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Reconstruction of the Codoki crashed site and translated in English by: Victor E Rosez

Bukavu
1964-1965
Codoki
Commandos of Kivu
Shortly before and especially after the unexpected attack on
the town of Bukavu by the "Mulele" rebels (the presence of
rebels in the area were in no way predictable), European
volunteers living in the area spontaneously and initially as
volunteers offered their services to the Congolese army.

The Congolese army based in the city was completely unprepared and
there was a stampede run away in a few moments time.
Colonel Mulamba commander of the urban and regional troops, could
fortunately manage the situation with some brave and faithful soldiers
with the help of a few European volunteers and managed to push back
the rebel forces out of the city, but not without suffering serious losses.
During this attack several civilians (Congolese and European) and
military were killed. Serious damage to various buildings in the city
center are visible on the following images.
The rebels suffered heavy losses, but the rebel "general" Olenga
managed to retreat and reach Stanleyville.

Next pictures show rebels killed by a mortar (photo taken from the 1st
floor of the bakery "Le Gourmet" of Jeanine and Andrew and the
damage to the property.

1 Repelled rebel attack in August 64

2 Bakery Le Gourmet at Bukavu

Previously, some of which will later officially become the Codoki had
already voluntarily made some missions in the Kivu in order to thwart
the progress of the Mulele rebels.
That way Andr Dejardin, Guy Moreau, Eugene Cornet had sabotaged
bridges in the south and Louis Dessy and Victor Van Bocholt helped
by Wanyanga population of Walikale stopped the rebels from
Stanleyville (Kisangani) targeting or trying to attack Bukavu.
Others would quickly join this group of volunteers, some after being
liberated from the rebel zone by the mercenaries of the Ommegang
(like my brother Jean, Dessy and myself Dessy at Kindu) and/or by the
Belgian paratroopers of Stan.
Shortly after that, these men were formally incorporated into the army
and of course paid, and they became the CODOKI. On October 64,
they would conduct a raid on Uvira on the shores of Lake Tanganyika
to free hostages held by the rebels.

3 Jeep recce Kivu 1964

4 Wadin place at Nzibira (ATMB) 1964

5 Operation Uvira liberated hostages

6 op. Uvira (Louis, Jamart, Victor, Dejardin, Dr. Delperda etc.)

During this rescue mission Aymont Robert, engaged the day before
will be killed. In late November - early dcembre1964, they will,
together with South African mercenaries in Ituri liberate many
hostages at the places Beni, Butembo, Bunia, Kilomoto.
Below are some pictures of Bunia

7 op.Uvira Henri

8 op.Uvira Father Angelo participated on the operation

9 Uvira fin 1964 liberation of hostages

10 Opration Uvira

11 Uvira (Border of Burundi


end 64 Liberation of hostages

12 Uvira Liberation of hostages

13 Hostages of the Uvira redirected to Bukavu

14-15-15b And more hostages of the Uvira sent to Bukavu

Louis

16-17 Bunia - Liberation of more than


100 hostages by the Codoki end 64

18 Operation Bunia : The good sisters liberated on time ... but not all of them !!!

19 Bunia : Happy survivors

20 Warnant Jouret

21 merce pickup Bunia liberation day : Dd, Jouret, Giovanni, Jean, Eugne, Louis Otten

22 truck M35 and 20mm Orlikon Kivu 1964

23 Jack

24 Louis Otten Kivu 1965 with the famous badge on his beret

25 operation Kivu - pic J.P. Sonck

26 back at Bukavu

27 - 28 2xJeep recce November 64 Codoki

29 a part of the group 1964

Following this difficult operation, the group who participated on the rescue returned
to Bukavu to rejoin the other members who stayed behind proceeding to help
maintain security in various parts of Kivu (Walikale Lulingu Mwenga, Kamituga etc ...)
and continue to reduce the Muleliste threat by reducing their areas of influence.

30 Island Idjwi searching for a missing person

31 Lake Kivu Island Idjwi arrival in the morning

32 Village Idjwi

33 The Central Mission of Idjwi not very talkative population

34 Eugne and Pp at Idjwi

35 Idjwi Pp and Co

36 Idwi probably its sole route

37 Mwenga: March 3, 65-Giovani, Louis Otten, Pp having a look on the maps.

38 Mwenga : the Bastards trio

39 Mwenga 1965

40 Mwenga 1965 departure to civilization

41 Codoki and mercenaries of the Sucraf-Ruzizi Lowland


(note of Victor Rosez : Sucraf = Usine de la Sucrerie Raffinerie de lAfrique Centrale-Central African sugar refinery)

42 Ren and Pp and family

43 Kivu 1964 Codoki

44 Kivu 1964 Guy at Lulingu

Following a visit of Mobutu who came to inspect his troops in Uvira, the Codoki were
required for his protection. Followed by a small reception at the residence hotel and
our "headquarters" the hotel Tourist.

45 Visite de Mobutu protg par Codoki Uvira fv-mar 1965

46 Visit of Mobutu protected by the Codoki at Uvira Feb-Mar 1965

47 Visit of Mobutu protected by the Codoki at Uvira Feb-Mar 1965

48 "headquarters" of the Codoki at Uvira Feb-Mar 1965

49 Visit of Mobutu protected by the Codoki at Uvira Feb-Mar 1965

50 Hotel Tourist J.Mobutu, Louis, Dejardin next morning.

51 Hotel Tourist Louis Jean, J.Mobutu, Dejardin

52 Mobutu at Bukavu Kivu 1964

53 Hotel Tourist Bukavu

54 Hubert Delhez owner of Hotel Tourist, Joseph, Dejardin

55 The Dalton Brothers

At leaving Bukavu on March 15, almost the complete Codoki arrived at Kamituga a
large mining facility in South Kivu. After a day on the spot in order to verify and
complete the cartage, the column goes to Nzingu, a crossroads located in the bush
where there is a detachment of the ANC commanded by Captain Ernest... to
overnight there.
The column is composed of nineteen Europeans, including a doctor, Dr. Gilbert
Henrot and an officer of the ATB, Ren Urban and fifty former Katangese gendarmes.
Among the "usual group" there are some volunteers having joined us spontaneously
with an Italian missionary. The purpose of this mission is twofold: to help the
detachment of Captain Ernest and attempt the release of two Italian missionaries held
by rebels in a dangerous area where the rebels still reigns in supremacy.

56 Departure from Nzingu

57 Nzingu operations

58 Nzingu

59 Nzingu preparing to go

60 Nzingu Ren Urbain and Co

61 Nzingu operations

62 Nzingu, Giovanni, Duchateau followed by the others

At March 18 by daybreak it's off to the hostile area. The soldiers of the ANC (Mobutu's
soldiers of captain Ernest, not our Katangese) remove the traps they set to let us
pass. The road is abandoned since a long time and the empty villages were burned.

63 removal of the traps

Progress is very slow because of the poor condition of the road and also because we
had to be prudent.
Not a living soul; maybe the population fled because they heard us coming, but more
likely because about thirty miles there are no inhabitants at all.
Some elephants were used by the rebels to made barricades.
Some are still wandering in the area....

64 burned village

65 first intact village

66 Nol, operation Nzingu

67 March 17, even the elephants bother us.

At the end of the day, coming out of a road curve we are face to face with a skull
stuck on a stake, placed to warn us that we are not welcome.
After a few kilometers we meet the bridge that was described as been demolished;
but not at all...the bridge is intact and newly restored and the road on the other bank
which is perfectly maintained.

68 The Ferret on the bridge

69 the bridge 100m before the contact of march 17

The rebels, warned by the sound of our vehicles started shooting at us and throw
some grenades from the top of the escarpment along the way but they suffered some
losses.

70 This was the last target of Jean

We settled for the night in a beautiful village recently emptied of its inhabitants while
they were preparing their food.
In late night engine noise was heard ... from the road we took the day before an
European of the society MGL (Mining Great Lakes) came to joins us with some trucks
with planks for the presumed destroyed bridges.
In the morning we set off again; the road was in excellent condition but the villages
remained deserted. It is clear that we were not welcomed as liberators.

71 Abandoned village past the first ambush

72 Operation Nzingu Village evacuated by the rebel population

73 Abandonned Village

74 operations Nzingu Katangese soldier- used a lot in-picture books

75 Operation Nzingu- The Greek brother of NiamNiam- another small bridge demolished

76 Operation Nzingu- e final demolished bridge that stopped the operation

77 Last dismantled bridge were we decided to renounce

After some time we stopped by a small bridge, demolished during the night ...
Immediately repaired, we are immediately blocked again by new branches of the river
over the road and finally another demolished bridge.
Fatigue and discouragement and especially after receiving orders from headquarters in
Bukavu to cancel the mission; It was clear to us that the rebels were saving time by
putting baffles on our way to prepare us for a hot welcome.
As we arent numerous enough we decided to make a U-turn going back again to Nzingu.

