Commando News Edition 17 Dec2019

and the advantage this gave them added up to
nothing less than total tactical superiority.
— Lt-Col Dave Grossman, On Killing: The
Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and
Society, 1996
Conclusion
The 1st Battalion, Rhodesian Light Infantry, was a
special forces light infantry unit highly capable of
performing any task ordered, no matter the means of
transport (whether crossing the Zambezi river in little
boats, walking long miles with huge weights, or riding
high in G-cars and Daks), no matter what type of
operation. Supposing the enemy was always at a dis -
advantage, with no air support and very limited means
of communication, the soldiers always continued to
seek them — even when left without conveyance. The
men liked to walk close to the enemy, believing it to be
the most efficient way of finding them, and dealing
with them. In the words of Alexandre Binda, the RLI
"...earned for itself an enviable reputation as one of the
world's foremost anti-terrorist forces."
Following the creation and independence of the
Republic of Zimbabwe (April 1980), the ultimate
military parade of the RLI, for the ceremonial laying-up
of its regimental colours, took place at Cranborne
Barracks on 17 October 1980. The unit's last
commanding officer, J. C. W. Aust, recalled being
"amazed" by the large crowd of allegiant spectators
surrounding the parade square, including the former
government minister P. K. van der Byl who attended
unannounced. A Rhodesian Air Force Alouette III
helicopter unexpectedly arrived overhead, during the
final ceremony, in Aust's words "circling in a moving
salute and farewell". Two weeks later, the Rhodesian
Light Infantry was disbanded forever on 31 October
1980.
A nucleus of RLI officers and other personnel
(instructors) became involved in training and helping to
form the First Zimbabwe Commando Battalion of the
Zimbabwe National Army. The regimental statue, "The
Trooper" (or "The Troopie"), left Zimbabwe on 28 July
1980 on a South African Air Force C-130 Hercules,
together with the regiment's documents/records,
trophies and other paraphernalia. By arrangement,
everything was put into storage at the South African
National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
... and thereafter moved to the British Empire and
Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, England. The
Trooper statue now stands on the grounds of Hatfield
House, country seat of the Marquess of Salisbury,
where it was re-dedicated on 28 September 2008.
Footnote: The Australian Commando Association is proud to
have 1 RLI members as Associate members in several ACA
State Asso ciations. Once a Commando Always A
Commando/Commando 4 Life.
an BECO
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The “Trooper”, the RLI Regimental Statue on the grounds of
Hatfield House in England, 2014.
56 COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 17 I 2019