South African Border Wars

Episode 113 - More details about the fierce fighting when PLAN invaded Namibia in April 1989

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 113, we’re wrapping up the series with the final days of South West Africa as the country became Namibia. I’ll talk about the SA...

Episode 112 - SWAPO's Sam Nujoma pulls a fast one and UNTAG struggles to cope

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So here we are, the sound of peace settled over Ovamboland, it was the end of 1988. The South Africans were actually in a much better position than ...

Episode 111 - Two Scorpions in a bottle and peace after 23 years

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 111, in cricket the number is known as Nelson, it’s unlucky for the batting side, and players are expected to stand on one leg as th...

Episode 110 - Cuban MiG-23s bomb Calueque Dam and 11 SADF troops pay the price

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we left off last episode, the Cubans and Angolans were gearing up to face another invasion by 61 Mech and 4SAI, Operation Excite as it was to bec...

Episode 109 - A Bosbok survives a missile near miss as both the SADF and the Cubans gear up

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We left off last week hearing that the Cuban 50th Division had been moved towards the SWA Border, a clear message to Pretoria that Fidel Castro was no...

Episode 108 - Cubans start heading towards Calueque Dam and another South African POW

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 108, it’s the 23rd June 1988 and the south Africans, Cubans, Angolans, Americans and Russians had gathered in Cairo for negotiations...

Episode 107 – Reagan, Gorbachev, Ulysses the Bull, Fidel Castro: Diplomacy Breaks Out

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Hooper had ended in failure for the SADF and back in Pretoria, it was time to reassess the political and military situation. What had been...

Episode 106 – Operation Packer/Tumpo 3 and Castro’s obsession

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More than two decades of conflict in Ovamboland and southern Angola had worn down South African military domination - tactical superiority was no long...

Episode 105 – Citizen Force ou-manne train for the third Battle of Tumpo while Russians drink rice-vodka to forget

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Third Battle of the Tumpo Triangle was about to begin - the date - 23rd March 1988. The weary 61 Mechanised battalion had withdrawn, the men exh...

Episode 104 – The SAAF raids Lubango and a tired 61 Mech launches the Battle of Tumpo II

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last episode we heard about the failed first battle of the Tumpo Triangle, officially known as Tumpo one which took place on February 25th 1988. You...

Episode 103 – The First Battle of Tumpo Triangle where 61 Mech faced a fierce FAPLA bombardment

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was D-Day for the next attack across the open ground east of the Tumpo Triangle, just outside Cuito Cuanavale in southern Angola. The town was now ...

Episode 102 – 32 Battalion strikes Menongue Airfield and a Mirage is shot down

23 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The South Africans were attacking FAPLA’s 59 Brigade, but had run into an ambush - Cubans operating Soviet tanks had laid up waiting for 4SAI to cut...

Episode 101 – The Valentines Day assault on 59 Brigade and a Cuban tank ambush

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the second week of January 1988 and FAPLAs 21st, 59th and 25th Brigades had taken up the front line in what was to be a three layered defenses ...

Episode 100 – FAPLA pushed from their positions along the Chambinga High Ground on Friday 13th

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

D-Day for the renewed attack on FAPLA’s 21 Brigade was reset from January 5th to January 13th 1988 - a Friday, for those who suffered from triskaide...

Episode 99 – The SAAF tests a top secret weapon while new recruits come to terms with giant moths and skulking MiGs

02 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re approaching the date of Operation Hooper, but first a bit of bad news for the SADF regarding disease. The heavy rains through November and Dec...

Episode 98 – Hougaard goes marauding and a Russian commander dies as an ammunition bunker explodes

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we left off last episode it was the end of Operation Moduler, and Cuban Leader Fidel Castro had begun to consider a negotiated solution to the Na...

Episode 97 – Castro starts to talk peace but along the Cuito River all hell rains down

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re wrapping up Operation Moduler this episode and throwing forward to the next assault on Cuito Cuanavale which was to fixate the South African p...

Episode 96 – The Chambinga Gallop and the end of Operation Moduler

12 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

FAPLAs 21 and 25 Brigades were manoeuvring around the western edge of the 1370 meter high Viposto high ground which lay south of the Hube and Chambing...

Episode 95 – 21/25 Brigade makes a dash for the Chambinga Bridge amidst heroics by 32's Van Zyl

05 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re into the final phase of Operation Moduler in November 1987, and the SADF was lining up FAPLAs 16 Brigade after giving them a bloody nose on th...

Episode 94 – South African and Russian tanks go toe-to-toe at the Chambinga river in southern Angola

26 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s early morning November 9th 1987 and the SADF was advancing towards FAPLAs 16th Brigade based at the source of the Chambinga River. The Angolan ...

