Operation Birch

Operation Birch
Part of the Rhodesian Bush War (or Second Chimurenga)
Mhangura Mukumbura Operation Birch (Zimbabwe)
Date 18 January – 23 March 1970 Location Mashonaland, Rhodesia Result Rhodesian-Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Rhodesia Portugal	ZIPRA
Commanders and leaders
Maj. Peter Rich Unknown	James Chikerema Phinias Majuru
Units involved
Rhodesian Army RLI 1 Commando 3 Commando Portuguese Army	Unknown
Strength
Unknown	22–25
Casualties and losses
Rhodesia: 1 killed 2 wounded Portugal: unknown	7 killed 2 wounded 13 captured 1 defected Total: 23

Operation Birch was an operation launched by the Rhodesian Security Forces in response to a group of 22–25 ZIPRA insurgents crossing the Zambezi River, which marked the border between Rhodesia and Zambia, in January 1970.