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Congo Mercenary
In July 1964, after four years of uneasy independence, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was engulfed by an armed rebellion that spread throughout the country like a bush fire. The rebel soldiers struck terror into the hearts of civilians and National Army soldiers alike. Faced with this situation, the Congolese government hired legendary mercenary leader Mike Hoare to quell the uprising and bring order to the country. In Congo Mercenary, Mike Hoare tells the true story of his resolute band of mercenaries during the Congo war. In fascinating detail, Hoare describes how the mercenaries were recruited and trained, and then recounts their adventures through four combat campaigns over an 18-month period during which they liberated Stanleyville, fought rebels in the hinterland, freed hundreds of European hostages, and restored law and order to the Congo.
342 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 1931
64 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Mike Hoare
11 books23 followersThomas 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 17, 2025
Cold War Classic on the Congo Crisis, Counterinsurgency, and 1960s-era Mercenary Work
Mercenary by Mike Hoare (also published as Congo Mercenary in overseas and modern editions) is one of the finest counterinsurgency classics ever written. It is one of the most level-headed memoirs of war I have ever read. Despite being about one of the bloodiest proxy insurgencies of the Cold War, the Simba rebellion of the mid-1960s, newly independent Congo, this classic book can and should retain merit as a COIN history that can still impart many lessons-learned for those involved in special operations or private military contracting (PMC) on a shoe-string budget.
Mike Hoare was an English veteran of WWII living in South Africa and working variously as a business man and adventure tourist guide when he was approached by "people" (his son, Chris Hoare, writes in his father's biography that it was the CIA) who offered to pay him to go to the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo to assist it's leader, Moise Tshombe, in raising a mercenary army to augment and stiffen the resolve of the National Army. The result was the establishment of the famous 5 Commando AKA "the Wild Geese," for which a Hollywood film was later made. 5 Commando was a highly professional force made up of white Africans (Rhodesians and South Africans), Europeans, and the occasional American and Canadian, supported by an air force of "Cuban exile" pilots (actually, as his son writes, CIA). 5 Commando conducted hugely successful operations against the Russian and Chinese backed Simbas. Unfortunately, previous and follow-on mercenary forces lacked the discipline and professionalism that Mike Hoare brought to 5 Commando and brought reproach on the whole idea of white mercenaries serving in Africa. It was also a controversial move on the part of Tshombe who eventually fell out with his UN, OAS and Congo political peers despite having succeeded in ridding the Congo, for a time, of the scourge of Communism. It's a complicated history, but Mike Hoare keeps it simple.
As an additional bonus, Mike Hoare included two invaluable appendices for those who want to lead men in combat: his "Commando Rules for Battle" and "A Lecture on Man Management and Leadership."
Unfortunately, this mass market edition features garish late-70s/early-80s cover art which gives the impression that this is just another sensationalized "I was there" non-fiction or "over-the-top" men's war fiction books that dominated the paperback market in that testosterone-charged era. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The book is further complicated by the infamous and undeserved "Mad" image of Mike Hoare, who was implicated in a questionable and highly controversial attempted coup in the Seychelles for which he served time in a South African prison.
Well, forget all of that an take my word for it: This is a classic of counterinsurgency, low-intensity, and unconventional warfare that should be read by EVERY special operator who expects to do some time on the African continent. It is highly recommended to any reader interested in mercenary operations, PMC work, SOF, COIN, 20th Century African history, the Cold War, intelligence operations, or a rollicking good thriller of a read that just happens to be true.
Find this invaluable book and read it. It is still in print in South Africa as "Congo Mercenary" and available from Chris Hoare's website. But any mass market version from Amazon will serve you well and probably be much cheaper.
HIGHLY recommended.
Mercenary by Mike Hoare (also published as Congo Mercenary in overseas and modern editions) is one of the finest counterinsurgency classics ever written. It is one of the most level-headed memoirs of war I have ever read. Despite being about one of the bloodiest proxy insurgencies of the Cold War, the Simba rebellion of the mid-1960s, newly independent Congo, this classic book can and should retain merit as a COIN history that can still impart many lessons-learned for those involved in special operations or private military contracting (PMC) on a shoe-string budget.
