The Equus Men: Rhodesia’s Mounted Infantry: The Grey’s

The Equus Men: Rhodesia’s Mounted Infantry: The Grey’s Scouts 1896-1980

This all new work by accomplished military historian Alexandre Binda, former paymaster to the Greyâ€™s Scouts, tables the remarkable story of Rhodesiaâ€™s mounted infantry, the Greyâ€™s Scouts. Working closely with the last commanding officer, squadron commanders and a whole host of regimental personalities, all of whom have given The Equus Men their unequivocal support Binda has enjoyed unparalleled access to thousands of pages of archival documents and many hundreds of previously unpublished photographs. Here, he has traced the Greyâ€™s from their early origins in the Matabele Rebellion of 1896, where an â€˜unassuming Englishman, the Honorable George Greyâ€™, found himself originating a body of horseman named the â€˜Bulawayo Field Forceâ€™, through to the formation of the Animal Transport Unit (ATU) which went on to become the Mounted Infantry Unit (MIU).

With the skill of a practiced narrator, Binda takes the reader through these early days to the establishment of the Greyâ€™s Scouts in the Rhodesian Army order of battle in 1976. Deployed to great effect during the bitter Rhodesian Bush War of the late 1960s â€“ 1970s, the mounted operations conducted by the Greyâ€™s are succinctly and clearly detailed. Some of the contacts related make for astonishing reads and with the lively, vibrant, text one can almost feel the steaming sweat of rider and mount; sense the pounding adrenaline; hear the thundering hooves as a fearful enemy is pursued to battleâ€™s inevitable conclusion.

Suffice to say, "The Equus Men" makes for an engaging read. Trained and utilized as mounted infantry as opposed to cavalry, the Greyâ€™s Scouts saw exceptional success in the field. Lightly equipped, they were able to cover great distances at speed, live off the veldt with minimal support and through â€˜shock actionâ€™, quickly engage and destroy insurgent forces. Originally a regular formation, the Greyâ€™s Scouts were augmented by Territorial and National Service soldiers as the conflict progressed and by 1980, when hostilities ceased, the Regiment numbered some 600 soldiers, both men and women, black and white.

With its informative text and rich profusion of photographs, "The Equus Men" is a stunning tribute to the equestrian and fighting prowess of the Greyâ€™s Scouts. It is a remarkable story and one that is ever more relevant, given recent mounted and pack horse operations conducted by British and US special forces in Afghanistan.
Country USA
Brand Helion and Company
Manufacturer Helion and Company
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber illustrations (black and white, and colo
ReleaseDate 2016-02-26
UnitCount 1
EANs 9781910294048

Country	USA
Brand	Helion and Company
Manufacturer	Helion and Company
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	illustrations (black and white, and colo
ReleaseDate	2016-02-26
UnitCount	1
EANs	9781910294048

The Equus Men: Rhodesia’s Mounted Infantry: The Grey’s Scouts 1896-1980

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