Episode 93 – Russians claim chemical weapon attack as the SADF pounds FAPLA

19 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Colonel Deon Ferreira was putting the final touches together for the next phase of Operation Moduler, in late October 1987. The South Africans had reo...

Episode 92 – An indebted Pretoria fixates on Cuito Cuanavale

12 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the beginning of October 1987 One Recce moved into the southern Angolan region replacing Five Recce and by the time the SADF top brass had decided ...

Episode 91 – Russians on the Lomba and the Olifant Battle Tank

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

FAPLA had taken a battering at the Battle of the Lomba River on 3rd October 1987 - the SADF had crushed 47 Brigade, and they had also dealt t21 Brigad...

Episode 90 – FAPLAs 47th Brigade shattered as Operation Moduler continues

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most crucial periods of the Border War was under way - although military strategists didn’t realise this until a little later. It was i...

Episode 89 – Mirages, MiGs, missiles & the Lomba River tango to the death

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We heard last episode how Operation Modular had begun, and how FAPLAs 21st Brigade had been stopped from crossing the Lomba River by Major Hannes Nort...

Episode 88 – Operation Moduler begins with T54/55s taking on Ratels at the Lomba

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first phase of Operation Modular has begun. 32 Battalion, the Recces and UNITA are facing 8 FAPLA Brigades in southern Angola, four of these have ...

Episode 87 –Crocodiles attack Recces and the Lomba River heavy metal clash looms

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The SADF was now facing a crisis as the MPLA government in Angola was growing increasingly determined to crush UNITA in the south east. The Aparthei...

Episode 86 – The SAAF harried in Angola and Soviets import arms from Afghanistan

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are traveling with 5 Recce and they are planning to attack the SWAPO base that was discovered by some systematic sleuthing by Koos Stadler and Jose...

Episode 85 – Small teams missions behind enemy lines and the courage of 7 Med

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve heard about the 1 Recce and 4 Recce and the covert war throughout this series, and at times, I’ve included the voices or the individual stor...

Episode 84 - FAPLA renew their offensive against UNITA at Mavinga

18 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s early 1986 and the SADF had learned a great deal through 1985, particularly what FAPLA were up to. In the time of the Joint Commission you hear...

Episode 83 – The most ambitious Op involving SADF special Forces hits Namibe

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By January 1986 internal unrest in South Africa that had started in 1984 was in full swing – with the security forces hard pressed to cope. The SA P...

Episode 82 – More Russian choppers down and 32 learns how to use SATNAV

04 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s September 1985, and the SA Air Force and ground forces have already shot down two Russian helicopters and an Antonov transport plane. That was ...

Episode 81 – The MPLA attacks UNITA and the SAAF shoots down Russian choppers

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By mid-1985 air traffic between Lubango on the Atlantic coast and Cuito Cuanavale in southern Angola had grown exponentially. Since the railway line r...

Episode 80 – An SA Navy sub damaged at the end of the failed Cabinda raid

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re picking up where we left off in Episode 79 with Captain Wynana Du Toit captured, two Recces dead, and six others hiding in a coastal thicket s...

Episode 79 – A shootout on a Cabinda beach and the capture of Cpt Wynand du Toit

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last episode we covered one of 32 Battalion’s darkest days, the mauling they received at the hands of SWAPO on 11th February 1985, where Charlie Com...

Episode 78 – Operation “foreskin” and 32 runs into a SWAPO firestorm

06 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re traveling with 32 Battalion’s Echo and Golf companies which had entered Angola and were deployed in pseudo-operations – something called O...

Episode 77 – The Recces blow up locomotives and 32 Battalion dresses like UNITA

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By the second half of 1984 the Joint Monitoring Commission was virtually on its last legs and the SADF Special Forces were involved in a number of mis...

Episode 76 – Turned SWAPO cadres, Recce pseudo-operations & Soviet air strategy

23 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1984 and the special forces have been busy as you heard in the last episode. The waterborne operations were on the go, but so too were ops into...

Episode 75 – Russian OSA2 missile boats targeted in 1984’s Operation Nobilis

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 75 and we’re covering events in 1984 where various issues had arisen. The South Africans and the Angolans had been jointly patrollin...

Episode 74 – FAPLA/SADF joint patrols hit a wobble & Recce Op Bouganvilia

09 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We just finished hearing about Operation Askari, and a quick note. I said that the Eland armoured would no longer be used for cross -border operations...

Episode 73 – A 1984 cease-fire as the SADF and FAPLA conduct joint patrols

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Askari has ended but not the recriminations. While on the surface the SADF gave off a great deal of positive propaganda, the loss of 21 men ...

Episode 72 – Cuvelai III: A Ratel destroyed by a T54 and an Impala narrow escape

25 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of Cuvelai two was a blood letting of note, with FAPLAs 11th Brigade now bottled up in the town, with the SADF Task Force Victor and X-Ray ...

Episode 71 – The Battle of Cuvelai II: Bundu-bashing into Soviet T54/55s

18 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the first days of January 1984 and Operation Askari has hit a few hiccups. Task Force Victor failed to take Cuvelai in the first Battle for t...

Episode 70 – Operation Askari missteps at Cahama and Cuvelai

11 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s operation Askari, and 61 Mech’s has fulfilled the first part of the plan, driving FAPLA out of Quiteve and now were approaching Cahama, which...

Episode 69 – Operation Askari begins with a reconnaissance drone

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By November 1983 the SADF was prepping for the significant operation called Askari, and the Air Force was playing its part. The original plan was for ...

Episode 68 – UNITA overruns Cangamba with SAAF help but Russia gets proactive

28 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By April 1983, SADF intelligence picked up that SWAPO had begun improving its military position in Angola and that their armed wing PLAN had managed a...

Episode 67–A rifle grenade in a ribcage, an Ionde minefield mishap and a Dragon

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By now, 32 Battalion had setup their HQ at Ongiva airport, a few kilometers outside the town, and 40 kilometers north of the cutline. But the Battalio...

Episode 66 – Another MiG shot down and Russian VIPs arrive

14 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We heard last episode about Operation Meebos and the shooting down of a Puma with the loss of 15 men. The SADF was now determined to follow-up the c...

Episode 65 – Ops Meebos where SWAPO AA fire downs a Puma

07 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back in 1982 after a hiatus covering the seaborne operations and an update from the SA Air Force which had had a busy May as you heard in Epis...

Episode 64 – Another Maputo raid and Hearts and Minds in the Kavango

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1980 and in February Robert Mugabe’s ZANU movement was about to win the first Zimbabwean election - managing to scape a small majority – th...

Episode 63 – 4 Recce and the Rhodesian SAS target Beira fuel depot and port in a series of raids

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

WE pick up the seaborne operations story in early 1979, and much of this episode is based on the book Iron Fist from the Sea by ex-Recce Douw Steyn an...

Episode 62 – Rhodesian SAS and the Recces plan an assassination attempt on Robert Mugabe codenamed “Lark”

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’m spending some time focusing on seaborne operations and the Recces – most of their ops were top secret and some are mind-boggling. Like the a...

Episode 61 – The Recces first Seaborne Operations and how the British High Commissioner’s Rolls Royce was blown up

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Much of this week’s episode has been culled from a fantastic book called Iron Fist from the Sea, top secrete Seaborne Recce Operations 1978-1988 by ...

Episode 60 – Tsumeb farmers suffer repeated blows as SWAPOs Operation Typhoon sows destruction in the Triangle of Death

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We left off last episode with SWAPOs Operation Typhoon under way inside the Triangle of Death, that area between Tsumeb, Otavi and Grootfontein. Forty...

Episode 59 – A SWAPO ambush leaves 11 dead as a Ratel is blown up at Effense Chana

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 58 we heard how two SWAPO platoon had created an obvious trail near Tsumeb, it was bait for a trap they were planning – an ambush that wo...

Episode 58 – SWAPOs “Danger” Ashipala switches tactics as he dispatches 150 men to the Triangle of Death

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you heard last episode, groups of SWAPO insurgents were about to head southwards from various points north of Etosha Pan – aiming at the farming ...

Episode 57 – Operation Super: The incredible 1982 Battle of Cambeno Valley, SWAPO’s Point Zero

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you heard last episode, from February 1982 SWAPO activity had increased in the normally quiet western sector of Angola north of Kaokaland. Remember...

Episode 56 – SWAPO takes aim at the Kaokoland and 32 Battalion hit by SAAF friendly fire

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

December 1981 brought the usual debriefings and analysis about how the border war was progressing, particularly after a year that saw such highs and l...

Episode 55 – Operation Daisy where a Mirage shoots down a MiG in a first for the SAAF since the Korean War

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The sound of gunfire from Operation Protea and the SADF were already planning their next invasion of Angola. The intelligence gathered during Protea ...

Episode 54 – Operation Protea wraps up but the Russians and Cubans want revenge

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Protea was had wrapped up by 2nd September 1981 – Battle Group 10 had reverted to being 61 Mech, while Battle Group 20 was disbanded. As ...

