Katanga 1961-63 - "Swedens last war"

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #1 25-01-05, 13:19

INTRODUCTION

As a nation Sweden fought it´s last war in 1814 (against Norway). In the early 1960-ies Swedish UN-soldiers were however fighting and suffering losses in Congo.

The most dangerous period was the "December-stress" wich lasted 2nd to 20th December 1961.

The UN-forces in Elisabethville were:
Irish Bn - green on map
Ghurka Bn - yellow on map
Dogra Bn - at Elisabethville airport north of map
8th Ethiopian Bn
35th Ethiopian Bn

On 16th December 1961 at 04H00 the Irish Bn launched an attack on the TUNNEL (orange dot on map) wich was captured 06H30. The Swedish Bn made an assault on CAMP MASSART (lower red square on map) wich was captured 10H00 and mopped up 12H00.

On 18th December 1961 Ethiopian 8th Bn attacked UNION MINIÈRE area (lower left part on map) but was repulsed. The following day 35th Ethiopian Bn attacked sucessfully making an end to the "December-stress".

I will post a few pictures of vehicles from Congo, but first the Elisabethville map.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #2 25-01-05, 13:24

On 4th December 1961 Kongolese troops led by Belgian gendarmes attacked and captured the Roundabout (RONDELLEN - upper orange dot on map).

The Ghurka Bn retook the Roundabout 5th December 13H00 supported by two Swedish SKP:s.

Picture: Swedish SKP m/42 with twin 8 mm HMG m/36.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #3 25-01-05, 13:28

The Katangese troops attacked with one M-8 (nr 1475), three home-made armoured cars and a softskin truck. They were all knocked out by Ghurkas anti-tank fire.

Here they are:

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #4 25-01-05, 13:33

Knocked out on 5th December 1961 near Sabena Guesthouse.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #5 25-01-05, 13:34

Hit by Indian AT-fire near Sabena Guesthouse 5th December 1961.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #6 25-01-05, 14:04

The Kongolese forces launched an attack against the Swedish Camp (blue on map) using four M-8 (nr 1474, 1477, 1478 and 1479).

One was hit by AT-fire (probably 1474 "Ghislaine").

Photo: 1477 at the Tunnel.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #7 25-01-05, 14:12

A difficult day for UN. The Katangese troops assaulting 12H00 from the Tunnel against Irish Camp (green on map). Only 450 rounds of 81 mm mortar ammo left.

Photo: Swedish 81 mm mortar m/29-39 Stokes-Brandt.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #8 25-01-05, 14:19

The UN troops in Elisabethville were under hard press and were running out of munition.

8th and 35th Ethiopian Bns were ordered to Elisabethville aswell as Indian and Malayan armoured cars.The UN forces should be reorganized on two Brigades.

On 6th December 17H00 the first Swedish two J 29 fighter-bombers arrived and on 7th December they destroyed the Kongolese radio-station in Kilobelobe (lower right part of map).

Photo: J 29 "Flygande tunnan" (Flying barrel)

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #9 25-01-05, 14:22

Ethiopian reinforcements begin arriving to E-ville airport. The Kongolese assaults using the "Mammouth" tank. This home-made tank was built on a Catepillar D-8 bulldozer and armed with two water-cooled .50 machineguns.

Photo: "Mammouth" on transport truck before the battle.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #10 25-01-05, 14:24

"Mammouth" was hit by an Indian AT-grenade (Dogra Bn) and the crew abandoned the vehicle.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #11 25-01-05, 14:34

11th December: 75 81 mm mortar shells left.
12th December: 36 shells left.
13th December: Heavy Kongolese attack from the Tunnel against Irish and Swedish Camps. No 81 mm ammo left ---- but the first truck with ammo air-lifted from Sweden arrived at that moment!

Photo: Bde Cdr, Col Jonas Waern (left), with CO Swedish 81 mm mortar platoon, Chief Warrant Officer Allevik.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #12 25-01-05, 14:45

As stated in the first post the Irish attacked the Tunnel and the Swedish Bn the Katangese stronghold Camp Massart.

Camp Massart was taken by 3rd Swedish Coy (major Ekegren). The entrance was taken by one platoon (1Lt Gullstrand). Two platoons (1Lt Kamstedt and WO1 Johansson respectively) rushed into the camp and mopped it upp taking several prisoners.

Photo: Lars Frosth, legendary AT-gunner credited with more than 30 destroyed targets (Armoured cars and MG-nests). Here with his beloved 84 mm Carl-Gustaf AT rifle. He belonged to 3rd Coy.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #13 25-01-05, 14:52

On 16th December Camp Massart was cleared. The Swedish losses were one dead and four wounded.

Photo: Camp Massart in UN hands. Standing in front right Irish Major Sean Barret. Standing right the Bde Cdrs driver/lifeguard Karl-Axel Larsson.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #14 25-01-05, 14:55

The Swedes did not fight alone but alongside Indian and Irish units. There was a Canadian squad in Brigade HQ.

Photo: Irish ACs moving on the Roundabout. Vehicle type please?

