Welcome to our Website!
The home of the RLIRA.
Nicknamed 'The Saints' or 'The Incredibles', The 1st Battalion
The Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) was formed on 1 February
1961, and in its short 19-year existence, this commando airborne
unit carved for itself a reputation as one of the world's
foremost proponents of counter-insurgency warfare, through
internal 'Fireforce' operations and daring pre-emptive strikes
against the overwhelming tide of the communist-backed guerrillas
of Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo based in Mozambique and
Zambia. For these reasons, Charles D. Melson of the USMC has
described the RLI as "The Killing Machine".
The Rhodesian "bush war" reached its bloody climax in 1980 and
the country became Zimbabwe. The men of the RLI had won all
their battles, but had lost the war ... and their country ...
and the weary veterans drifted away. An 'international' regiment
in the true sense, with foreign volunteers from North America,
UK, Europe, Australasia and South Africa, RLI veterans can
today, through the newly formed RLI Regimental Association,
stand up with pride and say "I served in the RLI."
Membership
FULL membership is reserved for persons who served honourably with
The Rhodesian Light Infantry for a period of no less than six (6)
months.
Unless If service with The Rhodesian Light Infantry was less than
six (6) months, a person may still apply for FULL membership
provided an acceptable explanation is provided for premature service
termination.
Contact Us
Bill Wiggill
Email:
bw@therli.com