By September 1964, things began to change. Facebook White notes that this was "not because of how they were paid for fighting but because of why they were fighting", with it being argued that the volunteers had involved themselves in a war that was not theirs. Rousseau and his mates were in action clearing the airport in what was then known as Lourenco Marques, the Maputo appellation came later. Not exactly a headshot, but the situation was terminated. Another LEO involved shooting. Suspect deceased. Any answers? - Topic Although the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper is credited with developing the Mozambique Drill, he had a little help. Rousseau hit an . [38] The prohibition proved difficult to enforce, as it was not possible to prevent Britons leaving the country. [57] By the end of the war there were around 6,000 SADF personnel in Rhodesia. A former police ofcer and serviceman with the U.S. Army, Richard A. Mann is one of the most well-respected rearms authorities writing on the subject today. [21], While most of the security forces' personnel were black, the Rhodesian government had a strong preference for whites. The Rhodesian government actively recruited white personnel from other countries from the mid-1970s to address manpower shortages in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. His third shot was low, taking out the fighters neck and spinal cord. [16], The Rhodesian Security Forces were considerably expanded over the war. [40], Foreign volunteers for the Rhodesian Security Forces were generally motivated by personal political and ideological beliefs or a desire for adventure. Although in most situations, the two perfectly placed shots to the chest should disable an attacker, there are several reasons they could fail. The Portuguese used WWII vintage pistols in their two decades long colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique (some claim the gun Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau used in the original Mozambique . Fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, at 10 paces. A quick how-to on shooting the Mozambique Drill. The Browning Hi Power: The Superlative WWII Combat Handgun That Played Its much harder than you may think. Most of its members left Rhodesia after the company was withdrawn from operations to be retrained, though some settled in Rhodesia. [79] Both the main nationalist groups believed that the volunteers' presence indicated that western governments supported the Rhodesian regime. These organisations provided recruits for the security forces as well as private industry, including farms, mines and timber companies. Two to the body and one to the head is guaranteed to stop a threat. Body armor, extra thick clothing, psychoactive drugs, or even a massive adrenaline dump are all reasons those first two shots may not be effective on your target. [101] Robin Moore included profiles of twelve volunteers as part of a non-fiction book he wrote in 1976 that argued that the Rhodesian government was not racist and sanctions against it should be lifted. [36] Neil Grant gave a lower figure in 2015, stating that over 10 per cent of the unit were foreign volunteers. He was fighting in the. Copyright 2023 BearingArms.com/Salem Media. The pelvis does not move as erratically as the head or shoulders, and should be an easier target than a bobbing and weaving head. Those who were combat veterans resented being placed under the command of younger and less experienced Rhodesians. Towsley on Tactical blog Archives - Bryce Towsley Rousseau was fighting at the airport at Loureno Marques, which is now called Maputo. These letters were closely scrutinised, as many of the men who had written them were considered "obviously nuts" by the Rhodesian Army's recruitment officer Major Nick Lamprecht. Failure in a gunfight is not an option. He offered Rhodesia the services of these men after they completed training, though he intended to eventually use them to retake Albania. Handgun Training for Personal Protection. Oops, there's been an error. [46], In addition to the actual volunteers, thousands of South African Police and South African Defence Force (SADF) personnel were deployed to Rhodesia by the South African government to serve in or alongside the Rhodesian Security Forces. [45] Some American volunteers were attracted by a belief that the war in Rhodesia was comparable to that which had been fought on the American frontier. Portugal had ruled Mozambique for . Remember that 9mm ammo circa late 1960s and late 1970s was marginally better than 9mm ammo from WWII. An accurate shot to the T-zone (the area between the eyebrows and upper lip, also called the ocular cavity) damages the brain and central nervous system and secures instant incapacitation of the target. The Mozambique Drill brings together low-round count that challenges a shooter's speed, accuracy, and fundamentals. It is not known how many Vietnam veterans fought in Rhodesia. Now you understand the history and background as well as the importance of the Failure Drill. Ex-military wanting to ply their tactical handiwork in return for treasure were welcomed to Mozambique to help the Portuguese military. [84] The FCO advised anyone who sought information about fighting for Rhodesia that doing so was illegal, but did not explain why. You sweat just standing still. Rousseau immediately performed a "double tap" maneuver, a