Operation Aztec

Operation Aztec
Part of the Rhodesian Bush War (or Second Chimurenga)
Mapai Mabalane Operation Aztec (Mozambique)
Date 28 May – 2 June 1977 Location Mapai, Mabalane, People's Republic of Mozambique 22°43′50″S 32°03′30″E / 22.73056°S 32.05833°E / -22.73056; 32.05833 Result Rhodesian victory
Belligerents
Rhodesia	ZANLA  Cuba
Commanders and leaders
Ian Smith Lt. Gen Peter Walls Lt. Col Ron Reid-Daly Cap. John Murphy	Unknown 15 military advisors[1]
Units involved
Rhodesian Army Rhodesian Light Infantry Rhodesia Regiment Selous Scouts RhAF No.5 Squadron	ZANLA: Unknown
Strength
24 Paratroopers 110 Selous Scouts 4 Hawker Hunters 4 Canberras 3 DC-3C (Paradak) 1 Reims Cessna (Lynx)	Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 killed 1 DC-3C destroyed	ZANLA 60+ killed 6 vehicles destroyed 12 to 15 advisors killed[2]

Operation Aztec was a military operation launched by the Republic of Rhodesia against the communist backed insurgent group ZANLA, in Mozambique from 28 May to 2 June 1977. The successful operation resulted in the destruction of Mozambique's railway in Gaza Province, limiting the movement of enemy soldiers, and equipment from Mozambique to the Rhodesian border.