78 Operation Nzingu F.Coupez - a bridge - destroyed by rebels

79 Operation Nzingu-the cancelling of the planned rescue of two priests.

80 Op. Nzingu Ren Urbain and Andr Dujardin

81 Operation Nzingu 017A

82 Katangese marching with the Codoki at Nzingu

83 Eating as much as you can

84 support of the Katangese

85 Nzingu- Otten, Nol, Urbain

86 March 18, In the rebel village

87 operation going back to Nzingu

88 truck stuck on the way back of the mission

We spend the night in Nzingu after taking the decision for next day on request of Captain
Ernest, to make a short reccon to Kalole. Some civilians present in the bivouac heard
the talks about this decision and some hurried to warn the enemy of our arrival.
On the morning of March 20 the recce jeep breaks down and causes a loss of time; Dd
Dejardin, Jean Dessy, Franz Cut, Guy Moreau and Eugene Cornet decide to move on
the ferret and this way the column of Captain Ernest with his own men reinforced by
some of Donatiens men, starts to move at 8 am.

89 Op. Nzingu-departure to Kalole with Donatien

After about twenty km the scouts sent ahead by Ernest show us a wooden panel
indicating that we "Wa-Americans" are expected; the scouts told us that they noticed
nothing more and we hit the road again.

I would be delighted if someone could find back Donatien he was a great help to me throughout my
stay in the Congo and friendship was not just a word for him. He is or was a nephew of Colonel
Tshimanga or Tshinyama.

81 Donatien et Dejardin - Threat on a panel "Wa Americans" ...

After traveling some thirty kilometers without troubles on a road in good condition and
we often straight we went down in a small ravine that we crossed over. The road went
slowly up again bifurcating to the left. Giovanni was behind the machine gun in the turret
of the Ferret driven by a Katangese soldier. Our vehicle was driven by Rudi with Louis
Otten at his side and Raymond Noel behind the machine gun, we closely followed the
ferret.

At the end of the curve the armored car is blocked by a big felled tree and immediately
a burst of machine gun fire crackles and the occupants perched on the vehicle are swept
away; followed by a blindicide shot exploding in less than a meter on our left blowing
Raymond Noel and me on the ground. From the entire left side that overlooks our
position guns are fired. Louis Otten and I were sheltered because we are on the right
flank of our jeep. I crawled two yards forward and could see the muzzle in the green of
the bush about five meters from me; I fired three shots aiming slightly behind the gun. I
have the chance to silence the firing of that gun and distinctly heard a body that went
down. Nevertheless the automatic fire continues and bullets are impacting into the dirt a
few inches from my legs. Louis manages to grab a grenade and throw it on the slope,
"Mai Mulele" shouts and groans are heard and a second grenade had its effect.

Raymond managed to get back his machine gun and sweeps the bushes; he is
unfortunately hindered by the firing angle because of the height of the small escarpment
on the left. However the rebels fire fade away and I could see a few yards ahead, Dd
Dejardin and Guy Moreau sitting on the ground and Eugene Cornet lying dead on the
engine hood with burst skull.
I didn't see my brother or Franz Coupez and no traces of Rudi.
The rest of the column reacted from its position on our back just before the little bridge
with a spread fire at the slopes of the small hill.
I was worried to what happened to Jean, and I asked Dd about it and he said that he
was alright, however the fact was that on the start of the shooting he received the full
burst of machine gun fire in the chest but I didn't know it at the moment. Franz was hit
by hundreds of splinters from the blindicide (rocket launcher) and was unable to
respond.
Captain Ernest arrived with a few men and Georges Ferreira launched a blindicide rocket
which exploded in the undergrowth. After an unknown time enemy's fire became more
sporadic and our men made preparations to return back. A Katangese had his leg
crushed between two vehicles in the rush of the moment.
Jean's body is placed in a vehicle and Dd, Guy and Franz are on board of a vehicle.
The convoy moves back and I have picked up an abandoned gun and charger. I had to
run and hoist me on the Ferret which starts to move away too but this time on the back
of the column with the body of Eugene inside that I have to hold on his place. Giovanni
is wounded too, he burned his hand after trying to unlock his gun.
We are the last men of the column and a few shots even greet us upon our return. I don't
have any news from my brother, but I don't doubt about his death.
Arrived at Nzingu Raymond Nol confirms me the news from the head of the column.
He took over the command of the group.
Having followed the same training as Jean at the farm school Mushweshwe in '55, they
had each set up their coffee plantation in the region of Bitule-Lubutu in the Maniema and
had known the same kind of troubles in the recent years, such as the presence of Mulele
rebels. Liberated by the paratroopers at Stan, he went to Bukavu, and engaged himself
as a Codoki. Jean and he had a great friendship.
Ren Urban contacted the HQ of Bukavu and Dr. Gilbert Henrot gave first aid to
wounded, applying a splint on the leg of Dd and a tourniquet on the arm of Guy.

82 op Nzingu Dejardin wounded on both of his legs

83 Nzingu - Franz Coupez

84 Truck with the bodies of Jean and Eugene

85 after the ambush

86 after the ambush

87 Dejardin, Giovanni, Urbain

88 Op Nzingu-Dr Gilbert Henrot treating Andr Dejardin

90 Op Nzingu evacuation of Dejardin

91 Op Nzingu Kalole Franz

91 Op Nzingu Guy Moreau

92 Op Nzingu Kalole-Dejardin-Duchateau-Urbain and the doctor

93 Evacuation of a wounded Katangese at Kalole

94 Evacuation of the wounded

95 Op Nzingu Kalole take-off with the wounded

Ren Urban contacted the HQ of Bukavu and Dr. Gilbert Henrot gave first aid to
wounded, applying a splint on the leg of Dd and a tourniquet on the arm of Guy.
Shortly after we set off to Itula, the only place where the announced small air carriers to
evacuate the wounded could land. Along the way I lost my mind and threatens to gun
down an oncoming truck driver who was delaying us. Rudi confiscated my gun to avoid
that I make a fatal mistake.
After their landing the wounded were evacuated by these small aircraft and they put me
in the Cessna piloted by Colonel Derome who had already evacuated us, Jean and me
on before at the liberation of Kindu early November.
In the Cessna, Dr. Henrot called "Toubib which is Medic in French" took care of Guy who
was losing blood.
Fortunately the ride was short, and on arrival at Kamembe, ambulances and doctors with
medical equipment handled with diligence and care the wounded and transported them
to the hospital ship in Bukavu from where Dd and Guy were transferred next day by
US C-130 to the Lovanium in Leopoldville and then to Belgium.
A crowd was waiting us at Kamembe.
On Sunday evening the column reached Bukavu and deposits the bodies into the
morgue.
The funeral of Jean and Eugene were held in the presence of many people

96 Funeral of Jean and Eugene - Basilica of Bukavu

97 Burial of Jean and Eugene at Bukavu

98 Speech at the cemetery

The funeral of Jean and Eugene was held in the presence of many people of Bukavu
and the 1964-1965, Codoki, Commandos of Kivu.

I will now let you know some personal anecdotes about Colonel Jean Schramme.I met
quite often in the years 65 to end 67. On September 17, 1965, arrived from Belgium a
few days ago, the little air carrier of Maurice Hriguers (spelling!!!!) after circling over
Punia drops me off on the nearby track.
I knew very well this place having been there several times and been hold there as a
hostage by the rebels in 64.
Maurice, as always in a hurry, took off again very quickly leaving me there with my
suitcase, not a place to feel comfortable given the situation of insecurity in the region
which has been reconquered a few weeks ago.
The presence of a policeman as sentry on duty in a booth on the edge of the plain was
not made to reassure myself because he greets me like an old acquaintance. Perhaps
he was a former member of the Simba rebels who jailed me a year earlier and in fact,
without a gun, I felt like a lamb which was going to be killed a moment to another.
Fortunately the twirling of Maurice over the mess in Punia had alerted, as expected, the
mercenaries of Schramme who were enjoying a well-deserved drink on this beautiful
sunny day; probably foreseeing the arrival of a major person or even a personality, some
vehicles moved in the direction of the track and I still remember the surprises on the
faces of Michel Hendriecks, Christian and others, all armed up to the teeth when they
realized that they saw somebody that they didn't know at all and in fact was a boy of 19
years old, thin almost skinny, dressed in Terylene trousers and pointy footwear (the
fashion of that time). At the moment I tried to introduce myself in order to remove
suspicions, arrived from Yumbi another convoy of two trucks headed by my brother Louis
who was back in service at his former employer "The Gescoaf" and of course was sent
to protect this still insecure place where the company had a depot of various commodities
and a rice mill. I embark in the truck to Punia leaving Michael and his men who returned
at the mess to finish their drinks. I am happy to find back our home at Punia-Miripia were
I have spent the last year with my brother Jean, in other circumstances, and to find
Prosper, the mpishi of Jean, and Bali, the dog that we left behind when the simbas held
us as hostage together with all the company officers of the Symetain company and the
missionaries of the region to lead us to Kindu. In the late afternoon, after having chatted
with my brother for a few hours we went to the Symetain mess where I met Michael again
and other men of Schramme and having conversations. Having belonged to the codokis
(at the age of 17) which they already had met in Kindu facilitates the contact. *
After a time Schramme (major in time) arrives with Mr. Bontemps who we know well and
the director of Symetain (renamed Sominki afterwards) We are happy to see us (me
especially) again. The previous year we had, my brother Jean and I, made the trip from
Kindu to Punia in his company and his European team and a full bucket of missionaries,
all of us held by the Simbas. Mr. Bontemps introduce myself to the major who seemed
to be a man who does not stay unnoticed. Average size, walking normally but still
emanating a quiet authority, inspiring directly respect or admiration.

* a lot of local European volunteers in Katanga and Kivu between 1960 and 65 were aged between 16 and 19 years

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