General information
First Active Year: 1976
Current Name: PF
Current Name full English: Patriotic Front
Current Name full native language: n/a
Original Name: PF
Original Name full English: Patriotic Front
Original Name full native language: n/a
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
1977
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
1978
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
1979
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976 Group Archive
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
Comment on Name: Patriotic Front. Armed wings: ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army), ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army)
Troop Size: 3500-20 000
Comment on Troop Size: Rhodesian security sources in late 1976 estimated there were around 1500 PF rebels inside the country, with a further 2000 fully trained and 2000 in training outside the borders. However, sources closer to the liberation movement alleged there were around 20 000 active rebels.
Secondary Support: China and the Soviet Union supported PF with military supplies and training. Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana provided safe havens, allowing the rebels to maintain camps and undergo training on their territory. The Rhodesian government claimed there were also North Korean and Cuban instructors present in Mozambique and actively training PF rebels. Immediately after the formation of PF, the presidents of the frontline states announced it was the sole Zimbabwean group it would henceforth recognise and support.
1977 Group Archive
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
Comment on Name: Patriotic Front. Armed wings: ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army), ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army)
Comment on Active: Moves to further strengthen the joint structures of PF were made in 1977. In April, a unified headquarters, located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was announced. However, although the alliance remained, the two armies of ZANU and ZAPU were not fully integrated; after years of rivalry, violence often broke out between fighters of the two movements. Thus, the two component armies – ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army) and ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army) – remained separate forces on the ground, the former continuing to operate from Mozambique and the latter from Zambia and Botswana.
Troop Size: 31 000 - 40 000
Comment on Troop Size: PF’s forces were made up of ZANLA and ZIPRA, the armies of ZANU and ZAPU respectively. In mid-1977, ZIPRA was reported to have some 10 000 trained or in training by mid-1977; by late 1977, another estimate put their numbers at 3000-5000 trained fighters and 10-12 000 in training. ZANLA, generally believed to be the stronger army, reportedly had 3000 rebels inside the country and a total 15-20 000 trained or undergoing training outside the country.
Secondary Support: PF troops received training and supplies from China, the Soviet Union and Cuba. Still de facto two separate armies, ZIPRA received training from Russian and Cuban instructors in Zambia and Angola, and ZANLA troops were trained by Chinese instructors in Mozambique and Tanzania. In August, Joshua Nkomo visited Cuba, which promised sizeable arms deliveries but no active warring support.
1978 Group Archive
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
Comment on Name: Patriotic Front. Armed wings: ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army), ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army)
Comment on Active: Attempts to further strengthen the joint structures of PF continued in 1978. On 15 February, plans were announced for the establishment of a single party.
Troop Size: 18 000-22 500
Comment on Troop Size: In early 1978, ZAPU reportedly had 8-10 000 trained fighters. ZANLA was reported to have 10 000-12 500 active fighters. At the end of 1978, it was estimated that there were 10-12 000 active rebel fighters present inside Rhodesia.
Secondary Support: ZANLAs main supplier of training and military supplies was China. Training took place in Tanzania, which along with Mozambique provided safe havens for ZANLA fighters. ZIPRA forces had camps in Zambia and Angola, with training and supplies provided by the Soviet Union and Cuba. In 1978, Nkomo also stated that Libyan instructors were providing training in camps in Zambia. Angola also provided logistic support, airlifting trained ZIPRA fighters from Angola to Zambian camps.
1979 Group Archive
Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) - PF
Comment on Name: Patriotic Front. Armed wings: ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army), ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army)
Troop Size: 37 000
Comment on Troop Size: In late 1979, it was estimated that ZIPRA forces numbered 20 000. A total 17 000 ZANLA fighters reported to assembly points under the ceasefire.
Secondary Support: ZANLAs main supplier of training and military supplies was China. Training took place in Tanzania, which along with Mozambique provided safe havens for ZANLA fighters. ZIPRA forces had camps in Zambia and Angola, with training and supplies provided by the Soviet Union and Cuba. Angola also provided logistic support, airlifting trained ZIPRA fighters from Angola to Zambian camps.
