Auction Catalogue

18 & 19 September 2014

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 865

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18 September 2014

Hammer Price:
£1,900

A Rhodesian Bronze Cross group of four awarded to Lieutenant Moses Pongweni, 2nd, late 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles

Zimbabwe, Independence Medal 1980 (09867); Rhodesia, Bronze Cross, reverse inscribed, ‘641024 W.O.II M. Pongweni’; General Service Medal (R41024 Cpl. Moses); Exemplary Service Medal (Lt M. Pongweni) note variation in name, mounted for wear, good very fine (4) £600-800

Bronze Cross Rhodesia Notice No. 1139 of 1976, dated 15 October 1976.

Citation: Warrant Officer Pongweni, formerly of 1st Battalion, The Rhodesian African Rifles, now with 2nd Battalion, The Rhodesian African Rifles, has, for the past eighteen months, been engaged in continuous anti-terrorist operations, both as a platoon warrant officer and in recent months as a platoon commander. During this period his platoon has been involved in numerous contacts with terrorists in which several of the enemy have been killed and captured. In all these engagements Warrant Officer Pongweni displayed outstanding aggression and leadership.

On one occasion Warrant Officer Pongweni and his platoon were flown into stop positions ahead of a follow-up group. When it became apparent that the terrorists had slipped through the net, Warrant Officer Pongweni immediately re-deployed his stick nearly two thousand metres at the double in an effort to cut off the terrrorist group. So accurate was his prediction that he observed the terrorists moving into their hiding place and was able to direct the fire force right on to the target, resulting in the elimination of the entire group. Shortly after this engagement, Warrant Officer Pongweni and his stick were flown into a contact whilst the battle was in progress. Under fire from the time they deplaned, Warrant Officer Pongweni demonstrated his leadership and calmness by deploying his men into an excellent cut-off position, thus sealing the fate of the terrorist group. In this contact all seven members of the terrorist group were eliminated and this success was due in no small measure to Warrant Officer Pongweni's courage and determination.

On another occasion, Warrant Officer Pongweni and his patrol of six men were operating in a remote area of the Honde valley. Shortly before last light, the patrol was ambushed by fifteen to twenty terrorists in well prepared positions. In the first few seconds of the contact, one member of the patrol was killed and another injured. Warrant Officer Pongweni, himself, was in a totally exposed position but, with complete disregard for his own safety and under heavy fire from close range, he immediately engaged the terrorists. Such was his example that he was joined by his machine-gunner and together they put the terrorists to flight. Rallying the survivors, Warrant Officer Pongweni gave chase to the terrorists before returning to tend his dead and wounded. In this engagement there can be no doubt that Warrant Officer Pongweni's personal courage in the face of heavy fire was instrumental in saving the lives of his patrol in a critical situation.

More recently, Warrant Officer Pongweni and his platoon were returning to base by vehicle when they were ambushed by between fifteen and twenty terrorists from across a broad and deep river. Warrant Officer Pongweni's presence of mind and rapid orders to his driver enabled the leading vehicle to get clear of the killing area without loss. Realising that he was unable to cross the river to assault the terrorist position Warrant Officer Pongweni skilfully deployed his troops, under fire, to an excellent position overlooking the area of thick bush in which the terrorists were hiding. Within seconds he had two machine-guns in action and very quickly regained the initiative. Such was the effectiveness of the fire that some of the terrorists broke and fled whilst the remainder, although unseen in the dense bush, were pinned down and remained so until the arrival of the fire force. Throughout the engagement which lasted for over two hours, Warrant Officer Pongweni was in complete command of the situation and his personal leadership and example were an inspiration to all.

Warrant Officer Pongweni's initiative as a platoon commander and his courage and leadership in battle have earned him the respect and admiration of his men. His constant good humour in adversity and his unswerving allegiance have been an inspiration to all those who have served with him.


With original Bronze Cross certificate and citation and with copied newspaper extracts in which Pongweni is mentioned. With Rhodesian African Rifles cap badge; metal ‘RAR’ title and two cloth badges.

Lieutenant Moses Pongweni was one of the first black officers commissioned into the Rhodesian Army.