Mike Hoare was an English veteran of WWII living in South Africa and working variously as a business man and adventure tourist guide when he was approached by "people" (his son, Chris Hoare, writes in his father's biography that it was the CIA) who offered to pay him to go to the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo to assist it's leader, Moise Tshombe, in raising a mercenary army to augment and stiffen the resolve of the National Army. The result was the establishment of the famous 5 Commando AKA "the Wild Geese," for which a Hollywood film was later made. 5 Commando was a highly professional force made up of white Africans (Rhodesians and South Africans), Europeans, and the occasional American and Canadian, supported by an air force of "Cuban exile" pilots (actually, as his son writes, CIA). 5 Commando conducted hugely successful operations against the Russian and Chinese backed Simbas. Unfortunately, previous and follow-on mercenary forces lacked the discipline and professionalism that Mike Hoare brought to 5 Commando and brought reproach on the whole idea of white mercenaries serving in Africa. It was also a controversial move on the part of Tshombe who eventually fell out with his UN, OAS and Congo political peers despite having succeeded in ridding the Congo, for a time, of the scourge of Communism. It's a complicated history, but Mike Hoare keeps it simple.
As an additional bonus, Mike Hoare included two invaluable appendices for those who want to lead men in combat: his "Commando Rules for Battle" and "A Lecture on Man Management and Leadership."
Unfortunately, this mass market edition features garish late-70s/early-80s cover art which gives the impression that this is just another sensationalized "I was there" non-fiction or "over-the-top" men's war fiction books that dominated the paperback market in that testosterone-charged era. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The book is further complicated by the infamous and undeserved "Mad" image of Mike Hoare, who was implicated in a questionable and highly controversial attempted coup in the Seychelles for which he served time in a South African prison.
Well, forget all of that an take my word for it: This is a classic of counterinsurgency, low-intensity, and unconventional warfare that should be read by EVERY special operator who expects to do some time on the African continent. It is highly recommended to any reader interested in mercenary operations, PMC work, SOF, COIN, 20th Century African history, the Cold War, intelligence operations, or a rollicking good thriller of a read that just happens to be true.
Find this invaluable book and read it. It is still in print in South Africa as "Congo Mercenary" and available from Chris Hoare's website. But any mass market version from Amazon will serve you well and probably be much cheaper.
HIGHLY recommended.
August 19, 2020
I came across this one by chance, and I'm glad I gave it a shot. Author "Mad" Mike Hoare had a storied military career in Africa.
Congo Mercenary tells the story of a circa 1964 newly independent Congo, freed from its Belgian colonial masters, but ripe for ideological conquest by Chinese and Russian communist agitators.
Hoare was contracted by the Congolese Government to suppress the communist insurgency, and this book tells that story.
The writing here is decent; Hoare writes in an engaging manner and drops many subtle British tongue-in-cheek bits of humor throughout. He also read the audiobook himself, which was a nice touch.
Some of the stories in the book are quite hard-hitting; there are detailed accounts of many of the atrocities of war here.
The epilogue of this book suggests that the success of the Congo depends on a new wave of European immigrants; not as colonial settlers, but as equal Congolese citizens.
I'm not sure this call will go heeded - after hearing about the mass killings of the previous generations of white immigrants, as told by this book.
I did enjoy Congo Mercenary, and would recommend it.
4 stars.
Congo Mercenary tells the story of a circa 1964 newly independent Congo, freed from its Belgian colonial masters, but ripe for ideological conquest by Chinese and Russian communist agitators.
Hoare was contracted by the Congolese Government to suppress the communist insurgency, and this book tells that story.
The writing here is decent; Hoare writes in an engaging manner and drops many subtle British tongue-in-cheek bits of humor throughout. He also read the audiobook himself, which was a nice touch.
Some of the stories in the book are quite hard-hitting; there are detailed accounts of many of the atrocities of war here.
The epilogue of this book suggests that the success of the Congo depends on a new wave of European immigrants; not as colonial settlers, but as equal Congolese citizens.
I'm not sure this call will go heeded - after hearing about the mass killings of the previous generations of white immigrants, as told by this book.
I did enjoy Congo Mercenary, and would recommend it.
4 stars.
