Operations 'Leopard' and 'Red Bean' Kolwezi 1978: Africa@War

This book provides a history of the roots of FNLC (Front for the National Liberation of the Congo: ex-Katanga Gendarmerie) in Angola and Zaire, political situation under Mobutu regime, FNLC incursions into Zaire border since 1977 (“Shaba Wars I and II”) and subsequent hostage taking in mining town of Kolwezi. The author describes the subsequent French Foreign Legion and Belgian Para Commando airborne operation and freeing of the hostages, together with practical destruction of the FNLC as fighting force. "Illustrated with contemporary photographs of the various military forces and equipment deployed, this places the aviation assets in context and will provide both inspiration and impetus to modellers looking to branch out into less familiar territory." Scale Aviation Modeller International