Episode 53 – Soviet officers die and one is captured at Ongiva as Operation Protea enters DDay+5.

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Protea has entered its fifth day and the town of Ongiva had been bombed by the Air Force, and bombarded by artillery. Battle Group 10 had m...

Episode 52 - Operation Protea D+1, Xangongo falls and the attention shifts to Ongiva

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we heard last episode, By 6pm on the 24th August 1981, Battle Group 20 was in control of its objectives, having destroyed at least four tanks and c...

Episode 51 – Xangongo the target as Operation Protea begins and the story of a freak smoke rocket shot

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The air strikes on the targets for Operation Protea have ended, and now the mechanised units will begin their move on the targets, Xangongo and Peu Pe...

Episode 50 – Operation Protea begins and Xangongo and Peu Peu targeted but FAPLA’s 19th Brigade awaits

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last episode we heard how the South Africans had travelled overnight to reach the first target planned for Operation Protea, Xangongo. So we’ll retu...

Episode 49 – SWAPO uses FAPLA as a defensive screen in southern Angola and the plans are laid for Operation Protea

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the first half of 1981 and more hit and run raids were being carried out by SWAPO – particularly around Okalonga and Mahanene. Some of the f...

Episode 48 – Russian specialists set up anti-aircraft missiles and Special Forces ops accelerate across the cutline

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Russians were increasing their support for the MPLA in Luanda and one of those who arrived was Vladimir Vasilievich Kostrachenkov. He helped estab...

Episode 47 – 32 Battalion’s Colonel Ferreira hauled over the coals for attacking FAPLA and Impala’s drop napalm

20 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We heard about Ops Smokeshell over the past few episodes, the next major incursion into Angola will be Operation Protea. There’s quite a bit to cov...

Episode 46 – The attack on Smokeshell leaves 17 dead – the largest SADF loss in a single day’s combat since 1945

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 46 and its June 10th 1980 and Commandant Dippenaar’s Combat Group 61, that huge convoy of 151 vehicles, had drawn up to the East of ...

Episode 45 – The SAAF begins flying Impala’s at night and Operation Sceptic aka Smokeshell begins

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 45 and its 1980. Everything will accelerate from now on – as wars generally do when neither side has complete control over the batt...

Episode 44 – The Recces kayak to Savate as 32 Battalion preps for Operation Sceptic aka Smokeshell

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 44 – it’s the run up to Operation Sceptic in 1980 – or what many folks call Ops Smokeshell. That’s because the main target –...

Episode 43 – Sonja Dressel shoots up a PLAN platoon and political change sweeps southern Africa

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 43 and we’re into 1980. Last episode we met Tannie Pompie van der Westhuysen and touched on a growing sign of PLAN action through la...

Episode 42 – The Triangle of Death in 1979 and an introduction to Tannie Pompie

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 42 – it’s 1979 and all hell is breaking loose as the Rhodesian Bush war reaches it apogee and SWAPO increases its incursions into ...

Episode 41 – A Rhodesian Airlines Viscount downed at Kariba and an old Zambian man stares down the SADF

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 41 and we’re dealing with events in 1979. One of these as you’re about to hear involve a Rhodesian Airlines Vickers Viscount that ...

Episode 40 – 61 Mechanised Battalion special edition with former commander Roland de Vries

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 40 and it’s a special edition focusing on one of the most successful military organisations in African military history. That’s ...

Episode 39 – Both the SADF and SWAPO reorganise and 61 Mech is born

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 39 and SWAPO has just mortared Katimo Mulilo as revenge for the airborne assault on Cassinga. Ten SADF troops died in the bombardmen...

Episode 38 – 32 Battalion ends Ops Reindeer then SWAPO attacks Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 38 and its time to scrutinise the fall-out from Operation Reindeer, particularly the attack on Cassinga – during 1978. As you heard...

Episode 37 – A Cuban counter-attack causes chaos at the Cassinga LZ and Pretoria’s political strategy backfires

21 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 37 and we’re dealing with a Cuban counter-attack targeting the South African paratroopers still being airlifted out of Cassinga. I...

Episode 36 – Paratroopers in Cassinga face off against T34s as the Cubans infiltrate the battle zone

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 36 and we’re at the tail end of Operation Reindeer – and we kick off this episode by viewing the SADF attack on Cassinga alongside...

Episode 35 – Cassinga finally surrenders but the Cubans in Techamutete mobilise their T34s

31 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 35 and we swing further north to pick up the story in Cassinga. Last episode I ended with the Battle Group Julient attacks on Cheteq...

