Katanga 1961-63 - "Swedens last war"

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Hello Piotr,

1. Yes I have seen the "F 22" homepage. It deals with a) 22nd UN Fighter Squadron, b) Kamina AFB, c) Army units at the Kamina AFB and d) the fighting in the Kamina area in Sept 1961 and Dec 1962.

2. What I have posted so far is mainly about Elisabethville Dec 1961.

3. I have never heard of tanks in Congo. Only armoured cars. The Katangese had a number of M 8:s and some home made ones. The Irish had 11 Ford (of which one in reseve). The Indians had 10 Daimlers. The Malaysians 10 Ferrets. The Swedes had 4 - later 9 SKPF.

In Dec 1962 the Swedish Bn in Kamina captured two M 8. The Swedish AC unit expanded early 1963 to four M 8 and two M 3 White Scoutcars.

Picture: Swedish SKPF. Probably Kamina AFB 1962.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Early in the morning 28th August 1961 the UN units in Elisabethville under command of Col Waern (Sw) launched "Operation Rumpunch".

a) Indian Bn (Dogras, maj Singh) took PTT station and closed down telephone and radio communications.

b) Irish Bn (LtCol Mac Namee) less two Coys took Gendarme hotel. One Coy (Cdt Quinnlan) took Gendarme HQ and Minisister of Interior Munongo´s palace. One Coy guarded the airport.

c) Swedish Bn (Maj Mide) took Kilobelobe radio station and took control of inner city with Bde reserve at Parc Albert.

The operation was carried out as planned and without resistance.

Minister Munongo was placed under house-arrest but directly released by orders from UN high representative in E-ville, Conor Cruise O´Brien.

That was a misstake because Munongo started to hunt down Kasai-Baluba. Baluba population took refuge at the Swedish camp. The refugée camp grew to some 40.000 inhabitants.

During Operation "Rumpunch" 273 Belgian Officers and foreign mercenaries were arrested. 104 on the wanted list escaped.

Picture: Guarding the refugée camp.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

As president Tshombe promised to behave, the political UN leader O´Brien ordered UN forces out of E-ville.

Munongos actions against Kasai-Baluba grew worse and UN troops were ordered back to E-ville.

13th September 1961 at 04H00 "Operation Morthor" (Hindi for smash and grab) was carried out in the same pattern as operation "Rumpunch" before.

This time there was no surprise any longer. The UN troops were bogged down in heavy battle. Dogras loosing one KiA and 4 WiA. Swedish Bn lost one KiA (Major Gallon), 2 severely WiA and several slightly wonded.

President Tshombe dissapeared from E-ville.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

The large Kamina AFB was built by the Belgian Force Public (FP).

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

There were in fact two bases numbered 1 and 2. These bases were defended by two Irish Coys and one Swedish.

The Swedish Coy (Major Lundqvist) counted 98 men with 2 LMGs and 2 Carl-Gustaf 84 mm AT-rifles.

The Coy had two Platoons (1Lt Friman and CWO Berg respectively).

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Operation "Morthor" going on in E-ville. At the same time tension increased in Kamina.

The large BAS 2 was defended by one Platoon (1Lt Friman). On 14th September 16H15 the Kongolese attacked with 8 armoured cars.

Two AC:s and one truck were knocked out by Carl-Gustaf AT rifle.

On 15th September the truck (loaded with mortar munition) was blown up by AT-fire.

On 16th September the reserve-platoon (Chief Warrant Officer Berg) made an assault and drew Katanga forces back.

The Kamina "September stress" ended. The Swedish UN force had no casualities.

Picture: "Carl-Gustaf" in action.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

The situation in Kamina became tensed in December 1962. On 29th December UN Forces (Col Hederén, Sweden) with one Ghana Bn and one Swedish Bn was ordered to take Kaminaville.

Opposing ANC forces were 14th and 16th Bns counting some 2.495 men.

On 30th December one Ghana Coy moved on Luoka and one Swedish Coy (Maj Andén) on Kiavie.

See map:

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

On 31st December 1962 at 06H00 Swedish Bn (LtCol Fredman) attacked Kaminaville supported by Ghana Bn.

The attack was sucessful. The Swedes captured 2 armoured cars and some 40 other vehicles.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Le Grand Chef Kasongo Niembo, leader of the Mountain-Baluba tribe, lived outside Kaminaville. He left Kamina during the fights but later returned.

He had to balance between UN and the Katanga-regime, which I think he did skillfully. An impressing person.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Making friends again after the "December stress" 1961.

Godefroid Munongo, Minister of Interior and "strong man" of the Katanga-regime. Here talkong with Col Waern.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Making friends January 1962. From left: UN-representative Brian Urquhart, LtCol Maitra (CO Ghurka Bn), President Moise Tshombe, Col Virgin.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

On 15th January 1961 one Swedish Coy was sent by rail to reinforce Moroccan UN troops in the Luena area. A scouting force was sent by draissins. This was attacked and the Swedes suffered three WiA.

The MG is a 6,5 mm m/42 B Colt-Browning.

[Petrus]

Originally posted by Stellan Bojerud

What is known of Canadian units in Congo?

At http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/dhh/Downl...hq/cfhq008.PDF you may find a report by the Directorate of History, Canadian Forces Headquaters titled "Canada and Peacekeeping Operations. The Congo 1960-64". The document is dated 16 June 1966.

Best regards,
Piotr

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Thank you Piotr, that was an interesting report.

[Petrus]

Not only was the Katangan affair the Sweden's last war but also it was a war in which Irish troops took part.
At http://www.irishmilitaryonline.com/b...read.php?t=964 there is some info and comments about what has been known as the Jadotville incident, where an Irish company surrendered to the Katangese troops after a few days' fighting. Perhaps you will find the info interesting.

As regards the Swedish force in the Congo, what was its composition and equipment? I mean strenght, organisation, armament and the like (in other words the TO&E information).

The question is first of all to Stellan but an answer from anybody else would be appreciated too.


Best regards,
Piotr

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Thank you Piotr for that Irish link.

The normal Swedish UN Bn had 1 HQ Coy and 3 Rifle Coys. From the beginning they only were armed with 9 mm SMG m/45 "Carl Gustaf".

In 1961 there were also two extra Swedish Coys ex-Gaza in Congo.

The armament had to be increased by
6,5 mm automatic rifles m/42 Ljungman
6,5 mm MGs m/42 Colt-Browning
81 mm mortars m/29-39 Stokes-Brandt
84 mm AT rifle m/48 Carl Gustaf
20 mm AA guns m/40 Bofors

The armoured cars and the aircraft has been discussed earlier.

Picture: Parade in Kamina 1962.