WAR IN ANGOLA

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
THE NEWSLETTERS
VOLUME 1
Created and Compiled by:
Johan Schoeman
A War In Angola Publication

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Issue 1 — 7 January 2011
The fall of the Caetano government, Part 1
Featured Equipment: The versatile AK-47
Featured Organisation: Origin of the MPLA
Operation Moduler: First Contact
This week: 23 years ago...
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Colour Map of Angola:
Issue 2 — 14 January 2011
The fall of the Caetano government, Part 2
Featured Equipment: The G3 Battle Rifle
Featured Organisation: Origin of the MPLA
Operation Moduler: The First Clash
This week: 23 years ago...
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
NEW: “An Unpopular War” Poster
Issue 3 — 21 January 2011
A new regime in Angola
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The SVD Dragunov
Featured Organisation: Forming of the FNLA
Operation Moduler: First Clashes — 47 Bde, Part 1
This week: 23 years ago...
NEW: “An Unpopular War” Poster
Issue 4 — 28 January 2011
Decolonisation
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The R1 battle rifle
The revolution of 1961 Part 1
Operation Moduler: First Clashes - 47 Bde, Part 2
This week: 23 years ago...
Map of the Op Moduler First Clashes
Issue 5 — 4 February 2011
Political parties in Angola
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Simonov SKS rifle
The revolution of 1961 Part 2
Operation Moduler: First Clashes - 47 Bde, Part 3
This week: 23 years ago...
New: From the WarBlogs:
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Table of Contents
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3
4
5
5
5
9
11
13
14
15
15
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21
22
23
24
25
25
29
31
32
33
34
35
35
39
41
42
43
44
45
45
48
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
Issue 6 — 11 February 2011
Reaction of the black liberation movements
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The R4 Battle Rifle
Ideological background: White
Operation Moduler: First Clashes - 47 Bde, Part 4
This week: 23 years ago...
SADF Order of Battle: Operation Moduler
Issue 7 — 18 February 2011
Reaction of the FNLA
Operation Sceptic: Alouette shot down by RPG-7
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Mosin-Nagant Rifle
Ideological background: Black
This week: 23 years ago...
Operation Moduler: 21 Brigade tries again
Issue 8 — 25 February 2011
Reaction of the MPLA
Operation Sceptic: Alouette shot down by RPG-7
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Remington 870 Shotgun
Foreign Assistance to Angola
This week: 23 years ago...
Operation Moduler: Destruction of 47 Brigade
Issue 9 — 4 March 2011
UNITA – cautious policy of Dr. Jonas Savimbi
Operation Moduler: Destruction of 47 Brigade, Part 1
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: PPSh-41 submachine gun
Foreign Assistance to Angola
This week: 23 years ago...
Specialist equipment of the Soviet Union
Issue 10 — 11 March 2011
Prelude to Alvor
Operation Moduler: Destruction of 47 Brigade, Part 2
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Uzi submachine gun
The FNLA in war
This week: 23 years ago...
59 Brigade ambushes Combat Group Alpha
51
52
53
54
55
55
59
61
62
62
63
64
64
65
71
72
72
73
74
74
75
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82
82
83
84
84
87
91
92
92
93
94
94
95

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Issue 11 — 8 March 2011
Terms of Alvor
Operation Moduler: The Attack on 16 Brigade, Part 1
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The handy Makarov pistol
The MPLA in war
This week: 23 years ago...
Issue 12 — 25 March 2011
Background to internal strife
Operation Moduler: The Attack on 16 Brigade, Part 2
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The excellent Star pistol
UNITA in war
This week: 23 years ago...
Issue 13 — 1 April 2011
First Clashes
Operation Moduler: The Attack on 16 Brigade, Part 3
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Tokarev TT-33 pistol
Socio-economic Policy
This week: 23 years ago...
Operation Moduler: Map as on 9 Nov 1987
The rationale behind the attack on 16 Bde
Issue 14 — 8 April 2011
The position of the FNLA
Operation Moduler: The Attack on 16 Brigade, Part 4
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Z88 Service Pistol
Portuguese warfare & in the Dembos
This week: 23 years ago...
Operation Moduler: Combat Group Bravo Attacked
Operation Moduler: Map of attack on 16 Bde
Issue 15 — 15 April 2011
UNITA’s peaceful policy
Fapla movements after the attack on 16 Brigade
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Degtyarev DP LMG
The conflict in eastern Angola
This week: 23 years ago...
