“The lessons of the past have a relevance to the needs of the present.” —Charles D. Melson, Chief Historian, USMC
Fresh faced, liberal, anti-war and barely 18 years old, Chris Cocks couldn’t know that in 1976, by sparing his parents the shame of their son deserting, he would become a member of 3 Commando, The Rhodesian Light Infantry, the elite, now world-renowned regiment and expert proponent of the highly developed and deadly military concept: Fire Force. Outnumbered and forced to use antiquated matériel, especially on the part of the air force, this small defence force showed what can be done with ingenuity, creativity and raw courage. From the first shambolic contact in 1966 the Rhodesians honed and fine-tuned their tactics to the degree where Mugabe’s ZANLA generals admitted at the 1979 ceasefire that they would not have survived another year in the field against the Rhodesians.
Fire Force is the rapid, vertical envelopment of an enemy, an encirclement of him, entirely and very quickly, using small, lightly equipped, highly mobile units deployed by helicopter and later as paratroopers. In the international airborne community they are revered: it was not uncommon for a trooper to jump into combat twice a day. Fire Force, spearheading the unseen roles of the Selous Scouts, Special Branch and many others, is succinctly described: it is so simple in its brilliance that it will leave you wondering why it has been left in the 1970s. From command and control, to armament, to the more conventional yet equally critical aspects of soldiering—patrols, ambushes, observation posts and intelligence-gathering—he will hold you enrapt: you will smell the African bush and the cordite.
On the personal level, an enemy kill ratio of 80:1 countered by a 40 per cent casualty rate, extended bush rotations, scant R&R and the resultant mental, physical and emotional toll of being a part of this potent “killing machine”, cannot leave a mind free of what the eye has seen or the body unburdened by the stress it has endured year in and out. Chris Cocks takes you on an emotional journey through his war, his four and half years of continual combat, mostly at point-blank range. His story is universal—that of any combat soldier whose only human experience is war and death—and his life thereafter mirrors that of many, yet the point at which he now finds himself is simultaneously humbling and magnificent.
Fire Force: Military Concept and Tactic
The Rhodesian / Zimbabwean Bush War: A Counter-Insurgency History
Inspirational: A journey through War and Beyond
Chris Cocks speaks with experience and great insight on the drama, horror and complexity of conflict. An accomplished and published author, his compassion and humour, combined with his ability to relate and enthuse, make for a powerful combination. This is a man who has fought one of the most telling counter-insurgencies of modern times, the Rhodesian liberation war. It makes for an insight few military historians possess. It goes without saying, Chris Cocks comes highly recommended.
Steve Crump, GG UKMy thanks to Chris for such an introduction! Not only was he a fine NCO, he is also an accomplished speaker … Rhodesia’s armed forces, in particular the Selous Scouts, the Rhodesian Light Infantry and the Rhodesian Air Force, are greatly indebted to Chris Cocks for keeping our military heritage alive.
The late Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly, first Commanding Officer The Selous Scout RegimentChris Cocks brings to military history a wealth of knowledge and experience as an author, publisher, public speaker and someone who served throughout one of the bloodiest wars in recent times. With insight, wit, empathy and not a little charm, Chris engaged audiences at A New Chapter (a literary luncheon club) and the Military History Museum in Johannesburg on a regular basis. I would travel a long way to enjoy hearing Chris speak.
Jayne Southern, A New Chapter
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…