Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep100 | Sgt. Maj. Keir Tayler | Selous Scouts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2022
- At just after midnight on the morning of Monday 09 August 1976, a column of ten Unimogs, four Ferret scout cars, and 84 officers and men of the Selous Scouts, under the command of Capt. Rob Warraker, crossed the border into Mozambique just north of Umtali. Their destination would be the large, recently discovered ZANLA logistics camp on the Nyadzonya River, a tributary of the Pungwe...this is the story of someone who was there.
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To this day the death of Gert haunts me. He sat right behind me on the truck we were on. I think the thing that gets me is that when we were on our way into Monty Casino we were stuck at a drift as there was a truck having problems getting through the mud in front of us. It was around midday and Gert asked if I would share a tin of bully-beef with him. (The tins we had were double the size of the tins you normally buy in the shops) anyhow I agreed and shared the tin he had. I only learned of Gert’s passing the next morning when we gathered for our orders. I was shocked to say the least. What blew me away was the fact that the very food I had in my stomach was also in Gert’s stomach and he was no longer alive. I know it sounds silly but as an 18 year old this affected me terribly. Gert was a good man who was taken far to young. I did not know him well by any means but in the two weeks I worked with him he became a friend. Gert you are always in my mind and I will never forget you. RIP boet.
Yip we will never forget him....
So touching,may Gert continue to rest in peace.
A very moving accolade boet!
HO was never the same after
Thank you for sharing this and your friendship with him in that time. I can imagine the incredible shock & impact his death must have had for you, so unexpected; & the questions we ask ourselves afterwards. But you were there for him in the times that your paths came together & what happened later in the heat of battle happens in war.
I lost a friend in the factional violence we had in natal in the early 90's. The experience & circumstances around that have softened over the years but there are still issues around what I could have done differently that day that still visit & trouble me deeply at times. I realize as I write & think of this that I have work to do on releasing my perceived failings & guilt & moving on.
I had no idea of his brother experiencing this then either.
HO is an amazing guy. He's farming in South Africa on a smallish farm, applying 'regenerative' land & livestock mgt principles, with limited capital and lots of heart, resourcefulness & appropriate to Africa technology.
He has 3 Zimbabwean co-workers who he relates to & works with in a way thats an example to me & could be too for many South African farmers. . I think that they maybe worked for him on his ranch in Zimbabwe prior to losing it in the land invasions in the early 2000's.
He's an example of the resilience of those in special forces who were able to move on and live out and apply some of the qualities formed in them through that experience in the following seasons of life.
Absolutely incredible interview. Thank you so much John and Hannes for taking the time to film, edit and share these priceless interactions.
Our pleasure!
We need you guys back again. Only sad thing our age is against us. Thank you guys for all you did for us my family and I are extremely grateful and will never forget your service to our country and people😅
Preach it, Keir.
Your skills and experience are making a massive impact all over Africa.
We honor the Lord for saving your life so that you can introduce thousands to salvation unto Christ.
Salute, Evangelist Tayler!
Australian vet here, do you guys belong to the " Old Dutch Church or what we call " Apostolic " Recently have been attending the former.
@@chaffcutter58. keir belongs to New Covenant Ministries International. I belong to the Apostolic Faith Mission - both churches are Pentecostal type churches.
@@carolinepitout6344 Thank you Caroline,I was baptised as Apostolic church of Queensland.I have a few questions to ask. But it is very early 0310hrs so have to get some sleep.God Bless. And
I'm thankful for your reply.
Thank God that Ken Flower and his ilk had no prior knowledge of the Nyadzonga raid. The sheer bravery and audatious spirit of Scouts is to be admired hugely, as well as their effectiveness. Little wonder they imbude the foe with intense fear. Thank you for a superb talk John. Hannes and Sgt Maj Keir Tayler (Rtd). I've just read 'A Handful of Hard Men'. Superb book. Real. Fascinating..I was amazed that, taking into account that Mr Smith knew how bad some of the terrorists were, he found Carrington to be the most evil person that he ever knew. So glad that I bought the book Hannes.
100% If they knew it would have been catastrophic.
Is it pretty much confirmed that Ken flowers was he leak?
@@ChibabaDavePretty much
Very interesting insights to PTSD. One aspect of PTSD is called 'moral injury', Keir knows this by "forgive yourself". A huge number of veterans have this moral injury and few will talk about it, but it's the talking that releases the hold it has over you.
Survivor guilt enough said
What a great interview and amazing man.
So many home truths from a true front line
Soldier.
If kier was in USA forces probably 3 purple hearts and a cmh.
Honorable
, brave yet humble man.
