Katanga Zaire Battle of Kolwezi Operation Bonite Operation Leopard 1978 French 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment Plaque
Size plaque : 320 x 210 x 25 mm
Material: hand carved wood
Reverse: See Photo
Unique Piece of History

Box : Plaquettes

The story
Battle of Kolwezi 1978

The Battle of Kolwezi also known as Operation Bonite or Operation Leopard was a successful airborne operation in May 1978, by the second  2e REP (Foreign Parachute Regiment) of the French Foreign Legion.

It took place in Zaire, current the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. The operation’s task was to rescue over two thousand European hostages captured by local left-wing Rebels.

After the execution of this successful operation, the 2nd REP gained much respect worldwide and became very popular.

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UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance Plaque A
Wooden Shield Plaque Badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990. A high point in UN history !

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990 is a high point in UN history. Namibia’s enormous challenge was already on the international agenda seventy years ago. Southwest Africa, now Namibia, became a League of Nations mandate in 1920 after Germany lost that colonial territory to the then Union of South Africa during World War I. After the Second World War, the mandate continued as a UN trusteeship under South Africa. Pretoria did not agree with international supervision. It governed Namibia as a colony, complete with the brutally racist apartheid institution. In 1966, the UN General Assembly declared that South Africa’s continued control of Namibia was illegal. In 1978, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 435 for an independent Namibia, which also proposed free elections. However, it took another ten years before the United Nations and the United States obtained South Africa’s cooperation.

For South Africa, waging the border war against the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) ultimately proves to be too heavy a burden and, a damaging political liability, an anachronism in the Gorbachev era of the Soviet Union and, perhaps most importantly, an unwinnable battle. International pressure and sanctions ultimately put South Africa at the table for serious negotiations. A series of peace deals also included a commitment by Fidel Castro’s Cuba to withdraw its troops from neighboring Angola, where Cuba had backed a communist government fighting an insurgency. A UN peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), was organized to formally launch on April 1, 1989, to facilitate elections in Namibia seven months later.

The UN’s mission to facilitate Namibia’s self-government is not yet easy. It seemed to end in failure, but UNTAG learned quickly to ultimately complete the process successfully.

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South African Border War Namibian War of Independence Angolan Bush War KATIMA 1971 Plaque
Amount: 1 piece
Size approx. : 17 x 16 x 3,5 cm
Condition: Fine original condition, please see pictures.

On October 5, 1971, at 19:30 hours Zambian time, units of the South African Army entered Zambia illegally at Katima Mulilo in speed-boats and helicopters, allegedly pursuing freedom-fighters who they assumed had entered the Caprivi Strip in the United Nations Territory of Namibia, through Zambia.

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Rhodesia Bush War Operation Tangent Matabeleland mess wall plaque shield
Amount: 1 piece
Condition: Fine original condition, please see pictures.

Box: Bordjes

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UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 Australian Contingent SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance Plaque
Wooden Shield Plaque Badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990. A high point in UN history !

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990 is a high point in UN history. Namibia’s enormous challenge was already on the international agenda seventy years ago. Southwest Africa, now Namibia, became a League of Nations mandate in 1920 after Germany lost that colonial territory to the then Union of South Africa during World War I. After the Second World War, the mandate continued as a UN trusteeship under South Africa. Pretoria did not agree with international supervision. It governed Namibia as a colony, complete with the brutally racist apartheid institution. In 1966, the UN General Assembly declared that South Africa’s continued control of Namibia was illegal. In 1978, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 435 for an independent Namibia, which also proposed free elections. However, it took another ten years before the United Nations and the United States obtained South Africa’s cooperation.

For South Africa, waging the border war against the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) ultimately proves to be too heavy a burden and, a damaging political liability, an anachronism in the Gorbachev era of the Soviet Union and, perhaps most importantly, an unwinnable battle. International pressure and sanctions ultimately put South Africa at the table for serious negotiations. A series of peace deals also included a commitment by Fidel Castro’s Cuba to withdraw its troops from neighboring Angola, where Cuba had backed a communist government fighting an insurgency. A UN peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), was organized to formally launch on April 1, 1989, to facilitate elections in Namibia seven months later.

The UN’s mission to facilitate Namibia’s self-government is not yet easy. It seemed to end in failure, but UNTAG learned quickly to ultimately complete the process successfully.

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ZAMBIA Africa Special Forces PARA Commando Battalion Badge Flash
Amount: 1 piece
Size approx. : 60 x 50 mm
Reverse: 3 original pins
Condition: Fine original condition.

