A description of April events and weekly maps can be found here
April 6: Habyarimana’s Assassination
At around 8:30 pm, two Soviet-made SA-7 and SA-16/18 struck the Presidential Plane (Falcon-50), killing everyone on board. Within 90 minutes, road barriers are erected and the Genocide begins.
RPA’s 3rd Battalion at Parliament
The 1993 Arusha Accords established a battalion of 600 RPA soldiers in Kigali (at the Parliament). Under the command of Charles Kayonga, the 600 secured its position and began attacking the Forces Armées Rwandaises (FAR) positions in Kimihurura, Kacyiru, and elsewhere. Additionally, it begins rescue operations and secures Amahoro Stadium.
RPA’s Alpha, Bravo & 59 CMF race to Kigali
While the 3rd Battalion holds on in Kigali, RPA commander Paul Kagame (currently Rwanda’s President) sends Alpha, Bravo, and 59 CMF to Kigali with other forces shortly behind. Their goal is to relieve the 3rd Battalion. Any failures that prevented them from reaching Kigali would spell disaster for the 3rd Battalion and Rwandans needing to be rescued in Kigali.
Rescue at Nyanza Hill and the Battle for Mt Rebero
Under the command of Jacob Tumwine, Eagle and Simba Companies (from the 3rd Battalion) discover the Nyanza massacre. Their military orders were to capture the nearby tactically vital hill of Mt Rebero. However, Tumwine sacrifices his scarce military force of only around 300ish soldiers and leaves 10-15 soldiers behind to protect the survivors. His decision is vital in understanding how the RPA’s strategy was ending the Genocide rather than political, economic and military control over the country.
Map of the first week (April 6-12) of the Campaign against Genocide War:
Jonathan R Beloff 