Great Lakes ConflagrationSecond Congo War, 1998–2003

Qualifies for free delivery

R199.00

add to wishlist
add to wishlist
Weight 0.500 kg
Dimensions 29.7 × 21.0 × 0.4 cm
Format

Pages

Size

ISBN9781920143848 Barcode9781920143848
Overview
Great Lakes Conflagration is the second in two volumes covering military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the turn from the 21st century.

Great Lakes Conflagration is the second in two volumes covering military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the turn from the 21st century. This volume explores developments in the DRC that led to the outbreak of violence in August 1998, and systematically details the continued build-up and status of the Congolese, Rwandan and Ugandan armies, as well as the forces of Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and other African countries that were sucked into the conflict. Recounted is the Rwandan attempt to topple the government of Laurent Kabila through an operation that saw a redeployment of some of best Rwandan units from Kigali and Goma to the western DRC, resulting in a series of fierce air–land clashes with Zimbabwean and Angolan forces and culminating in the Battle of Kinshasa.

Also described is the fighting along what became the ‘Eastern Front’ in the DRC, as Zimbabwean and allied troops attempted to stop Rwandan, Ugandan and rebel advances out of Kivu Province in the direction of the Congo River through 1998 and 1999. These early phases of the war, or ‘The First African War’ as it has come to be known, were characterized by surprising outflanking and infiltration manoeuvres; foreign mercenaries; Zimbabwean Hawk and Lynx light strikers flying intensive combat operations from N’Djili airport, half of which was occupied by Rwandans, Ugandans and Congolese rebels; interdiction strikes guided by special forces deployed deep behind enemy lines; operations of helicopter gunships and transport aircraft under intense ground attack in support of troops cut off by advancing opponents; use of transport aircraft as makeshift bombers in bad weather and by night and clashes of armoured forces and many other elements of ‘high-technology’ warfare.

All the protagonists deployed their best military units, their best equipment and some of their best military commanders, yet despite their best efforts, and hampered by in-fighting, the conflict ultimately resulted in a stalemate which dragged on for a further three years while negotiations bogged down.This book is illustrated with an extensive selection of exclusive photography, colour profiles and markings, making it of special interest to enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Tom Cooper

Tom Cooper, from Austria, is a military-aviation journalist and historian. Following a career in a worldwide transportation business – where, during his extensive travels in Europe and the Middle East, he established excellent contacts with many first-hand sources – he moved into writing. An earlier fascination with post-World War II military-aviation has narrowed to focus on smaller air forces and conflicts, about which he has collected extensive archives of material. Concentrating primarily on air warfare, which has previously received scant attention, he specializes in investigative research on little-known African and Arab air forces, as well as the Iranian air force.

Cooper has published 14 books – including the unique ‘African MiGs’ series which examines the deployment and service history of MiG and Sukhoi jet fighters in 23 sub-Saharan African air forces – as well as over 200 articles on related topics, providing a window into a number of previously unexamined yet fascinating conflicts and relevant developments. First Congo War, 1996–1997 and Second Congo War, 1998–2003 are his first offerings to the Africa@War series.

Additional information

Weight 0.500 kg
Dimensions 29.7 × 21.0 × 0.4 cm
Format

Pages

Size

Publisher30 Degrees South Publishers Publication Date02/09/2013

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Great Lakes Conflagration”

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY

Best Sellers