SALUTE.
I find it extraordinary that in such a long protracted campaign only two GCVs were ever awarded.
Gentlemen, for me personally this is the most enjoyable “interview” in the fantastic series you have created. Keir talks in such a calm manner. The piece on Miracle is personal, but I am of the opinion that Nyadzonya was the most spectacular success of the whole second Chimurenga. Respect Kier and thanks John and Hannes. I feel privileged 💪💪🙏
Wow, thank you!
What a fantastic interview with Keir .. what a life changing experience. Much respect for your stories Keir . So much respect goes out to these warriors from a bygone era . Tough Rhodesians of all races . All fighting together for a common cause with one goal . Sadly lost lives on both sides is tragic. But war is not fair , it’s unfortunate and unforgiving. But necessary at times . RIp to the fallen .. we will always remember them 🙏🏻
The most outstanding group of Men , Rhodesian's.
Excellent interview. It's so refreshing to see how matter of fact the rhodesians are. Excellent Warriors and strong Christians.
I'm not religious at all but I never understand the concept of Good Christians who kill other people for their cause. i thought Jesus/Mohamad preached love, forgiveness, turning the other cheek, etc. what happened to thou shall not kill.
@@pleasureseekers80s first you need to understand the difference between killing and murder. That's very basic, so I'm inclined to think you're being disingenuous
@@cm2973 Maybe I'm, But the bible says thou shall not kill?
Exceptional. What a testimony. Thank you for sharing.
This is a tremendous interview and powerful testimony. I am not personally Christian, but I have enormous respect for those who devote their lives and selves to God. It is true that those who have walk the darkest paths can shine the greatest light. I am humbled to listen.
Those words re PTSD now so much more meaningful in my understanding of others who suffer from this. Such a concise assesment.
Great Chat guys thank you. Whats so nice to see in all my encounters with fellow ex Rhodies is how so many of us know the LORD. God Bless
Brilliant interview. Loved every second. I have had the privilege of knowing Keir for some time now and have traveled with him into Moz and Zim on a few occasions on Gospel missions. Besides listening to all the riveting accounts of his Selous Scout days, it has been incredible and inspiring see Keir weild different and more powerful weapons - the weapons of Love, Mercy and Grace. A scholar, gentleman and an example in every way. Cheers Keir!
What a fantastic interview and good to see you again after so many years Keir. Thanks for another wonderful podcast John and Hannes. Pamberi.
Glad you enjoyed it!
God bless you gentlemen
What a wonderfully powerful story, perhaps the best in the series due to the humanity, humility and sincerity of the speaker. As a Christian I can testify that your life begins when you confess your evil deeds, repent of them and then stand tall knowing that no-one can ever again use those things to hurt you. The night I gave my life to the Lord I cried for several hours non stop as the guilt, shame and defeat left my life. What a wonderful testimony that Christ can forgive us of the terrible things we did in war and even the excruciating things that Keir experienced. What a wonderful "before and after" story. I would liked to know if Keir ever met one of his former adversaries and perhaps even led him to the Lord? Well done Hannes and Keir!
Yes I did.
In the book 'Warzone" someone wrote a story.
Another fantastic interview and yet so different 👍🏻 Thanks Hannes, John and Keir.
Always find these videos fascinating. The work put into them will one day be priceless for historical research purposes.
@L P I read Top Secret War, the Selous Scouts book years ago. Bought it in 1987 in Durban and posted it back to the UK from there as I didn't want to have it on me going back into Zim. Should have bought all the stock the shop had as I could have made a fortune now.
Good one John !!! Nice to see some old faces again, Martinus Kok AKA Bushpig, was one of those originals with Ant White in Kariba. He had a great sense of humor as I recall.
Well done thou good and faithful servant
Great interview Keir. I agree with your views on PTSD and am sure the camaradie and tightly close bonds that existed in our SF was an aid in prevention of this happening.
Thanks Keir, Hannes and crew involved in the making of yhis documentary.
God Bless always
Brilliant interview. Keir comes accross so very well and presently one would NEVER think of him as a dreaded Selous Scout. Well done for your amazing service to our country Rhodesia. I salute you SIR.
Two of my cousins were in Selous Scouts. Jannie van der Walt and Nelsie van der Walt.
Great talk again. I found your book and and ordered it off amazon straight away. It’ll be a helpful read for me, ex 101reaction forces SWATF, but more importantly for a good mate ex 44 para pathfinders.
Maran=deadloss = Thanks for remembering these amazing men who protected us for years
Vivid memory of hearing and watching Op Miracle from school at UBH, ending with choppers flying back carrying nets.
