Congo Warriors

by Mike Hoare

Colonel Mike Hoare commanded a unit of mercenary soldiers during the armed uprising in the Congo in 1964 and 1965, which he described in detail in his previous book, Congo Mercenary. In this follow-up account of those war-torn days spent fighting the Simba rebels, Colonel Hoare focuses on the courage and ambitions, the lives and deaths of those men under his command. In an exclusive new foreword and epilogue for this Paladin reprint, which the author has described as his favorite of all the books he has written, Colonel Hoare provides an unparalleled understanding of mercenary action in Africa, the involvement of the CIA in such activities and new insight into the minds and hearts of mercenary soldiers. Congo Warriors is not to be missed by anyone interested in combat, mercenaries, warriors or Africa.

Genres: History, Biography, Military Fiction, Africa, Nonfiction, War

204 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1991

About the author

Thomas Michael Hoare was born in 1920 in Kolkata (Calcutta),India to Irish parents. He spent his early days in Ireland and was educated in England. He served in North Africa as an Armour officer in the British Army during World War II, and achieved the rank of Captain. In 1948, he emigrated to Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa, where he ran safaris and became a soldier-for-hire in various African countries.

His most well known exploits are when he served as the commander of 5 Commando in the Congo from 1964-1965 and commanded the failed coup d'état in the Seychelles in November 1981; for which he served thirty-three months in prison. Hoare also served as the technical adviser on the 1978 film "The Wild Geese" based on the novel by the same name.

Hoare married Elizabeth Stott in New Delhi in 1945 and together they had three children, Chris, Tim and Geraldine.

After divorcing in 1960, he married Phyllis Sims in 1961 and they had two children, Michael Jeremy and Simon.

Hoare died of natural causes on 2 February 2020 in a care facility in Durban, South Africa at the age of 100.

Reviews

[HK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected this book to be a hardcore military memoir about endless fighting in the bush and hardships of survival in harsh conditions of Africa, but it turned out to be a very pleasant and easy read. The book consists of loosely related short stories, each of them usually revolving around a heroic person and their deeds, with some funny episodes here and there, added for comic relief. The author avoids describing too much negative experience which I can only imagine how much he have had, and always looks on the bright side.

The book kindled my interest in modern history of Sub-Saharan Africa and made me want to read the rest of Mike Hoare's books (this being my first one).

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories of the people Mike Hoare worked with during his days running 5 Commando mercenary operations in the Congo. Some really moving stories here -- a Marine LT who attached himself to Hoare's outfit as a way to find a missionary woman doctor who had gone missing, individuals making extreme sacrifices far beyond any pay they'd received -- as well as some more lighthearted stories like racing arab dhows on a huge lake.

This is a good supplement to Congo Mercenary but doesn't really make sense as a standalone book.

[Christopher S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of masculinity and a non-fiction as engrossing as any good novel. If you've managed to find this book, you've gotten your hands on a book not many will ever see on store shelves. Don't wait, pick it up. You'll laugh just as much as you'll learn.
A must read for anyone interested in history, war, or general shenanigans.

[Sam Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books ever. Incredible insight into some of the the most interesting men to ever live. Emotional, funny, exciting, and gripping. I will never ever forget the story of the Marine and his beloved missionary nurse.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some bits recycled from previous books but otherwise it's the best of his books since it doesn't follow one campaign and rather concentrates on interesting highlights.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Congo Mercenary or The Road to Kalamata. This is all episodes that weren't important or relevant enough to make it into Mike's other books. Several are interesting, for example: an attack on a rebel lakeside base using a boat which had been badly rigged with a recoilless rifle. Soldiers attempt to steal a painting they think is Rembrandt's Night Watch. But a significant number of the stories just aren't very interesting. If this was half the length and only had the better half of the anecdotes I'd rate it higher.

[Gene Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to hear how soldiers and mercenaries from different countries fight wars. They do so just like American soldiers and mercenaries. The best part about the book was not the war-stories. But the humorous tidbits that take place in the rear, far away from the front lines.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Hoare gives an account of building a team of mercenaries and training them to fight in Africa. The fact that this man died of old age is a testament to how tough or lucky he was.

[Crystal Scruggs]

Not in the right state of mind for this. I'll try again some other time.