He told Cooper the story, and Cooper began to teach what he called the "Mozambique Drill" at Gunsite. The Rhodesian government actively recruited white personnel from other countries from the mid-1970s to address manpower shortages in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. [94], Many of the foreign volunteers opposed the March 1978 Internal Settlement, under which the white Rhodesian government agreed to cede power to moderate black leaders. As historians have found it difficult to access Rhodesian records, it is not known exactly how many foreigners volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. With small arms, mortars, and artillery of predominantly Russian and Chinese origin, guerrilla fighters in places like the Congo and Mozambique engaged in pitiless unconventional warfare that saw widespread atrocities. There was a flurry of unrest in Mozambique. Springfield Armory recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a An accurate shot to the T-zone (the area between the eyebrows and upper lip, also called the ocular cavity) damages the brain and central nervous system and secures instant incapacitation of the target. The Triple Tap Callsign can be unlocked by playing with the Mozambique, and Triple Tap XL can be unlocked via Advocate Gift. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. Col. Jeff Cooper - A shooting legend and the man who codified the drill. Accurate hits will beat fast misses every single time. [81], The British government was opposed to its citizens fighting for Rhodesia. One such soldier of fortune was Mike Rousseau. [78], The nationalists argued in their propaganda that the Rhodesian regime's need for foreign volunteers illustrated its political and military weaknesses. Britain and the United Nations Security Council imposed wide-ranging trade and other sanctions on Rhodesia with the objective of forcing it to return to its previous status. The Mozambique drill is performed for both accuracy and time. [77] Rhodesia attempted to counter the "mercenary" claim by processing the volunteers through the Department of Immigration and framing them as prospective Rhodesian citizens, though few ever applied for citizenship. These volunteers felt that Ian Smith had betrayed white Rhodesians by signing this agreement. He named it after the country where the incident occurred, dubbing his drill the Mozambique Drill., Practical Variations to the Mozambique Drill, El Presidente Drill Assessing Your Shooting Skills, The Best Self Defense Ammo Ballistic Testing. He also edited Shooters Bible Guide to Firearms Assembly, Disassembly, and Cleaning; 50 Guns That Changed the World; and Gun Traders Guide. The bottom line: Accurate head shots are hard. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. |-- Places Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! "The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To", "Lesson Plan: Immediate Target Engagement (CMC-22 Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course 08/12/2008)", "History of the Failure Drill: Mozambique Revolt Roots", "Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mozambique_Drill&oldid=1141379493, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 19:40. [35] Organisations representing veterans were another method used to contact potential recruits. According to the anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). The Browning Hi Power: The Superlative WWII Combat Handgun That Played [105], Modern white supremacist and far-right groups continue to provide a positive portrayal of white rule in Rhodesia. In a veritable ocean of blood, one otherwise trivial engagement gained lasting notoriety. [5][9], The Mozambique Drill is featured in a number of movies, notably Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann.[10]. Blisk's character is based off Rhodesian mercenary Michael Rousseau, who popularized the shooting technique known as the Mozambique drill. [89] This law can only be enforced within the United States, meaning that American citizens who enlisted to fight for Rhodesia while overseas could not be prosecuted. The Rhodesian government did not formally reply. [71] There were concerns that many of the volunteers were motivated more by a desire to fight in a war than a commitment to Rhodesia. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. [34][62] Rhodesian recruiters told prospective Australian recruits that the cost of living was much lower in Rhodesia. Doing so was illegal under laws banning mercenary activity in Israel, West Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. [5], The Mozambique Drill is intended to ensure that the target is immediately stopped, by first placing two shots into the larger, easier-to-hit mass of the upper body, then, if the target is still active, following with a third, more precisely aimed and difficult head shot. Military historians Paul L. Moorcraft and Peter McLaughlin believe the number was likely around 1,400, but have noted that estimates from other experts range as high as 2,000. You can also take two steps to the side to get offline of the attack before making the final head shot. board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules In 2021 White