This is an amazing interview. I would hope that some day, that we get a mini series on the Bush War via HBO or Netflix etc. There's so much to tell, including to counter the myth that the Security Forces were a bunch of lawless murderers.
These last couple of interviews with Tony and Kier have been most powerful, inspirational, touching and emotional.
I'd like to touch on two aspects, apart from these two we have heard from George, Bryn, Barry, Ray, Greg and Andre Scheepers and many others who have had fleeting encounters with their Creator to becoming believers to becoming full time servants. Then there were the wounded who survived miraculously such as the man with the rocket in his back and the Mike Mulligan incident. The Links and chopper pilots keeping their cool under fire.
There's just too much to be able to deny that Devine intervention was not in play. Reminds me alot of the miraculous stories that came out of the Israeli 6 day war. I was a cadet at Thornhill at the time.
Secondly the question of PTSD, true in those days we never spoke about and again Kier and Ray make two very good points, rehabilitate the man back to his group so that he feels a sense of worth and belonging. The other is the sense of LOSS, that often takes longer to manifest and to recognise.
Thanks again guys for the brilliant series, don't know why it took me so long to find you, but I'm hooked.
Living legend!
These interviews are getting even better. Great stuff. Thank you so much gentlemen.
Glad you like them!
Super interveiw, very calming, a definate gift, thank you Keir, Hannes and John, keep up the good work
Glad you enjoyed it!
Brilliant, as always!
Thank you! Cheers!
Fascinating interview. Thank you all!
Wow. Excellent interview. The Spirit of God is evident in him.
Wonderful discussion. Thank you both for the stories and memories. Many thanks and respect to you both.
Brilliant interview !!
AWSOME as always
An exceptional story of transformation and encounter. Utmost respect for you legends, and absolute glory to God for a life of ultimate surrender to our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ. His is a Kingdom worth dying for!
very good insight into ptsd. thank you.
Thank you Keir, Hannes and John. Keir I do remember your father at Ruzawi. I to had my academic challenges. Fortunately my Grandfather the late Canon Grinham was very understanding.
Huge respect for your grandfather. Remember him well.
Very interesting and moving. The ability to testify and the insights into issues around PTSD outcomes are very helpful and totally logical. Great interview and thanks - God Bless.
This was one of the most interesting and insightful interviews so far gents. Truly moving, bravo.
An interesting perspective. I used to go and camp out on the ground with Living Word Tabernacle people around a fire next to Mazowe Dam. We climbed the hills across the road. We were preached to amongst the dry grass. Ross author from Chipinga, Eastern Border.
One of the best interviews you have ever done.
What a great interview and stories. Huge respect to Keir - some interesting experiences and his take on life after the hondo.
Thanks Hannes and John - what a series and having it all told as it was..
Thanks again guys,that was great,keep them comming
Thanks! Will do!
Hello John.
Any chance you can do some content about the details of the 2 GCV's that were awarded? Would be interesting to know the details. And then of course SCR and BCR's too?
Good idea!
Great interview ! Thank you.
Thanks for listening
Fascinating.
Guys thank you again for on institution info, take care and keep it tidy 🙏🤜🤛👍😉
Always!
Hi John, nice to see you. Hope that you are well I remember you from our days at McClery Avenue. This is fabulous history that you are recording, thank you.
First: comments made by Keir Taylor concerning PTSD and how to survive life after Rhodesia are truly fascinating and to me very helpful.
Secondly, I would like to share a short story about a refugee camp. Actually, it really was a military base.
I was a blue job corporal doing national service: Jan 77-Jul 78, based at New Sarum. In civvy street I was a tech at ARhod. On one afternoon at about 4pm I received orders to present myself at the hunter sq. There, I was instructed: do not make any phone calls, go to the mess and eat and return with my rifle (2x20 round mag). I did that. I also brought my tool bag filled with tools and biltong. But no water. I had no idea why I was there. No one gave any other instructions except that I was assigned to accompany a pilot in a light aircraft to which a very large loudspeaker was attached. After dark we took off and flew east. We landed in the dark at a very busy military field. As per orders, I covered the lights so that we would not be visible from the ground. We took off later accompanied by two dakotas. The three aircraft headed into Moz. The moon was bright, and we watched the troopers jump from their aircraft. We also saw lights on the road below us which the pilot reported by radio. The daks turned to port, and we continued on course without any alterations. Shortly after that we flew over a refugee camp.
We were flying at about 50 feet with the loudspeaker on maximum volume. (My job was to que the tape and turn the tape recorder on).
The problem was that wasn't a refugee camp at all.
We were revved with everything you can imagine.
