Rhodesian African Rifles
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The Rhodesian African Rifles, or RAR, was the oldest regiment in the Rhodesian Army, dating from the formation of the 1st Rhodesian Native Regiment in 1916 during the First World War.
The regiment was raised again in 1940 during the Second World War and staffed with black non-commissioned officers (NCOs) from the British South Africa Police Askari Unit. Until the late 1970s, the RAR had exclusively black recruits and NCOs and exclusively white officers.
During the Second World War, the RAR served in Burma. The regiment saw service in Suez in 1952 and in Malaya from 1956 to 1958 during the Emergency, as part of the Army of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Depot and HQ 1st Bn R.A.R was always situated at Heany/ Methuen Barracks near Llewellyn Barracks. A second battalion was raised in 1973 and based at the former school of Falcon College at Balla Balla in Matabeleland known as Shaw Barracks, after the late Maj-Genl J. Shaw. (now Mbalabala), about 55km south-east of Bulawayo. A JOC HQ was formed at Fort Victoria (now Masvingo) followed by 3 RAR (HQ at Umtali, now Mutare) in 1977 - formed from three of the Independent RAR companies. 4th Bn (Holding Unit) RAR formed when Selous Scouts disbanded 17th April 1980 in name only and continued until 30th September 1980 before becoming 1st Zimbabwe Parachute Battalion as it is today in 2007.
After independence, on [April 18th 1980], the Rhodesian African Rifles Battalions were integrated into the 1st, 3rd and 4th Brigades of the Zimbabwe National Army but were not immediately integrated with ZIPRA or ZANLA cadres; in fact, in 1981 RAR and recalled elements of other Rhodesian units were used to suppress fighting in integrated battalions of the Zimbabwe National Army.
