We think, understandably, that horse cavalry's a thing of the past but it wasn't in Rhodesia in its courageous if doomed Bush War in the 1970s.
Facing a shortage of vehicles, petrol and the logistical reality of having to operate in rugged terrain, Rhodesian security forces raised an experimental unit of horse infantry, MIU (Mounted Infantry Unit) to take the war to the enemy.
The MIU proved successful despite initial criticism from units such as the Rhodesian Light Infantry and SAS. By 1975 the MIU had produced tangible results, the experiment worked:
The intimidating psychological effect on terrorist and tribesman alike of the man on the horse quickly gained the MIU a hard reputation and led to a widespread respect for the 'Mahout'. The sight of a horseman, with rifle levelled, crashing through the mealies towards a terrorist was more than enough to terrify the most hard-core commissar (leaders of terrorist gangs styled themselves 'political commissars').
The MIU became the Grey's Scouts, named after Captain Grey who raised cavalry against the wizard rebellion in Matabeleland in 1896, and fought with distinction.
Horse soldiering's made a comeback since the 1970s, not least in central North Texas where membership in irregular mounted units under the honorary colonelcy of First Lady Melania is both prized and sought after.
Thanks, Mattexian, for the reminder.
Ride On,
LSP
