorrow'

To all my brothers in our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank Him who holds tomorrow, and our lives, that by His Grace and Love I want to praise His Holy Name who has delivered me and 13 Africans from the hands of evil men, who ambushed us on our way home from Lower Gwelo where we had been erecting security fencing. I was travelling at 4.00 p.m. and singing a chorus when, all of a sudden, about 50 metres ahead, three terrorists broke cover, one ran into the road and opened up with automatic fire, the other two took up positions and started firing.

I reached for my pistol which was on the seat, I tried to cock and steer at the same time, when the first shot came through the wind-screen and only God took it away from my forehead, it shattered the back window and passed through all those Africans, causing only a few burns — I felt a sting in my shoulder and on my head. I thought I was hit but not dead so, without thinking, changed into a faster gear which slowed the vehicle at once. I thought the engine was hit, by then my pistol had fallen out of my hand and lying on the floor. I never thought of anything else but to get out of this thing we were in. All three terrorists were now shooting, bullets were coming from the front and side of the road, there were shots going through the front of the truck and through the side and the door and the body. I was about two yards from one in the road, who jumped to the side. Only then did I realise that I had changed to a slower gear, and changed back and pulled away from them. They were now firing at the back of die truck but causing no damage.

I carried on for about a mile and stopped to see if any were dead or injured. I just could not understand it that there was nobody dead or injured. The very first thing I said to the Africans on the truck was,"See, because you people don't say grace when you sit down to eat you just swarm in on your food like a lot of vultures and when you've finished your food, you lie down in the sun like crocodiles on the Zambesi banks, instead of giving thanks to the Lord, who gives you everything. He even saved your lives today".

The one said," Boss, if it was not for you we would have been dead, for we now see that God is with you because you are always talking to us about the Lord, and praying."

I thank the Lord that I could give this testimony that it might bring others closer to Him, that they too may see and know that God will deliver at a time of trouble. For the Lord is the Rock of my salvation, I put my trust in Him. I know He will never fail me, praise His Holy Name. AMEN.

HANS JOUBERT.

Christmas, 1978. A family were sitting on the patio as the weather was very hot. Suddenly, an icy- cold wind blew up — so cold that they moved into the house. The father sent the children to bed in the 'Mortar room' — he felt an urgent need to get them all away from the front of the house. By 9 p.m. the elderly grandparents and the three children were in bed. The wife and her husband again went out to the patio as the wind had died down. They tried to put up a 'Father Christmas' poster but the wind started to blow again — so cold that they ran inside. About one or two minutes later a rocket hit the wall by the patio and penetrated to the centre of the house. Another rocket also hit the house as well as 159 bullets. No one was harmed.

We were coming home from a stint of two weeks with a rancher on his ranch. There was something wrong, you could sense it in the air. I was expecting something to happen. Striking a land mine was what was in the back of my mind as I sat in the car with the rancher and other field reservists, watching the road go by. I felt happy to be returning home to my wife and children. The previous night in my prayers I asked the Lord to be with us, and should we hit a land mine, to be with us that we may come through safely.

As we came off the farm road and onto the dirt road about 30 miles from the tar road, the rancher stopped and asked me to check the tyres, because the steering didn't feel right to him. I checked and found them fine.

We proceeded again, the thought of a land mine in my mind. I looked at the speedometer, we were travelling at a safe speed for land mines. Suddenly, there was a terrific noise of gun fire on my side of the road. "An ambush", I thought, I felt a sharp pain through my shoulder blades. I couldn't move my arms. I looked at my friend next to me, he had his head pulled into his shoulders, he was hit. The rancher ducked from the sound of a bullet hitting the car behind his head. Looking out of the window I saw puffs of smoke, the terrorists were almost on top of us.

My shoulders felt loose again and I started pulling on my rifle, when something piercing hit me in the side of my chest going slowly down into me; the pain of it I cannot describe. Hardly being able to breathe, I told the rancher to put his foot down as I had been hit bad. The car spluttered and he shouted that it wouldn't go. The shooting was still going on next to me. I looked out of the window and thought to myself, this is how achap dies in the bush. The truck stopped and my friend fired some shots through the window. I told him to stop, it was deafening me, I could not hear.

He opened the door, I got out with my magazines and rifle and ran about ten yards to the side of the road where I could go no further. My friend helped me down, I could not breathe and, oh, the pain. I tried to pray. I wanted to ask the Lord to spare my life, my wife and children needed me, I was young. I didn't want to die, I wasn't ready. I had sinned the night before I was deployed to the ranch. There was a party and I had got drunk. I was a sinner not ready to die. I was ashamed. Trying to pray, my mind kept going bark to my pain, I could hardly breathe. Calling my friend to me, I asked him to pray for me. He did and I could hardly hear him but I felt better. He found the wound and covered it with a field dressing, I could see by the expression on his face that it was bad. I asked him how bad it was. He said it was O.K., so as not to frighten me, but I knew it was very bad. He lit me a cigarette I asked for and said the rancher had gone for help. Then he went back to his position to prevent us from further attack.

I felt I was dying so I called him again to come and pray for me. My friend asked me to commit my life to the Lord and I realised this was what was missing in my life.

It was three hours before the helicopter arrived and took us to an airfield where we received medical treatment after which we were flown to Chiredzi. My wounds were serious, the bullet had entered my left side, piercing my left lung, puncturing my diaphragm, hitting my spleen and left kidney and lodging behind my spine near my tail.

It took seven hours from being shot, to the operating table. Everybody seemed surprised that I was alive after the loss of blood and wounds and damage to my insides. This proved our Lord was with me and had answered my prayers. I learnt afterwards that the farmer had found help purely by chance. The farmer and police reservist he found on the river were waiting for an African woman they wanted to question again. Our Lord had kept them there to help us, of that I am sure.

For four days after the operation I don't remember much. I do remember people praying for me. On the seventh day I got out of bed and walked about. On the tenth day I left hospital and stayed with my wife at my sister-in-law's home. After four days I was readmitted to hospital for bed rest. Exactly three weeks after I was shot I was back home at Lalapanzi.

The Power of Prayer is the one thing I felt. I felt my strength growing to such an extent as the days went past that I could not even describe it. It is the best medicine any sick man could ever want.

I would like to thank everyone for praying for me. And a special thank you to the Baptist Minister of Triangle who visited me every night he could. It was a visit I always looked forward to.

Also thanks to my friend for everything he did for me when I needed him. I would have been lost had he not been a Christian.

Above all else I want to praise our Lord for hearing my prayers and saving my soul.

JOHAN SCHOULTZ.

A nurse who had been stationed at Inyanga related the following incident. An elderly man who resides on a farm nearby was worried that it wasn't safe for him to remain on his land. However, he said that he would stay as he had a great belief in prayer. His servants told him that the terrorists hadn't attacked the house because they were afraid of the white figures guarding it.

In Nothing Terrified

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries." Phil. 1 : 28a. "For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Ps. 91:11.

These, and many other precious promises from God's Word have been priceless to my wife and I in the comfort and strength they have given us during these last five years of service as missionaries in Rhodesia. It is now 32 years since we first came here to preach the Gospel to African people who never before had heard the Gospel. We lived under very primitive conditions, far from any European settlement and had many opportunities to witness God's protective and loving care. Never before, however, have we leaned so heavily upon God's Word; and witnessed so clearly His undertaking in protecting His own.

For four years of our last five-year term of service, we found ourselves serving the Lord at a mission hospital station surrounded with the horrors of a terrorist war. Two of our African Christian leaders were murdered on one of our stations while the Missionary was made to watch. Murders were taking place all about us of people we knew. One lay- preacher and a newly-converted teacher were tied, beaten, and thrown into a burning hut to be burnt alive with six young children witnessing the death of their father. Casualties of all kinds were brought in, some from landmine detonations, some were shot, some never to recover. One man was brought in with his ears, nose, upper and lower lips cut off, his wife having been made to eat the flesh. Similar cases followed — What will happen, we asked ourselves, when we are visited by the terrorists?

One day tensions were particularly high on our station. My wife was home alone and rumours were that the station was to be attacked by the terrorists. There was shooting about, and my wife became possessed with fear. In desperation she took her Bible into the bedroom and opened it upon the bed as she knelt there. "I'm only a woman, Lord, I can't stand this," she cried, "You've got to help me." And, as if in immediate reply, her eyes were fixed on the words quoted above: "And in nothing terrified by your adversaries." A miracle took place. She got up from her knees a new person. Fear was gone!

Some time later we were visited. This time, I was home alone. It was about 6.30 p.m. It was dark. I was sitting, drinking a cup of tea, when I heard a knock on the back door. I heard a slight scuffle about the back door, and, looking through a back window, I saw someone dash around the corner of the house. When I opened the door, two men with automatic weapons in their hands greeted me saying, "We have come. We were just adjusting things here because we were afraid that you might try to run away, and if you did, we'd have had to shoot you. We want to speak with you, let us in." Knowing that the house was surrounded, I opened the door and let the two men in. Immediately a third man came around the corner with a fixed bayonet, following me into the house. I didn't like the implications, and asked if we could not rather go outside. They assured me that they wouldn't kill me. Inside they made me sit between them. Fifteen minutes later, the doctor, passing by our house and realising what was taking place, came to the door and joined us inside. The terrorists stayed for 1½ hours, they talked mainly about their political aspirations and we talked about the love of God. Finally, we were asked for medicines, and the doctor was permitted to go to the hospital for them. When he left they said to me, "Preach for us." I opened my Shona Bible to Psalm 125: 1,2 and spoke as God gave me utterance. As I spoke my eyes were opened. I did not see them as ruthless murderers, but as lost human beings for whom Jesus had died, and who desperately needed Him as their Saviour that they might know the peace and security that He had already given to us. This was unbelievable! We prayed for them that they might know Christ, and asked if they would be willing to take Gospels of John with them and also give each of the men with them one. They did, and after the doctor returned with the medicine, they left.

