Operation Mardon 1976.

The recent release of Underfire Miniatures 20mm and 28mm Selous Scouts figures in their tracking combat kit gave me an idea for Operation Mardon which was an operation carried out by the RLI Rhodesian Light Infantry and Rhodesian SAS.

The Operation was a large external operation to push back the ZANLA terrorists camps on Rhodesia’s border in Mozambique. The operation we are discussing here was carried out by the RLI, RhSAS with elements of Grey Scouts and Rhodesian Engiineers supporting. Various other units took part in other attacks along the Mozambique border. These included the Selous Scouts, D Coy 1st Bn Rhodesian African Rifles and A Coy 2nd Bn Rhodesian African Rifles. These will be discussed at a later date.

Interestingly enough the RLI troops were dressed exactly like the figures produced by Underfire Miniatures. See attached photographs. Regular issue Rhodesian back packs, extra water bottles and kidney pouches may need to be added. More details to follow on Operation Mardon which was a combined attack by foot columns and vehicle columns on the terrorist base camps at Chicombedzi and Nura, in north eastern Mozambique’s Tet Province. Chicombedzi camp was based near the Luia River which was 60m wide but only ankle deep.

The Special Air Service (SAS), the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI), the Grey’s Scouts (horse-mounted infantry) and detachments from the Corps of Engineers were detailed by Mardon’s planners to attack targets to the north-east in the Tete Province of Mozambique. 

Selous Scouts 28mm figures

Just found these figures on the Underfire Miniatures site, a new set of Selous Scouts in 28mm scale. Interesting as this was the garb they wore as trackers to throw people off the fact they were actually doing Pseudo Terrorist work.

An extremely nice set of figures and would do for a PATU (Police Anti Terrorist Unit) stick which patrolled many areas around Rhodesia. They could also be used for early RLI and other regiments such as the RR etc.

Dave Freemantle in Australia does excellent 28mm vehicles which would be suited for these vehicle patrols. Hyena, Leopard, Cougar etc.

Early Unimog 4×4 GS Truck lwb.

S & S Models – Early Unimog 4×4 gs truck lwb

£10.00

Early Unimog 4×4 gs truck lwb quantity

Categories: 1/72 post war African vehicles, 1/72 Post war German vehicles

• Description

Description

An early rounded cab Unimog gs truck use widely in Africa ect.

Open  body only  available, but there is a closed or open cab, please state which one when ordering.

A swb version is also available:-

http://sandsmodelsshop.com/product/swb-early-unimog-4×4-truck/

Please note:-

Stowage not included and some of the vehicles have been enhanced with after market parts.

The guns and troop seats are also available separately

Long Wheel Base Unimog with cab and large cargo tray. For RhSAS Unimogs order uncovered cab.

Ashley Straws Selous Scouts Unimog. RhSAS still had Rhode camouflage on their vehicles I believe, for Op Mardon.

Operation Mardon

I ordered a number of Unimog 4x4s from S&S Models today so I could put together the Operation Mardon scenario where Rhodesian Forces put in a series of External attacks into Mozambique to drive ZANLA terrorist bases back from the border.

The RhSAS with the Rhodesian Light Infantry put in a combined assault on the camps on foot and in vehicles.

The Grey’s Scouts and the Rhodesian African Rifles were also used to attack other bases along the border.

The Selous Scout put in a vehicle column attack.

The RhSAS unimog 4×4 vehicles in most cases had open cabs with the large cargo tray with various weapons fits. Also the Hot Lips vehicles were on this operation.

More details will follow in another future post.

This photo depicts a Selous Scouts vehicle but RhSAS vehicles during Op Mardon would have been similar.

This photograph depicts 1RAR 106 RCL Anti Tank Platoon Unimogs.

Selous Scouts open cab Unimogs 4×4 with different weapons fits. The Rhodesian SAS would have had similar vehicles with weapons fits but painted in Rhodesian camouflage colour scheme.