Rhodesian Armoured Corps
| Rhodesian Armoured Corps | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Active | 1941–1956 1972–1980 |
| Country |  Rhodesia |
| Allegiance |
 British Empire (1941–1956) Rhodesia (1972–1979) Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979) Zimbabwe (1980)
|
| Branch |
 Rhodesian Army
|
| Type | Line Cavalry |
| Role | Armoured |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison/HQ | Blakiston-Houston Barracks, Salisbury |
| Nickname(s) | "The Black Devils" |
| Motto(s) | Asesabi Lutho (Sindebele: We Fear Nothing) |
| Maroon & Yellow | |
| Armoured Cars |
Eland Ferret Marmon Herrington MPCV Staghound |
| Engagements | |
| Disbanded | 1980–81 |
| Commanders | |
| Commander (1972–1978) |
Major Bruce Rooken-Smith Rhodesian Army |
| Commander (1978–1979) |
Major Darrell Winkler Rhodesian Army |
| Commander (1979–1980) |
Major (SA) van Graan South African Army |
| Commander (1980–1981) |
Lt. Col. Bruce Rooken-Smith Zimbabwe National Army |
Major Bruce Rooken-Smith
Major Darrell Winkler
Major (SA) van Graan
Lt. Col. Bruce Rooken-Smith
The Rhodesian Armoured Corps—the "Black Devils"—was the only standing armoured battalion of the Rhodesian Security Forces. During World War II, it took part in the Allied Spring 1945 offensive and the Battle of Monte Cassino as part of South Africa's 6th Armoured Division. The unit was among the first to enter a liberated Florence in July 1944. Prior to 1963, its crews were trained in the United Kingdom or Aden Colony and were known as the "Selous Scouts" under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, maintaining the armoured vehicle fleet became a responsibility of the Rhodesian Light Infantry until Major Bruce Rooken-Smith reactivated the former Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment in 1972. During the Rhodesian Bush War, the regiment fought in several major campaigns and battles, particularly Operation Miracle in September 1979. It was superseded by the new Zimbabwe Armoured Corps between 1980 and 1981.
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