Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: traveller on December 21, 2016, 07:22:42 PM
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I am slowly starting my Congo Crisis project. Here is some inspirational reading that I can recommend:
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/IMG_1578_zpsyxe6noqd.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/IMG_1578_zpsyxe6noqd.jpg.html)
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Now this is either very serendipitous timing or you've seen our facebook post and are planting subliminal messages. I'll be watching this thread with keen interest!
This one also looks worth picking up:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z76mOhpaL._SX318_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
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I am in your customer list ;)
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All great books..Don;t forget all the books by Mad Mike Hoare..and Save the Hostages //about the rescue mission to Stanleyville..it also has another title.
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Mike Hoare's books make a great read, I'd go for these:
Congo Mercenary - Mike Hoare (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Congo-Mercenary-Mike-Hoare/dp/1581606397/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482416456&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+hoare)
Road to Kalamata - Mike Hoare (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Kalamata-Mercenarys-Personal-Memoir/dp/1581606419/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482416456&sr=8-3&keywords=mike+hoare)
Congo Warriors - Mike Hoare (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Congo-Warriors-Blue-Jacket-Bks/dp/1581606478/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1482416456&sr=8-7&keywords=mike+hoare)
Also Ivan Smith - Mad dog killers (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Dog-Killers-Story-Mercenary/dp/190767778X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482416330&sr=8-1&keywords=ivan+smith) is very insightful.
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The Africa @ War series carried by Casement Publishers is incredibly extensive. Titles are superior to
Osprey ones, IMO. I've read most of those suggoabove, and concur. Great suggestions!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Thanks for your suggestions! I actually have one of the books from Hoare:
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/IMG_1581_zpszfvfvcri.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/IMG_1581_zpszfvfvcri.jpg.html)
My project will though mostly focus on the period of 1960-62 when the UN forces were involved
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If I recall correctly Road to Kalamata covers that period, or at least Hoare's part in it.
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If I recall correctly Road to Kalamata covers that period, or at least Hoare's part in it.
Great recommendation! Just ordered from Bookdepository :)
Received!
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/D52B5842-FCC2-4ED6-BD9B-BFEF7B3A2E23_zpsr0m0ocbh.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/D52B5842-FCC2-4ED6-BD9B-BFEF7B3A2E23_zpsr0m0ocbh.jpg.html)
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Well, lets say we got what we need in terms of inspiration from all these great book recommendations. Next step is to try to understand what really happened in Congo during these tumultous years. Of all conflicts, to me, this is one of the more complex ones. A country split into 4-5 regions fighting each other, add Belgian army forces, mercenaries, UN forces from a multitude of countries, CIA, Russian agents and a sprinkle of tribal warfare including cannibalism, machetes, bow and arrow warfare. Here is a humble attempt to describe the timeline:
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Congo%20map_zpsgge8eq77.png) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Congo%20map_zpsgge8eq77.png.html)
1960
June 30
Independence from Belgium under President Joseph Kasavubu and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba
July 4
Armee Nationale Congolaise (ANC) mutiny starts
July 10
Belgian paratroopers intervene to protect civilians
July 11
Katanga under Moise Tshombe declares independence from Congo
July 15
ONUC UN forces starting to arrive in Congo
August 9
South-Kasai under Albert Kalonji declares independence from Congo
August 17
Lumuba ask Soviet Union to assist with airlift of ANC forces into South-Kasai
September 5
After refusing to cooperate with Soviet Union, Kasavubu break with Lumumba and Congo is split between the Congo Leopoldville under Kasavubu(backed by USA) and Congo Stanleyville (backed by Soviet Union) under Lumumba and Gizenga
September 12
ANC Army Chief of Staff Joseph Mobutu(supported by Kasavubu) arrest Lumumba
November 8
Nine Irish UN soldiers killed in an ambush by Baluba tribesmen in Niemba, northern Katanga. The Baluba probably mistook the Irish for Katangese mercenaries.
December 12
Antoine Gizenga form his own government in Stanleyville
1961
January 17
Lumumba is flown to Katanga and executed
February 21
Resolution 161 is passed in the UN security council demanding the expulsion of all Belgian troops and mercenaries from Congo
August 28
UN Operation RUMPUNCH starts with the objective of disarming the Katangese forces and capturing and repatriating all mercenaries. The operation was initially successful but failed when the Belgian consul should take over to finalize the operation. Only the Belgian troops were sent home while the mercenaries stayed.
