Francois, David French Mercenaries in Africa1960-1995

A volume from the series Africa @ War. The mechanization of armies, the industrialization of warfare, and the bipolarization of the world after World War II seemed to confine mercenaries to a few marginal conflicts. However, the chaos of decolonization led to the emergence of a modern mercenary force. Among these mercenaries, these dogs of war, the French occupy a special place. The fate of French mercenaries, marked by both failures and successes, reveals a little-known aspect of the history of conflicts in Africa, at the crossroads between the ambitions of the Cold War and France's desire to maintain its influence in Africa. French mercenaries in Africa often served as the armed and secret arm of France, particularly in fighting its rivals, especially the Anglo-Saxons. From the Congo to the Indian Ocean, via Biafra, Angola, Chad, Rhodesia, and Libya, French mercenaries became known through a series of emblematic and, for some, legendary figures such as Roger Faulques, Rolf Steiner, Jean Kay, and René Dulac. The most emblematic of them all, Bob Denard, the king of mercenaries and the nightmare of presidents, built his career on his experiences in Katanga and his dominance of the Comoros presidential guard between 1978 and 1989. French Mercenaries in Africa traces the path of these fighters who brought a certain idea of France to the African continent. Based on the statements and memories of the mercenaries, as well as scientific works and official documents, the book is richly illustrated with original photographs and specially produced color profiles, making it an indispensable reference source.