The Congo: Changing Guard

His farewell to his troops was a bit pompous, but not in the least over stated: "It has been an honor to have led you in the four glorious campaigns in which the Fifth Commando changed the face of the Congo and altered the course of history." With that, Lieut. Colonel Mike Hoare, 47, last week said goodbye to his 250-man force of white mercenaries and departed the Congo for a round-the-world cruise on his 38-ft. yacht.

Trouble was, the excitement had about run out. When Hoare was hired by Premier Moise Tshombe 1½ years ago, Communist-backed rebel Simbas controlled...

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