British beef up forces on river
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two hundred more British troops and three RAF C-130 Hercules transport planes were last night heading for Libreville, Gabon, from Lyneham, Wiltshire, in case they are needed to help an estimated 800 foreign nationals get out of Kinshasa, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.
The troops will be joining 40 Royal Marines, equipped with four "rigid raider" boats and two hovercraft, who have been on stand-by in Brazzaville to evacuate foreigners , the first time Marine hovercraft (LCACs - "Landing Craft Air Cushion Light") have been used on active service of this kind.
Specialists from the Marines, including the Special Boat Service, and from the SAS have been poised to help evacuate foreigners across the river, two miles wide at this point and which has been flowing fast because of heavy rain. The river has gently sloping sandy banks, which make it ideal for hovercraft. Recent photographs indicate a number of motorised dug- out canoes and a single elderly ferry are the only indigenous transport.
Military sources said the SBS and other Marines, who are experts in the use of small craft and inflatable boats, and would be used to evacuate VIPs, could not evacuate 800 people, and this would be the responsibility of the three Hercules.
The commander of the British forces in Zaire is Brigadier Jonathan Thomson, Royal Marines, the chief of Joint Rapid Deployment Force Operations.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments