20th century
Wankie area, Rhodesia
The Wankie engagements were a series of 1967 clashes between a combined African National Congress–ZAPU force and Rhodesian troops. The insurgents were defeated, and the episode contributed to criticism of the ANC/ZAPU alliance by ZANU and the PAC, which questioned its military tactics and regional consequences.
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The Story
In 1967, a combined force of the African National Congress and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union fought Rhodesian troops in a series of engagements in the Wankie area. The operation formed part of attempts to carry armed resistance into the wider region surrounding South Africa. It followed the emergence of cross-border liberation strategies after underground resistance inside South Africa had been heavily suppressed.
The insurgents were defeated. The outcome exposed the difficulty of confronting a regular army through guerrilla operations and intensified criticism of the ANC/ZAPU alliance from both the Zimbabwe African National Union and the Pan Africanist Congress.
The critics argued that the alliance risked drawing South African troops into Rhodesia and condemned the tactic of attempting to overwhelm a regular army through guerrilla warfare. After further attempts in 1968 and 1970, the ANC turned toward other methods until a shorter route through Swaziland became available following FRELIMO’s victory in Mozambique.
20th century
Wankie area, Rhodesia
The Wankie engagements were a series of 1967 clashes between a combined African National Congress–ZAPU force and Rhodesian troops. The insurgents were defeated, and the episode contributed to criticism of the ANC/ZAPU alliance by ZANU and the PAC, which questioned its military tactics and regional consequences.
Continue exploring
The Story
In 1967, a combined force of the African National Congress and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union fought Rhodesian troops in a series of engagements in the Wankie area. The operation formed part of attempts to carry armed resistance into the wider region surrounding South Africa. It followed the emergence of cross-border liberation strategies after underground resistance inside South Africa had been heavily suppressed.
The insurgents were defeated. The outcome exposed the difficulty of confronting a regular army through guerrilla operations and intensified criticism of the ANC/ZAPU alliance from both the Zimbabwe African National Union and the Pan Africanist Congress.
The critics argued that the alliance risked drawing South African troops into Rhodesia and condemned the tactic of attempting to overwhelm a regular army through guerrilla warfare. After further attempts in 1968 and 1970, the ANC turned toward other methods until a shorter route through Swaziland became available following FRELIMO’s victory in Mozambique.
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