In 1977 the pretender to the Albanian throne, Leka I, asked the Rhodesian government to train a battalion of Albanians that he hoped to recruit. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for four hundred years, had subsequent deep roots in the country, and was not leaving without a fight. [40], The Rhodesian government did not accept all offers of volunteers. [106], Foreign volunteers in the Rhodesian Security Forces, Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, February 1980 Southern Rhodesian general election, "Foreign Fighter Problem: What the War in Rhodesia Means for Ukraine", "Fine-mannered, articulate and urbane: the mercenary as deadly romantic", "Security Council resolution 460 (1979) [Southern Rhodesia]", "Rhodesia: Oral Answers to Questions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16th January 1980", "Many Rhodesian Whites Threaten to Quit Jobs", "Rhodesia's Approach to Counterinsurgency: A Preference for Killing", "Mercenary Activity: United States Neutrality Laws and Enforcement", "The White House and White Africa: Presidential Policy on Rhodesia 1965-79", "The 'New Model' Armies of Africa? Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . The. Carry Calibers: .40 S&W Vs. .45 ACP Vs. 9mm - Gun Digest Even better (although much more difficult), make the final shot as youre moving offline. [8] The academic Michael Evans has written that "the Fronts world-struggle ideology was based on a conspiratorial interpretation of modern politics that emphasised virulent forms of Anglophobia, anti-communism, anti-internationalism, and anti-liberalism". [78], The nationalists argued in their propaganda that the Rhodesian regime's need for foreign volunteers illustrated its political and military weaknesses. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. [81], The British government was opposed to its citizens fighting for Rhodesia. I prefer the original name, but whats in a name? Type of Sear & Hammer Engagement has Little Effect However, since you wont have time to interview your attacker in the heat of the moment, the specific cause of the failure isnt important. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. [32][33], The Rhodesian Security Forces' recruitment staff responded to people who wrote letters of inquiry after reading the advertisements. [26], Several individuals and companies recruited United States citizens to fight in Rhodesia. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. Seeing that the guerrilla was still advancing, Rousseau made an attempt at a head shot that hit the guerrilla through the base of his neck, severing the spinal cord. The articles in Soldier of Fortune reflected Rhodesian government propaganda, as they claimed that the country was a western democracy, the war was being fought against communism and did not discuss the oppression of Rhodesia's black majority. As the story goes, a Rhodesian named Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. [23] In 1979, the military historian John Keegan noted that foreigners made up between a quarter and a third of the strength of the RLI. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. 2023 Springfield Armory. He also edited Shooters Bible Guide to Firearms Assembly, Disassembly, and Cleaning; 50 Guns That Changed the World; and Gun Traders Guide. [86] Due to the difficulty of drafting legislation that could effectively ban Britons from serving with Rhodesia or enforcing the measures that were brought in, there is no record of any British citizens being punished for serving with the Rhodesian Security Forces during the war. He finished the job with a headshot. You can also take two steps to the side to get offline of the attack before making the final head shot. Then, they can make a smooth transition to the third V2 shot if it is necessary. Editors Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. [5], The Mozambique Drill is intended to ensure that the target is immediately stopped, by first placing two shots into the larger, easier-to-hit mass of the upper body, then, if the target is still active, following with a third, more precisely aimed and difficult head shot. [103] Stephen Jeffreys' 1980 play 'The Jubilee Too' included a British volunteer who had returned from Rhodesia as one of its characters. opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent [96][97] In January 1980 the British Lord Privy Seal, Ian Gilmour, stated that the British government had committed during the negotiations that led to the Lancaster House Agreement to not remove foreigners from the Rhodesian military prior to the election. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy soldier carrying an AK-47. At least thats what Ive been told. Rousseau immediately performed a "double tap" maneuver, a controlled shooting technique in which the shooter makes two quick shots at the target's torso. Get free updates when we add new tips, articles and more! |-- Political Videos The British, United States and several other governments were unable to prevent their citizens fighting for Rhodesia due to difficulties enforcing the relevant laws. [30] Some ads described service in Rhodesia as "fun". Click The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. The bottom line: Accurate head shots are hard. Due to the sanctions against Rhodesia, these ads were generally lodged via front organisations and were vague about the country the volunteers would serve in. Hearing this story, Cooper later incorporated this three-shot drill into his program of instruction as a way to end a fight that cannot be immediately stopped with bullets fired into the chest. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill - Gun Digest My Forums, Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com The Australian parliament passed legislation banning Australians from serving with Rhodesia in 1978. the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC. [7] Foreign volunteers in the Rhodesian Security Forces - Wikipedia Gun Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [89] This law can only be enforced within the United States, meaning that American citizens who enlisted to fight for Rhodesia while overseas could not be prosecuted. Mozambique Drill - Wikipedia It was expected that most of the volunteers for the security forces would not settle in Rhodesia. These men were often directed to wear Rhodesian uniforms, and the South African government falsely claimed that some had volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. the technique may also be called a triple tap, or failure to stop drill. There is evidence that the Departments of Justice and State tacitly encouraged Americans to volunteer for Rhodesia as part of efforts to prevent the country collapsing before a negotiated solution to the war could be finalised. The Mozambique Drill brings together low-round count that challenges a shooter's speed, accuracy, and fundamentals. .22 LR Self-Defense Ammo Testing - Gunpowder Magazine 4 Things to Do During Self-Isolation - The Shooter's Log It is not known how many Vietnam veterans fought in Rhodesia. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy. The Guardian reported in 1979 that "his presence is a source of embarrassment to the regime which has always insisted that it does not want foreign mercenaries". If I were to guess, I would say Rousseaus ammo was a 115-grain with a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. Judge turns down New Jerseys request for stay in NSSF lawsuit, MSU professor illustrates problem with gun control advocates, 71-year-old Philadelphia man shoots back at armed robbers, sends them fleeing, Texas congressman faces censure over gun control support, MO lawmaker believes he can get GOP support on gun control, Bump stocks back on store shelves in three states, Colorado Democrats introduce assault weapon ban, Bill reintroduced to abolish the Tiahrt Amendments, Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill overcomes filibuster threat, appears poised for passage, Former D.A. Although in most situations, the two perfectly placed shots to the chest should disable an attacker, there are several reasons they could fail. The Rhodesian government actively recruited white personnel from other countries from the mid-1970s to address manpower shortages in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces (~7.5 . [5][9], The Mozambique Drill is featured in a number of movies, notably Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann.[10]. Rhodesian Commando - StrategyPage Most of the other volunteers were from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. That was in the 1400s and 1500s when Portugal set up trading settlements that evolved into colonies. The Triple Tap Callsign can be unlocked by playing with the Mozambique, and Triple Tap XL can be unlocked via Advocate Gift. [42][68] Two of the former French volunteers who remained in Zimbabwe after the war were sentenced to death for murdering a caf owner during a robbery in 1982 and were executed the next year. The British noted that such a resolution might prove impractical as many Rhodesians held dual citizenship. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. Doing so was illegal under laws banning mercenary activity in Israel, West Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. [32] For instance, the American neo-Nazi Harold Covington claimed to have served in the Rhodesian Army before being deported due to his racism. |-- DU Groups | Discussion and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the There arent a lot of guarantees in a gunfight, but the Failure Drill just might be your best defense in time of need, particularly if you are facing an opponent wearing body armor. |-- Places The term refers to his encounter with an AK-47 armed guerilla at an airport in Mozambique where he was armed with a Browning Hi-Power. He offered Rhodesia the services of these men after they completed training, though he intended to eventually use them to retake Albania. | ContactUs | PrivacyPolicy. The drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). People have an annoying habit of wanting to move around when you are shooting at them. An accurate shot to the T-zone (the area between the eyebrows and upper lip, also called the ocular cavity) damages the brain and central nervous system and secures instant incapacitation of the target. (snip) Rousseau related the story to an acquaintance, small arms expert Jeff Cooper, founder of the Gunsite Academy shooting school, who incorporated the "Mozambique Drill" into his . [38] The prohibition proved difficult to enforce, as it was not possible to prevent Britons leaving the country. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Soldier of Fortune ran large numbers of articles on foreigners in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Bush War; each edition published between 1975 and 1980 included at least one article on the subject. Dont be surprised to hear the drill referred to as the Zombie Drill or Zombie Check. Apparently, the only way to stop a zombie is with a well-placed head shot. |-- Editorials & Other Articles [62] Those who failed this training had to leave the country, with their airfare home being paid by the Rhodesian government. Guerrilla forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front (or FRELIMO) became embroiled in a war of independence with Portugal. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to use this website. There was a flurry of unrest in Mozambique. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Proper tactics can vary greatly depending on the circumstances and situation. [36] In 1976 some current and former British soldiers were sent unsolicited leaflets that encouraged them to enlist in the Rhodesian Army and explained its conditions of service. Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. |-- Archives Many of the Europeans had previously served with the French Foreign Legion. page. Mozambique Drill - Bryce Towsley Forum Categories [102] He also wrote the novel Crippled Eagles which was based on the experiences of American volunteers. Those who were combat veterans resented being placed under the command of younger and less experienced Rhodesians. Remember that 9mm ammo circa late 1960s and late 1970s was marginally better than 9mm ammo from WWII. By 1979 the Rhodesian government was facing defeat and the war was costing 2,000 lives each month. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. [6], The Rhodesian Front's ideology held that the end of colonial rule in Africa and the development of African nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s had been the result of international communism aided by a policy of appeasement towards African nationalists by the United Kingdom and other western countries. Under three seconds, and youve got some major skills. [34], American and Australian volunteers who had fought in the Vietnam War were generally well regarded by Rhodesian soldiers, and were often posted to the elite SAS and Selous Scouts. [15], Foreigners with far right beliefs were often sympathetic to the Rhodesian cause during the war. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. Ex-military wanting to ply their tactical handiwork in return for treasure were welcomed to Mozambique to help the Portuguese military. However, this drill is mostly concerned with improving your shooting skills rather than learning the nuances of self-defense tactics. Felons can be high on adrenalin or drugs to the point that they do not recognize or respond to pain. [22][27] Men with previous military experience, and especially service in wars, were preferred. [34][62] Rhodesian recruiters told prospective Australian recruits that the cost of living was much lower in Rhodesia. Thank you for your support. Mike Rousseau was friends with Colonel Jeff Cooper, a legend in the firearms training world and the founder of Gunsite Academy. These organisations provided recruits for the security forces as well as private industry, including farms, mines and timber companies. [22] The number of white conscripts in the security forces was also increased by considerably expanding the age groups of men who were required to serve and the periods of active duty reservists needed to undertake. [47], All foreign volunteers were required to complete basic training upon arrival in Rhodesia, even if they had prior military experience. Although he aimed for the fighters ocular cavity, the adrenaline coursing through Rousseaus body caused him to miss. All other white military personnel, other than members of the Selous Scouts unit that had a reputation for atrocities, were given an assurance that they would not be required to leave the military. The Rhodesian government openly advertised in the American Soldier of Fortune magazine during 1975. He also noted that the party drew on the ideas and language used by the contemporary radical right movement in the United States to justify UDI. He told Cooper the story, and Cooper began to teach what he called the "Mozambique Drill" at Gunsite. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill, Light Em Up: Home Defense Lasers and Lights. The Rhodesian military also adopted some of the terminology used by Americans in Vietnam, such as referring to guerrillas as 'gooks' and labelling one of their supply lines the 'Ho Chi Minh trail'. [23], The expansion of the security forces, increasing battle casualties and a decline in the white population due to high rates of emigration led to serious shortages of white personnel that greatly hindered the Rhodesian war effort. [87] The historian Hugh Patterson noted that the relatively small numbers of volunteers from the UK indicates that "however vocal the support for Rhodesia by some on the political right, very few men were actually willing to put their futures on the line for the Smith [Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith] regime". Some of the volunteers were later identified as agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The Portuguese used WWII vintage pistols in their two decades long colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique (some claim the gun Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau used in the original Mozambique . Successful applicants were then offered a rank in the security forces. Handgun Training for Personal Protection. Over the years, this drill has morphed into a variety of other drills and, if you put any two firearms instructors together, youll get a different opinion as to how its to be properly executed. These letters were closely scrutinised, as many of the men who had written them were considered "obviously nuts" by the Rhodesian Army's recruitment officer Major Nick Lamprecht. You may have also heard it called the Failure To Stop Drill. The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. The ethnographic and historical researcher Henrik Ellert has written that there were 1,500 in 197778. He was fighting in the Mozambican War of Independence 1964-1974. All too many of the other great tragedies of history - Stalin's atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a few - were perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations. Titanfall Blisk is working under a new long-term contract with the IMC on the Frontier, providing Combat Intel and Counterinsurgency services. [75] The Rhodesian Army only learnt of Lamb's history after his death during an operation in 1976. [4][12] The resistance to the Rhodesian regime was dominated by two black nationalist movements, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). [82] British citizens were prohibited from joining the Rhodesian Security Forces under the terms of an embargo enacted in 1968, with those who did so potentially facing fines or imprisonment. After the end of the Frontier War, he went on to create a popular bloodsport competition called the Apex Games. However, for reasons lost to history Rousseau was reduced to his sidearm, a GP35 Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. No matter the reason, the third shot should stop the attacker in his tracks. [46], In addition to the actual volunteers, thousands of South African Police and South African Defence Force (SADF) personnel were deployed to Rhodesia by the South African government to serve in or alongside the Rhodesian Security Forces. Jeff Cooper created The Modern Technique of the Pistol and the Combat Mindset. Id argue that if the two shots at (and hopefully in) the chest of an aggressor fails to convince him to break off his attack, then youd be better to drop your aim to fire the third shot (and perhaps fourth and fifth shots) at the pelvis next. |-- The DU Lounge Named for Mike Rousseau, an associate of Jeff Cooper, who, ironically, died during the war in Rhodesia. the phrase was coined by a rhodesian mercenary named Mike Rousseau while he was serving in Mozambique. Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. Big Forums "All too many of the other great tragedies of historyStalins atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a fewwere perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations. The Mozambique Drill[1] is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. [72], The Rhodesian Army regarded the volunteers as disloyal and undisciplined. The bullet hit the base of his attackers neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight. [80] Many Africans believed that the inaction of the western governments demonstrated their lack of commitment to combating white minority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa. [47], The Rhodesian Special Branch sought to vet all of the foreign volunteers for security risks. 50 Rounds of 185gr JHP .45 ACP Ammo by Federal - AmmoForSale.com The Rhodesian government attempted several strategies to address these shortages. He has trained with some of the countrys finest firearm instructors in handguns, rifles/carbines, shotguns and long-range shooting. [64] The RLI was a key element of Rhodesia's strategic reserve, and was frequently deployed against guerrilla forces. No country ever officially recognised Rhodesia's independence. He is the leader of the Apex Predators, an infamous outfit of ruthless freelance Pilots. The Rhodesian Front's ideology held that the end of colonial rule in Africa and the development of African nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s had been the result of international communism aided by a policy of appeasement towards African nationalists by the United Kingdom and other western countries. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. [60] Foreign volunteers who openly expressed extreme racial views were deported. It was finished in 1980 and published in 1991. [29] Advertisements were also placed in other American magazines, including Shotgun News and Shooting Times. History. [61] These pay rates were lower than those in some other armies; for instance, they were around half the levels in the United States Army and between 50 and 60 per cent of the Australian Army's pay scale. With small arms, mortars, and artillery of predominantly Russian and Chinese origin, guerrilla fighters in places like the Congo and Mozambique engaged in pitiless unconventional warfare that saw widespread atrocities. [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. Sundry populist uprisings supported by distant communist benefactors strived to nip at the forces and institutions of the European colonial powers long enough to draw blood. Many could well have been avoided or mitigated, had the perpetrators known their intended victims were equipped with a rifle and twenty bullets apiece, as the Militia Act required here. This is a drill created during the Mozambique War of Independence, when a Rhodesian Mercenary (Mike Rousseau) had an up-close encounter with an opponent wielding an AK-47. Throwback Thursday The Mozambique Drill - The Mag Life [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. Home Seeing that the fighter was still advancing, Rousseau attempted a head shot that hit the guerrilla through the base of his neck, severing the spinal cord. He serves as contributing editor for several magazines, including NRAs American Rieman and Shooting Illustrated, Varmint Hunter, and Combat Handgunner, and is the editor for Gun Digests Cartridges of the World 13th Edition. McAleese had previously led a group of British mercenaries in Angola, and was posted to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) after completing training. [56] The desertion rate among foreigners serving in the SAS was particularly high. Rousseau was fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques, which is now called Maputo. Its much harder than you may think. certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. 20 Best Concealed Carry Guns In 2023 (Updated! [17] The Army's structure of administrative corps was similar to that of the British Army, and many of its officers had undergone training in the United Kingdom. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Rousseau hit an . The Mozambique drill was made famous by Jeff Cooper after learning about this incident. So, as the story goes, Rousseau was involved in a firefight at the airport. Ideally, a more practical application might be to fire two shots to the torso, take two steps back and to the side to keep your distance and, if your attacker is still attacking, attempt the head shot. Center mass is easier to hit quickly, and in most cases will effectively stop a threat. As you know, Cooper founded Gunsite Academy and preached his tactical gospel of the modern technique. [8] The historian Donal Lowry has endorsed Evans' views, noting also that "the Rhodesia Front sought to combine the notion that Rhodesia embodied the best of true Britishness, the notion that white Rhodesians were the sort of people who once made the Great" of Britain, while turning to America as the only remaining champion of the Free World. Although the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper is credited with developing the Mozambique Drill, he had a little help. [28] This magazine had been established that year to promote mercenary opportunities, and provided a positive portrayal of the lifestyle available to mercenaries. Once you can achieve repeatable accuracy, then you can start to speed things up. [50] The high proportion of white Rhodesians who were born outside the country or held citizenship of another country also complicates the matter. It may be ironic that the Mozambique Drill is a technique used with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, during the Mozambican War of Independence from 1964 to 1974. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. The JEWS CAN SHOOT trademarks are owned and controlled by Doris Wise Montrose. In the 1960s he coined the term hoplophobia, an irrational fear of weapons. The academics Jacob Ware and John Campbell stated in 2022 that people from more than fifteen countries had volunteered to fight for Rhodesia, including "several hundred" Americans. [93], The legality of volunteering for the Rhodesian Security Forces varied between other countries. However, even with two new and bleeding nipples, the guerrilla was still coming at him, so Rousseau tried for the head. [77] Rhodesia attempted to counter the "mercenary" claim by processing the volunteers through the Department of Immigration and framing them as prospective Rhodesian citizens, though few ever applied for citizenship. Most of its members left Rhodesia after the company was withdrawn from operations to be retrained, though some settled in Rhodesia. Rousseau had a pistol. The new Prime Minister Robert Mugabe directed shortly after the election that "mercenaries" be dismissed as they were among the "irregular features of the present Army" and were "not needed". If you can successfully perform the drill in under five seconds, youre doing better than most law enforcement officers. In 2021 White wrote that the numbers of foreign volunteers may have been small, and the ex-Rhodesian generals she had interviewed "scoffed at me when I asked if there were fifteen hundred foreigners in the Rhodesian Army".