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #15 25-01-05, 14:57

An Indian AC that served with the Dogra Bn.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #16 25-01-05, 14:59

Indian ACs in Elisabethville late December 1961.

ERROR FOUND 26th Jan

I made a misstake! These Ferret ACs were from Malaysia but were serving with Ethiopian-Indian 2nd UN Brigade in Elisabethville.

Stellan

nuyt · #17 25-01-05, 19:33

Hi Stellan,

I see you have started a thread on Katanga as well. Soon it will be the new trend!

As we may end up doubling the same subjects, I have, ahem, come to negotiate a deal with you:

Here's my propostion: The thread I started some days ago (http://www.network54.com/Forum/threa...eid=1106417747) deals with vehicles (and the odd gun).

What if you concentrate on the history, the battles, the international politics, the strategies etc in the Sergeants mess, while the Overvalwagen Forum thread will discuss the armour and trucks?

I noticed in your posts above you have answered one big question about the Indian Ferrets that Leland Ness and I were discussing at Overvalwagen Forum, while on the other hand you will find an answer to your ID-problem of the Irish armoured cars there as well!

Lets divide the labour and grow rich together!

Kind regards,
Nuyt (The Negotiator)

PS. can I use some of the pics above for my thread?

Alex Blair (RIP) · #18 25-01-05, 21:00

Quote:

Originally posted by ericnuyt
What if you concentrate on the history, the battles, the international politics, the strategies etc in the Sergeants mess, while the Overvalwagen Forum thread will discuss the armour and trucks?

I joined the RCAF in 1963 and one of the stories that was going around the airmens mess at the time goes something like this...
THe RCAF was hauling supplies and troops and evacuating civilians out of Elizabethville and the fighting along the runway was intense ..Two crew men on the RCAF C119,affectionately known as the "Dollar nineteen" were talking and speculating at what woould occur if the aircraft would be shot up and captured by the rebels..THe first crewman(White kid)..
"Man,we're in trouble if we get captured.."
2nd crewman.(Black kid from NOva SCotia)...
"Not me Jack...!!I'm just gonna jump on your back and start hollering "I GOT HIM>>>I GOT HIM!!!!!!"
That is a little true military humour..Take all kinds to be Canadian..God bless us all.

Garry Shipton (RIP) · #19 25-01-05, 22:52

My brother was with 426 Squadron,at the time,flying North Stars into this airport for the UN.Air crew weren't allowed off the plane when they landed.They were under guard,fuel & food topped up,and only took off after dark.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #20 26-01-05, 07:44

Quote:

Originally posted by ericnuyt

PS. can I use some of the pics above for my thread?

Of course, Nuyt!

Here is a pic of E-ville airport with an aircraft destroyed by the Katangese AF.

Un had
5 Swedish J 29 - later reinforced by two S 29 and four J 29
6 Indian Canberra
4 Ethiopian F 86 Sabre

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #21 26-01-05, 09:18

UN Brigade Cdr, Col Jonas Waern, told that there was a Canadian Signals Detachment (teletype) with UN HQ in Elisabethville 1961.

What is known of Canadian units in Congo?

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #22 26-01-05, 11:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Garry Shipton
Air crew weren't allowed off the plane when they landed.They were under guard,fuel & food topped up,and only took off after dark.

Yes, Garry, they took up after dark avoiding fire from the ground or from the air. For a long time the Katangese "Airforce" had air superiority operating one (1) home-made armed Fouga Magister.

The Royal Swedish Airforce sent five J 29 from Ängelholm, Southern Sweden on 30th September 1961 12.000 kilometres south to N´Djili Airport in Congo arriving 4th October 1961.

The unit became known as UN 22nd Fighter Squadron. In December another two S 29 (photo recce) plus four J 29 fighters were sent to Congo.

(The air recce had up to then been carried out by using two C-47 Dakotas!)

On 5th December 1961 the UN Air Force was ordered to attack Katanga AFB:s Kolwezi and Jadotville. Within two days the Katangese AF was whiped out.

The Katangese however managed to get new aircraft so on 29th and 30th December 22nd Squadron hit Kolwezi and Jadotville again and silenced the Katangese AF for good.

In August 1963 the 22nd Squadron was dissolved. The last five J 29:s were blown up at Kamina AFB.

Photo: S 29 (photo recce version) in Congo-pattern camouflage.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #23 29-01-05, 11:57

The UN Congo-operation had several unusual features.

1. No operational military HQ in New York.
2. UN Force Commander in Congo had a HQ staffed by personell from 33 different nations.
3. Participating units came from more than 20 nations. All with different equipment, different training and different food habits. All needed different types of munition.
4. Logistics were served by chartered aircraft from 16 different countries.

The opposing parties:

A) On the Congolesian side there was the Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC) of the Congo Central Governmen. (WHITE TERRITORY NORTH OF MAP)

B) The rebelling Katanga Gendarmes. CO Col Muke (puppet for the Belgians). The Gendarmes included Belgian Officers and mercenaries. (RED AND YELLOW ON MAP)

C) In between was the freedom fighting River-Baluba tribe, which was anti-Katanga and against Moise Tshombe. (GREEN ON MAP)

The more important tribes were:

1) River-Baluba (650.000 persons) headed by Jason Sendewe. Centre: Albertville. Against Tshombe. GREEN ON MAP.

