African Wars reenactment and impressions

These are the items I used to do the impression "White MPLA volunteer - 1976 (1)".

What I used was:
- Airsoft AMD 65;
- African made bush knife;
- Portuguese Army M64 combat webbing (trousers belt, later variant combat belt, early variant canteen and haversack);
- Portuguese Army m/964 dress shirt;
- Portuguese Army m/964 combat cap;
- Portuguese Army m/985 combat trousers (posing for m/964)
- Portuguese Army canvas boots.

These are the items I used to do the impression "White FNLA mercenary - 1976 (1)".

What I used was:
- Portuguese Army m/964 work cap
- Portuguese Army m/964 work jacket
- Portuguese Army m/964 work trousers
- Portuguese Army canvas boots
- Portuguese Army M64 webbing consisting of canteen (early model), combat belt (later model) and two double magazine pouches (early model) and one M/943-44 large pack with a sling
- FMP G3 battle rifle

These are the items I used to do the impression "Portuguese Army Special Operations NCO - Early 70's (1)".

What I used was:
- Portuguese Army lizard wool balaclava
- Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat jacket
- Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat trousers
- Portuguese Air Force leather combat boots
- Portuguese Army M64 webbing consisting of magazine pouches (early model), grenade pouch, canteen (early model) and combat belt (early model)
- FMP G3 battle rifle

These are the items I used to do the impression "Rhodesian SAS trooper - 70's (1)". (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/…)
What I used was:
- British Army khaki bush hat
- British green net-scarf
- Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat shirt
- British Army green PT shorts
- British Army green socks
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- South African P61 harness
- South African P61 poncho carrier
- South African P61 magazine pouch
- South African P61 radio carrier
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

These are the items I used to do the impression "Rhodesian trooper - 70's (2)".

What I used was:
- Rhodesian reproduction cap
- Canadian long sleeved green shirt
- Rhodesian camouflage trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- South African P61 harness
- South African P61 poncho carrier
- South African P61 magazine pouch
- South African P61 radio carrier
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL

UNITA mortar crewman (South African) - 1976 (1)

When the Bicesse peace agreements between Portugal and its former enemies (FNLA, MPLA and UNITA) in Angola started to crumble the in-fight inside Angola started to become an open civil war.

As time progressed and the date for independence was near the control for Luanda was becoming more important since the party that controlled the capital had more chances of being recognized as the legitimate government of Angola.

FNLA and UNITA cooperated and managed to gain important foreign aid such as CIA support and South African and Zairian troops on the ground when they launched their offensives to take Luanda.

While the FNLA progressed from the north to Luanda, UNITA was spreading in the center of the country.

South Africa began giving support to UNITA with equipment, weapons and advisors to boost their military capacity in order to erradicate the SWAPO camps inside Angola and prevent cross border raids into South Weast Africa.

This impression depicts a South African advisor serving as a mortar crewman with UNITA. These advisors were fundamental as specialists to manage the more sofisticated weapons being supplied to UNITA like mortars and recoiless rifles.

The weapon carried is a G3 battle rifle and meant to be used for self defense, only a magazine pouch is carried in the belt and no water bottles since the other gear is carried in a truck.

The uniform is a mix of South African and Portuguese items, the shirt and boots are Portuguese Army items that were obtained from the many Army stores left behind by the Portuguese Army. The trousers, hat, combat belt and magazine pouch are standar SADF items as supplied to UNITA.

This impression was based on actual Associated Press footage from the early phase of the Angolan Civil War.

Kit list:
- South African nutria bush hat
- Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat shirt
- South African nutria combat trousers
- Portuguese Army canvas boots
- South African P70 belt and magazine pouch
- HK G3 battle rifle

These are the items I used to do the impression "UNITA mortar crewman (South African) - 1976 (1)".

What I used was:
- South African nutria bush hat
- Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat shirt
- South African nutria combat trousers
- Portuguese Army canvas boots
- South African P70 belt and magazine pouch
- HK G3 battle rifle

These are the items I used to do the impression "Portuguese Special Marine - Early 70's (2)".

What I used was:
- Portuguese marines wool balaclava
- Portuguese marines wool gloves
- Portuguese marines lizard combat uniform (Portuguese Navy model)
- Portuguese marines landing boots
- Portuguese poncho/half tent (same model as the Army m/961)
- Portuguese ECN webbing set
- Portuguese ECN trousers belt
- FMP G3 battle rifle

South African Defense Force (winter uniform) - Late 70's (1)

The South African Defense Force succeeded the former Union Defense Force in 1957 and was itself succeeded by the South African National Defense Force in 1994.