The Tale of the Ancient Armourer, Part 1
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Table of Contents
101
102
102
103
104
104
111
112
112
113
114
114
121
122
122
123
124
124
128
128
131
132
132
133
134
134
135
138
141
142
142
143
144
144
145
Issue 16 — 22 April 2011
MPLA endeavours
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
SADF Forces involved in the attack on 16 Brigade
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The superb Bren machine gun
SWAPO, Part 1
This week: 23 years ago...
The Tale of the Ancient Armourer, Part 2
Issue 17 — 29 April 2011
July fighting
Operation Moduler: Objectives A and B
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The RPD light machine gun
SWAPO, Part 2
This week: 23 years ago...
The Tale of the Ancient Armourer, Part 3
Issue 18 — 6 May 2011
Expansion of the fighting
Operation Moduler: Objectives A and B Part 2
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The FN MAG machine gun
South African aid to Portugal
This week: 23 years ago...
SAAF Impalas shoot down Cuban Mi-25 Hinds,Part 1
Issue 19 — 13 May 2011
River and Cut Line (“Kaplyn”)
Operation Moduler: Objectives A and B Part 3
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The RPK light machine gun
1 Air Component and 1 Military Area
This week: 23 years ago...
SAAF Impalas shoot down Cuban Mi-25 Hinds,Part 2
Operation Moduler: Map of Objectives A and B
Issue 20 — 20 May 2011
Revival of SWAPO-activities
Operation Moduler: Objectives A and B Part 4
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The SS77 machine gun
Portuguese positioning
This week: 23 years ago...
SAAF Impalas shoot down Cuban Mi-25 Hinds, Part 3
151
152
152
153
154
154
155
161
162
162
163
164
164
165
171
172
172
173
174
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188
191
192
192
193
194
194
196

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Issue 21 — 27 May 2011
Angolan liberation movements penetrate south
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The PKM light machine gun
Infiltration by UNITA and MPLA in Cuando-Cubango
This week: 23 years ago...
SAAF Impalas shoot down Cuban Mi-25 Hinds
WarBlog: “Close Encounters of the MiG kind“
Issue 22 — 3 June 2011
Border clashes
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop, Part 2
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The Vickers machine gun
Infiltration by UNITA and MPLA in Cuando-Cubango
This week: 23 years ago...
WarBlog: “Close Encounters of the MiG kind“, Part 2
Issue 23 — 10 June 2011
Securing the border
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop, Part 3
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The SGM machine gun
Infiltration by UNITA and MPLA in Cuando-Cubango
This week: 23 years ago...
Issue 24 — 17 June 2011
Ruacana-Calueque
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop, Part 4
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: Browning M1919A4 (MG4)
Infiltration by UNITA and MPLA in Cuando-Cubango
This week: 23 years ago...
Operation Moduler: Map - The escape of 21 Brigade
Issue 25 — 24 June 2011
Terrorism threat
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop, Part 5
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: The DShK 12.7mm HMG
The establishment of 5 Sub-Area
This week: 23 years ago...
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Table of Contents
201
202
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204
204
206
206
211
212
212
213
214
214
216
221
222
222
223
224
224
231
232
232
233
234
234
238
241
242
242
243
244
244
Issue 26 — 1 July 2011
Reaction to occupation
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
Operation Moduler: The Chambinga Gallop, Part 6
From the diary of a Russian Advisor...
Featured Equipment: Browning M2HB .50inch HMG
Operation Moduler Map: The pursuit to the Chambinga
This week: 23 years ago...
Plates
1a: ZU-23-2 23mm Light Anti-Aircraft Gun
1b: M1 60mm Mortar
1c: Super Star 9mm Pistol
1d: Aerospatiale SA-330 Puma Helicopter
1e: Kriek Mk1 Motorcycle
1f: Ratel 20 Mk 1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle
1g: Buffel Armoured Personnel Carrier
1h: Aermacchi AM-3C Bosbok Observation Plane
1i: Daphne Class Submarine
1j: Eland 90 Armoured Car
1k: Dassault-Breguet Mirage III CZ
1l: G-2 140mm Towed Gun
1m: Magirus Deutz Gun Tractor
1n: Samil-100 10-ton Truck
1o: South African Mechanised Infantry, 1980
1p: Dassault-Breguet Mirage III R2Z
1q: M20A1RL 88mm (3.5”) “Super Bazooka” Rocket
1r: Mack 6x6 Recovery Vehicle
1s: Valkiri 22 Multiple Rocker Launcher
1t: R1 7.62mm Rifle
1u: Roadrunner Mine Detection Vehicle
1v: English Electric Canberra B(1).12
1w: PLAN Guerrilla, 1980
1x: Unimog Ambulance
1y: Ratel 20 Armoured Recovery Vehicle
1z: Olifant Mk 1A Main Battle Tank
Maps
251
252
252
253
254
254
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
Colour Map of Angola: 9
Operation Moduler Map of the First Clashes 39
Operation Moduler: Map as on 9 Nov 1987
128
Operation Moduler: Map of attack on 16 Bde
138
Operation Moduler: Map of Objectives A and B
Operation Moduler: Map - The escape of 21 Brigade
Operation Moduler Map: Pursuit to the Chambinga
188
238
254

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
The sixth part of the series of
articles on “THE POWER
STRUGGLE IN ANGOLA”
Even before the coup in Portugal
there were indications that
all three liberation movements
intended to sharply increase
their terrorist activities. After the
coup they realised that they had
to expand their power as far as
possible in order to increase
their influence in the negotiations.
