Operation Placid

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

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
  1. Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War. Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 9781908916624.

Bibliography
  • Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War (Kindle ed.). Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 9781908916624.
  • Moorcraft, Paul; McLaughlin, Peter (2011). The Rhodesian War. A Military History (3rd ed.). Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 9781848845220.
  • Geldenhuys, Preller (2007). Rhodesian Air Force Operations with Air Strike Log. Durban, South Africa: Just Done Productions Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920169-61-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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