Less than two weeks later, a second group came. Needless to say, we spent much time in apprehension — and in claiming the precious promises of the Word of God, and in prayer. Nights in particular were difficult when we'd hear a strange noise outside, yet how priceless were these sleepless moments in sweet communion with God when He drew near to comfort and speak peace to our hearts. This second time was a Sunday night about 9.30 p.m. The generator had just gone off, as we were preparing for bed. We had just returned from an evening service at which, we understood that two terrorists were in the audience. My wife said that she was tired and would take a quick bath before going to bed. As she was beginning to bathe, there was a knock on the backdoor. Without opening it I asked who it was. A voice from the darkness replied,
"Come out, we want to talk with you." Knowing who it was and that we were once again surrounded, I went to the bathroom door and said that we had "visitors". I brought her my heavy woollen bathrobe to put on over whatever else she could. When we went out, 15 men came out of the darkness, all with fixed bayonets on their rifles. We were surrounded by them. One of the leaders came to my wife, pointing the rifle and bayonet at her and said, "You're scared, aren't you?" She said, "I'm not scared." This was repeated three times. The third time, my wife answered, "I'm not frightened, I'm trusting in the Living God, not in guns as you are." This was not my wife, but the mighty power of God in her. She was standing on the Rock of God's Word. This was supernatural. It seemed that with this, there was no more to be said and the conversation shifted to other matters. The doctor, once again, passed our house on his way home and was made to join us. The visit lasted 1½hours. The peace of God ruled in our hearts as we answered questions and partook in conversation. Again, medicines had to be given. The group this time was more unpredictable. We weren't sure of what might happen; but finally the leader of the group signalled them off, and they left us. Before leaving, however, we were again able to pray for them. One of them insisted that he wanted a Bible. Looking at the way his body was loaded down with implements of war, we wondered how he could possibly add the weight of a Bible to it all. He insisted, and we gladly gave him one. Who knows what the seed of God's Word is doing behind the lines! — Undoubtedly what it has been and is doing in our own hearts and lives as we feed upon it! God's grace knows no bounds or limitations. "God so loved the world" — Praise His name! What a day this is to learn to know Him, and to serve Him!

THELMA and
NORMAN EVERSWICK.

At 5.45 p.m. on Monday, 6th March, 1978, I was driving a heavy vehicle somewhere in the Operational Area. I was leading and there was one truck behind me. The track we were following was very wet and slippery and all my concentration was on keeping the truck under control. As I came round a bend I was confronted by a large tree across my path. I swerved to avoid it and skidded into the trunk. As we came to a standstill, a number of shots were fired at us from all sides. We had run into a terrorist ambush.

At the first shot I put my head down and prayed. There were bullets flying everywhere, but as He had promised, "My God had formed a garrison about me. My companion and I jumped from the truck, retreated from the "killing ground" — to cover and proceeded to return the terrorists' fire. From the sound of the gunfire, we estimated that there were between 40 and 50 terrs. We then realised that our two weapons were the only ones firing.

We decided to investigate and subsequently discovered that the other two men had been hit. One man was dead and the other badly injured. We rendered first aid to the injured man as best we could, as we were now under fire again.

At that moment we received a Radio Signal, informing us that help was on the way. Another call sign had heard the firing and were on their way with a back-up unit — not a moment too soon as we were down to our last magazine.

The terrs had retreated some distance under our assault, but nevertheless we were relieved to know that help was so close.

We returned to base camp that night, where we tried to sleep, but the experience was still fresh in our minds.

I thanked and praised the Lord for His protection and safe-keeping.

The following morning I inspected my vehicle and found it riddled with bullet holes. How they had missed me, only the Lord knows. One bullet entered the back of the cab where my head had been only seconds before I had bent it in prayer. My Major expressed the opinion that I should have been killed, as where I had been sitting, there were bullet holes. All I could do was praise the Lord.

After follow-up operations it was discovered that there were in fact 22 terrs involved in the ambush. I know that the blood of Christ protected me and the prayers of my family and friends were heard. All I can say is, "Thank you Jesus".

GERT VAN NIEKERK

Prayer Changes Things!

My friend and 1 were due to return home from our three-week stint in the forces. As usual, I awoke early in the morning to have my quiet time with Jesus.

When I got up from my knees I had a feeling that something was going to happen to us. As I walked off, ready to depart, I silently prayed to God to be with us, whatever lay ahead of us.

It was 6.45 a.m. and only 6 kilometres away from our base, when we were ambushed by the terrorists and both my friend and I were hit. The truck in which we were travelling was also hit and we were unable to travel any further.

When the truck stopped, I helped my friend, who was seriously wounded. I helped him out and laid him at the side of the road. I then asked the farmer who was with us to go and find help, as I was losing quite a lot of blood through the wound in my head.

When I walked back to the truck, fear came over me and I was terribly scared. Then it struck me "But why don't you pray?". I knelt down next to the truck and only prayed a short prayer, that God would help us as I was sure it would be the end for us. When I got up I had the most wonderful peace in my heart and I was no longer scared. I walked back into the road to pick up my cap which was shot off my head. I pulled the cap tightly over my wound to stop the bleeding and returned to my friend, Johan.

Johan was wounded very badly and he asked me to pray for him as he thought he was dying and he asked if he would ever see his wife and children again. I was full of hope and knew God would not let us down. I told him that he would see his family again. Before I prayed for him I asked him if he did not want to turn to God and give Him his heart. Johan said he would and we were both crying and praying together as he opened his heart to God. Peace and joy was on his face and I knew that if he had to die he would be with his Saviour.

Alter two hours we were picked up by plane and taken to hospital. The specialist examined me and told me I had to undergo an operation, as the bullet had caught the round part of my skull and the bone splinters had pierced into my brain. My right eye was blinded and I suffered partial brain damage. I asked the doctor what mv chances of recovery were and he said "5%".

The next morning 1 was operated on and when I came round from the anesthetic, the doctor was there to see if the operation was a success. The doctor told me he could not believe that with such a wound, I was still alive and I said, "Doctor, there is a God".

The biggest shock was still to come when I took my Bible and was unable to read because I then had blurred as well as double vision. At this discovery, I turned round in my bed and wept.

For a few days my vision stayed like this and again I turned to God for help and asked Him if it was possible to let me read a portion from the Bible and to confirm that I would be healed. I then took my Bible and opened it at the first place and there it was, MARK I : 40-41 . . . "If You are willing, You can cleanse me. . . Deeply sympathetic, He reached out His hand and said to him, 'I am willing, Be cleansed . . .'."

Needless to say that I just praised and thanked Him for His wonderful grace because as soon as I had read these verses, I was unable to read any further.

After a few days, just before 1 was due to leave the hospital, 1 asked the doctor again what chance there was now for my recovery, he looked at me and said "95%". I could not believe it but in my heart I knew and praised and glorified His name.

Time went on and it is now twelve months since and I have recovered wonderfully, remaining only with a few minor disabilities and being able to read my Bible again.

Now I would like to say that here I have yet again learnt that PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!!!

ATTIE SCHEEPERS.

Tomorrow, Maybe!

I am a 31 year-old man, was married to a beautiful woman and have two adorable children. I became a Christian on the 14th April, 1979, after my wife, Elise, was killed in a terrorist ambush.

It all happened on the 11th April, when we were travelling back to the farm after another hard day's work. When travelling on the farm road I noticed that a gate, which normally should have been open, was closed. However, at this time this did not seem suspicious to me.

As I stopped my vehicle to open the gate, we came under automatic rifle lire. At first 1 did not realise what was happening. It took several seconds for me to realise that we were being ambushed. My immediate reaction was to put my foot down on the accelerator of the car and get out of the ambush area. I can distinctly remember while crashing through the gate that my wife screamed to me for help as she had been shot through the leg. I had travelled about 20 metres further on when the car suddenly stalled. I only found out later that a round had passed through one of the battery terminals. I then jumped out of the car and returned the fire.

It all seemed to last for ever. How lonely and scared I was. I felt all my strength being drained out of me, my feet felt like giving way under me. The actual ambush could only have lasted about 1½ minutes and then it was all over.

When looking in the car again, I noticed that my wife had slumped over onto my side of the car. I immediately knew that my wife had been shot more than once. I then managed to get my children out of the car for fear of being ambushed again. When attending to my wife again I knew that she was going to die. I tried to speak to her but had to calm the children first as they were screaming. When I looked at my wife she was gasping for breath and I knew there was nothing I could do for her.

My last resort was to pray for her. I remember asking her whether she had accepted the Lord as her Saviour. She mumbled something. Whether she heard or not I will never know. She died within seconds thereafter. What I do know is that my wife is with her Lord today, for she was a CHRISTIAN. What a wonderful woman she was.

I led a very simple life before I became a Christian. I was brought up in a Christian family attending both Church and Sunday School as far back as I can remember. However, I was not a Christian. Worldly things and everyday life was too good to give up to become a Christian. The amount of times my parents, friends and other Christians came and spoke to me about becoming a Christian — even the Lord spoke to me on several occasions and yet 1 just could not or would not lake that final step and accept God as my Lord and Saviour.

I can remember the times Elise would ask me to join her and the family to end the day with prayer and reading the Word of God but I always seemed to have had an excuse — maybe tomorrow. I was too tired or too busy with other things; she would ask me to go to Church but then another excuse would be ready. How stupid I was, so stubborn, so selfish. 1 always seemed to take the altitude that tomorrow was another day, tomorrow I will read the Bible, tomorrow I will go to Church — always tomorrow.

The Lord had spoken to me on several occasions, every time a little louder. My farming was deteriorating rather than progressing, I started drinking, keeping alcohol in my home, something I thought I would never do. It was obvious that I was drifting further and further away from the Lord.

The final breakthrough came on the 14th April, 1979, three days after Elise was killed. I was in hospital having received a gunshot wound in my right leg from the ambush. My daughter was also in hospital recovering from minor shrapnel wounds.

It dawned on mc that very same morning that the Lord had taken very drastic measures to speak to me. The Lord had spoken and spoken very clearly. At that very moment I closed my eyes and prayed to the Almighty for forgiveness for being such a stupid and stubborn person. From that moment I invited the Lord into my life.

It was so obvious that the Lord had spoken to me because when looking at the car in which we were ambushed, it was a miracle that my children and I are alive today. The Lord had given me another chance, a chance which I grasped at with both hands.

Being a new Christian I have already reaped the benefits. A dramatic change has occurred in my life. I've noticed that when confronted with a problem, no matter how big or small, it has always been solved because I made an agreement with the Lord and I am now able to share it with Him, asking Him to solve it for me. How litde did I know what I was missing, trying to live and lead a life all on my own.

Today it is a different story, I am a Christian and once a Christian, always a Christian.

JANNIE LIEBENBERG.

It Happened

Praise the Lord! I really do have so much to praise Him for. It is only when we find ourselves in a fix or in danger that we really know what it is to have that complete presence of mind and to know without a doubt that God is with us and is looking after us. It was not only 1 who was aware of God through the following experience, but also one of my work-mates who was with me and made the following statement later — after I had just remarked that I had not been too worried, as I knew the Lord was with me.

