Someone Else’s War - Softcover

Rogers, Anthony

3.28

18 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0004720784 ISBN 13: 9780004720784

Publisher: Collins, 2001

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Someone else’s war investigates the shadowy world of mercenaries from the Congo in the 1960s to recent operations in West Africa, South America and the Balkans.

Based on extensive interviews with mercenaries of many nationalities, Someone else’s war reveals how white mercenaries came to play a key role in the struggle for the Congo, and how the end of the war in Vietnam coincided with the start of the war in Rhodesia, attracting a new generation of mercenary soldiers. The story moves on from the Angolan debacle of 1976 to a succession of operations in Africa and South America, an attempted coup in Malta, and to the mercenaries that flocked to the former-Yugoslavia as the Balkan conflict worsened. Specific topics covered include:

A Call to Arms: The Congo and 5 Commando, 1960-68.
� Rhodesia, 1966-79.
� Angolan Fiasco: ‘Colonel Callan’s’ Mercenaries, 1975-76.
� From Rhodesia to South Africa: SADF, 1975-82.
� Coup and Counter Coup: Comoros, 1975-89
� Comedy of Errors: Seychelles, 1981.
� Malta, 1984-85.
� Surinam, 1986-91.
� Operation ‘Phoenix’: Columbia, 1988-95.
� Lovely People : Yugoslavia, 1991-95.
� Foreign Legions.
� Into the 21st Century.

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From the Author:

Exploration of the role of the modern mercenary
Traditionally, a mercenary is a freelance soldier who fights for a foreign cause in return for financial or material gain. But how appropriate is such a definition today? Drawing on exclusive, often harrowing first-hand accounts, i have tried to reveal that few mercenaries make their fortune from fighting in someone else's war. Yet, as governments continue to be toppled by coup d'etat and with the third world leaders seeking the assistance of a growing number of 'private military companies', there is clearly a requirement for the modern mercenary - and for many, the adrenaline rush war provides is payment enough.

Synopsis:

Based on interviews with mercenaries of many nationalities, this text investigates the shadowy world of soldiers of fortune. It reveals how white mercenaries came to play a key role in the struggle for the Congo and how the end of the war in Vietnam coincided with the start of the war in Rhodesia, attracting a new generation of freelance soldiers. It covers the Angolan debacle of 1976 and a succession of other operations, revealing for the first time details of an attempted coup in Malta. The role played by mercenaries in war-torn Yugoslavia is also covered due to the author's first-hand experience of the conflict as a photojournalist.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.