Rhodesian Colony | Soldier's Button

History of the Artifact These buttons belonged to the uniform of a Rhodesian soldier from the independent white minority lead state of Rhodesia. The Rhodesian Army was the military force of Rhodesia during the period of the unrecognized state of Rhodesia (1965-1979). It was predominantly composed of white soldiers and played a significant role in the Rhodesian Bush War, a conflict with black nationalist guerrilla groups. The army was known for its effective counterinsurgency tactics, including the extensive use of special forces units. Ultimately, the Rhodesian Army was disbanded upon the establishment of Zimbabwe as an independent nation in 1980. Rhodesia was a self-declared, unrecognized state in Southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979. It was characterized by a white minority government led by Prime Minister Ian Smith, which declared independence from British colonial rule. This unilateral declaration of independence was not internationally recognized, leading to internationa