# Lynn Garrison: Biafran War Pilot Speaks on His Exploits. (Part II)

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/
- Published: 2018-04-15T07:51:00+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

**This Article is divided into three parts for ease of reading… **

 * **[Part 1](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits)**
 * **Part 2**
 * [**P****art 3**](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-iii)

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  |  [](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Biafra-3A.jpg) |  
 |  Nigerian Troops approaching the Biafran territory |

### BIAFRA REMEMBERED

During August, 2017 I was contacted by someone from the intelligence community who
was drafting a a study: ANALYSIS: POTENTIAL USES OF LIGHT CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT IN MINI-
COUNTER INSURGENCY (MINI-COIN) ROLES

He had found my Biafran action among some dusty files and asked for details of what
had actually happened. This guy had tried to convince decision-makers expensive,
sophisticated weapons weren’t required to counteract small threats. Everyone should
be remember people in Viet Nam complaining about using multi-million dollar F-4s
to destroy bicycles.

His first e-mail contact to me said, in part:
 _**“ .….. the idea that we would 
release half-million-dollar weapons—or more—against hostiles in battered pickups
that they traded for a goat is astounding. Certainly such things can be done, but
it is tantamount to using a shotgun to kill a fly.” **_

I pointed out to the planners at **USNORTHCOM** the example of your Biafran squadron,
and they were rather amazed that simple light sport aircraft—with no advanced electronics,
no GPS-guided munitions, nothing whatsoever that resembles the high-tech approach
of an F-22 or F-35—were able to take on a decently-funded Russian-supported air 
force with MiG fighters and Ilyushin bombers, and show the world that all of that
advanced approach ultimately meant nothing. Using the Malmo MFI-9 aircraft, your
squadron destroyed half of the Nigerian bomber force, and a disconcertingly high
number of MiG fighters.”

*****
 And so I wrote the story for him to include in his study.

I have never publicly revealed details about my involvement, since I “never existed.”
Over the years, I operated in this theater, and others, as an anonymous figure, 
code named **_Shadow. _**

> **_The actual story is somewhat more complicated than reported. Major power centers–
> governmental and commercial – were in play behind the scenes as Biafra became 
> a break-away state, looking for recognition. _**

Perhaps these shadowy forces were instrumental in the final decision of Ojukwu to
act. There were huge dollar amounts in petroleum involved. Countless people’s lives
were at risk.

Tens of thousands would die from starvation, unremarked and forgotten. Many of these
were small children.

[[

 

But the focus, at the time, seems to have been on economic resources, and who would
control them.

What transpired between 6 July 1967-15 January 1970?

I was in California working on a follow-up to _The Blue Max_, and _Darling Lili,
_two feature films I had been involved with in Ireland, where I had my War One aviation
facility. 

One morning a representative of the Santa Monica based RAND corporation arrived 
on my doorstep, accompanied by a Father Lynch from CONCERN, the Catholic relief 
organization. The RAND group had a scenario that needed a solution:

 

> _**“There was the port. It was blockaded by a War Two corvette crewed by local
> sailors with ex-RN officers. The corvette was protected by a torpedo net. The 
> boat was preventing tankers from loading at a refinery.”**_

 

**What would I do to solve this problem?**

During our first meeting, I was led to believe it was a film project.  Father Lynch
was a strange element, but the follow-up discussions made things clear. The break-
away state of Biafra needed help. The corvette was blocking Port Harcourt and Biafra’s
new government was counting on revenue from Shell Oil to survive. Father Lynch’s
brother was flying a DC-6 for CONCERN- the Catholic relief agency. He operated out
of Shannon, Ireland to San Tome, off the African coast, ten into Port Harcourt.

  |  [⌊Mercenaries refitting a Biafran Invader B-29 medium bomber⌉](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/image014.jpg) |  
 |  Mercenaries refitting a Biafran Invader B-29 medium bomber |

 

The USAF was eager to assist and offered 4 Boeing C-97 transports for a project 
that would be coordinated by Russ O’Quinn. Russ was an ex-USAF pilot who went on
to test-fly for Douglas before creating his own civilian test unit –** FLIGHT ****
TEST RESEARCH **in San Diego, Califonia. I sold Russ 2 Canadair F-86 for his unit.

