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When I Set Out to Overthrow an African Tyrant, I Knew I Would Either Make Billions or...

Jonathan Hayes

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Published in Cry Havoc: When I Set Out To Overthrow An African Tyrant I Knew I Would Either Make Billions Or End Up Getting Shot

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In the annals of mercenary history, there are few tales as daring or as ultimately successful as the overthrow of General Idi Amin Dada, the brutal dictator of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. And at the heart of this remarkable story is Bob Denard, a French mercenary who played a key role in Amin's downfall.

Cry Havoc: "When I set out to overthrow an African tyrant, I knew I would either make billions or end up getting shot..."

by Simon Mann

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6482 KB
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Print length	:	381 pages

In his gripping memoir, When I Set Out to Overthrow an African Tyrant, Denard recounts his extraordinary journey from a young soldier in the French Foreign Legion to the leader of a mercenary force that would ultimately help topple one of Africa's most notorious dictators.

Denard's story is a fascinating blend of adventure, intrigue, and danger. He writes with a candor and vividness that brings the reader right into the heart of the action, from the planning stages of the coup to the dangerous execution. He describes the complex political landscape of Uganda, the challenges of working with a group of mercenaries from diverse backgrounds, and the ever-present threat of betrayal.

But Denard's memoir is more than just a thrilling adventure story. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of fighting for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Denard's story is a reminder that even the most brutal dictatorships can be overthrown, and that ordinary people can make a difference in the world.

The Early Years

Bob Denard was born in 1929 in Bordeaux, France. He joined the French Foreign Legion at the age of 18 and served in Indochina and Algeria. In 1961, he was recruited by the mercenary leader Roger Faulques to participate in a coup attempt in the Congo.

Denard quickly rose through the ranks of Faulques' mercenary force, and he soon became one of the most respected and feared mercenaries in Africa. He fought in several conflicts across the continent, including the Biafran War in Nigeria and the Angolan Civil War.

The Uganda Coup

In 1971, Denard was approached by a group of Ugandan exiles who were planning to overthrow Idi Amin Dada. Amin had come to power in a military coup in 1971, and he quickly established a reign of terror in Uganda. Thousands of people were killed or disappeared during his regime.

Denard agreed to lead the coup attempt, and he assembled a force of about 100 mercenaries from France, Belgium, and South Africa. The mercenaries landed in Uganda in September 1972, and they quickly captured Entebbe Airport. However, they were unable to take Kampala, the capital city, and they were eventually forced to retreat.

The coup attempt failed, but it did not deter Denard from his goal of overthrowing Amin. He continued to work with the Ugandan exiles, and he eventually helped to plan a second coup attempt in 1979.

The Second Coup

The second coup attempt was more successful than the first. Denard and his mercenaries landed in Uganda in April 1979, and they quickly captured Entebbe Airport and Kampala. Amin fled the country, and the mercenaries installed a new government.

Denard's role in the overthrow of Amin made him a hero to many Ugandans. He was hailed as a liberator, and he was given a hero's welcome when he returned to France.

The Later Years

Denard continued to work as a mercenary for several years after the overthrow of Amin. He fought in the Comoros, Benin, and Angola. In 1995, he was arrested in France and charged with mercenary activities. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison.

Denard was released from prison in 2000, and he returned to France. He died in 2007 at the age of 78.

A Controversial Figure

Bob Denard was a controversial figure. He was accused of being a mercenary for hire, and he was involved in several human rights abuses. However, he was also a complex and charismatic figure who played a key role in the overthrow of two African dictators.

Denard's memoir is a fascinating and important account of one of the most remarkable mercenary adventures in history. It is a story of courage, danger, and intrigue, and it is a reminder of the importance of fighting for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Cry Havoc: "When I set out to overthrow an African tyrant, I knew I would either make billions or end up getting shot..."

by Simon Mann

4.1 out of 5