Bush War Operator: Memoirs of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, Selous Scouts and beyond

Although mostly at the tactical level. This book is a good coin case study. The infiltration tactics and TTPs that the author very descriptivley covers very much come alive and immerse the reader in the complex and confusing realities of small wars. I like how the author mostly kept away from the geopolitical aspects of the Rhodesian bush war. As a former paratrooper, the chapter on static-line jump qualification was very much appreciated. It it hard to find good books on the Rhodesian conflict. I thought this one was very good.

First of all, the book is printed in an odd size AND the pages are all glossy. It's strange for a paperback. The author himself has some great stories but the way it's written, it's more like sharing some anecdotes and not one long narrative. I get that, it's someone's memories from what? 40+ years ago and you wouldn't remember everything, just things here and there. Some of the stories could use a better set up and conclusion. The author also reminds you constantly about how hot it was, the dreaded mopane flies and how tightly he's gripping his AK. Anyways, would still recommend if you're interested in reading about the Rhodesian Bush War of the 70's. Thought the book was a bit overpriced at 30 bucks for a paperback that's maybe 250 pages long.

The author led an incredible life. Sadly putting it too paper seems to have missed the mark. People interested in the Bush War will like this book as I did, but don't expect a Clancy novel. He's very scant on equipment details, descriptions of critical events run together and at times confuse the reader. One paragraph your headed to Mozambique on a dirt road, next immediate paragraph all of a sudden your in the middle of a firefight. The whole action of a major raid in three sentences???? The constant, overstated descriptions of everything; from the fear he feels in almost every paragraph to what the day looks like after repeated stories of hangovers.

Somewhat disconnected at times, as Balaam jumps from scene to scene, but a very realistic look at both combat and the Rhodesian War. I have met several former RLI members, and once had dinner with a former RLI and SAS member who was in 1985 the highest ranking White in the Zimbabwean Army, but Andrew Balaam's account definitely gives far more insight than can be gleaned from casual conversations. Lionel Dyke had explained to me that the Rhodesian War was not a matter of race, and that Whites and Africans had got on quite well prior to War. Balaam simply recounts what it was like growing up in a town on the Zambezi river with African friends and a personal familiarity with Crocs, Hippos, and other African wildlife. And what it was like serving with Africans in an African War. First with the Rhodesian Light Infantry working at times with the Rhodesian African Rifles. Later, as a trooper in the Selous Scouts, he undergoes training with the South African Special Forces. On one of their days off, the Rhodesians, a handful of Whites and several handfuls of Africans, went to a nearby public beach. Once White South Africans begin arriving, there were complaints about Blacks on the beach. The authorities explained that the Whites were welcome, but the non-Whites must leave. To a man, all the Rhodesians stormed off. If it was not good enough for Black Rhodesians, then it was not good enough for White Rhodesians either. So, Rhodesia was a very different country than South Africa under Apartheid despite their similarities. The book is relatively free of political judgments, but some have to be made. Given Zimbabwe's history under Robert Mugabe, American sympathy for the underdog was misplaced when we decided that Mugabe and his ilk were freedom fighters. Balaam doesn't make any grandstanding speeches, he just states what he personally experienced in accordance with how he and his mates saw it at the time, and lets the reader draw their own conclusions.

A good read and reasonably well written. A completely personal account, Balaam retrospectively recounts events as he saw and lived them. Of great interest was his take on the international politics of the time(stinky and suspect, as always). Also a good insight on what became of many Scouts after Rhodesia was 'liberated' (strange word to use, considering the objectives and outcomes of the 'liberation').I rated 5 stars for this book, mainly as it is one mans self-honest angle on a sad period in the history of Zimbabwe - and we know where that poor country has ended up today.The Rodesian bush war remains an oft forgotten chapter in the history of southern Africa and this is a good starting book for those who want to learn more.

This is an interesting first-person perspective on the fall of Rhodesia and some subsequent events in Africa. It's really two short works combined to make a book. The first part is the author's anecdotes about Rhodesia's ultimately losing fight against the communists. This part is interesting, engaging and well told. Mr. Balaam puts us in the picture with his matter-of-fact descriptions of events. There's no self-aggrandizing, whining, etc, which spoil many memoirs. If you liked "Three Sips of Gin" by Tim Bax you will doubtless like this. The second part has a much different style. It is a cohesive narrative (rather than a collection of anecdotes) about Mr. Balaam's doings just after Rhodesia fell. This part reads like an adventure novel. I would cheerfully have bought the book just for this second part.

Brave guy who’s been through hell and back by the sound of it but he always had the willpower to survive regardless of what he went through. Might’ve done bad things but the story is as daring as one or a group can be. Would kindly say monster(s) among men.

Liked reading a soldier's perspective. Reads more like a memoir but great to see through the eyes of someone who was there. Opened my eyes to some history we missed growing up in the West.

Would recommend it, it's a good read

A lot of repetitions and no real story. It's only about fighting. Did not read it too the end. Too boring!

A culture shock! We know little of the bravery and extremes the Rhodesian forces went through to try and protect their people and country from total distruction - all to no avail!