Much has been written on airborne and airmobile warfare from a First World perspective, but very little has been written from Africa's. The African - and especially southern African - operational theatres posed unique challenges. The lack of infrastructure, key points of attack, and the lack of mobility facing conventionally mounted forces and their subsequent inability to respond rapidly over the types of distances inherent in most African operational theatres, all played a role in the development of a uniquely African approach to this type of warfare. France's experiences in Algeria and the birth of the helicopter 'gunship' and its associated tactics led the way. Foremost among the forces operating in subsequent theatres were the Portuguese, Rhodesians and South Africans, with the helicopter playing a pivotal role with its mobility, firepower and shock effect. This title studies the role played by their airborne and airmobile forces during these campaigns as well as their equipment, doctrine and tactics. The face of vertical envelopment changed overnight.