The African soldiers admired and revered the standard. "PAMWE CHETE ", which translates into English as "TOGETHER AS ONE " The standard, therefore, carried emblems and objects that reflected African culture and spiritual beliefs.ĭ) Inscribed on the banneret are the Shona words
![rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu) rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu)](https://media.customon.com/unsafe/1200x1200/img.customon.com/img/12028697/38305,14,0,0,34,180.1832488014,236.5712,24.908375599298,0,5e5cd71c11ecbb0cb95784123346d661/merchantimagenew/rhodesian-special-forces-men-s-t-shirt-navy.jpg)
The Regiment's personnel were 80% black African who, unlike European soldiers, are not inspired by flags/colours. The Selous Scout Regimental Standard represents the Afro-European composition of this formidable unit. It was also respected by the European soldiers since it was similar to the standards/eagles of the Republican and Imperial Roman Legions, and the eagles of Napoleon's Grand Armee.
#Rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu) skin#
The standard, therefore, carried artifacts that reflected African culture and spiritual beliefs.Ī) Each African clan/tribe has a sacred animal totem- antelope, cheetah etc-which it will not kill.The totem becomes the spirit of the tribe.The Osprey was the spirit of the Regiment and also represented the spirits of the dead Selous Scouts.ī) The bull buffalo horns bound with elephant hide represent strength and courageĬ) The central boss of zebra skin represents the white and black soldiers who make up the regiment.ĭ) Inscribed on the banneret are the Shona words "PAMWE CHETE ", which translates into English as "TOGETHER AS ONE "Į) Wildebeest tails, which are hung from the tip of each buffalo horn, have been used by African witchdoctors and medicine men for generations to ward off evil spirits. Which came first is hard to pin down as all where used at the same time in different areas.One staff, one Silver Osprey avian figure, one set of buffalo horns, two Wildebeest tail tassels, one banneret, one leather flag carrier Calling it first pattern is reasonable, there are other patterns of camo made by different manufacturers at least one screen printed on to complete shirts, another manufacturer used printed cloth to make shirts, this cloth was imported and is not the Rhodesian pattern, more a woodland style. Rhodesia had a shortage of bais edging so the neck line and sleeves would just be hemmed in tee shirt material.
![rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu) rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu)](http://a1.img.bidorbuy.co.za/image/upload/user_images/109/435109_090813175827_134011A.jpg)
Screen printing a completely assembled khaki tee shirt where available right to the early 80s, these where made in Rhodesia, the variations come about by missing a screen in the process or sometimes turning a screen. I am on the extreme right wearing the hand screened t shirt which I consider the first pattern print unless corrected by a deeper knowledge here.Īlso in the background with the radio I put him wearing an Arid cap. Many many years ago I did a photo shoot of Rhodesian camouflage items in my collection. he was a bit later 1970s in Bulawayo and Vic Falls, by then the sticks only wore Rhodesian Police Issue Cammo, all private purchase foreign camo was binned. Spoke to a member of Black Group on Friday. If anyone has any photos of the items in isolation, please post them so we can get a better shot of this very obscure Rhodesian pattern. This is the only thread I've ever seen it discussed in detail: It looks very Portuguese, but the pattern shape is very different. The photo has another interesting BSAP test pattern that later became the Zimbabwe vertical lizard pattern. I saw this jacket in this photo of PATU "Black Group" in 1968 (from ) This is the same print used in the 2-lower pocket version Kia kaha posted.
![rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu) rhodesian army tracker combat unit (tcu)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/433b53_3c4dc547bb7c4ca382cd3dbded0e52f6~mv2_d_3000_3000_s_4_2.png)
The prints are fairly inconsistent in terms of color order, and in one case print quality, though I've noticed that the pattern shapes on this first pattern are distinct from the common pattern. I also have several early pattern combat jackets. It is amazingly hard to photograph since the yellow-green is not very different from the base khaki color of the fabric.īased on the pattern shapes, jacket cut, and tag (196_, with the last digit blank I have an early jacket with the same style of tag but with the last digit filled in by hand), I believe the arid version was produced right when the standard, common version of the pattern was made. I actually own an "arid season" jacket as described in the first post.