B5 Systems

In Memorium – Major Mike Hoare, 5 Commando

This was shared on Facebook earlier today. Like many of my generation, I grew up reading of Hoare’s adventures in the pages of Soldier of Fortune. It was with some glee that my address was 5 Commando Ave while stationed at Pope AFB.

“It is with a heavy but accepting heart that I announce that my father, Mike Hoare, died in his sleep and with dignity at a care facility in Durban today, 2 February 2020, aged 100 years.

He was an adventurer, soldier, explorer, yachtsman, motorcyclist, safari leader, author, hiker, raconteur, last of breed, and legend. Charming, enigmatic, fearless, proper, and a brilliant leader, ‘Mad Mike’ was an officer and a gentleman – with a bit of brigand thrown in.

But Mike described himself as ‘a genuine adventurer’. He identified with Sir Francis Drake, and liked the idea of going out sailing, and bringing Spanish booty back for the queen who would make you a knight. ‘You were respectable – even though you were a thief,’ he said.

Mike Hoare became world famous when his ‘Wild Geese’ saved southern Africa from the Reds when they crushed the Simbas in the Congo in 1965. And world infamous when his attempt to overthrow the socialist government of the Seychelles failed.

Rest in eternal peace, Colonel. We salute you”

-Chris Hoare-

5 Responses to “In Memorium – Major Mike Hoare, 5 Commando”

  1. MRC says:

    Childhood icon, RIP!

  2. Strike-Hold says:

    Its official, 2020 sucks.

  3. Alpha2 says:

    Rest in Peace.
    Damn, I knew the name sounded familiar. I too remember his exploits in Soldier of Fortune and if I recall correctly the movie Wild Geese was based on his adventures as a mercenary. Makes me want to look up and watch that movie again.

    • AbnMedOps says:

      The movie “The Wild Geese”, though entertaining, had little resemblance to Hoare’s non-fiction book “Congo Mercenary”. He also wrote “Congo Warriors”, The Seychelles Affair”, and “The Road To Kalamata”, about African mercenary operations against Communist incursion and tribal savagery. These were all re-published by Paladin Press before Paladin shut down, and now are probably out of print anywhere.

      A salute to Col Hoare.