Operation Aztec

Operation Aztec
Part of the Rhodesian Bush War (or Second Chimurenga)
Operation Aztec is located in Mozambique
Mapai
Mapai
Mabalane
Mabalane
Operation Aztec (Mozambique)
Date28 May-2 June 1977
Location22°43′50″S 32°03′30″E / 22.73056°S 32.05833°E / -22.73056; 32.05833
Result Rhodesian victory
Belligerents
 Rhodesia ZANLA
 Cuba
Commanders and leaders
Rhodesia Ian Smith
Lt. Gen Peter Walls
Rhodesia Lt. Col Ron Reid-Daly
Rhodesia Cap. John Murphy

Unknown

Cuba 15 military advisors[1]
Units involved

Rhodesian Army

RhAF

No.5 Squadron
ZANLA:
Unknown
Strength
24 Paratroopers
110 Selous Scouts
4 Hawker Hunters
4 Canberras
3 DC-3C (Paradak)
1 Reims Cessna (Lynx)
unknown
Casualties and losses
2 killed
1 DC-3C destroyed
ZANLA60+ killed
6 vehicles destroyed
Cuba 12 to 15 advisors killed[2]

Operation Aztec was a military operation launched by the Republic of Rhodesia against the communist backed insurgent group ZANLA, in Mozambique from 28 May to 2 June 1977. The successful operation resulted in the destruction of Mozambique's railway in Gaza Province, limiting the movement of enemy soldiers, and equipment from Mozambique to the Rhodesian border.

  1. ^ Cuba's policy in Africa, 1959-1980 By William M LeoGrande · 1980
  2. ^ https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan-africa-region/mozambique-1975-present/ [bare URL]