1.
TV PAN AND CU troops on rifle range. (2 shots)
0.11

2.
SV troops rise and run to assault course
0.17

3.
SV's and CU troops going through assault course (3 shots)
0.34

4.
SV PAN FROM troops on assault course TO crowd of friends and relatives watching
0.45

5.
CU Civilian crowd looking at arms and equipment (3 shots)
1.01

6.
SV's spectators look on as Defence Minister van der Byl arrives by car. (3 shots)
1.15

7.
SV and CU troops on parade
1.20

8.
SV PAN spectators
1.25

9.
SV PAN van der Byl inspects troops
1.38

10.
CU two ladies watching
1.41

11.
SCU van der Byl addressing troops and spectators
2.19

12.
SV PAN crowd applauding
2.22


MINISTER VAN DER BYL: "You all know that the call up of territorials has been greatly increased and at the same time a number of plans for expanding our forces and on which the army has worked so hard, so long, are now becoming a reality. All this entails great sacrifice for those who are directly involved in defending the country. Equally, a greater burden is going to have to do more than in the past to bring about the final defeat of the Communist terrorists".




Initials RH/0147 RH/YA/MR/0200



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Rhodesian Government has tightened its conscription rules to raise more military manpower in the face of increased African nationalist guerrilla attacks. All exemptions from military service and training granted before 1 May have been cancelled.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said on Friday (14 May) that the need for sufficient trained manpower to deal effectively with the recent upsurge in terrorist incursions had been responsible for the decision taken.

Only one week earlier, Rhodesia increased its period of compulsory military service from 12 to 18 months. Conscription applies to Rhodesia's white, mixed race and Asian men between the ages of 18 and 25. Blacks are taken into the army only when they volunteer.

At a passing out parade on Friday, Defence Minister Pieter van der Byl called on civilians to do more to bring about "the final defeat of the Communist terrorists".

It was the largest passing out parade in the history of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. Two-hundred and forty recruits completed their 18 weeks of basic training and were ready to begin active duty in anti-terrorist warfare.

(This film is serviced with part of the address made by the Defence Minister at the passing out parade. A transcript follows)