Dw

The rise of nationalism sounded the death knell for colonialism in

Africa. The flags of Europeon nations returned to l/uropeoa soi~
new flags were raised in their ptace. Mung coloniatista returned to
Europe. Others chose to remain ond live under the new ftngs and
new government. Do the former colonialists have ong respon-
sibility for those who remained? The Belgian /l+ench actions in
Kolwezi indicate that some believe theg do. The Kolwezi operation
is an excellent exampte of immediate tactical coordination between
forces of multiple nations-in this instance, Belgiumj France and
Zaire.

Major General Henri J. G. Depoorter,

Belgian Army

1
Yanga

. Zaire Lualaba Rwer

Kamina j@lpemba ~:,. .%.. .,

K~panga Lake ,ij$.%lweru
1 & Lake

Angola (

c
Zambia
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 MILITARY REVIEW
M
ANY months have passed since
the grim evente took place in
Shaba in May 1978. In that time, numer-
oue articlee and a few hastily written
tendencious books have been published
on the causes, events and consequences
of the tragedy which took place there in
. the town of Kolwezi. Thk article tells the
story from the point of view of the Bel-
gian forces who participated in the
operations which followed the iqitial,
local excesses.
BACKGROUND
Shaba is a province in Zaire which is
the largeet country situated in the cen-
. tral part of Africa. It has a population of
approximately three million people, Of
which 200,000 live around Kolwezi and
are members of the Lunda tribe whose
king and 200,000 other members live
acrose the border in Zambia and some in
Angola. Its weather is moderate with
temperatures ranging from 30 degrees
Centigrade in the rainy season to a few
degrees Centigrade in the dry season.
Sunrise is at 0600, and the tropical night
starts at 1800. The area is rich in natural
resources.
In 1868, David Livingstone, tfm great
British exploreq mentioned in one of bie
lettere from Katanga, which is now
Shaba, that he had met a caravan
carrying 520 pounds of ivory and 10,500
pounds of copper. The Belgian geologist
Jules Cornet, who explored the same
region in 1892, drew international at-
tention to what he called a geological
scandal namely, the great mineral
~~alth he discovered there.
The following production figures for
1977 serve to support his remark and to
demonstrate the economic importance of
30
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Shaba to Zaire: copper, 450,000 tons;
zinc, 51,000 tons; cobalt, 10,200 tons (60
percent of world reduction); cadmium,
246 tons; silver, 5 tons; and gold, 112
kilograms. The nes are run by the
General Cong lese Ore Company
(GECOMIN ), a $tate-controlled society
which employs approximately 1,500
Europeans, 5500 / whom lived in Koiwezi.
In sum, this pro uction represents more
than 60 percent of the gross national
product of Zaire.
Despite this a parent wealth, the lot
of the people s miserable because
present econo ic conditions have
created large un mployment, eevere in-
flation has incr ased prices and food
shortages are / bronic. Corruption is
found everywhere. This situation and the
ethnic makeup of the area provided an
extremely compliant population when in-
vasion by the 4rebels from Zambia took
place.
The first of these actually took place in
March 19~7 when, on the 8th, an
estimated 5,000 rebels invaded from
Angola and, by the 12th, captured
Kapanga, Dilolo and Kieengi. Aided by
Moroccan troops and supplied with
American, French and Belgian materiel,
the Zairean army counterattacked on 10
April. By 21 May, the rebels were driven
back to Zambia and Angola or had disap-
peared into the bueh.
The Belgian Para-Commando Regi-
ment was formed in 1952 by the amalga-
mation of the 1st Belgian Paratroop,
which were a special air service squadron
in World War II, and the Belgidn 2d
Commando, which was formed in 1942 as
the 4th Troop in the 10th Inter-Allied
Commando in the United Kingdom.Both
battalions proudly carry the following
citations on their flags: Normandy, Bel-
gium, the Ardennee, Walcheren, Italy
and Yugoslavia. Presently, the regiment
k
Departure of a patrol on a vehicle of the GECOMIN
consists of a brigade-type headquarters,
three infantry airborne battalions,l an
air-transportable tracked reconnaissance
squadron, an air-transportable 105mm
artillery battery, an airborne antitank
company, an airborne two-surgical-team
medical unit and a mobilization cell for a
fourth battalion and nine independent
companies.
Regimental strength in peacetime is
about 2,500 volunteer officers and men.
All are graduates of the regiments own.
parachute and commando training cen-
ters. Seventy percent are career soldiers:
mining company
the remainder, who serve 15 months, are
national service men. The recon-
naissance, artillery and antitank units
are manned exclusively by career per-
sonnel. In the remainder, national serv-
ice intake is on a five-month cycle, thus
there is a continuous variation in the
training level of the regiments major
components. At the time of the Shaba
event, draftees in the 3d Battalion had
undergone 13 months training; those in
the 1st Battalion, eight months; and
those in the 2d Battahon, only three
months.
- MILITARY REVIEW
ACCOUNTOFEVENTS . whose control tower has been destroyed
News of the second invasion of Shaba
and the capture of Kolwezi reached
Belgium on 14 May 1978 and aroused im-
mediate concern for the safety of the
2,000 Belgian nationals in the area. Con-
sequently, the government formed a
crisis cabinet on 15 May which; on the
16th, ordered the General Staff to
prepare a plan for the evacuation of all
those Belgian nationals who wished to
leave. The following sequence of events
took place:
16 May
1130 The 3d Parachute Battalion is
ordered to prepare for the eventual
departure of a company on 24 hours
notice.
17 May
0200The General Staff decides on
the eventual participation of 1,000 para-
commandos.
0700The regimental commander in-
structs his staff to prepare for an opera-
tion whose mission would be to capture
and hold the Kolwezi airfield.72 hours, to
ensure the eafety of the European civil-
ians in Kolwezi and to provide for civil-
ian evacuation by air.
The 15th Transport and Liaieon Wing,
reinforced with eight Boeing 707 civilian
aircraft, prepares for the transport of the
regiment and its eupplies to Zaire, the
drop of parachutists and equipment at
Kolwezi, the air evacuation of European
civilians and the return transportation of
the regiment and its supplies.
At this time, information about the
situation in Kolwezi ie scarce. It is
believed that the strength of the rebel
force is about 4,000 men, that they
32
occupy the town and the new airfield
and that the Zawean army continues to
resist. There is no information concer-
ningpotential intervention by Zairean or
other friendly forces. In the light of the
foregoing, it was planned that the 3d
Battalion would jump and occupy an old,
unused airfield very close to the town,
while the 1st Battalion would jump and
take the primary objective, the new afr-
field.
1500The warning order is given to
the battalions.
2020 The battalions are put on alert
for departure at 1300, 18 May, with the
objective of jumping at Kolwezi at dawn
on 20 May.
The following equipment was provided
to support the 1,171 para-commando
force: 25 armed and command jeeps; 12
three-wheeled load carriers; and 80 tons
of parachuting equipment, ammunition,
food, water, medical eupplies, and so
forth.
Air support consisted of eight Boeing
707s; two Boeing 727s; and eight C130S,
of which three were in Mali on a civilian
food supply mission.
18 May
1300 Departure from Brussels. Be-
cause of overflight problems in Africa,
the route is Madeira-Abidjan-Libreville-
Karnina; flight time is 22 hours by C130,
distance 11,700 kilometer.
19 May
1415 First arrival at Kamina. Subse-
quent arrivals followed thereafter be-
cause formation flying was prevented by
the inability of etaging airfields to refuel
more than one aircraft at a time.
2309The entire regiment is in
Kamina. During the day, we learned that
Kolwezis new airfield was held by Za-