The SADF had the dual mission of serving both as a counter insurgency force and also as a conventional military force able to defend South Africa's borders and retaliate foreign aggression.

In the 60's and 70's the SADF cooperated with Portugal and Rhodesia during their struggle against insurgencies, mostly communist backed, which also threatened South Africa. After Portugal's revolution and the decision to relinquish it's colonies South Africa was faced with two potential enemies at its borders, Angola and Mozambique.

The attacks on South Africa became more frequent as insurgents now had bases and military aid in Angola and Mozambique, a long counter insurgency war with conventional cross border interventions from time to time was know ahead.

This impressions depicts a SADF soldier (Army) with winter uniform in the late 70's. For headgear an helmet is used and the combat jacket is used over the shirt. The uniform is know the nutria brown uniform with the cut adopted in the mid 70's, trousers with two leg cargo pockets (the earlier model had only one cargo pocket) and the combat jacket had straight chest pockets instead of the earlier slanted ones. In this case the boots are Portuguese and were polished brown due to the lack of South African boots.

The webbing carried is the P70 model, the pack was ditched for combat but three water bottles are carried for extra water. The weapon is the R1, an FN FAL made in South Africa under license, in this particular case replaced by an SLR due to the lack of a more suitable reproduction.

Kit list:
- Portuguese Army M/964 steel helmet and British WW2 net (posing as South African Staaldak helmet, both helmets were variants of the French M51 helmet)
- South African nutria combat jacket
- South African nutria long sleeved shirt
- South African nutria combat trousers
- Portuguese Army boots (with brown polish to pose as South African ones)
- South African P70 webbing set comprising belt, kidney pouches, three water bottles, yoke and cape carrier
- South African toggle rope
- British SLR L1A1 (posing as South African R1 battle rifle)

These are the items I used to do the impression "South African Defense Force (winter uniform) - Late 70's (1)".

What I used was:
- Portuguese Army M/964 steel helmet and British WW2 net (posing as South African Staaldak helmet, both helmets were variants of the French M51 helmet)
- South African nutria combat jacket
- South African nutria long sleeved shirt
- South African nutria combat trousers
- Portuguese Army boots (with brown polish to pose as South African ones)
- South African P70 webbing set comprising belt, kidney pouches, three water bottles, yoke and cape carrier
- South African toggle rope
- British SLR L1A1 (posing as South African R1 battle rifle)

BSAP Police Anti-Terrorist Unit, Rhodesia - 70's (1)

The British South Africa Police was created in 1889 by the British South Africa Company and became to operate independently in 1896. It served as Rhodesia's police force until 1980 when it was replaced by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

When the insurgency started in Rhodesia it was seen as an internal security problem and the responsibility for fighting it was put on the BSAP, for that purpose several special units were created like the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit, the Support Unit or the Civilian African Tracking Unit.

The Police Anti-Terrorist Unit (P.A.T.U.) was formed in 1966 with the aim of conducting counter-insurgency operations. Each unit comprised five policemen who were released from their normal duties for two weeks and performed patrols and gathered intelligence.

For making this impression a Rhodesian camouflage uniform was used, the cap and shirt are both reproductions, the shirt also sports a reproduction P.A.T.U. badge. The combat trousers are original Rhodesian made and issued.

As footwear a pair of Portuguese canvas boots is used since these were pretty common in Africa at the time and some Rhodesian security forces members were pictured wearing it. In due time these will be replaced by the more common black canvas boots or brown leather boots.

The webbing set was mostly assembled with both period South African items and modern reproductions, the South African items are similar to the large quantities sent to Rhodesia as aid by South Africa during the war.

The weapon carried is an SLR L1A1, to be more correct the weapon should have wood furniture for a 60's impression and should have been replaced by an FN FAL or South African R1 for later years.

- Kit list:
- Rhodesian reproduction cap
- Rhodesian reproduction long sleeved shirt
- Rhodesian combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

great stuff.

FYI, a lot of Rhodesian troops wore Vellies in the field, afrikaans Veldschoens, which was the shoe worn with the sand dress uniform but very popular in the bush, tan suede with a tan crepe sole.

Also, the original Rhodesian bush cap, as years went by and raw materials were scarce, cz 78 they reduced the amount of fabric used in the cap, so crown was very much lower, and the top of the cap was a smaller diameter giving it almost a domed shape.

These are the items I used to do the impression "BSAP Police Anti-Terrorist Unit, Rhodesia - 70's (1)"

What I used was:
- Rhodesian reproduction cap
- Rhodesian reproduction long sleeved shirt
- Rhodesian combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

Rhodesian SAS trooper - Operation Dingo, 1977 (1)

The Rhodesian Special Air Service was founded in 1961 and after 1963 the squadron had to be rebuilt since many of its members departed after the break up of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyassaland.

