Rhodesian Armoured Corps - Rhodesian T-55 Tanks

Rhodesian T-55 Tanks

Before 1979 the Rhodesian Army had not possessed any tanks. In October of that year they received eight T-55 tanks from South Africa. These tanks were confiscated from a Libyan cargo ship that was destined for Maputo (Mozambique) but had entered Durban due to the ship captain having mistaken Durban for Maputo. The tanks were to be sent to Mozambique where they were going to be delivered to anti-Rhodesian insurgents operating out of Mozambique. The ship entered the port at Durban where the cargo, including ten Polish-built T-55LD tanks (built in 1975), was seized. Two of the tanks were kept by the South Africans for evaluation.

Since South Africa was an unofficial ally of Rhodesia, the remaining eight tanks were transported to Rhodesia. The South African Defence Force (SADF) sent advisers for the purpose of training Rhodesian crews. The rumour was spread that the tanks had been captured in Mozambique, in order to obscure South Africa’s part in the deal. The tanks, now part of the Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment – in a newly-formed "E" Squadron – were driven around on tank transporters for several months in order to give the impression that the Rhodesians possessed a large number of heavy tanks.

On arrival the T-55s had sported the original Libyan camouflage scheme. Major Winkler ordered them repainted in American camo, which was eminently unsuitable, and finally the South African instructors had them painted in anti-infra-red South African camo, which proved perfect for Rhodesian conditions. The tank crews came from 'D' Sqn RhACR, regular force soldiers who had signed on for a minimum of three years. Trained crews were vital if the tanks were to be used to maximum effect and it was necessary to ensure that the crews would remain in the Army for some time. A few of the men had tank experience already, but initially there was a lot of experimenting and reliance on the manuals, until Army HQ arranged for proper training by members of the SADF School of Armour.

Command of 'E' Sqn was given to Captain Kaufeldt, an experienced tanker from West Germany. More recruits from the RLI and Selous Scouts arrived to fill the gaps and acquitted themselves well in their new task. The Soviet-manufactured radios were removed from the tanks and replaced with the South African radios and headsets used on the Eland 90 AFVs. These used a throat-activated microphone system and were far superior to the Soviet models. In Soviet tanks the radios were operated by the loader, in addition to his task on the main gun. The Rhodesians, reasoning that the loader already had enough to keep him occupied, moved the radios to the tank commander's position. The tank crews were issued with brand-new Soviet AKMS assault rifles which they were eager to test in battle conditions. They were destined to remain unused.