From Soup to Nuts 2 - A Song of Life

Not to be confused with author Nigel Henson’s first edition, this latest offering, From Soup to Nuts 2 – A Song of Life –is a much-expanded version of the original. In this updated format the book is 40 % longer than the first edition, and contains added colour photographs. Importantly, and for military history boffins in particular, in the newly added Part Five, titled; The Man in the Helicopter;1977-1979 Henson gives readers a masterfully told narrative about the Rhodesian Light Infantry’s devastatingly effective Fire Force role during the Rhodesian Bush War (1972-1980). He also delivers firsthand, a compelling and vivid account of the exceedingly demanding role a Fire Force commander faced on a daily basis. Henson was one of a small, elite brotherhood, of highly skilled and experienced RLI officers, who backed by their battle-hardened NCOs and airborne troops, excelled in the Fire Force command role alongside their Rhodesian Airforce K-car pilot colleagues, choreographing, and controlling the fast-moving, intense, and often brutal actions which took place in the battle space beneath the orbiting aircraft. More often than not, the aircraft too, were under intense ground fire.   

The brilliance of the Fire Force concept in counterinsurgency is still being spoken about, and studied within military circles. During the early 1970s when the Rhodesian Bush War’s tempo suddenly increased exponentially, and because of the country’s vast landmass coupled to serious manpower shortages, a rethink by the Rhodesian Security Forces on counterinsurgency tactics was prioritised. Out of this would evolve the RLI’s Fire Force concept of vertical envelopment by parachute trained light infantry. Deployed in waves using a combination of four Alouette III ‘G’-car troop ferrying helicopters (with a 4-man section per helicopter lift), one Alouette III ‘K’-car gunship (armed with a 20mm canon and carrying the Fire Fore OC), a C-47 Dakota carrying 16 paratroopers, and a light attack aircraft by way of a Reims-Cessna FTB 337G, designated a ‘Lynx’.

The first Fire Force deployment was in January 1974, and their first action, after being called out by a Selous Scouts call sign, was in February 1974. Fire Force operations certainly weren’t hearts & minds exercises, and with its mobility combined with devastating firepower, a Fire Force was more aptly described as a ‘killing machine.’ This innovative tactic which was on the cutting edge of counter-insurgency wars at that time in history, had no equal.

Renowned Military Historian Professor JRT Wood had this to say as part of his Foreword, ‘Given the thinning of the ranks through passing of years, this is likely to be the only account by a Rhodesian officer of field rank of the harrowing task of commanding a Fire Force.’ He further added in part on the jacket puff, ‘I commend this most valuable contribution to the historical canon of Rhodesia’s Bush War.’

‘Henson captures the unrelenting fighting spirit that prevailed well into the late stages of the war with a unique sense of Rhodesian humour that anaesthetised both soldiers and civilians against the reality of the daily onslaught and sense of impending, and unavoidable loss.’ This quote by an officer who served under Major Nigel Henson in the Rhodesian Light Infantry’s Support Commando adequately encapsulates all of which is included in the updated edition From Soup to Nuts 2 – A Song of Life.

Henson, who was a product of Plumtree School in Rhodesia’s western Matabeleland, joined the army straight from school, and after attending an officer’s course at the Rhodesian School of Infantry, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour, was badged into the Rhodesian Light Infantry as a subaltern. His initial service in the RLI was only for a few years before wanderlust took over and after resigning his commission he travelled to the UK. While there, and after doing various jobs, he was invited to serve as an officer in the army of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, an offer which once more attracted him to a soldiering career. However, and with the Rhodesian Bush War bubbling, and following 2-years in Oman he returned to the country of his birth, and re-joined the Rhodesian Army.

From Soup to Nuts 2 – A Song of Life, will make a valuable addition to the personal libraries of those who enjoy Rhodesian and military history. It is certainly more than just a war memoir; it is also an extremely entertaining and enjoyable narrative of a Rhodesian colonial boyhood. For those true born and bred Rhodesian’s like myself, there is certainly nostalgia in the read. The flowing and oft times poetic prose are peppered with dry humour, and periodically somewhat cynical, yet hilarious observations. Without doubt this work is a valuable and important addition to a dwindling historical genre about life in a country once called Rhodesia, and an important tactical aspect of the last counterinsurgency war fought in Africa.

The print copy of From Soup to Nuts 2 – A Song of Life will be available to Southern African readers from the middle of September 2025. Enquiries should be made to Groot Tree Productions or Ex Montibus Media. Book price will be R350 excluding VAT and postage. Hard cover available on request.

From the end of September 2025, it will be available on Amazon in conventional paperback and in eBook format for Kindle readers.