September 13
After the RUMPUNCH failure the UN was determined to stop the Katanga secession and launched Operation MORTHOR. While the previous operation hardly saw a shot fired. This time confrontation started immediately and saw four days of heavy fighting between Swedish, Irish and Indian/Gurkha troops and Katangan Gendarmes supported by mercenaries. This included the siege of Jadotville where two companies of Irish UN soldiers were taken prisoner after inflicting 300-1000 casualties without losing a single man.
September 17
UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in an aircrash, potentially shot down by the Katangese
December 5
UN Operation UNOKAT begins, aiming at removing Katangese roadblocks and to end Tshombes resistance to the UN. After heavy fighting the operation ends December 18 when Tshombe agrees to negotiate.
December 30
ANC finalize the reconquest of South-Kasai and Albert Kolonji is arrested
1962
December 28
After Katangese attacks on UN forces December 24, ONUC initiate Operation Grand Slam to stop Katangese attacks and eliminate the Katanga forces.
1963
January 10
Tshombe flees to Rhodesia after losing the support of most of the Katangan tribes.
January 15
Tshombe declares "I am ready to proclaim immediately before the world that the Katanga's secession is ended."[
June
Tshombe move to Paris, France and thereafter eventually settling in Madrid, Spain
1964
January 16
The Kwilu rebellion starts when the Lumumba supporter and China trained communist leader Pierre Mulele´s insurgents attacked government outposts, mission stations, and company installations. On January 22 and 23, four European missionaries were killed, and on February 5 the chief of staff of the ANC was ambushed and killed. Troops were immediately sent to the area, and by April a measure of stability had been restored to the area.
April
The Lumumba inspired Simba rebellion, supported by Soviet Union and Cuba, starts
June
UN forces leave Congo
July 10
Moise Tshombe is called back from exile to form a government to lead the country in the current crisis
24–27 November
Operation Dragon Rouge is carried out by Belgian Paracommandos to free hostages held by Simbas in Stanleyville
1965
April 24
Che Guevara arrived in East Congo together with a dozen men (which were later reinforced to 100 men) to support the Simbas
October 13
Tshombe was dismissed by Kasavubu and went into exile. Finally deceased in Algeria in 1969
November 21
Che and his men leave Congo
November
ANC together with mercenary units put an end to the Simba rebellion
November 25
Joseph Mobutu seize power from Kasavubu in a military coup
December
The Kwilu rebellion finally ends
1966
July
Mercenary troops 11e, 12e and 14e Commandos together with former Katangan gendarmes mutinied in expectation of a comeback by Tshombe. THe mutiny was cruched by ANC and loyal mercenary commandos
1967
June
Belgian settler Jean Schramme leads a new rebellion with former Katangan gendarmes and mercenary 6e and 10e commandos.
August
Mutiny is crushed by ANC
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This is exactly why I think the Congo is such a fertile period for gaming. So many factions, so many potential conflicts that you can design almost anything you want for a clash and it's possible it occurred (or could have).
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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:o :o
Thank you!! Very interesting!!
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Nice time line.
Have always been interested in this period.
I have collected some figures (28mm) to do some made up county much like the Congo.
Just not sure if I want to do 1960s or 1970s.
I have all three of Mike Hoare's books.
Interesting reading.
Lots of good little fights for war gamming.
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Will follow this with interest.
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Consgo is perfect for gaming from then to now..it's about to stir again..
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It actually never really settled down and has had warfare going on every since independence. I read a really good book awhile back, Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa by Jason Stearns. Really fascinating (and honestly, depressing) read, which takes it up to present, pretty much.
Link here:
https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Glory-Monsters-Collapse-Africa/dp/1610391071
Good for wargamers, sad for the people of this monstrous state... :? But then again, that could be said about all of our wargaming periods, couldn't it?
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Having finished most of the timeline I now will start to write up what I have on the opposing forces. It will be quite a massive post that I will build a long with the miniature conversions I am working on. Please comment and add what you might have in addition. Thanks!
