Operation Miracle

by Preller Geldenhuys

Operation Miracle symbolizes all that was courageous and audacious in the fighting men and women of Rhodesia. It is a tribute to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.This military history account will interest all Rhodesian and Zimbabweans interested in the Rhodesian War 1965 - 1980 history, especially the period before a new government took over the country.Operation Miracle records the search for the crash sites of a Hunter pilot and a Canberra crew - pilot and navigator - killed in action, whose bodies lie in unmarked graves in a foreign country. It also records bringing the close relatives of the three bold airmen to witness the unveiling of the Operation Miracle Memorial that paid tribute nearly 30 years after their next-of-kin were given the tragic news "Killed in Action".This is the story that makes Operation Miracle unique in the history of Rhodesia.Foreword by Air Vice Marshal Chris Dams and Introduction by a Group Capt (both retired from the Rhodesian Air Force / Air Force of Zimbabwe)Much has been written about the Afro-Rhodesian conflict. Armed aggression continued to escalate, especially with Portugal’s withdrawal from Africa. It peaked in the latter half of 1979 – just as the participants to the Lancaster House were gathering in London. Both sides of the armed conflict were pulling out all the stops to gain political leverage at the constitutional talks.This then is the story about the total loss of a Hawker Hunter fighter ground attack aircraft, and a Canberra bomber, both on the same day, the 3rd October 1979. Even more tragically, the loss of the aircrew was the worst experienced by the Air Force in its entire history. When the Black Government came to power, they made no effort to recover the bodies of our fallen colleagues. But, nearly twenty-eight years later former airman Bob Manser miraculously found both the crash sites. The finding was flashed across the globe by Eddy Norris and his ORAFs network.This all happened between July and November 2007. Congratulatory messages flooded in from all over the world – bringing forth mixed emotions. John McKenzie set about making the Operation Miracle Memorial, while Prop Geldenhuys compiled this commemorative booklet. In doing so, the writer has been reduced to tears and fits of anger occasionally. In fact, the writer will be surprised if the same emotions are not experienced by the majority of readers!As this book went to print, Bob Manser planned his next expedition to locate the Donaldson Canberra crash site, shot down in the Malvernia area of MozambiqueCHIMOIO CIRCLEVila Pery was a popular stop-over for Beira bound Rhodesians. When Portugal handed Moçambique over to FRELIMO - (FPLM - Frente de Libertacão de Mocambique) - the Chimoio renamed-town was garrisoned and the new regime then provided safe haven bases for Zimbabwe ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army) guerrillas. Rhodesian aerial photography soon identified the various camps that made up the Chimoio Circle, and over thirty hot-pursuit and cross-border strikes were carried out. Only two of the more noteworthy strikes are briefly mentioned in this Dingo – 23 to 26 November 1977. Casualty numbers were estimated at 800 ZANLA killed and 750 wounded (some sources says it varies from 2000 to 3000). In addition to airman Phil Haigh killed, Trooper GJ Nel was also killed and six Rhodesian Light Infantry soldiers wounded.Operation Miracle – 21 September to 6 October 1979. This Operation will be remembered for the loss of Brian Gordon and his Hunter and the shooting down of Canberra crews Kevin Peinke and JJ Strydom. The Rhodesian Army lost two soldiers. The Chimoio memorial in Mozambique essentially commemorates the Rhodesian Operation Dingo air strikes and para-troop assault of 23rd November 1977. It was the biggest attack so far mounted in the war, involving virtually every serviceable aircraft in the Rhodesian Air Force.

131 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2018