"I am glad I was with you, as you have God on your side". Although there are many who find" it. difficult to dedicate their lives to Christ, there are many who are aware of what a wonderful God He is and how much He can do for us if we only let Him.

The first experience which brought me close to the Lord, was on the first day of my call-up. I was one of a number of men seated in a Dakota aircraft on our way down to Buffalo Range. We were flying at approximately 100-200 ft. At the time I was sitting reading and was quite relaxed. Suddenly I heard the smacking of bullets against the body of the aircraft and the ripping of metal as bullets screamed through the plane. They started hitting at the front of the aircraft and ripped through the whole body, finishing at the tail. At this point, the aircraft dipped and started to fly towards the ground. Well! as you can imagine, flying at 150 ft., it's not far to the ground. When this happened, I was convinced that the controls had been damaged and that we were going to hit the ground. During those few seconds, a number of thoughts flashed through my mind, the foremost of which was that 1 must trust the Lord completely. Although at this stage I was rather bewildered and in the contusion wasn't quite sure what was happening, 1 had a wonderful feeling of security and just knew that no matter what happened, the Lord was with me and 1 was safe.

It could only have been a few seconds, before the aircraft corrected itself, but it felt like eternity. Once we realised we were safe for the moment, we took stock of our situation and did a check on the aircraft. There were numerous bullet holes all over the fuselage and one chap opposite me had a bullet pass not more than an inch from his left shoulder. In fact if he had not bent over when the firing started, he would have been hit. Apart from him, there didn't appear to be any other= really close shaves. Little did I realise that later I would find that I had come even closer to being hit in the back.

Although we had passed the initial attack, there was still one more problem to worry about. As the whole aircraft had been hit, there was a reasonable likelihood of one of the wheels being hit. To crown it all, there was absolutely no way of finding out until landing, in which case the aircraft would probably veer off the runway and crash. As you can well imagine, it was a very quiet bunch of guys sitting in that plane when we came in to land at Buffalo Range. Apart from the noise of the engines, you could have heard a pin drop. After landing there was an audible sigh of relief from every man sitting in that aircraft.

It was only now that I realised how the Lord had protected me. As 1 climbed off the plane, my heart did a complete turn-about. I saw that a bullet had actually passed through, between the outer and inner seams of the plane — exactly where I was sitting. This meant that the bullet had passed no more than an inch or so from the entire length of my back. One can imagine — it would have meant a movement of not more than an eighth of an inch of the muzzle of the gun and that bullet would have ripped through my back. Well, I just stood in amazement and praised the Lord right there and then.

Not more than two weeks later, I had another experience which brought home the fact that the Lord was protecting me.

I was flying with a member of the Police Reserve Air Wing — doing convoy protection over the Easter Weekend. This means that you fly along with the convoy at low level — chccking that the road is clear ahead. We had reached Beit Bridge and were about to set course for home. We decided to do one more pass over the convoy to say good-bye. As we were doing this I felt a tremendous jerk at the back of the aircraft. Again the thought flashed through my mind that we were going into the ground. We managed to control the aircraft and landed at Buffalo Range airfield to see what had happened. On landing, we found that the tail had been ripped by telephone wire and had stopped a few inches short of the rudder. Had the wire travelled on a lew more inches it would have meant that the rudder would have been ripped off and we would most probably have been unable to control the plane.

I realised, once again, that the Lord had had His protecting hand over me and I just felt like weeping with joy over the fact that I had a Saviour who was alive and was protecting me and looking after me every minute of the day.

As I said before, it is only in conditions like these that we realise how blessed we are to have a God that is so full of love, that He is prepared to save a wretch like me. Praise the Lord.

PAUL MITCHELL.

LORD ... if

During January, 1962, I had the privilege of accepting the Lord as my own Personal Saviour — and well, the whole world changed; but everything was not easy as a result of this. I slowly drifted away, and once I stopped Bible Studies, it was easier to drift away. Then I stopped going to Church every Sunday and it was easier still. Finally, I stopped altogether. I must admit that the Lord was very much present, even though I had turned from Him. I was always conscious of the fact that I was wrong. On a number of occasions people would talk to me about the love of Jesus and how I should come back to Him — but I never did.

In November, 1975,1 was working in Mangula. At this time I was almost an alcoholic. Things were getting me down, and life in general was a complete bore. One day, I had had enough. I got stuck into my foreman and was almost fired. Things got worse, I knew I had to leave, but where to? One evening after a very bad day, I went and sat in the lounge and read the newspaper. An advert seemed to leap out of the page at me. The advert was for a foreman's post in Gwelo. I was still on asking terms with the Lord — and I said, "Lord, if I get that job, I will come back to you", well, after an interview, I was one of many who was told to wait. It wasn't long before a phone call from Gwelo informed me that I had the job.

Once in Gwelo, it did not take me long to forget my hastily made promise about going back to the Lord and Church. Again I was very conscious of the Lord. A lot of people spoke to me about my soul's need. I always had excuses — too much work.

Somehow, I was involved in organising the "Crusade for Christ", which was held in Gwelo. During the Altar call, I felt the Blessed Spirit striving with my soul, but I held back. Even my son who was with me said, "Dad, let's go!" I told him to be quiet. That night I had some of the youth and Rev. Woolard stay at our home. They also tried to reason with me, but I still would not listen.

But I praise the Lord for His love and patience. He still wanted me back — and from what I now know, it is quite obvious that from the time of my arrival in Gwelo, the Lord had planned everything for me to come home. When I arrived in Gwelo, 1 looked for excitement, and in order to obtain it, 1 joined the S.W.A.T. team, who specialise in close contact with the terrorists.

On the night of September, 1977 — only a short time after the "Crusade for Christ", and after many more chances to again accept the Lord — Death and Terror hit Gwelo. At about 8.40 p.m. terrorists attacked the Mike Appel Buildings, where a farewell party was being held. John Stopforth was killed and another man was seriously wounded. At 10.00 p.m. 1 was in the Charge Office, organising the operation that was now on the go.

By 11.15 p.m. I was in uniform and on my way with the S.W.A.T. team to Ascot Township, Gwelo (where we were informed that we might find these "Terrs"). There were three houses that we had to search and clear. The first house was empty and in the second house I nearly shot a small baby. The third house was quiet, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I knocked on the door and told the people inside that we were Police and they were to come out, which they duly did..While they were outside, my partner and 1 questioned them and asked if there was anyone inside; to which they both replied, "Nobody inside". II I may just add here, that even though I was not a true Christian, I still used to pray to the Lord — especially when I needed something, and you know, the Lord always saw me right. On this occasion I did not have the time to ask the Lord to look after me, as events now moved too fast.

After hearing the owners of the house say that the house was empty, my partner and I started what was already a routine entrance to the house — always making sure that we were covering each other, and looking for possible booby traps, etc. On entering the lounge, which was about 10 ft. by 12 ft. I thought that I heard a noise in one bedroom, so my partner and I (in sign language) took up defensive positions to this bedroom. Once my partner was in position, he gave me the thumbs up signal and I sprinted to take up my new position. I had taken about two steps, when I heard a shout — I turned the top half of my body and, while still in motion, 1 felt something hit me in the chest — looking down, it took me only seconds to realise that what had hit me was a hand grenade. I started to throw myself down — but too late!!! During the blast I felt the lower half of my body jerk and kick— then I clearly remember my stomach bursting inside. The next thing an automatic rifle opened fire and I was hit (I later found that I had been hit four times on my right side). 1 then knew 1 was dying. The first thing I did was to shout "God! I don't want to die, please give me another chance." Praise God! I immediately felt a pair of hands grip me around die waist and all the pain left me and I was paralysed from the waist down. I knew that God had at that last possible moment saved me — not from death, bur from death without Christ as my Saviour.

As I lay on the floor, two terrorists came from the bedroom and walked towards me, firing as they came, Praise God! not one bullet touched me. All the bullets hit the wall behind my head and all round me, but not one touched me. My partner knew that 1 was in trouble, but he was also hurt. He crawled to my assistance and without a thought to his own, he drew the enemy's fire onto himself and was shot in the arm and leg, before he managed to kill the two "terrs".

Once the house was cleared, both of us were evacuated to hospital. Later, while I was talking to die surgeon who operated on me — he said that he could not explain how I had survived, because I had lost a lot of blood, due to my injuries. The injuries which I sustained were, a shattered pelvis, severe shrapnel wounds and burnt lungs. What the surgeon could not understand, was the fact of my pelvis being shattered, but the rest of my body being only bruised — whereas all my internal organs, such as my kidneys, spleen, etc. should have burst, they were only bruised. Praise the Lord! I told them how I had asked God for another chance and about the pair of hands I had felt locking me around the waist. I said, "When the Lord put His hands on me He also healed the damage to the inside ol my body". A few smiles and Amens, was the reply I received.

Six months later, my pelvis is completely healed and although my leg is still not working (I know that it will take time), but God will heal me properly, Praise His Name. It took a lot to make me realise that my place was in serving the Lord, bur once again I thank the Lord for His love, which truly passes all understanding. I thank Him for His patience — for still loving and guiding me back home alter so many years of wandering in the wilderness.

NICK MARITZ

More than Conquerors!

It was going to be such a lovely day. Dawie's friend and a cousin, Zacharias, were visiting us. Both boys were 12 years old. We had decided to have a picnic lunch on the other farm. On this farm there was a Ground Coverage base and movement was relatively safer and somehow one forgot about the threat of terrorism. Cois's usual time of departure to the dairy on the farm, Luiperdsvlei, was 6.30 a.m., bur eight days previously, he had been in a landmine explosion, and wasn't feeling very well, so we took our time and were ready to leave at 8.30. a.m. The two boys asked if they could put their motorbikes on the back of the Landrover but we declined as the Landrover already accommodated six farm labourers and two Guard Force details as well as having to pull a trailer with six African females and their children on their way to the mill. These people now had to walk a long way to grind their maize as terrorism had caused adl the nearby mills to be closed down. Seeing the disappointment on the boys' faces, Cois told them that they could ride their bikes staying close in front of the Landrover. Fortunately, he refused to allow eight year-old Erina to ride on the pillion.

As we pulled away, I had a strange feeling of apprehension and mentioned this to Cois. However, we felt cheerful and we started off, our two Alsatians running along beside the Landrover. Only about one and a half kilometres from our house, all hell broke loose. Somehow, instinct, told me we were being ambushed as I wasn't aware of hearing the explosions. As the two boys came into their sights, some 20 terrorists opened fire with two rockets and a rifle grenade. By this time we were in it as well and seeing the dust round the boys, I screamed 'Stop! Stop! My children' Cois slammed on the brakes and immediately realised the danger and accelerated again. Hundreds
of rounds were striking around us and I remember thinking 'I didn't know you could see bullets' not realising that they were tracers.

