Air Strikes In Rhodesia

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31633, 20 March 1968, Page 13

Air Strikes In Rhodesia

GV Z.P^A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SALISBURY, March 19.

Rhodesian troops and security police today pursued a large band of African nationalist guerrillas across thick thorn-bush country along the Zambesi River, where 11 guerrillas and one white soldier were killed in a running battle yesterday.

Royal Rhodesian Air Force planes carried out air strikes against the guerrillas, who were reported by Government authorities in Salisbury to have crossed into the country from Zambia.

They gave no details of the guerrillas’ strength, but reliable sources put it at about 100. Unofficial reports have given higher figures. In addition to the 11 guerrillas killed, the authorities say, an undisclosed number were captured. Rhodesian losses are given as one soldier killed and an unspecified number wounded. Exactly when and where the guerrillas entered Rhodesia has not yet been revealed. An early report said they were seen crossing Lake Kariba in canoes.

This is the first majoi strike into Rhodesia by guerrillas since last August Rhodesian African nationalist leaders living in exile in Zambia had threatened revenge for the execution of five African murderers in Salisbury recently. But the guerrillas’ incursion and strength appears to have surprised Rhodesian security forces, some of whom were hastily recalled to duty by orders flashed on Salisbury cinema screens and by military policemen visiting other places of entertainment South African police have been stationed for several months in the Zambesi Valley, but there has been no indication that they took part in yesterday’s action. United Press International reports from Lusaka, in Zambia, that Z.A.N.U., the outlawed Rhodesian African nationalist organisation, said an avenging band of guerrillas had forced Rhodesian troops to retreat in continuing fight ing near Lake Kariba. Z.A.N.U., which has its headquarters in Lusaka, also claimed that the invading

guerrillas killed seven Rhodesians and captured three seriously wounded. Other sources in Lusaka report that about 200 guerrillas, armed with Communist-made Chinese weapons paddled across Lake Kariba on Saturday night to launch the attacks.