Timeline Angola

The last SADF troops leave Namibia

On 1 April a force of between 1,200 and 1,800 SWAPO guerrillas crossed into Namibia, SWAPO's single largest incursion in its twenty-three-year insurgency.

On March 20, 1989, SADF 51 BN Ombalantu base was handed over to SWAPOL

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Omafu for the second time

The last of the South African troops withdraw from Angola, crossing the temporary steel bridge into SWA/Namibia and watched by the world's media and the Joint Monitoring Commission, 36 hours early than the planned time.

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Onavivi for the fourth time

61 Mechanized Battalion again lay down an ambush and engage a strong Cuban force, led by tanks. A fierce fire fight ensues, and as 32 Battalion is given protection by SADF artillery, MIG 23’s enter the fray, forcing the artillery to disengage and go to ground. All SADF forces cross the Cunene River by 12:55 and for some unexplained reason the Cubans disengage and withdraw back to Techipa, losing their brief tactical advantage.

At 13:55 four MIG 23’s bomb Calueque Dam, followed at 14:05 by another three aircraft, damaging hydraulic works including a pipeline, killing 11 soldiers from 8 SAI. Two MIG 23’s are damaged in the engagement by ground fire and a third crashes on landing. This is the last military engagement of the South African – Angolan War in which loss of life occurs, at least involving the SADF

SADF forces guarding Cuamato come under attack from a combined FAPLA/Cuban force based at Xangongo, resulting in a fierce skirmish in which 201 Battalion loses some vehicles but holds on to the town (Operation Hilti/Excite)

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Omahenene for the second time

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Ogongo for the second time

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Oshigambo for the second time

On 2 May, SAAF Mirages attacked FAPLA positions south of Techipa

SWAPO PLAN 60mm mortar attack on the base at Okatope, 1 x SADF soldier was killed and 3 wounded in the attack on 25 March 1988

SADF electronic warfare operations intercepted FAPLA communications on 22 March which indicated that FAPLA wanted to retake the Chambinga heights

FAPLA deploys a new battalion north of Tumpo

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Nkongo at 00h40 with mortars. Mortars missed base

SAAF Mirage F1AZs engage with Cuban MiG-23s in the area between Menonque and Cuito Cuanavale. The Cubans Migs break off the engagement

The new assault force (see 2/2/88) attacks the main FAPLA logistical base at Menongue. This is followed at 22:30 by a separate MRL ripple fired at the air base at Menongue, followed at 01:30 by a second ripple using coordinates provided by a reconnaissance team in sight of the air base. The 32 Battalion force withdraws to Gimbe and hides up for the day. The attack against the air base triggers an extremely aggressive response with two MIG 23’s airborne at 07:00, firing their 20-mm cannon at every possible position where the MRL battery could be hiding. This is followed over the next few days by the deployment of a full FAPLA Brigade, supported by tanks and M 46 artillery and air cover. This aggressive posture is maintained

The 32 Battalion force that has been harassing FAPLA west of the Cuito River since 9/1/88 as part of Operation Hooper is relieved by a new contingent made up of a Ratel 20 squadron, a 20-mm anti-aircraft troop and three fresh companies of 32 Battalion

Operation Hooper and the siege of Cuito Cuanavale begins in earnest. Cold War T-62 main battle tanks are brought into action for the first time by FAPLA

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Ontala

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Okankolo at 22h15 with 8 x 60mm mortars and  SKS rifle grenades

SAAF Mirage F1Azs escort a Buccaneer to hit the bridge over the River Cuito near Cuito Cuanavale with a H2 guided bomb at 14h35, but the bomb again malfunctioned an fell into the river just short of the bridge.

5 x SAAF Mirage F1AZs escort a Buccaneer to hit the bridge over the River Cuito near Cuito Cuanavale with H2 guided bombs at 17h25, but technical problems caused it to be cancelled

Cuban soldier  Osmani Bermúdez Argüelles is KIA in mine explosion (6 of his colleagues died along with him). He was part of a reinforcement column that was heading to Cuito Cuanavale

General Jannie Geldenhuys and other senior officers flew to the Tactical Headquarters on 22 November and a plan was finalized for an attack on Chambinga Heights

Elements of UNITA's 3rd and 5th Regular Battalions clashed with FAPLA patrols east of the Chambinga bridge on several occasions. FAPLA recovery parties crossed the bridge during the day to recover vehicles that had been abandoned on the east bank. These parties were shelled, but continued with their work with some success. The G-5s shelled Cuito Cuanavale and targets of opportunity elsewhere, including a convoy of one hundred vehicles moving from Tumpo to Cuito Cuanavle. At the town itself, a G-5 shell scored a direct hit on a Bar Lock radar. A BM-21 that attempted a counter-bombardment was destroyed.

At 21:00 on 14 November, several SAAF Impala strike aircraft carried out an air strike on enemy targets at Cuvelai. Impala Mk.II (#1024) hit by AAA and hit ground during ground attack ops near Cuvelai. The pilot SAAF Cpt. Andre Stapa died in the crash

11 November - Operation Moduler. The plan called for three attacks. Combat Group Bravo would keep 21 and 59 Brigades engaged while Combat Group Alpha would engage 16 Brigade positions from the north-east, drawing the tanks away in a diversionary move. It would then become the SADF reserve and Charlie would lead the main attack from the south.

The attack began at 06h00 with SADF artillery attacking the northern units of 16 Brigade giving them the impression that it was the target and this impression was followed up by SAAF Mirage bombing on the same positions at 07h00. Charlie's attack resumed around 10h00 as it had again been held up by poor navigation through thick bush and MiG bombing runs taking one wounded and this allowed FAPLA to withdraw some of its units in the south. They soon come up against two battalions, ten tanks and artillery.

After resting Charlie regained the momentum around 12h25 when six Mirages bomb 16 Brigade positions but are then counter-attacked by the ...

Operation Modular Phase 2. The attack began at 01h00 with Combat Group Alpha moving to position themselves to the south of 16 Brigade, while Combat Group Charlie started to move to its positions north at 04h00. SADF mortar and artillery began to shell the enemy while a 06h30 bombing by SAAF Mirages kept the pressure on FAPLA. The main attack unit, Combat Group Charlie, was 4 km northeast from 16 Brigade around 06h00.

At 07h00 Combat Group Alpha began its diversionary attack on 16 Brigade from the south, with the brigade responding by preparing their tanks to attack the group. Combat Group Alpha withdrew and became the task force reserve. Combat Group Charlie's attack was led by a company from 32 Bn with UNITA troops and became pinned down by machine gun and 23 mm anti-aircraft guns, followed too far behind by 4SAI and UNITA troops who were moving too slowly due to dense bush and trees. Meanwhile, FAPLA prepared an ambush for 4SAI's left flank consisting of 3 tanks, various AA gun...

FAPLA's 59 Brigade was instructed to provide 21 Brigade with 3000 litres of diesel fuel, 2000 litres of petrol, a tanker with lubricants, three BRDMs and two BTR-60s. The 21 Brigade battalion that had deployed in search of the artillery, was brought back to rejoin the main body to prepare for the offensive.

At 18:00 on 2 November, two days after the carrying out of Operation Firewood, 2 x enemy MiG fighters approached the Mupa area from a northwesterly direction, flying at very low altitudes, and launched an air-to-ground missile attack on the positions of SADF soldiers. Five members of the SADF were injured during the air strike

On 30 October, from 12:26 to 13:16 and again from 15:45 to 17:03, 8 x SAAF Impala aircraft carried out more air strikes, this time on a large FAPLA base which was situated at the town of Cuvelai, south of Indungo

At 07:05 on 28 October, 4 x SAAF Impalas launched another air-to-ground attack upon Mupa

SADF Special Forces, 1 Parachute Battalion, 2 Recce, 5 Recce, 32 Battalion supported by 101 Battalion, launch Operation Firewood B. The objective is to neutralize the SWAPO HQ by means of a motorized assault. During the evolution of this operation some of the SADF SF come under friendly fire from the SAAF due to incorrect interpretation of aerial photography. The operation yields 300 PLAN KIA, 5 SADF KIA and 5 Honorus Crux medals awarded to members of 101 Battalion. Operation Firewood B

The SADF G5 artillery bombardment of Cuito Cuanavale begins. This lasts for weeks wearing down FAPLA’s will to fight.

