Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Rhodesia, ‘Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry’ pair awarded to Constable C. Kamupaundi, British South Africa Police and The Support Unit, who was awarded the first of only five P.C.G.’s ever awarded - for his gallantry during a terrorist RPG ambush on his vehicle convoy, 11 February 1975

Rhodesia, Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry, unnamed copy; General Service (21149 Const. Kamupaundi) mounted for wear, very fine or better (2) £400-£500

Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry awarded 20 June 1975, the citation states:

‘On 11 February 1975, No 21149 Constable Columbus Kamupaundi formed part of an escort party travelling in a Rhino vehicle accompanying a Land-Rover carrying other Police and civilian details when, at a point 12.6 kilometres from Rusambo base, the convoy was ambushed by a terrorist group of at least ten men. The Rhino in which he was travelling was struck by an RPG-7 rocket missile, badly injuring other members in the vehicle. The vehicle was subjected to small arms fire from the terrorists some twenty metres away. Constable Kamupaundi, despite receiving bruises to his lower back, lacerations to his right thigh and a perforated eardrum, immediately returned the terrorists fire through the rear of the Rhino. This resulted in three terrorists turning away from pressing home an attack on the disabled Rhino. He then pulled himself from his seat and fired towards another five terrorists who were intent on continuing the ambush. This was sufficient to stop the second attack being pressed. He then took up a defensive position to protect the other members of the party. He had controlled his fire to the extent of only expending sixty rounds out of his holding of one hundred and twenty rounds of ammunition. He then, on order ran, armed but unaccompanied, some 8.7 kilometres through the bush to Rusambo to seek assistance. His route took him through an area which was known to contain terrorists and sympathisers, including the party with whom he had recently been engaged. His journey through the bush took approximately one and one half hours, enabling a rescue party to be despatched immediately.

The actions of Constable Kamupaundi in immediately returning the terrorists’ fire when attacked prevented them from completing the ambush and saved not only his own life but the lives of the other details in the Rhino, followed by a disregard for his own safety in returning, whilst injured, through hostile bush to his own base and alerting the security forces to the position showed courage and conspicuous gallantry of the highest order.’

1 of only 5 Rhodesia Police Crosses for Conspicuous Gallantry ever awarded, and the first to be awarded.

Constable Kamupaundi of the British South Africa Police, was also a member of the Support Unit. The Support Unit (known as the "Black Boots" due to their footwear) was a Police field force staffed by about 50 white and 1700 (as of 1980) black regular and national servicemen. From early 1978 to 1980 Support training and selection consisted of 3 phases culminating latterly in 6 months or 24 weeks training. The first phase lasting as long as 11 weeks (RLI first phase was 6 weeks). Emphasis in selection depended on extreme physical fitness and aggression (running excess of 120 kilometres per week), mental strength in decision making and problem solving under extreme duress. The selection course consisted of a junior leader assessment in all areas concerning leadership. All Counter Operations Insurgency (COIN) battle drills being held in Battle camps at Concession and Shamva. The pass rate among recruits amounted to only 30%. On passing out recruits were deployed to one of 13 and latterly 14 Troops (Troop company strength 120 men, Mantle Mounted and November troop being new additions in 1981). The Support Unit supported the Police in rural problem areas (latterly dissidents) as well as in urban emergencies. In November 1980 during The Entumbani One uprising, 2 sections of 60 men each from 5 Support Unit Troops, Mantle Echo, Mantle Charlie, Mantle Juliet, Mantle Hotel, Mantle Lima, 300 men in all, travelled from all over Zimbabwe to reach Bulawayo in 11 hours. Due to the Support Unit Troops being independent with their own vehicles, stores, ammunition, medical supplies, tents etc., they could deploy anywhere at a moments notice all over Zimbabwe. During the bush war the Support Unit's primary task was to patrol the long distances in the Tribal Trust Lands, to maintain and reinstate order in the kraals (native villages).

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient in uniform.