For each of them it was
important that the warfare, even
in the interim, continued and
therefore rejected Spinola’s
recommendations of a cease
fire and referendum. There
were understandably distrust in
the sincerity of Portugal’s decolonisation
plans. Therefore
the counterclaim was firstly rec-
Featured Gallery:
South African Air Force Mirage F-1
fighters
Volume 1, Issue 6
ognition of independence, then
a cease fire.
The three liberation movements
had the choice of either getting
a combined, or each one its
own separate, control of Angola.
After apparent honest
initial efforts to come to an
The mighty South African G-5 Gun/
Howitzer silhouetted against the
African sky
Alouette III gunship supporting a
Koevoet team
www.warinangola.com
11 February 2011
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Historical Background: Reaction of the black liberation movements
Inside this issue:
From the diary of a Russian Advisor... 52
Featured Equipment: The R4 Battle Rifle 53
Ideological background: White 54
Operation Moduler: First Clashes - 47 Bde 55
This week: 23 years ago... 55
SADF Order of Battle: Operation Moduler 59
agreement between themselves,
there were forces which
drove them apart. Tribal loyalties,
ideological differences, but
also the thirst for glory, zeal,
and suspicion, could be counted
as factors. As the Portuguese
control over Angola lessened,
the polarity increased.
Another element also in play
was the attitude and interference
of forces outside Angola.
For some nations it was important
that power was seized by
the liberation force from which
sympathy and material gain
could be expected. For others it
was important to find a peaceful,
altogether acceptable solution.
This last view was also that
held by the OAU, which, on
(Continued on page 52)
South African Paratroops (Parabats)
descending after a practice jump
Next Week’s Features
• The Historical Background series of articles on the
POWER STRUGGLE IN ANGOLA continues:
“Reaction of the FNLA”
• The durable Mosin-Nagant rifle
• “Ideological background of the blacks” Looking at
Portugal’s desperate efforts to keep Angola
• Operation Moduler: the battles continue with “21
Brigade Tries Again…”
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET

Page 52
Angolan officer addressing the
men
Link to this story:
http://www.warinangola.com/
Default.aspx?tabid=1085
Historical Background:
Reaction of the black liberation movements
(Continued from page 51) In Angola itself, after the
numerous occasions
indeed, managed to
bring the three parties
together around the
same conference table.
Even the heads of state
of the surrounding countries,
Zaire, Zambia, the
People’s Republic of the
Congo, and Tanzania,
worked together with, or
independent of, the
OAU, towards this same
goal.
October 23, 1987
The enemy shelled us all
night. Shells with a very
disgusting «howl» and
whistling flew both past
us and near us. A whole
row of them fell very
close, on the other bank
of the Cuzizi.
In the morning, we have
urged the brigade commander
to make clear to
us where we are. He
showed us the wreckage
of the air plane hit over
the Cunzumbia. According
to him, the pilot’s
corpse had been so
badly burned that it was
not possible to find any
documents on it.
At 8:30 AM, our brigade’s
artillery discharged
several salvos
at previously planned
targets. We fired BM-21s
and D-30 122 millimeter
howitzers from temporary
positions, and thereupon
quickly left our positions.
Within less than
an hour the South Africans
began to fire upon
those positions, evidently
in order to locate our
brigade. While they were
firing, generally at random,
we attentively lis-
coup, changes took
place that favoured the
actions of the liberation
movements. As the political
prisoners were
released and allowed to
publicly resume their
previously clandestine
political activities, the
three big movements
were also legalised in
reality. One after the
other opened offices in
Luanda and other cities.
While they were previ-
tened to where the shells
were flying and fairly
often were forced to fall
to the ground or “greet
our Mother Earth,” as our
artillery advisor likes to
call it.
That evening, we received
an order from the
Tactical Group Commander,
major Batista, to
fire upon a South African
column in the region of
the 59th brigade. Our
BM-21 (“Katyusha”)
could fire 34 shells. In
fact, this very much enraged
the South Africans
because they, almost
immediately began
shooting back at us from
107-millimeter recoilless
guns which could not be
silenced until midnight.
