Alouette III

The Aérospatiale Alouette III was a pivotal and versatile light utility helicopter in the Rhodesian, South African, and Portuguese Air Forces during the various Southern African conflicts, particularly the Portuguese Colonial War and the Border War (or Bush War). It served for decades in roles from troop transport and casualty evacuation to armed gunship and search and rescue.

 
In Portuguese Service (Portuguese Colonial War)

Portugal was the third-largest user of the Alouette III, acquiring 142 units for the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) and being the first country to use it in combat during the Overseas War. The helicopter proved an essential asset for counter-insurgency operations across Angola, Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea due to its adaptability to hot and dusty conditions.

• Air Assault Tactics: The Portuguese developed effective low-altitude air assault tactics using groups of Alouette IIIs. The standard formation included five or six transport helicopters, nicknamed “Canibais” (Cannibals), and one or two armed gunships, the “Lobo Mau” (Big Bad Wolf).
• Troop Deployment: The “Canibais” would hover a few meters above the ground, allowing five paratroopers or commandos to jump out quickly, an iconic image of the war.
• Fire Support: The “Lobo Mau” gunship provided crucial fire support with a rear-mounted, side-firing 20mm autocannon, which was highly effective and generated less recoil than a heavy machine gun.
• Versatility: The Alouette III was used for tactical transport, medical evacuation (casevac), liaison, and search and rescue (including of downed pilots under fire).
• Losses: During the war from 1963 to 1974, a total of 30 Alouette IIIs were destroyed in combat or accidents, but their impact on Portuguese counter-insurgency was significant.

 
In Rhodesian Service

The Rhodesian Air Force (RhAF) extensively used the Alouette III as the backbone of its “Fire Force” operations, an innovative rapid-response tactic to counter insurgent activities.

• Fire Force Tactics: The Alouette III allowed for the rapid deployment and extraction of ground troops (known as “sticks”) in remote and rugged terrain, often using a “hot extraction” method where troops hooked onto an external trapeze bar or climbed a ladder while the helicopter hovered or moved at low speed.
• Configurations:
  • G-Car (Gun/General Purpose): Configured as a troop carrier, often fitted with two side-mounted Browning .303 machine guns operated by the technician/gunner.
  • K-Car (Kill/Gunship): A heavily armed variant fitted with a single, rapid-firing 20mm Mauser or Vektor cannon for mobile fire support.
• Operational Support: The Alouette III fleet in Rhodesia was augmented by numerous aircraft and aircrews on loan from the South African Air Force (SAAF) to sustain operations against ZANLA and ZIPRA forces.
• Reliability: Known for its durability and ease of maintenance in the challenging African environment, it became a legend among its pilots and crews.

 
In South African Service

The South African Air Force (SAAF) operated a large fleet of 118 Alouette IIIs, which remained in service for an impressive 44 years, accumulating over 346,000 flight hours before their official retirement in 2006.

• • Primary Roles: Initially used for pilot and flight engineer training, search and rescue (SAR), and supporting internal stability operations. Its capability for mountain rescue earned it affection among civilians and military personnel alike.
  • Combat Operations: It was used extensively during the Border War in South West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola, performing roles such as reconnaissance, command and control, casualty evacuation (casevac), and close air support.
  • Armament: SAAF gunship versions were typically fitted with a South African Vektor 20mm cannon, highly effective in counterstrike operations. It was also capable of carrying machine guns and anti-tank missiles.
  • Collaboration with Rhodesia: SAAF aircrews rotated through Rhodesian squadrons to gain valuable combat experience, and the SAAF supplied crucial aircraft on loan to support the Rhodesian war effort, an arrangement kept highly secret due to international sanctions against Rhodesia.
  • Legacy: The Alouette III was affectionately known as the “Draadkar” and was integral to the SAAF’s operations until its official retirement in 2006.

In all three services, the Alouette III proved to be a highly effective and adaptable workhorse, integral to the security forces’ counter-insurgency strategies in Southern Africa