I encountered a rather ragtag group of mercenaries led by lt. Wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare. Feb 03, 2020 the wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020. Mike hoares seven published books are available as audio books with. A brief biography of mike hoare, listing some of his. He frequently led attacks from the front, a practice that earned him. Jan 16, 2018 the well known adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020, the family. Mike led 5 commando from july 1964 to december 1965. On july 28, 1960, lt col murt buckley led the 32nd irish battalion to the congo. He frequently led attacks from the front, a practice that earned him the nickname amongst the men under his command of mad. The well known adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020, the family. He has an incredible grasp on the english language and he writes seamlessly and perfectly. More information at col hoare leaves five children, chris, tim, gerry, mikey and simon.
Chris hoare will be giving an illustrated talk on mad mike hoare. Former selous scout aubrey brooks, a section leader in colonel mike hoares invasion force that tried to take the seychelles by force, covers that aborted operation including his own arrest and subsequent. The well known adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020. He was once called that mad bloodhound hoare by an east berlin broadcaster, because of his persistence in pursuing the enemy. In 19641965 colonel mike hoare led 300 wild geese across the congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat che guevara and become a legend. In fascinating detail, hoare describes how the mercenaries were recruited and trained, and then recounts their adventures through four combat campaigns over an 18month period during which they liberated stanleyville, fought rebels in. This was the most costly enterprise for the army since irish civil war and 26 irish soldiers lost their lives. During world war 2 he served initially in the london irish rifles, became an expert in small arms, and then attended officer school. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020, his family. A spokesman for the family and mike hoares biographer, chris hoare, said, mike hoare lived by the philosophy that you get more out of life by living dangerously, so it is all. Congo 196068 mercenary wars and soldiers of fortune. Park is an actively serving officer in the us army. Before july 1964 mike was virtually unknown, but 18 months later when he retired as lt colonel, he was one of the most famous mercenary leaders in the world.
This is one of those books that capture you in the very first pages. A firsthand account by the head of commando 5 on a rabbit shoot to liberate the eastern congo including stanleyville from the congolese rebels. Hoare was born on saint patricks day in calcutta to. Mad mike hoare, who has died aged 100, was an irish accountant who became the worlds most famous mercenary. In 19645 colonel mike hoare led 300 wild geese across the congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat che guevara and become a legend. In 2018 chris hoare published an authoritative biography of mike s life titled mad mike hoare. A chapter of this book is devoted to the formation of rhodesias highly elite selous scouts, along with highlights of several previously classified missions. The legend is a new book by chris hoare on his father. In 19645 colonel mike hoare led 300 wild geese across the congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat. The well known adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on february 2, 2020, the family. The wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility. Mike hoares seven published books are available as audio books. Mad mike hoare, who emerged as one of the bestknown soldiers of fortune in africa during the 1960s, has died in durban, south africa, aged 100. The american scholar kyle burke argued the popularity of such books and films.
Of irish blood, mike was schooled in england and, during world war 2, was the best bloody soldier in the british army. Lee later became co 31 1st mar div where i served under him as a 1st lt. Survial and duty based on the marine you work with and not the politicians far away. With insight that only an officer with extensive battlefield experience can bring to this subject, colonel hoare chronicles the metamorphosis of 4 commando from a loose assembly of individuals into a highly organized fighting unit, while also taking the reader inside the minds and hearts of men who sell their military skills for money. Mike hoares seven published books are available as audio books with mike reading. Becauseiwasamercenary infantryofficerinrhodesiafor threeyears,sof publisher lt. As and when time allowed, i devoured the book titled mad mike hoare. Men who knew only one job and did it well, professional soldering. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Jan 01, 2008 originally published in 1967, and now including a new foreword by mike hoare, congo mercenary is a wellwritten and historically important account of one of the most brutal rebellions in africa, as well as an accurate and gritty depiction of the mercenary life. In congo mercenary, mike hoare tells the true story of his resolute band of mercenaries during the congo war. Mike hoare s seven published books are available as audio books with mike reading. All in all i enjoyed every bit of this book and look forward to reading col.
Colonel then, the father of the air cavalry, so to speak. He emigrated to africa in 1948 and fell in love with the land and its people. Ltcol mike watkins, 51, was killed when earth fell on top of him as he looked for the entrance to a wartime tunnel in vimy ridge, near arras, the ministry of defence said. Hoare was born in india to irish parents and educated in england. Ralph peters is the author of twentynine books, including works on strategy and military affairs, as well as bestselling, prizewinning novels.
