September 5
Luitenant-Generaal van Liden held an emergency meeting of the various military commanders present in Bangui. The first item on the agenda was the rebel capture of the mines at Lahou and Bani and the threat to Yalinga and Bria. It was clear that the mercenaries had put up some resistance and the survivors were now in Yalinga.
It was clear they were not under the command of the battalion of Dutch “Stoottroepen” there, but they were a useful additional manpower asset as they were fully trained. They did make odd bedfellows however, and it was clear there was nothing stopping the mercenaries from leaving or for launching their own operations which might interfere with Dutch operations.
Politically things were mixed too. The Kongolese King had refused to ease up on his military buildup, rumoured to include another division of troops, to help reinforce Haute-Kotto province. In fact, he had used the rebel attack as evidence why his planned offensive should continue to roll. Behind his forces, at Bambari and Grimari, a resurgence of guerrilla attacks, some involving infantry- carried anti-tank rockets, has succeeded in hampering communications and civilian casualties had been borne too. This prevented a movement of the Marines there to reinforce the cavalry.
On the other hand, van Liden had received a secret telex from Pretoria that indicated the South Africans were willing to send specialist units into Ubangi-Shari.
It was clear that the 1e Cavalry Regiment was now concentrated around its barracks at Bria and Tikapoo Valley Air Base, but it left much of the wilds unpatrolled and rebels were making use of the time to move bands further west. Aerial patrols had some impact, but against nocturnal transport there was little that could be done.
On the other hand at least 800 Sara volunteers had come forwards which was a great propaganda coup for the government, although the Dutch knew the Sara were the main source of conscripts and were generally more pro-Dutch than rebellious. Even so, the rapport the Cavalry had built up over the years with the local population was now paying dividends.
The most heated debate was whether to send the XII Tank Regiment by road from Bangui via Sibut, Grimari and Bambari to Bria. This was a long and hazardous journey, especially since the rebel units there seemed to have acquired advanced weapons. However it was clear something had to be done and van Liden gave the order. A battalion of Royal Dragoons would accompany them. The tentative date for a counterattack against the rebel forces, estimated to be a reinforced regiment, was September 25th.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 6 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Everyone is in an uproar here and its chaos all over the barracks. We are preparing to move out on operations and I don’t know when I’ll get to post my next letter as the rumour is we will pull out very soon. I’m excited about this next operation as it’s a big move, the word is we’re making a big armoured attack and at last we can show what we can do.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 8 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Dropping you this quick line as the Army post service is here, we’re in XXXXXX [censored word is Damara] and moving north. Still safe and sound but getting saddle sore in my seat. The Sergeant reckons we have the sweetest running armoured car in army and we will be the only ones to make it without breaking down!
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 9 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Curse the Sergeant! Spent all afternoon crawling on my belly under ‘Martha’ trying to fix a broken suspension rod. Wishing the roads were softer but we’ll soon be on tarmac again.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 12 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Arrived in a big town so posting my last couple of letters today. We camped just outside town, we were told the town was off limits for a beer as there were numbers of rebel spies in the area. Didn’t sleep too well last night, you never know if the rustling sounds are the local wildlife or machete wielding rebels. Anyhow, don’t worry because I’m safe here and no how to look after myself OK.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 14 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Finally made it to XXXXXX [censored word is Girmari]. It took us a while to get here, were ambushed twice by small rebel bands. We chased them off and I got to pop off my gun at some of them. A few guys were wounded but it was more of a delaying nuisance than anything else.
PS. As I write this a couple of Fokker dive-bombers just roared over giving some rebels a hot time. We will be moving out soon and we’ve lots to do, so lots of love from me for now.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 15 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Just writing this note today, I’ll post it when I get a chance. Heavy fighting today against several rebels but we made it too hot for them with the air force and tankies driving them back. Its surprisingly wild out here. We’ve picked up some Marines too who know this area well having been here for months.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 16 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Posting these letters at the Marine postal centre in XXXXXX [censored word is Bambari]. As we arrived we saw a column of thirty rebel prisoners chained together being led to the prison compound here. The Marines seem a tough bunch. We tried to get some beers but XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [censored words were, the café we were heading for was bombed with a grenade. No doubt it’s a wild place and I’ll be glad when we get out of here and get into action.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 17 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Lying in the ditches again, this time ‘Martha’ has overheated. Our driver Francis had to scrounge a spare radiator pipe. We got separated from our group and ended up between some tanks. Very dusty riding on top and then it started raining hard so got soaked!
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 16 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Didn’t sleep well, the rebels lobbed a couple of mortar bombs at us last night. Today the Sarge got bit by a snake that fell off a branch as we rode by. The MO says he’ll be fine, but it’s a long and lonely ride back to Bambari for him in a truck. Sergeant Vermeer is our new commander, not a bad bloke and he’s a regular bush soldier so knows his stuff. Seen no aircraft today but progress good.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 17 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
In case you’ve had a letter already, this is a note to ensure you I am OK. We were appointed to take the lead element today. The rebels ambushed us and we took one of those new rocket grenades to the car. Poor old Martha was written off. I was on top with a couple of Dragoons and got blown off. The other poor guys didn’t make it. I’ve a few bruises and cuts but I’m OK.
Now I’m hitching it with the infantry but don’t fancy going up against rockets in little truck. I’ll write soon when I get to where we are going.
Private Jan Herst’s Letters – 18 September
Dear Pa and Ma,
Made it to our objective. The CO has had us digging in, now been assigned to the Platoon Leader’s car so I’m hoping not to miss the big show when it starts. Although we are at the front now and facing the enemy across the field of battle, it seems safer here as we know where the enemy is and what the job is. I’ve seen all kinds of units here and its clear we will be in some hard fighting soon. Not sure what you folks back home are thinking or what the papers say, but we need to win this fight and restore peace here. Anyhow enough politics for today because I’m tired and need some sleep.
20 September
Patrick Tombalbaye led his 200 men across the border. He hated the white men who controlled Africa. The rumours they had of constitutional change in Chad had proven to be false. Instead they were sold to Britain like cattle. Their land was but a bargaining chip for the White man to trade like hides. He wanted to strike back but lacked the means, but to the south he knew N'Dofa was making a stand against the Dutch imperialists sucking Ubangi Shari dry of its resources and sending their diamonds to fat rich merchants in Europe. He knew the fight that must consume all Africa until every bit of it was free had begun. He had gathered his fellow men, picked up their arms and headed south across the Savannah to join the revolutionary fight. Once they had won, he would return to liberate his fellow people in Chad.