controlled shooting technique in which the shooter makes two quick shots at the target's torso. [59] They enlisted for a period of three years, which was the same as white Rhodesians who joined up on a full-time basis. |-- Political Videos Mike Rousseau was a white Rhodesian mercenary engaged in combat against FRELIMO guerillas in and around the Mozambique capital of Maputo. FRELIMOs Marxist underpinnings earned it support from Russia and China. The need for non-Rhodesians to sustain the country's independence was also considered problematic. The sanctions it imposed following UDI banned efforts to entice British citizens to live or work in Rhodesia. [92] Many of the Americans wrongly believed that their government opposed their presence in Rhodesia, with articles in Soldier of Fortune and works by the author Robin Moore also claiming this. views and opinions of Springfield Armory. [14] Rhodesia's security situation deteriorated during the mid-1970s when the nationalists were able to establish bases in Mozambique as Portuguese rule faltered and finally ended in 1975. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. At least thats what Ive been told. Silveira v. Lockyer, 2003. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. So, as the story goes, Rousseau was involved in a firefight at the airport. The reality of the war confronted Rousseau at the airport in Loureno Marques, which has been called Maputo since 1976. Blisk's character is based off Rhodesian mercenary Michael Rousseau, who popularized the shooting technique known as the Mozambique drill. Miss the zone, and the projectile could deflect off the bony areas of the skull without eliminating the threat. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. Guerrilla forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front (or FRELIMO) became embroiled in a war of independence with Portugal. It is not the only way to do things, and was never intended to be taken as the one true way.. Proper tactics can vary greatly depending on the circumstances and situation. The drill is also sometimes called the Failure Drill, as the third and final shot is made in response to a situation when the double tap fails to stop an advancing threat. It was expected that most of the volunteers for the security forces would not settle in Rhodesia. [42][68] Two of the former French volunteers who remained in Zimbabwe after the war were sentenced to death for murdering a caf owner during a robbery in 1982 and were executed the next year. According to anecdotal history, the technique originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1974). Of course, we have to be careful of adhering to dogma, no matter where it comes from. As you know, Cooper founded Gunsite Academy and preached his tactical gospel of the modern technique. All other white military personnel, other than members of the Selous Scouts unit that had a reputation for atrocities, were given an assurance that they would not be required to leave the military. |-- Editorials & Other Articles All Rights Reserved. However, this drill is mostly concerned with improving your shooting skills rather than learning the nuances of self-defense tactics. While Im no gunfighter and there isnt any (sane) person who wants to learn gunfighting from me, Id offer another alternative that might be more slightly attainable to more people, and which is suggested by our own Stephen Wenger based off of his decades in studying armed self-defense. I came about after Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau told the story of an encounter he had in combat at an airport. Canada had similar laws to the UK, and France and New Zealand were unable to prevent their citizens from travelling to Rhodesia to fight. Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill - Gun Digest [46] Economic factors also influenced some of the volunteers, as they believed that the Rhodesian Security Forces offered better career prospects than those available in their home country. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. [18] As the war continued, additional army and police units were raised and the periods of active service reservists were required to undertake was increased. Those who did so received amnesties as part of the British government measures associated to end of the conflict. [104], Few works by historians have been published on the volunteers who served with the Rhodesian Security Forces. [69], Despite the Rhodesian government's claim that it did not recruit mercenaries, the British mercenary Peter McAleese was accepted into the Rhodesian Army during 1976. [56] The desertion rate among foreigners serving in the SAS was particularly high. [73] Foreign volunteers typically received a hostile reception from their Rhodesian comrades, which contributed to many leaving before the end of their contract. In the 1980s, the Los Angeles Police Department began teaching the drill but renamed it the more politically correct Failure Drill. Rousseau fired two quick shots that struck the enemy soldier in the chest, but failed to stop him. Rhodesian Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. The drill was inspired by an incident encountered by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the Mozambican War of Independence (1964 to about 1974). Col. Jeff Cooper - A shooting legend and the man who codified the drill. He also noted