The BM-21 could just
barely move away. Our
wretched armored troop
carrier shook and we felt
very uncomfortable, particularly
in view of the
howling and whistling of
the shells, flying over our
heads. They exploded
300 meters away from
us. Luckily, the South
Africans apparently still
had not worked out our
brigade’s exact location.
www.warinangola.com
ously restricted to rural
terrorism, they now had
the opportunity to expand
their influence to
the cities. Each considered
a seat in the capital
a matter of prestige.
With that occurring, government
authority reclined.
Street fighting
and unrest increased.
The safety of home and
heard became uncertain.
From the Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Igor Anatolevich Zhdarkin
“This very much
enraged the
South Africans
because they,
almost
immediately
began shooting
back at us from
107-millimeter
recoilless guns...”
Soviet advisor at a FAPLA Command
Post
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
WAR IN ANGOLA
October 24, 1987
This morning, we received
an order to depart
and go to the 59th brigade,
located on the
river Mianei. At 11
o’clock, we formed a
column and set off. After
3 kilometers, we heard
explosions behind us. It
was the South Africans
shelling who, assuming
that we were still there,
had begun to bombard
our previous positions.
During the day we advanced
altogether 6 kilometers.
During the
march, our water carrier
collided with a log and
overturned. This pressed
down on the leg of one
of our guards. With difficulty,
we nonetheless
managed to set the water
carrier back on its
wheels.
At 14:20, the column on
our left flank was attacked
by the enemy and
artillery bombardment
(Continued on page 55)

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
Featured Equipment: The tough R4 battle rifle
The R4 is a superb South
African assault rifle developed
in 1980 for the South
African Army to replace the
R1, which was a variant of
the FN FAL, and the Heckler
& Koch G3s. The R4
was first issued during the
early 1980s, and is partly
based on the Israeli Galil
which in turn was based on
the Finnish Rk 62. The Rk
62 was derived from the
AK-47. It was manufactured
by Lyttleton Engineering
Works (LIW).
The R4 makes greater use
Specifications
of a high-impact nylon/glass
fibre mix in its construction
than the Galil and is generally
stronger and larger than
the Israeli gun, although it
weighs approximately the
same. A bipod fitting comes
as standard for the rifle,
which also has a wirecutting
feature and a bottleopener
(the latter prevents
soldiers opening bottles on
precision gun components,
such as the magazine receiver
lips, and thus damaging
them). A further feature
is the use of tritium inserts
into the sights for night fir-
Country of Origin: South Africa
Caliber: 5.56 x 45mm
Length: 1005mm ( 35.97in) stock extended; 740mm
(29.13in) stock folded
Weight: 4.3kg (9.48lb)
Barrel: 460mm (18.11in), 6 grooves, rh
Feed/magazine capacity: 30 or 50-round detachable box magazine
5-round detachable box magazine for rifle grenade
rounds
Operation: gas-operated, rotating bolt
Max rate of fire: 650 rpm (Cyclic)
Muzzle velocity: 980 m/s (3,215ft/s)
Effective Range: 500 m (1640ft) plus
The R4 Battle Rifle
www.warinangola.com
ing. The R4 is at the top of a
series of weapons which
includes a carbine version,
the R5 and the even shorter
R6, with its 280mm (1.10in)
barrel.
The R4 was issued to all
branches of the South African
Defence Force, which
used the R4 in the Border
War.
For more detailed information
on the R4, see Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
R4
Page 53
The R4 was a versatile weapon
well-suited to the harsh conditions
of northern South-West
Africa and Angola.
“The R4 is at
the top of a
series of
weapons
which includes
a carbine
version, the
R5”
Downloaded from the SADF's Border War, SAtruth.Co.Za, copyright © Omutumua Oshili - image available
under the terms of the Creative Commons Licence 3.0.

Page 54
Angolan local population being
“educated” by armed guerillas
Link to this story:
http://www.warinangola.com/
Default.aspx?tabid=1057
“He was now free
to work
whenever he
wanted to, on
whatever he
wanted to, for
whomever he
wanted to, for as
long as he
wanted to; or
even not to work
at all.”
PORTUGAL’S DESPERATE EFFORTS TO KEEP ANGOLA
Ideological background: White
The Portuguese colonial
point of view naturally
developed historically.
It would always serve a
humane purpose. One
writer is under the impression
that it can be
found as far back as
King Henry the Navigator,
with his missionary
drive as motive for his
explorations. (A. Moreira,
“Portugal’s stand in
Africa”, English translation).
