The unit's mission was to fight a revolt known as the Simba Rebellion. Lapel badge 5021 SA Civil Protection Service lapel badge numbered (Ref.

No.5 Commando was formed in Bridlington on the 18th July 1940 and was commanded by Lt. Col. S.P. 5 Commando in formation one hour after the capture of Stanleyville. Shortly afterwards the Commando moved to Dover, and then on to Helensburgh. There were only 42 men of 5 Commando in the Congo at that time.
Paris Match magazine published an article on mercenaries in Congo in their issue of 29 August 1967, including this color photo on the cover, which had apparently been taken some time earlier. remainder. Hugh van Oppen served in the Royal Tank Regiment in Korea and Egypt before joining the Nor thern Rhodesia Police and later the Royal Rhodesia Regiment, where he won a British Empire Medal for the Nkata Bay In cident in Nyasaland.

WHEN the mercenaries of the 51st Commando fought their way into this sleepy Congo River town, they came across a wounded rebel lying … It was reorganised into the 5th Special Service Battalion, but was soon redesignated No.5 Commando again on the 26th Febuary 1941.
sof7.jpg Two members of the 5 Commando pose with the first Chinese Communist .50 cal heavy machine gun captured in Stanleyville. BUMBA, The Congo.

Army SA) $ 10.00. Moïse Tshombe hired "Major" Mike Hoare to lead a military unit called 5 Commando ANC (Armee Nationale Congolaise) made up of about 300 men most of whom were from South Africa. Their presence was to discourage any thought of an uprising by the Simba. Congo 5 Commando Mercenaries lapel badge, worn on blazer lapels and as a tie pin by South African and Rhodesian Congo Mercs, who fought under Mike Hoare (The Wild Geese) Related products . Wood. In August 1964 'rebels' controlled over half of the Congo and were threatening to topple the Leopoldville government. According to Jacob’s account, this was the first time that the mercenaries of 5 Commando appeared on a public parade in the Congo. Wild Goose - The Life and Death of Hugh van Oppen, of 5 Commando, the Congo Mercenaries . 5.JPG Mercenary humour in Congo. His 5 Commando included about 300 mercenaries who were initially organized in five units stationed in central and eastern Congo. I find it astonishing that Hoare Emblem of an extinct unit: "Commando Kansimba" or Leopard Battaillion, as Schramme´s 10 Commando was better known in the 1960s. ~ No 5 Commando - A Brief History ~ T his is a brief history of 5 Commando from formation in July 1940 to disbandment in January 1947 including Hardelot and Merlimont - August 1941, St Nazaire - 28th March 1942, Madagascar - May 1942, India and Burma - December 1943 on.. Background.