Zimbabwe Army (and its predecessors)

Last modified: 2006-08-12 by bruce berry
Keywords: zimbabwe | rhodesia | zimbabwe army | rhodesian army |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• Zimbabwe Army flag (1980 -)
• Rhodesian Army (1960s - 1970) flag and badge
• Rhodesian Army (early 1970s) flag and badge
• Rhodesian Army (late 1970s - 1980) flag and badge

• Zimbabwe
• Zimbabwe: national index
• Rhodesia
• Pfumo reVanhu

Zimbabwe Army flag (1980 - )

The flag of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was adopted following independence in April 1980.  At that time the ZNA was created following the integration of the Rhodesian Security Forces and the forces of the guerrilla movements which had waged the liberation struggle against the Rhodesian regime.  The guerrilla forces of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) had been based in Mozambique Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) operated mainly from Zambia.  The integration exercise was assisted by BMATT (British Monitoring and Training Troops) and was accomplished during 1980 and 1981 in accordance with the Lancaster House Agreement.
The flag of the ZNA is red with a green shield with yellow fimbriation containing a yellow Zimbabwe Bird forming the central charge, under which is a yellow scroll with the words "Zimbabwe National Army" in black. 
Bruce Berry, 14 Jan 2003

This evening I have seen a news report about a media conference held by the Zimbabwe Army in support of President Mugabe. Behind the general were two flags, the one on the right (sinister) being the national flag, the one on the left (dexter) is not on FOTW-ws, and I assume this is the army flag. It is red, with a central badge (probably bearing crossed swords, partially surrounded by wreaths, topped by the Zimbabwe Bird without the red star, all in golden yellow). Anyone have a closer look?
Miles Li, 10 Jan 2002

Rhodesian Army flag (1960s - 1970)

The first Rhodesian Army flag, used at HQ, and other sites where it was necessary to represent the army as a whole rather than specific units, followed the basic design of the flag used by the British Chief of Defence, which had three horizontal stripes - dark blue (Navy), red (Army), and light blue (Air Force), with a badge in the centre comprising elements of each service. The Rhodesian Army flag used the colours yellow, red and blue for the stripes. Red is the colour representing the army, and the yellow and blue represented the British South Africa Police (BSAP) as the second force used in a very effective para-military role during the bush war (1972-1979), and in the early years of the 20th century it was the country's first and only military force. In recognition of this fact the BSAP always took pride of place on the right of the line when parading with the military.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA Journal 5/96  [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
 

Rhodesian Army badge until 1970

The Rhodesian army badge was on the centre of the flag, with two crossed assegais taking the place of the traditional British symbol of crossed swords. The first version of the flag, used up to 1970, displayed the Queen's Crown above and below the British South Africa Company lion, with the simple motto 'RHODESIA' on a yellow scroll beneath. Interestingly, the lion on the badge was yellow, as in the original BSAC badge, rather than the more customary red colour, or the white version used on cloth army patches. A smaller version of this flag also existed, with the badge covering the entire width of the flag and this was probably used as a car flag.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA Journal 5/96  [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
 

Rhodesian Army flag (early 1970s)

After 1970 when Rhodesia became a republic, the 'Royal' prefixes of regimental names where dropped and symbols, including many flags, were changed to a new purely Rhodesian design.  The Army flag's basic colours remained the same, but the crowns were removed and the badge was changed to show the lion and tusk above a green shield with a white pick-axe, with the 'RHODESIA' scroll below. 
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA Journal 5/96  [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
 

Rhodesian Army badge after 1970

Rhodesian Army flag (late 1970s - 1980)

On the last flag used by the Rhodesian Army up to 1980 (date of introduction unfortunately unknown) the crossed assegais were removed and the army's lion and pickaxe shield placed in the centre of the flag, again with a yellow lion and now yellow pickaxe on a green field, with a scroll below this with the words 'Rhodesian Army'.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA Journal 5/96  [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
 

Rhodesian Army badge until 1980

The badge shown on this last version of the army flag is very similar to the shoulder patch worn on uniforms of the Rhodesian Army, an illustration of which also accompanies this message.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA Journal 5/96  [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002