2) Mountain-Baluba some 40.000 under "le Grand Chef" Kasongo Niembo in Kamina who was paid by Tshombe and thus pro Katanga. RED ON MAP.

3) Kasai-Baluba was a group that had been recruited for working with the copper plants in Katanga. In Elisabethville they were approx 60.000 strong and against Tshombe. GREEN DOT ON MAP.

4) Lunda. Moise Tshombe belonged to this some 150.000 strong tribe wich supported him. RED ON MAP.

5) Bayeke, Basanga and Babemba tribes were all supporters of Godefroid Munungo (who was Bayeke), Minister of Interior and the "strong man" of the Tshombe Government. YELLOW ON MAP.

6) Tsokwe tribe in the west was undecided. BLUE ON MAP.

How to bring order in this chaos?

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #24 29-01-05, 12:20

UN Civilian representative Katanga was Conor Cruise O´Brien (Ireland).

UN Military commander was Brigadier K.S. Rajah (India). HQ "Confusion Centre" in Elisabethville.

Sector A (Albertville). Col Sathe (India).
Sector B (Elisabethville). Col Waern (Sweden).
Sector C (Kamina).

YELLOW = ANC Congolese Regular Army (anti-Tshombe)
RED = Katanga Gendarmes (pro-Tshombe)
BLUE = Swedish UN Forces
GREEN = Other UN Forces (One Irish Bn, two Indian Bns, one Ethiopian Bn).

The Bns were divided on several Coy-size Detachments.

See map.

How to coordinate this?

nuyt · #25 30-01-05, 11:54

Hi Stellan,
Nice maps/ pictures you have there.
Are they from Swedish books about the Congo?
I am looking for some good books, preferably in English of French about the Congo wars/Katanga period.
Do you have some recommendations?
Greetings,
Nuyt

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #26 30-01-05, 13:30

Quote:

Originally posted by ericnuyt

Are they from Swedish books about the Congo?
I am looking for some good books, preferably in English of French about the Congo wars/Katanga period.

Yes, my pictures are from "Katanga" by Jonas Waern (ex-UN Bde CO) Stockholm 1980 and the magazine "Pansar" (Armour) 4/1991.

I know of two books in English, but I have not read them, so I do not know if they are good:

Abi-Saab, G, "The United Nations operations in the Congo 1960-64", 1978.

Lefever, E, "Crisis in the Congo, a United Nations force in action", 1965.

Picture: General "Stoneface" Muke, GOC Katanga Gendarmes and UN Bde Cdr Col Jonas Waern during negotiations for prisoner exchange. Standing behind Col Waern is CO Indian Dogra-Bn, major Sukital Singh.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #27 31-01-05, 10:37

A M-8 captured by UN Forces at Kamina AFB 1962.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #28 31-01-05, 10:39

A captured M-8 repaired and pressed into UN service with Swedish Bn.

Standing in front of AC: WO 1 Folke Norberg.

It was planned to take these vehicles to Cyprus 1963, but by orders from UN they were handed over to ANC.

Stellan Bojerud (RIP) · #29 31-01-05, 12:10

At the beginning of hostilities Katangese AF had three Fougas (picture). Two however were lost to accidents. The third was destroyed by UN fighters.

The Katanga AF had anther three assembled, but they were also destroyed by UN aircraft.

An odd thing was the trade with the Mustangs. Katanga bought 14 North American P 51 Mustangs in Switzerland. The aircraft was sold from Israel and shipped to Portugal "to be used by the Portugese AF" - but were shipped to Angola to be assembled. These a/c:s however did not become operational during the fighting period.

These ex-Israelian Mustangs were in 1952 sold from Sweden to Israel. Sweden bought them 1945-46 from USA.

Petrus · #30 31-01-05, 15:19

Some time ago I found a website devoted to the Sweden's participation in the UN operations in the Congo (http://medlem.spray.se/superswede/F22/f22.htm). By the way it covers not only the Swedish air force contibution to the effort but also that of the army (http://medlem.spray.se/superswede/F2...k_fn-trupp.htm).
The site is entirely in Swedish which makes it difficult for me to understand very much of it. Could you perhaps, Stellan, provide some info from there in English? Or may be you have already done so... you have posted here some photos that can be seen over there. Anyway it would be very interesting to get to know more about how it was in Katanga.

There is a question I would like to ask here, about tanks in the Congo and Katanga. In his book 'Mr Brown' Jan (you may know his first name in French - Jean) Zumbach says that the UN troops in the Congo had 'tanks', which helped them crush the Katanga's resistance (he fought on the Katangan side). Personally I've never heard of any real tanks in the Congo - perhaps Zumbach mistook armoured cars for tanks, or maybe something messed up in translation (the book was originally in English, if I am not mistaken; what I have read was its Polish translation). Anyway, I would appeciate any info on that.

Best regards,
Piotr