A spokesman for the family and mike hoares biographer, chris hoare, said, 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. Bill looks to the story of mad mike hoare who turns 100 years old in march 2019. This was the first major battle that involved us ground forces, ia drang saw the us suffer 96 killed and 121 wounded at xray and 155 killed and 124 this story is about hal moore, and, although it covers his entire military life, and then some, it is primarily about. Dec 20, 2008 mike hoare is one of the 20th centurys most famous adventurers, and clearly one of its most talented scribes. Michael thomas bernard hoare, better known to the world as mad mike, was born in india in 1919. As a us army enlisted man and officer, he served in infantry and military intelligence units before becoming a foreign area officer and global scout. Some excellent rhodesian material is covered by sas colonel brian robinson, rli troopie hannes wessels, selous scouts lt col ron reiddaly. A 20 minute excerpt from a new horizons interview with frank willis. It is expected to be in british bookshops from early february 2019. And yet about 35 family and friends gathered in durban on 17 march, st patricks day, to honour mike as he turned 100 years old. At the siege of jadotville, 150 irish soldiers were attacked by 4,000 katangese troops as well as french, belgian and rhodesian mercenaries supported by a. Nov 24, 2014 a 20 minute excerpt from a new horizons interview with frank willis.
Mikes biographer, chris hoare, said, 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. For field hockey player, see michael hoare field hockey. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The clearly best of maj hoares books, with a nice somber and dutifull air about it. Col dave grossman is the author of on killing and on combat as well as several science fiction books. Hoaresleadershiphints,ladled throughoutthesevolumesand spicedwithhumor. Mercenary by colonel mike hoare and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He has published more than a thousand essays, articles, and columns. Frank willis, a former mercenary gives a staggering account of his time as a minder for one of the world.
Thomas michael mad mike hoare has died page 2 army. Thomas michael hoare 17 march 1919 2 february 2020, known as mad mike hoare, was a. In 2018 chris hoare published an authoritative biography of mikes life titled mad mike hoare. Hoare was later promoted to lieutenantcolonel in the armee nationale congolaise and 5 commando expanded into a twobattalion force. He participated in both chindit operations and was instrumental in popularizing the unorthodox ideas of general orde wingate. Eeben barlow, formerly of executive outcomes, on mad mike hoare. James michael calvert 6 march 19 26 november 1998 was a british soldier involved in special operations in burma during the second world war. The legendand it dispelled many of the fake stories and myths. And on the same subject plus a talk on the finer points of book publishing to the writers circle at salt rock at. The film, the wild geese was a fictionalised account of this story and hoare was hired as technical advisor.
And on the same subject plus a talk on the finer points of book publishing to the writers circle at salt rock at 10 am on 27 june. Mueller, who stood out because of the iron cross he wore. Originally published in 1967, and now including a new foreword by mike hoare, congo mercenary is a wellwritten and historically important account of one of the most brutal rebellions in africa, as well as an accurate and gritty depiction of the mercenary life. A ft e rading h ou b ks i adm itu pfro nel k h w i thmk eho ar nd w armth of nec d i. He was an adventurer, soldier, explorer, yachtsman, motorcyclist, safari leader, author, hiker, raconteur, last of breed, and legend. Colonel mike hoare led 300 wild geese across the congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat che guevara and become a legend. He spent his early days in india and was educated in england, but his blood was irish. Thomas michael mad mike hoare born 17 march 1919 is a british mercenary leader and adventurer known for military activities in africa and his attempt to conduct a coup detat in the seychelles. I meet the legendary colonel mike hoare soldier of. Feb 03, 2020 the wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020, his family. Lt col mad mike hoare died in his sleep aged 100 years in durban, south africa, on 2 february 2020. French families plan to sue retailers over baby milk.
The well known adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col mad mike. Lt col mad mike hoare believed you get out of life by living dangerously. Mike hoare is one of the 20th centurys most famous adventurers, and clearly one of its most talented scribes. Cold war navy seal is a sincere tribute to the men and women who served and sacrificed without public reward and recognition under hawes. All members in good standing are free to post here. Mike hoare, one of africas bestknown mercenaries who fought in the democratic republic of congo and led a failed coup in the seychelles, has died aged 100, the family said on monday. Recently, sof interviewed mikes son chris to talk about mike hoares autobiography that he wrote, mike hoare, the legend. The wellknown adventurer and soldier of fortune, lt col hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity aged 100 years at a care facility in durban on 2 february 2020. The book is based on colonel mike hoares time as a mercenary fighter in the congo war of the early sixties.
Eeben barlow, formerly of executive outcomes, on mad mike. It is with a heavy but accepting heart that i announce that my father, lt. Author, adventurer, and former mercenary leader thomas michael mad mike hoare is still very much alive and turns 95 today. It is a frank, no holds barred story of men hired to fight. Krueler later served as a mercenary assisting colonel michael hoare and his 5 commando during the 1960s congo crisis, after serving south africa training commandos. Sof helped mad mike hoare and his mercs raise funds for a. He recently narrated most of his books on shameless plug. Frank willis, a former mercenary gives a staggering account of. A funeral service for mike hoare will be held on tuesday, 11 february at st martins church, 12 chelsea drive, durban north, at 3pm. Colonel mike hoare led 300 wild geese across the congo to crush a. French families plan to sue retailers over baby milk recall. Mike hoares seven published books are available as audio books with mike reading, from. Nicknamed mad mike, hoare died on sunday in south africa where he had retired.
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