Operation Placid

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Operation Placid
Part of the Rhodesian Bush War
Date22 August 1979 (1979-08-22)
Location
Zambia
15°25′00″S 28°17′00″E / 15.416667°S 28.283333°E / -15.416667; 28.283333
Result Zimbabwe Rhodesian victory
Belligerents
 Zimbabwe Rhodesia
 South Africa
ZIPRA
Zambia Zambia
Commanders and leaders
Zimbabwe Rhodesia Abel Muzorewa Unknown
Zambia Unknown
Units involved

RhAF
SADF

Zambian Air Force
Strength
 Zimbabwe Rhodesia:
2 Hawker Hunters
4 Canberras
 South Africa:
3 Canberras
ZIPRA:
Unknown
 Zambia
:
8 Shenyang J-6
Casualties and losses
none
ZIPRA:
heavy
 Zambia:
none

Operation Placid was a Rhodesian military operation in Zambia with clandestine assistance from the South African Air Force (SAAF) during the Rhodesian Bush War. The Rhodesian Air Force planned raids against a ZIPRA camps in Zambia on the northern Rhodesian border.

Operation

The operation consisted of two raids on ZIPRA camps on 22 August 1979. The South African Air Force provided three Canberra bombers (12 Squadron SAAF) with crew for the operation which would include Rhodesian Air Force Canberra's and Hawker Hunter fighters.[1]: Ch5  The aircraft of Operation Placid I departed at 09h15 from Fylde airbase, the Canberra's armed with two 1000lb and nine 500lb bombs for the targets in Zambia.[1]: Ch5  During the operation the Zambian Air Force launched Shenyang F-6 fighters to intercept the operation but failed to intercept the formation.[1]: Ch5 

Aftermath

Operation Placid II took place on the same day at 15h40 and re-attacked the morning targets and again the Zambian Air Force launched Shenyang F-6 fighters to intercept the operation but failed.[1]: Ch5 

References

Bibliography