Rhodesian African Rifles

Rhodesian African Rifles
The distinctive unit insignia (badge) of the Rhodesian African Rifles, featuring a Matabele shield, crossed by a Matabele stabbing spear and a Shona digging spear, obfuscated by a knobkerrie.
Active	1 May 1916 – 31 December 1981
Country	Rhodesia, Zimbabwe from 1980[note 1]
Allegiance	United Kingdom (1940-65; also officially successors to the service of the RNR 1916-18)  Rhodesia (1965–70)  Republic of Rhodesia (1970–79)  Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979)  United Kingdom (1979–80)  Zimbabwe (1980–81)
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Combined arms Counter-insurgency Demining Desert warfare Fire support Forward observer Jungle warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Tracking
Size	Regiment
Colours	Green and black
March	"Sweet Banana"
Mascot(s)	"Private N'duna" the goat
Engagements	World War II Suez Crisis Malayan Emergency Nyasaland Northern Rhodesia Congo Border Rhodesian Bush War
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	Her Majesty the Queen

The Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) was a regiment of the Rhodesian Army. The ranks of the RAR were recruited from the black African population, although officers were generally from the white population. The regiment was formed in May 1940 in the British colony of Southern Rhodesia.

The RAR were officially declared the successor to the Rhodesia Native Regiment (RNR) which had existed in World War I from 1916 to 1918, and was granted the RNR's battle honours earned fighting in the East African Campaign.^[5] The RAR were the second-oldest regiment of the Rhodesian Army, after the Rhodesia Regiment which was raised in 1899.

The RAR used the "greens" uniform and wore slouch hats as headgear.^[6]

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