The Special Air Service participated in many cross border operations and it sometimes operated disguised as enemy troops.

One of these cross border operations in which the Rhodesian Special Air Service took part was Operation Dingo, a cross border raid into Mozambique in 1977.

Operation Dingo consisted in a raid by the Rhodesian Security Forces into Mozambique targeting ZANLA's headquarters in Chimoio in which more than 3000 guerrillas were killed and more than 5000 were injured.

Part of the SAS were disguised with Portuguese uniform too pass as Mozambican forces since FRELIMO used this kind of uniforms and still does to this day.

This impression is base in pictures and footage of Operation Dingo in which Rhodesian SAS members are shown using this outfit. Standard Portuguese Army m/964 lizard combat uniform composed of shirt, trousers and cap is used and also Portuguese combat boots.

Webbing used is a mix of South African and Rhodesian items as appears in the original pictures and footage, the weapon used is the FN FAL, in this case replaced by a SLR L1A1 due to the lack of a proper replica.

- Kit list:
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat cap
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat shirt
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces leather boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

These are the items I used to do the impression "Rhodesian SAS trooper - Operation Dingo, 1977 (1)"

What I used was:
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat cap
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat shirt
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces leather boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

PedroPato wrote:These are the items I used to do the impression "Rhodesian SAS trooper - Operation Dingo, 1977 (1)"

What I used was:
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat cap
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat shirt
- Portuguese m/964 lizard combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces leather boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

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Great stuff! What would you recommend to someone in the US trying to acquire Portuguese web gear? It is not easy to find.

If you are interested I can get you the following items:
- M64 magazine pouches
- M64 combat belt
- M64 complete canteen
- M64 yoke
- M64 grenade pouch
- M64 rifle grenade pouch
- M64 large pack
- light rucksack
- ECN magazine pouches

As an example a tracked package up to 2 Kg limit would be around 30 USD.

PedroPato wrote:If you are interested I can get you the following items:
- M64 magazine pouches
- M64 combat belt
- M64 complete canteen
- M64 yoke
- M64 grenade pouch
- M64 rifle grenade pouch
- M64 large pack
- light rucksack
- ECN magazine pouches

As an example a tracked package up to 2 Kg limit would be around 30 USD.

PM sent

Rhodesian Selous Scouts trooper - 70's (1)

The Selous Scouts were a Rhodesian special operations regiment that operated from 1973 until 1980.

The Selous Scouts waged asymmetric warfare against their opponents and conducted operations both in Rhodesian and in neighbor countries.

The Selous Scouts also had pseudo-guerrillas groups that were used to infiltrate guerrilla controlled areas and conduct pseudo-ops.

This impression depicts a Selous Scouts operative during a disguised as a guerrilla for infiltration purposes.

Before contact with black paint would be used on the exposed skin areas to mask the identity of the trooper at distance.

As "uniform" a wide array of foreign material used by the guerrillas is worn, the hat is British Army bush hat similar to the ones used by Rhodesia earlier in the war, a Portuguese lizard coverall is used as uniform like the ones left behind in Mozambique and supplied in large quantities by FRELIMO to the guerrillas.

Equipment consists of a Chinese type 56 chest webbing and Chinese water bottle and carrier, these type of items were supplied to the guerrillas in large quantities. An old Portuguese M/943-44 belt is also used.

The weapon carried is an Hungarian AMD65 assault rifle, not the most common AK-type weapon supplied to the guerrillas but a coveted battle pick.

- Kit list:
- British khaki bush hat
- Portuguese lizard coverall (replica)
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- Portuguese M/943-44 belt
- Chicom type 56 chest webbing
- Chicom water bottle and carrier
- Hungarian AMD65 assault rifle

These are the items I used to do the impression "Rhodesian Selous Scouts trooper - 70's (1)"

What I used was:
- British khaki bush hat
- Portuguese lizard coverall (replica)
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- Portuguese M/943-44 belt
- Chicom type 56 chest webbing
- Chicom water bottle and carrier
- Hungarian AMD65 assault rifle

Portuguese MG gunner on short patrol - 1964 (1)

At the start of the Ultramar War Portugal was still using machine guns bought during the 30's or received during World War Two, some in 7,92 mm Mauser and other in .303 British. For commonality reasons the light machine guns sent to Africa at the start of the war were the Madsen and the MG13 and the medium machine gun was the Breda, all in 7,92 mm Mauser.

