[7] [62][76], The nationalist groups that were fighting the Rhodesian regime and many progressive groups worldwide considered the volunteers to be mercenaries. Some years back, Col. Cooper developed what he called the Mozambique Drill for the purposes of dealing with this type of situation. [67], The large group of Frenchmen who enlisted together were used to form 7 Independent Company. As of 2021, the literature largely comprises brief discussions of the topic as part of books and academic journal articles on broader issues. dissenting.). Live The Armory Life. Center mass is easier to hit quickly, and in most cases will effectively stop a threat. Two to the body, one to the head. The Rhodesian government attempted several strategies to address these shortages. For simple evaluation purposes, position a target with a V1 and V2 zone 5 yards to your front. Oops, there's been an error. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. One such soldier of fortune was Mike Rousseau. Thankfully, the shot hit the attackers throat, severing his spinal cord and eliminating the threat. I came about after Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau told the story of an encounter he had in combat at an airport. Some of the volunteers were later identified as agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Today, most instructors teach their students to hold the pistol on target after the first two shots. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. The two movements espoused Marxist beliefs and were regarded as communists by the Rhodesian government. The foreign volunteers who fought for the country are celebrated by these groups. [21], While most of the security forces' personnel were black, the Rhodesian government had a strong preference for whites. Most of the mercenary soldiers carried FN FAL or HK G3 rifles. All Rights Reserved. He is the author of numerous gun books, including 9MM Guide to America's Most Popular Caliber, a #1 New Release on Amazon. [104], Few works by historians have been published on the volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. [38], Most of the foreigners who volunteered to fight for Rhodesia did so individually. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in! Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. [4][5][6], According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (19641974). [22], From the mid-1970s the Rhodesian government began placing advertisements seeking volunteers in the international media. The scope of these sanctions was increased over time, and included restrictions on support for its military. [44] The Rhodesian military rarely discussed the foreign volunteers with journalists. He offered Rhodesia the services of these men after they completed training, though he intended to eventually use them to retake Albania. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. All rights reserved. [60] The volunteers also received the same pay as white Rhodesians,[43] between $US 4,000 and $US 7,000 annually. In the 1960s he coined the term hoplophobia, an irrational fear of weapons. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. Its editor was a strong supporter of the white Rhodesian cause and wanted to encourage Americans to fight for Rhodesia. The ZANU was supported by China and the ZAPU by the Soviet Union, both of which were communist countries. This proved impossible due to the large numbers and difficulty of checking their backgrounds. In the chaotic maelstrom that swallowed up untold treasure and an entire generation of people, soldiers of fortune found employment opportunities on a previously unprecedented scale. "The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To", "Lesson Plan: Immediate Target Engagement (CMC-22 Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course 08/12/2008)", "History of the Failure Drill: Mozambique Revolt Roots", "Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mozambique_Drill&oldid=1141379493, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 19:40. Remember, the Mozambique drill is designed for a defensive situation where the first two shots failed to stop an attacker. Col. Jeff Cooper - A shooting legend and the man who codified the drill. Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. The Portuguese government banned Rhodesian recruitment in the late 1970s, but was unable to enforce the legislation. This is an effective way to stop a threat that isnt immediately stopped by two shots to the bodys center mass. One of the earliest versions of this three-shot drill required law enforcement officers to fire two shots at center mass, then lower their weapon to the ready position while assessing the need for the third head shot. This article is featured in
They observed that the volunteers "failed in their efforts to protect the white regime, but not before they supported and contributed to a conflict that lasted fifteen years and claimed tens of thousands of lives". While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. These articles frequently highlighted the experiences of Americans who were fighting in Rhodesia. [82] British citizens were prohibited from joining the Rhodesian Security Forces under the terms of an embargo enacted in 1968, with those who did so potentially facing fines or imprisonment. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous Gunsite Academy. Rousseau immediately performed a "double tap" maneuver, a controlled shooting technique in which the shooter makes two quick shots at the target's torso. Rousseau immediately performed a double tap two shots to the center of the torso. [67] Many of the volunteers were frustrated that they were paid only in Rhodesian dollars, as foreign banks would not process this currency and the Rhodesian government allowed no more than R$1,500 to be converted to other currencies. This led to a rapid growth in the insurgency which the security forces were unable to contain. |-- DU Groups [103] Stephen Jeffreys' 1980 play 'The Jubilee Too' included a British volunteer who had returned from Rhodesia as one of its characters. Big Forums [90] The activities of Americans in Rhodesia were widely publicised in the United States, leading to protests. [38] The prohibition proved difficult to enforce, as it was not possible to prevent Britons leaving the country. Thank you for your support. [66], The volunteers typically found conditions in Rhodesia to be tough, and those who had joined up due to a belief that they would enjoy a good lifestyle were rapidly disappointed. [23], The expansion of the security forces, increasing battle casualties and a decline in the white population due to high rates of emigration led to serious shortages of white personnel that greatly hindered the Rhodesian war effort. Save my name and email to use for future comments. [16], Despite its need for foreign volunteers, the Rhodesian government was uncomfortable with them. Over the years, this drill has morphed into a variety of other drills and, if you put any two firearms instructors together, youll get a different opinion as to how its to be properly executed. [56] The desertion rate among foreigners serving in the SAS was particularly high. By September 1964, things began to change. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. It sought to attract more white immigrants to the country, but from 1973 onwards the white population decreased. The Rhodesian government actively recruited white personnel from other countries from the mid-1970s to address manpower shortages in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. [36] Neil Grant gave a lower figure in 2015, stating that over 10 per cent of the unit were foreign volunteers. Rousseau was carrying his Browning HP35 pistol when he turned a corner and found himself face-to-face with a guerilla armed with an AK-47. At the start signal, draw from concealment and fire two shots into the V1 zone and one shot into the V2 zone as fast as you can do so without missing either zone. [34] Foreign volunteers were also offered land if they settled in Rhodesia after completing their service with the security forces. Portugal still maintained strong control over Mozambique. The Rhodesian Front's ideology held that the end of colonial rule in Africa and the development of African nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s had been the result of international communism aided by a policy of appeasement towards African nationalists by the United Kingdom and other western countries. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. here to send us a message. [22] The number of white conscripts in the security forces was also increased by considerably expanding the age groups of men who were required to serve and the periods of active duty reservists needed to undertake. The bullet hit the base of his attackers neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight. With small arms, mortars, and artillery of predominantly Russian and Chinese origin, guerrilla fighters in places like the Congo and Mozambique engaged in pitiless unconventional warfare that saw widespread atrocities. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . the phrase was coined by a rhodesian mercenary named Mike Rousseau while he was serving in Mozambique. Two to the body, one to the head, is guaranteed to leave them dead.. Transitioning between targets can take some getting used to, especially for shooters still trying to get some experience under their belts. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to use this website. [22][24], Another strategy used to address white manpower shortages was seeking white volunteers from outside the country, which the Rhodesian government began doing in 1973. They could also be wearing body armor. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. There was a flurry of unrest in Mozambique. Doing so was illegal under laws banning mercenary activity in Israel, West Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The concept of the Mozambique Drill is to ensure a threat is stopped even if the initial center mass shots fail to get the job done. During the Mozambique War of Independence (1964-1974) mercenary Mike Rousseau was fighting at the airport in Moputo. [93], The legality of volunteering for the Rhodesian Security Forces varied between other countries. If youve been around defensive pistol shooting for a while, youve likely heard of the Mozambique Drill (AKA, failure to stop drill). The historian Luise White noted in 2004 that "the figure most sources cite is 1,500 foreign soldiers, of whom perhaps 400 were American", though the Rhodesian Army put the number at 1,000 including 100 Americans. Of course, we have to be careful of adhering to dogma, no matter where it comes from. slams Colorado gun control bills, Biden's FAA Nominee Can't Answer a Single Question About Aviation, Russell Brand was challenged to give examples of MSNBC pushing misinformation (that was a BAD idea), Trump Reveals What He'll Do If He's Indicted, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [84] The FCO advised anyone who sought information about fighting for Rhodesia that doing so was illegal, but did not explain why. There is evidence that the Departments of Justice and State tacitly encouraged Americans to volunteer for Rhodesia as part of efforts to prevent the country collapsing before a negotiated solution to the war could be finalised. [30] Some ads described service in Rhodesia as "fun". As the story goes, a Rhodesian named Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Lourenco Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. To guarantee instant incapacitation by impacting the brain and central nervous system, the head shot must be delivered to the area between eyebrows and upper lip, otherwise, various bony areas of the skull could deflect the bullet. As historians have found it difficult to access Rhodesian records, it is not known exactly how many foreigners volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. Felons can be high on adrenalin or drugs to the point that they do not recognize or respond to pain. The military took steps to prevent material encouraging enlistment with Rhodesia from being circulated in its bases and service newspapers, however. Historian Michael Raeburn put the figure in 1978 as between 1,500 and 2,000. Seeing that the guerrilla was still advancing, Rousseau made an attempt at a head shot that hit the guerrilla through the base of his neck, severing the spinal cord. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. The Rhodesians' brutal counterinsurgency tactics also proved counter-productive. Live The Armory Life. [62] Those who failed this training had to leave the country, with their airfare home being paid by the Rhodesian government. [16] The academic Kyle Burke has written that some anti-government paramilitary forces in the United States draw inspiration from the volunteers, and cite them as an example when encouraging violence against African Americans. a close quarter tactical method of killing a target with two shots to the chest and one follow up shot to the head. [8] The academic Michael Evans has written that "the Fronts world-struggle ideology was based on a conspiratorial interpretation of modern politics that emphasised virulent forms of Anglophobia, anti-communism, anti-internationalism, and anti-liberalism". Easter Lessons by bmt | Mar 29, 2016 | Towsley on Tactical blog 2003) (Kozinski, J. Semi-automatic pistols in those days relied on FMJ bullets so the pistol would function properly. History. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Cooper_%28colonel%29. A par time for this drill should be four seconds. [88], The United States' Neutrality Act of 1794 prohibits American citizens from enlisting with foreign militaries or working as mercenaries for other governments. FRELIMO's Marxist underpinnings earned it support from Russia and China. Center mass shots are easier to make quickly. McAleese had previously led a group of British mercenaries in Angola, and was posted to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) after completing training. The Mozambique Drill, which is also known as the Failure Drill, Failure to Stop drill, the "Djibouti Shooty", or, informally, "two to the chest, one to the head," is a close-quarters shooting technique that supposedly originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, in the Mozambican War of Independence, hence the name. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning . Those who were considered potentially suitable were sent information packs, and asked to supply documentation to support their application; preference was given to applicants who provided notarized documents in their response. Rousseau was later killed in action in the Rhodesian War. Relying on instinct and training, Rousseau delivered a double tap to the combatants chest with his Browning Hi Power pistol and, Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous, . If you start slinging your lead outside of the V1 or V2 zones, slow it down. He also noted that the party drew on the ideas and language used by the contemporary radical right movement in the United States to justify UDI. page. At the time of UDI, the Rhodesian Army had a strength of over 18,400, including 15,000 reservists, the Rhodesian Air Force had a small but modern fleet of combat aircraft and the paramilitary British South Africa Police included 7,000 full time and 25,000 reserve personnel. [22] The army units manned by full time personnel, which included a high proportion of white regular and conscripted soldiers, were the most powerful element of the security forces and formed a strategic reserve that responded to the guerrilla activities. This proposal was quickly dismissed as the Rhodesians did not see how they could arm or use large numbers of non-English speakers. |-- Political Videos This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 09:37. The Portuguese forces collaborated with Rhodesia which had experience from the Bush War in the early 1960s to create special forces teams to deal with FRELIMO. [62] He had previously attempted to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, but was rejected. Silveira v. Lockyer, 2003. What these European countries didnt factor in was the determination of the African people. No country ever officially recognised Rhodesia's independence. Back in the day when European countries colonized portions of Africa, this area on the east coast of Africa was called Portuguese East Africa. If any of your three shots land outside the V zones, you have failed the drill. : The British Military Advisory and Training Team and the Creation of the Zimbabwe National Army", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foreign_volunteers_in_the_Rhodesian_Security_Forces&oldid=1135864497, The historians Peter Godwin and Ian Hancock have written that foreign volunteers represented only a "tiny minority" of the Rhodesian military in 1972, with 90 per cent of recruits being Rhodesians and most of the remainder. Hitting the T-zone is a challenge. Although in most situations, the two perfectly placed shots to the chest should disable an attacker, there are several reasons they could fail. [105], Modern white supremacist and far-right groups continue to provide a positive portrayal of white rule in Rhodesia. However, they and their guerrilla armies were motivated mainly by nationalism and a desire to end discriminatory practices and establish majority rule in Rhodesia. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy soldier carrying an AK-47. Rousseau relayed this story to Jeff Cooper, who then began employing this failure to stop drill in his teaching at Gunsite. Until the early 1970s the Rhodesian Security Forces had little difficulty in defeating the guerrillas. [47], The Rhodesian Special Branch sought to vet all of the foreign volunteers for security risks. You have entered an incorrect email address! Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces. Modern zombie culture has also appropriated the Mozambique Drill. While a thousand organizations use the Holocaust as a platform for speeches about tolerance, Children Of Jewish Holocaust Survivors [Jews Can Shoot] is conducting firearms training Freedom is not defended with empty idealism easily perverted into appeasement of evil, but with the force of arms.. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. [44] Opponents of the regime frequently highlighted the issue of 'mercenaries' fighting for Rhodesia, and claimed that they were often mentally unstable and had little regard for civilian casualties. Guerrilla fighters were swarming the airport and Rousseau turned a corner and nearly bumped into a FRELIMO fighter wielding an AK-47. Jews Can Shoot is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. His third shot was low, taking out the fighters neck and spinal cord. | ContactUs | PrivacyPolicy. the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC. No matter the reason, the third shot should stop the attacker in his tracks. The French troops were being withdrawn from Djibouti upon that country's independence, and French intelligence agents helped facilitate their recruitment by the Rhodesian Army. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gungiveaways! [89] This law can only be enforced within the United States, meaning that American citizens who enlisted to fight for Rhodesia while overseas could not be prosecuted. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, much of Africa burned. This led to a negotiated conclusion to the war that involved a transition to majority rule and the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. Relying on instinct and training, Rousseau delivered a double tap to the combatants chest with his Browning Hi Power pistol and 9mm ammunition. Copyright 2023 Jews Can Shoot. I came about after Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau told the story of an encounter he had in combat at an airport. [9] It took pains to not be seen as racially or politically extreme, and the party's rhetoric was focused on the need to combat the perceived communist threat rather than the goal of sustaining racial superiority. So why not just send the first shot to the head? Once you can achieve repeatable accuracy, then you can start to speed things up. LLC. Shots to the chest can also slow an attackers advance, even if they dont completely incapacitate him.