FAPLA 59 Brigade is ordered to locate and destroy these artillery batteries. Task Force Delta shadows 59 Brigade, but is unable to engage, because the terrain precludes the use of their anti-tank weapons. As a result of this dilemma, Battle Group Alpha, still in existence, is ordered to attack 59 Brigade, giving Task Force Delta the opportunity to move to the high ground at Vimposto, tasked with the responsibility of preventing reinforcements from FAPLA 16 or 66 Brigade from coming in to support 59 Brigade.

The remnants of FAPLA 47 Brigade, along with 16, 21 Brigades and Tactical Group 2, retreat to the source of the Cunzumbia River.

This triggers planning in the SADF to destroy FAPLA east of the Cuito River by no later than 15/12/87. This results in the formation of Task Force Delta, under the command of Major L.L. du Plessis, consisting of the following elements of 32 Battalion: Foxtrot Company travelling in Buffel MPV’s, two 106-mm recoilless gun vehicles, two Unimog supply vehicles, four 81-mm mortars mounted on Unimogs, two Milan vehicles and UNITA’s 3rd Regular Battalion. Task Force Delta is deployed 5-km south-west of the Mianei River source and is ordered to hold this front until 20/10/87 when 4 SAI, a national force unit, is expected in theatre

FAPLA orders the tactical withdrawal of all its forward combat units to a location to the north, signalling the end of the FAPLA advance started on 2/6/87. This is a turning point in Operation Modular.

FAPLA 47 Brigade is again ordered to cross the Lomba River and marry up with 59 Brigade. The orders are for the combined force to then move east to the Cunzumbia River where it will link up with 21 Brigade. Late in the afternoon these orders are changed and 21 Brigade is instructed to withdraw to the north-east in response to the aggressive harassment from the SADF.

President PW Botha is given a high-level briefing in Pretoria and he authorises a more offensive campaign designed to destroy the total FAPLA capacity east of Cuito Cuanavale

FAPLA forces cross the Lomba River using TMM bridging equipment to replace the bridges destroyed by G5 artillery. This results in a fierce skirmish with SADF armoured units using Ratel 90 tank-killers. The strength of the FAPLA thrust is broken after a few days of intermittent fighting.

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Elundu at 20h55 with 60mm mortars, SKS rifle grenades and small arms, 23 x mortars hit the base, 9 x SADF wounded

FAPLA 47 Brigade reaches the source of the Lomba River and turn east having crossed this obstacle. Simultaneously, FAPLA 59 Brigade use TMM bridge-laying equipment to cross the Cuzizi River. When they reach the Lomba River they are stopped because the bridge had been destroyed.

At 07:50 the 32 Battalion MRL battery fires full salvoes at 47 Brigade, halting its advance temporarily. This is followed at 21:00 by a barrage of 80 G5 shells, this time aimed at 21 Brigade, halting its advance. Simultaneously, the 32 Battalion anti-tank squadron and 120-mm heavy mortar battery, moves to Commandant Hartslief’s position 5-km south-east of the Lomba-Cuzizi confluence

FAPLA 47 and 59 Brigades are decimated by accurate SADF artillery fire in the upper reaches of the Cuzizi River as part of Operation Modular.

SWAPO PLAN 60mm mortar attack on the base at Nkongo at 23h45

Mupa is again shelled with mortars from 32 Battalion as part of Operation Radbraak with the intention of flushing out SWAPO, but nothing happens

The base at Ombalantu, Sector 10, was attacked by SWAPO PLAN at about 23H15 on Tuesday 9 June 1987 at 23H15.

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Okankolo at 21h15, 7 x SADF wounded

PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Onavivi for the first time

Reconnaissance teams of Golf and Echo Company 32 Battalion report the existence of a group of SWAPO at Evale

Charlie Company 32 Battalion is given instructions to move into Mupa, by which time SWAPO has abandoned their base there. Mupa is held for 2 days and then handed over to UNITA

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Eenhana with RPG7s, 60mm and 82mm mortars. Koevoet follow-up killed one PLAN insurgent.