that the party drew on the ideas and language used by the contemporary radical right movement in the United States to justify UDI. The Mozambique drill was made famous by Jeff Cooper after learning about this incident. Even better (although much more difficult), make the final shot as youre moving offline. Its a handy tool to have in your defensive tool box just in case shots to center mass dont accomplish what they are supposed to do. Frankly, I dont know of many shooters who maintain the level of skill to pull this off consistently at 3-5 yards. While catchy mottoes are easy to remember, the technique itself can be difficult to master. "All too many of the other great tragedies of historyStalins atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a fewwere perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations. [86] Due to the difficulty of drafting legislation that could effectively ban Britons from serving with Rhodesia or enforcing the measures that were brought in, there is no record of any British citizens being punished for serving with the Rhodesian Security Forces during the war. How rude! in 1978, he was the final recipient of the Rhodesian civil Independence Commemorative Decoration for services rendered to the country. Rousseau hit the target on either side of the sternum, usually enough to incapacitate or kill a target outright. SA-3 Mozambique | Titanfall Wiki | Fandom Until the early 1970s the Rhodesian Security Forces had little difficulty in defeating the guerrillas. [22] The army units manned by full time personnel, which included a high proportion of white regular and conscripted soldiers, were the most powerful element of the security forces and formed a strategic reserve that responded to the guerrilla activities. However, for reasons lost to history Rousseau was reduced to his sidearm, a GP35 Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. To guarantee instant incapacitation by impacting the brain and central nervous system, the head shot must be delivered to the area between eyebrows and upper lip, otherwise, various bony areas of the skull could deflect the bullet. FRELIMO's Marxist underpinnings earned it support from Russia and China. If you can successfully perform the drill in under five seconds, youre doing better than most law enforcement officers. Titanfall Blisk is working under a new long-term contract with the IMC on the Frontier, providing Combat Intel and Counterinsurgency services. No country ever officially recognised Rhodesia's independence. If you start slinging your lead outside of the V1 or V2 zones, slow it down. They generally joined the Rhodesian Security Forces individually after seeing advertisements or after being contacted by recruiters. Easter Lessons by bmt | Mar 29, 2016 | Towsley on Tactical blog FRELIMO attacked targets in typical guerrilla-style warfare and, like other small insurgent forces, they made full use of hit and run tactics, their knowledge of the terrain, and used the monsoon season to their advantage. Portugal still maintained strong control over Mozambique. [30] As a result, White has observed that the volunteers were typically more willing to fight and even die for the ideology of the Rhodesian Front party than for Rhodesia itself. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. [47], The Rhodesian Special Branch sought to vet all of the foreign volunteers for security risks. McAleese had previously led a group of British mercenaries in Angola, and was posted to the elite Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) after completing training. [50] The high proportion of white Rhodesians who were born outside the country or held citizenship of another country also complicates the matter. Guerrilla fighters were swarming the airport and Rousseau turned a corner and nearly bumped into a FRELIMO fighter wielding an AK-47. Thank you for your support. In a veritable ocean of blood, one otherwise trivial engagement gained lasting notoriety. The Triple Tap Callsign can be unlocked by playing with the Mozambique, and Triple Tap XL can be unlocked via Advocate Gift. He turned a corner and came face-to-face about 10 paces with a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. [10] This ideology attracted support from many mainstream conservative politicians and military veterans in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as from some far right groups in those countries. During the Mozambique War of Independence (1964-1974) mercenary Mike Rousseau was fighting at the airport in Moputo. Id argue that if the two shots at (and hopefully in) the chest of an aggressor fails to convince him to break off his attack, then youd be better to drop your aim to fire the third shot (and perhaps fourth and fifth shots) at the pelvis next. Center mass shots are easier to make quickly. Seeing that the fighter was still advancing, Rousseau attempted a head shot that hit the guerrilla through the base of his neck, severing the spinal cord. The Mozambique Drill is a close-quarter shooting technique in which the shooter fires twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap to the center of mass), momentarily assesses the hits, then follows them up with a carefully aimed shot to the head of the target. He also edited Shooters Bible Guide to Firearms Assembly, Disassembly, and Cleaning; 50 Guns That Changed the World; and Gun Traders