After that one pass we turned to port and stayed on course all the way back to NS. Arrived there at about 5am, sans biltong, the pilot liked it, but we could have used some water.
So, what is a refugee camp?
Finally, if you want more history on the RAR and RLI find a book called, "The Maverick Soldier". The author is John Essex-Clarke. (retired Brigadier), He left the Rhodesian army at the time of UDI.
Good to hear from you Chris! God Bless
Wow! This has been my favorite video on the Rhodesian Bush War. Keir Tayler tells of this incredible history, but his evangelist work makes my heart soar! 😃
All roads lead to Heaven, right? No they don’t! Jesus’ own words said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. Grasp that my brethren: Jesus is the only way! Accept His gift of grace & live for Him! 🙏
He’s……..right we are all in w………. ville in one form or another as a nation. Great interview.
Good stuff , thank you .
What a fantastic Interview!
Let's just say there were a few OIL LEAKS lol
Glad these guys got saved believed in the Lord
Thanks so much 👍
Would love to see my friend Terry O'leary featured. He was Selous Scout and a very staunch Rhodesian.
🙏 Thanks! 👍 excellent history lesson!
Thank you !!!
You're welcome!
29:07 - ”...the huge AS guy with the mask...” A case of GORILLA meets GUERILLA...🤣👍‼️
Hi Anna. Hope you and Dave are doing great xx Ken
@@sadzasnake1755 Kanjani Shamwari! ... (but exactly Ken who, please?). Ja, we’re kenge, thnx
@@sadzasnake1755 Howzit Flat Dog, ex-RLI! So... Sadza Snake now, hey? The censors on the war path again🤣⁉️ Lekker! keep “firing”... the war’s not over yet. Mushe hearing from u. We’re kenge, thnx.
BTW... I remember u 3 P’ Boyz, (like all Rhodies), doing yr bit - RLI, Selous Scouts, Armoured Cars (?), & yr Pa, probably Police Reservist. Makorokoto & tatenda maningi, Shamwari. Lotsa love.
Thank you Gentlemen.
Thank you too!
Great videos
Thanks!
So interesting gents.
Nice archive footage too
Well done on hitting the 100th episode
Much appreciated
Respect ❤
Best episode yet! Thanks all for putting it together
May I ask where you got the footage? It was a great addition to the discussion and I would like to watch more
It was from a DVD that came with The Saints book
@@fightingmenofrhodesia Thanks John. Did some searching and this is still available which is great. This is a comment from the TH-cam sample "There were (as far as we could find out) 3 or 4 films made from the PF side - some training in Tanzania or Mozambique - possibly also Russia - hard to recall now. We tried to get access permission to include this content in our movies, but the support was never forthcoming at the time - a pity, as there are two sides to any conflict." That would be very interesting to see. Have you had any people from ZANLA/ZANU/Other political parties/arms reach out to do an interview with you? Would be great to hear it from their side - their training, their locations etc. Thanks for all you are doing
As an Englishman I am sooo ashamed of
Ken Flower.
Thank God some of the Rhodesians and exiles took their own initiative.
I wonder what the tortured, starving, frightened people of Zim would say or DO to little sell-out Kenny Flower. (Poes)
At the 40 minute 5 sec mark, is that a SADF flag on the front of that Unimog?
It looks like the new Zimbabwe Rhodesia flag after Muzorewa came to office.
The comments about Israeli veterans must in some way also be linked to their national support at home as opposed to the lack of support that the Americans suffered on their return from Vietnam?
Very true my grandfather was spat on by the hippies coming back it was a very unpopular war and they took it out on the “baby killers”. He was drafted and didn’t want to go but fur-filled his duty and he has ptsd from all he saw. I’m one of the few people he talks about it to cause he knows I’ve had some bad struggles in life and get it. The stories I hear from other people who were with him and speak well of him as a hero are even more horrifying then the already insane stories he speaks.
I think one key difference between the Rhodies and Israelis vs the US is those people grew up with the direct threat that terrorism could happen to them in their own home and country at anytime and did. In Israeli even teachers carry guns to this day cause of the terrorism and in Rhodesia in many areas you had to have a gun near you at anytime cause of that threat even kids had them it was that possible and often.
There was also the fact with Rhodesia and Israel that just about everyone served in the military so people felt the citizenship and connection more through a patriotism or nationalism and all probably had more of community vibe where someone being a dumb hippy who attacked soldiers would be seen as a blatantly childish fool. Whereas in America they were given a loudest voice by the media to where learning about the war in school growing up it is really shown from a hippies view and that it was all black and white . Not the average dude who was anti war in Vietnam and maybe liked the jazz cabbage a little but was still anti communist and just vibing through a country going through tons of crazy unnatural sketchy political stuff
Very interesting interview…deep and insightful….especially around Kier’s thoughts about PTSD.
