Operation Agila

By
Mike Subritzky
NZATMC AP Lima

In 1979, New Zealand was one of several Commonwealth nations to send armed troops to Rhodesia as Peacekeepers in a final attempt to end the Rhodesian war. Sergeant Mike Subritzky, RNZA, was a member of the Kiwi contingent and during his Tour of Duty in Rhodesia he kept an operational diary. In the year 2000, he assisted with the making of a "Millennium" Television series on the history of New Zealand and shortly afterwards was approached by a fellow Kiwi Peacekeeper, who was having problems with PTSD, nightmares, anger and guilt.

He asked Mike to write something on the history of Operation Agila and what it was actually like for the Peacekeepers involved. The following is Mike's story written in correlation with his operational diary and photographs. Mike Subritzky has the unique distinction of having enlisted, and served, in the regular force of all three of the New Zealand Armed Forces. He later retired from the New Zealand Army and served as a Captain in the Polish Free Army. A vehement anti-Communist, he assisted personally with the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta by the late Polish Government (In Exile).

Rhodesia The Ceasefire	Christmas during the Rhodesian War	The British Empire's Last Sunset
Photo Gallery	French Dressing	The "Dear John"
Map of Op Agila	Poetry	Mike Subritzky's Bio

E-mail Mike Subritzky

LINKS

"Treasure your Polish Heritage"Polish Nobility Association (Founded 1918) - Celebrating over 75 years as the oldest continuing Nobility/Heraldry organisation inside and outside the lands which make up the Polish/Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Order of Saint Stanislas Castellans Site

Polish (Independent) Reserve Brigade History

The Flak Jacket Collection New Zealand war poetry

All the images and text contained within this page are the sole ownership of Mr. Mike Subritzky. The content and format are the original work and intellectual property of the author unless otherwise accredited. All material is copyrighted and all copyrights are reserved. Material found on this page, including the text, may neither be re-published or re-distributed in any way without permission of the copyright owner Mr. Mike Subritzky. To protect the material some images have been watermarked

Return to Main Chapter Index