August 9, 2008
I loved this book. In my South African days (misspent youth as it were), I knew an ex-SAS World War II veteran who had fought in North Africa. After the war, he was a mercenary in the Belgian Congo for a while. In those days, honor was not yet a dirty word (as it is in the US these days). This book accurately portrayed being a mercenary in the Congo and it is just a damn good read. I came very close to enlisting in the Rhodesian Army or becoming a mercenary in Angola. Instead, as it turns out, my first combat came years later in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
September 16, 2023
Written by the person who led the Congo mercenaries in support of the government in the sixties. Let’s get the obvious out of the way, he was born in 1919. The language and attitude towards blacks, women or the world at large would hardly be acceptable today. If you read this, you need to see it as a reflection of the world it was written in.
It is an interesting first hand account of how relatively modest force sizes were able to turn around a war in vast country. Bold actions, smart planning and courage carry the day. Most of the battles, losses are recounted in a matter of fact voice. Detached and without too much emotion. Some of the civilian casualties and massacres, open up some of the writers emotions of hate and sadness. But the emotional scale is muted if you consider the circumstances.
Somehow, I wish the writers voice to be closer, in first person. At times it feels like he is describing events afar and talking about someone else. For a first hand account, it feels… removed and off.
Still a unique read about events that many have not heard of and details that you would not get from others. Consider reading if interested in history and skip it if you are drawn to great writing only.
It is an interesting first hand account of how relatively modest force sizes were able to turn around a war in vast country. Bold actions, smart planning and courage carry the day. Most of the battles, losses are recounted in a matter of fact voice. Detached and without too much emotion. Some of the civilian casualties and massacres, open up some of the writers emotions of hate and sadness. But the emotional scale is muted if you consider the circumstances.
Somehow, I wish the writers voice to be closer, in first person. At times it feels like he is describing events afar and talking about someone else. For a first hand account, it feels… removed and off.
Still a unique read about events that many have not heard of and details that you would not get from others. Consider reading if interested in history and skip it if you are drawn to great writing only.
January 15, 2025
This is a most compelling read and an honest and frank recount of the events of the campaigns of mercenary forces led by the author, Mike Hoare, in the D.R. Congo in the 1960s.
As always with books from past generations, it should be remembered that there are language and viewpoints presented that were commonplace at the time and should therefore be read with that in mind. It should also be said Hoare was not a colonialist nor a racist. He loved Africa, its countries and its peoples and showed respect for cultural difference but not for cruelty and abuse by anyone.
Hoare was in every sense a professional soldier, and the archetype for the modern mercenary/ defence contractor. But, in his own words, he lauds the achievements of others and employs self depreciating with to humble some of his own achievements and honestly owns his mistakes.
This book presents both the successes and failures of the campaigns Hoare led whilst recognising the sacrifices and losses of those he fought alongside and sort to defend.
Whilst not belabouring the point Hoare does address some of the political dynamics at play both nationally and regionally as well as internationally but it is clear we now have far more information now than was revealed at the time. It also highlights that whilst Hoare and his contemporaries may well have seen themselves fighting for democracy and launching humanitarian missions to save thousands, if not tens of thousands, both black and white of several nationalities not just Congolese and Belgian there were masters of the dark arts manipulating events behind the scenes.
If nothing else, this book paints a picture of a nation torn apart, like some many others in Africa, and still struggling to recover from being the playground of superpowers and ideologies during the Cold War.
As always with books from past generations, it should be remembered that there are language and viewpoints presented that were commonplace at the time and should therefore be read with that in mind. It should also be said Hoare was not a colonialist nor a racist. He loved Africa, its countries and its peoples and showed respect for cultural difference but not for cruelty and abuse by anyone.
Hoare was in every sense a professional soldier, and the archetype for the modern mercenary/ defence contractor. But, in his own words, he lauds the achievements of others and employs self depreciating with to humble some of his own achievements and honestly owns his mistakes.
This book presents both the successes and failures of the campaigns Hoare led whilst recognising the sacrifices and losses of those he fought alongside and sort to defend.
Whilst not belabouring the point Hoare does address some of the political dynamics at play both nationally and regionally as well as internationally but it is clear we now have far more information now than was revealed at the time. It also highlights that whilst Hoare and his contemporaries may well have seen themselves fighting for democracy and launching humanitarian missions to save thousands, if not tens of thousands, both black and white of several nationalities not just Congolese and Belgian there were masters of the dark arts manipulating events behind the scenes.
