Operation White Giant
Operation White Giant was a 1965 military campaign in the Congo Crisis. From 15 March to 29 May 1965, Congolese government forces and their allies fought Simba rebels in the northeastern Orientale Province, aiming to cut off the rebels’ foreign supply lines and retake important towns.
Who fought
- Government side: Congolese Army (ANC) with heavy mercenary help. Key leaders were Mike Hoare, John Peters, and Alastair Wicks, with Christian Tavernier commanding the 14 Commando. The operation also used “Force John-John” and other units, about 970 soldiers in total.
- Foreign help: The CIA’s “Makasi” program, Cuban pilots (often described as exiles), and other allied support.
- Rebels: Simba fighters, believed to be about 1,200, aided by Uganda’s army and other foreign support.
What happened
- The plan, codenamed White Giant, started in Bunia on Lake Albert. The goal was to sever the Simbas’ supply routes from Uganda and Sudan.
- The opening move involved a seaborne assault on Mahagi port and a land push from Nioka to seize nearby towns. Some Simba positions resisted, and a portion of rebels escaped into Uganda.
- Government forces then moved in three columns to secure key towns: 5 Commando in the center, 14 Commando on the left led by Tavernier, and Force John-John on the right led by Peters. Local guides helped as well.
- They captured several towns: Golu, Djalasiga, Kerekere, Aru, Aba, and Faradje, and even crossed into Sudan to disrupt rebel sanctuaries. The rebels’ supply networks began to break down.
- A major strike toward Watsa, a strong rebel-held town with about 1,200 fighters, was aided by CIA air support. Four T-28 and two B-26K bombers attacked the bridge and town, causing the rebels to flee.
- On 29 May, Watsa fell to government forces. In retaliation for a previous rebel massacre in the town, government troops killed 50–60 captured rebels.
- The campaign lasted seven weeks. It successfully cut off the main rebel supply routes into northeastern Orientale, though Simba forces remained in the region. The next government offensive, Operation Violettes Imperiales, began on 29 May 1965.
Why it mattered
- White Giant significantly weakened the Simba rebellion by disrupting their access to supplies from Uganda and Sudan.
- It demonstrated the impact of coordinated Congolese forces, mercenaries, and foreign air support on the ground.
- The operation was a key part of reducing Simba resistance in 1965, even though smaller rebel groups continued to operate in the area.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 17:45 (CET).