Operation Miracle (Rhodesia)

After successful Rhodesian air attacks on ZANLA bases, such as Operation Snoopy, the guerilla chose to set a new camp under the shelter of the forest near Mavonde, a few kilometers from Chimoio. As the Lancaster House discussions were taking place, RSF attempted to annihilate this base,[1] hoping to weaken the Zimbabwean position.[2]

The base was held by 6,000 ZANLA partisans, with many anti-aircraft weapons on hills. Many guns were located on the highest hill, later to be nicknamed "Monte Cassino".[1] Two secondary hills, Hill 774 and Hill 761, were also dotted with anti-aircraft guns.[3] Trenches were dug in the 64-square-kilometers surface of the camp.[2] The base was commanded by Solomon Mujuru, known by his nom-de-guerre Rex Nhongo. These weapons were received from the Ethiopian Derg.[4]

Small-scale Rhodesian reconnaissances erroneously estimated the ZANLA force to be 2,000 men strong.[2] 200 Rhodesian soldiers were engaged. 100 men of the Selous Scouts were to spearhead the raid.[2] Each of the ten-men was transported in a Unimog truck. The whole column, commanded by captain Richard Passaportis,[5] contained 20 Unimogs, protected by Eland-90 armoured cars of the Rhodesian Armoured Corps.[6] A detachment of QF 25-pounder guns was also part of the column.[5] The Selous Scouts were supported by 100 men of the Rhodesian Light Infantry (2 Commando, 3 Commando and Support Commando[7]), air-dropped 10-kilometers away from the camp.[6]

Before attacking the base, the RSF ground forces had to cross a river. The artillery was bogged down and the guerilla was alerted of the size of the column.[5] The column was further delayed by ZANLA fire.[4][5] The first wave of the Selous Scouts began clearing the trenches but the rest of the column only arrive late in the afternoon.[5] Meanwhile, the airdropped Rhodesian Light Infantry joined the battle and Mpunzarima, a key ZANLA military leader, was killed.[4] At dawn, Nhongo distributed marijuana to some of his troops, to reduce their stress.[8] The Rhodesian troops were harassed during the night by RPG-7s, recoilless-rifles and mortars.[5]

RSF renewed its assault. Nhongo personally went to the front to increase the moral of his troops, using a big stick to hit the reluctants.[8] Guided by a Westland Lynx helicopter, Hawker Hunter attack jets neutralized ZANLA fortifications in Hill 774. The position was taken at 3 pm by a troop of the Selous Scouts.[3] English Electric Canberra bombers also bombed the anti-aircraft positions.[6]

During the night, RSF artillery fired at ZANLA positions, not to make damages but to prevent the partisans to rest.[8] At 10 am, two troops of Selous Scouts and a RLI section (around 100 men) led an assault to Monte Cassino. The summit was taken after the partisans had retreated, as was Hill 761.[9] At the end of that day, Nhongo ordered his fighters to retreat[10] During the late night, FRELIMO sent three or more T-34 or T-54 tanks[7][8][9] and a squad of infantry to support the Rhodesian rebels but RSF 25-pounders quickly reacted, guided by Rhodesian SAS, and the tanks retreated after the lead tank was put out of action.[8][9]

The Rhodesian force withdrew on the next morning,[9] taking captured equipment with them.[11] To avoid retaliation attacks from Mozambique, the Rhodesian Air Force bombed FRELIMO facilities but one Camberra and one Hunter were shut down.[9] The battle had no consequences on the Lancaster House discussions.[1]