WORLD ORDERS AND DECORATIONS
Operating as a pseudo did not simply mean painting oneself black (in the case of the Europeans) dressing in insurgent kit and equipment, and sallying forth into the tribal areas carrying insurgent weapons. The insurgents did not have any sophisticated means of communication with their commanders, who generally remained in the safe environs of Mozambique, or Zambia. So in order to preserve their security, they developed a system of command and control which was very difficult to penetrate. Areas selected to become their operational areas were first infiltrated by a small group, led by a political commissar, who would tour the area and subvert the tribesmen. Chiefs, sub-chiefs, and kraal heads were given particular attention.’ (Ibid)
Mike Bromwich recalled another pseudo-operation which he undertook with Martin Chikondo later in September 1973:
‘The last of my pseudo-deployments was again with Basil Moss and out of Mukumbura into Mozambique. We were to walk back into Rhodesia posing as a new group of fighters entering the country. As only one helicopter was available it took three round trips of about forty minutes each to get eight rather heavily laden individuals onto the ground. Adding to our weight this trip were two doctored landmines which we wished to dispose of. Basil and I blacked up quickly before moving off.... An hour or so after last light we crossed the border and made our way inland...
On the fourth day following up on scraps of information we visited a village and learnt of another group in the neighbourhood. After establishing our credentials an approach was made to meet up with the comrades... Early the next morning we positioned ourselves on a slight rise at the edge of our camp and patiently waited for the group. It was warming up when two men from the village came into sight. Martin went forward and spoke to them. There had been a change in plans; we were now to go to their base. This was unexpected and took the initiative away from us. Out of sight of the locals we talked this over and agreed to meet the group on their own terms. Fully kitted up we moved out and followed the two; as usual Basil and I were towards the back with an RPD gunner bringing up the rear.
We walked a fair distance; most of the ground was typical Trust Land, open and almost devoid of cover. Tagged behind the contact men the pseudo-team was spread out over about a hundred metres. We certainly had no idea where we were going. As Martin drew level with a thick bunch of scrub, the only decent cover for miles, a terrorist holding an AK stepped out of the bush and walked towards him. A few paces away he raised the rifle way above his head in some sort of greeting or salute. It was at this point Martin shot him.
Immediately gunfire emanated from bushes and bullets began whistling around. Caught out in the open Martin wisely shouted for the group to withdraw. Under covering fire the first three or four operators ran some distance for a group of trees some 300 metres to the left of our line of approach before dropping to the ground and giving covering fire to the next chaps to withdraw. They had not moved far when there was a cry and our lead RPD gunner went down. Without hesitation Martin and another turned and ran back about fifty metres to the wounded man, picking him and his RPD up before turning around and beginning their run for the trees. It was a remarkable act of bravery. The remainder of the withdrawal was all textbook stuff under covering fire.’ (Ibid)
Recce Troop - Schulenburg and Chikondo, a perfect match.
Martin Chikondo was a founding member of the Recce Troop in the Selous Scouts, set up by Chris Schulenburg and Dave Scales both ex Rhodesian SAS. In 1976, as Scales relates, ‘the modus operandi was to do SAS external reconnaissance operations within the Selous Scouts, which were rather different from the pseudo-operations the unit developed.
The classic four-man call signs as adopted by the Rhodesian SAS would not be used in the new Recce Troop as Schulie considered that it would be better to have a smaller two-man call sign consisting of one ES [European soldier] and one AS [African soldier]. This call sign would be more secure and clandestine and have greater mobility. When lying up in a hide, camouflage and concealment would be easier and each man’s culture would also complement the other. One of the major disadvantages of having only two soldiers was that sharing the load of ammunition, explosives, radio, medical equipment, rations and water meant that we had to carry huge weights. The first operation was done by Schulie and Sergeant Hungwe, and the concept worked.
During 1976 there was a movement with the AS call sign members between the different call signs, but it wasn’t long before Recce Troop settled down with Warraker and I as members of call sing 0W, Schulie and Sergeant Mpofu in call sign W1 and Callow [Lieutenant ex SAS] and Sergeant Chikondo in call sign W2.
Infiltration into operational areas was by HALO or static-line parachuting approximately fifteen kilometres from the target area, on foot or via the trusty Alouette III helicopter, with exfiltration on foot followed by an uplift by helicopter.... Drops were normally done at last light, which was around 7pm with or without a full moon, thus providing the free-fallers with a horizon to work on....
During and after 1977 the structure consisted Kriel [the Troop Commander brought in to replace Major Warraker after his death] and me as call sign 74; Schulie and Chikondo as call sign 55; Callow and Corporal Mlambo as call sign 44 and Mpofu and Sergeant Gartner as call sign 77.
Some operations undertaken by Recce Troop have been mentioned in previous Selous Scot books. However, what has never been discussed is how Reece Troop made a difference in the Selous Scouts. Because we were free to think laterally, we were able to be innovative. The special contributions made by Recce Troop include 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....
Although the main operators were from the SAS, we were all exceptionally proud to have served within the Selous Scouts. The only difference was that ex-SAS operators continued to wear the SAS parachute wings. The main members of the original call sign left by early 1979 and a new Recce Troop was formed.... For a small group of men at the end of the war the medal count was impressive: one GCV, four SCRs and one OLM.’ (Ibid)
Zimbabwe Parachute Battalion, and an untimely end.
Having advanced to Sergeant, Chikondo went for an officer’s potential course at the School of Infantry at Gweru in 1978. On passing out he was commissioned Lieutenant, and in 1980, despite the change in regime, was posted as a founding officer of the newly formed Zimbabwe Parachute Battalion. The commanding officer of this new unit, Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Robinson, reflected on that volatile time:
‘Concurrent with the above activities and in conjunction with the South African government, a political decision had been taken to move the Selous Scouts unit to South Africa en bloc. It was no secret that the incoming government would seek to avenge itself on the unit whose pseudo-operations throughout the conflict had created havoc amongst its guerilla fighters.
My final posting in the Zimbabwe National Army was that of Commanding Officer of the 4th Bn (Holding Unit) RAR, the new name of the Selous Scouts. This would later become the Zimbabwe Para Battalion then the Zimbabwe Para Group. Much to my amazement a large body of the former Selous Scouts had opted to remain in Zimbabwe and take their chances with the new government. My job was to create this unit and be part of the proposed scheme to integrate Selous Scouts and guerilla fighters. I had no wish to consort with the enemy so undertook this task with great reluctance.... In accordance with military convention I was to do a handover/takeover of the regiment....
During this unpleasant administrative period I was offered the opportunity of travelling to the UK to give a series of presentations to the British Parachute Brigade. I undertook this jolly with some enthusiasm.
Lieutenant Martin Chikondo had become a Selous Scouts legend in the art of close-in reconnaissance. He had carried out countless missions deep in enemy territory with the master of close recce Captain Chris Schulenburg. He was to accompany me. Chikondo was a very respectful young man with a great deal of operational experience.
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