While the religious
motive eventually faded,
the civilization motive
stood central in Portuguese
exploratory undertakings.
That’s how it is
being reasoned and argued.
After Salazar
came to power, this policy
underwent a new
formulation.
With regards to the colonial
policy, the critique
was focused on the system
of forced labour.
Overseas writers such
as Nevinson, Harris and
Ross continually hammered
on this evil and as
late as in 1954, Basil
Davidson would still find
“overwhelming evidence
of slavery”. (R.H. Chilcote,
“Portuguese Africa”,
P. 13.)
Critique also developed
from within, amongst
others, from people holding
important government
posts, like Cunha
Leal. Manuel de Melo
and Pacheo de Amorim.
The man that probably
contributed the most to
the formulation of the
philosophy behind the
policy is Giberto Freyre,
in the book that has, in
the English translation
thereof, the title of The
Masters and the
Slaves, A study in the
Development of the
Brazilian Civilization
(New York, 1964). He
created the term
“lusotropicalism” or
“lusotropicology”, which
finds its relevance in the
Portuguese community
established in the tropics
as it crystallized in Brazil.
Their policy were not valid any longer...
symbiotic societies and
cultures” were developing
in Angola and Mozambique,
“which can
hardly be confused with
the colonial dominions of
the British, the French
and the Dutch in the
tropics”. (A. Moreira,
“Portugal’s stand in
Africa”, p.154.)
By 1962 Portugal realized
that certain aspects
of their policy were not
valid any longer. Adaptations
had to be made
without just abandoning
the policy. In August
1961 Moreira announced
that the Estatuto dos
Indíginas would be abolished.
All blacks now
became normal Portuguese
citizens, regardless
of their level of development.
In the foreign
provinces a greater representation
of the normal
population were allocated
to the local councils.
(Texts about this
can be found in
Moreira’s book, P.232.)
An important change
occurred in 1962 when
the Labour Code,
through which contract
labourers were recruited
in the past, was abolished.
Thus the African’s
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
www.warinangola.com
WAR IN ANGOLA
(Luso comes from the
word Lusotani, the Roman
name for the original
Celtic inhabitants of
Portugal and bordering
areas of the current
Spain). A similar lusotropical
community as
what existed in Brazil,
where the Portuguese
culture remained intact,
had to be aspired to in
Angola and other Portuguese
colonies.
Someone that contributes
hereto, is Adriano
Moreira, well-knows
writer and professor at
the Institute of Foreign
Study at the Technical
University of Lisbon, who
became Minister of Foreign
Possessions in
1961. He published a
book in 1962, Portugal’s
stand in Africa (English
translation), in which he
finds justification for the
Portuguese colonial policy
in the
“lusotropicology” of
Freyre. According to him
“the same lusotropical
pattern of mixed and
“moral obligation to
work” had expired. He
was now free to work
whenever he wanted to,
on whatever he wanted
to, for whomever he
wanted to, for as long as
he wanted to; or even
not to work at all.
After this a serious effort
was put into winning
Angola for the Portuguese
point of view.
Colonization was
strongly stimulated and
the number of immigrants
increased rapidly.
Education among the
(Continued on page 58)

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
Historical Account:
Operation Moduler: First Clashes — 47 Brigade, Part 4
Extract taken with the
author's permission
from: “War In Angola -
The Final South African
Phase“, by Helmoed-Römer
Heitman
The battle continues,
Part 4...
At 16h00 Combat Group
Charlie was ordered to
move up to recover or
destroy the vehicles that
had been left on the objective.
Dawid Lotter was
assured by Unita that
there was no enemy left
on the objective, so he
moved off despite being
short of 81 mm illumination
bombs. The indefatigable
Hannes Nortmann
went along to guide them
to the vehicles to be recovered
two Casspirs -
and destroyed - also two
Casspirs. The artillery,
meanwhile, shelled 59
Brigade before its nightly
redeployment.
The Unita guide became
increasingly nervous as
the force approached the
www.warinangola.com
objective. Another Unita
soldier came up to the
vehicles and asked them
how they intended to
deal with the tank ambush.
This was unpleasant
news for Lotter, who
was now faced with a
night fight for which he
was ill prepared. He had
deployed his force by
19h00. A platoon of
Ratel-20s arid a troop of
Ratel-90s were interspersed
in column on
each flank with the group
commander riding just
(Continued on page 56)
This week, 23 Years Ago, In South-East Angola...
Friday, 5 February
1988: Tanks east of the
Cuito River
By 5 February there
were some forty-four
tanks with the Fapla brigades
and Tactical
Group 2 east of the river.
