rhodesian mercenary mike rousseau rhodesian mercenary mike rousseau

[62] He had previously attempted to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, but was rejected. The Portuguese forces collaborated with Rhodesia which had experience from the Bush War in the early 1960s to create special forces teams to deal with FRELIMO. [32][33], The Rhodesian Security Forces' recruitment staff responded to people who wrote letters of inquiry after reading the advertisements. 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. At the start signal, draw your weapon and fire two shots to the chest (V1 zone), followed by one shot to the head (V2 zone). 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. In this work she estimated that around 100 Americans served with the Rhodesian Security Forces between 1976 and 1980. Jews Can Shoot is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. As of 2021, the literature largely comprises brief discussions of the topic as part of books and academic journal articles on broader issues. Many of the Europeans had previously served with the French Foreign Legion. Named for Mike Rousseau, an associate of Jeff Cooper, who, ironically, died during the war in Rhodesia. Rousseau then lowered his weapon to the ready position. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [23] Other volunteers were posted to a range of units, including protection companies mainly made up of black soldiers and the largely white Grey's Scouts and Rhodesian Armoured Corps. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly giveaways! Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. [31] The ads and other coverage of Rhodesia in Soldier of Fortune led to a "steady stream of volunteers". the technique may also be called a triple tap, or failure to stop drill. Its a port city in southern Mozambique where it can be hot with humidity over 80 percent. [44] Many volunteers were also strongly anti-communist, and wanted to stop the further spread of this ideology in Africa. Live The Armory Life. He also wrote that these men were from 38 different nationalities. They could also be wearing body armor. One of the earliest versions of this three-shot drill required law enforcement officers to fire two shots at center mass, then lower their weapon to the ready position while assessing the need for the third head shot. [22][24], Another strategy used to address white manpower shortages was seeking white volunteers from outside the country, which the Rhodesian government began doing in 1973. Position a silhouette target (preferably with outlined V1 and V2 zones) five yards from the firing line. [105], Modern white supremacist and far-right groups continue to provide a positive portrayal of white rule in Rhodesia. Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous Gunsite Academy. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_2',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1-0');report this ad According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). [44] Opponents of the regime frequently highlighted the issue of 'mercenaries' fighting for Rhodesia, and claimed that they were often mentally unstable and had little regard for civilian casualties. All rights reserved. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. Although speed is definitely one of the goals of the Mozambique Drill, it isnt nearly as important as accuracy. [44] The Rhodesian military rarely discussed the foreign volunteers with journalists. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 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. Rumored to have begun with Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau and adopted into coursework at Gunsight Academy, the Mozambique Drill is intended to drop an advancing threat immediately. If youve been around defensive pistol shooting for a while, youve likely heard of the Mozambique Drill (AKA, failure to stop drill). You sweat just standing still. While a thousand organizations use the Holocaust as a platform for speeches about tolerance, Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Children Of Jewish Holocaust Survivors [Jews Can Shoot]. Until the early 1970s the Rhodesian Security Forces had little difficulty in defeating the guerrillas. You have entered an incorrect email address! Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. How rude! The shots should be fired as fast as you are able, however they shouldnt be so fast that you miss your intended target. 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". So, as the story goes, Rousseau was involved in a firefight at the airport. The reality of the war confronted Rousseau at the airport in Loureno Marques, which has been called Maputo since 1976. It is not known how many Vietnam veterans fought in Rhodesia. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, much of Africa burned. A quick how-to on shooting the Mozambique Drill. Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators. This was because they believed that it was being fought to sustain white rule and prevent communists from taking over the country. Thank you for your support. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. Anything less than three seconds is very good. The volunteers were often labelled as mercenaries by opponents of the Rhodesian regime, though the Rhodesian government did not regard or pay them as such. In the 1960s he coined the term hoplophobia, an irrational fear of weapons. |-- Topic Forums If youre looking for some variety in your training, one practical application of the drill is to fire the first two shots to the targets center mass (V1), then take two steps back to create distance before the third shot. As the story goes, a Rhodesian named Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Rousseau then aimed for the head, and fired the shot that finally put the enemy solder down. He is the author of numerous gun books, including 9MM Guide to America's Most Popular Caliber, a #1 New Release on Amazon. European colonial powers like Belgium and Portugal fought to defend their interests, but the rebels had little to lose and everything to gain. We must protect our Second Amendment and we must spread the word that Jews support the right to bear arms. [43] The academic Luise White has written that they were commonly opposed to the establishment of governments run by black people and did not have any particular commitment to Rhodesia itself. 