Attack on Whistlefield Farm

Attack on Whistlefield Farm
Part of Rhodesian Bush War
TypeTerrorist attack
TargetWhistlefield Farm
Date23 December 1972
1:00am
Executed by ZANLA
OutcomeWhistlefield Farm damaged
CasualtiesNone killed
Several occupants injured

Late on 22 December 1972, a troop from the Rhodesian Special Air Service, followed shortly by the Rhodesian Light Infantry, reported to the police station in Centenary.[1] The land mine in Altena's driveway was discovered, disarmed and removed.[2] For their own safety, Marc de Borchgrave and his family were sent to Whistlefield Farm, which was owned by Archie Dalgluish and his family,[1] while their family home was being repaired.[3]

Having been alerted to the de Borchgraves' new location through sympathetic farmworkers, guerrillas from the original cadre requested permission from ZANLA to carry out another attack. After ZANLA's area commanders in Centenary had been consulted, a raid on the second target (Whistlefield Farm) was planned.[3]

  1. ^ a b Binda 2008, p. 134.
  2. ^ Petter-Bowyer 2003, p. 188.
  3. ^ a b Raeburn 1978, p. 177.