WORLD ORDERS AND DECORATIONS 1455


An extremely rare and important Silver Cross of Rhodesia group of four awarded to Sergeant, later Major, Martin Chikondo, a ‘Selous Scouts legend in the art of close-in reconnaissance,’ who was one of the early pioneers of the Selous Scouts and pseudo-warfare. He helped Reid-Daly implement his initial training programme and selection course for the Selous Scouts, prior to being one of the original members of the Recce Troop, Selous Scouts, with his mentor Chris Schulenburg.


Chikondo ‘had carried out countless missions deep in enemy territory with the master of close recce Captain Chris Schulenburg’, and accounted for innumerable terrorists during those missions and earlier operations for the Selous Scouts. Well versed in ‘long-range external reconnaissance operations in the form of two-man call signs, covering approximately 200 kilometres into enemy territory; introducing and executing last-light as well as night free-fall operations, using a separate provisions box under its own parachute; using World War II techniques for train derailments by command detonation, with slab as well as plastic explosives; external enemy telephone-line tapping; enemy target marking by the use of flares for off-set night bombing; and waterborne operations’, Chikondo went on to gain a commission and make the crossover into the army of Zimbabwe after the change of government in 1980.


Once again a pioneer, Chikondo was one of the first officers of the newly formed Zimbabwe Parachute Battalion. Subsequently serving with those he had fought against, despite most of the Selous Scouts moving en masse to South Africa with the change of regime, he went on to serve with distinction until his retirement from the Army in 1991.


In February 1991, ‘after all the hazardous missions he had gone through, Chikondo was eventually murdered in Zimbabwe: payback time, I assume.’


Zimbabwe, INDEPENDENCEMEDAL 1980 (35398); TEN YEAR SERVICEMEDAL (781499 Maj Chikondo M.R.); Rhodesia, SILVER CROSS OF RHODESIA (R44579 Cpl. C. Martin); GENERAL SERVICEMEDAL (R44579 Pte Martin), mounted for wear, suspension loose on last, otherwise generally very fine (4)


£6000-8000


The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was awarded on just 30 occasions, and the official citation given in the General Order of 13 September 1974 for Martin Chikondo, Selous Scouts, states:


‘For conspicuous gallantry and leadership in action. During anti-terrorist operations in the north eastern Border area, Corporal Martin, commander of a small patrol of men, was involved in numerous successful engagements with the terrorists. In a number of these encounters, whilst seeking out the enemy at night, Corporal Martin and his men have come under heavy enemy fire at close range whilst in unfavourable positions. On three such occasions Corporal Martin, with complete disregard for his own safety and showing a high degree of personal gallantry, leadership and tactical skill, was able to extricate his men, without loss, from most precarious positions to more favourable ground, where he quickly re-organised his men and remaining perfectly cool, turned what could have been disastrous situations to his advantage, killing a number of terrorists and capturing quantities of arms and equipment. Corporal Martin’s successes have been directly attributable to his acts of personal courage, determined leadership and tactical skill, which have been an inspiration to his men and his unit.’


The original recommendation states:


‘Corporal Martin Chikondo volunteered for operational tracking duties in the north eastern border area in 1973. In September Chikondo was in command of a section of men attempting to locate a group of some four to five terrorists. After making suitable arrangements with the local terrorist contact man, a meeting was arranged for the following night. At the appointed time Chikondo and four others approached the kraal and were met by the contact man who then called the terrorists. As the terrorists approached the group they became suspicious and opened fire. Chikondo, although under heavy fire from close range and with complete disregard for his own safety, immediately opened fire. Under cover of his own and his machine-gunner’s fire, he was able to extricate his men from the open area to a more favourable position. He quickly regained control of his men and saturated the contact area with fire. Later it was discovered that two terrorists had been killed, one of the terrorists being a section leader. As a result of this contact and subsequent interrogation of locals involved much valuable information in respect of terrorist presence in the area was obtained.


In October 1973 Chikondo was once again in command of a small patrol attempting to make contact with a group of approximately ten terrorists. A suitable rendezvous was arranged for the following night. At the appointed time Chikondo quite brazenly approached the terrorists to make verbal contact and attempt to lure them into the planned killing ground. However the terrorists became extremely suspicious and Chikondo, with complete disregard for his own safety and showing a high degree of personal gallantry, opened fire killing two terrorists and wounding one other. Several weapons and other equipment were recovered. Later that same day the captured terrorist indicated a terrorist base. In the ensuing contact security forces eliminated a gang leader and wounded two others.


In November 1973 Chikondo was in command of a patrol trying to locate a group of terrorists. As he approached the rendezvous the terrorist leader came out of the thick bush to meet him. During the initial conversation Chikondo saw a further terrorist nearby with a machine gun trained on him. Realising he was in fact in an ambush he opened fire killing the terrorist leader. The patrol immediately came under heavy fire from close range. Remaining perfectly cool and using his tactical skill to the best advantage, Chikondo extricated his men, without casualty, from a most precarious position. During all these actions Chikondo displayed great personal gallantry, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty far beyond the call of normal operational requirements.’


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