Golf Company 32 Battalion engage with a group of 40 SWAPO in a heavy fire fight near Evale. Rfn. R Sikote is KIA and 5 members are wounded including Lt. D. da Sousa (Operation Kakebeen)

A contact is initiated between a 4 man reconnaissance team from 32 Battalion and 20 SWAPO 12-km north-east of Evale (Operation Kakebeen)

Operation Kakebeen goes into high gear as 32 Battalion attacks the SWAPO base at Cassumbi, killing 5 of the estimated 120 enemy, but also losing 4 members of 32 Battalion KIA, wounding 11 more. Large quantities of materiel are destroyed and SWAPO bombshells to Mucolo, Ngonto and Cassumbi

7 x SAAF Alouette III Gunships and 4 x Impala Mk II’s strike targets in the Mongua area

On January 19, 1987, SWAPO attempted an attack on Ruacana that failed. With the counter - bombard of the G2 guns, the gunners killed three enemy cadres.

The whole of 5 Recce converged on Oshivelo to train for upcoming Operation Colosseum

SWAPO PLAN attack on the SADF base at Oshakati

SWAPO PLAN attack on the SADF base at Etale,

On 23 March 1986 the Concor base was attacked by 20 x PLAN insurgents

A single SAAF Buccaneer carried out a successful LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) of the Cuito bridge and Angolan brigade concentrations east and west of the river.

On 13 November 1985 the base at Ruacana was attacked by PLAN insurgents at 03h00 with 60mm mortars, B10 Recoilless Rifles and RPG7s, 5 x PLAN insurgents killed and 1 captured in the follow-up

SAAF MB-326KC Impala's flying out from AFB Rundu down 2 x Mi-25 helicopters in the Menonque area

On 28 July 1985 the SADF’s Sector 10 HQ at Oshakati was attacked by PLAN insurgents at 01h40 firing 19 x B10 bombs and 15 x 82mm mortars. Slight damage was caused to cars and caravans and 2 x SADF members were slightly wounded.

On 28 June, PLAN insurgents entered South West Africa damaging a bridge between Epali and Ondangwa, sabotaging twenty telephone poles, mortaring the Eenhana SADF base and a bomb was detonated at the Ongwediva Teachers Training College

On 11 May 1985 PLAN executed one of their most successful standoff attacks when the SADF base at Ogandjera was attacked at 00h25 using 82mm mortars. 11 x SADF members were wounded

On 28 March 1985 the base at Ogandjera was attacked by PLAN insurgents with mortars, 5 x SADF wounded

On 24 March 1985 the base at Omungwelume was attacked by PLAN insurgents at 22h30

On 7 December 1984 the Concor facility  was attacked by PLAN insurgents with 60mm mortars and small arms fire.  1 x civilian killed and 10 x SADF wounded, 1 PLAN member wounded and captured in retaliatory fire

On 31 August 1984 the temporary SADF base at Beacon 25 was attacked by PLAN insurgents at 20h30 firing 6omm mortars. At least 7 x mortars hit the temporary base.1 x SADF wounded

On 25 July 1984 the SADF base at Nepara was attacked with small arms and SKS rifle grenades by PLAN insurgents. Only one SKS rifle-grenade hit the base. 6 x SADF wounded

On 22 May 1984 the SADF base at Etengwa was attacked by PLAN insurgents with 50 and 82mm mortars. 2 x PLAN wounded

On 3 March 1984 the temporary SADF base at Beacon 28 was attacked by PLAN insurgents at 23h20 firing mortars. 1 x PLAN killed

On 2 March 1984 the temporary SADF base at Beacon 10 was attacked by 20 x PLAN insurgents firing 60mm mortars and small arms fire. 1 x PLAN killed, 2 x SADF wounded

32Bn Charlie Company tracked and made contact with a group of 40 SWAPO eight kilometres east of Cassinga. The firefight left two members of the platoon wounded. Operation Opsaal

A 32Bn anti-tank platoon was patrolling four kilometres southwest of Tetchamutete with their 106mm and Milan Unimogs, when one of the Milan vehicles detonated a mine, killing one soldier and injuring another five. Operation Opsaal

A formation of four 24 Squadron Buccaneers attacked the Tactical Headquarters of SWAPO outside Lubango

