Congolese Rebel Stronghold Falls

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 19

Congolese Rebel Stronghold Falls

(N.Z.P A -Reuter—Copyright) LEOPOLDVILLE, October 12. Congolese Government troops had little trouble capturing the town of Fizi, headquarters of the last major insurgent stronghold in Eastern Congo, according to an Army communique issued in Leopoldville yesterday.

The communique said the insurgents fled as Government troops advanced, leaving a considerable number of dead

behind. Only a small number of Government troops were wounded in taking the town. The fall of Fizi, which had been held by the insurgents since early last year, completes Government operations to cut off all major routes for foreign arms and equipment to the insurgents. Government troops launched a two-pronged attack on the Fizi region two weeks ago.

One force, led by the mercenary, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Hoare, landed near Baraka, about 30 miles north of Fizi, by boat from Lake Tanganyika. Another group, led by the mercenary, Major Alistair Wicks, marched on the town from the south. Other reports reaching Leopoldville yesterday said the Government troops “virtually drove into Fizi.” The reported easy capture of Fizi came as a surprise to military circles in Leopoldville.

After earlier heavy fighting in Baraka and the large quantity of arms known to be in insurgent hands, it was expected that, a strong attempt would be made to hold the town.

German Labour.—Employment of non-German workers in West Germany has reached a record level of 1,216,700, the Federal Labour Office reported yesterday,—Nuremberg, October 12.