If nothing else, this book paints a picture of a nation torn apart, like some many others in Africa, and still struggling to recover from being the playground of superpowers and ideologies during the Cold War.
May 7, 2024
'Any fit young man looking for employment with a difference at a salary well in excess of £100 per month should telephone 838-5203 during business hours. Employment initially offered for six months. Immediate start.'
Such was the kind of ad that Mike Hoare posted in South Africa and Europe as he was building out 5 Command0, a foreign mercenary unit raised by the Congolese government of Prime Minister Tshombe to put down a Communist rebellion in the struggling newly independent Democratic Republic of Congo. 'Congo Mercenary' is the exciting story of Hoare and 5 Commando's adventures in 1965/66 fighting in this bloody civil war. Hoare writes of the coming together, training and baptism by fire of this ragtag band of brothers in arms who went on and became a formidable fighting force, who time and again fought and prevailed against presumably overwhelmingly numerically superior forces. Full of exciting war stories, occasional humour and details of horrific atrocities, I highly recommend 'Congo Mercenary'.
Such was the kind of ad that Mike Hoare posted in South Africa and Europe as he was building out 5 Command0, a foreign mercenary unit raised by the Congolese government of Prime Minister Tshombe to put down a Communist rebellion in the struggling newly independent Democratic Republic of Congo. 'Congo Mercenary' is the exciting story of Hoare and 5 Commando's adventures in 1965/66 fighting in this bloody civil war. Hoare writes of the coming together, training and baptism by fire of this ragtag band of brothers in arms who went on and became a formidable fighting force, who time and again fought and prevailed against presumably overwhelmingly numerically superior forces. Full of exciting war stories, occasional humour and details of horrific atrocities, I highly recommend 'Congo Mercenary'.
July 10, 2024
2.5 Stars
Hoare himself is interesting as a person and white European mercenaries fighting in the Congo is a fascinating topic. Unfortunately this book just isn’t written very well. A lot of this book ends up being the typical “on this date this unit went to this location and faced this much resistance. They inflicted this many casualties on the enemy and took this many casualties themselves.” There are a few anecdotes throughout the book that are interesting. I went into this book hoping to learn the tactics, equipment, training, tactics, etc. of a mercenary force, but unfortunately there’s not much of that in the book.
Hoare’s biases are on clear display, but that’s no real surprise. He does a poor job of explaining the overall political situation and never even seems to consider *why* the enemy he’s fighting is willing to fight and die for their cause other than “they’re communists”. So honestly this book could be confusing to anyone who’s not at least somewhat familiar with the Congo Crisis going in. It’s also hilarious to me how flabbergasted Hoare seemed by the fact that both the US and UK government wanted nothing to do (officially) with his mercenary operations. Also his repeated compliments towards the Belgian colonial government have um… aged poorly.
The book also kind of repeats the same narrative three times. Hoare served three 6-month campaigns and each of those three campaigns play out in a very similar kind of way: Hoare negotiated a contract, recruits men, faces logistics and discipline problems, forges the men into a cohesive unit, and leads the unit in at least one notable combat operation.
Anyway, the topic is interesting but overall this book was just not all that gripping.
Hoare himself is interesting as a person and white European mercenaries fighting in the Congo is a fascinating topic. Unfortunately this book just isn’t written very well. A lot of this book ends up being the typical “on this date this unit went to this location and faced this much resistance. They inflicted this many casualties on the enemy and took this many casualties themselves.” There are a few anecdotes throughout the book that are interesting. I went into this book hoping to learn the tactics, equipment, training, tactics, etc. of a mercenary force, but unfortunately there’s not much of that in the book.
Hoare’s biases are on clear display, but that’s no real surprise. He does a poor job of explaining the overall political situation and never even seems to consider *why* the enemy he’s fighting is willing to fight and die for their cause other than “they’re communists”. So honestly this book could be confusing to anyone who’s not at least somewhat familiar with the Congo Crisis going in. It’s also hilarious to me how flabbergasted Hoare seemed by the fact that both the US and UK government wanted nothing to do (officially) with his mercenary operations. Also his repeated compliments towards the Belgian colonial government have um… aged poorly.
