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King's African Rifles

The King's African Rifles, was a British colonial regiment in East Africa until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and security functions as noted by its wearing of a grey-blue shirt with its khaki uniforms.

Six battalions were formed in 1902 with one or two battalions located in each of Nyasaland, Kenya, Uganda and Somaliland.

The regiment fought against the German Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck and his forces in German East Africa during World War I after which askaris of the former German East Africa became a battalion of the Kings African Rifles. The regiment fought against Italy in Abyssinia and against Japan in Burma during World War II. At one stage the regiment had 44 battalions. Its most infamous member was Idi Amin.

It later saw service in the Malayan Emergency where the regiment was involved in heavy fighting, suffering 23 lost. The regiment's last Colonel-in-Chief was HM Queen Elizabeth II.

At independence, 1st Battalion became the Malawi Rifles . The 2nd Battalion disbanded when the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland broke up, the 3rd, 5th and 11th battalions became the Kenya Rifles , the 4th became the Uganda Rifles , the 6th and 26th battalions became the Tanganyika Rifles .



Last updated: 02-10-2005 04:12:37
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01