Correct conclusion….. Jesus Christ is the only way.
Excellent interview thanks 👍🏻😊
Sit Nomine Digna
38:09 Has anyone got the GPS coordinates of Monte Cassino?
Somewhere in this vicinity. 18 kilometres north-northeast of Chimoio Municipality.
18°57′24″S 33°30′58″E
Can't listen to this anymore
For goodness sake. Hannes, get your audio sorted out. It's terrible. Listen to yourself.
Your audio is shocking
To say Nyadzonia was not a military base,it's a fat lie,and also to say Nyadzonia was only a military base,it's a lie on steroids as well. There were no separate camps for military and refugees in most of these camps Nyadzonia included, whether it was tactical or not ,it's a discussion for another day.These camps had makeshift primary schools, hospitals,in the same vicinity with makeshift military barracks,some kids were born in Mozambique,some very young children crossed the border into Mozambique,among the dead were children/ kids,yes collateral damage can be an honest plausible explanation,yes Zanla was recruiting from within the camps,but to say it was only a military camp/ base,it's disingenuous.Nyati was the turncoat.
Willmore I’m not sure how to answer your comment. Refugee camps are normally facilitated by the Red Cross and protected by NATO/UN soldiers. These are literally flagged with the appropriate bunting for all to see and guarded by foreign soldiers . I will be totally honest with you. I never saw one Red Cross or Nato member at all, in any pictures of refugee camps around the Rhodesian borders. I could be mistaken and stand to be corrected, but that is how I remember it. Having schools, civilian clinics or refugees put into a Military camp is just sheer madness. Who does this? You need to remember as well that Rhodesians fought against child soldiers as well. And by child I mean kids that had not even gone through puberty. The other thing is that pupils male and female between 8 and 18 were abducted from schools almost on a daily basis to boost the numbers in the respective ZANLA and ZIPRA armies. That is a fact. I saw Zvobgo condemning the Rhodesians for their indiscriminate killing of civilians and it angered me as it was crocodile tears, and propaganda used to great effect to influence and win favour with the international community which ultimately led to the ceasefire of Rhodesia and ultimately majority rule. However when I saw Tekere admit quite openly that Nyadzoya was indeed a barracks. I for the first and only time in my life admired him. So you may we’ll be correct in what you say, but we will never really know, sadly there are no winners in war as I am sure you would agree. We have achieved nothing, that is all sides in our war for the country we loved so dearly. We lost Rhodesia and moved on to other countries as did 4,000,000 Africans in the years after independence. And Zimbabweans as much as you will probably disagree lost their wealth and their freedom to the communism they so eagerly embraced on the 18th April 1980. Indeed a sad outcome. There were no winners at independence. We all lost, each and every one of us.
@@sadzasnake1755 Well said boet!
@@sadzasnake1755 Conventional refugee camp signs on a combined military and refugee camp was not possible but you could find UNICEF stuff..a confirmation of UN agencies sending material to use in these camps for basic education purposes not to fighters but children .The denial by Rhodesians that most black people voluntarily went to join the war,and prefer the abduction narrative,leaves me baffled,even when some people like Robson Matonhodze here on Fighting men of Rhodesia confess to this effect!! because the super fake narrative must live that blacks were so happy to live in a country of their birth where they were not full citizens,where they were considered not fully developed/ evolved to even vote, where colour bar was a norm, discrimination was the order of the society among other ills. Communism,capitalism and even social democrats r all European ideologies not Afrikan,so to turn around and make allegation that the liberation movements in Rhodesia were pursuing total communism was not only a lie but a lame excuse to the international community to justify a war,that was supposed to have been avoided at all costs.After 1980 Zimbabwe remained a free market economy, even today,with black clerks running the country on behalf of the West,the only blamish on the black clerks being the land reform.
@@workingwithsnakes.2143 Willmore I am not here to debate you or upset you as ultimately we are, irrespective of race or which side we fought for, brothers in Christ. Ripping the plasters off wounds of war will still draw blood and that is not my intention at all, so I will not comment on what is to this day a seriously touchy subject. So as a gentleman i will back off not because I have nothing to say, because I assure you I have much to say about it. So out of the respect of those that have put this series together, and those reading these comments I will just say this. Let us honour those that fought and glorify those that gave their lives in a war that was in the end totally futile. I wish you well my friend
@@sadzasnake1755 all the best my man,keep well.