11-637: Operation Miracle may also refer to: Operation Miracle (Rhodesia) , 1979 operation in Mozambique Operation Miracle (1995) , operation of Bosnian mujahideen Operation Miracle (2021) , South Korean rescue operation in Afghanistan Operación Milagro , Cuban government's medical humanitarian mission Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
22-816: The Battle of Mavonde , was a military raid in 1979 by the Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) against ZANLA guerrilla bases in Mozambique towards the end of the Rhodesian Bush War . ZANLA put up stiff resistance, although at the cost of many losses with as many as hundreds dead. The tactical success of the RSF did not lead to the expected strategic changes but did result in a decisive tactical victory with few losses. After successful Rhodesian air attacks on ZANLA bases, such as Operation Snoopy ,
33-577: The Ethiopian Derg . Trenches were dug in the 64-square-kilometers surface of the camp. The base was commanded by Solomon Mujuru , known by his nom-de-guerre , Rex Nhongo. Small-scale Rhodesian patrols erroneously estimated the ZANLA force to be 2,000 men strong; 200 Rhodesian soldiers were earmarked for the operation, with 100 men of the Selous Scouts spearheading the raid. Each of
44-487: The camp. Mavonde Base in 1979 had grown to encompass around 60 square kilometers. Due to bad weather, the start of operations had to be delayed several days. Before attacking the base, the RSF ground forces had to cross a river. The artillery was bogged down, and the guerilla was alerted to the size of the column. The column was further delayed by ZANLA fire. The first wave of the Selous Scouts began clearing
55-480: The front to boost the morale of his troops, using a big stick to hit those reluctant to fight. Guided by a Reims Cessna "Lynx" aircraft, Hawker Hunter attack jets neutralized ZANLA fortifications in Hill 774. The position was taken at 3 p.m. by a troop of the Selous Scouts. English Electric Canberra bombers also bombed the anti-aircraft positions. During the night, RSF artillery fired at ZANLA positions to prevent
66-671: The guerillas chose to set up a new camp under the shelter of the forest near Mavonde, a few kilometers from Chimoio . As the Lancaster House discussions were taking place, RSF attempted to annihilate this base, hoping to weaken the Zimbabwean position. The base was held by 6,000 ZANLA partisans, with many anti-aircraft weapons on hills. Many guns were located on the highest hill, later to be nicknamed "Monte Cassino." Two secondary hills, Hill 774 and Hill 761, were also dotted with anti-aircraft guns. These weapons were supplied by
77-427: The partisans from sleeping. At 10 a.m., two troops of Selous Scouts and a RLI section (around 100 men) led an assault on Monte Cassino. The summit was taken after the partisans had retreated, as was Hill 761. At the end of that day, Nhongo ordered his fighters to retreat, with mortar teams providing cover fire. During the late night, FRELIMO sent three or more T-34 or T-54 tanks and a squad of infantry to support
88-503: The rebels, but RSF 25-pounders quickly reacted, guided by Rhodesian SAS , and the tanks retreated after the lead tank was put out of action. The Rhodesian force withdrew on the morning of 6 October, taking captured equipment with them. To avoid retaliation attacks from Mozambique, the Rhodesian Air Force bombed FRELIMO facilities, but one Canberra and one Hunter were shut down. ZANLA suffered hundreds of casualties but
99-656: The ten-men was transported in a Unimog truck. The whole column, commanded by captain Richard Passaportis, contained 20 Unimogs, protected by Eland-90 armoured cars of the Rhodesian Armoured Corps . A detachment of QF 25-pounder guns was also part of the column. The Selous Scouts were supported by 100 men of the Rhodesian Light Infantry (2 Commando, 3 Commando, and Support Commando), air-dropped 10 kilometers away from
110-610: The title Operation Miracle . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Miracle&oldid=1115150736 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description matches Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Operation Miracle (Rhodesia) [REDACTED] Rhodesian Army [REDACTED] RhAF Second Phase (1972–1979) Related incidents Operation Miracle , or
121-446: The trenches, but the rest of the column only arrived late in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the airdropped Rhodesian Light Infantry joined the battle, and Mpunzarima, a key ZANLA military leader, was killed. At dawn, Nhongo distributed marijuana to some of his troops to reduce their stress. The Rhodesian troops were harassed during the night by RPG-7s , recoilless-rifles and mortars . RSF renewed its assault. Nhongo personally went to
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