The book also kind of repeats the same narrative three times. Hoare served three 6-month campaigns and each of those three campaigns play out in a very similar kind of way: Hoare negotiated a contract, recruits men, faces logistics and discipline problems, forges the men into a cohesive unit, and leads the unit in at least one notable combat operation.
Anyway, the topic is interesting but overall this book was just not all that gripping.
April 27, 2019
This is a surprisingly enjoyable biography of mercenary "Mad Mike" Hoare in DRC in the 1960s. There is no doubt that the book is dinged with a lot of colonial-era racism towards colonized people, but this is true of most things written at the time, and this book doesn't stand out in any particular sense. One of the surprising things is that the book also notes a number of acts that would easily be considered violations of international humanitarian law, including shooting unarmed people, execution of child soldiers and other prisoners, and putting injured people 'out of their misery'. However the book also provides an interesting first hand account of the new DRC, and the last vestiges of Belgian colonialism that remained, while being one of few widely available books on the Simba Rebellion, and the widespread brutality in this conflict.
February 20, 2024
Great overview of the Congo conflict with all its carnage, depravities and crimes. Mike Hoare was definitely the right man to lead this pack of rough and tough soldiers, and his insights, especially towards the end, should not be dismissed by any leader of an armed bunch, be it mercenary or professional military.
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March 24, 2024Memoir by famous leader of mercenary force contracted to help Republic of Congo defeat anti-government rebels. Very interesting eyewitness narrative, with insights into political and human conflicts surrounding Congo's transforming away from its existence as Belgian colony.
July 20, 2024
Most people think mercenaries are all boorish brutes. Mike Hoare dispels that myth with his soldiering in die Congo. He and his men sacrificed much to repulse communist agigators and bring peace to the region.
He remains one of my favourite authors.
He remains one of my favourite authors.
April 17, 2019
I'm sure there are plenty of lies by omission but this is still very candid up to admitting war crimes. Excellent book, horrifying subject.
December 22, 2020
Slow but fun.
April 7, 2021
Good to read and reminder of all the atrocities in 1964-65 in Congo
July 31, 2021
Amazing read but it was hard to follow by audiobook. I'd like a hard copy but there isn't one available for under $200 at the moment.
June 22, 2023
Really hard hitting. Written reasonably well from frontline of a genuinely unique war and point in time, Congo mercenary is really really good and captured my interest entirely.
August 9, 2012
Mike's book is complicated, written quite a time ago, with a different view on the situation that exists today. The war/conflict in the Congo after Belgium granted (was forced to grant?) independence was clearly wild, scary, controversial and tied up in the world politics of the time.
Through the book, the writing style is engaging, keeps the reader interested and tells an interesting tale of growth of the group, the job and the country(s) involved.
Through the book, the writing style is engaging, keeps the reader interested and tells an interesting tale of growth of the group, the job and the country(s) involved.
December 6, 2013
They truly do not make them like they used to. Mike Hoare is a legend. Hes like a British colonel Kurtz. He vividly recalls his exploits in 1964. Assembling and leading a motley band of mercenaries in the Congo. Fighting brutal rebels over thousands of miles of vast country, often with limited resources. Relying on the skill of his people to make do as they went along. It really is quite an interesting read.
September 27, 2020
Mike Hoare's account of supporting the Government of Congo in their fight against communist rebels, by providing a contracted mercenary force, 5 Commando. Lots of insights about structuring and leading such an operation, the difficulties of operations as a contracted force, geopolitical concerns, and effective military tactics. Mike Hoare is truly an exceptional individual.
March 4, 2022
An insight into jungle warfare and small arms tactics. Hoare's story is one of brutal honesty and reveals much of the harsh truths suffered in the Congo. One returns with a greater understanding of how harsh the world can be.
July 25, 2011
He knows what he's writing about!
June 25, 2012
If I would have been older at this time I would have been with this man .
July 17, 2021
One of many books by the man that inspired the movie "Wild Geese" with Richard Burton, Richard Harris, and Roger Moore.
October 26, 2022
Shortsighted and colonialist but entertaining, and Hoare is a good reader.
March 31, 2017
Great account of the rebel war. Really enjoyed it.
A great introduction of how Mobutu came into power as well.
A great introduction of how Mobutu came into power as well.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews