In 1980, two Los Angeles Police Department SWAT officers, Larry Mudgett and John Helms, attended pistol training at Gunsite and received permission from Cooper to teach the technique to the LAPD, and to rename it the Failure Drill (concerned that "Mozambique" might have racist overtones). Rousseau immediately performed a double tap two shots to the center of the torso. [80] Many Africans believed that the inaction of the western governments demonstrated their lack of commitment to combating white minority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill, Light Em Up: Home Defense Lasers and Lights. [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. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. The Rhodesian government did not formally reply. Portugal said it supported the Mozambique people and designated it an overseas territory in the 1950s in lieu of calling it a colony, but it was still a colony no matter how Portugal presented it. Sundry populist uprisings supported by distant communist benefactors strived to nip at the forces and institutions of the European colonial powers long enough to draw blood. [44] Many volunteers were also strongly anti-communist, and wanted to stop the further spread of this ideology in Africa. The Mozambique drill, originally developed by a Rhodesian mercenary, MIke Rousseau, is a standard practice drill for self defense. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. [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. [62] He had previously attempted to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, but was rejected. [47], All foreign volunteers were required to complete basic training upon arrival in Rhodesia, even if they had prior military experience. Doing so was illegal under laws banning mercenary activity in Israel, West Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. While catchy mottoes are easy to remember, the technique itself can be difficult to master. Due to the sanctions against Rhodesia, these ads were generally lodged via front organisations and were vague about the country the volunteers would serve in. So how does a Rhodesian mercenary figure into the story? Copyright 2023 Jews Can Shoot. No use without the express written permission of Doris Wise Montrose is permitted. Historian Michael Raeburn put the figure in 1978 as between 1,500 and 2,000. As historians have found it difficult to access Rhodesian records, it is not known exactly how many foreigners volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. In the 1980s, the Los Angeles Police Department began teaching the drill but renamed it the more politically correct Failure Drill. 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. |-- Ask the Administrators There arent a lot of guarantees in a gunfight, but the Failure Drill just might be your best defense in time of need, particularly if you are facing an opponent wearing body armor. Transitioning between targets can take some getting used to, especially for shooters still trying to get some experience under their belts. 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. Two American ex-Marine deserters from the Forces who robbed jewelry stores in Salisbury, while carrying stolen Uzis, were involved in a shoot-out with authorities at the South African border. 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. These two additions to the drill could make a world of difference in a real-life self-defense situation. The volunteers had a range of motivations. Your goal should be three accurate shots in under four seconds. views and opinions of Springfield Armory. A forum community dedicated to Springfield Armory XD and XD-M series firearm owners and enthusiasts. He is the leader of the Apex Predators, an infamous outfit of ruthless freelance Pilots. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Taken aback by the failure of his double tap to stop the threat, Rousseau took a moment, leveled his pistol at the charging mans face, and fired a third round. 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. [81], The British government was opposed to its citizens fighting for Rhodesia. [106], Foreign volunteers in the Rhodesian Security Forces, Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, February 1980 Southern Rhodesian general election, "Foreign Fighter Problem: What the War in Rhodesia Means for Ukraine", "Fine-mannered, articulate and urbane: the mercenary as deadly romantic", "Security Council resolution 460 (1979) [Southern Rhodesia]", "Rhodesia: Oral Answers to Questions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16th January 1980", "Many Rhodesian Whites Threaten to Quit Jobs", "Rhodesia's Approach to Counterinsurgency: A Preference for Killing", "Mercenary Activity: United States Neutrality Laws and Enforcement", "The White House and White Africa: Presidential Policy on Rhodesia 1965-79", "The 'New Model' Armies of Africa? Rumored to have begun with Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau and adopted into coursework at Gunsight Academy, the Mozambique Drill is intended to drop an advancing threat immediately. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. The ZANU was supported by China and the ZAPU by the Soviet Union, both of which were communist countries. The story goes that this technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau. here to send us a message. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. Col. Jeff Cooper - A shooting legend and the man who codified the drill. [43] The academic Luise White has written that they were commonly opposed to the establishment of governments run by black people and did not have any particular commitment to Rhodesia itself. Relying on instinct and training, Rousseau delivered a double tap to the combatants chest with his Browning Hi Power pistol and 9mm ammunition. The Rhodesians' brutal counterinsurgency tactics also proved counter-productive. [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. [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. If I were to guess, I would say Rousseaus ammo was a 115-grain with a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. (snip) Rousseau related the story to an acquaintance, small arms expert Jeff Cooper, founder of the Gunsite Academy shooting school, who incorporated the "Mozambique Drill" into his . [31] The ads and other coverage of Rhodesia in Soldier of Fortune led to a "steady stream of volunteers". 