Eventually some of the shock wore off and 1 passed Cois his F.N. Erina was crouched down by my feet. He even managed to fire two or three rounds and I saw a terrorist tumble over backwards. Then his rifle jammed. Unnoticed, one of the magazines had been bent in the landmine explosion and was now causing the rifle to jam. The two Guard Force men had retaliated and each had cleared three magazines.

In the vehicle, 1 prayed and begged the Lord to save those two boys. What an experience of utter helplessness as we watched Dawie for a second, hesitate at the first burst of automatic fire. He thought it was his father firing at some guinea fowl. Then he shouted to Zacharias to GO and, lying low over their handlebars, they raced as fast as their bikes could take them. Relief at seeing them pass out of range, swiftly turned to terror at the new danger of landmines, the usual terrorist tactic at the site of an ambush. Even the Guard Force shouted at us to stop them, bur our heavily burdened Landrover was unable to overtake them. All the blacks on the vehicle were lying prostrate and shocked at the suddenness of the attack.

God was very good to us. Neither of the boys was touched or their bikes and neither was the Landrover, with all its passengers, hit. Only one of the alsatians had been killed with a shot through the heart. Numerous trees and scrub bear evidence that their bullets had been well placed. God, in His Might, had taken over and Divine Protection had saved each one of us.

Five months now passed and maybe we thought we had had our share of heartache. My brother-in-law, Chris Steyn, had been murdered by the terrorists in April. Elsabe, my only sister, was killed in a road accident in South Africa in January. I now have her three children living with us. Slowly we were recovering from the numbness of shock.;.

On Saturday, the 27th, Mr. du Plessis was murdered by the terrorists in an ambush. Soon afterward, Cois left as did many other men, to assist in the follow-up.

I stayed home on the farm with the two girls, Erna, my nine-year-old niece and Erina. We were not afraid. We felt we had sufficient security and had declined the offer of a friend to take us into town. Cois was unable to return that night, but wo slept peacefully.

On Sunday morning, my mother telephoned to say that they would fetch us again but 1 declined as I feared for their safety in their unprotected vehicle on the dirt road. We dressed for church in case Cois managed to return in time, but later changed again as we realised that he wouldn't make it in time. At 11.30 a.m. my father-in-law telephoned to say he was sending a young friend, Louis Kotzc, who was on R. and R., to fetch us in our now mine-protected and bullet-proofed Landrover. Again, the feeling of apprehension caused me to make sure that the girls were tighdy strapped in and to secure the Uzi under my safety belt. I remembered Cois's wanting that, the loose things flying around in a vehicle often injured the victims of a landmine incident.

Some time later on the Luiperdsvlei road, we hit a boosted landmine. The entire front and engine of the Landrover were blown away. The cab was a mass of metal protrusions and the floor came up pushing the gearbox up to the roof. Heavy pieces of metal were flung 180 metres away over the tree tops. Cois, many miles away, still on the follow-up, heard the explosion and knew beyond doubt that it was his family. This was confirmed by radio but hours passed before he could get to us.

We remember very little. Louis was able to get out of the wreck, but before he could go for help, the Ground Coverage men, Army Medic and the Captain arrived, being only minutes away from the scene. Again, Cod was in command of the situation. The Medic was a Christian, (Colin Taylor) and he silently prayed to God for guidance. Erna was trapped in a small space and was bleeding profusely from a head wound and other serious injuries. With God-given strength, Colin managed to free her and site was soon receiving medical attention. The local doctor arrived with other farmers and neighbours, and they cut Erina free. She received lacerations to her legs and feet. Then they lifted me out. Another pet dog lay dead at my feet. This time it was our poodle.

Erina never lost, consciousness Throughout the whole incident, but God heals the young mind. Erna was flown to Salisbury and Erina and myself to Umtali where I lay for many weeks with shattered heels.

Although I missed my beloved family, I was compensated with many new and wonderful friends and a much closer relationship with God. Cois was given strength from God to carry this additional burden and through this our love and family ties are so much stronger.

CEYLONIA and COIS JOUBERT

His Wings over Mine

During the course of one of my bush tours in one of Rhodesia's operational areas, I was called out at about 2300 hours. A nearby farm was under attack by an unknown number of terrorists and the farmer and his family were in danger of being overrun. The aircraft I fly has a flare-dropping capability so I got airborne on a very dark night. I knew the farm was close because, as I got airborne, I could see the fire from his already burning tobacco barns. Unfortunately, or fortunately, as it turned out, before I reached the farm, heavy rain began to fall in that area, so I was forced to return to base, but the rain also stopped the terrorist attack.

The dark night had become stormy and I could just see the dim lighting of the runway ahead. Landing at night in any conditions requires constant concentration to make the landing a safe one.

That night I made a slight error in my approach to the runway, and I could see on landing that I wasn't going to be able to stop before the end of the runway, so I was forced to 'overshoot'. As I got airborne I saw bright red flashes speedily passing on either side of the cockpit — I was being shot at! I alerted the people in the Ops Room and an alarm went up. Soon men were neutralising the area from which I was shot at and the terrs appeared to just slink away into the cold, wet darkness.

We worked out later, had I landed successfully the first time the terrs would have been waiting for me to slow down at the end of the runway, then 'opened up' when I and my aircraft were helpless to retaliate. But, because I misjudged the first landing, I disrupted their plan, they panicked, fired a few shots at the plane and fled. I believe the Lord had a great deal to do with my error in judgement and didn't want me to land that first time, as He knew the dangers ahead of me.

Sue, my wile, told me at the end of my tour, that on that very night, at the same time as my incident she was saying her prayers, asking God to watch over me.

The Lord certainly answered somebody's prayers that night!

RAY HAAKONSEN.

A friend from Chipinga related the following story. Terrorists were becoming very dangerous and a local farmer decided to take his family into the Village. He and his wife prayed earnestly about the move but when they reached their destination, the farmer felt he should return to the farm and see how things were. His house stood on a kopje and as he approached it he noticed it was encircled by mist.

The next morning, his servants told him that the terrorists had tried to approach the house, but couldn't penetrate the mist belt.

In one area, two cars were travelling together in convoy on a lonely, dusty farm road, when suddenly a great gust of wind came up. It developed into a mighty whirlwind which forced the two cars to come to a halt. W'hen the windstorm was over, and the cars were about to move olf, the people in the front car spotted a landmine just in front of them in the road. The whirlwind had exposed it. They removed it and travelled on in safety.

A Rhodesian Child's Prayer

A young mother stood quietly by the bedroom door,
Whilst her little son knelt by his bed on the floor;
She listened intently to what he was saying,
And I heard him say 'Please, for my Daddy I'm praying.
God, my Daddy has gone to the end where it's sharp.
It's not very nice there in the bush when its dark
Daddy's taken a knife and a hat for the sun,
And because of the 'terrs', he's taken a gun.
Please God, look for my Daddy and keep him safe.
It's not easy to find him in that sharp end place;
For he's wearing clothes the colour of trees,
And crawls through tall grass on his hands and knees.
I know if you find him Mummy won't, feel so sad,
And dear God, you will like him because he's my DAD.
AMEN.

By
Vera Phillips Mealing.

Caption for above reads:-
For some years my years in Rhodesia and more recently Zimbabwe Rhodesia, a terrorist war has raging. Throughout this war miraculous incidents have occurred. This book reports just the tip of the iceberg of Gods Activities in a land struggling for truth and righteousness

End of Article

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Richard (Butch) Thank you Butch

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

First to the Victoria Falls

2011-12-31T17:24:00.013+02:00

(Above) This aerial photograph of part of the Victoria Falls shows Livingstone's unusual first sight of the cataract. He came down river in a canoe to an island on the lip of the Falls (now named Livingstone Island), walked forward to the edge of the 100-metre deep chasm and gazed into the depths. A massive bronze statue (right) now overlooks the Devil's Cataract (not shown on main photograph).

IT was on November 16, 1855, that David Livingstone became the first European to sec the great waterfall which he named in honour of his Queen; but its presence had been known to his compatriots and,indeed, to Livingstone himself, for some years previously.

At the beginning of the present century, George Lacy, who had himself visited the Falls in 1868, enquired into the question of European knowledge of the Falls before Livingstone's visit.

Englishmen in the South had, as early as about 1840, heard reports of the existence, far away in the North of a phenomenon called Mosivatuna, 'the smoke that sounds'. No European, however, was within a hundred miles of them until 1851.

(Above) Although there has been development on the banks of the Zambezi above the Falls, there are large areas where the modern visitor can experience the wonder Livingstone felt as he canoed down from Kalai Island. But today's visitor may travel in the luxurious comfort of modern launches.

It was not until that year (1851) that the course of the upper Zambezi itself became known to outsiders. On August 3, 1851, David Livingstone and William Cotton Oswell reached the river at Mwandi. There they were told of the great waterfall that lay some distance downstream. However, they made no attempt to visit it on this occasion, but after a brief stay, retraced their steps southwards to Cape Town.

Oswell marked the position of the Victoria Falls — "waterfall, spray seen 10 miles off" — on a manuscript map which he produced on this occasion but which was not published for almost 50 years. It appears almost certain that Oswell did not himself approach within sight of the Falls, but that he obtained his information from Africans.

Thus, whether or not Livingstone and Oswell were the first Europeans to see the upper Zambezi, they were the first to make its presence known to the outside world.

After Livingstone's return to Cape Town in 1851-2, he sent his wife and children back to Europe, and retraced his steps to the Zambezi. Realising, that the route to the Zambezi from the south was potentially difficult and unreliable, he determined to investigate the practicability of opening up a route from either the east or west coast.

He struck north to the Zambezi and then west, arriving at Loanda in May, 1854. Realising the impracticability of this western route through Barotse country, he set out again, four months later, in a courageous attempt to cross the African continent to the Indian Ocean.

Almost exactly a year later he again arrived at the upper Zambezi. Here, as before, he heard tales of the great waterfall of Mosi-oa-Tunya, and on November 3, 1855, he set out to visit them.

Two days after leaving Old Shesheke, Livingstone reached Kalai Island. Livingstone reports that it was only twenty minutes after leaving Kalai that he first caught sight of the rising columns of spray, which he compared with the smoke from a large-scale bush fire. He was struck by the beauty of the river and its banks, which he described in the following terms:

The whole scene was extremely beautiful; the banks and islands dotted over the river are adorned with sylvan vegetation of great variety of colour and form. At the period of our visit several trees were spangled over with blossoms.

