Rhodesian Air Force Operations: With Air Strikes (Rhodesian Military History)

Book Synopsis: This is a comprehensive account of the Rhodesian Air Force role in the 1965 - 1980 war. The work includes one of the most detailed summaries of Rhodesian military operations. It serves as a work of reference for those interested in Southern African conflicts and military operations. There are numerous photographs that illustrate the text and maps showing where some of the more significant air strikes were carried out in Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Reviews: - Reviews This book records the operations of the Rhodesian Air Force. It includes a log of over 1100 airstrikes carried out as well as maps where most of these strikes have been meticulously plotted. The maps are printed in full colour. There are numerous black and white photographs that illustrate the text.
John Dovey – Just Done Productions~~~o0O0o~~~To those historians and collectors of militaria, this book is one that fills in much detail. It shows how operations in Rhodesia started slowly and built up to a situation where virtually the entire country became involved. The mass of little numbered dots on the maps shows the position of widespread strikes in all the operational areas. To the very end the Air Force kept up its valiant task of securing the airspace for our troops, the BSAP, the farmers and industry. This in addition to the direct support for those missions across the borders.
Tol Janeke – the author’s Commanding Officer on No 2 Squadron (Vampires), No 5 Squadron (Canberras), Air Detachment JOC Repulse and Air Force Station Thornhill.

This book is a follow-up on Nickel Cross and is again a very personal account of the author’s participation in the anti-terrorist war. A short introduction to the Rhodesian Air Force is followed by a detailed account of operations in which the author was involved, or of which he has received first-hand accounts. The period covered is from the early start of counter-insurgency operations in 1964 up to the sabotage of aircraft at Thornhill in 1982 and the South African support to Renamo until 1983. The writer’s feelings and reminiscences run through the narrative, making it exclusively “Prop’s” war.
Following the narrative comes an exhaustive chronological list of 1145 airstrike reports, each one with all the available information included. Equally important are the meticulously researched maps of operations and air strikes, illustrating fully the extent of air operations during the “Bush War”. The book is well illustrated with black and white photographs and line drawings depicting people, operations and aircraft. These latter are particularly useful to non-Air Force members. Finally, there is a Rhodesian Air Force Roll of Honour, and a comprehensive index is included.
All in all, this is a highly readable, extremely detailed account of the Rhodesian Air Force’s part in the war against terrorism.
Mike Russell – Flame Lily Foundation - Review of “Props” War, for the Rhosarian publication~~~o0O0o~~~Considering the political turmoil that brought about hurried separation and destruction of Air Force records in March 1980, Prop’s attempt to save whatever could be recovered for this work is highly commendable. Certainly, there are errors and omissions that arise from late searches and faded memories. Nonetheless these records will prove most useful to historical researchers.
Peter Petter-Bowyer – author of Winds of Destruction~~~o0O0o~~~Geldenhuys has produced a comprehensive account of the Rhodesian Air Force’s role in the war in Rhodesia. The work includes one of the most detailed summaries of Rhodesian military operations to have been published, and in this respect, serves as an excellent work of reference. However, the book is much more than this, as the author’s personal experience leaps from every page, producing a fascinating combination of memoir and historical account.
Dr Timothy Lovering - Research Fellow at the University of the West of England Read more