irean army units which had retaken it.
There was no information on the enemys
strength, location or disposition of their
dsfenses. It was learned that the French
legionnaires planned to jump north of
KoIwezi born four Zairean air force
C130S.2 On the basis of this information
and in the hope that the rebels would not
retake the airfield during the night, it
was decided to make an assault landing
at dawn.3
.
20 May
0550The first C130 takes off. and is
quickly joined by seven others.
0628 As we land in the first wave of
four aircraft, we observe numerous black
soldiere all in different uniforms. Noth-
ing happens. In a few minutes, the sec-
ond wave of four lands following the
quick turnaround of our aircraft. We
have now 500 combat-ready men on the
ground. The black soldiers prove to be
Zairean paratroops, and we are assured
by the commander, Major Mayele, that
they are in complete control of the
airfield.
0635 We observe the drop of the
French legionnaires from four Zamean air
Refugees wsiting to bosrd a C13LI
KOLWEZI
force C130 aircraft. They land a few
miles northeast of our airfield. Since the
1st Battalion was freed of the task of de-
fending the airfield, it is now dispatched
along the road to the new town with the
objective of dislodging the rebels from it
and holding it. The miesion of the 3d
Battalion remains unchanged: advance
along the railroad to the old town and
seize it.
0740General Gras, chief of the
French Military Mission, lands, and, to-
gether with the Zatiean military author-
ity, General Singa, we rapidly agree at
0800 to coordinate our activities: the
Zaweans and French to restore order,
and the Belgians to organize the evacua-
tion of European civilians. Accordingly,
the Zairean 31 lth Airborne Battalion
will hold the airfield, the French Foreign
Legion will dislodge the rebels from the
native villages around Kolwezi, the 1st
Belgian Battalion will occupy the new
town and the 3d Battalion will take and
hold the old town. The regimental com-
mand post will remain at the airfield
with the reconnaissance squadron and
the antitank company which are held in
reserve.
MILITARY REVIEW
President Gmmral MobW~, his command
0826The 3d Battalion reports it is
being fired on as it moves toward the old
town. Its leading elements fail to contact
the rebels who have withdrawn.
0850The Ist Battafion reports dis-
covery of the first civilian dead.~ The
third lift which is being loaded in
Kamina with the medical team is advised
to bring water since there is none at the
airfield. The first refugees am.ive.
1240 The dkpatzhing officer reports
that 500 whites and @black have been
evacuated.
1510 President General Mobutti ar-
rives. He is briefed on the situation and
congratulates the Belgian para-com-
mandos.
1700The 1st and 3d Battalions are
ordered to regroup and install, for the
night, a perimeter defense in their re-
spective areas.
1730Abandoned care are strung
along the edge of the runway with their
lights on so that the evacuation tights
can continue. I 1400 President General Mobutu ar-
C130 in the background, Is briatad by than Colonal Dapoorler on the mlasion and
axecution ot opmalions on 20 May
2300 There is shooting going on in
town, but the battalions report quiet
in their areas.
21 May
0100An additio al 1,927 refugees
are evacuated. r
0700 Based on information received
from earlier refugees, battafion com-
manders are ordered to send out patrols
of at least one-company strength to
search for European civilians who may
still be in hiding. The patrols are in-
structed to fire only in eelf-defenee. The
town is again thoroughly searched, and
some civilians are discovered in a double
attic. Patrols search Luilu, Manika,
Mpala and Caroline, some up to 35 milee.
from Kolwezi. They discover some Bel-
gians and Portuguese who opt to remain.
1235The Belgian ambassador to
Zaire, Ritweger de Moor, arrives, visits
the town and speaks with the last ref-
ugees.
34
 KOLWEZI

