rhodesian mercenary mike rousseau
2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, [79] Both the main nationalist groups believed that the volunteers' presence indicated that western governments supported the Rhodesian regime. 4 Things to Do During Self-Isolation - The Shooter's Log The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. Damn the Terrs: American warriors fighting for Rhodesia Some of the volunteers were later identified as agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. [67] Many of the volunteers were frustrated that they were paid only in Rhodesian dollars, as foreign banks would not process this currency and the Rhodesian government allowed no more than R$1,500 to be converted to other currencies. It was finished in 1980 and published in 1991. [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. [85], In 1977 the British government provided a tentative response to an American proposal that the United Nations Security Council adopt a resolution requiring UN members to prevent their citizens from serving in the Rhodesian military. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Judge turns down New Jerseys request for stay in NSSF lawsuit, MSU professor illustrates problem with gun control advocates, 71-year-old Philadelphia man shoots back at armed robbers, sends them fleeing, Texas congressman faces censure over gun control support, MO lawmaker believes he can get GOP support on gun control, Bump stocks back on store shelves in three states, Colorado Democrats introduce assault weapon ban, Bill reintroduced to abolish the Tiahrt Amendments, Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill overcomes filibuster threat, appears poised for passage, Former D.A. Volume 9: EDC Digital Magazine. Transitioning between targets can take some getting used to, especially for shooters still trying to get some experience under their belts. There is evidence that the Departments of Justice and State tacitly encouraged Americans to volunteer for Rhodesia as part of efforts to prevent the country collapsing before a negotiated solution to the war could be finalised. Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. [44] Many volunteers were also strongly anti-communist, and wanted to stop the further spread of this ideology in Africa. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. The bullet hit the base of his attackers neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight. As historians have found it difficult to access Rhodesian records, it is not known exactly how many foreigners volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. Titanfall Blisk is working under a new long-term contract with the IMC on the Frontier, providing Combat Intel and Counterinsurgency services. The Mozambique Drill is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. You sweat just standing still. After a quick assessment of the situation, Rousseau tried for a shot to the mans central nervous system. This proposal was quickly dismissed as the Rhodesians did not see how they could arm or use large numbers of non-English speakers. He is the leader of the Apex Predators, an infamous outfit of ruthless freelance Pilots. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in! Soldier of Fortune ran large numbers of articles on foreigners in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Bush War; each edition published between 1975 and 1980 included at least one article on the subject. The French troops were being withdrawn from Djibouti upon that country's independence, and French intelligence agents helped facilitate their recruitment by the Rhodesian Army. The reality of the war confronted Rousseau at the airport in Loureno Marques, which has been called Maputo since 1976. A par time for this drill should be four seconds. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. Under three seconds, and youve got some major skills. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_2',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1-0');report this ad [5][9], The Mozambique Drill is featured in a number of movies, notably Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann.[10]. : The British Military Advisory and Training Team and the Creation of the Zimbabwe National Army", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foreign_volunteers_in_the_Rhodesian_Security_Forces&oldid=1135864497, The historians Peter Godwin and Ian Hancock have written that foreign volunteers represented only a "tiny minority" of the Rhodesian military in 1972, with 90 per cent of recruits being Rhodesians and most of the remainder. The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. Setup: 1x USPSA Silhouette Target: This led to a negotiated conclusion to the war that involved a transition to majority rule and the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. Portugal said it supported the Mozambique people and designated it an overseas territory in the 1950s in lieu of calling it a colony, but it was still a colony no matter how Portugal presented it. John McVicar Malloch ICD, was a South African-born Rhodesian bush pilot, gun-runner and sanctions-buster who flew in World War II and in various legal and illegal roles around Africa and the Middle East until the early 1980s. The drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. [95] On 21 December that year the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 460 that, among other things, called for the British authorities to expel all "mercenaries" and South African forces from Southern Rhodesia. [21], While most of the security forces' personnel were black, the Rhodesian government had a strong preference for whites. In the 1960s he coined the term hoplophobia, an irrational fear of weapons. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Towsley on Tactical blog Archives - Bryce Towsley page. [36][74] These volunteers may have further encouraged the Rhodesian Security Forces use of the 'body count' of guerrillas killed as a measure of success, with this having been a key metric in Vietnam. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . However, since you wont have time to interview your attacker in the heat of the moment, the specific cause of the failure isnt important. [84] The FCO advised anyone who sought information about fighting for Rhodesia that doing so was illegal, but did not explain why. The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. If any of your three shots miss, you have failed the drill. According to the anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). [67], The large group of Frenchmen who enlisted together were used to form 7 Independent Company. Rumored to have begun with Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau and adopted into coursework at Gunsight Academy, the Mozambique Drill is intended to drop an advancing threat immediately. This article is featured in Southern Rhodesia was a self-governing British colony located in southern Africa whose economy and government was dominated by the small white minority of its population. However, here we are more concerned with your shooting than tactics, because the subtle nuances of the proper tactics can vary from situation to situation. The Mozambique Drill,[1] also known as the Failure Drill, or Failure to Stop drill and, informally, as "two to the body, one to the head,"[2][3] is a close-quarters shooting technique that requires the shooter to fire twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap or hammered pair to the center of mass), and follow up with a more difficult head shot that, if properly placed, will instantaneously stop the target if the previous shots failed to do so. They generally served alongside Rhodesian personnel in a large number of units, though a group of Frenchmen served together in a separate unit. Copyright 2023 Jews Can Shoot. The drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. It is vital to mix up your training, firing different numbers of shots into your targets, at different locations, because you never know if your first shot or your fifteenth is going to be the one that stops the threat. [35] Organisations representing veterans were another method used to contact potential recruits. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! For simple evaluation purposes, position a target with a V1 and V2 zone 5 yards to your front. Its a port city in southern Mozambique where it can be hot with humidity over 80 percent. The Browning Hi Power: The Superlative WWII Combat Handgun That Played [99][100], A range of works have provided positive portrayals of the foreign volunteers. Named for Mike Rousseau, an associate of Jeff Cooper, who, ironically, died during the war in Rhodesia. The Rhodesian Front's ideology held that the end of colonial rule in Africa and the development of African nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s had been the result of international communism aided by a policy of appeasement towards African nationalists by the United Kingdom and other western countries. This is a drill created during the Mozambique War of Independence, when a Rhodesian Mercenary (Mike Rousseau) had an up-close encounter with an opponent wielding an AK-47. [23] Other volunteers were posted to a range of units, including protection companies mainly made up of black soldiers and the largely white Grey's Scouts and Rhodesian Armoured Corps. Jews Can Shoot is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. No use without the express written permission of Doris Wise Montrose is permitted. This proved impossible due to the large numbers and difficulty of checking their backgrounds. Multiple Gunshot Death - TV Tropes As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. |-- General Discussion: Presidency certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. Semi-automatic pistols in those days relied on FMJ bullets so the pistol would function properly. Guerrilla fighters were swarming the airport and Rousseau turned a corner and nearly bumped into a FRELIMO fighter wielding an AK-47. Two to the body, one to the head. Over the years, this drill has morphed into a variety of other drills and, if you put any two firearms instructors together, youll get a different opinion as to how its to be properly executed. Handgun Training for Personal Protection. Rousseau hit an . [22] The army units manned by full time personnel, which included a high proportion of white regular and conscripted soldiers, were the most powerful element of the security forces and formed a strategic reserve that responded to the guerrilla activities. Rousseau relayed this story to Jeff Cooper, who then began employing this failure to stop drill in his teaching at Gunsite. Therefore, the more difficult head shot should be used as a follow up to your double tap. Guerrilla forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front (or FRELIMO) became embroiled in a war of independence with Portugal. After the end of the Frontier War, he went on to create a popular bloodsport competition called the Apex Games. An accurate shot to the T-zone (the area between the eyebrows and upper lip, also called the ocular cavity) damages the brain and central nervous system and secures instant incapacitation of the target. [34] The Rhodesian government paid the airfares of volunteers who were unable to afford to travel until 1977. Editors Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. If youve been around defensive pistol shooting for a while, youve likely heard of the Mozambique Drill (AKA, failure to stop drill). If a few hundred Jewish fighter in the Warsaw Ghetto could hold off the Wehrmacht for almost a month with only a handful weapons, six million Jews armed with rifles could not so easily have been herded into cattle cars. [16], Despite its need for foreign volunteers, the Rhodesian government was uncomfortable with them. Its much harder than you may think. Habah l'hargecha hashkem l'hargo -- "If someone is coming to kill you, rise against him and kill him first.". All Rights Reserved. [23] In 1979, the military historian John Keegan noted that foreigners made up between a quarter and a third of the strength of the RLI. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! When a double-tap to the chest failed to stop the aggressor, a third shot to the head ended the threat and created the Mozambique Drill. SA-3 Mozambique | Titanfall Wiki | Fandom The British, United States and several other governments were unable to prevent their citizens fighting for Rhodesia due to difficulties enforcing the relevant laws. The pelvis does not move as erratically as the head or shoulders, and should be an easier target than a bobbing and weaving head. McAleese had previously led a group of British mercenaries in Angola, and was posted to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) after completing training. Silveira v. Lockyer, 2003. [86] The United States government did little to slow the flow of volunteers to Rhodesia. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning HP35 pistol and fired two bullets into the target's upper chest, usually enough to incapacitate or kill outright. A British deserter from the Rhodesian military claimed in 1976 that 2,000 of the 6,000 regular soldiers in the Rhodesian Army were British and another 100 Americans. "All too many of the other great tragedies of historyStalins atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a fewwere perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations. Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous Gunsite Academy. [39][40][41] Sources differ on whether these men were paratroopers or members of the French Foreign Legion. Successful applicants were then offered a rank in the security forces. Although the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper is credited with developing the Mozambique Drill, he had a little help. [25] Rhodesian recruitment leaflets were also circulated within British Army barracks that year. However, this drill is mostly concerned with improving your shooting skills rather than learning the nuances of self-defense tactics. [7] The party believed that Rhodesia needed to take a stand against the perceived communist threat to protect western civilisation in Africa. He named it after the country where the incident occurred, dubbing his drill the Mozambique Drill., Practical Variations to the Mozambique Drill, El Presidente Drill Assessing Your Shooting Skills, The Best Self Defense Ammo Ballistic Testing. Mozambique Drill - Wikipedia Two shots to the chest failed to stop the guy, so Rousseau had to transition point of aim for a head shot. [71] There were concerns that many of the volunteers were motivated more by a desire to fight in a war than a commitment to Rhodesia. So why not just send the first shot to the head? Ex-military wanting to ply their tactical handiwork in return for treasure were welcomed to Mozambique to help the Portuguese military. To guarantee instant incapacitation by impacting the brain and central nervous system, the head shot must be delivered to the area between eyebrows and upper lip, otherwise, various bony areas of the skull could deflect the bullet. |-- General Discussion However, they and their guerrilla armies were motivated mainly by nationalism and a desire to end discriminatory practices and establish majority rule in Rhodesia. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill - Gun Digest At the start signal, draw from concealment and fire two shots into the V1 zone and one shot into the V2 zone as fast as you can do so without missing either zone. Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. All Rights Reserved. Of course, we have to be careful of adhering to dogma, no matter where it comes from. Failure Drill: A Proven Strategy to Stop an Attacker The Portuguese forces collaborated with Rhodesia which had experience from the Bush War in the early 1960s to create special forces teams to deal with FRELIMO. [46], In addition to the actual volunteers, thousands of South African Police and South African Defence Force (SADF) personnel were deployed to Rhodesia by the South African government to serve in or alongside the Rhodesian Security Forces. [70], Ware and Campbell wrote in 2022 that the foreign volunteers had little influence on the war, and the pressure from western governments on the Rhodesian government to agree to a transition to majority rule was of greater importance. [93], The legality of volunteering for the Rhodesian Security Forces varied between other countries. Most of the mercenary soldiers carried FN FAL or HK G3 rifles. Until the early 1970s the Rhodesian Security Forces had little difficulty in defeating the guerrillas. Tom Cruise was great in Collateral. He should play villain in more These two additions to the drill could make a world of difference in a real-life self-defense situation. views and opinions of Springfield Armory. The views Portugal still maintained strong control over Mozambique. The Mozambique Drill brings together low-round count that challenges a shooter's speed, accuracy, and fundamentals. Id argue that if the two shots at (and hopefully in) the chest of an aggressor fails to convince him to break off his attack, then youd be better to drop your aim to fire the third shot (and perhaps fourth and fifth shots) at the pelvis next. Mike Rousseau was friends with Colonel Jeff Cooper, a legend in the firearms training world and the founder of Gunsite Academy. You have entered an incorrect email address! The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly giveaways! this do in honour of dead mercenaries - Democratic Underground The so-called Mozambique Drill (two shots to the chest, one to the head) was actually developed by accident by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the War of Independence in Mozambique when two pistol shots to the torso failed to bring down an enemy guerrilla. All rights reserved. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. Rounding a corner Rousseau found himself unexpectedly face to face with a FRELIMO guerilla armed with an AK47 at a range of about ten paces. [56] The desertion rate among foreigners serving in the SAS was particularly high. [80] Many Africans believed that the inaction of the western governments demonstrated their lack of commitment to combating white minority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa. ATLAS 8 DRY-FIRE TRAINING SYSTEM Spotter Up This is a great exercise to work on speed, accuracy and self-defense tactics. [17] The Army's structure of administrative corps was similar to that of the British Army, and many of its officers had undergone training in the United Kingdom. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. He told Cooper the story, and Cooper began to teach what he called the "Mozambique Drill" at Gunsite. [50] The high proportion of white Rhodesians who were born outside the country or held citizenship of another country also complicates the matter. Center mass shots are easier to make quickly. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy. Save my name and email to use for future comments. [101] Robin Moore included profiles of twelve volunteers as part of a non-fiction book he wrote in 1976 that argued that the Rhodesian government was not racist and sanctions against it should be lifted. It is estimated that between 800 and 2,000 foreign volunteers enlisted, with the exact number not being known. [104], Few works by historians have been published on the volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. Mozambique Drill - How It Works & Why To Use It - The Lodge at AmmoToGo.com Frankly, I dont know of many shooters who maintain the level of skill to pull this off consistently at 3-5 yards. European colonial powers like Belgium and Portugal fought to defend their interests, but the rebels had little to lose and everything to gain. He also noted that the party drew on the ideas and language used by the contemporary radical right movement in the United States to justify UDI. Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Handgun Training for Personal Protection. Apparently, the only way to stop a zombie is with a well-placed head shot. Felons can be high on adrenalin or drugs to the point that they do not recognize or respond to pain. One such soldier of fortune was Mike Rousseau. The Mozambique drill was made famous by Jeff Cooper after learning about this incident. Remember that 9mm ammo circa late 1960s and late 1970s was marginally better than 9mm ammo from WWII. People have an annoying habit of wanting to move around when you are shooting at them. The Browning Hi Power: The Superlative WWII Combat Handgun That Played If the target is still advancing and active, apply a third, more surgical shot to the head to shut down the threat. |-- Topic Forums As he turned a corner, he encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. The party was deeply committed to maintaining the white minority's status, with this motivating a decision to declare independence from the United Kingdom rather than submit to a transition to majority rule. Thats why practicing the Mozambique Drill is so important. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy soldier carrying an AK-47. [89] This law can only be enforced within the United States, meaning that American citizens who enlisted to fight for Rhodesia while overseas could not be prosecuted. Your goal should be three accurate shots in under four seconds. | Discussion Engaged in a firefight at an airport in Lourenco Marques, Rousseau encountered a guerilla fighter armed with an AK-47. Some years back, Col. Cooper developed what he called the Mozambique Drill for the purposes of dealing with this type of situation. He finished the job with a headshot. [28] This magazine had been established that year to promote mercenary opportunities, and provided a positive portrayal of the lifestyle available to mercenaries. [18] As the war continued, additional army and police units were raised and the periods of active service reservists were required to undertake was increased. Dont be surprised to hear the drill referred to as the Zombie Drill or Zombie Check. [63], After completing training, many of the volunteers were assigned to the all-white Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) and particularly its 3 Commando sub-unit. Heads bob around erratically and the effective zone is relatively small. |-- DU Groups Heres the connection. Creator of the Mozambique Shooting Drill died in Zimbabwe How?? Rousseau then aimed for the head, and fired the shot that finally put the enemy solder down. [77] Rhodesia attempted to counter the "mercenary" claim by processing the volunteers through the Department of Immigration and framing them as prospective Rhodesian citizens, though few ever applied for citizenship. Forum Categories History. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Sometimes shooting a bad guy in the chest just isnt enough. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill, Light Em Up: Home Defense Lasers and Lights. Those who were considered potentially suitable were sent information packs, and asked to supply documentation to support their application; preference was given to applicants who provided notarized documents in their response. While a thousand organizations use the Holocaust as a platform for speeches about tolerance, Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Children Of Jewish Holocaust Survivors [Jews Can Shoot]. Click 2023 Springfield Armory. [86] Due to the difficulty of drafting legislation that could effectively ban Britons from serving with Rhodesia or enforcing the measures that were brought in, there is no record of any British citizens being punished for serving with the Rhodesian Security Forces during the war. While Im no gunfighter and there isnt any (sane) person who wants to learn gunfighting from me, Id offer another alternative that might be more slightly attainable to more people, and which is suggested by our own Stephen Wenger based off of his decades in studying armed self-defense.