Board BB

The Zambia Africa Special Forces Para Commando Battalion is a highly specialized military unit within the Zambian Defence Force (ZDF). This battalion is part of the Zambia Army and is trained for rapid response operations, specializing in parachute insertion and other special operations, similar to the functions of elite units in other countries. Here are some key aspects of this battalion:
Roles and Responsibilities:
1. Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations: The Para Commando Battalion is trained to handle high-risk operations, including counterterrorism and dealing with armed insurgencies.
2. Airborne Operations: As paratroopers, they are specially trained to jump from aircraft into combat zones, providing them with the ability to deploy quickly and effectively.
3. Special Reconnaissance: The battalion conducts covert operations such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and gathering intelligence in hostile environments.
4. Hostage Rescue and VIP Protection: The unit is also capable of responding to hostage situations or providing security for important figures.
5. Combat in Rough Terrain: They are equipped to operate in difficult terrains like jungles, mountains, and deserts, enabling them to adapt to various operational environments.
Training:
• Parachuting: The soldiers are trained to parachute from military aircraft into areas that may be difficult to reach by conventional forces. The training is rigorous and includes both static-line and freefall parachuting techniques.
• Specialized Warfare Skills: This includes training in close-quarters combat, demolitions, and other special operations tactics.
• Physical Endurance: Soldiers undergo intense physical conditioning to prepare for the high demands of special operations, ensuring they can endure in combat and harsh conditions.
Structure and Equipment:
The Zambia Special Forces Para Commando Battalion would typically be structured to allow for rapid deployment, with a focus on small, highly trained teams that can operate independently or in conjunction with other military units. Their equipment is aligned with their needs for airborne operations, combat readiness, and mobility.
History and Significance:
The battalion likely has its roots in the broader development of special forces within the Zambian military, emerging as the country sought to bolster its capacity for handling unconventional warfare and specialized operations. Zambia, being a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has often had to deal with both internal and regional security challenges, which has made a special forces unit like the Para Commando Battalion a critical part of their defense strategy.
The battalion also symbolizes Zambia’s broader military modernization and its ability to rapidly respond to regional and international security challenges.
This elite unit, with its high level of training and specialization, plays a key role in Zambia’s defense capabilities, particularly in situations that require speed, precision, and specialized knowledge.

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South Africa Navy SAS Somerset Bar-Class boom defence Vessel Shield Plaque enamel Badge
Wooden Shield Plaque Badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

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U.S United States Marine Security Guard Detachment Pretoria South Africa Plaque
Wooden Shield Plaque with enamel badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

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UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 Malcon Malaysia Plaque – SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance
Wooden Shield Plaque Badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990. A high point in UN history !

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990 is a high point in UN history. Namibia’s enormous challenge was already on the international agenda seventy years ago. Southwest Africa, now Namibia, became a League of Nations mandate in 1920 after Germany lost that colonial territory to the then Union of South Africa during World War I. After the Second World War, the mandate continued as a UN trusteeship under South Africa. Pretoria did not agree with international supervision. It governed Namibia as a colony, complete with the brutally racist apartheid institution. In 1966, the UN General Assembly declared that South Africa’s continued control of Namibia was illegal. In 1978, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 435 for an independent Namibia, which also proposed free elections. However, it took another ten years before the United Nations and the United States obtained South Africa’s cooperation.

For South Africa, waging the border war against the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) ultimately proves to be too heavy a burden and, a damaging political liability, an anachronism in the Gorbachev era of the Soviet Union and, perhaps most importantly, an unwinnable battle. International pressure and sanctions ultimately put South Africa at the table for serious negotiations. A series of peace deals also included a commitment by Fidel Castro’s Cuba to withdraw its troops from neighboring Angola, where Cuba had backed a communist government fighting an insurgency. A UN peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), was organized to formally launch on April 1, 1989, to facilitate elections in Namibia seven months later.

The UN’s mission to facilitate Namibia’s self-government is not yet easy. It seemed to end in failure, but UNTAG learned quickly to ultimately complete the process successfully.

The post UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 Malcon Malaysia Plaque – SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance appeared first on Militarybadges.nl.

UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 Malcon Belgian Police Plaque – SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance
Wooden Shield Plaque Badge
Amount: 1 piece
Fine original condition, please see pictures.

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990. A high point in UN history !

The Namibian independence plan of 1989–1990 is a high point in UN history. Namibia’s enormous challenge was already on the international agenda seventy years ago. Southwest Africa, now Namibia, became a League of Nations mandate in 1920 after Germany lost that colonial territory to the then Union of South Africa during World War I. After the Second World War, the mandate continued as a UN trusteeship under South Africa. Pretoria did not agree with international supervision. It governed Namibia as a colony, complete with the brutally racist apartheid institution. In 1966, the UN General Assembly declared that South Africa’s continued control of Namibia was illegal. In 1978, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 435 for an independent Namibia, which also proposed free elections. However, it took another ten years before the United Nations and the United States obtained South Africa’s cooperation.

For South Africa, waging the border war against the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) ultimately proves to be too heavy a burden and, a damaging political liability, an anachronism in the Gorbachev era of the Soviet Union and, perhaps most importantly, an unwinnable battle. International pressure and sanctions ultimately put South Africa at the table for serious negotiations. A series of peace deals also included a commitment by Fidel Castro’s Cuba to withdraw its troops from neighboring Angola, where Cuba had backed a communist government fighting an insurgency. A UN peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), was organized to formally launch on April 1, 1989, to facilitate elections in Namibia seven months later.

The UN’s mission to facilitate Namibia’s self-government is not yet easy. It seemed to end in failure, but UNTAG learned quickly to ultimately complete the process successfully.

The post UNTAG Namibia 1989-90 Malcon Belgian Police Plaque – SWA South African Border War Namibian War of Independance appeared first on Militarybadges.nl.