The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) hosted Theo Williams, a former major with the Rhodesian Army, today's Zimbabwe, at their Regimental Mess Oct. 9.Williams was invited to give a briefing on the Selous Scouts, a regiment of the Rhodesian Army, active from 1973 until 1980 when the civil war ended between the national guerrilla movement and the existing government of Rhodesia.
The Scouts, named after famed British explorer Frederick Selous, were specifically formed to track and infiltrate guerilla organizations due to lack of intelligence coming through the regular Army system. Their mission, to engross themselves in the local environment – beards, attire and mannerisms – to gain the confidence of the populace and go where the terrorists were infiltrating, very similar to today’s Special Forces attitude.
Williams went on to form the Grey Scouts as the youngest major ever in the Rhodesian Army. This mounted unit of the Selous Scouts, similar to a battalion in a U.S. Army Special Forces unit was formed for deep penetration into enemy territory to gain the intelligence needed, emphasizing that, “the food of any Army is intelligence.”
The members of the Selous Scouts, numbering around 1,500 at their greatest strength, were acclaimed trackers and responsible for 68 percent of all guerilla deaths within the borders of Rhodesia. Their success stemmed from the speed at which they turned the guerillas to their side and got them back into the fight.
At the end of his presentation, Col. William H. Shaw III, 10th SFG(A) deputy commander, presented Williams with a commander’s coin and thanked him for his briefing.
Williams, in-turn, gave his thanks to be allowed to, “talk about a small group of likeminded, determined people who overcome all odds.” Further stating that, “We have to go backward to go forward.”
Theo Williams, a former Major with the Rhodesian Army, gave a briefing for the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at their Regimental Mess Oct. 9.
Williams, who was known as the youngest major ever in the Rhodesia Army, spoke about the Selous Scouts.
Theo Williams, a former Major with the Rhodesian Army, gave a briefing for the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at their Regimental Mess Oct. 9.Williams, who was known as the youngest major ever in the Rhodesia Army, spoke about the Selous Scouts.
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