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Mercenary 'Mad Mike' Hoare dies aged 100
BBC ^ | February 3, 3020

Posted on 02/03/2020 5:15:28 PM PST by lowbridge

Born in India to Irish parents, he led campaigns in the Congo in the 1960s that earned him fame at the time, and a controversial legacy years later.

His career reached an embarrassing end in 1981, when he was jailed for leading a failed coup in the Seychelles.

Mr Hoare's son, Chris Hoare, said in a statement that his father died in a care facility in Durban, South Africa.

"Mike Hoare lived by the philosophy that you get more out of life by living dangerously, so it is all the more remarkable that he lived more than 100 years," he said.

Accountant turned mercenary

After serving in the British Army during the Second World War and reaching the rank of major, Mr Hoare began his post-war career as an accountant, running several small businesses in South Africa.

But it was in 1961 that he was introduced to Moïse Tshombe - a Congolese politician and businessman who would go on to become prime minister of the Congo three years later.

In 1964, Mr Tshombe hired Mr Hoare to take on the communist-backed Simba rebellion.

When the campaign was completed 18 months later, Mr Hoare and his unit of mercenaries - which he nicknamed the "Wild Geese" - were internationally known.

His fervent anti-communist beliefs earned him no fans in many nations, with East German radio regularly describing him as "that mad bloodhound Hoare". This led to him being nicknamed "Mad Mike" - a moniker with which he was delighted.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; History; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: africa; chrishoare; congo; durban; fartyshadesofgreen; india; ireland; mikehoare; seychelles; southafrica
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To: lowbridge

I donated money for his defense fund , I received a Wild Geese patch and his signature , it was in Soldier of Fortune magazine ,LOL


21 posted on 02/03/2020 7:43:28 PM PST by butlerweave
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To: lowbridge

May he RIP.

Yours,TMN78247


22 posted on 02/03/2020 9:45:53 PM PST by TMN78247 ("VICTORY or DEATH", William Barrett Travis, LtCol, comdt., Fortress of the Alamo, Bejar, 1836)
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To: Redcitizen

RIP Mr. Hoare, you fought the good fight. God Bless.


23 posted on 02/04/2020 1:24:34 AM PST by Amberdawn (Want To Honor Our Troops? Then Be A Citizen Worth Fighting For.)
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To: lowbridge

The don’t make ‘em like that any more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Seychelles_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat_attempt


24 posted on 02/04/2020 9:33:13 AM PST by Paal Gulli
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To: lowbridge

“he was jailed for leading a failed coup in the Seychelles”

Did Mueller or Comey ever visit him in jail?


25 posted on 02/04/2020 9:36:38 AM PST by Leep (Everyday is Trump Day!)
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