Book SummaryA Handful of Hard Men, by Hannes Wessels

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of A Handful of Hard Men

The development and progression of the Rhodesian Special Air Service as a unique military unit.

This text outlines the evolution of the Rhodesian SAS into a combat unit of extraordinary proficiency. The group rapidly evolved from its roots in the global conflicts of the 20th century to play a pivotal role in Rhodesia's defensive tactics.

The formation and evolution of the Rhodesian SAS were influenced by the heritage and strategies of the British SAS from World War II.

Wessels recounts the historical ties between the Rhodesian Special Air Service and its counterpart from Britain, which dates back to the World War II era, sharing comparable tactics and doctrines. The reputation of the volunteers hailing from Rhodesia was solidified through their active participation in these units.

In the early 1950s, the Rhodesian SAS was established, drawing on tactics and knowledge that originated from the missions of the British SAS during World War II.

Wessels opens with an emphasis on the pivotal contributions made by volunteers originating from Rhodesia to the Long Range Desert Group. The SAS's inception was greatly shaped by the pioneering efforts of the LRDG. In the aftermath of World War II, the Rhodesian government dispatched a significant contingent of troops to reinforce the British Special Air Service during the Korean conflict, in response to a solicitation from London. The formation of C Squadron within the 22nd SAS, initially set up to combat communist guerrillas in Malaya, signaled the inception of the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service. Under the command of the distinguished Major 'Mad Mike' Calvert, who had refined their combat abilities in the Second World War, the Rhodesians showcased extraordinary martial expertise in particularly demanding circumstances.

The unit first saw action in Malaya in 1950, where it contributed to the efforts against communist insurgencies by providing support.

The Rhodesian forces gained valuable insights into forthcoming events from their initial encounters in Malaya. Wessels recounts how they mastered sophisticated fighting skills in the challenging forested landscapes, under the leadership of Peter Walls, who was a lieutenant at the time. Later, Walls would ascend to become Rhodesia's highest-ranking military official. Ron Reid-Daly, who later founded the Selous Scouts, sharpened his combat abilities in this conflict and emerged as a highly respected combatant within the group. In 1954, following its reformation in Rhodesia, the unit ceased to exist, and Walls was honored with an MBE.

After a brief dissolution upon their return to Rhodesia, the group was reformed in the early 1960s due to the deteriorating safety situation within the country.

The Rhodesian authorities opted to reconstitute the unit in response to the escalating demands for majority black governance, which required the creation of a permanent base. The selection of Ndola as the command center was influenced by the significant financial backing provided by the area's copper earnings. Upon completing their training in Hereford, UK, these individuals were responsible for launching the first selection course when they went back to their unit. The separation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia prompted C Squadron to move its base to Salisbury, where it began a rigorous program of recruitment and training with a broader operational mandate.

The Rhodesian SAS was transformed into an exceptional unit of soldiers through a rigorous process of selection and training.

The Rhodesian Special Air Service's recruitment and preparation process was meticulously crafted to ensure that new soldiers were equipped to withstand the harshest combat environments.

Recruits faced a rigorous selection regimen that not only challenged their physical capabilities and stamina but also assessed their proficiency in wilderness survival and psychological resilience.

Wessels recounts how a cohort of one hundred individuals...

A Handful of Hard Men Summary The book scrutinizes the hostilities referred to as the Rhodesian bush war, analyzing its political, strategic, and international consequences.

This section explores the complex interplay of political, ideological, and strategic factors that shaped the conflict referred to as the Rhodesian bush war.

The multitude of political and ideological factors that sparked the hostilities in Rhodesia.

The book explores the ideological and political triggers that led to the onset of hostilities. The narrative highlights the tension stemming from the white minority's control and the black majority's efforts to gain authority, as well as the international condemnation faced by Rhodesia.

The unilateral declaration of independence by the Rhodesian government in 1965 resulted in global condemnation and the enforcement of restrictions on trade and economic interactions.

Wessels emphasizes the pivotal role that Rhodesia's declaration of self-governance in 1965, often referred to as the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, played in shaping the course of history that followed. Ian Smith, the Rhodesian leader, apprehensive about the possible chaos ensuing from the cessation of white minority governance in neighboring African regions, courageously declared the autonomy of his nation, thereby confronting the dominion of the...

A Handful of Hard Men Summary The elite unit known as the Special Air Service was involved in a series of intense military conflicts.

Wessels provides a detailed account of significant operations executed by the highly skilled Rhodesian unit, highlighting their courage, expertise, and adaptability in diverse combat scenarios.

The initial operations of the SAS were concentrated on severing the routes utilized by insurgents to penetrate the area.

In the early stages of the Rhodesian Bush War, the Special Air Service played a pivotal role in preventing insurgents from establishing a presence within Rhodesian borders.

The unit demonstrated exceptional proficiency in detecting and neutralizing the attempts by ZANLA and ZIPRA forces to cross into Rhodesian territory.

Wessels emphasizes the group's initial triumphs, which were due to their exceptional skills in tracing and predicting the adversary's maneuvers. Through the questioning of captured insurgents, the Special Air Service discovered that their adversaries often used waterways for navigation, which allowed their trackers to pinpoint exact areas to focus their operations. As the conflict progressed, the complexity of the techniques employed escalated in response to the growing tensions.

Key missions such as Operation Cauldron played a...

A Handful of Hard Men Summary The story details the life and exploits of the Rhodesian Special Air Service during a tumultuous era.

Wessels illuminates the arduous conditions faced by the elite operatives of the SAS and their steadfast determination to persevere in spite of the difficulties. Additionally, he emphasizes the deep bonds of brotherhood that strengthened the troops through their toughest trials.

The field operatives of the Special Air Service faced a multitude of rigorous challenges and hardships.

The story vividly portrays the severe physical trials and dangers faced by the SAS operators as they battled against powerful foes in unforgiving terrains.

They had to endure the wilds with limited supplies for survival, such as a small quantity of water.

Wessels highlights the severe trials faced by the operatives of the Rhodesian Special Air Service, with a particular emphasis on the importance of their covert strategies and techniques to avoid detection. The author provides examples of the harsh realities faced by SAS soldiers in the field where, operating in small groups for protracted periods without resupply, they were forced to rely on bushcraft skills to sustain themselves while trying to evade enemy ambushes.

The team's proficiency in wilderness survival and tracking...

A Handful of Hard Men Summary The conflict in Rhodesia intensified before it finally came to an end.

Wessels narrates the final stages of the war, explaining how a surge in rebel aggression and calculated political maneuvers led to the collapse of Rhodesian rule and the eventual disbandment of the SAS.

As hostilities escalated, the opposition forces became an increasingly formidable military challenge.

The final stage of the conflict saw the insurgents bolstering their power across the country, enhancing their armaments with sophisticated weapons and refining their combat skills.

The considerable gathering of ZANLA and ZIPRA forces in Mozambique and Zambia, coupled with their acquisition of advanced weaponry,

By the end of the 1970s, the conflict had reached a stalemate, with Rhodesian forces persistently battling and inflicting substantial losses, yet incapable of defeating the guerrilla combatants. Wessels emphasizes the growing impact of the insurgents. The Rhodesians found themselves in a struggle where they contended with not just global disapproval but also with rebels supported by countries from the West as well as those allied with the Communist bloc. The forces striving for autonomy gathered a substantial cache of weapons, which encompassed armored...