Operation Gatling

Operation Gatling, which took place on 19 October 1978, was a joint-force operation into Zambia launched by the Rhodesian Air Force and Rhodesian Army; the main forces which contributed were Rhodesian Special Air Service, Rhodesian Light Infantry paratroopers and No.5 Squadron of the RhAF. Gatling's primary target, just 16 kilometres (10 miles) north-east of central Lusaka, Zambia's capital, was the formerly white-owned Westlands Farm, which had been transformed into ZIPRA's main headquarters and training base under the name "Freedom Camp". ZIPRA presumed that Rhodesia would never dare to attack a site so close to Lusaka. About 4,000 guerrillas underwent training at Freedom Camp, with senior ZIPRA staff also on site.

The Rhodesian operation's other targets were Chikumbi, 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of Lusaka, and Mkushi Camp; all three were to be attacked more or less simultaneously in a coordinated sweep across Zambia. Assaulting targets deep inside Zambia was a first for the Rhodesian forces; previously only guerrillas near the border had been attacked.