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. The United Nations General Assembly had adopted a similar motion several days earlier at the behest of several countries in southern Africa. [103] Stephen Jeffreys' 1980 play 'The Jubilee Too' included a British volunteer who had returned from Rhodesia as one of its characters. The drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). Its much harder than you may think. It kind of worked. This led to a negotiated conclusion to the war that involved a transition to majority rule and the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. Rounding a corner Rousseau found himself unexpectedly face to face with a FRELIMO guerilla armed with an AK47 at a range of about ten paces. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. Save my name and email to use for future comments. [7] This little rhyme, refers to the Mozambique Drill. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning . [38], Most of the foreigners who volunteered to fight for Rhodesia did so individually. Big Forums 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 . Its editor was a strong supporter of the white Rhodesian cause and wanted to encourage Americans to fight for Rhodesia. Now you understand the history and background as well as the importance of the Failure Drill. Silveira v. Lockyer, 2003. During fighting at the Loureno Marques airport (modern-day Maputo ), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, 10 paces away and armed with an AK-47. Live The Armory Life. a close quarter tactical method of killing a target with two shots to the chest and one follow up shot to the head. Today, most instructors teach their students to hold the pistol on target after the first two shots. One such soldier of fortune was Mike Rousseau. |-- General Discussion: Presidency The failure to stop drill is a great drill but it is only a drill, and one of many. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. Southern Rhodesia was a self-governing British colony located in southern Africa whose economy and government was dominated by the small white minority of its population. [34] Foreign volunteers were also offered land if they settled in Rhodesia after completing their service with the security forces. Apparently, the only way to stop a zombie is with a well-placed head shot. The bullet hit the base of his attackers neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight. These articles frequently highlighted the experiences of Americans who were fighting in Rhodesia. [4] UDI was illegal under British law, and was regarded as such by almost all other countries and the United Nations. Although the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper is credited with developing the Mozambique Drill, he had a little help. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules Accurate hits will beat fast misses every single time. |-- Ask the Administrators People have an annoying habit of wanting to move around when you are shooting at them. Robert A. Sadowski has written about firearms and hunting for more than fifteen years. Under three seconds, and youve got some major skills. FRELIMO's Marxist underpinnings earned it support from Russia and China. The concept of the Mozambique Drill is to ensure a threat is stopped even if the initial center mass shots fail to get the job done. [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". As he turned a corner, he encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. 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". [11], UDI and Rhodesia's racial inequalities led to the outbreak of the Rhodesian Bush War. It takes focus, determination, and plenty of practice to pull off the Mozambique Drill quickly and effectively. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. However, even with two new and bleeding nipples, the guerrilla was still coming at him, so Rousseau tried for the head. [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. [46] Economic factors also influenced some of the volunteers, as they believed that the Rhodesian Security Forces offered better career prospects than those available in their home country. [62][76], The nationalist groups that were fighting the Rhodesian regime and many progressive groups worldwide considered the volunteers to be mercenaries. Home [32] For instance, the American neo-Nazi Harold Covington claimed to have served in the Rhodesian Army before being deported due to his racism. The. [28] This magazine had been established that year to promote mercenary opportunities, and provided a positive portrayal of the lifestyle available to mercenaries. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. |-- Archives Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. You can support the efforts of Jews Can Shoot that Nothing Says Never Again Like an Armed Jew. At the start signal, draw from concealment and fire two shots into the V1 zone and one shot into the V2 zone as fast as you can do so without missing either zone. The Portuguese government banned Rhodesian recruitment in the late 1970s, but was unable to enforce the legislation. 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. [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). [40], The Rhodesian government did not accept all offers of volunteers. 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. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. [22] The army units manned by full time personnel, which included a high proportion of white regular and conscripted soldiers, were the most powerful element of the security forces and formed a strategic reserve that responded to the guerrilla activities. However, the guerilla soldier kept coming, with two bleeding wounds to the torso, and still armed with his rifle. Volume 9: EDC Digital Magazine. The Mozambique drill was made famous by Jeff Cooper after learning about this incident. Easter Lessons by bmt | Mar 29, 2016 | Towsley on Tactical blog [51] As a result, there are a range of estimates of the numbers of foreigners who travelled to Rhodesia to serve with the security forces: British citizens made up the majority of the foreign volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. Setup: 1x USPSA Silhouette Target: [7] The party believed that Rhodesia needed to take a stand against the perceived communist threat to protect western civilisation in Africa. Ex-military wanting to ply their tactical handiwork in return for treasure were welcomed to Mozambique to help the Portuguese military. 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. Rousseau relayed this story to Jeff Cooper, who then began employing this failure to stop drill in his teaching at Gunsite. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. He named it after the country where the incident occurred, dubbing his drill the Mozambique Drill., Practical Variations to the Mozambique Drill, El Presidente Drill Assessing Your Shooting Skills, The Best Self Defense Ammo Ballistic Testing. It is not the only way to do things, and was never intended to be taken as the one true way.. [29] Advertisements were also placed in other American magazines, including Shotgun News and Shooting Times. It is vital to mix up your training, firing different numbers of shots into your targets, at different locations, because you never know if your first shot or your fifteenth is going to be the one that stops the threat. A forum community dedicated to Springfield Armory XD and XD-M series firearm owners and enthusiasts. The pelvis does not move as erratically as the head or shoulders, and should be an easier target than a bobbing and weaving head. [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. "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. Frankly, I dont know of many shooters who maintain the level of skill to pull this off consistently at 3-5 yards. Mike Rousseau, a Rhodesian mercenary during the Mozambican War of Independence, was armed only with a 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol, and he rounded a corner at Loureno Marques (now Maputo) Airport and came face-to-face with an African guerilla armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, less than 25 feet away. That was in the 1400s and 1500s when Portugal set up trading settlements that evolved into colonies. If any of your three shots miss, you have failed the drill. [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. Two to the body and one to the head became the mantra. In the chaotic maelstrom that swallowed up untold treasure and an entire generation of people, soldiers of fortune found employment opportunities on a previously unprecedented scale. In the 1980s, the Los Angeles Police Department began teaching the drill but renamed it the more politically correct Failure Drill. [101] Robin Moore included profiles of twelve volunteers as part of a non-fiction book he wrote in 1976 that argued that the Rhodesian government was not racist and sanctions against it should be lifted. Rousseau was fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques, which is now called Maputo. Military historians Paul L. Moorcraft and Peter McLaughlin believe the number was likely around 1,400, but have noted that estimates from other experts range as high as 2,000. Your goal should be three accurate shots in under four seconds. According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). When a double-tap to the chest failed to stop the aggressor, a third shot to the head ended the threat and created the Mozambique Drill. |-- Political Videos 20 Best Concealed Carry Guns In 2023 (Updated! Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. Learn how your comment data is processed. Mike Rousseau was a trained soldier so he instinctively presented his handgun and shot the guerilla twice in the chest, launching both rounds in quick succession. [36][74] These volunteers may have further encouraged the Rhodesian Security Forces use of the 'body count' of guerrillas killed as a measure of success, with this having been a key metric in Vietnam. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for four hundred years, had subsequent deep roots in the country, and was not leaving without a fight. [1][5][8][9], The Mozambique Drill was incorporated in the Gunsite curriculum from the late 1970s. The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. Rousseau was fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques, which is now called Maputo. 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. While a thousand organizations use the Holocaust as a platform for speeches about tolerance, Children Of Jewish Holocaust Survivors [Jews Can Shoot] is conducting firearms training Freedom is not defended with empty idealism easily perverted into appeasement of evil, but with the force of arms.. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. 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. dissenting.). The Rhodesian government attempted several strategies to address these shortages. [18] As the war continued, additional army and police units were raised and the periods of active service reservists were required to undertake was increased. During the fighting, he encountered a guerrilla fighter armed with an AK-47 at . As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. So why not just send the first shot to the head? 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 modern technique shooting method. They generally joined the Rhodesian Security Forces individually after seeing advertisements or after being contacted by recruiters. The Mozambique drill, originally developed by a Rhodesian mercenary, MIke Rousseau, is a standard practice drill for self defense. The Portuguese forces collaborated with Rhodesia which had experience from the Bush War in the early 1960s to create special forces teams to deal with FRELIMO. Not exactly a headshot, but the situation was terminated. opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent Due to factors such as body armor, the bolstering effect of drugs, or failure to hit vital organs, the body shots may not be immediately effective, necessitating the third shot. Armed with a Browning HP35 pistol chambered in 9mm, Rousseau immediately brought up his Hi Power and shot the guerrilla twice in the chest. 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. Col. Jeff Cooper - A shooting legend and the man who codified the drill. To guarantee instant incapacitation by impacting the brain and central nervous system, the head shot must be delivered to the area between eyebrows and upper lip, otherwise, various bony areas of the skull could deflect the bullet. [50] The high proportion of white Rhodesians who were born outside the country or held citizenship of another country also complicates the matter. What the drill emphasizes is shot placement and the ability of the defender to end the deadly encounter quickly. The Mozambique drill is performed for both accuracy and time. Forum Categories [74], The Canadian spree killer Mathew Lamb was able to join the Rhodesian Army in 1974 after being released from a mental institution. This bullet struck a bit low, entering the mans neck and severing his spinal cord, effectively ending the fight.