Ospery, the bird of the Selous Scouts.Selous Scouts "Pamwe Chete" title block.Ospery, the bird of the Selous Scouts.

 

"PAMWE CHETE"

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T.A.L. DOZER

 

 

 

 

 

SELOUS SCOUTS, FOXHOUNDS, BEACONS AND TRANSMITTERS

An interesting experimental foray undertaken by the Rhodesian Army’s tracking unit, the Selous Scouts was that of using English foxhounds in the tactical tracking role, which was tried with little success in this case. It was suggested by a person familiar with canine abilities that a dogs might be trained to track and hunt terrorist in areas of thick bush in the same way they hunt foxes in England. When contact was made, a helicopter-borne fireforce could be deployed to finish off the job. Being innovative and progressive, the commanding officer approved the experiment and subsequently thirty imported hounds arrived for training.English Foxhound.

Essential to the plan was to have a pack leader fitted with a locating beacon and a voice activated transmitter so that when the dogs located their prey, they would bark and activate the beacon. The fireforce standing by would be mobilized, home in on the transmission from the beacon, and engage the guerrilla group, who would be, so the plan went, cowering under the assault of thirty yapping dogs.

Although the idea was good (if a little bizarre) in theory, in practice it was a failure.  The dogs responded well to training, and a “top dog” emerged to lead the pack, but when tested in the field the whole plan unraveled.  Being hunting dogs with many generations of specialized breeding, the hounds, true to their instincts, preferred to follow the sent of deer and small furry animals rather than that of Homo sapiens. There is no doubt, however, that if this experiment had continued over a longer period of time, something more positive would have evolved.

 

 

 

ENGLISH FOXHOUND

 

DETAILS

Group: Hound
Height: 23-27in (58-69cm)
Weight: 55-75lb (25-34kg)
Body: Broad skull. Large eyes. The muzzle is long and square. Long necked with a deep chest. Powerful and muscular thighs. Legs are thick boned. Tail has slight curve.
Coat: Very short, hard and glossy.
Color: Black, brown and white or any combination.
Personality: An active passionate hunter. Gentle and even tempered with children, but prefers to be around other dogs. Needs a lot of exercise.

 

 

 

 

 

THIS SITE LAST UPDATED: Sunday, September 16, 2007 06:43:38 PM

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