During The Biafra War On 17th October, 1967
(Calabar Sector).
The Nigerian 3rd Battalion under Major Adekunle invaded Calabar from the Sea after two hours of uninterrupted aerial bombardment. They landed men and arms at Atim Bo, Ikang, and Esuk Mbai beaches.
The Biafran 9th Battalion (56 Brigade) under Major Ogbo Oji resisted the invasion. Aided by the very effective locally made Ogbunigwe and Torpedo explosives aptly named "Shore batteries" the Biafrans sank four crafts. However, the pressure was too heavy for then to withstand indefinitely and eventually they were over powered during The vandal's 3rd attempt.
By the time the enemy landed, Biafran rockets, bombs, mines, and the indispensable "Ogbunigwe" all deployed along the coastline he's inflicted alarming casualties on the surging enemy troops. The Biafran soldiers fought with such a determination that not a single soldier withdrew unless he was wounded.
The commanding officer Major Ogbo Oji came under heavy machine gun fire as soon as he left his Headquarters on his way to the front lines. His left arm was badly shattered and he was immediately evacuated to Umuahia. Thereafter, 9th battalion fought without a commanding officer for many weeks. Yet they never mutinied nor abandoned the war front. No man left the war front except he was seriously wounded.
By December the situation is Calabar was near catastrophic. The army fought with what they captured from the Nigerian forces. There was an acute lack of ammunition. Soldiers clothed in rags fought with the morale of a well equipped army. Every man had fired his bullet twice (expended bullet casing was used to create rattles, that sounded like real bullet but didn't kill anyone).
Yet the enemy marched on in their bid to take Calabar.
As the situation became hopeless and intolerable, Colonel Akagha the new commanding officer requesting for reinforcement, sent the following heart moving telegram to Army Headquarters:
From : 56 Brigade
To: Tactical Army Headquarters
Info: Defence Headquarters, commander-in-chief
"Commander for GOC. Situation in this sector definitely out of hand if not hopeless. Not a single round of ammunition held while enemy pressure continues ceaselessly for the past 48hrs. We intend to stay on and make the supreme sacrifice. Please help before it is too late. We who are about to die, salute you."
On receiving the Telegram the GOC Major General Alexander Maduebo bowed his head. A few of his men burst into tears.
[Culled from the book, The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War by General Alexander Maduebo Rtd]
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