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Opposing forces
UN ONUC forces - Sweden
The Swedish forces started to arrive in Congo July 15 1960 until their departure June 30, 1964. In total some 6300 Swedish soldiers served in Congo suffering 19 dead (whereof 2 never were found and assumed consumed by cannibals). The Swedes were lightly armed and not really prepared for the heavy fighting that developed during the 4 years of service. I have struggled to find any exact information of the organization of the Swedish battalions as this seems to have fluctuated a bit during the course of the war. However, one example that is confirmed by the veteran Sten Johnson (in the Skalman.nu forum) is as follows:
1st platoon, 3rd Company 18th Bat (October 1962 - May 1963)
3 x Rifle Groups: 7 men, 4 x SMG m/45 and 3 x Semi automatic rifle Ag m/42
1 x LMG Group: 8 men, 2 x LMG Ksp m/58 and 8 x SMG m/45
1 x AT Group: 8 men, 2 x Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, 8 x SMG m/45
earlier in the conflict an earlier LMG model was used, the Ksp m/42, which is a copy of the Browning MG M1919A6. A sniper rifle, the m/41 (Mauser) fitted with scope, was also used depending on the mission. Mortar platoons supporting the rifle companies used 8 cm mortars.
The uniform was the dark green cotton "Indian uniform" which was based on the British 1937 pattern. Headgear was the blue beret or the blue field cap. Officers can also be seen using the Swedish weapons tunic(see picture below). Please also note the raincoats in the picture below. Besides the weapons they look like US infantry in great coats. Helmet was the US M1 design with a plastic blue liner, worn if not in combat, and in dark green steel for combat with "UN" or "ONU" printed in white letters. During the december fighting 1961 alsp Swedish helmets m/37 was also used
SMG m/45
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/370F9532-5888-4F17-A411-E1561707D306_zpsakoaxgsg.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/370F9532-5888-4F17-A411-E1561707D306_zpsakoaxgsg.jpg.html)
Ag m/42
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/B1B3F1E0-992A-41C3-83C5-E093D1B3EDB7_zpsxts1yxjo.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/B1B3F1E0-992A-41C3-83C5-E093D1B3EDB7_zpsxts1yxjo.jpg.html)
Ksp m/42
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/156E4633-C485-4B2F-AFDD-472C2C0B120A_zps1kgua8cf.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/156E4633-C485-4B2F-AFDD-472C2C0B120A_zps1kgua8cf.jpg.html)
Ksp m/58
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/D054D0AA-68E3-422A-82BF-C470F154F404_zpsaj7xsnnh.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/D054D0AA-68E3-422A-82BF-C470F154F404_zpsaj7xsnnh.jpg.html)
Sniper rifle m/41
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/13822CCF-F087-494F-834E-0C67DF5A472A_zpszi8krkyf.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/13822CCF-F087-494F-834E-0C67DF5A472A_zpszi8krkyf.jpg.html)
Grg Carl Gustaf
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/GRG%20M48_zpsybwfa1ik.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/GRG%20M48_zpsybwfa1ik.jpg.html)
Uniforms
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/6FB3889B-CD8F-4980-89E9-A7BF0F2AA8E3_zpsuppxptnl.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/6FB3889B-CD8F-4980-89E9-A7BF0F2AA8E3_zpsuppxptnl.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8BC3189B-0A34-4CF2-BD29-BCBF590F0B9E_zpst9blazlo.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8BC3189B-0A34-4CF2-BD29-BCBF590F0B9E_zpst9blazlo.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/41D58C46-E273-4564-B8B3-30FD7E9CAD62_zpssxjsgxh3.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/41D58C46-E273-4564-B8B3-30FD7E9CAD62_zpssxjsgxh3.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/9724F4DD-90E9-46A9-8A53-CF6C7C0F5D33_zpsrx2hyr89.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/9724F4DD-90E9-46A9-8A53-CF6C7C0F5D33_zpsrx2hyr89.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/04837752-8BEF-4F94-9532-DAC19C01A597_zpsqgqn9vwk.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/04837752-8BEF-4F94-9532-DAC19C01A597_zpsqgqn9vwk.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/493DAC05-60C6-4286-AF2B-B41FA87B6AD3_zpsddexntu5.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/493DAC05-60C6-4286-AF2B-B41FA87B6AD3_zpsddexntu5.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C36CE5B6-00C1-414D-87A4-59FD291DBF6F_zpsousxpdrp.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C36CE5B6-00C1-414D-87A4-59FD291DBF6F_zpsousxpdrp.