Our Rhodesian Heritage Update - Operation Enterprise - The Battle for Salisbury
Eddy Norris
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Blog: Our Rhodesian Heritage Preamble.
I was the BSAP Special Branch Officer based at Enterprise Base, situated at the Enterprise Club, 20 km from Salisbury on the Shamva Road, from early 1978 until the end of the war.
I have written an account of what I believe is one of the most underreported operations of the Rhodesian War, Operation Enterprise, which came to be called “The Battle for Salisbury”. It was conducted to save the Capital City from serious insurgency and the resulting damage that would have occurred, and ended being arguably the most successful internal operation conducted during the war.
My recollections are based on some notes I located, personal memories, and the assistance of several people involved in the operation. My thanks to Tiny Coupar, Alan Shout, Rod Marsh, Keith Samler, Ashley Staunton, Hans Sittig, Ian Pringle, Rick Van Malsen, Brian Streak, Ian Bate, Skippey Skipworth-Michel, and others who wish to remain nameless, and some who if I have forgotten, I apologise.
I am obviously the “Enterprise Special Branch Officer” in the narrative, not because I do not want to be named, but the story seemed to flow better like that written in the 3rd person. I also stress that I will without doubt have left out many occurrences, probably got some wrong, but my idea is to stimulate further input from other participants in this operation so a fuller and more accurate picture can be formed.
Eddie Norris has kindly collated the text and the pictures for this to be released on ORAFs.
We look forward to your contributions.
Mike Norton 9046.
Comment by ORAFs I will investigate converting this article to .pdf format, perhaps my old mate Robb Ellis has some ideas. Hey if you can help - please give me note.
The story is long but be assured it is a mighty powerful story and one that I was unaware of. Regards |
Distributed to ORAFs and Umtali Folks and Friends Listings.