Battle of Kabalo

Battle of Kabalo
Part of the Congo Crisis
Kabalo Kabalo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Date 7–11 April 1961 Location Kabalo and surrounding area, State of Katanga Result ONUC/Luba victory
Belligerents
ONUC  Ethiopia Luba militia	Katanga
Commanders and leaders
Alemu	William Richard Browne  (POW) R. Wauthier
Strength
400 ONUC troops Unknown number of Baluba	1,000+ troops
Casualties and losses
5 ONUC soldiers killed 4 ONUC soldiers wounded Unknown Luba casualties	Unknown gendarmes killed 3 gendarmes wounded 30 mercenaries captured 1 armed ferry sunk

The Battle of Kabalo was fought at Kabalo by United Nations peacekeeping forces and Baluba militias from 7 April to 11 April 1961 against mercenaries and the gendarmerie of the State of Katanga, a secessionist state rebelling against the Republic of the Congo in central Africa. The Katangese forces attacked the town as part of a larger offensive meant to restore their authority in northern Katanga which was challenged by the Baluba. A United Nations Operation in the Congo peacekeeping contingent garrisoning Kabalo, acting under the authority of their mandate to prevent civil war in the country, resisted the initial attack and arrested 30 mercenaries in Katanga's employ. Armed Baluba repelled a Katangese ferry carrying troops as well as an armoured train. The next day the ferry returned but was sunk by UN forces. Fighting continued over the next few days between the Baluba and Katangese until the latter withdrew. The battle led to a deterioration of relations between the Katangese government and the United Nations Operation in the Congo.