![]() Often a single aircraft and its crew were carrying out strikes in three different areas of the country in a single day. By retaining centralised command it was possible to provide air fire power into all corners of the country. This in addition to the direct support for those missions across the borders. 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. The mass of little numbered dots on the maps shows the position of widespread strikes in all the operational areas. It shows how operations in Rhodesia started slowly and built up to a situation where virtually the entire country became involved. To those historians and collectors of militaria, this book is one that fills in much detail. Many have become successful in their second careers, but very few indeed have again experienced the wonderful comradeship, passion and dedication they experienced in the Air Force. For most of the participants mentioned in this book the culmination of the war has lead to very different lives in Civvy Street. A pride that was quite extraordinary that in turn developed magnificent morale and the will to succeed. For those of us who were part of this Air Force there was a special feeling of belonging. A spirit of comradeship and loyalty developed within this, by world standards, tiny unit, which drew the admiration of even the dissenters of Rhodesia. Certainly based upon the methods and structure of the pre-war Royal Air Force, the solid foundations of the Rhodesian Air Force were set in the Second World War. Whilst the recording of all these air strikes in itself is a fascinating story, none of the almost clinical efficiency of this small Force could have happened if it were not for the many years of training and development that preceded the conflict. The troops on the ground and those that flew in our aircraft with us, some of whom hated leaving their own familiar environment on the ground and in the bush. Here are the names of soldiers, policemen and internal affairs, men and women who added to the often unheralded courage behind the exciting story of these air strikes. Their names too you will find in these pages, meticulously recorded and indexed for the generations still to come. And then there were the civilians who gave of their precious time to become members of the Volunteer Reserve and the Police Reserve Air Wing. All the wonderful support given by men and women within the Air Force and by the sister Services. He has painstakingly and methodically recorded the history, not only of the airmen who were privileged to fly the aircraft involved in the air strikes, but so many others. But it certainly covers a far greater readership than mentioned in his dedication. Intro by Tol Janeke - Prop has dedicated this book to his wife Rina and everyone mentioned in its pages.
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