There, towering over all, stands the great burly baobab, each of whose arms would form the trunk of a large tree, besides groups of graceful palms, which with their feathery-shaped leaves depicted on the sky, lend their beauty to the scene. The silvery mohonono, which in the tropics is in form like the cedar of Lebanon, stands in pleasing contrast with the dark colour of the motsouri, whose cypress-like form is dotted over at present with its scarlet fruit. Some trees resemble the great spreading oak, others assume the character of our own elms and chestnuts; but no one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed

upon by angels in their flight.

(Above) Part of the immense torrent of the Main Falls, which pour 93 metres into the gorge. As with all the pictures of the Falls in this article, this was taken when the water level as reasonably low, for the ascending spray obscures the view.

About one kilometre upstream of the Falls he transferred to a smaller, lighter canoe and proceeded in this to the island between the Main and Rainbow Falls which is today called Livingstone Island. Landing on the island, he obtained his first view of the Falls from what is surely the most impressive of all viewpoints. The moment is best described in Livingstone's own words:

No-one could perceive where the vast body of water went, it seemed to lose itself in the earth, the opposite lip of the fissure into which it disappeared being only eight feet distant. Creeping with awe to the verge, I peered down into a large rent which had been made from bank to bank of the broad Zambesi, and saw that a stream of a thousand yards broad leaped down a hundred feet, and then became suddenly compressed into a space of fifteen or twenty yards*... the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa. In looking down into the fissure on the right of the island, one sees nothing but a dense white cloud which, at the time we visited the spot, had two bright rainbows on it.... The snow-white sheet seemed like myriads of small comets rushing in one direction, each of which left behind its nucleus rays of foam.

* These figures are, of course, a gross underestimate.

Leaving the Falls, Livingstone reached the Indian Ocean, at Quelimane in May, 1856. Thence he returned to England, but returned two years later, having been appointed H. M. Consul for the East Coast of Africa to the south of Zanzibar and for the unexplored Interior. It was on this occasion that Livingstone paid his second and last visit to the Victoria Falls.

Following Livingstone's first visit, the next European to visit the Falls was William Baldwin, who arrived on August 2, 1860. Baldwin was an English hunter who spent much of the decade from 1851 wandering widely between Natal and the Zambezi. He found his way to the Falls, via the Chobe River, by pocket compass.

Baldwin made the first reasonably accurate estimate of the size of the Falls; he considered them to be two thousand yards wide and three hundred feet high. For eye-estimates these are remarkably close to the true figures and a great improvement on the gross underestimate made by Livingstone in 1855.

On this occasion, David andCharles Livingstone stayed on at the Falls after Baldwin's departure and were able to make a much more detailed examination of the area than had been possible five years earlier. They crossed to the south bank and explored the Rain Forest there; this was probably the only occasion on which David Livingstone set foot in what is now Rhodesia. Detailed measurements were made, and the total width of the Falls was found.

Livingstone's subsequent explorations took him far away from the Victoria Falls region, and we must now turn to the steadily increasing numbers of Europeans who found their way to the Falls. A few Boer hunters are known to have visited them during 1801 but it appears that only one, Martinus Swartz, survived the return journey.

(Above) This is part of a remarkable high-altitude photograph of the Victoria Falls in THE HANDBOOK. It shows clearly the complex of deep gorges below the Falls through which the Zambezi, restricted from a bed 1 708 metres wide to one 50 metres wide in parts, boils and surges its Way Each gorge parallel with the present Victoria Falls is a falls of the past, a theory well explained in the geological chapter of the book.

The visitors of 1862 are again well documented, being James Chapman and Thomas Raines, both of whom published accounts of their travels, accompanied by Edward Barry. Chapman, a hunter and trader, had born near the Chobe in August, 1853, and, had he then been told of the proximity uf the Falls, as Oswell was in 1851, would have been in a position to anticipate Livingstone's visit by over two years. In 1862 he and Baines reached the Victoria Falls on their great journey which had begun at Walvis Bay on the Atlantic coast.

Baines records that he visited Livingstone Island and found that the garden which David Livingstone had planted there had been trampled by hippopotami and was completely overgrown. It was on this occasion that Baines executed the fine paintings of the Falls which he published in 1863.

(Above) The modern visitor to the Victoria Falls suffers none of the discomfort of those early tourists, who had to force their way through dense bush to gain a view of the waterfall. Now, through the Rain Forest a complex of paths guide the visitor to vantage points overlooking each part of the 1 708-metre wide cataract.

During the following decade several further Europeans, mainly hunters, reached the Victoria Falls. By 1870 the names of twenty-five such visitors are recorded, but there were undoubtedly several others whose names have not been preserved. During the two years 1874-75, however, these numbers were doubled, indicating the rate at which the area was being drawn into the sphere of European activity centred on South Africa.

What 19th century visitors wrote about the Falls

DAVID AND CHARLES LIVINGSTONE, 1865

The Victoria Falls have been formed by a crack across the river, in the hard, black, basaltic rock which there formed the bed of the Zambesi. Into this chasm, of twice the depth of Niagara-fall, llie river, a full mile wide, rolls with a deafening roar; and this is Mosi-oa-Tunya or the Victoria Falls. The whole body of water rolls clear over, quite unbroken; but after a descent of ten or more feet, becomes like a huge sheet of driven snow.

JAMES CHAPMAN, 1868

Nothing can be more dclicately beautiful and pleasing to the eye than the milky streams, broken at the top by dividing rocks and widening to the base, pouring down in one unbroken flow of snowy whiteness from a height of upwards of 300 feet.

EDUARD MOHR, 1876
It seemed to me as if my own identity was swallowed up in the surrounding glory, the voice of which rolled on forever, like the waves of eternity . . . No human being can describe the infinite ; and what I saw was a part of infinity made visible and framed in beauty.

FREDERICK COURTENEY SELOUS, 1881

Such arc the Victoria Falls — one of, if not the, most transcendentally beautiful natural phenomena on this side of Paradise.

EMIL HOLUB, 1881
Nor does the magnificence of the view end with the prospect of the giant waterfall itself. Let us raise our eyes towards the blue horizon; another glorious spectacle awaits us. Stretching far away in the distance are the numerous islands with which the river-bed is studded; the gorgeous verdure of their fan-palms standing out in striking contrast to the subdued azure of the hills behind.

All around them, furnishing a deep blue bordering, lies the expanse of the mighty stream that moves so placidly that at first it might seem to be without movement at all; but gradually as it proceeds it acquires a sensible increase in velocity . . . to take its mighty plunge into the deep abyss.

A. A. de SERPA PINTO, 1881
That enormous gulf, black as is the basalt which forms it, dark and dense as the cloud which enwraps it, would have been chosen} if known in biblical times, as an image of the infernal regions, a hell of water and darkness, more terrible perhaps than the hell of fire and light.

L DECLE, 1898 .
I expected to find something superb, grand, marvellous. I had never been so disappointed ... It
is hell itelf, a corner of which seems to open at your feet; a dark and terrible hell, from the middle of which you expect every moment to sec some repulsive monster rising in anger.

End of Article

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Diarmid Smith . Thank you Diarmid

Original publication was Rhodesia Calls dated March -April 1976

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Animals of Rhodesia

2011-12-17T16:52:00.035+02:00

By R. H. N. SMITHERS, O.B.E, B Sc., F.Z.S.
Director of the National Museums of Rhodesia
and member of the National Parks Advisory Board.

RHODESIA can rightly claim to be among the leaders in the field of wild life conservation in Africa, and in spite of the extensive human development which has taken place in the country in the last 20 years, reasonably wide, adequate provision has been made for national parks and game reserves, so that its rich fauna has been secured for future generations.

These areas are well placed in relation to the main tourist routes. In the west, on the line of rail and road between Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls, is the Wankie National Park, which also has an airfield at Main Camp. Both Central African Airways and Rhodesia Railways run scheduled services and package tours all the year round to serve this 5,432-square-mile park, in which some 40 species of wild life over the size of a jackal may be seen, including the recently re-introduced black rhinoceros.

Adjacent to the Victoria Falls, and fringed by the beautiful riverine scenery of the Zambezi River, is a national park of 230 square miles, which is justly famous for its herds of Rhodesia's national animal, the princely sable antelope, apart from many other big game species.

Over 250 miles downstream from Victoria Falls, below Kariba Dam and north of Salisbury, is a game area of over 3,000 square miles. Within this area, east of Chirundu, is the 475-square-mile Mana Pools Game Reserve. Besides the great numbers of elephant, buffalo, impala and other species which can be seen, the grandeur of the Zambezi Valley and the beautiful scenery of the river more than repay a visit.

Game parks have been established near some of the major towns. Close to Bulawayo, the Rhodes Matopos National Park contains a game park full of interest. Its beautiful granite kopje scenery is unique, and it is one of the best areas for seeing klipspringer. Both black and square-lipped (white) rhinoceros have been re-introduced.

To the south-east, near Fort Victoria, the Kyle Game Reserve, alongside Lake Kyle, has been stocked with a range of species such as oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, impala, giraffe and square-lipped rhinoceros.

For the visitor to Salisbury with only a short time to spare, the Robert Mcllwaine National Park lies some 22 miles west of the city. This park contains wildebeest, giraffe, eland and many other species.

There are five other large reserves but these are less accessible.

Outside these reserved areas, and especially in the lowveld, heavy wild life concentrations are still present. Among these the following species are relatively common, although in some instances confined to particular habitats: the elephant, zebra, hippopotamus, giraffe, 22 species of bovids, a family composed of 21 species of antelope and the buffalo, and two species of pig (the warthog and the bushpig).

Even in intensely farmed areas, the kudu, duiker, steenbuck, oribi and reedbuck still hold their own, the kudu in particular being remarkable in persisting in the face of intense human development and hunting. In ranching areas, the wild dog is a pest, and in areas adjacent to broken country the leopard can be a severe menace to livestock.

In agricultural areas, the bush pig has found agricultural development an improvement to its habitat, and it is undoubtedly more numerous than formerly, and a pest in such areas.

Many of the smaller species of wild life are afforded special protection. Among these may be mentioned the aardwolf, which lives almost entirely on termites, and the pangolin, or scaly anteater, which lives on true ants. On the other hand, the black-backed or side-striped jackal, the wild dog, and the spotted hyena are classed as vermin, owing to their depredation on domestic stock.

Such species as the wild cat, the progenitor of all European domestic strains; the genets, with their long, ringed tails, short legs and black or rusty spots; certain of the mongoose, in particular the slender, and white-tailed, persist in built-up areas and are common even in the suburban areas of our larger cities.