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C83A9C54-935B-4397-8E54-1E86832F57C8_zpskheuhkmc.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C83A9C54-935B-4397-8E54-1E86832F57C8_zpskheuhkmc.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/A728C140-E4BD-4E44-BA2B-BE08DD59E7AF_zpsleythmwz.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/A728C140-E4BD-4E44-BA2B-BE08DD59E7AF_zpsleythmwz.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/A1C84D37-39C7-4DB7-97C4-85A0AD3F1653_zpsff4vnlrn.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/A1C84D37-39C7-4DB7-97C4-85A0AD3F1653_zpsff4vnlrn.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C426737E-EB21-427E-A508-66ABE5C572C2_zpsvq885ci5.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C426737E-EB21-427E-A508-66ABE5C572C2_zpsvq885ci5.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/F66E87ED-F32A-403D-919B-CBBAFC039D02_zpsdsguvizt.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/F66E87ED-F32A-403D-919B-CBBAFC039D02_zpsdsguvizt.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8722C3F4-AE08-48BF-BE5A-C13DAD397091_zps4ahivzi2.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8722C3F4-AE08-48BF-BE5A-C13DAD397091_zps4ahivzi2.jpg.html)
A couple of Swedes sporting captured FALs and a Ksp m/42
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/0DC9EA11-95A0-4486-B562-9E7C3A180192_zps0gpiqr9d.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/0DC9EA11-95A0-4486-B562-9E7C3A180192_zps0gpiqr9d.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/EBE68909-E25F-4F32-A532-E7893D6542E6_zpsnmtijvrw.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/EBE68909-E25F-4F32-A532-E7893D6542E6_zpsnmtijvrw.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C061E4C6-59A7-4B4E-BCF1-46513E58BA66_zpstvshpbmn.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/C061E4C6-59A7-4B4E-BCF1-46513E58BA66_zpstvshpbmn.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/3A8B4F35-7BEB-4DB5-AE7B-DC2656769163_zpsnqnyrr1r.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/3A8B4F35-7BEB-4DB5-AE7B-DC2656769163_zpsnqnyrr1r.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/31FD2B1F-1D37-4011-9B30-43CAFC7853AD_zpsnepnin5i.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/31FD2B1F-1D37-4011-9B30-43CAFC7853AD_zpsnepnin5i.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/6DF983E0-E3B0-4CA7-88E3-245E4FBC06F3_zps3mqhec54.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/6DF983E0-E3B0-4CA7-88E3-245E4FBC06F3_zps3mqhec54.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/3B2F1F4C-D99D-45F0-BB37-5A516B367021_zpsuqsqvdxb.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/3B2F1F4C-D99D-45F0-BB37-5A516B367021_zpsuqsqvdxb.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/DAD449C9-51D9-4954-8FCE-AF80FA6FCF47_zpspeaauxaw.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/DAD449C9-51D9-4954-8FCE-AF80FA6FCF47_zpspeaauxaw.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/F13FE786-E2D2-4A9A-A508-E22C0858C861_zps9rp2yggw.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/F13FE786-E2D2-4A9A-A508-E22C0858C861_zps9rp2yggw.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/DCD520E7-9E96-4601-A563-B72245CAAEEF_zpspjynkhtq.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/DCD520E7-9E96-4601-A563-B72245CAAEEF_zpspjynkhtq.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/FA0E05D8-2850-4B7C-BF4A-4BF683D09110_zpskcaldl8v.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/FA0E05D8-2850-4B7C-BF4A-4BF683D09110_zpskcaldl8v.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/7CDA9D6F-338E-4C52-858E-DC7F11B6A74C_zpsanpnlitu.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/7CDA9D6F-338E-4C52-858E-DC7F11B6A74C_zpsanpnlitu.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/17CE1DFE-21A7-484D-8329-E8D96020078A_zps6bww18q9.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/17CE1DFE-21A7-484D-8329-E8D96020078A_zps6bww18q9.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8185A75A-645B-49E0-B4E7-1390DC1DB7EC_zpsgn0m4h2e.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/8185A75A-645B-49E0-B4E7-1390DC1DB7EC_zpsgn0m4h2e.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/D45958BA-70D0-49F2-ACD4-13003BE31D89_zpssqeqegfn.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/D45958BA-70D0-49F2-ACD4-13003BE31D89_zpssqeqegfn.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Sweden/4037941F-ABD9-41AF-A468-B88FDEC7DAFF_zpsgnrrgxfk.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Sweden/4037941F-ABD9-41AF-A468-B88FDEC7DAFF_zpsgnrrgxfk.jpg.html)
To be continued...