These machine guns were obsolete and had many limitations for operations in counter-insurgency, these were heavy, did not shared ammunition with the FN FAL or G3 rifles and did not had quick change barrels.

As a stopgap G3 rifles with metal hand guard and biped and heavy barrel FNs were acquired but these were to light to sustained fire roles. This problem was solved in 1963 with the acquisition of the German MG42 machine gun converted to 7,62 mm NATO.

The MG42 despite being heavy was well like and suitable for sustained fire and was issued to the foot patrols and also convoy duties.

This impression depicts an MG gunner in 1964, shortly after the adoption of the MG42, in short patrol duties. Equipment is very light with the others members of the patrol carrying part of the soldier's personal equipment as shown in many period pictures.

The uniform is the then recent m/964 combat uniform now issued to all combat troops, khaki or green uniforms were mainly used for work and barracks wear or issued to militias. The helmet is the M/940 with leather interior and fitted with a camouflage cover.

The boots used are the older Special Hunters model with no laces and two side-buckles, these boots were rarer than the ones with buckles and laces but were much better and continued to be issued to the Marines to this date.

The weapon carried is the MG42 converted to 7,62 mm NATO (MG42/59) and three belts of ammunition are carried.

Kit list:
- Portuguese Army M/940 steel helmet with cover
- Portuguese Army m/964 combat jacket
- Portuguese Army m/964 combat trousers
- Portuguese Army Special Hunters boots (replaced by Marines boots)
- MG42 machine gun with ammunition

These are the items I used to do the impression "Portuguese MG gunner on short patrol - 1964 (1)"

What I used was:
- Portuguese Army M/940 steel helmet with cover
- Portuguese Army m/964 combat jacket
- Portuguese Army m/964 combat trousers
- Portuguese Army Special Hunters boots (replaced by Marines boots)
- MG42 machine gun with ammunition

PedroPato wrote:These are the items I used to do the impression "BSAP Police Anti-Terrorist Unit, Rhodesia - 70's (1)"

What I used was:
- Rhodesian reproduction cap
- Rhodesian reproduction long sleeved shirt
- Rhodesian combat trousers
- Portuguese Armed Forces canvas boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian P69 magazine pouch reproductions (single magazine)
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)

Rhodesian reproductions - Fireforce shop?

The shirt was an older Bertus reproduction and the cap is a Polish cap reproduction. The magazine pouches were commissioned by me but I already have reproduced shirts and kiko style caps and this month will have jackets and trousers reproduced.

Rhodesian 7th Independent Coy French volunteer - 1977-78 (1)

Rhodesia declared its independence from the United Kingdom as its Unilateral Declaration of Independence was made in the 11th November 1965.

The country was not recognized by the United Nations and was subjected to sanctions and an embargo by the United Kingdom, at the same time ZANU and ZAPU had taken arms in 1964 and started the Bush War.

By the late 70's Rhodesia was menaced from Zambia's and Mozambique's borders and these countries had ZANU and ZAPU bases inside their territory rising the need to better protect the borders.

Rhodesia was lacking in manpower to face the growing threat posed by the insurgents so foreign volunteers were sought to remedy this, both recruited into the Army or employed as farm security personnel under police jurisdiction.

About around 200 French volunteers were organized into the 7th Independent Company of the 1st Battalion of the Rhodesia Regiment and this unit existed from November 1977 until May 1978.

This impression is base on pictorial evidence from the 7th Independent Company, the items used are standard Rhodesian Security Forces gear with the kiko cap being more peculiar and later copied to be issued more widely.

The kiko cap copied from French and Portuguese models is a distinctive item, used in this case instead of the more used flap cap.

A camouflage shirt is used together with British green PT shorts similar to the Rhodesian models. The boots are French Army boots similar to the Rhodesian models but black.

Webbing is an assortment of South African P61 and P61-69 items supplied to Rhodesia and also a P44 water bottle and P69 reproduction magazine pouches.

The weapon carried is an SLR L1A1 due to the lack of a proper FN FAL to build this impression, Rhodesia also used the SLR but with wooden furniture.

Kit list:
- Rhodesian reproduction kiko cap
- Rhodesian reproduction long sleeved shirt
- British Army green PT shorts
- French Army double buckle boots
- South African P61 harness
- Rhodesian reproduction P69 magazine pouches
- South African P61-64 combat belt
- South African P61-64 water bottle and pouch
- South African P61-64 kidney pouches
- British Pattern 44 water bottle and pouch
- SLR L1A1 rifle (replacing the FN FAL)