Twenty were with the
tactical group, fourteen
with 21 Brigade, and five
each with 59 and 25
Brigades....
Saturday, 6 February
1988: Fapla used a
crane on the Cuito
bridge
On the morning of 6 February
Fapla was seen to
be using a crane on the
Cuito bridge, perhaps to
help move vehicles over
a damaged section. Several
SAAF aircraft attacked
the bridge during
the day, but no result
could be observed....
Sunday, 7 February
1988: Cuban convoy
struck by SAAF
(Continued on page 57)
From the Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Igor Anatolevich Zhdarkin
(Continued from page 52) toon of our brigade in burst.
began. The battle lasted
twenty minutes.
At 15:40, the enemy
once again bombarded
our column with gunfire
and mortar fire. One of
these mortar shells exploded
20 meters away
from our armored troop
carrier, between two cars
of the “Enges” model.
The wheels of both cars
were pierced with fragments.
One Angolan
perished and several
people were wounded.
Around 17:00, I went to
the communications plaorder
to transmit information
to Cuito via radio
station “Racal”. No
sooner had I gotten
ready to transmit when
the firing of sub-machine
guns began, and then
mortar fire. Several bullets
whizzed past, and I
only just succeeded in
jumping off the armored
troop carrier and to
creep under it, next to
several members of the
Angolan signal corps
who were already there.
Even the dog of the brigade
commander was
hiding there and timidly
whined after every shell
When the shooting had
stopped, I went back to
our (advisor’s) armored
troop carrier, deciding to
transmit information by
our R-123 radio station. I
had only just climbed
aboard when the firing of
shells began again and
continued without interruption
during the 20
minutes I was transmitting.
Night passed quietly.
Only around 22:00 did
they begin shooting at us
several times.
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
Page 55
South African Casspir Armoured
Personnel Carrier temporarily
disabled by a landmine—soon to
be back in action
“Several SAAF
aircraft attacked
the bridge during
the day”
Soviet advisors in an Angolan
village

Page 56
South African Infantry in the bush
“He had hardly
begun moving
again, when
eight tanks
sprang their
ambush from
as near as 100
metres from
the Ratels of
the right hand
group. ”
A Ratel-90 of the Armoured
(Charlie) Squadron of a Mechanised
Infantry Battalion
Historical Account:
Operation Moduler: First Clashes — 47 Brigade, Part 4
(Continued from page 55) along his command axis
inside the centre of the
column, and the remaining
platoon was following
in reserve. Letter now
began his sweep of the
area, moving only about
1 800 metres over the
next three hours because
of the darkness,
his lack of illumination
rounds, the dense bush
and the many huts and
trenches that had to be
checked as he advanced.
Just before
22h00 he decided to
begin burning the huts
companying Unita infantry
had become dispersed
and detached
from the Ratels, and
some of them were now
trapped between the
Ratels and the Fapla
tanks. At 02h00, Fapla
stopped firing for no obvious
reason. This gave
Lotter the opportunity he
had been seeking, and
he quickly regrouped
and broke contact.
to mark it clearly. They
had recovered only two
of the Casspirs at that
point, and were looking
for the other two.
He had hardly begun
moving again, when
eight tanks sprang their
ambush from as near as
100 metres from the
Ratels of the right hand
group. Struck by massive
firepower from such
close range, the group's
cohesion was shattered
at first. Control was not
helped when the lieutenant
in command of it lost
Miraculously, Combat
Group Charlie suffered
no serious casualties in
this intense fighting. The
leader of 71 Troop was
hurt by the recoil of his
90 mm gun, and a corporal
was slightly wounded
by a bullet which penetrated
his 'bone dome'
and stuck in his skull. It
was simply pulled out
and he went on with the
fight.
www.warinangola.com
communications and
then his orientation. All
the vehicles of this group
promptly retuned their
radios to Letter's frequency,
which further
hampered him, particularly
as he was already
forced to use manpack
radios as a result of not
having a proper command
Ratel.
Lotter ordered Lieutenant
Kooij, commanding
his left group, to move
forward and take control
there, while he struggled
to restore overall control.
Kooij drove forward and
The situation was, nevertheless, still untenable...
immediately engaged the
Fapla tanks, restoring
cohesion at the front of
the force and gaining
Letter time to reestablish
control over his
force. The situation was,
nevertheless, still untenable.
Fapla were fighting
from positions in known
terrain, while Lotter and
his men were forced to
feel their way in the dark,
through an area crisscrossed
with trenches
that could be fatal to an
unwary Ratel, as had
been proved only that
afternoon. Artillery now
also entered the picture,
firing at Lotter's force
from the positions north
of the Lomba. At least
one BM-21 also began to
engage them with direct
fire.