SADF 32 Battalion made contact with SWAPO 3km south of Cassinga and killed 5 enemy, including a company commander, "Thomas" of the Moscow Battalion. A prisoner revealed that the Moscow Battalion were located 10km north of Cassinga. Two other bases, 17km south and 22km southeast of Casinga, indicated by the prisoner, had already been evacuated

Impala Mk.II (#) hit by SA-9 in tail cone, but failed to explode. Landed safely

3 x SADF 32 Battalion reconnaissance teams moved into the target area for Operation Askari and began liaising with the UNITA forces deployed around Chipolo

Daniyal Gukov - Soviet Battalion Advisor to FAPLA flew to Menongue for further travel to Cuito Cuanavale, to the location of the FAPLA 16th Infantry Brigade.

Cangamba, at nightfall on 7 August 1983, there was a heavy firefight in front of Sector No. 1 as UNITA advanced from the houses, shouting, and the defenders were forced to retreat. The artillery fire destroyed the last remaining BRDM. In Sector No. 3, Cuban Lieutenant  Juan Miguel Benítez Fernández (age 36) was killed in the fighting. Operation Karton

On 5 July, 32Bn Alpha Company’s second platoon killed another SWAPO on the road between Dova and Nehone. - Operation Dolfyn

32Bn Alpha Company’s third platoon was waiting to be joined at a temporary base between Dova and Nehone by the first platoon, and when guards saw a group of men in uniform approaching, they assumed the platoon had arrived. Even when the newcomers opened fire, those in the base thought it was a mistake, and instead of returning fire took to the bush to prevent friendly fire casualties.

But the intruders were a group of 50 SWAPO, and because the platoon members had taken only their personal weapons with them, an effective counter-attack was impossible. Sergeant GH du Randt and Rifleman E Cassera were killed, and Second Lieutenant GW Roos, Corporal PG Grobler and two troops wounded. SWAPO looted all the equipment in the base, including 26 bigpacks and groundsheets, 25 sleeping bags, 144 water bottles, an A72 radio and the B22 VHF radio, the only means of making contact with company or tactical headquarters. Lieutenant Gert Kruger’s platoon was despatched from Ionde to rescue the...

At first light on 5 May the assault force moved in to clean up the base and bury the dead before moving on to Bambi. Their patrol was cut short when a member of the State President’s Guard, the 23rd man in a single file, stepped on an anti-personnel mine that all 22 men ahead of him had miraculously managed to miss. - Operation Dolfyn

On 25 April, Alpha, Echo and Golf companies, five of 32’s reconnaissance teams, a mortar group from the State President’s Guard and an engineer element were deployed in the Calolola area. A company from 44 Parachute Brigade was placed on standby. Radio intercepts had indicated a possible SWAPO base 20 km north of Cuvelai. If close reconnaissance confirmed this, it would be attacked on 5 May - Operation Dolfyn

4 x SAAF Buccaneers from AFB Grootfontein (24 Squadron) launch Operation Volcano against the SWAPO PLAN ‘Volcano’ base situated 35 km west of Lubango between the Umbria tunnel and the Leba Pass, with an IPMT (initial point medium toss) attack.

A SAAF Puma (#132) piloted by Capt.Twaddle is shot down by AAA and small arms fire 15km west of the Cuvelai-Techamutete road, killing all three SAAF crew members and twelve paratroopers aboard - Operation Meebos

SAAF Impala Mk.II (#1052) piloted by Maj.Kotze is shot down by AAA fire during a strike mission

The Recce Teams aboard the two Navy Strike Craft arrive at Walvis Bay enroute to Luanda for Operation Kerslig.

The strike craft SAS Oswald Pirow and Jim Fouche (JFE) arrived at Donkergat, Langebaan from Durban to commence the next level of training and rehearsals for the Special Forces Operation Kerslig

At 3:00, 4 November, 61 Mechanised set off for Chitequeta as part of Operation Daisy, with the attack to begin at 08h30. By 4:00 the Special Forces reconnaissance team were in contact with headquarters and believed the base was empty.

3 Parachute Battalion was flown in to Chitequeta and parachuted 20 kilometres (12 mi) north west of the target and proceeded to sweep towards the bases. 201 Battalion had also reached their position by the attack time.