With the possible exception of the brown hyena, none of the species occurring in Rhodesia is in danger of extinction for, although some of these, e.g., the nyala, only occur in limited areas within the territory, they are common and wide- spread in adjacent territories.

It is possible that yet other species will in time be added to the Rhodesian list, now consisting of 168 species. It may be shown that species such as the mountain reedbuck, and red duiker, may occur in odd corners, and undoubtedly several species of bats, now known to occur in nearby territories, will be found within our limits.

Photographs by Big Game Photography (Pvt.) Ltd. (11), R. A. B our I ay (5), D. K. Brain, H. Cantle (3), R. Creeth (8), R. Fitt, M. Kerr, W. T. Miller (5), D. Shacklock, Mrs. R. H. N. Smithers (11), M. Trangmar, J. Wightman (5) and I. Young (3).

HEDGEHOG: Clothed in short sharp spines rarely exceeds 8 in; face black forehead white; 2-4 young just before rains; principally insectivorous but also eats worms, slugs, and the young of ground nesting birds; mainly nocturnal; eaten by some African tribes; widely distributed but not plentiful anywhere.

/

'NIGHT-APE: Overall about 15 in. including a tail about 9 in.; very similar m appearance and habits to the Bush Baby but much smaller; appears lo be more agile, making prodigious leaps from branch to branch of thorn trees in accacia savannas where It is principally found; fairly wide distribution.

SAMANGO OR BLUE MONKEY: 4 ft. overall,, including 2½ ft. of tail dark blue-grey above, flicked with yellow; face brown, legs black, whitish on upper lips and throat; single young, normally early rains; cry, a single abrupt cough; only in the Eastern Districts; forest dweller, small troops; lives on leaves, wild fruit and insects, darker then the Vervet.

BUSH BABY: Overalll about 2½ft. including a tail about 15 in.; grey with bushy tail, large round ears, and lustrous eyes; nocturnal; live. in trees on insects, fruit and bird' eggs, known to kill and eat poultry; cry, o squall and sometimes a chuckle; single young- occur, predominantly in high rainfall areas.

CHACMA BABOON: Males up to 90 lb., females 45 lb.; single young born any time during the year mainly vegetarian but also eats insects and small birds; normally in troops of up to 100; dangerous when cornered; walks. on all fours with tail held high; widespread In Rhodesia; call, a single coughing bark.

VERVET MONKEY About 4½ ft. overall including 2½ of tail greyish yellow, black-faced, forehead white; single young born any throughout the year; call a chattering cough varied with whistling and grunts; common in wooded areas throughout Rhodesia; feeds on leaves, wild fruit, insects and birds eggs, also raids crops.

PANGOLIN OR SCALY ANT-EATER: Length up to 3½ ft., nose to tail; light brown overlapping scales; walks on hind feet, using front feet occasionally; curls into a ball when attacked, exuding unpleasant smell; 1 young; found all over Rhodesia, but not common; lives on ants and termites, caught by inserting its 12-in. long tongue into the nest.

BLACK-BACKED JACKAL: 4 ft. overall, including 15 in. of tail; black and white flecked back like a saddle with demarcation from yellow-red sides and legs; 3 to 6 young; usually in pairs; mainly nocturnal; call, a howl followed by barks; excited jackals chorus a chilling wail; scavengers, also eating small animals, birds and occasionally young of larger game; occurs all over Rhodesia.

WILD DOG: About 2 ft. 6 in. high, 5 ft. overall, with a 15 in. tail; body blotched with dark brown, yellow and black, large round ears; hunts in large packs; ruthless hunters following quarry biting chunks out of it until it drops from exhaustion; cry, a whinnying sound; about 6 to 8 young; common in remoter areas of Rhodesia.

BAT-EARED FOX: About 12 in. high, 2 ft. 6 in. overall; grey-buff, black legs, forehead white, muzzle black, conspicuously large ears; 3 to 5 cubs; nimble animal, sidestepping and doubling-back on its tracks; feeds on insects, scorpions and spiders, also wild fruit; occurs in Wankie National Park and the south-west of Rhodesia.

SIDE-STRIPED JACKAL: 4 ft. overall, including 15 in. of tail; grey-brown overall, tail normally with a white tip; 4 to 6 young; nocturnal, rarely seen during day; cry, a series of whoops with yelps, no howl like the Black-backed Jackal; scavenger, but also eats small creatures, birds' eggs and wild fruit; common throughout Rhodesia.

STRIPED POLECAT OR ZORILLA: Length about 27 in., including about 12 in. of tail; coarse black coat with white stripes along the back, tail fairly bushy, black flecked with white, white patches under ears and centre of face; 2 to 3 young; nocturnal; walks with hunched back; eats snakes, small rodents, birds, frogs and insects; widely distributed.

STRIPED WEASEL OR SNAKE POLECAT: Similar colour to Polecat, but smaller; overall 20 in., tail 8 in,; hair short, coat black with white top to head, black stripes along back, white tail; emits strong-smelling liquid when alarmed; 2-3 young; hunts by night; eats small rodents, birds and insects; uncommon, only recorded rarely in Mashonaland and Eastern Districts.

CLAWLESS OTTER: Overall up to 4 ft. 6 in., including about 1 ft. 6 in. of tail, dark brown above, cheeks, chin and throat white, broad head, tail thick; 2 or 4 young; eats crabs, frogs, fish and also rats, small mammals and birds; hind feet only webbed; sometimes seen in family groups, very playful; fairly common.

GENET: Two species occur—the Rusty-spotted and the Small spotted, both overall about 3 ft., with 18 in. tails. Both long-bodied, short-legged creatures with long black-and-white ringed tails, sharp features and large ears; nocturnal; lives on rodents, birds, insects and poultry; 2 or 3 young; common. (Rusty-spotted shown.)

HONEY BADGER OR RATEL: Overall up to 3 ft.; black with a long grey or whitish saddle on the back, short bushy tail; 2-3 young; cats small animals, birds' eggs, insects, wild fruit and bee larvae, being immune to bee stings which do not penetrate its exceptionally thick, tough skin; nocturnal, but occasionally seen by day; fairly common.

GENET: The Small-spotted, the second of the two species which occur in Rhodesia. Similar in habits to the Rusty-spotted, it is found in the same areas. The spotting of the body and banding on the tail is black and it has a crest of long black hair down the back.

DWARF MONGOOSE: Overall about 14 in. including 5 in. of tail; smallest of 9 species of Mongoose in Rhodesia; varying from brown to grey; 2 to 4 young; eats insects, berries, birds' eggs and small reptiles; cry is a low chattering mixed with whistling; commonest in lowveld areas.

BANDED MONGOOSE: Overall length about 2 ft.. Including 10 in. of tail; brown-grey, with dark stripes on lower back, dark coarse haired tail; run in troops of up to 50, larger than those of the Dwarf Mongoose; 1 or 2 young; widely distributed in lowveld areas.

SPOTTED HYENA: Size of large dog; sloping back; red-brown to dirty grey, large black spots on body, large round ears, slight mane on back; cowardly but dangerous; lives on carrion, the sick, wounded and new-born; nocturnal; cry, an undulating howl, when excited the characteristic chilling "laughter"; up to 4 young.

WILDCAT: Similar size to domestic cat but with longer legs; buff grey above and pale ochre on the underside, reddish at the back of the cars, black leg-markings more pronounced than domestic cats; nocturnal; eats 'rodents, birds and snakes; up to 4 young; very fierce for its size; common.

AARDWOLF: Shoulder height about 19 in., overall about 3 ft., including 10 in. tail; cream to buffy with black vertical stripes on body and horizontal stripes on legs, bushy tail with black end; the heavy mane along its back can be erected; 2 or 3 young; nocturnal; feeds almost exclusively on termites. Widely distributed, but nowhere common.

ANTBEAR: Overall about 5 ft., including about 2 ft. of tail; heavily built, long ears and snout, powerful tail; greyish with sparse hair; 1 young; nocturnal; lives on ants and termites by digging open an anthill and catching the ants on its sticky 18-in. long tongue; clumsy gait, distribution general throughout Rhodesia.

SERVAL: About 24 in. high at shoulder and 3 ft. 6 in. overall; yellow with black spots coalescing into lines on the shoulders and back, long legs, small face, large ears, short tail; preys on birds, rodents and smaller buck; prefers fairly dense cover; 2 or 3 young; fairly common central and eastern Rhodesia.

CARACAL: Shoulder height about 18 in., length up to 4 ft.; body reddish with white chin, throat and upper lip, dark spots on underside, long pointed ears black at back, long hairs forming tassels at the tips; preys on small game, rodents and birds; 3 young; seen by day, but hunts mostly by night; fairly widely distributed, but uncommon.

LION: Height about 3 ft. 6 in., overall up to 10 ft.; tawny body colour, whitish underparts; male normally has a large mane, usually dark brown, occasionally black; female, slightly smaller, no mane; preys on antelope, buffalo, and if hungry, smaller game; gregarious by nature, lions hunt in prides; 2 to 4 cubs; present in most game areas.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT: Bull, shoulder height up to 11 ft.; weight 6 tons, pair of tusks average 50-100 lb., 180 lb. known in Rhodesia; female smaller; feeds mainly on leaves, grass, wild fruits, roots and bark; assemble in large and small herds; gestation period 18 months female calf, 22 months male calf; common in larger game reserves; unmolested, fairly placid but should be treated with respect.

LEOPARD: Height about 24 in., length about ft.; rich yellow closely-marked with groups of black spots forming rosettes, long tail curling at dark tip; more powerful, with larger head, than cheetah; nocturnal; preys on medium and small-size antelope, monkeys and baboons; rarely seen because of its skill in concealment and silence; fairly widespread in the less settled areas.

CHEETAH: Shoulder height 2½ft., overall about 7 ft.; yellow-fawn with black spots, long tail ringed at tip; carries head low and back hollow; smaller head and longer legs than the leopard; hunts medium arid small antelope by running them down; credited as fastest animal over short distances; 2 or 3 cubs; fairly common in game areas.

ROCK DASSIE: Overall about 22 In.; in build like a large guinea pig; dark brown with distinct black spot middle of the back; feet padded and soft enabling it to move on rocks and trees with great agility; vegetarian, eats shoots, leaves and wild fruits; occurs in colonies in rocky formations often alongside the Yellow-spotted Dassie which is less common; widely distributed.

