| Guard Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 February 1976–May 1980 |
| Disbanded | May 1980 |
| Country |  Rhodesia |
| Allegiance | Republic of Rhodesia (1976–79) Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979) United Kingdom (1979–80) Zimbabwe (1980) |
| Branch | Ground Forces |
| Type | Static defence |
| Garrison/HQ | Salisbury, Rhodesia |
| Equipment | Lee-Enfield Heckler & Koch G3 |
| Engagements | Rhodesian Bush War |
| Commanders | |
| First Commander | Major General G. A. D. Rawlins (1976–1977) |
| Second and Last Commander | Brigadier W. A. Godwin (1977–1979) |
The Guard Force was an arm of the Rhodesian Security Forces. Coming under the Ministry of Defence it was organised on similar lines to, but separate from, the Rhodesian Army. The Guard Force was set up from 1975 (and formally established on 1 February 1976) to provide security to protected villages. These had been established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to separate black rural civilians from guerillas during the Rhodesian Bush War. Guard Force units took over security duties from Ministry staff.
From 1977 the Guard Force was reformed, becoming more pro-active. Rather than an entirely static rural force it carried out patrols and ambushes and guarded key urban points and lines of communication. Infantry battalions were introduced in 1978 to better suit its new role. By the end of the Bush War in 1979 it numbered 7,000 men. The Guard Force became redundant with the transfer to black-majority rule (as Zimbabwe) in 1980 and was disbanded.
The Guard Force was criticised as poorly trained and had low morale. Its white recruits came from classes of national servicemen and elderly reservists who failed to qualify for more prestigious duties. The men received lower pay than the army.