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Letter Re: Retreat Security--Lessons Learned from the Rhodesian Experience
Jim:
After giving it some thought [to post-TEOTWAWKI retreat
security], I think we need to study many of the homestead/farmstead fortifications
used during
the [late 1970s] Rhodesian
Bush
War and
to a certain extend in
rural South Africa in the present day. Of course, one would need to adjust
for legalities so one would not be breaking any laws. - Lame Wolf
[JWR Adds: Lame Wolf also sent us a great quote from a
letter by "Rhodesian" that was first posted at the Small Wars Journal
(SWJ) web site. BTW I recommend the SWJ site--in particular their Reference
Library pages--as a research tool for anyone seeking insight on retreat
security and living in turbulent
times.]:
Rhodesian Farmers Defensive Arrangements
At every farm, defensive arrangements were made up to suit their particular
situation and infrastructure. The following would be a general overview:
1) Most farmers fitted hand-grenade grills to the outside of all windows. Doors
leading outside were likewise security grilled.
2) Many farmers built thick walls about a meter in front of bedroom windows
to stop bullets, but particularly to deal with RPG-7s. Beds were never placed
against the outside walls of a farmhouse.
3) It was usual to have a designated safe room within the farmhouse that could
be defended until support arrived. Sometimes this was a central corridor that
allowed the farmer to move into other rooms to attack those outside through
the windows. In the loft or ceiling over the safe room, some farmers laid sand
bags to deal with possible mortar attack.
4) Every farmhouse in a given area was linked by a radio system called “Agric
Alert”. This allowed radio contact with other farmers who formed their
own defence units, usually under the umbrella of PATU (Police Anti-Terrorist
Unit), which would react to a call from one of their neighbours for assistance.
Another means of alarm raising was the use of a signal rocket - The Agric-Alert
system was not done away with after the war, such was the lack of trust in
Mugabe`s promises. It performed admirably as well when dealing with criminal
activity such as stock theft. The alert system arranged for all farmers to
check in with each other at a given time in the morning and evening as a means
of monitoring their status.
5) Around all farmhouse gardens were erected security fences with barbed wire
(or razor wire) and which often had simple alarm systems built into them. Some
I believe were electrified, if not before the end of the war, certainly afterwards.
Within the fence boundary, every farmer usually had a couple of large dogs.
The dogs were fed their largest meal in the morning instead of the evening,
in order to help keep them awake at night. Other farmers had geese or ducks,
which made excellent guard “dogs.” Gardens were kept deliberately
trim so as to keep clear fields of view and fire etc. The farm houses also
had outside flood lighting erected in such a way as to blind those outside
the fence, but not to interfere with the vision of those within the farmhouse.
6) All farmers and their wives were armed with an assortment of weapons, and
most farmers were trained military men. They had at least one assault rifle,
usually an FAL 7.62, assorted shot guns, .303 hunting rifles and so forth.
It was also not unusual for wives to carry Uzi`s around with them, or other
equivalents such as the Rhodesian Cobra. All members of the family were trained
on the various weaponry available to them, including the kids. In one famous
incident a child successfully fought off the attacking terrorists after both
of his parents were wounded. The main defensive weapons were at all times within
immediate reach of the adult farmhouse occupants, and were placed next to the
bed at night.
7) Some farmers used mine protected vehicles, as a favourite of terrorists
was to landmine the driveway outside the fence. A great deal of time was spent
looking at the dirt roads for freshly dug earth points and so forth when driving
around the farm.
8) Some farm gardens and particular points external to the fence were wired
with home-made claymore like devices strategically placed in areas where attackers
were likely to take cover. In a few instances farmers deliberately erected “cover
positions” for the terrorists to use outside the fence, which were then
blown up upon attack. A particular favourite was a section of plastic piping
filled with nails, nuts, bolts, screws and so forth. I witnessed tests with
these and the tubes cleared large areas of their intended aiming point of all
bush cover and leaves from trees etc for about 30 meters into the bush. By
placing a number of figure 8`s in front of these tests, it was apparent from
the strike patterns that not one of them would have walked again had they been
terrorists.
9) Some farmers also hired soldiers on leave to guard their premises at night.
Usually these were men looking for extra beer money. They were
called Bright Lights [referring to the bright lights of Salisbury, the nation's
capitol, since most of these were "city boys"], and often ended up
in fire fights with the terrorists, where they came as a
nasty
surprise
to
the
terrs
when
the latter
were expecting
a nice soft hit and run. Like all farmers in an area, Bright Lights would participate
in the support of other farmers when the situation required.
10) Good relationships with farm labour, particularly the house staff, very
often warned of problems before they occurred. All of us who grew up in the
country have fond memories of those employees who took care of us as kids,
and who often placed themselves at great risk for doing so.
