Rhodesian Brushstroke

Rhodesian Brushstroke camouflage pattern

Rhodesian Brushstroke is a camouflage pattern issued to members of the Rhodesian Security Forces from 1965 until its replacement by a vertical lizard stripe in 1980. It was the default camouflage appearing on battledress of the Rhodesian Army and British South Africa Police, although used in smaller quantities by INTAF personnel. The design was also worn by South African special operations units during raids on Mozambique.[1] Rhodesian Brushstroke is currently used by the Zimbabwe National Army.[2]

Development and history

Rhodesian Brushstroke is similar to the United Kingdom's Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM). It consists of large, contrasting, shapes tailored to break up the outline of an object. Like most disruptive camouflage, the pattern is dependent on countershading, utilising hues with high-intensity contrast or noticeable differences in chromaticity.[3]

Prior to Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, enlisted ranks in the Rhodesian Army wore a somber khaki drill.[4] The Battle of Sinoia and the outbreak of the Rhodesian Bush War prompted security forces to devise a more appropriate uniform especially designed for the region. This incorporated a three colour, high contrast, disruptive fabric with green and brown strokes on a sandy background.[5] Early shortages of textile and equipment were overcome with South African and Portuguese technical assistance, and a home industry for the new battledress developed.[6] The pattern was supposedly designed by Di Cameron of David Whitehead Textiles.

Usage

Rhodesian camouflage suits commonly took the form of coveralls, but these were probably too hot for the climate and uniform regulations in the field were quite lax.[7] Local servicemen often modified their uniforms to shorten the sleeves while others wore privately acquired T-shirts in a bewildering variety of unofficial spinoffs on the army brushstroke.[5] Long camouflage trousers were ignored in favour of drab running shorts.[6] Despite acknowledging that the pattern itself was exceptional, security forces also criticised the fabric's mediocre quality and cited the NATO clothing worn by foreign volunteers as being "far superior".[7]

Pilfered Rhodesian fatigues occasionally turned up in the hands of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), which used it to impersonate government troops,[8] and the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).[9] 3 South African Infantry Battalion, the South African Special Forces Brigade, and 1 Parachute Battalion were also offered Rhodesian camouflage during clandestine operations in that country.[10] These stocks were withdrawn at Zimbabwean independence in 1980.[11] A handful may have been re-issued to fifth columns between 1981 and 1984.[12]

The Zimbabwe National Army adopted Rhodesian Brushstroke at some point prior to the Second Congo War. It is now produced on a khaki base for the dry season savanna and a pale green base for the rainy season verdure.[2]

While developing a new disruptive camouflage in the 2000, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) evaluated over 100 existing patterns, and judged Rhodesian Brushstroke to be one of the three best schemes previously developed, along with CADPAT and tigerstripe.[13] None of the candidates were adopted because there was some indication that Marines would be better served by something more distinctive than a preexisting design. The MARPAT digital camouflage eventually introduced by the USMC in 2002 remains in use today, and blends elements from all three camouflages.[13]

See also

Notes and references

References
  1. ↑ Stiff 2000, p. 86.
  2. 1 2 Abbot 2014, p. 47.
  3. ↑ Baumbach 2012, pp. 80–81.
  4. ↑ Ambush Valley Games 2012, p. 124.
  5. 1 2 Ambush Valley Games 2012, pp. 124–126.
  6. 1 2 Shortt 2003, p. 35.
  7. 1 2 Cocks 2009, pp. 136–137.
  8. ↑ Petter-Bowyer 2003, p. 125.
  9. ↑ Venter 2013, p. 364.
  10. ↑ Scholtz 2013, pp. 36–40.
  11. ↑ Hutcheson 2000.
  12. ↑ Stiff 2002, p. 116.
  13. 1 2 Delta Gear 2012.
Online sources
Bibliography
  • Stiff, Peter (2000) [1999]. The Silent War: South African Recce Operations 1969–1994. Alberton: Galago. ISBN 978-0620243001. 
  • Abbot, Peter (February 2014). Modern African Wars: The Congo 1960–2002. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1782000761. 
  • Baumbach, Johannes (2012). Sparks, Emma, ed. Advances in Military Textiles and Personal Equipment. Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing. ISBN 978-1845696993. 
  • Ambush Valley Games, (various) (May 2012). Bush Wars: Africa 1960–2010. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1849087698. 
  • Shortt, James (2003) [1981]. The Special Air Service. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0850453966. 
  • Cocks, Chris (June 2009) [1988]. Fireforce: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry (Fourth ed.). Johannesburg: 30° South Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9584890-9-6. 
  • Petter-Bowyer, P. J. H. (November 2005) [2003]. Winds of Destruction: the Autobiography of a Rhodesian Combat Pilot. Johannesburg: 30° South Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9584890-3-4. 
  • Venter, Al J (2013). Portugal's Guerrilla Wars in Africa: Lisbon's Three Wars in Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea 1961–74. Solihull: Helion and Company. ISBN 978-1909384576. 
  • Scholtz, Leopold (2013). The SADF in the Border War 1966–1989. Cape Town: Tafelberg. ISBN 978-0-624-05410-8. 
  • Stiff, Peter (2002). Cry Zimbabwe: Independence Twenty Years on. Alberton: Galago. ISBN 978-1919854021. 
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