BLACK RHINOCEROS: Shoulder height 5 ft. male, 4½ ft. female; weight about 1¼ tons; browser, upper lip pointed, overlapping lower enabling it to grasp twigs and leaves; feeds at night, early morning and late afternoon; occurring naturally in the Zambezi Valley, two small areas in the north-east and the Chipinga district. Reintroduced to Wankie and Rhodes Matopos National Parks.

ZEBRA: Height about 4 ft., weight up to 900 lb.; female usually heavier and bulkier than the male; gregarious, collecting in small herds and associating freely with wildebeeste, tsessebe and other antelope; grazers, moving great distances during dry season to reach water; nervous animals; fairly plentiful in most game areas.

WARTHOG: Shoulder height about 30 in., overall 5½ft., including 20 in. tail; nearly hairless, some bristly hairs on back of neck and shoulders; two large knobs on each side of muzzle; large curved tusks, diurnal: feeds on grasses, roots and wild fruits; holds tail stiffly erect when running; up to 8 young; dangerous when cornered; wide distribution.

WHITE OR SQUARE-LIPPED RHINOCEROS: Shoulder height 5½ ft. male, 5 ft. female; weight about 2 tons; grazer, broad, square upper lip enabling it to crop grass; eyesight of both rhinos bad but senses of smell and hearing good; mild-tempered compared with Black Rhino; reintroduced to Kyle Game Reserve and Rhodes Matopos National Park.

BUSH PIG: Slightly larger than warthog; red-brown to grey-brown body covered in coarse bristles, white and black hairs in crest on back; short tusks; tail hangs down when moving; feeds at night on grass, roots, wild fruits, occasionally carrion; destructive to all cultivated crops; can be dangerous; wide distribution.

HIPPOPOTAMUS: Height up to 4 ft. 6 in., weight about 2 tons; aquatic, most of its time semi-submerged; 4 large curved teeth, one in each front corner of mouth are formidable weapons; grazers; single young born after gestation period of 7-8 months; assemble in schools; dangerous if molested, or when with young.

GIRAFFE: Height 16 ft., weight 1½ tons; browses off foliage of lofty acacia and other trees; small herds; able to go without water for long periods; normally gentle, they can deliver a most powerful kick with fore or hind legs when attacked; confined to western and southern areas.

COMMON DUIKER: Shoulder height 2 ft., weight about 40 lb., females normally slightly larger; grey-brown with black marks on centre of face; straight, slightly diverging horns males only; eats leaves, wild fruit, roots and gross; wide variety of habitats; solitary, rarely seen in more than pairs; tails constantly wag while walking; wide distribution.

SHARPE'S GRYSBOK: Shoulder height 18 in., weight about 20 lb.; small straight horns, males only; red-brown rough coat flecked with white, pale underside; browser; inhabits thick woodlands especially in broken country; seen singly or in pairs; widely distributed north and south of the plateau.

BLUE DUIKER: Shoulder height about 12 in.; dark fawn brown; second smallest antelope after the Suni; found in dense forests; feeds on leaves, shoots, etc.; single young; moves in an erratic, zigzag way, showing the white underside of its tail as it wags; found only in the Eastern Districts.

STEENBOK: Shoulder height about 20 in., weight about 30 lb., females slightly larger; large ears with small straight wide-set horns, red-fawn, white on underside, very small tail; grazes on open veld; seen singly or in pairs; when in flight runs a zigzag course; wide distribution.

ORIBI: Shoulder height 2 ft., weight about 30-40 lb.; tawny-red with pale underside, distinctive black tail, narrow, pointed ears, small straight horns in male; groups of up to six; grazer; occurs in Mashonaland and south-eastern lowveld and west of this only on Gazuma Pan, north of the Wankie National Park; introduced to= Kyle Game Reserve.

KLIPSPRINGER: Shoulder height about 2 ft., weight about 36 lb.; grey-brown coarse spiny coat, flecked with yellow; small straight horns, male only; appears to stand on tip-toe; inhabits rocky hills and kopjes, an agile jumper on rocks; predominantly a browser; single young; fairly widespread, but extremely shy.

WATERBUCK: Shoulder height about 4 ft., weight up to 400 lb.; long coarse dark-brown coat, white markings on tail, distinctive ring on buttocks, horns, male only, long curving outwards, back and forwards; powerful but very shy; grazers; found near water, to which they take freely if alarmed; small herds in the lowveld.

GEMSBOK: Shoulder height about 4 ft., weight 450 lb.; grey body, black on upper legs joined by black along lower side, white rump, black and white face markings, long black tail; horns long, straight, both sexes; small herds: prefer drier regions; grazer and browser; found only in the Wankie National Park.

REEDBUCK: Shoulder height about 3 ft., weight about 140 lb.; drab yellow wiry coat, 15-in. horns curve out widely with tips facing forward, male only; when running white underside of the tail "flashes"; small groups in open vleis and riverine areas; widely distributed and quite common within a few miles of Salisbury.

IMPALA: Shoulder height about 3 ft., weight, male 130 lb., female 100 lb.; reddish-fawn coat, white undersides and inner rump, vertical dark stripes on outer rump; lyre-shaped horns, males only; browsers and grazers preferring woodland cover; herds of 100 (200 not unknown); when alarmed they bound away, jumping high over bushes; fairly widespread.

ROAN ANTELOPE: Shoulder height about 4 ft. 6 in., weight up to 550 lb.; brown-grey, black and white face, long tail, dark mane, long ears stick out at side with hair on ends forming tassels; horns, both sexes, sweep back in single curve; small troops; lighter colour than Sable, smaller horns and longer legs; fairly widespread north and south of the plateau.

SABLE: Shoulder height about 4½ ft., weight up to 500 lb.; males black, females dark-brown; young, reddish-brown with white underparts and inner rump, black and white facial markings; large horns sweep back in single curve in both sexes; gregarious; grazer; widespread; national animal of Rhodesia.

RED HARTEBEEST: Shoulder height about 4½ ft., weight 350 lb.; yellowish-brown body, dark legs and tail, dark markings on long faces; high-shouldered; the heavy-ringed horns spread outwards, inwards and then backwards in both sexes; predominantly a grazer; small herds in open bush and plain; only occurs in extreme S.W. corner of Wankie.

BLUE WILDEBEEST: Shoulder height obout 4½ ft., weight 500 lb.; dark silver-grey, black mane, long black tail; long face with ears projecting sidewards; heavy horns curving outwards and downwards, curved up at the ends; large herds, associating with other antelopes; grazer; strange prancing gait, with head down; fairly common.

TSESSEBE: Shoulder height about 4 ft., weight 300 lb.; chocolate brown, with iridescent sheen, appearing purplish in some lights; dark face, paler towards rump; horns short, heavily ringed, spreading widely at base, then back inwards at tip in both sexes; small herds; grazers; great speed and stamina; patchy distribution.

LICHTENSTEIN'S HARTEBEEST: Shoulder height about 4 ft., weight 300 lb.; chestnut upper parts, yellowish-red lower, white patch on rump; horns, both sexes, curve outwards, inwards, back and inward again; small herds on open plains; predominantly a grazer; occurs in S.E. lowveld and a restricted area in N.E.

BUSH BUCK: Shoulder height obout 3 ft., weight about 200 lb.; male, dark brown, white markings on throat, chest and legs, white spots on flanks, large ears white inside; horns long, widespread, spirally curved; female, no horns; light reddish tawny colour; prefers dense woods; predominantly a browser; white underside of tail "flashes" when running. Widely distributed.

NYALA: Shoulder height about 3½ ft., weight 300 1b.; male, brown- grey, conspicuous vertical light stripes on back, mane running along back, long hair underside from throat to rear legs, long lyre-shaped spiralling horns; females (as above) light brown, large ears, no horns or mane; predominantly a browser; confined to S.E. lowveld; small herd in Chewore-Zambezi confluence area.

ELAND: Shoulder height obout 5½ ft., up to 1,200 1b.; yellow-fawn, light lower face and chest, dark nose, humped shoulders; nearly straight horns, spiralled at base, project back and outwards; horns of female lighter than male; pronounced dewlap in male; largest antelope; predominantly a browser; large herds; placid, shy; fairly wide distribution.

PORCUPINE: Length 2½ ft., weight up to 40 1b.; body and tail covered with black and white quills which can be erected when threatened; quills can cause festering wounds; crest of long wiry bristles on top of head; nocturnal; eats bulbs, roots, fruit and raids crops; two young; widely distributed but rarely seen.

KUDU: Shoulder height about 5 ft., males up to 550 lb., females, 350 lb.; male, fawn-grey, vertical light stripes on back, mane along back, long hair throat and chest, white bar across eyes, large horns, pronounced triple-spiral in developed males; females, slightly reddish, no horns, small herds up to 20; browser; common, wide distribution.

BUFFALO: Shoulder height about 5½ft., weight 1,500 lb.; old adult males, black; females and young, lighter brown; heavy-set; massive horns curving down over the head and up at tips; bosses provide head protection; grazers; large herds; normally inoffensive, dangerous if provoked; widely distributed in N. and S. low country.

RED SQUIRREL: Overall about 16 in. including 9 in. of tail; grey brown above; auburn on the face, underparts and tail; eats seeds, berries and wild fruit; confined in distribution to evergreen forests in Eastern Districts; least common of 3 species found in Rhodesia. Sun Squirrel also in Eastern districts; Bush Squirrel common.

End of Article

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Lewis Walter a District Commissioner in Rhodesia. Thank you Lewis.

Original publication was published by the Rhodesia National Tourist Board.
Printed in Rhodesia by Unitas Press, Salisbury.

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to
R.H.N. Smithers and all photographers.

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Game Birds of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

2011-12-13T21:12:00.013+02:00

THE Rhodesias and Nyasaland enjoy a variety and abundance of game birds especially in the drier areas of the interior and also in the low country to the east, where the rivers flow towards the Indian Ocean. In addition to the many "permanent inhabitants", there are migrants, such as the Harlequin Quail, a bird which visits from September to May in enormous numbers in favourable seasons.

Quite apart from the intrinsic interest of the sport itself, a shooting-trip in Central Africa is one of the best and most fascinating ways of seeing the country, its wild life and its native people at first hand. To those accustomed to crowded cities and "civilisation", there is no better or more enjoyable relaxation than to gather round the camp fire, after a long day in bush or on mountain, to drink a can or two of beer, to sample some of the game "in the pot", and to yarn about past experiences or future sport.

Chief among the permanent birds are those of the Francolin (or pheasant) family, of which there are many varieties. In general, these birds congregate near permanent water, in areas of cultivation or grassland, in the drier regions. It is in these regions that the best "bags" are secured during the shooting-season. Vast flocks of guinea fowl are also to be found in them, although these fowl are less selective than the Francolin and are to be seen frequently in all parts of the country.

