Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo and the Republic of Zaire, before returning to its current name the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the time of independence, the country was named the Republic of Congo-Léopoldville to distinguish it from its neighbour the Republic of the Congo-Brazzaville. With the promulgation of the Luluabourg Constitution on 1 August 1964, the country became the DRC, but was renamed to Zaire (a past name for the Congo River) on 27 October 1971 by President Mobutu Sese Seko as part of his "Authenticité" initiative. The word "Zaire" is from a Portuguese adaptation of a Kikongo word "nzere" ("river"), a
27th Armoured Brigade reserve, 9th Brigade Group. During the follow-up operations after D-Day the 27th Armoured Brigade continued to support I Corps' attacks along the River Orne towards Caen. On 11 June a squadron of 13/18th Hussars supported 6th Airborne Division's attacks along the river, and later in the month the regiment supported 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in further attacks along the river. On 8 and 9 July, 27th Armoured Brigade supported I Corps' final successful attack on Caen. On 18 July Second British Army began a major offensive south from Caen (Operation Goodwood). I Corps' task was to attack along the left