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Great research! Where's the museum that the mannequin was photographed?
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Great research! Where's the museum that the mannequin was photographed?
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
I am afraid I snatched the image from the web somewhere. I am not aware of any permanent museum for the Kongo in Sweden. However, from time to time there has been temporary exhibitions in museums such as Armemuseum in Stockholm
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Force on force bush wars has some info on the Irish UN troops and mercenaries including the organisation of a platoon.
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Great project..Don;t Forget your Saab Tunaan
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Of which there's a serviceable 1/72 Model from Matchbox, which you can still find second hand or on Ebay.
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A Douglas Invader with a Cuban crew is also essential !
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Great project..Don;t Forget your Saab Tunaan
Correct, that was a great help for the UN troops. There are 1/48 models available from a number of manufacturers(Hobbyboss, Pilot Replicas, AZ Models) so it should be easy to add. For the early fighting the Katanga side had supremacy in the skies with their the Fouga Magister which also pounded the poor Irish at Jadotville.
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You'll want to avoid the AZ and HobbyBoss ones, although the hobbyboss one is AFAIK more like 1/52. The pilot replica version is an excellent kit by all accounts. But I digress!
Thanks for the info, Bo.
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You'll want to avoid the AZ and HobbyBoss ones, although the hobbyboss one is AFAIK more like 1/52. The pilot replica version is an excellent kit by all accounts. But I digress!
Thanks for the info, Bo.
Thanks Mike, thats good recommendations once we need some airpower
I updated with some miniatures above (eagerly awaiting your release... ;) )
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On the combined arms front:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ET3eBMZFzSY/TnZTOZvf2jI/AAAAAAAAB7c/XNfJFlisCJc/s1600/aaz.sized.jpg)
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Nice photo! Swedish KP armoured cars together with M8s captured from the Katanga Gendarmerie
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Related, I found this old photo for the Jadotville Irish forces:
(https://img.rasset.ie/000cde91-614.jpg)
Anybody know what the two vehicles in the back right are? I think the bus/truck thing on the left is either a volvo or a leyland. The other truck to the left looks like an American war surplus vehicle but I can't find either on the internet.
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Following this with great interest, always wanted to do this conflict.
I'm a 15mm Modern Africa player and I doubt I'll shift up a gear to 28mm; so I went to look for relevant 15mm stuff after reading this and found this bloke's website (no hijacking intended):
http://sapperjoeswargamingtoys.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/15mm
He details what he would use having travelled this way before and shows a very nice 15mm Swedish KP-bil m/42 on Shapeways...eye watering price though at £23.00.
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Opposing forces
UN ONUC forces - Ireland
Ireland contributed with some 6000 men to the ONUC force of which 26 fatal casualties during 1960-1964. 9 of these men died in an ambush where Baluba tribesmen attacked an Irish patrol in Niemba. When the Irish arrived in Congo they had obsolete equipment ill-suited for tropical warfare. However, they soon adapted and the uniform used was the same “Indian uniform” worn by the Swedes and most of the other contributing nations. Headgear was also the blue beret, blue cap, blue helmet liner and M1 steel helmet (even if a mix of British WW2 helmets were used in combination with the M1). Lee Enfield .303 No 4 rifles were replaced by FN FAL SLRs in 1961 but in photos a mix of these two can bee seen. In addition Swedish Carl Gustaf SMG and Bren LMGs together with Vickers HMGs and 60mm mortars were also included in the arsenal. Thompson Ford MK6 Armoured cars were used (2 of these were at Jadotville).