They wanted an on-site analysis of the facilities and problems involved with Biafra.
I would look around for them during my trip.

I ended up on an old Super Constellation, operated by Hank Warton, flying  into 
Africa from Portugal.  It was an interesting flight with an engine failure at about
hour 9 en route. I was told this was not an unusual event since all the aircraft’s
engines were well past their overhaul limits.

The tide was already beginning to turn against the   break-away state  and my corvette
plan soon became redundant as Port Harcourt passed into the federal government’s
hands. 

At an earlier time, James Baring, one of my business associates, had introduced 
me to the man who would play a pivotal role in the Biafran War. James was a member
of the Baring Bank family.  Ojukwu’s father was a close friend of  Lord Revelstoke,
Baring’s father.   Ojukwu had attended Sandhurst. We  met during that period, and
a later time when he returned to the UK for additional schooling.

 

Now we regained contact in Africa.

  |  [⌊The entire Biafran Air Force are briefed by its commander, count Carl Gustaf von Rosen, just before a mission, Biafra (Nigeria) 1969.⌉](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/carl-2Bgustaf-2Bvon-2Brosen-2Bthe-2Bbiafran-2Bcommander.jpg) |  
 |  The entire Biafran Air Force are briefed by its commander, count Carl Gustaf von Rosen, just before a mission, Biafra (Nigeria) 1969. |

As the conflict progressed, MIG-17s and IL-28s, with Czech and East German pilots
became a dangerous factor during daylight  and nocturnal periods. Subsequent conversations
with Colonel Ojukwu and Count Gustaf von Rosen saw us discussing the MIG threat 
and what could be done. One of my Canadian associates, Roy Farran, had pioneered
armed jeep units for the Special Air Service, during World War Two. Roy would tell
the story in his book, “Winged Dagger.” I suggested this concept. (Rolf Steiner 
would carry out jeep attacks a year later.)

 

I then mentioned our idea of small attack aircraft, using the Bolkow-B208 as an 
example. We had one of these in Ireland and dozens flew around Europe. Their mid-
wing configuration gave them great ground clearance and cockpit visibility. They
were strong enough for underwing stores.

Von Rosen came to life!

He described an attempt to sell this very design to the Swedish military as the 
Malmo MFI-9.  5 of prototypes  now sat unwanted.

 

The rest is history. Colonel Ojukwu came up with the funds. Von Rosen’s friends 
acquired the 5 Malmo MFI-9s. The 5 aircraft were broken down and transported into
the area in pieces. Then, like model aircraft, we reassembled them. A rough military
finish was applied with paint acquired from the local Volkswagen dealership.

We had no spray gun, so we used brushes.

  |  [⌊Installing a SNEB 68mm Matra rocket on a biafran baby⌉](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/biafra1.jpg) |  
 |  Installing a SNEB 68mm Matra rocket |

As our work progressed, a French team   from SNEB installed a rocket pod under each
wing, giving us a salvo of 12 68mm Matra rockets, fired by a button on the top of
the control column. I always thought the button resembled a doorbell button and 
perhaps this was the case, since we made do with whatever was available.

The aircraft originally flown by the Biafran team were a collection of orphans with
ongoing spare parts problems. A couple of  ex-RCAF Harvards, B-25s, an A-26 and 
C-47s. Most of the pilots were lacking useful flying experience in a military environment.
It is one thing to take off, and fly around, but it is an entirely different situation
to fly in an air-to-ground attack mode with effect. One pilot had flown Spitfires
with the RAF during World War Two. 

 

Von Rosen was one year from retirement as a transport pilot and admitted his lack
of experience for what was planned. Von Rosen and Colonel Ojukwu suggested  my RCAF
experience would help guarantee success.  I agreed to fly with their unit.

Each of the first 5 missions were basically the same. They were planned and set 
out in advance. Local intelligence let us know what the situation was at he target
areas. We just had to navigate, at low-level, from A to B… hit the target, then 
return home

 

[Continue in Part 3…](https://www.military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-ii/military.africa/2018/04/exclusive-lynn-garrison-biafran-war-heroic-pilot-speaks-on-his-exploits-part-iii)

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