rives accompanied by the international Kamina, alf were returned to Belgium

press. He visits the town and thanks the with the exception of the 1st Battalion
para-comma,ndos before departing. (Reinforced). The 1st Battahon dis-
1500The 3d Battalion reports visual patched standing patrols to
contact with rebels in vehicles who drive Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kipushi, Kambove,
away. , Kakanda and Fungurume for the
1700The 1st Battalion reports visual purpose of reetoring public crdm and as-
contact with 20 armed men who flee, suring order. The first troops of the
dropping ~heir weapons. Inter-African Force arrived on 30 May,
1830 We inform our authorities that and, on 7 June, the French Foreign
the task is completed. Perimeter defense Legion started withdrawing an fin-
is installed in each battalion area. ished on 15 June. The 3d Batt1 lion,
with 250 men, relieved the 1st Battalion
22 May on 25 June to help distribute food and
0400Authority is received to return medical supplies until 10 July.
to Kamina, and the 3d Battalion com- On 20 October 1978, the Para-Com-
mences evacuation. mando Regiment received the following
1000 The 3d Battalion evacuation is citation:
completed, and the 1st Battalion arrives has from the 19th of May until the
at the airfield. 10th of July, demonstrated coolness, dis-
1231 The 1st Battalion evacuation is cipline and effectiveness in carrying out
completed. a sensitiue mission requinng the liber-
1325 The remaining elements depart. ation and protection of Belgians and for-
Miesion completed. eigners whose lives were threatened in
Following the regiments return to Shaba and more particularly in Kolwezi.

NOTES
1 FOI1OW.Q me Korean War 0950551, the 30 Battal, on Wtw.h
earned the c,taho.s Hakta.g NI, Chatkol, Korea, was aaaea to me
reg, merit
2 In me late afternoon of 19 May, mey aId jump on me ala
..sed a!rf,eld wIm two .OmPa., es The other two c.moan, es
wnmed 5 rmles east of Kolwez!, about 10 nmn. tesafter we landed
on the new .Irfneld
3 Th,s tectma.e Demmt. a Snn.llaneo.s Ia.amg .1 .% maw
C730 ,wmalt .s me vmith ..0 Ienam .1 the r.nwaY Dermlts
During the hlgmspeed Iandlng. ttw a$imlt Deny is opei?o, safety
)
belts are released ma, when me Wcrafts stQp at the end of the
(unway, the ,rooPs and mater,., are evacuated at ll,gh speed
Follmwng th, s, the mrcmft, make e 180 degree I.,. and ready for
Cmmea#ate takeoff The .mt had Iramed m thm te@m@q.e d.nng
earlter maneuvers m Europe Smca .0 ttme m lost m assemblmg
and reorgautng d,spwsea men ,3.0 eq., pmet ad s,..., m thm
case. me 6.foot Wvannah grass around me .mfmld was cert.m to
create lb,. problem, wtal Wne m gamed The posslbwty of Iandmo
c.$ualt!es due to W,dq)eed ,s .1s. elunmated
4 A further moon con f,rmea d,scovew of 32 Mutes end 0..
Mach murdered , the same mom

Major General Henri J G. Depoorter, Bdgian

Army, is Inspector of Infantry at the Army
General Staf~ Belgium. He is a graduate of the
Royal MilitaryAcademy, the War College and
the LL$ACGSC, He has served as chief of the
Personal Staffi Office of the Chief of Staff,
Headquarters, Armed Forces, Central Europe,
Bnmssum, the Netherlands, and, during 197&
78, as commandant of the Para-Commando
Regiment.

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