Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. 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. Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces. [2] Rousseau was later killed in action in the Rhodesian War. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Lourenco Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. He named it after the country where the incident occurred, dubbing his drill the Mozambique Drill.. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo),. [78], The nationalists argued in their propaganda that the Rhodesian regime's need for foreign volunteers illustrated its political and military weaknesses. 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 [13], Guerrilla activities began in 1966, and mainly involved small groups operating in northern Rhodesia. the technique may also be called a triple tap, or failure to stop drill. [94], Many of the foreign volunteers opposed the March 1978 Internal Settlement, under which the white Rhodesian government agreed to cede power to moderate black leaders. Its editor was a strong supporter of the white Rhodesian cause and wanted to encourage Americans to fight for Rhodesia. a close quarter tactical method of killing a target with two shots to the chest and one follow up shot to the head. Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. Rousseau immediately performed a double tap two shots to the center of the torso. [67], The large group of Frenchmen who enlisted together were used to form 7 Independent Company. 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, [4][5][6], According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (19641974). Flat nose bullets and hollow points were not in widespread use, so those FMJs from Rousseaus HP35 must have passed right through the fighter. [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. Oops, there's been an error. 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. 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. With small arms, mortars, and artillery of predominantly Russian and Chinese origin, guerrilla fighters in places like the Congo and Mozambique engaged in pitiless unconventional warfare that saw widespread atrocities. If I were to guess, I would say Rousseaus ammo was a 115-grain with a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. [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. Volume 9: EDC Digital Magazine. These Hearing this story, Cooper later incorporated this three-shot drill into his program of instruction as a way to end a fight that cannot be immediately stopped with bullets fired into the chest. The Walther P38: Godfather of the modern combat handgun All other white military personnel, other than members of the Selous Scouts unit that had a reputation for atrocities, were given an assurance that they would not be required to leave the military. The Triple Tap Callsign can be unlocked by playing with the Mozambique, and Triple Tap XL can be unlocked via Advocate Gift. It was also unclear whether serving in the Rhodesian military was illegal under laws that prohibited service in foreign militaries as the British did not recognise Rhodesia's independence. [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. The Rhodesian military also adopted some of the terminology used by Americans in Vietnam, such as referring to guerrillas as 'gooks' and labelling one of their supply lines the 'Ho Chi Minh trail'. [51] As a result, there are a range of estimates of the numbers of foreigners who travelled to Rhodesia to serve with the security forces: British citizens made up the majority of the foreign volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. Copyright 2023 BearingArms.com/Salem Media. "Mozambique Drill" as the defensive tactic to counter a threat Transitioning between targets can take some getting used to, especially for shooters still trying to get some experience under their belts. Although he aimed for the fighters ocular cavity, the adrenaline coursing through Rousseaus body caused him to miss. The volunteers had a range of motivations. [5], The Mozambique Drill is intended to ensure that the target is immediately stopped, by first placing two shots into the larger, easier-to-hit mass of the upper body, then, if the target is still active, following with a third, more precisely aimed and difficult head shot. He was fighting in the. You fight with what you have, and at about ten paces (or five yards) Rousseau fired two 9mm rounds into the fighters chest. The volunteers were often labelled as mercenaries by opponents of the Rhodesian regime, though the Rhodesian government did not regard or pay them as such. In the chaotic maelstrom that swallowed up untold treasure and an entire generation of people, soldiers of fortune found employment opportunities on a previously unprecedented scale. All Rights Reserved. LLC. [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. The young African not only failed to fall, but he advanced toward Rousseau with murderous intent. Most of the mercenary soldiers carried FN FAL or HK G3 rifles. Your goal should be three accurate shots in under four seconds. This article is featured in FRELIMOs Marxist underpinnings earned it support from Russia and China. Rhodesian Commando - StrategyPage [5][9], The Mozambique Drill is featured in a number of movies, notably Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann.[10]. [43] The academic Luise White has written that they were commonly opposed to the establishment of governments run by black people and did not have any particular commitment to Rhodesia itself. Two to the body, one to the head. The ZAPU argued that the failure of the British and US governments to stop the flow of volunteers was a barrier to reaching a negotiated settlement with the Rhodesian government, and demanded in 1977 that this be halted. Therefore, the more difficult head shot should be used as a follow up to your double tap. Gun Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [106], Foreign volunteers in the Rhodesian Security Forces, Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, February 1980 Southern Rhodesian general election, "Foreign Fighter Problem: What the War in Rhodesia Means for Ukraine", "Fine-mannered, articulate and urbane: the mercenary as deadly romantic", "Security Council resolution 460 (1979) [Southern Rhodesia]", "Rhodesia: Oral Answers to Questions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16th January 1980", "Many Rhodesian Whites Threaten to Quit Jobs", "Rhodesia's Approach to Counterinsurgency: A Preference for Killing", "Mercenary Activity: United States Neutrality Laws and Enforcement", "The White House and White Africa: Presidential Policy on Rhodesia 1965-79", "The 'New Model' Armies of Africa? Mike Rousseau, a Rhodesian mercenary during the Mozambican War of Independence, was armed only with a 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol, and he rounded a corner at Loureno Marques (now Maputo) Airport and came face-to-face with an African guerilla armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, less than 25 feet away. Mozambique Drill - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core |-- General Discussion: Presidency Center mass shots are easier to make quickly. Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England and Portugal thought they had free rein over Africa. As of 2021, the literature largely comprises brief discussions of the topic as part of books and academic journal articles on broader issues. in 1978, he was the final recipient of the Rhodesian civil Independence Commemorative Decoration for services rendered to the country. 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 drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). The Carter administration considered taking steps to stop Americans serving in Rhodesia, but this did not result in any policy changes. Heads bob around erratically and the effective zone is relatively small. [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. [35] Organisations representing veterans were another method used to contact potential recruits. [62][76], The nationalist groups that were fighting the Rhodesian regime and many progressive groups worldwide considered the volunteers to be mercenaries. In this work she estimated that around 100 Americans served with the Rhodesian Security Forces between 1976 and 1980. Got a message for Democratic Underground? [7] Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered an enemy combatant, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces (7.5m (25ft)). 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]. [26][34] Other volunteers were expected to pay their own way. From the beginning, Africas indigenous people resisted. "The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To", "Lesson Plan: Immediate Target Engagement (CMC-22 Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course 08/12/2008)", "History of the Failure Drill: Mozambique Revolt Roots", "Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mozambique_Drill&oldid=1141379493, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 19:40. The military took steps to prevent material encouraging enlistment with Rhodesia from being circulated in its bases and service newspapers, however. At the start signal, draw your weapon and fire two shots to the chest (V1 zone), followed by one shot to the head (V2 zone). FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. Africa has always offered employment opportunities to those with certain skills. Two to the body and one to the head became the mantra. Britain and the United Nations Security Council imposed wide-ranging trade and other sanctions on Rhodesia with the objective of forcing it to return to its previous status. Historian Michael Raeburn put the figure in 1978 as between 1,500 and 2,000. 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. |-- Topic Forums The Mozambique Drill[1] 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. Rousseaus exploit turned into the Failure Drill and was included in the Academys curriculum starting in the late 1970s. [38] The prohibition proved difficult to enforce, as it was not possible to prevent Britons leaving the country. Apparently, the only way to stop a zombie is with a well-placed head shot. Position a silhouette target (preferably with outlined V1 and V2 zones) five yards from the firing line. Anything less than three seconds is very good. If youre looking for some variety in your training, one practical application of the drill is to fire the first two shots to the targets center mass (V1), then take two steps back to create distance before the third shot. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. Modern zombie culture has also appropriated the Mozambique Drill. Rousseau was fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques, which is now called Maputo. Due to factors such as body armor, the bolstering effect of drugs, or failure to hit vital organs, the body shots may not be immediately effective, necessitating the third shot. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Proper tactics can vary greatly depending on the circumstances and situation. This unit performed poorly and committed atrocities that included raping women during operations. Type of Sear & Hammer Engagement has Little Effect [34] The Rhodesian government paid the airfares of volunteers who were unable to afford to travel until 1977. [38], Most of the foreigners who volunteered to fight for Rhodesia did so individually. Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. 4 Things to Do During Self-Isolation - The Shooter's Log The Mozambique drill was made famous by Jeff Cooper after learning about this incident. The Portuguese used WWII vintage pistols in their two decades long colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique (some claim the gun Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau used in the original Mozambique . Rousseau was later killed in action in the Rhodesian War. Learn how your comment data is processed. ATLAS 8 DRY-FIRE TRAINING SYSTEM Spotter Up [16] The academic Kyle Burke has written that some anti-government paramilitary forces in the United States draw inspiration from the volunteers, and cite them as an example when encouraging violence against African Americans.
rhodesian mercenary mike rousseau