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/28211385992_a01f0f6ac8_m_zpse5gjuqia.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/28211385992_a01f0f6ac8_m_zpse5gjuqia.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/DC78386A-CA67-4594-AAFD-7F5AE9BBDD31_zpsl1aqhogr.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/DC78386A-CA67-4594-AAFD-7F5AE9BBDD31_zpsl1aqhogr.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/D1B8548E-5C6C-4DB2-B4C4-930A547966B8_zpsvtgjpt0i.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/D1B8548E-5C6C-4DB2-B4C4-930A547966B8_zpsvtgjpt0i.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/688CA681-A461-4159-9C04-58FD68A54600_zpskyf2f4jc.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/688CA681-A461-4159-9C04-58FD68A54600_zpskyf2f4jc.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/A71A28B7-CFB2-4B91-ACCB-02444424328E_zps7xfiafxy.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/A71A28B7-CFB2-4B91-ACCB-02444424328E_zps7xfiafxy.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/2F3E2EFA-70F5-470C-B178-6641AB11B0B0_zps5bxys12v.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/2F3E2EFA-70F5-470C-B178-6641AB11B0B0_zps5bxys12v.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/Irish%20soldier%20Congo%20MAA_zps26orb9t1.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/Irish%20soldier%20Congo%20MAA_zps26orb9t1.jpg.html)
My first Irish!
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/41A95716-0C22-404C-B6FB-C9F94CC9DE52_zpstv5v0w5t.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/41A95716-0C22-404C-B6FB-C9F94CC9DE52_zpstv5v0w5t.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/72D19A63-3AC5-485A-9618-27FB8EA62B79_zpsk89lzjsa.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/72D19A63-3AC5-485A-9618-27FB8EA62B79_zpsk89lzjsa.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/476B0D3D-E866-4E11-8EBB-C7412BC610F6_zpsyguyrflf.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/476B0D3D-E866-4E11-8EBB-C7412BC610F6_zpsyguyrflf.jpg.html)
(http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww323/Travellera/Congo%201960s/Ireland/5F622485-427B-4EAA-B849-2DBF3CEAF0B8_zpsd2xgngbr.jpg) (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/Travellera/media/Congo%201960s/Ireland/5F622485-427B-4EAA-B849-2DBF3CEAF0B8_zpsd2xgngbr.jpg.html)
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I came across a great action for a scenario in Rose Doyle's book.
The Gendarmerie set up a roadblock on the main road between Elisabethville and the airport. The Gendarmerie dug in at a roundabout in company strength, with an armored car and mortars in support.
The attacking force consisted of an Irish platoon, a 20 strong Gurkha platoon, 2 Irish armored cars and a Swedish APC. This force was commanded by an Indian officer.
The plan was for the Gurkha's and Armor to attack across open ground and the Irish to give covering fire from a ridge on the flank.
The attack bogged down as the armor was blocked by obstacles, and the Gurkha's took heavy causalities, 8 wounded and the officer in charge killed. The Irish officer in command of the armor attempted to organize another attack, this time with the Irish attacking and the Gurkha's providing covering fire. However he could not communicate with the Gurkha's. An Irish Carl Gustaf 84mm team managed to knock out the armored car. 1 Irish soldier was wounded.
During the night the Gendarmerie withdrew and left 22 bodies and a knocked out armored car behind.
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looking great
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Very interesting.
Also explains the film I noticed on Netflix.
Thank you.
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Great Work :)
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Gents,
Are any of the Mike Bravo Miniatures suitable for this period? Or are any planned for the future?
Cheers
Happy W
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Gents,
Are any of the Mike Bravo Miniatures suitable for this period? Or are any planned for the future?
Cheers
Happy W
Some of the Zimbalawi range are definately useful and he is also planning dedicated miniatures for Jadotville:
https://www.facebook.com/mikebravominiatures/
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Traveller beat me to it. Our Wild Geese line may be of interest (although aimed squarely at hollywood in terms of accuracy) and there are plans for at least some dedicated Jadotville/Congo figures starting with a few packs to cover Irish UN and Katangan mercs/Gendarmes. Expansion thereafter is dependent on funding.
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For some great articles and Photos ..check out the CJb3 Jeep site on Facebook..which will direct you to their website.