Tulio Moneta: Congo Mercenary and Actor

Not long after he was born in Croatia, in 1937, Tulio Moneta’s family would move to Italy where he would spend a good part of his life. From 1961 to 1964, Tuilo worked in Milan and Alemagna and would eventually meet Gino Tozzi, an Italian who had a couple contacts within 5 Commando, that was fighting against the Simba rebellion in the Congo at the time. Gino Tozzi was one of 5 commando’s suppliers of uniforms and subsequently camouflage as well.

Not long after meeting Col. Mike Hoare, Tulio would go on to join up with 5 Commando. He would be enlisted as a “liaison officer” with the rank of sergeant and would be the fourth Italian in 5 Commando. Tulio trained with the Belgian Paras prior to Operation Dragon Rouge; the assault on Stanleyville to free the white hostages held by Simba rebels. It was his first real military training since he hadn’t even enlisted in the Italian military for mandatory service. After the liberation of Stanleyville, Tulio would also take part in Operation Banzai, the assault on the rebel held town of Baraka. Every successful mission would earn Tulio more favor among the men of 5 Commando and especially from Col. Hoare.

By 1967, Tulio had been promoted to Major and this was also around the time that the base he was serving at, Baraka, was attacked and Tulio sustained wounds to his arms and serious stomach wounds from a Chinese made landmine. He was medevac'd to South Africa where his life threatening injuries could be tended to. After the Mercenary Revolt took place in 1967, Tulio was arrested by the then President of the Congo, Desiree Mobutu, and thrown in jail even though he didn't participate during the revolt. Mobutu by this point hated mercenaries and wanted them all expelled from the Congo. Luckily pressure from the CIA was able to get Tulio released from prison not long after.

Between 1970 and 1990 Tulio would act in over 15 films including Merchants of War (1989) Red Scorpion, starring Dolph Lundgren (1988) and his main starring role in The Lion’s Share (1985). Tulio would however go on one last adventure with Col. Hoare before committing to the film industry he took part in the attempt to overthrow the government of the Seychelles in 1981 with Col. Hoare. The whole endeavor proved to be a disaster, after Seychelles airport security found the stowed Kalashnikov rifles. A massive firefight broke out. After several hours Col. Hoare, Tulio and the rest of the mercenaries were able to get aboard an Air India flight and head back to South Africa where they were promptly arrested and sent to Pretoria. 

After 2 years Tulio was released from prison and shortly after would head to Biafra and joined the fight. He met up with “Taffy” Williams and fought alongside him until their inevitable defeat. In 1986, Tulio would arrive in the Congo on the border of Sudan to supply the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) and meet with the leader, Colonel John Garang. Tulio supplied them with over 1,000 Kalashnikov rifles along with other weapons and ammo to help them in their fight to secede from Sudan. In his later years, Tulio resided in Durban, South Africa, the same city as Col. Hoare. Hoare wrote fondly about Tulio in the Seychelles Affair saying,  “I remember him as an outstanding soldier and a great leader of men”.

Col. Hoare also paid homage to Tulio with a model of his schooner "Sylvia", that he made in Pretoria Prison, and with which he had sailed for three years in the Mediterranean. Col. Hoare wrote: "This was done with affection and I would like to present it to you with that sentiment that marks our friendship , for your enduring courage and strength under these unjust and abominable conditions.”