Rhodesian Operational Areas Question - Wall/Mess plaques
 

I know this is the South African forum area but that doesn’t stop Rhodesia subjects! By the way I would support the establishment of a dedicated Rhodesian forum area.

Question: what was Op Ranger (see pic attached). It appears to be one of the Operational Areas plaque series by H T Enterprises (of Salisbury, Rhodesia) but I have never heard or read of Op Ranger. Does anyone have any background?

I can only assume that perhaps Op Ranger was a short lived (compared with the others) Op area, maybe to counter a ZIPRA conventional threat near wars end 1979? It seems to replace large parts of the Op Tangent (Matabeleland) and Op Splinter (Karina) areas. The Osprey Men At Arms book on Rhodesia 1965-1980 nor Moorehouse & McLauhlins’ the Rhodesian War: fifty years on mentions Op Ranger.

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Answer found!
 

Charles D Melson’s book ‘Fighting for Time’ pg 150. Op RANGER - JOC RANGER Sept 1975 in Bulawayo to counter ZIPRA infiltration from Botswana. Later incorporated by the geographically larger Op TANGENT in Aug 1976.

North West Rhodesia - Regards Mark