| Rhodesian Armoured Corps | |
|---|---|
 The distinctive unit insignia of the Rhodesian Armoured Corps, featuring the Sable antelope which is prevalent on other Rhodesian symbols. | |
| Active | 1941–1956 1972–1980 |
| Disbanded | 1980–1981 |
| Country |  Rhodesia |
| Allegiance |  British Empire (1941–1956) Rhodesia (1972–1979) Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979) Zimbabwe (1980) |
| Branch |  Rhodesian Army |
| Type | Armoured cavalry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison/HQ | Blakiston-Houston Barracks, Salisbury |
| Nickname(s) | "The Black Devils" |
| Motto(s) | Asesabi Lutho (Sindebele: We Fear Nothing)[1] |
| Cerise & Old Gold | |
| Armoured Cars | Eland Ferret Marmon Herrington MPCV Staghound |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Commander (1972–1978) | Major Bruce Rooken-Smith Rhodesian Army |
| Commander (1978–1979) | Major Darrell Winkler Rhodesian Army |
| Commander (1979–1980) | Major (SA) van Graan South African Army |
| Commander (1980–1981) | Lt. Col. Bruce Rooken-Smith Zimbabwe National Army |
The Rhodesian Armoured Corps, nicknamed the "Black Devils" — was the only standing armoured cavalry battalion of the Rhodesian Army. During World War II, it took part in the Allied Spring 1945 offensive and the Battle of Monte Cassino as part of South Africa's 6th Armoured Division.[2] The unit was among the first to enter a liberated Florence in July 1944. Prior to 1963, its crews were trained in the United Kingdom or Aden Colony[3] and were known as the "Selous Scouts" under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.[4] After Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, maintaining the armoured vehicle fleet became a responsibility of the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) until Major Bruce Rooken-Smith reactivated the former Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment in 1972. During the Rhodesian Bush War, the regiment fought in several major campaigns and battles, particularly Operation Miracle in September 1979.[5] It was superseded by the new Zimbabwe Armoured Corps between 1980 and 1981.[6]
- ^ "Zimbabwejournalists.com: Open letter to the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
- ^ Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment
- ^ Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment Uncovered
- ^ Ceremonial Parade
- ^ Moorcraft, Paul L.; McLaughlin, Peter (April 2008) [1982]. The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. pp. 90–96. ISBN 978-1-84415-694-8.
- ^ Peter Gerard Locke & Peter David Farquharson Cooke, Fighting Vehicles and Weapons of Rhodesia 1965–80, P&P Publishing, Wellington 1995 ISBN 0-473-02413-6, p. 97 - 147.