Fifteen minutes before the attack, Buccaneer bombers attacked the PLAN positions followed minutes later by Mirage bombers that came under fire from SA-7 missiles and 23 mm AA guns and further attacks were called in throughout the morning.

61 Mechanized attacked Chitequeta from the north and the east. Apart from a few isolated engagements, where two UNITA and two SADF soldiers were killed, the target areas trenches and bunkers were found to be deserted apart from anti-tank and personnel mines. The tactical headquarters were broug...

A SAAF Alouette III (#48) piloted by Lt. Roos is shot down 20km NNW of Cuamato, Angola by AAA fire whilst on a CAS mission during Operation Protea

A combined Operation Domino involving 32 Battalion, 44 Parachute Brigade and Special Forces was conducted to set up vehicle ambushes on the road between Xangongo and Lubango and destroy stormwater drains on the road from Xangongo to Ongiva.

SWAPO PLAN mortar attack on the SWAPOL base at Ogandjera by 20 x PLAN insurgents of whom 12 were killed during the Koevoet follow-up

SAAF Impala Mk.II (#1042) piloted by Lt.Volkerz is shot down by two SA-7 missiles 20km SW of Mupa, Angola. Pilot ejected safely but was killed by SWAPO PLAN fighters on the ground

Attack by SWAPO PLAN on Ruacana at 02h30 with 40 x mortars. 6 x SADF wounded. Severe damage to radio masts and telephone poles

A SAAF Impala Mk.II (#1037) piloted by Lt.Thomas is hit by AAA fire whilst on a CAS mission during Operation Smokeshell, Pilot ejected safely and aircraft is later recovered by SAAF helicopters

Mirage F1AZ (#234) part of a 16 ship F1AZ force attacking SWAPO base SE of Lubango, damaged by SA-3, resulting in fuel leaks. Landed safely at AFB Ondangwa

30 x PLAN insurgents attacked SADF guarding an air supply point 17km NE of Nkongo with mortars, RPG7s and small arms fire. 4 x SADF killed and 13 x SADF wounded

Attack on AFB Ondangwa by SWAPO PLAN insurgents at 01h55 with 60mm mortars and small arms fire. 1 x SAAF Puma and 1 x Impala Mk.II was damaged.

SAAF Impala Mk.II (#1050) piloted by Capt.Smal crashes whilst on a mission over Angola due to loss of power. Pilot ejected at low level and was recovered safely.

32Bn Echo and Foxtrot companies, as well as two reconnaissance teams with the call signs WR and ZG, enter Angola with Echo deploying over a ten-kilometre area east of Chiede, Foxtrot covering a similar sized area to the south, and the two recce teams airlifted by helicopter 14 km to the north-east. Operation Driehoek

32Bn Bravo Company’s second platoon made contact with 30 SWAPO at a waterhole two kilometres east of Omupande, a known FAPLA stronghold. Later that day, a five-minute mortar bombardment was launched against the same platoon from the direction of Omupande, followed an hour later by a second, and another hour afterwards by a third attack, despite the fact that the platoon had moved position. Operation Zulu

32 Battalion’s Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies joined forces with a company from 1 Parachute Battalion to seek and destroy SWAPO’s Northern Front headquarters, believed to lie west of Ongiva. Operation Zulu

Attack on SADF at the Oshikango OP post by SWAPO PLAN insurgents with 82mm mortars, RPG7s, RPD and small arms fire , SADF retaliated on Santa Clara

Attack on Police base at Kahengeby SWAPO PLAN with small arms fire from within Angola

Attack on base at Beacon 20by SWAPO PLAN at 02h30 with mortars and small arms fire from within Angola

Attack on Nkongo by SWAPO PLAN at 20h55 with 8 x 82mm mortars. 1 x SADF wounded

Attack on Ruacana by SWAPO PLAN with 82mm mortars, RPG7s and 122 mm rockets. 4 x SADF wounded

Attack on AFB Ondangwa by SWAPO PLAN at 23h45 with 4 x mortars. 4 x SADF wounded

One of 4 x SAAF Canberra's (#452) crashes after a bombing mission over Cahama, Angola. Pilot Lt. Marais was seen slumped over the controls after the bombing run and the aircraft dove slowly into the ground killing the navigator 2nd Lt. Doyle also.