Episode 34 – The SADF begin to take casualties as they attack Chetequera where hyaenas and jackals would feast

23 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 34 and the SADF are inside Angola – it’s the 4th May 1978 and Operation Reindeer is under way – it’s the joint attacks on Cass...

Episode 33 – SA Parabats are in Cassinga but SWAPO fights back, while Juliet raids Chetequera

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 33 and we’re inside Cassinga on the 4th May 1978 with the SADF paratroopers and SWAPO who are going toe-to-toe. Episode 32 outlined...

Episode 32 – First the Canberras, Buccaneers and Mirages then the paratroopers leap into hi

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 32 and we’re joining with the SADF paratroopers aboard 9 planes flying towards Cassinga for the start of Operation Reindeer. Its ju...

Episode 31 – D-Day and Operation Reindeer begins

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 31 and it’s the start of Operation Reindeer – the twin assaults on Cassinga and Chetequera in Angola on May 4th 1978. Colonel Ja...

Episode 30 – A four phased blueprint to attack Cassinga as Operation Reindeer is good to go for May 4th 1978

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 30 and it’s the start of Operation Reindeer, one of the most important ops conducted by the SADF during the Border War. It involve...

Episode 29 – Two parachute battalions begin training in earnest for Operation “Wedding” aka Reindeer but there’s a hitch

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 29 and we’re covering the period up to the start of Operation Reindeer which was to take place in early May 1978. First the pla...

Episode 28 – Operation Reindeer gets the green light after SAAF Buccaneers discover Cassinga camp

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 28 dealing with events in early 1978 – mainly operation Reindeer and the attack on Cassinga. As with Savannah, I’m going t...

Episode 27 - A prelude to Operation Reindeer and the SADF airborne attack on Cassinga

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 27 and we’re focusing on the end of 1977 through to early 1978. Later that year Operation Reindeer would once again shake southe...

Episode 26 – Jannie Geldenhuys takes charge of SWA Command

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 26 and we’re covering events in 1977. The incursions into Ovamboland increased suddenly in early 1977 and the SADF was also conc...

Episode 25 – The Reccies and 32 Battalion continue the war inside Angola and the Soweto Uprising shocks the Nationalist

15 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 25 and we’re focusing on the second half of 1976. Last episode we heard about the Cold War machinations which had led to Cuba ...

Episode 24 – The Angolan Army re-organises, Moscow refocuses on Africa and Mirages arrive in Ondangwa

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 24 and we’ll hear how Swapo insurgency into Ovamboland began increasing rapidly after the end of Operation Savannah in early 197...

Episode 23 – The SADF re-equips after Savannah and the Ratel is born

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 23 and we’re dealing with the fallout from Operation Savannah which began in October 1975 and ended in March 1976. What starte...

Episode 22 – The SADF Day of Disaster as Operation Savannah winds down

25 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 22 and we’re looking at the end of Operation Savannah which was winding down by early January 1976. We have dealt with various ...

Episode 21 – The Battle for Bridge 14 part II and Battle Group Orange face T34s at the Pombuig River

18 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 21 – the Battle for Bridge 14 Part II – and the trials and tribulations of a new outfit called Battle Group Orange. When ...

Episode 20 – The Battle at Bridge 14 part I

11 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 20, the Battle at Bridge 14. Operation Savannah was supposed to be winding down but two of the most important clashes were to take pla...

Episode 19 – The SADF conducts an off-the-record briefing and the start of the struggle to control Bridge 14

04 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 19 and we’re dealing with the fallout after the Battle of Ebo, and the preamble to the next battle for Bridge 14. As the battl...

Episode 18 – The Battle of Ebo - the first major defeat for the SADF during Operation Savannah

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 18 and folks back home were in for a bit of a shock. The invasion of Angola by the SADF during Operation Savannah had been an exercise...

Episode 17 – The SAS Steyn’s role in the remarkable evacuation from the beach at Ambrizette

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 17 and we’re approaching the end of Operation Savannah which had started out so well but was rapidly turning into a strategic ni...

Episode 16 – Luanda’s “Death Road” leaves the FNLA in tatters and the CIA decides to up and off

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 16 and we’re covering Operation Savannah which took place between October and December 1975. That was the invasion of southern...

Episode 15 – Angolan independence day passes while Task Force Zulu and Foxbat continue fighting

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the 7th November 1975 Zulu’s Battle Group Alpha were on the road to the South African’s next goal, Lobito. It’s a bay just north ...

Episode 14 – The assault on Benguela and its airport

30 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is episode 14 – the assault on the port city of Benguela its airport which was not going to be easy as you’ll hear. As the South Afr...