![[Zimbabwe Army flag]](../images/z/zw^army.gif)
Last modified: 2014-03-08 by bruce berry
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by Bruce Berry, 14 Jan 2003
The flag of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was adopted following independence
in April 1980. At that time the ZNA was created following the integration
of the Rhodesian Security Forces and the forces of the guerrilla movements
which had waged the liberation struggle against the Rhodesian regime.
The guerrilla forces of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Liberation
Army (ZANLA) had been based in
Mozambique Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe People's
Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) operated mainly from Zambia. The integration
exercise was assisted by BMATT (British Monitoring and Training Troops)
and was accomplished during 1980 and 1981 in accordance with the Lancaster
House Agreement.
The flag of the ZNA is red with a green shield with yellow fimbriation
containing a yellow Zimbabwe Bird forming the central charge, under which
is a yellow scroll with the words "Zimbabwe National Army" in black.
Bruce Berry, 14 Jan 2003
This evening I have seen a news report about a media conference held
by the Zimbabwe Army in support of President Mugabe. Behind the general
were two flags, the one on the right (sinister) being the national flag,
the one on the left (dexter) is not on FOTW-ws, and I assume this is the
army flag. It is red, with a central badge (probably bearing crossed swords,
partially surrounded by wreaths, topped by the Zimbabwe Bird without the
red star, all in golden yellow). Anyone have a closer look?
Miles Li, 10 Jan 2002
![[Rhodesian Army till 1970]](../images/z/zw^rhar1.gif)
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by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
The first Rhodesian Army flag, used at HQ, and other sites where it was necessary
to represent the army as a whole rather than specific units, followed the
basic design of the flag used by the British
Chief of Defence, which had three horizontal stripes - dark blue (Navy),
red (Army), and light blue (Air Force), with a badge in the centre comprising
elements of each service. The Rhodesian Army flag used the colours yellow,
red and blue for the stripes. Red is the colour representing the army,
and the yellow and blue represented the British
South Africa Police (BSAP) as the second force used in a very effective para-military
role during the bush war (1972-1979), and in the early years of the 20th century
it was the country's first and
only military force. In recognition of this fact the BSAP always took pride
of place on the right of the line when parading with the military.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA
Journal 5/96 [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
![[Rhodesian Army badge till 1970]](../images/z/zw^)rhar.gif)
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by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
The Rhodesian army badge was on the centre of the flag, with two crossed
assegais taking the place of the traditional British symbol of crossed swords.
The first version of the flag, used up to 1970, displayed the Queen's Crown
above and below the British South Africa Company lion, with the
simple motto 'RHODESIA' on a yellow scroll beneath. Interestingly, the
lion on the badge was yellow, as in the original BSAC badge, rather than
the more customary red colour, or the white version used on cloth army
patches. A smaller version of this flag also existed, with the badge covering
the entire width of the flag and this was probably used as a car flag.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA
Journal 5/96 [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
![[Rhodesian Army after 1970]](../images/z/zw^rhar2.gif)
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by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
After 1970 when Rhodesia became a republic, the 'Royal' prefixes of
regimental names where dropped and symbols, including many flags, were
changed to a new purely Rhodesian design. The Army flag's basic colours
remained the same, but the crowns were removed and the badge was changed
to show the lion and tusk above a green shield with a white pick-axe, with
the 'RHODESIA' scroll below.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA
Journal 5/96 [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
![[Rhodesian Army badge after 1970]](../images/z/zw^)rha2.gif)
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by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002 ![[Rhodesian Army till 1980]](../images/z/zw^rhar3.gif)
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by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
On the last flag used by the Rhodesian Army up to 1980 (date of introduction
unfortunately unknown) the crossed assegais were removed and the army's
lion and pickaxe shield placed in the centre of the flag, again with a
yellow lion and now yellow pickaxe on a green field, with a scroll below
this with the words 'Rhodesian Army'.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA
Journal 5/96 [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
![[Rhodesian Army badge till 1980]](../images/z/zw^)rha3.gif)
image
by Richard Allport, resized by Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
The badge shown on this last version of the army flag is very similar
to the shoulder patch worn on uniforms of the Rhodesian Army, an illustration
of which also accompanies this message.
Source: Flags and Symbols of Rhodesia, 1890-1980 by R Allport, SAVA
Journal 5/96 [all96].
Devereaux Cannon, 07 Feb 2002
