Author: Stephen Wynn-davies for Mailonline
Published: November 25, 2021 05:48 EST | Updated: November 25, 2021 05:59 EST
The Army is facing the anger of officers because they fear that the new regiment’s cockade is "the same" as the one worn by the cruel apartheid terrorist team.
The beret of the newly formed Ranger regiment features birds of prey. Some have compared it with the emblem of birds of prey worn by the Selous Scouts, which were feared during apartheid in South Africa. Rhodesian Army Special Forces Regiment.
The Selous Boy Scouts fought against the black rebel army and were accused of civilian atrocities because they tried to maintain the rule of the white minority in Zimbabwe.
A source from the Ministry of Defense told the Daily Telegraph that in this day and age, having a cap badge with any connection to a racist regime “seems outrageous”.
But the Ministry of Defense rejected the claim that the new badge was inspired by the badge worn by the apartheid terror squad, stating that although the badge of the Ranger regiment was designed around peregrine falcons, the Selous Scout badge depicts an osprey.
The Army is facing the anger of officers because they worry that the new Ranger regiment's crest (left) is "the same" as the crest worn by the cruel apartheid terrorist squad (right)
The Ranger Regiment is part of the Army's concept of future soldiers, aiming to turn infantry into elite fighters, hoping that they can help complete overseas missions. The picture shows Brigadier General Gus Fair, commander of the New Ranger Battalion
The Ranger Regiment is part of the Army's concept of future soldiers, aiming to turn infantry into elite fighters, hoping that they can help complete overseas missions.
Over the next four years, 120 million pounds will be invested in the new unit as it works with special forces in a high-threat environment.
It will receive training and accompany partner forces from foreign countries-previously held by special air service teams and special boat service teams.
All those who serve in the regiment will wear the new metal badge, regardless of level.
However, the design of the new badge has been outraged by many military officers, who reportedly expressed concern about the similarity with the badge worn by the Selous Boy Scouts.
However, it is understood that the new badge has been approved by the Queen, so attempts to prevent its circulation are unlikely to succeed.
A defense source said: "An officer said he saw an email saying that it was actually based on the Selous Boy Scouts.
'It is almost the same as the Selous Scouts of Rhodesia, which has caused controversy due to their participation in the apartheid regime.
"There are obvious differences, but it's very close, and it's obviously based on it."
On June 24, 2021, during Aldershot Garrison Memorial Armed Forces Week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses on the armored vehicle of the New Rangers Regiment
The Selous Boy Scouts collected intelligence on the insurgents during the Bush War in Rhodesia so that they could be attacked by security forces.
Over time, they also attacked the insurgents and carried out activities in the neighboring countries of Rhodesia in the 1960s and 1970s. Because of this, the unit is known for its brutal apartheid terrorist squad.
Their methods led to the deaths of a large number of insurgents, but ultimately backfired because they further alienated the black community from the white Rhodesian government while increasing international opposition.
After Rhodesia transitioned to majority rule and transitioned to Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Robert Mugabe disbanded the Selous Boy Scouts in April 1980, and many of its members were recruited by South Africa’s anti-apartheid security forces.
Although both badges were designed for the Raptor, the Department of Defense stated that the comparison between the two was "completely inaccurate."
An Army spokesperson said: "The cap badge of the Ranger regiment is designed around peregrine falcons.
"Any comparison or association with the Osprey portrayed in the Selous Scout Crest is completely inaccurate.
"The Ranger is very proud of its new cockade. It draws inspiration and spirit from the Peregrine; it is fast, agile and very loyal to its partners. It conducts business in all environments around the world, including deserts, mountains and cities.
The Selous Boy Scouts, a special forces regiment now disbanded from the Rhodesian army, fought against black rebels and killed civilians in the 1960s and 1970s as they tried to maintain the rule of the white minority in Zimbabwe.
Special forces collected intelligence about the insurgents during the Bush War in Rhodesia so that they could be attacked by security forces.
Over time, they also attacked the insurgents and carried out activities in the neighboring countries of Rhodesia. Because of this, the unit is known for its brutal apartheid terrorist squad.
Their methods led to the deaths of a large number of insurgents, but ultimately backfired because they further alienated the black community from the white Rhodesian government while increasing international opposition.
After Rhodesia transitioned to majority rule and transitioned to Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Robert Mugabe disbanded the Selous Boy Scouts in April 1980, and many of its members were recruited by South Africa’s anti-apartheid security forces.