Rare original Selous Scouts Plaque

The Selous Scouts, a unique unit with its roots traced back to 1966, had a complex history and significant achievements. The concept of pseudo operators infiltrating the terrorists network was initially explored through a feasibility exercise. While the concept was successful, it remained dormant until 1973 when a Special Branch Superintendent, Tommy Peterson, developed a team of former "turned" terrorists.
This experimental phase led to the establishment of a regiment of pseudo-operator groups by November 1973, named the Selous Scouts, under the command of Captain R.F. Reid-Daly. The unit incorporated personnel from various security forces and captured turned terrorists. The Scouts, named after Frederick Courtney Selous, achieved early successes and expanded their scope.
Their missions extended to cross-border operations, marked by innovations like parachute training and swift vehicle columns. Notably, a raid on a Z.A.N.L.A. transit camp in Mozambique yielded remarkable results. Specialized reconnaissance work enhanced their efficiency. In 1977, the Selous Scouts intensified operations within Mozambique and Rhodesia.
In 1979, they ventured into Zambia to target Joshua Nkomo but faced challenges, ultimately signaling the unit's impending fate. With the political landscape shifting and Zimbabwe transitioning, the Selous Scouts were disbanded by rebadging members with their original unit badges. Despite their significant contributions, the unit quietly dissolved without ceremony, reflecting a controversial end to a remarkable history.