Attack on SADF base at Elundu by SWAPO PLAN insurgents at 01h45 with a 75mm recoilless gun and 36 x 82 mortar. Fire was inaccurate and missed the base.

Attack on SADF at the Okalongo OP post by 40 x SWAPO PLAN insurgents at 04h50 with RPG7s and small arms fire , 3 x SADF soldiers wounded

SWAPO Plan attack on SADF base at Beacon 21 with 82mm mortars, 4 x SADF soldiers wounded

Mortar attack by Zambian Army on SADF base at Wenela

On 27 October 1977, a group of insurgents attacked a SADF patrol in the Cutline, killing 5 x South African soldiers and mortally wounding a sixth

PLAN insurgents stormed SADF soldiers at the border post at Beacon 5.5

A SAAF Alouette III piloted by Lt. Liddell operating from AFB Mpacha is hit by small arms fire from SWAPO PLAN fighters in Zambia wounding the pilot. Pilot succumbs to wounds after crash landing but the Flight Engineer survived.

SWAPO PLAN attack on the SADF base at Etale, one soldier was killed in the attack on 15 December 1976

SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Nkongo on 15 May 1976 by 20 x PLAN insurgents

32Bn Sergeants Roxo, Sierro and Ribeiro were despatched on 3 April to bring these leaderless FNLA groups under control and patrol the terrain as far north as Mavinga. Operation Budgie

Soviet An-22s unloaded the first two MiG-21MF interceptors at Luanda IAP, together with equipment for a battery of S-125 Pechora (ASCC-code ‘SA-3 Goa’) surface-to-air missiles.

FAPLA-Cuban forces take the FNLA air bases of Negage and Camabatela

Fighting between UNITA and FNLA break out in Huambo, and at least twenty-five were killed. It soon spreads to Namibe and Lubango

SAAF Cessna 185 (#739) piloted by Capt. Williamson is shot down N of Ebo, Angola on a recce flight for Task Force Foxbat during Operation Savannah killing the pilot and 2 x Army personnel.

The Cuban intervention in Angola (codenamed Operation Carlota) began on 5 November 1975

Task Force Zulu encountered strong opposition upon their arrival at Catengue. After repeated attacks and only after deploying two Vickers machineguns to support the attack on the left flank, the FAPLA opposition crumbled by around 18h00, fleeing from the town

Pereira d’Eca was attacked by South African troops consisting of 2 South African Infantry Battalion and 1 Parachute Battalion plus armoured cars. On the way to Pereira d’ Eca some MPLA troops rode slam-bang into the advancing paratroopers. An officer of the MPLA, Commander Kalula,  stopped to argue with the South Africans, tried to fire at them and was killed.

Rfn van Hyssteen of C Coy 1 Parachute Battalion was wounded and Rfn Senekal of 2 South African Infantry Battalion n was killed in the attack at Pereira d’ Eca. Between 40 and 50 MPLA soldiers were killed. Thirty four MPLA soldiers were captured and returned to Etale. Seventeen dead MPLA soldiers were also brought back for identification purposes.

On 22 August 1975, the SADF launched operation "Sausage II", a major raid against SWAPO in southern Angola

UNITA formally declared war on the MPLA

The FNLA attacked the Radio Luanda station and destroyed it completely, kidnapping and torturing its assistant director – a member of the MPLA – in the process

The FNLA agreed a cease-fire with the Portuguese, and became the first nationalist movement granted permission to deploy its delegation to Luanda

SWAPO PLAN attack on SAP Base at Singalamwe with rockets and mortars. SAP base commander wounded. Several PLAN killed when SAP reinforcements and SAAF helicopters arrived

On 19 May 1968, FNLA entered Eastern Angola and carried out its first violent actions in the region against the local populations

SWAPO PLAN attacks the farm Kalaharikroon in the Grootfontein district, wounding the owner. Nine were arrested during a follow-up operation by the police

The Union of Peoples of Angola (UPA), under the leadership of Holden Roberto, launched an incursion into northern Angola from its base in the Congo-Léopoldville (the former Belgian Congo), leading 4,000 to 5,000 militants

UPA/FNLA was created on 7 July 1954, as the Union of the Peoples of Northern Angola, by Holden Roberto