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. |-- Archives Rousseaus exploit turned into the Failure Drill and was included in the Academys curriculum starting in the late 1970s. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the Center mass is easier to hit quickly, and in most cases will effectively stop a threat. At the start signal, draw from concealment and fire two shots into the V1 zone and one shot into the V2 zone as fast as you can do so without missing either zone. Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. [63], After completing training, many of the volunteers were assigned to the all-white Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) and particularly its 3 Commando sub-unit. |-- The DU Lounge As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. Two to the body, one to the head. Today, most instructors teach their students to hold the pistol on target after the first two shots. [82] British citizens were prohibited from joining the Rhodesian Security Forces under the terms of an embargo enacted in 1968, with those who did so potentially facing fines or imprisonment. [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. Forum Categories the technique may also be called a triple tap, or failure to stop drill. [102] He also wrote the novel Crippled Eagles which was based on the experiences of American volunteers. [87] The historian Hugh Patterson noted that the relatively small numbers of volunteers from the UK indicates that "however vocal the support for Rhodesia by some on the political right, very few men were actually willing to put their futures on the line for the Smith [Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith] regime". FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. By 1979 the Rhodesian government was facing defeat and the war was costing 2,000 lives each month. Shots to the chest can also slow an attackers advance, even if they dont completely incapacitate him. [95] On 21 December that year the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 460 that, among other things, called for the British authorities to expel all "mercenaries" and South African forces from Southern Rhodesia. Springfield Armory recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a
20 Best Concealed Carry Guns In 2023 (Updated! [65] Most of the volunteers served under Rhodesian officers. 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. [67] Many of the volunteers were frustrated that they were paid only in Rhodesian dollars, as foreign banks would not process this currency and the Rhodesian government allowed no more than R$1,500 to be converted to other currencies. He offered Rhodesia the services of these men after they completed training, though he intended to eventually use them to retake Albania. [85], In 1977 the British government provided a tentative response to an American proposal that the United Nations Security Council adopt a resolution requiring UN members to prevent their citizens from serving in the Rhodesian military. Over the years, this drill has morphed into a variety of other drills and, if you put any two firearms instructors together, youll get a different opinion as to how its to be properly executed. These men were often directed to wear Rhodesian uniforms, and the South African government falsely claimed that some had volunteered for the Rhodesian Security Forces. [51] As a result, there are a range of estimates of the numbers of foreigners who travelled to Rhodesia to serve with the security forces: British citizens made up the majority of the foreign volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. 2023 Springfield Armory. |-- Political Videos if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_2',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-democraticunderground_com-medrectangle-1-0');report this ad This is an effective way to stop a threat that isnt immediately stopped by two shots to the bodys center mass. The volunteers frequently received a hostile response from Rhodesians in the units they were posted to, and many ended their contracts early as a result. Many of the Europeans had previously served with the French Foreign Legion. Then, they can make a smooth transition to the third V2 shot if it is necessary. |-- DU Groups [36] Neil Grant gave a lower figure in 2015, stating that over 10 per cent of the unit were foreign volunteers. Forums | Journals| Store While it might seem strange at first, its not a long stretch to connect the dots from a country off the east coast of Africa, to a Rhodesian mercenary, to a shooting technique, and finally to someone who conceal carries and trains to defend themselves. However, in a dynamic situation, the fraction of a second it takes to assess the threat could put your life in danger. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. [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. The foreign volunteers who fought for the country are celebrated by these groups. The reality of the war confronted Rousseau at the airport in Loureno Marques, which has been called Maputo since 1976. The drill is also sometimes called the Failure Drill, as the third and final shot is made in response to a situation when the double tap fails to stop an advancing threat. Silveira v Lockyer, (9th Cir. |-- General Discussion 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. [8] The academic Michael Evans has written that "the Fronts world-struggle ideology was based on a conspiratorial interpretation of modern politics that emphasised virulent forms of Anglophobia, anti-communism, anti-internationalism, and anti-liberalism". articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. Gun Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . 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. slams Colorado gun control bills, Biden's FAA Nominee Can't Answer a Single Question About Aviation, Russell Brand was challenged to give examples of MSNBC pushing misinformation (that was a BAD idea), Trump Reveals What He'll Do If He's Indicted, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [8] The historian Donal Lowry has endorsed Evans' views, noting also that "the Rhodesia Front sought to combine the notion that Rhodesia embodied the best of true Britishness, the notion that white Rhodesians were the sort of people who once made the Great" of Britain, while turning to America as the only remaining champion of the Free World. 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. [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. ), Shoulder Holster: 8 Pro Up-Top Carry Options (2023). This bullet struck a bit low, entering the mans neck and severing his spinal cord, effectively ending the fight. 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. Mike Rousseau was a trained soldier so he instinctively presented his handgun and shot the guerilla twice in the chest, launching both rounds in quick succession. [40], The Rhodesian government did not accept all offers of volunteers. [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. 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. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. [86] Due to the difficulty of drafting legislation that could effectively ban Britons from serving with Rhodesia or enforcing the measures that were brought in, there is no record of any British citizens being punished for serving with the Rhodesian Security Forces during the war. In the 1960s he coined the term hoplophobia, an irrational fear of weapons. [5][9], The Mozambique Drill is featured in a number of movies, notably Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann.[10]. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. [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. The Mozambique Drill[1] 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. [34], American and Australian volunteers who had fought in the Vietnam War were generally well regarded by Rhodesian soldiers, and were often posted to the elite SAS and Selous Scouts. The bottom line: Accurate head shots are hard. No country ever officially recognised Rhodesia's independence. [61] These pay rates were lower than those in some other armies; for instance, they were around half the levels in the United States Army and between 50 and 60 per cent of the Australian Army's pay scale. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. [1] From 1962 its government was led by the Rhodesian Front political party. A proposal by the mercenary Mike Hoare to establish an international brigade modelled on the French Foreign Legion was also rejected. | ContactUs | PrivacyPolicy. During fighting at the. Its editor was a strong supporter of the white Rhodesian cause and wanted to encourage Americans to fight for Rhodesia. It takes focus, determination, and plenty of practice to pull off the Mozambique Drill quickly and effectively. [19][20] In April 1979, 60,000 members of the military and police were on active duty to protect that month's Rhodesian general election. Sometimes in practice, I will draw my weapon and shoot one shot to the chest . [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. He also edited Shooters Bible Guide to Firearms Assembly, Disassembly, and Cleaning; 50 Guns That Changed the World; and Gun Traders Guide. [62] The revelations about Lamb's history embarrassed the Army and led to concerns in Rhodesia about the quality of the foreign volunteers. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. LLC. Center mass shots are easier to make quickly. A quick how-to on shooting the Mozambique Drill. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly giveaways! Two to the body and one to the head is guaranteed to stop a threat. The articles in Soldier of Fortune reflected Rhodesian government propaganda, as they claimed that the country was a western democracy, the war was being fought against communism and did not discuss the oppression of Rhodesia's black majority. Named for Mike Rousseau, an associate of Jeff Cooper, who, ironically, died during the war in Rhodesia. He was fighting in the. [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. Robert A. Sadowski has written about firearms and hunting for more than fifteen years. Armed with a Browning HP35 pistol chambered in 9mm, Rousseau immediately brought up his Hi Power and shot the guerrilla twice in the chest. According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). Thank you for your support. Thankfully, the shot hit the attackers throat, severing his spinal cord and eliminating the threat. At the start signal, draw your weapon and fire two shots to the chest (V1 zone), followed by one shot to the head (V2 zone). The Mozambique drill is performed for both accuracy and time. 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. The Rhodesian military also adopted some of the terminology used by Americans in Vietnam, such as referring to guerrillas as 'gooks' and labelling one of their supply lines the 'Ho Chi Minh trail'. 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. Live The Armory Life. The most common motivation was opposition to governments led by black people, but other volunteers were motivated by anti-communism or a desire for adventure. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Back in the day when European countries colonized portions of Africa, this area on the east coast of Africa was called Portuguese East Africa. In 1977 the pretender to the Albanian throne, Leka I, asked the Rhodesian government to train a battalion of Albanians that he hoped to recruit. opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent Handgun Training for Personal Protection. As of 2021, the literature largely comprises brief discussions of the topic as part of books and academic journal articles on broader issues. Setup: 1x USPSA Silhouette Target: How rude! That was in the 1400s and 1500s when Portugal set up trading settlements that evolved into colonies. So, as the story goes, Rousseau was involved in a firefight at the airport.