Lotter now requested
and received permission
to break off and pull his
force out of the area.
While he was organising
his withdrawal, a number
of Fapla tanks began to
manoeuvre around his
southern flank. Lieuten-
WAR IN ANGOLA
ant Kooij engaged these
tanks and shot out two of
them. He then continued
to hold a line opposite
the Fapla force with his
troop, to cover the withdrawal
of the main force.
Lotter now pulled back in
100 metre bounds, with
control points established
along the command
axis to ensure that
everyone was accounted
for. It nevertheless
proved impossible to
make a clean break, not
least because the ac-
Trapped between the Ratels and the Faple tanks...
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
Bravo returned to the old
Unita logistic base in the
morning to mop up and
clear up the battlefield.
They found that Fapla
had lost between 250
and 300 men killed in the
two clashes, and had
lost five tanks and a single
Ural truck, which had
somehow become involved
in the fighting. A
TMM bridging vehicle
(Continued on page 57)

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
Historical Account:
Operation Moduler: First Clashes — 47 Brigade, Part 4
(Continued from page 56) was ordered to move up
was abandoned on the
scene.
Combat Group Charlie
spent the 14th resting
and repairing their equipment.
The 15th was
Lieutenant Kooij’s birthday,
marked by an air
attack just as Dawid Lotter
was congratulating
him. Again, however,
there were no casualties.
That afternoon Charlie
as reserve for Alpha,
which was now to attack
47 Brigade.
47 Brigade withdrew the
remnants of its Tactical
Group, and put off its
attempts to join up with
59 Brigade for the time
being. It thus remained
cut off from the main
force north of the Lomba
and, far from securing
their crossings as
planned, was now in
www.warinangola.com
grave danger itself and
running out of ammunition
and fuel. The result
of this confusing clash in
the bush and trenches of
the old Unita logistic
base was, thus, that the
initiative had passed to
the South African force.
But it was still too weak
to exploit the opportunity
effectively.
* Please note that this extract is copyrighted under the Berne Convention in terms of the
Copyright Act (Act 98 of 1978). No part of this extract may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by
any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher
Published by Ashanti Publishing Limited, Gibraltar, a division of Ashanti International Films
Limited, Gibraltar.
This week, 23 Years Ago, In South-East Angola...
(Continued from page 55) 1988: SAAF air-defence 59 Brigade, and addi-
element deployed tional troops - mainly
The Cuban convoy, having
had been engaged
by the rocket launchers
of 32 Battalion on 6 February,
was then attacked
by the SAAF during the
morning of 7 February.
The air strike was followed
by secondary explosions
which went on
for some twenty minutes.
Smoke was still over the
target area at 11h00....
Monday, 8 February
1988: SAAF Air Defence
Group arrived
The gun section and its
protection element would
deploy in the shona opposite
the south-easterrn
corner of the 21 Brigade
position while 61 Mech
moved up and remained
there during the main
attack on 59 Brigade.
The air defence element
would deploy on high
ground just north of 59
Brigades's outer positions.
The SA-7 detachment
would deal with
aircraft flying north-south
overhead....
recruits - with 21 Brigade....
Thursday, 11 February
1988: 61 Mech combat
team sent to the
Chambinga source
61 Mech sent a combat
team to the Chambinga
source area on 11 February
to clear Fapla from
there. Before it arrived
there, however, the
Fapla reconnaissance
patrol in that area had
clashed with elements of
Unita's 5th Regular Bat-
On 8 February an eletalion
and had pulled
ment of the SAAF Air Wednesday, 10 Febru- back....
Defence Group arrived ary 1988: Additional
at Mavinga on a two- strengthening measweek
deployment, with ures by Fapla
two Cactus launcher
vehicles and six 23 mm
guns....
By 10 February, close
reconnaissance of the
Fapla positions had revealed
additional
Tuesday, 9 February
strengthening measures,
and some BM-21s with
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
Page 57
A Ratel moves along a dirt track
Link to this story:
http://www.warinangola.com/
Default.aspx?tabid=665
“The air strike
was followed by
secondary
explosions which
went on for some
twenty minutes.”
Link to this story:
http://www.warinangola.com/
Default.aspx?tabid=574
Camouflaged G-5 Gun/Howitzer
been readied for action

Page 58
South African Civilian Force
infantry in the back of a Samil
truck somewhere on the border
Link to this story:
http://www.warinangola.com/
Default.aspx?tabid=1092
Artillery shells being carried by
hand—sometimes the only way
to get supplies in the bush
Uittreksel uit “Ag man dit ‘WAS’ lekker in die Army” -
van Danie Matthee
Toentertyd was Walvisbaai
een van die
plekke waar
aangewese dienspligtiges
vir opleiding gaan
aanmeld het. Dan
gaan dit maar dol.
