During Zimbabwe's war of liberation (1965–80), fought between Zimbabwean nationalists and the minority-white Rhodesian settler-colonial regime, thousands of black soldiers volunteered for and served in the Rhodesian Army. This seeming paradox has often been noted by scholars and military researchers, yet little has been heard from black Rhodesian veterans themselves. Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army, demonstrating that they felt loyalty to their comrades and regiments and not the Smith regime. Howard also shows that units in which black soldiers served – particularly the Rhodesian African Rifles – were fundamental to the Rhodesian counter-insurgency campaign. Highlighting the pivotal role black Rhodesian veterans played during both the war and the tumultuous early years of independence, this is a crucial contribution to the study of Zimbabwean decolonisation.

‘Black Soldiers is an important contribution to the burgeoning literature on violence in late-colonial Africa. It rightly insists that we give proper consideration to agency, nuance, and complexity when attempting to understand the actions and ideas of actors embroiled in the wars of decolonisation. This book must be read by anyone interested in Zimbabwe's path to independence and the wider issues of violence and the role of the military during decolonisation in Africa.'

Daniel Branch - University of Warwick

‘Clearly written and cogently argued, this book focuses on Black soldiers in the Rhodesian army during Zimbabwe’s liberation war and the early years of independence. Its contribution is significant. … Highly recommended.’

E. S. Schmidt Source: CHOICE

‘This book will … be of great interest to students, scholars and general researchers of Zimbabwean and Southern African history, race and decolonisation, counterinsurgency and civil wars. As the role of the increasingly politicised zna in Zimbabwean politics is continually underlined by recent events, the necessity of tracing the so-called 'professional' and 'apolitical' roots of this institution is important for interpreting how the zna has evolved. Howard’s book is, therefore, a timely contribution for understanding this development.’

Matthew J. Lord Source: Journal of African Military History

‘Howard manages to weave together an impressive series of interviews with former members of the RAR with archival sources and current social theory undergirding military professionalism and identity. The ultimate product is an extraordinary book, one that offers a deep analysis of the experiences of Black soldiers in one of the last colonial states; the social structures that maintained their group identity; and the RAR’s conception of professionalism, which shaped their relationships with their peers, their government, and their enemies throughout the 15-year liberation war … Howard’s book is an exemplary work of scholarship, one which achieves new accomplishments in both the simple uncovering of contested history but also the use of said history to advance greater understanding of the military experience.’

Charles Thomas Source: The American Historical Review

‘Any monograph that … looked at Black men who fought for Rhodesia while locating the Rhodesian army in broader military histories would be a welcome intervention. That Howard has given us a good book that does that is something to celebrate … he combines interviews with former RAR members with a close and careful reading of military sociology and the history of the regiment. The result not only shows the rigor and the discipline of African forces - many of whom joined before 1965 - fighting against African guerrilla armies but shows us the power and dynamism of oral history … The result is remarkable. For the first time that I can recall, the questions of loyalty, personal responsibility, and camaraderie are applied to loyalist troops whose professional pride created bonds of affiliation and respect … this is part of the power of Howard’s work, that he has given us a history of the lived experience of RAR.’

Luise White Source: The Journal of Military History

‘A significant advance in studies of indigenous military labor in colonial states … foregrounds the experiences and recollections of elite African soldiers fighting in a protracted guerilla war … This is a fascinating argument based on interviews with veterans.’

Mesrob Vartavarian Source: The Journal of African History

‘An impressive contribution to the historiography of Zimbabwe as well as a contribution to the military history of late colonial Africa. Howard should be commended for taking on this project … This is a refreshing book in that it works against many of the older biases of nationalist and patriotic history in Zimbabwe … I am certain Howard’s book will have a large impact on the history of the Zimbabwean liberation war and will help inspire new scholarship in this area.’

Timothy Scarnecchia Source: Perspectives on Politics

‘A clearly written and insightful work that makes an important contribution to the military history of Africa.’

Tim Stapleton Source: South African Historical Journal