History
The Rhodesian Light Infantry was formed on the 1st of February, 1961, at Brady Barracks, Bulawayo, and by 1965 had reorganised into a commando battalion — earning its men the coveted green beret and a fearsome reputation as one of Africa's most effective counter-insurgency forces. Known by two nicknames, "The Saints" and "The Incredibles," the regiment was built around speed, aggression, and small-unit excellence in the African bush.
Within the battalion, 1 Commando stood out as a premier air-portable unit, legendary for its speed and the tactical innovation of Fire Force operations. Operation Pagoda in 1966 — the RLI's first major counter-insurgency deployment — saw 1 Commando deployed to the Zambezi Valley region to conduct mobile sweeps and ambushes against the first serious ZANU infiltration into Rhodesia. It was 1 Commando that opened the regiment's combat history, and that legacy of being first in never left the unit.
As the war intensified, 1 Commando was among the first troops sent for parachute instruction at New Sarum Air Base in Salisbury in November 1976, marking the beginning of the RLI's transformation into a fully airborne commando battalion.For more history on the RLI, please head over here!
Why "The Big Red"?
The nickname traces back to July 1971 and 1 Commando's Officer Commanding, Major Dave Parker. Parker — a famously large man — had ordered daily 06:00 physical training sessions for the Commando, but made a habit of delaying his own arrival as long as possible. One morning, with the men already formed up and waiting, Parker finally emerged from his quarters wearing a pair of bright red pyjamas. Sergeant Bruce Antonowitz, watching him approach, remarked dryly: "It's the Big Red."The name stuck — first to Parker himself, and eventually to the entire Commando. What began as a joke at an officer's expense became an eventual badge of identity.
1 Commando, Mount Darwin, circa 1970s
About
1 COMMANDO "The Big Red", is a small and casual mil-sim group portraying aspects of the Rhodesian Bush War in Arma 3 through the lens of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. Our in-game operations are built around the RLI's signature Fire Force operations, alongside patrol actions, ambushes, and follow-up engagements that reflect the broader counter-insurgency role the Commando played during the conflict. We draw on historical research to portray these aspects of the war as accurately as possible, striking a balance between what actually happened and an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
At the heart of 1 Commando is a genuine passion for the history of the Rhodesian Bush War and the men who fought it. Through ongoing research and a constant drive to raise the bar on historical accuracy, we aim to bring that history to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining while introducing players to the tactics, the equipment, and the stories of the fighting men of the Rhodesian Light Infantry that might otherwise go untold.
Our research is never finished. As we learn more about the conflict, the men who fought it, and the environment they operated in, we continuously refine how we portray it in order to hold ourselves to a high standard so that every session reflects something real rather than something assumed.
Weekly operations run every Thursday and Sunday at 19:00 EST for approximately two hours, featuring 2–3 missions per session. Whether you are a well seasoned ArmA veteran or a green recruit, we welcome everyone to join!
Contact
We're looking for players 18 and older who want something more than the usual run-and-gun Arma experience — people who enjoy immersion, historical context, and tactics, but in a more relaxed, casual milsim setting. If you're after a serious, grounded experience without the pressure of mandatory attendance or rigid structure, you'll fit right in.If you fit the criteria and are interested in joining up with us please feel free to join the discord, by clicking on the poster below, and follow the instructions posted for new applicants. Hope to see you soon with us in the bush!
