eBook Fireforce ePub

The first time I could find this book at a reasonable price I jumped right on it. For some reason I have a fascination with the Rhodesian Bush War, so I was really happy to see this edition available. The story and the writing are compelling. Chris Cocks does a very good job of making you feel like you're jumping on to helicopters and going on patrols with him -- and the frustration at every turn. Highly recommended.

Written from the perspective of a man in the middle of the action. Chronicling the decline and ultimate collapse of what was once a great and proud nation. I would have bought it just for the great black and white photos. The great story telling is a bonus.

I enjoyed the hell out of Chris Cocks story of his military service in the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) from 1976-1979.Chris goes into detail about his basic training and then his posting to the RLI.He weaves a wonderful story of the men that he served with and the missions that they went on.If you are a student of military history this is the book for you.

"All of us started at the top of the mountain, young and full of hope. But our parents' war changed all that. There was no glory - just drink, drugs and death."

The Rhodesian War was fought between April 1966 and April 1980 when Zimbabwe became independent. Today that war is a forgotten episode in a no longer existent country. Chris COCKS was conscripted into the Rhodesian Army in January 1976 at the age of 18, and served as a commando until January 1979. This book is the complete, unvarnished story of those years and of his friends. I've read many books that focus on one particular aspect of an author's military service (usually action of some impressive type). However I have never read one this brave that tells it all, facts and emotions, on and off duty. And I mean real brave (not the usual arty navel contemplating reviewer "brave") - some of the actions depicted within could still draw considerable trouble down upon the heads of those involved. The remoteness of that war allows readers to leave most of their pre-conceptions behind. At the same time, it was a COIN conflict and the experiences described are in many ways more relevant to a current military audience than, for example, World War II.

The result is an excellent book, which whilst being of general interest to anyone, is essential reading for three specific types of reader. Firstly and most obviously, any future soldier - volunteer or otherwise, know what you may well be in for - the good and the bad. For them it may well become what Robert MASON's "Chickenhawk" is for military helicopter pilots. Secondly, their parents - to understand what their children will be doing. Finally, we live in an age when increasing numbers of our politicians seem to lack experience of the real world outside professional politics. They seem to get their knowledge of war from Hollywood and military press briefings. I would make this compulsory reading for them before they could embark on any course of action that sends their young people to war.

I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Take a step back in time to one of the forgotten and neglected conflicts. Chris Cocks was a member of the Rhodesian Light Infantry and tells us of his experience in the Rhodesian Bush War. One thing that might interest you is the Rhodesian Fireforces executed more combat parachute jumps than any other military force before or since. Worth a look.