Guide. opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent The Mozambique Drill,[1] also known as the Failure Drill, or Failure to Stop drill and, informally, as "two to the body, one to the head,"[2][3] is a close-quarters shooting technique that requires the shooter to fire twice into the torso of a target (known as a double tap or hammered pair to the center of mass), and follow up with a more difficult head shot that, if properly placed, will instantaneously stop the target if the previous shots failed to do so. [40] They were recruited by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from a French military base in Djibouti. Judge turns down New Jerseys request for stay in NSSF lawsuit, MSU professor illustrates problem with gun control advocates, 71-year-old Philadelphia man shoots back at armed robbers, sends them fleeing, Texas congressman faces censure over gun control support, MO lawmaker believes he can get GOP support on gun control, Bump stocks back on store shelves in three states, Colorado Democrats introduce assault weapon ban, Bill reintroduced to abolish the Tiahrt Amendments, Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill overcomes filibuster threat, appears poised for passage, Former D.A. Although speed is definitely one of the goals of the Mozambique Drill, it isnt nearly as important as accuracy. Rousseau later related the story to an acquaintance, Jeff Cooper, who incorporated the "triple tap" or "Mozambique Drill" into his practical shooting technique. page. |-- Ask the Administrators FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. FRELIMO was the dominant political party in Mozambique fighting for independence from Portugal. The Carter administration considered taking steps to stop Americans serving in Rhodesia, but this did not result in any policy changes. If the target continues to advance despite two well-placed shots to the torso, the shooter follows up with a more precisely aimed (and more difficult to accomplish) head shot. [103] Stephen Jeffreys' 1980 play 'The Jubilee Too' included a British volunteer who had returned from Rhodesia as one of its characters. These articles frequently highlighted the experiences of Americans who were fighting in Rhodesia. The Mozambique drill, originally developed by a Rhodesian mercenary, MIke Rousseau, is a standard practice drill for self defense. "Mozambique Drill" as the defensive tactic to counter a threat [47], All foreign volunteers were required to complete basic training upon arrival in Rhodesia, even if they had prior military experience. History of the Failure Drill: - The Armory Life It is vital to mix up your training, firing different numbers of shots into your targets, at different locations, because you never know if your first shot or your fifteenth is going to be the one that stops the threat. [48] The British intelligence agencies also infiltrated agents into the Rhodesian Security Forces.[49]. Most of the other volunteers were from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. | Discussion [16], Despite its need for foreign volunteers, the Rhodesian government was uncomfortable with them. Center mass is easier to hit quickly, and in most cases will effectively stop a threat. Editors Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. As he turned a corner, he encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. [44] The Rhodesian military rarely discussed the foreign volunteers with journalists. Upon hearing the story of Rousseaus encounter, Cooper incorporated a three-shot drill into his training at the famous Gunsite Academy. During fighting at the Loureno Marques airport (modern-day Maputo ), Rousseau rounded a corner and encountered a FRELIMO guerrilla, 10 paces away and armed with an AK-47. After the end of the Frontier War, he went on to create a popular bloodsport competition called the Apex Games. While a thousand organizations use the Holocaust as a platform for speeches about tolerance, Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Children Of Jewish Holocaust Survivors [Jews Can Shoot]. However, the guerilla soldier kept coming, with two bleeding wounds to the torso, and still armed with his rifle. It kind of worked. Get free updates when we add new tips, articles and more! This is an effective way to stop a threat that isnt immediately stopped by two shots to the bodys center mass. | ContactUs | PrivacyPolicy. Two to the body, one to the head, is guaranteed to leave them dead.. During the Mozambican War of Independence, a Rhodesian mercenary by the name of Mike Rousseau was engaged in a firefight at the airport at Lourenco Marques. Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators. The Mozambique Drill, which is also known as the Failure Drill, Failure to Stop drill, the "Djibouti Shooty", or, informally, "two to the chest, one to the head," is a close-quarters shooting technique that supposedly originated with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, in the Mozambican War of Independence, hence the name. Save my name and email to use for future comments. [1][5][8][9], The Mozambique Drill was incorporated in the Gunsite curriculum from the late 1970s. This is a great exercise to work on speed, accuracy and self-defense tactics. Transitioning between targets can take some getting used to, especially for shooters still trying to get some experience under their belts. You fight with what you have, and at about ten paces (or five yards) Rousseau fired two 9mm rounds into the fighters chest. Forums | Journals| Store The term refers to his encounter with an AK-47 armed guerilla at an airport in Mozambique where he was armed with a Browning Hi-Power. The party was deeply committed to maintaining the white minority's status, with this motivating a decision to declare independence from the United Kingdom rather than submit to a transition to majority rule. Rousseau relayed this story to Jeff Cooper, who then began employing this failure to stop drill in his teaching at Gunsite. 2023 Springfield Armory. [75] The Rhodesian Army only learnt of Lamb's history after his death during an operation in 1976. [34] The Rhodesian government paid the airfares of volunteers who were unable to afford to travel until 1977. Mike Rousseau, a Rhodesian mercenary during the Mozambican War of Independence, was armed only with a 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol, and he rounded a corner at Loureno Marques (now Maputo) Airport and came face-to-face with an African guerilla armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, less than 25 feet away. Jews Can Shoot is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Semi-automatic pistols in those days relied on FMJ bullets so the pistol would function properly. Simple drills | Officer It sought to attract more white immigrants to the country, but from 1973 onwards the white population decreased. While engaged in fighting at the airport of Loureno Marques (modern-day Maputo), Rousseau was armed with only a Browning HP35 pistol. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in! The so-called Mozambique Drill (two shots to the chest, one to the head) was actually developed by accident by Rhodesian mercenary Mike Rousseau during the War of Independence in Mozambique when two pistol shots to the torso failed to bring down an enemy guerrilla. He is a contributing editor to numerous gun-enthusiast magazines and websites, including Combat Handguns, Black Guns, Gun Tests, Gun Digest, Gun World, Ballistic, range365.com, SHOT Business, and others. "The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To", "Lesson Plan: Immediate Target Engagement (CMC-22 Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course 08/12/2008)", "History of the Failure Drill: Mozambique Revolt Roots", "Shooting Skills: The Mozambique-Failure Drill", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mozambique_Drill&oldid=1141379493, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 19:40. [39][40][41] Sources differ on whether these men were paratroopers or members of the French Foreign Legion. Rousseau immediately brought up his Browning HP35 pistol and fired two bullets into the target's upper chest, usually enough to incapacitate or kill outright. The scope of these sanctions was increased over time, and included restrictions on support for its military. The Rhodesian government attempted several strategies to address these shortages. Felons can be high on adrenalin or drugs to the point that they do not recognize or respond to pain. Type of Sear & Hammer Engagement has Little Effect The Portuguese government banned Rhodesian recruitment in the late 1970s, but was unable to enforce the legislation. There arent a lot of guarantees in a gunfight, but the Failure Drill just might be your best defense in time of need, particularly if you are facing an opponent wearing body armor. Mozambique Drill | Military Wiki | Fandom It may be ironic that the Mozambique Drill is a technique used with a Rhodesian mercenary, Mike Rousseau, during the Mozambican War of Independence from 1964 to 1974. The young African not only failed to fall, but he advanced toward Rousseau with murderous intent. As he turned a corner, he bumped into a FRELIMO guerrilla armed with an AK-47. [36][74] These volunteers may have further encouraged the Rhodesian Security Forces use of the 'body count' of guerrillas killed as a measure of success, with this having been a key metric in Vietnam. [5] South Africa and Portugal provided Rhodesia with assistance, and it was able to evade the sanctions and covertly trade with many countries. When a double-tap to the chest failed to stop the aggressor, a third shot to the head ended the threat and created the Mozambique Drill. Its a port city in southern Mozambique where it can be hot with humidity over 80 percent. [15], Foreigners with far right beliefs were often sympathetic to the Rhodesian cause during the war. Sometimes in practice, I will draw my weapon and shoot one shot to the chest . [62] Those who failed this training had to leave the country, with their airfare home being paid by the Rhodesian government. That was in the 1400s and 1500s when Portugal set up trading settlements that evolved into colonies. Rousseauarmed onyl with a pistolturned a corner and encountered an enemy. Rhodesian Commando - StrategyPage At the time of UDI, the Rhodesian Army had a strength of over 18,400, including 15,000 reservists, the Rhodesian Air Force had a small but modern fleet of combat aircraft and the paramilitary British South Africa Police included 7,000 full time and 25,000 reserve personnel. [37] Some of the Americans volunteered to work as security guards on farms in Rhodesia as this offered the opportunity to fight communists while receiving higher pay than that offered by the security forces.