November 24, 1964 · Stanleyville (Kisangani) Theater
November 24, 1964
The Simbas had taken hundreds of white and Congolese hostages in Stanleyville, threatening to kill them. In Operation Dragon Rouge, Belgian paratroopers dropped from American aircraft seized the airport and city, rescuing most of the hostages — though the rebels killed dozens as the drop began. A mercenary column arrived by land the same day.
Commanders