The Rhodesian Air Force in Zimbabwe's War of Liberation, 1966-1980

by Darlington Mutanda

Overview

This book evaluates the development of the Rhodesian Air Force during the Second Chimurenga or Bush War (1966-1980). Airpower in irregular conflict is effective at the tactical level because guerrilla warfare is not a purely military conflict. The Rhodesian Air Force was deployed in a war-winning versus a supporting role as a result of the shortage of manpower to deal with insurgency, and almost all units of the Rhodesian Security Forces depended on its tactical effectiveness.

Technical challenges faced by the Air Force, combined with the rate of guerrilla infiltration and the misuse of airpower to bomb guerrilla bases in neighboring countries largely negated the success of airpower.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476625775
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	11/10/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Darlington Mutanda was a lecturer of war and strategic studies in the History Department at the University of Zimbabwe from 2011 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2017. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in the Politics and International Relations Department at the University of Johannesburg. His research interests include strategic studies and peace and conflict studies.
Darlington Mutanda was a lecturer of war and strategic studies in the History Department at the University of Zimbabwe from 2011 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2017. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in the Politics and International Relations Department at the University of Johannesburg. His research interests include strategic studies and peace and conflict studies.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Abbreviations and Acronyms
 1 Background to the Liberation War in Zimbabwe
 2 Conceptualizing the Development of Air Power as a War Asset
 3 The Establishment of the Rhodesian Air Force
 4 The Development of the Air Force During the Interwar Period
 5 The Impact of the Rhodesian Air Force During the Second Chimurenga
 6 Guerrilla Counterstrategies to RhAF Operations
 7 Challenges Faced by the Rhodesian Air Force During the Second Chimurenga
 8 Challenging “Air Supremacy” from Outside: Analyzing the Feasibility of ZPRA’s Conventional Plan
 9 The Effects of Civilian Bombing on Guerrilla Strategy
10 The Significance of Air Power in Guerrilla Warfare: An Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index