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Green Leader

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Rhodesian military pilot

Sqn Ldr
Chris Dixon
D.C.D.
Birth nameChristopher John Taylor Dixon
Nickname(s)"Green Leader"
Born1943 (1943)
Shabani, Southern Rhodesia
Died21 October 2011(2011-10-21) (aged 67–68)
Harare, Zimbabwe
AllegianceSouthern Rhodesia
Rhodesia
BranchRhodesian Air Force
Years of service1962–1979
RankSquadron Leader
CommandsNo. 5 Squadron
Battles / wars

Squadron Leader Christopher John Taylor Dixon D.C.D. (1943 – 21 October 2011), also known by his callsign of Green Leader, was a Rhodesian military pilot for the Rhodesian Air Force and was born in Shabani, Southern Rhodesia. He was best known for leading the Rhodesian Operation Gatling bombing raid over Zambia, which later became known as the "Green Leader Raid".

Early life and career

Dixon was born in 1943 in Shabani, Southern Rhodesia. He was educated at Plumtree School. In 1962, Dixon joined the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and he passed his Pilot Training Course as an officer cadet. By 1974, Dixon was serving as a flight lieutenant in No. 1 Squadron. He was later assigned to No. 5 Squadron and later became their squadron leader in 1977. As squadron leader, he gave endorsement to a proposal from Jack Malloch to restore a Mark 22 Supermarine Spitfire to flying condition after it had been mounted on a plinth outside New Sarum Air Force Station in Salisbury.

Green Leader

In 1978, following the downing of the civilian Air Rhodesia Flight 825 by ZIPRA guerrillas, the Rhodesian Government planned retaliatory strikes against ZIPRA bases across the Rhodesian border in Zambia. The attack, later codenamed Operation Gatling, was to be led by Dixon. Upon crossing the border in his English Electric Canberra bomber, he contacted the control tower at Lusaka Airport identifying himself as "Green Leader" informing them to contact the Zambian Air Force commander at Mumbwa. Dixon told the tower to communicate to the commander that he was temporarily taking control of Zambian airspace on behalf of the Rhodesian Air Force. He clarified in the message that the reason was to attack "Rhodesian dissidents and not against Zambia" and stated Rhodesia had no quarrel with Zambia. He did, however, warn the Zambian authorities not to interfere and stated that the Rhodesians were orbiting Zambian airfields and had orders to shoot down any Zambian Air Force planes that attempted to take off. He also had civilian aircraft approaching Zambia put on hold. He kept control until 10 minutes after the RhAF had completed their raid. After a Kenya Airways pilot complained about who had control of the airspace (to which Lusaka had responded "I think the Rhodesians do"), Dixon said that the airport could let civilian aircraft land.

The exchanges were broadcast on television and radio by the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation. Dixon's role in the raid was commemorated in the song "Green Leader" by John Edmond as he was considered a hero in Rhodesia for his actions. He later led the bombing raid against ZIPRA in Operation Vanity over Angola flying an English Electric Canberra bomber but almost had to abort participation due to a radio fault. For his military successes, he was awarded the Defence Cross for Distinguished Service on 13 April 1979.

Following the end of his Rhodesian military service, Dixon remained in the newly reconstituted Zimbabwe until his death in 2011.

References

  1. ^ "Zimbabwean Government Gazette" (PDF). Government of Zimbabwe. 1 June 2012. p. 29. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  2. ^ Whyte, Beverley (1976). A Pride of Eagles. Graham Publishing. p. 32. ISBN 0620237597.
  3. "How I lost my leg in Zambia". Sunday News. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. ^ Petter-Bowyer, P. H. J. (2003). Winds of Destruction. Trafford. ISBN 141201204X.
  5. "Pilot Training Courses of The Rhodesian Air Force up to 1980". Rhodesian Army Association Museum. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. Salt, Beryl (2001). A Pride of Eagles. Corvos-Day. p. 488. ISBN 0620237597.
  7. "No 5 Squadron, The Rhodesian Air Force". Rhodesian Army Association Museum. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  8. Meikle, Nick (2014). Malloch's Spitfire. Casemate. p. 94. ISBN 978-1612002521.
  9. Moorcraft, Paul L; McLaughlin, Peter (2008) . The Rhodesian War: A Military History. Barnsley: Pen and Sword Books. pp. 135–144. ISBN 978-1-84415-694-8.
  10. "Slow Death of White Rhodesia". The Observer. 17 June 1979. Retrieved 15 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Rhodesia releases air raid conversations". The Guardian. 23 October 1978. Retrieved 15 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Moorcraft, Paul (1981). Contact II. Sygma. p. 24. ISBN 0868760064.
  13. "Black Africa now looks for payoff". The Charlotte Observer. 26 December 1979. Retrieved 15 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Euphoria follows Rhodesian raids". The Oshkosh Northwestern. 23 October 1978. Retrieved 15 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Geldenhuys, Preller (2014). Rhodesian Air Force Operations. Peysoft Publishing. pp. 228–229. ISBN 978-0994115416.
  16. Geldenhuys, Preller (2007). Rhodesian Air Force Operations: With Air Strike Log. Just Done Publishing. p. 167. ISBN 9781920169619.
  17. Hamence, Michael (1998). Canberra in Southern Africa Service. Freeworld Publications. p. 21. ISBN 0958388040.
  18. "Honours and Awards, Rhodesian Air Force". Rhodesian Army Association Museum. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  19. Eason, Chris (2006). The Rhodesia Medal Roll: Honours and Decorations of the Rhodesian Conflict 1970-1981. Jeppestown Press. p. 46. ISBN 0955393604.
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