Operation Hiroshima

In October 1967, Nigerian General Murtala Muhammad launched an artillery bombardment of Onichi, and then led the attack of his troops across the Niger River into the city. Nigerian soldiers instead of chasing the enemy sacked and burned the Onichi market , which made it possible for the enemy to rebuild and launch a counterattack. Biafrans managed to re-capture the city. After two more unsuccessful invasion attempts, General Mohammed moved north and crossed the Niger River in Aydah. The Nigerian 2nd Division and 6th Battalion moved southwest of Enugui, and by January 1968 had moved 20 km from Onichi. On March 24, the final battle for Onicha lasted about a day, after which the biafrans were forced to retreat to Umuahiya , captured during Operation OAU ^{[4] [5]} .

At the beginning of November 1968, 4,000 soldiers of the 4th Biafra Brigade moved north from Umuahiya to Nkwell, less than 10 km from Onichi. On November 15, Colonel Rolf Steiner was ordered to launch an offensive operation code-named Operation Hiroshima, named after the city of Hiroshima destroyed by the Americans . Steiner attempted to object to the command on the grounds that his troops were trained in guerrilla warfare tactics rather than direct action. Nevertheless, parts of Biafra’s army were thrown into a frontal attack through an open field in the direction of Onichi. Without air support or any natural shelters or trenches, the attackers suffered heavy losses, after which they nevertheless retreated for regrouping ^[6] .

Major Tuffy Williams , a South African mercenary, along with Belgian mercenary Mark Goossens, by direct order of Generalissimo Oyukwu, who was informed of the defeat of Biafra’s army, re-threw their troops to the Nigerian defensive position , but retreated almost immediately after the Uranzan guard . Finally, Steiner and Williams convinced Oyukwa to order the removal of the failed siege of the city. On November 29, the remaining 2,000 soldiers of the 4th Brigade of the Commando Biafra removed their positions and retreated from the city in the direction of Owerri , leaving Onicha under the complete control of the Nigerians until the end of the war ^[2] .

Colonel Steiner had paranoia , which is why he started drinking to reduce panic attacks . On December 6, 1968, President Oyukwu asked Colonel Steiner to explain his defeat to members of the Biafra Parliament. Steiner came to the meeting drunk, even demanded a beer and then refused it, citing the fact that the glass was too warm. After the meeting, Steiner entered into a dispute with one of the Oikukwu guards, after which he tried to kill Steiner. Nevertheless, Generalissimo Oyukwu forgave the colonel and released him, but then Steiner again began to attack him, after which he was arrested. Steiner was later deported to Gabon along with 5 other mercenaries, while Major Tuffy Williams became commander of the 4th commando brigade ^{[2] [7] [8]} .

• Mikhail Zhirokhov, Obunigve Monogon. Goodbye Biafra! The air war in Nigeria 1967-70 . - Aircraft master, 2002.
• Mikhail Zhirokhov. The war of mercenaries (Biafra, 1967-1970). - Wings of the Motherland, 2013 .-- T. 1-2.