The Part Time War is a book that reminisces on life in 1970’s Rhodesia, fighting a full blown terrorist war on a part time basis. The highs, the lows, the camaraderie and humour are all included.
It gives an insight into the life of an ordinary civilian removed from the comforts and security of everyday life and thrust into the dangers and stresses of a war situation.
If one was deemed reasonably fit, every male up to the
age
of fifty was required to serve in one of the security units for blocks of time during the year. Training was minimal and disruption to work and family life was inevitable. It made life for adult males in Rhodesia during the conflict very strange to say the least.
Rod Wells was born in Warwick, England and emigrated as a child, in 1955, to Southern Rhodesia where he was brought up and, after leaving Ellis Robins High School, trained as a motor mechanic. In 1967 he met his future wife, Vi, whilst working for a motor racing firm in England.
After returning to Rhodesia in 1968 they set up their own garage business with great expectations for the future. Unfortunately, events within the country were to change with the onset of the terrorist war and, after three years of military commitment with the British South Africa Police, and the conflict escalating, the decision was made to close the business. After this, with their two young children’s futures in mind, the decision was made to leave the country. Rod and Vi now live in a village near Cambridge in the UK.