All the game birds of Central Africa tend to be "runners" and, on open ground, are reluctant to take to the wing. On the other hand, with reasonable cover of grass or underbush they tend to sit tight and, under certain conditions, are difficult to flush. Thus, although dogs are not essential, they do much to increase the interest of a shoot, and they also reduce losses caused by the escape of pricked birds. As all the species are excellent fliers, the best sport, clearly, is provided by driven birds. In certain areas, beaters are sometimes used, but the nature of the country usually makes a beater-force impracticable.

Among the birds not illustrated here is the commonest of the "pheasants", Swainson's Francolin, which is generally brown with a bare red neck and black legs and which prefers cover round cultivated land. In sood seasons, coveys of up to eight or 10 may be encountered.

Another interesting variety is Shelley's Francolin, commonly known as the Redwing (a name also applied to a South African bird). Shelley's is a bird of the open grassland and is to be found in all three territories of Central Africa. In certain parts, such as Mashonaland, it is one of the principal game birds. Large and colourful, with a fast flight and a singularly confusing whirr when flushed, it has a most characteristic call and a musical whistle which sounds like "I'll drink yer beer". This call, repeated usually towards sundown, quickly pinpoints the position of coveys.

Acknowledgments: The pictures are reproductions from original specially-commissioned paintings of D. M. Reid Henry. The text has been compiled from notes provided by Reay H. N. Smithers, O.B.E., B.Sc., F.Z.S.

Above: Among the handsomest of all the pheasant family of Central Africa is the Red-throated Francolin. Although to be found on the whole vast "plateau" area, it varies in colour pattern according to the camouflage required by particular localities.

The specimens illustrated are from the evergreen forests which clothe the mountains of the Eastern Districts of S. Rhodesia. In this highland country of streams and waterfalls they live amongst the tangle of creepers and rich vegetation.

Above: Guineafowl are more adaptable than the Francolins and are therefore found in country which the latter avoid. The Helmeted Guineafowl (illustrated) is very common throughout the Rhodesias and Nyasaland. It is hardy and extremely wily and likes to run fast on open ground. Once on the wing, it is a strong flier but slow to rise from thick cover (and is then an easy target). The sexes are exactly alike. The fowl is a prolific breeder: in good seasons clutches of up to 18 eggs are known.

Above: As can be seen, the richly beautiful Crowned Guineafowl is a close relative of the Helmeted variety. The characteristic blue-black curly crown and bright crimson eye, however, are not always easy to spot, because the bird hesitates to flaunt its beauty and lives in the densest bush, emerging only rarely from such haunts. The bird is reported to breed in colonies, but confirmation of this belief is required. It is sometimes known as the Crowned Guineafowl.

Above: The Natal Francolin is found in river valleys in many parts of the Rhodesias, except on the highveld, but is not seen in Nyasaland. It hides in rocky country when disturbed. Apart from the brilliant beak and legs, its similarity to the English Partridge will be noted. Although the colloquial names "pheasant" and "partridge" are strictly appropriate only to the birds so named in the Northern Hemisphere, Ihey are widely used in the Rhodesias.

Above: As the picture indicates, the Double-banded Sandgrouse lives in dry country. It congregates in enormous flocks to water just after sundown. It is a strong flier, gives excellent sport in the difficult half-light of the evening, and is the only species, of three sandgrouse, which is common to all parts of Central Africa.

The Coqui Francolin (or Swempie) is the smallest of the "pheasants" or "partridges" and generally lives in grassland under a canopy of trees. It is a tight sitter but, when flushed, a fast and erratic flier. The birds are widely distributed, although they are seen only in pairs or small coveys.

The Red-billed Francolin is confined to the drier western areas of the Rhodesias, usually where there is water in the Kalahari-sand country of the interior. From the sportsman's point of view, it is thus one of the lesser-known species; the excitement of "bagging" one, therefore, is correspondingly increased.

End of Article

Extracted and recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from a publication which was made available to ORAFs by Lewis Walter a District Commissioner in Rhodesia. Thank you Lewis.

Original publication was published by the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Tourist Board. Printed in S. Rhodesia by Rhodesian Printers Ltd. Salisbury.

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Rhodesia's Wankie National Park

2011-12-07T06:27:00.025+02:00

THE Wankie National Park, occupying an area of over 5,000 square miles in the Western region of Rhodesia, has been described by the world's most-viewed wild-life television programme as "Tusker Territory". This title is certainly apt, for in the northern part of the park the many water-holes attract a large proportion of the reserve's 7,000 elephant as well as many other species of game. Visitors' cars are often held up by herds of elephant up to 250 strong and by buffalo herds of 400 or more. But there are not only elephant and buffalo: Wankie is well noted, too, for its variety of animals. More than 50 species inhabit the reserve.

Accessibility has increased the reserve's popularity enormously in recent years, and close proximity to the world-famous Victoria Falls has spurred further development of access routes, game-viewing roads and touring and accommodation facilities. At the same time, however, careful planning has ensured that camps are of a limited size and many miles apart, thereby guaranteeing uncrowded game viewing. Each visitor can thus, savour to the full the individual experience of seeing an elephant cow washing her calf, a bambi-like steenbok on the roadside, a pride of lion on a kill in short, untamed Africa.

WHEN TO GO THERE

Main Camp is open throughout the year. Sinamatella and Robins, in the north, are open from June 1 to November 30, subject to the condition of the roads after the rainy season (Nov.—March).

A general view of Main Camp

HOW TO GET THERE

The Park lies between the main road/line-of-rail from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, and the Rhodesia Botswana border.

Arriving on a C.A.A. aircraft at Main Camp

By air from the new Rhodesian airport at Victoria Falls and from Salisbury via Kariba there are eight scheduled DC3 flights a week to Main Camp, and this number is usually increased between June and October. Wankie is prominently featured in the national airline's "Flame Lily" all-inclusive holiday tours marketed throughout the world.

An attractive lodge at Main Camp

The restaurant at Main Camp

By rail, trains from Bulawayo and Victoria Falls daily arrive at and depart from Dett Station, and transport is available for the visitor to cover the 14 miles to Main Camp. The Railways run "Game trail" package tours to Wankie and "Rainbow" package tours to the reserve and the Falls from all centres in Rhodesia.

By road there are separate access roads to the three camps from the new modern highway between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Main Camp is 14 miles from a turnoff,' 162 miles from Bulawayo or 120 miles from the Falls. Sinamatella Camp is 30 miles from Wankie township, which is 70 miles south of the Falls and 212 miles north of Bulawayo. Robins Camp is 44 miles from a turn-off at Matetsi, only 32 miles from the Falls.

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES

Accommodation for 200 persons is provided in three rest-camps, and lodges for another 50 people are under construction. Accommodation varies from single roomed chalets to double-bedroomed lodges with dining-room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet. All chalets and lodges have basic furniture with drinking water, hot baths and water-borne sanitation within or close by. Bedding, refrigerators, cooking utensils and fuel are available if required. Each camp has a petrol-filling station; a store selling foodstuffs, liquor, toilet requisites and photographic film; a licensed restaurant with reasonably priced table d'hote meals which often include a Rhodesian dish such as eland steak or jugged impala; a caravan site and camping site, both of which have the use of the camp facilities and are floodlit at Main Camp.

Main Camp is in the south-eastern corner of the Park and has been established for about 30 years. At present it has 24 chalets and one lodge, with total accommodation for 54 people, but a further 25 two-bed lodges (each with a bathroom and toilet but without a kitchen) are now being built. The air strip is alongside the camp.

A general view of Sinamatella, perched 180 ft. above the plain below

Sinamatella Camp was opened in 1966 and lies near the Park's northern border. It consists of 20two-bedroomed luxury lodges which extend along a ridge commanding a fine view for many miles to the south.

One of the well-constructed lodges at Sinamatella

The restaurant at Sinamatella.

A typical interior of a thatched chalet at Main Camp and Robins

The restaurant at Robins

Robins Camp was named after a rancher who formed a private game-sanctuary from which grew the Park as it is known today. It is situated in the north western corner of the reserve and can accommodate 52 people in its three four-bed and 20 two bed chalets. Five miles west of Robins, at Nantwich, are three double bed-roomed self-contained lodges overlooking a large water-pan to which many animals come to drink at sundown.

A general view of Robins Camp

A lodge at Nantwich

GAME-VIEWING

From Main Camp a tarred road leads for 50 miles west to Shumba, which is a picnic site en route to the other two camps. There are about 250 miles of other roads, some of which have gravel surface.

Because a car and caravan are not sufficiently manoeuvrable when encountering game on the road, towing within the park is not allowed.

Very large motor-coaches are also prohibited from driving through the Park because they cause abnormal wear on the roads and produce dust which disturbs the game viewing.

For other vehicles there is a speed limit of 25 m.p.h., and driving is allowed only between sunrise and sunset. During the day there are ultimate departure times, after which visitors are not allowed to travel from one camp to the next.

At Main Camp, United Touring Company has on hire a fleet of seven-seater micro buses. Each bus has a driver-guide, and the open roofs for convenient game viewing and photography are most popular.

Two of the most famous of Wankie's waterholes, Nyamandhlovu and Guvulala Pans, are close to Main Camp. Viewing-platforms, at which the visitor can sit in comfort and look down on the animals as they come for their evening watering, have been constructed alongside. Apart from designated places such as these, visitors for their own safety are not allowed to leave their vehicles.

RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION
The Regional Warden, Wankie National Park,
P.O. Dett, Rhodesia.

GAME TO BE SEEN

Apart from the enormous herds of elephant and buffalo already referred to, the list of game within the Park is almost endless. Rhino, black and square-lipped or (white), have been re-introduced, and there are about 40 of each. Giraffe, frequently with zebra, are seen throughout the Park. Lion appear to favour the Robins basalt area, where prides of 15 may be seen. They occur, of course, in good numbers in other parts of the Park. Other predators that are most likely to be seen are wild dog and black-backed jackal. There are cheetah, leopard, side-striped jackal and manyvarieties of mongoose as well. Antelope such as kudu, wildebeest, eland, sable, waterbuck, impala and steenbok are most common, and there are also gemsbok roan and tsessebe. Ostrich, baboon and vervet monkeys can also be freely seen.

Lions at a kill

Elephant crossing the road

Giraffe at a watering hole

End of Article

Recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from scanned pages/images made available by Diarmid Smith, of a brochure which is thought to be dated in the 1970's. Thanks Diarmid

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to

Paul Norris for the ISP sponsorship.

Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.

Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com