Attack on Altena Farm

Attack on Altena Farm
Part of Rhodesian Bush War
Operational scopeTerrorist attack
Planned byRex Nhongo[1]
TargetAltena Farm
Date21 December 1972[2]
3:00 AM[3]
Executed by ZANLA
Severe damage to Altena Farm
CasualtiesOne occupant slightly wounded[4]

The attack on Altena Farm occurred in the early hours of 21 December 1972, during the third phase of the Rhodesian Bush War.[5] Altena was a tobacco farm owned by Marc de Borchgrave, a white Rhodesian landowner who was unpopular among the local civilians.[2] Some sources have indicated that this marked the beginning of the conflict proper, despite the minor threat already represented by guerrilla movements in Rhodesia in the late 1960s.[6]