CIIA Report 83AF/56

The following is a restricted report received from the CIIA regarding an clash between the Zendozian army and rebels on Friday 26th April.

Just after dark on the night of 26/27th April, rebel forces mounted a surprise attack on troops of the 4th Zendozian Brigade in and around the town of Gajandika.

Armoured cars and tanks from the 11th Brigade attacked a company of mechanised infantry of the 4th Brigade. Although they achieved some surprise, the defenders proved very resolute and stood their ground.

A direct attack by rebel infantry and tanks failed, and after a slow start, another company of the 4th Brigade moved up in support. The Zendozian tank company present was particularly slow to react, although they did manage to break up an attempt by rebels in vehicles to outflank the position.

Satellite photos are not available, but the map below shows the outline of the battle. 

A and B are the Zendozian infantry, C is the tanks, and D where their reinforcements entered the battle. Rebel tanks and armoured cars attacked from point 1, supported by an infantry assault, 2. Their next units entered at 3, but long range tank fire dispersed them. More armour appeared at 4, but when Zendozian the armoured cars and infantry reinforcements appeared at D, the attack by units 1 & 4 was ended. 

The Zendozian infantry unit A took significant losses, but held on. Elsewhere Zendozian losses were quite light.

The rebels took significant infantry casualties and lost a number of armoured vehicles.

The rebels have fallen back, but their strength has not been significantly weakened by this action

The Enemy Is Defeated

Word has reached us that on Friday the rebels were soundly defeated by loyal soldiers of the 4th Brigade in an engagement near the town of Gajandika.

Troops lead by General Thomas N'goma were able to easily defeat a sneak attack by rebel forces. Casualties to Government troops were light, but the enemy took severe losses including armoured vehicles manned by some of the deserters from the 11th Brigade.

To commemorate the victory, General N'Goma has been made a Commander of New Order of Bravery (CNOB) and his second in command, Colonel Samuel has been promoted to Brigadier.

Pursuit of the rebels is under way.

A new map showing the area currently controlled by the rebels. 

Our troops are heading towards the rebellious area and will soon win a great victory.

Zendozia In Crisis

Following the second victory of our President at the recent elections, elements of the army based in the North of the country have rebelled and joined forces with the so called Army Of the Spaghetti God.

Our all seeing President tells us they are being supported and supplied by our long time enemies the Republic of Muwamba.

The rebels have seized control of Megebe and Numanitas and a small number of troops from the 11th Brigade stationed in that area have deserted to join the rebels.

General Thomas N’goma is currently leading a task force from the 2nd Brigade to crush them.

Biography of President Nguema

The youngest of fourteen siblings, David-Noukim Mukhasaa was born on 13 December 1934 in into the Esanguii clan of the N'kwande people in Tosland province. He attended the Military Academy in Zaragoza, Spain from 1950 - 1954 and when Zendozia gained its independance, entered the new army at the rank of Captain.

Under the first president, he held various jobs, rising to Governor of Tosland and command of the National Guard.

At the behest of his men, he lead the 3 August 1978 coup d'état, and placed the former President on on trial for his actions, including the genocide of the Gok'umbe people over the previous decade. After the execution of the former President, the National Guard demanded that he was made President.

President Nguema declared that the new government would make a fresh start from the former brutal and repressive régime. He granted amnesty to political prisoners, and ended the previous régime's system of forced labor. He was elected President for 6 years in the elections of 1978, with 94% of the popular vote.

In recent years he has personally overseen the development of Zendozia's oil fields. 

In last years election he achieved 98% of the popular vote and has since decreed that since there is no opposition to speak of he will now remain President for life.

CIA report on Zendozia (extracts)

Zendozian Army - CIA Report 83AF/53

The Zendozian army comprises 16 ‘Brigades’ of varying composition and competence and in general the lower brigade number the better the quality of the troops that comprise it. In Western terms a Zendozian Brigade is about the same size as a Battalion Battlegroup comprising several (3 – 9) companies. Operational effectiveness is also affected by the ethnic make-up of the Brigade. 

1st        Presidential Guard     Armoured Cars and Infantry in APC
2nd       Glorious Tigers          Tanks, Armoured Cars and Inf in
            BTR APC's or Trucks
3rd        Diving Tornadoes       Light Infantry and Paratroops
4th        The Gallant Ones       Tanks, Armoured Cars and Inf in trucks
5th        Heroic Men                Light Infantry
6th        Fierce Attackers         Light Infantry
7th        Distant Thunder         Artillery
8th        Charging Heroes         Light Infantry
9th        (Un-named)               Light Infantry
10th      Aerial Devils               Zendozian Airforce
11th      Colanso                     Tanks and Light Infantry in trucks
12th      Burga-Mina                Armoured Cars and Light Infantry
13th      Narogma                    Light Infantry
14th      (Un-named)               Light Infantry
15th      See notes below

The Pres. Guard Brigade contains a large number of advisors from outside Zendozia. Most appear to be from other countries where there has been conflict in the past, in particular the Middle East and North Africa. They are well paid and motivated and consider themselves the Elite of the army.

The troops in the 2nd – 9th Brigades are drawn from the majority N’Kwande people, the same grouping as the President and generally loyal to the regime.

The troops in the 11th – 14th Brigades are drawn from the minority Gok’umbe people. Their loyalty to the regime is not solid, and they are generally equipped with older equipment.

Apart from the 3rd and 11th Brigades, the term ‘Light Infantry’ should be considered with care as it seems that in reality these units are little more than Militia with equipment supplied by the Government.

There are unconfirmed rumours of a 15th Brigade which consists of a small Special Forces unit. The rumours suggest that it is less than 1 company in size, and comprised of foreign troops trained in Soviet Spetsnaz –type operations. It is even possible that the personel in this unit are actually regular WarPac troops on attachment to enhance their jungle training.

The 10th Brigade comprises the Zendozian Airforce. As with most African countries, there is a mix of equipment sourced from a variety of friendly countries. Each of the Companies that equate to small squadrons. It is a reasonable and efficient force by African standards, with a mixed composition of foreigners and natives from both ethnic main groups.  All the aircrew are well trained, but sometimes the support services are a little less efficient.

10th Brigade Sub Units

1st Co.  Mig-19 Interceptors
2nd Co. Mig 19 Interceptors / Fighter Bombers
3rd Co.  Vautour Fighter-bombers
4th Co.  Vautour Fighter-bombers
5th Co.  Mixed Helicopters. Including the Presidential transport and at least 6 x Mil-4 that are used to support the Paratroop unit
6th Co.  Mixed Transports 

Overall the Zendozian army has many qualities and faults common to armies in Africa. The efficiency of the 1st - 4th Brigades and the Airforce should not be underestimated.