TPDF @60: Celebrating six decades of illustrious service of the People’s Army
THE Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) is turning 60 this September. It has been a remarkable and eventful journey for this formidable defence force which has during all this time, proved to be a truly People’s Army.
Established on 1st September, 60 years ago, TPDF has lived to the expectations of many Tanzanians. Keeping pace with modernisation, TPDF has witnessed a rapid expansion from a basic light infantry force to a now well renowned modern robust defence force with field formations, Air Defence, Naval and National Service Commands, military Schools/ Colleges and specialised units to name a few.
In addition, TPDF is supported by a large militia organisation which forms part of volunteer reserve force. TPDF has a history which is closely connected to the country’s rich history. Indeed, it is a defence force which has risen from grass to grace, a success story worth telling and celebrating.
It was established on 1st September 1964 when the first batch of 1000 recruits mainly from TANU, ASP Youth Leagues and National Service passed out at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam swearing allegiance to their Commander-In-Chief of Defence Forces, the late President Julius Kambarage Nyerere. The late Abeid Amani Karume President of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary Council also attended the ceremony. TPDF was established following the disbandment of the Tanganyika Rifles (TR).
TR which inherited the colonial structure and philosophy of its predecessor, Kings African Rifles (KAR), staged a mutiny on the 20th January 1964. Five days later, it was disarmed and unceremoniously disbanded. And on 1st September same year, the new defence force, the TPDF was officially formed ushering a new era in the country’s defence system. Hence, 1st September every year is officially observed as TPDF Day.
The country’s defence history can be categorised in five distinguishable periods namely Pre-colonial defence system, Schutztruppe or Protective Force during the German period, Kings African Rifles (KAR) during the British period, Tanganyika Rifles immediately after independence and the TPDF from 1964 to date.
The Precolonial defence system or the traditional defence system operated in the traditional societies and tribal chiefdoms before the advent of colonialism. There were no regular armies confined to barracks at that time.
In the event of a hostile attack, all able-bodied males in the vil[1]lages took part. They would normally assemble at the leader’s place where the soldiers were briefed about the mission, gain strength and acquire battle fitness before marching to face the enemy. Bravery and discipline were strictly emphasised.
A youth who refused or dodged active service risked disap[1]proval from society. The stigma of cowardness was detrimental not only to the youth concerned but also to his family as well. Such a youth became a laughingstock and sometimes would find it diffi[1]cult to get married. The traditional defence system became very useful later during the colonial period when people resisted foreign domination. Schutztruppe or Protective force was during the German Period.
This was a small force established in 1891 consisting of about 3000 Africans known as Askaris (Soldat) and 80 German officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) although the number later swelled to 12000 through further recruitment of the indigenous troops at the outbreak of the WWI in 1914. Dar es Salaam was the main recruiting and training depot. Schutztruppe was as[1]sisted in its work by a small force of policemen.
The police force was paramilitary in training. However, its or[1]ganisational and operational structure was more military than civilian oriented. The Kings African Rifles (KAR) established during the British period, was basically an infantry organisation composed of units such as signals, engineering, light artillery and other service units. Tanzania, then Tanganyika had two battalions namely 6 battalion KAR located in Dar es Salaam (Colito Barracks) and 2nd 6 battalion KAR located in Tabora (Kalewa Barracks).
The barracks were later re[1]named as Lugalo Barracks and Mirambo Barracks respectively to reflect the country’s rich history. KAR recruitment system was selective as they recruited soldiers from what they use to call ‘Martial Tribes’.
They believed it was easy to mound the recruits from the ‘martial tribes’ into soldiers because of their warrior traditions. Like in most colonial armies, the command structure of KAR was colonial in outlook. Tanganyika Rifles was formed on the Independence Day 09 December 1961.
Except for this change of name, TR inherited everything else, lock, stock and barrel from its predecessor. 6 battalion KAR in Dar es Salaam became 1st Battalion TR and 2nd 6 battalion KAR in Tabora became 2nd Battalion TR. The colonial pattern of the army organisation was retained. It was still governed by the Kings African Rifles Ordinance (KARO).
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TR was short-lived. It was disbanded on the 25th January 1964 following its infamous mutiny. Some ex-KAR soldiers in the early days of the TPDF used to jokingly refer to the KAR and TR periods as ‘Enzi za Douglas’ literally meaning ‘during Douglas time’.
