Villatoux, Paul Kolwezi

La Légion Saute sur le Katanga

A report on Operation Bonite in Kolwezi in 1978, during which the 2nd REP distinguished itself in a lightning rescue mission amid the chaos of Zaire, the last major French airborne operation. In May 1978, the 2nd Parachute Regiment of the Foreign Legion (REP), then under the command of Colonel Philippe Érulin, was selected for a mission that only a few units could have accomplished: they were to parachute into Kolwezi, in the heart of the Shaba mining region in southeastern Zaire, where separatist rebels were committing bloody atrocities. The goal was to rescue thousands of European and African hostages who had fallen into their hands and were facing certain death. The operation, codenamed Bonite, was prepared on site and relied on courage and speed to achieve a surprise effect in favour of the attackers. The paratroopers of the Foreign Legion and their commander, who are ready for action at a moment's notice and prove their proven skills, gain fame and glory in this short but intense military action. To this day, this remains the last major airborne operation carried out by the French army. This book allows you to relive the course of events and better understand the challenges that emerged during that month of May 1978, based on unpublished sources and eyewitness accounts from those involved.