wrote that the numbers of foreign volunteers may have been small, and the ex-Rhodesian generals she had interviewed "scoffed at me when I asked if there were fifteen hundred foreigners in the Rhodesian Army". Towsley on Tactical blog Archives - Bryce Towsley The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, Rousseau immediately performed a double tap two shots to the center of the torso. Then, they can make a smooth transition to the third V2 shot if it is necessary. Its editor was a strong supporter of the white Rhodesian cause and wanted to encourage Americans to fight for Rhodesia. [40], Foreign volunteers for the Rhodesian Security Forces were generally motivated by personal political and ideological beliefs or a desire for adventure. So how does a Rhodesian mercenary figure into the story? How rude! opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent [67], The large group of Frenchmen who enlisted together were used to form 7 Independent Company. As he turned a corner, he encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. Jeff Cooper created The Modern Technique of the Pistol and the Combat Mindset. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. Rousseau immediately performed a "double tap" maneuver, a controlled shooting technique in which the shooter makes two quick shots at the target's torso. Those who were combat veterans resented being placed under the command of younger and less experienced Rhodesians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Cooper_%28colonel%29. The Portuguese government banned Rhodesian recruitment in the late 1970s, but was unable to enforce the legislation. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. Your goal should be three accurate shots in under four seconds. The British noted that such a resolution might prove impractical as many Rhodesians held dual citizenship. The third shot should be aimed to destroy the brain or brain stem, killing the target and preventing the target from retaliating. A par time for this drill should be four seconds. One would figure two slugs to the chest would drop the enemy fighter, but no. Rousseau had a pistol. Most of the mercenary soldiers carried FN FAL or HK G3 rifles. The Mozambique Drill brings together low-round count that challenges a shooter's speed, accuracy, and fundamentals. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly giveaways! Habah l'hargecha hashkem l'hargo -- "If someone is coming to kill you, rise against him and kill him first.". [4][5][6], According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (19641974). Mozambique Drill - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core |-- Archives Portugal still maintained strong control over Mozambique. One such soldier of fortune was Mike Rousseau. The Mozambique Drill is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. However, the guerilla soldier kept coming, with two bleeding wounds to the torso, and still armed with his rifle. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. Jews Can Shoot is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Remember that 9mm ammo circa late 1960s and late 1970s was marginally better than 9mm ammo from WWII. His third shot was low, taking out the fighters neck and spinal cord. Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England and Portugal thought they had free rein over Africa. [7] During fighting at the. [22] The army units manned by full time personnel, which included a high proportion of white regular and conscripted soldiers, were the most powerful element of the security forces and formed a strategic reserve that responded to the guerrilla activities. [42][68] Two of the former French volunteers who remained in Zimbabwe after the war were sentenced to death for murdering a caf owner during a robbery in 1982 and were executed the next year. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. Important Notices: By participating on this discussion He offered Rhodesia the services of these men after they completed training, though he intended to eventually use them to retake Albania. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in! Some of the volunteers were later identified as agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. All too many of the other great tragedies of history - Stalin's atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a few - were perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations. Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rousseau then aimed for the head, and fired the shot that finally put the enemy solder down. [16] The academic Kyle Burke has written that some anti-government paramilitary forces in the United States draw inspiration from the volunteers, and cite them as an example when encouraging violence against African Americans. [66] The difficult conditions contributed to high desertion rates. [22] The number of white conscripts in the security forces was also increased by considerably expanding the age groups of men who were required to serve and the periods of active duty reservists needed to undertake. Bryce Towsley - The Mozambique drill was made famous by | Facebook Relying on instinct and training, Rousseau delivered a double tap to the combatants chest with his Browning Hi Power pistol and 9mm ammunition. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. Center mass is easier to hit quickly, and in most cases will effectively stop a threat. Jack Malloch - Wikipedia A quick how-to on shooting the Mozambique Drill. Now you understand the history and background as well as the importance of the Failure Drill. 2003) (Kozinski, J. All rights reserved. [98], The ZANU won the February 1980 Southern Rhodesian general election. ), Shoulder Holster: 8 Pro Up-Top Carry Options (2023). People have an annoying habit of wanting to move around when you are shooting at them. Live The Armory Life. Rounding a corner Rousseau found himself unexpectedly face to face with a FRELIMO guerilla armed with an AK47 at a range of about ten paces. This is a drill created during the Mozambique War of Independence, when a Rhodesian Mercenary (Mike Rousseau) had an up-close encounter with an opponent wielding an AK-47. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! [6], The Rhodesian Front's ideology held that the end of colonial rule in Africa and the development of African nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s had been the result of international communism aided by a policy of appeasement towards African nationalists by the United Kingdom and other western countries. The reality of the war confronted Rousseau at the airport in Loureno Marques, which has been called Maputo since 1976. Although in most situations, the two perfectly placed shots to the chest should disable an attacker, there are several reasons they could fail. These articles frequently highlighted the experiences of Americans who were fighting in Rhodesia. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. Remember, the Mozambique drill is designed for a defensive situation where the first two shots failed to stop an attacker. [62] The revelations about Lamb's history embarrassed the Army and led to concerns in Rhodesia about the quality of the foreign volunteers. Many of the Europeans had previously served with the French Foreign Legion. [65] Most of the volunteers served under Rhodesian officers. Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces. Due to factors such as body armor, the bolstering effect of drugs, or failure to hit vital organs, the body shots may not be immediately effective, necessitating the third shot. Once you can achieve repeatable accuracy, then you can start to speed things up. Rhodesian Commando - StrategyPage However, here we are more concerned with your shooting than tactics, because the subtle nuances of the proper tactics can vary from situation to situation. [46], In addition to the actual volunteers, thousands of South African Police and South African Defence Force (SADF) personnel were deployed to Rhodesia by the South African government to serve in or alongside the Rhodesian Security Forces. Easter Lessons by bmt | Mar 29, 2016 | Towsley on Tactical blog Rousseau then lowered his weapon to the ready position. |-- General Discussion He serves as contributing editor for several magazines, including NRAs American Rieman and Shooting Illustrated, Varmint Hunter, and Combat Handgunner, and is the editor for Gun Digests Cartridges of the World 13th Edition. It sought to attract more white immigrants to the country, but from 1973 onwards the white population decreased. Hitting the T-zone is a challenge. The Rhodesians' brutal counterinsurgency tactics also proved counter-productive. Those who did so received amnesties as part of the British government measures associated to end of the conflict. "Mozambique Drill" as the defensive tactic to counter a threat Creator of the Mozambique Shooting Drill died in Zimbabwe How?? Its a handy tool to have in your defensive tool box just in case shots to center mass dont accomplish what they are supposed to do. Today, with the proliferation of zombies in our culture, it could be called the zombie drill or zombie check, because a head shot is the only way to kill a zombie. [32][33], The Rhodesian Security Forces' recruitment staff responded to people who wrote letters of inquiry after reading the advertisements. [79] Both the main nationalist groups believed that the volunteers' presence indicated that western governments supported the Rhodesian regime. [11], UDI and Rhodesia's racial inequalities led to the outbreak of the Rhodesian Bush War. This article is featured in [47], The Rhodesian Special Branch sought to vet all of the foreign volunteers for security risks. Under three seconds, and youve got some major skills. [64] The RLI was a key element of Rhodesia's strategic reserve, and was frequently deployed against guerrilla forces. According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). What these European countries didnt factor in was the determination of the African people. The. The Walther P38: Godfather of the modern combat handgun FRELIMO attacked targets in typical guerrilla-style warfare and, like other small insurgent forces, they made full use of hit and run tactics, their knowledge of the terrain, and used the monsoon season to their advantage. These letters were closely scrutinised, as many of the men who had written them were considered "obviously nuts" by the Rhodesian Army's recruitment officer Major Nick Lamprecht. He was fighting in the. I imagine Rousseau had a moment of shock and then quickly decided to end it with a headshot. When a double-tap to the chest failed to stop the aggressor, a third shot to the head ended the threat and created the Mozambique Drill. Not exactly a headshot, but the situation was terminated. Save my name and email to use for future comments. They could also be wearing body armor. [4][12] The resistance to the Rhodesian regime was dominated by two black nationalist movements, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). If the target is still advancing and active, apply a third, more surgical shot to the head to shut down the threat. Copyright 2023 Jews Can Shoot. Therefore, the more difficult head shot should be used as a follow up to your double tap. Type of Sear & Hammer Engagement has Little Effect Flat nose bullets and hollow points were not in widespread use, so those FMJs from Rousseaus HP35 must have passed right through the fighter. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. [2][3] Accordingly, the government issued Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom in November 1965, with the colony becoming Rhodesia. Kuben Blisk | Titanfall Wiki | Fandom Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Handgun Training for Personal Protection. He also wrote that these men were from 38 different nationalities. Rousseau relayed this story to Jeff Cooper, who then began employing this failure to stop drill in his teaching at Gunsite. The French troops were being withdrawn from Djibouti upon that country's independence, and French intelligence agents helped facilitate their recruitment by the Rhodesian Army. A former police ofcer and serviceman with the U.S. Army, Richard A. Mann is one of the most well-respected rearms authorities writing on the subject today. Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. [40], The Rhodesian government did not accept all offers of volunteers. [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning . Relying on instinct and training, Rousseau delivered a double tap to the combatants chest with his Browning Hi Power pistol and, Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous, . Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. As of 2021, the literature largely comprises brief discussions of the topic as part of books and academic journal articles on broader issues. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Guerrilla forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front (or FRELIMO) became embroiled in a war of independence with Portugal. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Before it was even a drill, it was actual shots fired in a gunfight. Those who were considered potentially suitable were sent information packs, and asked to supply documentation to support their application; preference was given to applicants who provided notarized documents in their response. The bullet hit the base of his attackers neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight. [38] The prohibition proved difficult to enforce, as it was not possible to prevent Britons leaving the country. Africa has always offered employment opportunities to those with certain skills. While Im no gunfighter and there isnt any (sane) person who wants to learn gunfighting from me, Id offer another alternative that might be more slightly attainable to more people, and which is suggested by our own Stephen Wenger based off of his decades in studying armed self-defense. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning HP35 pistol and fired two bullets into the target's upper chest, usually enough to incapacitate or kill outright. Aaron Cowan of Sage Dynamics takes a look at the Mozambique Drill and puts his own spin on it, suggesting for arguments sake to try firing all three shots to the head instead of two to the chest and one to the head. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. They generally served alongside Rhodesian personnel in a large number of units, though a group of Frenchmen served together in a separate unit. The Browning Hi Power: The Superlative WWII Combat Handgun That Played Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. Failure Drill: A Proven Strategy to Stop an Attacker |-- General Discussion: Presidency here to send us a message. [17] The Army's structure of administrative corps was similar to that of the British Army, and many of its officers had undergone training in the United Kingdom. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill, Light Em Up: Home Defense Lasers and Lights. By September 1964, things began to change. As the story goes, a Rhodesian named Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. For simple evaluation purposes, position a target with a V1 and V2 zone 5 yards to your front. Two shots to the chest failed to stop the guy, so Rousseau had to transition point of aim for a head shot. McAleese had previously led a group of British mercenaries in Angola, and was posted to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) after completing training. Proper tactics can vary greatly depending on the circumstances and situation. Dont be surprised to hear the drill referred to as the Zombie Drill or Zombie Check. Rousseau immediately performed a double tap two shots to the center of the torso. Seeing that the fighter was still advancing, Rousseau attempted a head shot that hit the guerrilla through the base of his neck, severing the spinal cord. It was also unclear whether serving in the Rhodesian military was illegal under laws that prohibited service in foreign militaries as the British did not recognise Rhodesia's independence. The historian Luise White noted in 2004 that "the figure most sources cite is 1,500 foreign soldiers, of whom perhaps 400 were American", though the Rhodesian Army put the number at 1,000 including 100 Americans. During the Mozambican War of Independence, a Rhodesian mercenary by the name of Mike Rousseau was engaged in a firefight at the airport at Lourenco Marques. [66], The volunteers typically found conditions in Rhodesia to be tough, and those who had joined up due to a belief that they would enjoy a good lifestyle were rapidly disappointed. Got a message for Democratic Underground? It may be ironic that the Mozambique Drill is a technique used with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, during the Mozambican War of Independence from 1964 to 1974. History of the Failure Drill: - The Armory Life Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. [66], Under the terms of the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement that ended the war the British government resumed control over Rhodesia in December 1979, with the country temporarily reverting to the colony of Southern Rhodesia until elections could be held. In the chaotic maelstrom that swallowed up untold treasure and an entire generation of people, soldiers of fortune found employment opportunities on a previously unprecedented scale. No country ever officially recognised Rhodesia's independence. [13], Guerrilla activities began in 1966, and mainly involved small groups operating in northern Rhodesia. The two movements espoused Marxist beliefs and were regarded as communists by the Rhodesian government. and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the Shots to the chest can also slow an attackers advance, even if they dont completely incapacitate him. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy. The young African not only failed to fall, but he advanced toward Rousseau with murderous intent. The ZAPU argued that the failure of the British and US governments to stop the flow of volunteers was a barrier to reaching a negotiated settlement with the Rhodesian government, and demanded in 1977 that this be halted. These Portugal had ruled Mozambique for four hundred years, had subsequent deep roots in the country, and was not leaving without a fight. [96][97] In January 1980 the British Lord Privy Seal, Ian Gilmour, stated that the British government had committed during the negotiations that led to the Lancaster House Agreement to not remove foreigners from the Rhodesian military prior to the election. According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). Another LEO involved shooting. Suspect deceased. Any answers? - Topic The academics Jacob Ware and John Campbell stated in 2022 that people from more than fifteen countries had volunteered to fight for Rhodesia, including "several hundred" Americans. It is vital to mix up your training, firing different numbers of shots into your targets, at different locations, because you never know if your first shot or your fifteenth is going to be the one that stops the threat. The Portuguese used WWII vintage pistols in their two decades long colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique (some claim the gun Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau used in the original Mozambique . Rousseau told his harrowing story to Jeff Cooper, who thought that it made a darn good defensive shooting drill. Apparently, the only way to stop a zombie is with a well-placed head shot. [23] In 1979, the military historian John Keegan noted that foreigners made up between a quarter and a third of the strength of the RLI. Ideally, a more practical application might be to fire two shots to the torso, take two steps back and to the side to keep your distance and, if your attacker is still attacking, attempt the head shot. [31] The ads and other coverage of Rhodesia in Soldier of Fortune led to a "steady stream of volunteers". It is commonly known as a" Mozambique Drill" because it comes from a story told to Cooper from Rhodesian Mike Rousseau, a mercenary during the Mozambican War of Independence. You have entered an incorrect email address! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. List of battleships of the United States Navy, List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces, http://practicalfirearmstraining.com/reading/HandgunDrillsPDF.pdf, Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, USMC manual CMC-37R of 8 Feb 2006: METHOD OF TARGET ENGAGEMENTS. LLC. Two to the body, one to the head. [88], The United States' Neutrality Act of 1794 prohibits American citizens from enlisting with foreign militaries or working as mercenaries for other governments.