Brigadier Percy Shoto Douglas was the last British officer to command Tanganyika Rifles. For the TPDF, it has been 60 good years of exemplary national service, a truly peoples force, diligently fulfilling its given objectives and man[1]dates.
As a dependable protec[1]tor of our country’s vital and core interests’ top of which are our unity and territorial integrity, TPDF has also continued to be the first responder in times of need in support of the government’s efforts during emergencies, carrying out critical missions including conducting rescue and recovery operations.
It has also demonstrated to be a good instrument of the country’s foreign policy and quite notable during the liberation struggle of the countries in the Southern Africa. During the struggle, TPDF provided logistical support, trained combatants and took part in the actual combat alongside the freedom fighters making supreme sacrifices. Some of the combat engagements include in Mozambique in the 70s and later in 1988 (Ops Safisha) in support of the Mozambique government battling against the rebellious RENAMO.
Here TPDF was deployed in the central province of Zambezia bordering Malawi which was almost overrun by the rebels. Also, in the late 1960’s, some would still recall that Portuguese colonial forces conducted several ground and aerial incursions from Mozambique against Tanzania border villages on the pretext of pursuing freedom fighters.
TPDF deployed troops to thwart off these attackers from across River Ruvuma during an operation codenamed Ops Kumekucha. Other TPDF combat en gagements were in Zimba bwe, Seychelles and Comoro. TPDF has also indefatigably over the time continued to undertake peacekeeping mis sions in and outside the continent.
The biggest test for the TPDF capacity to safeguard territorial integrity and se cure our borders was in 1978. TPDF was well battle tested during the Kagera War (code named Ops Chakaza). Tanzania was forced to fight after on 27 October 1978, Idi Amini ordered his troops to move into and to annex 1850 sq kms of Tanzania territory north of the Kagera River.
This invasion was preceded by repeated claims that the area in ques tion was part of his country. On 2nd November 1978, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the then President and Commander-In-Chief, declared war against Idi Amin forces calling the TPDF to defend the national sovereignty and integrity.
Mwalimu said the world must understand our intention to hit Amin hard. He told the nation “…We have only one task. To hit him. We have the reason to hit him, we have the ability to hit him, and the intention to hit him…” These words galvanised TPDF and the nation at large. Mwalimu was confident with the TPDF ability to carry out the task. And they did not let down Mwalimu and the nation.
TPDF repulsed the invad ing forces out of the Kagera salient and later tightened the noose by marching all the way to Kampala after Amin re fused to accept the plan to end the war. Kampala City was occupied on 11 April 1979 by the gallant Tanzania forces and Ugandans living in exile. The fall of Kampala was also the end of Idi Amin des potic regime.
After the fall of Kampala, Lieutenant General Abdalah Twalipo then the Chief of Defence Forces, sent a cable from the frontline to Mwalimu the Commander In-Chief with the message that “…Kazi Mliyotutuma Tumei maliza…” The task was well executed.
After carrying out mop ping up operations up to the north of Uganda, the War offi cially ended on 25 July 1979, the day the victorious TPDF troops returned from Uganda and were officially received at Bunazi in the Kagera region. 25 July is now annually observed as Heroes Day.
During these 60 years of its illustrious existence, TPDF, has clearly demon strated to be a truly unified force as also well exemplified by its well-structured recruit ment procedures. Unlike that of during the KAR which was discriminatory, TPDF recruit ment system is pan-territorial with recruitees drawn from every corner of the country, in a true spirit of fostering unity and espirit de corps. TPDF has also over the years been a good contributor of different professionals to other sectors such as medical doctors, teachers, engineers, pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Air Technicians, and Drivers etc.
It may also be instructive to point out that the well-es tablished TPDF training stan dards are also well applied by other official quasi-military organisations in the country, a welcome development as this ensures common operability and compatibility during ac tive service.
This worked very well during the Kagera War when members of paramili tary militias were deployed to the frontline alongside the regular battle hardened TPDF soldiers. All in all, much more can be said to describe TPDF contributions to the country’s development agenda and safe guarding of the country’s vital and core interests during these 60 years.
However, suffice here to say during this time, TPDF as a multi-disciplinary and a multitask ready force, has displayed exceptional high degree of loyalty, discipline, robustness, professionalism and always putting interests of the nation first.
Happy 60 Anniversary TPDF
