Zaire with the Zairian armed forces (FAZ) to launch a campaign against Congolese ethnic Tutsis in eastern Zaire, known as the Banyamulenge. In turn, these Zairian Tutsis formed a militia to defend themselves against attacks. When the Zairian government began to escalate its massacres in November 1996, the Tutsi militias erupted in rebellion against Mobutu, starting what would become known as the First Congo War. The Tutsi militia was soon joined by various opposition groups and supported by several countries, including Rwanda and Uganda. This coalition, led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, became known as the Alliance des Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération
27th Armoured Brigade Division, which concentrated the various specialised armour units. On 20 October 1943 27th Armoured Brigade became an independent GHQ formation, and was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division to spearhead I Corps' landing at Sword on D-Day in June 1944. Commanders The brigade was assigned a crucial role in the Normandy landings. 13/18th Hussars, equipped with M4 Sherman DD amphibious tanks, would accompany the initial assault on Sword by 3rd Division's 8th Brigade Group, while the rest of 27th Armoured Bde would support the division's follow-up attacks towards Caen. On the morning of D-Day the sea was rough and 27th