Beryl Salt - A Pride of Eagles: A History of the Rhodesian Air Force

A/A

Anti-aircraft

AK

Kalashnikov or AK-47. This was a Russian-designed weapon manufactured in Europe and China. It became a standard weapon for guerrilla movements world-wide. It was also used by the Rhodesian Security Forces. It was easy to use and could withstand bad treatment.

Ammo

Ammunition.

ANC

African National Congress (South Africa).

ANC

African National Council (Rhodesia).

AP

Anti-personnel land-mine.

ASP/ASAP

As soon as possible.

Avgas

Aviation fuel.

Bailiff

Member of the BSAP.

Blues

Army term for the air force.

Bok-bok

A game in which two teams compete. One team lines up, one behind the other. The first man in line holds onto a tree or other solid object; the rest bend down and hold the thighs of the man in front. The second team, one after the other, leap onto the backs of the first team, landing as far up the line as possible until all the members of the second team are sitting on the backs of the first team. The feet of the leapers must not touch the ground once they have landed. The object of the second team is to bring the first team to the ground.

Browns

Air force term for the army.

BSAP

British South Africa Police.

Bundu

Bush.

CAA

Central African Airways.

Call sign

A group of operators, each group with its own radio identification numbe.

Camo

Camouflage.

CAOS

Combined Air Observers School and Airgunners School.

casevac/ed

Casualty evacuation.

Chaminuka

A famous Shona spirit medium.

Chimurenga

A Shona word for the War of Liberation

CID

Criminal Investigation Department of the BSAP

CIO

Central Intelligence Organization.

CO

Commanding Officer

COIN

Counter Insurgency.

ComOps

Combined Operations, central planning and coordinating organization.

CT

Acronym for communist terrorist

DA

District Assistant the black assistants who worked with district commissioners to administer black rural areas.

Dak

Dakota.

DFC

Distinguished Flying Cross.

DFM

Distinguished Flying Medal.

DR

Dead Reckoning.

DSO

Distinguished Service Order.

DZ

Dropping Zone.

EFTS

Elementary Flying Training School.

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival.

FACP

Forward Air Force Command Post.

FAF

Forward Air Field.

Fire force

Highly mobile group of troops ferried by helicopter direct to a contact with the enemy. Each flight of troop-carrying G-Cars was escorted by a K-Car, helicopter gunship.

Flak

Anti-aircraft fire.

FN

(Fabrique Nationale) Belgian-designed 7.62 semi-automatic and automatic NATO weapon on general issue to Rhodesia Security Forces.

Fred/Freddie

Nickname for Frelimo.

Frelimo

The Front for the Liberation of Mozambique.

G-Car

Troop-carrying Alouette helicopter.

Gee

Radar aid to navigation and target identification.

Gomo

Hill or mountain (Shona).

Gook

A term used for insurgentsoriginally used by Americans fighting in the Far East.

Hooterville

Air Force slang for Gwelo. Later used for Mabalauto, an airfield on the south-western border of the Gonarezhou game reserve.

Hot extraction

A lift out by helicopter under dangerous circumstances. A special winch and harness could be used so that the helicopter did not have to land.

Hot pursuit

Cross-border pursuit of the enemy.

IFF

Identificationfriend or foe.

Indaba

Traditional meeting of African chiefs.

ITW

Initial Training Wing.

Jesse

Thick thorn bush.

JOC

Joint Operational Centre. A local military HQ where police, the army, the air force and special branch cooperated and pooled their intelligence.

K-Car

(Killing Car) A heavily armed Alouette.

Koppie

Hill.

Kraals

Groups of African huts.