Party ouens kom per
trein. Ander met busse
en karre. En sommiges
se ouers besorg hulle
daar. Eendag,
gedurende so ‘n gemaal
van mense, is
daar weer ‘n klop aan
die deur van Kol.
Gleeson. Die Adjudant
stap in. “Kolonel, hier
is nog ‘n ma met haar
seun wat u wil sien.”
“Bring hulle gerus in.”
Hulle stap gedwee
binne. Die Adjudant
onttrek hom. Kol.
Gleeson wend hom tot
die ma: “Mevrou, seun,
sit, laat ons gesels.”
Die vrou gaan sit bedees
op die rand van
die stoel met haar
voete langs mekaar en
haar handsakkie op die
skoot. “Kolonel, ek het
gekom om ….” Hy stel
haar dadelik gerus: “
Mevrou, moenie bekommerd
wees nie.
Los u seun hier by
my, ek sal sorg dat hy
gou aandag kry, alles
sal reg gaan. Waar
woon u?”
“Walvisbaai”
“Goed. Gaan nou maar
gerus huis toe. U sal
later weer van ons
hoor.” En so is die ma
daar weg.
Reëlings word toe
getref en ‘n Koporaal
kom haal die seun.
Eers word hy geneem
vir die inskrywing, en
daarna vir die uitreiking
by die kwartiermeesterpakhuis.
Daar is hy
weg soos ‘n pakdonkie
gelaai met oorpakke,
lakens, ens na sy bungalow
toe. ‘n Paar dae
later kom die ma weer
daaraan. Sy wil vir
PORTUGAL’S DESPERATE EFFORTS TO KEEP ANGOLA
Ideological background: White
(Continued from page 54) icy. That was the book of that would address and
Antonio de Spinola, Por- satisfy all layers of the
black population was tugal e o Futuro, which Portuguese population,
extended (in the Portu- was published in 1973. white and black, as well
guese language, of
course), as was social
services. Enthusiastic
attempts were made to
convert the black population
into believing that
they were Portuguese,
while the policy of integration
was strongly em-
He came to the conclusion
that there were no
mere military solution to
the wars in Africa, According
to him there was
“only one way to end the
conflict… and that an
eminently political one.”
as the foreign world. The
solution he proposed did
not differ much from the
Portuguese ideology that
up till then made up the
mainstay of policy. He
still believed in a unified
state, a “plural-nationalstate”
as he referred to it
phasized.
Even so, it was not successful.
The terror
gradually caused Portugal
to lose its control.
Then, at quarter-tomidnight,
there was yet
He was convinced that
Portugal still had the
goodwill of the Western
forces, because the resources
of the areas
were of great importance
to the West.
sometimes, and also a
“plural-continental country”,
populated by 92
million Portuguese.
He believed that the support
of the black man
could be trusted and
another attempt to reformulate
Portuguese pol-
Therefore it was necessary
to find a solution
relied upon. “ we know
(Continued on page 59)
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
www.warinangola.com
WAR IN ANGOLA
Kol. Gleeson sien.
Toe, met ‘n gesig vol
kommer, sê sy huiwerig
vir hom:
“Kolonel, waar’s my
seun? Hoe lank vat dit
julle dan om kennis
van adresverandering
aan te teken?” Die
arme seun was nooit
daar om aan te meld
vir opleiding nie. Dit
was natuurlik ‘n groot
verleentheid. Kol.
Gleeson maak groot
verskoning en laat hom
dadelik roep. Maar toe
hy vir hom sê hy kan
nou maar terug gaan
huis toe, skop die
mannetjie vas en sê
hy wil bly. Kol.
Gleeson is ‘n groot
man. Hy is ewewigtig
en nederig. Hy het ‘n
sin vir humor, maar
hierdie keer was sy
gesig rooi.
Generaal J Geldenhuys

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
PORTUGAL’S DESPERATE EFFORTS TO KEEP ANGOLA
Ideological background: White
(Continued from page 58) cultures and win their
that we can count on
acceptance due to lack
of racial prejudice: we
know how to get along
with people of different
friendship.” (Antonio de
Spinola, “Portugal and
the Future”, pp. 20, 22,
92, 97, 98 and 101.) He
believed in the possibility
to make all races equal.
www.warinangola.com
His solution is widely
based on a free federation
of Portugal and its
colonies and Brazil, of
which the hub not necessarily
had to be in Portugal.
Page 59
SADF Order of Battle: Operation Moduler, 6 Sept - 30 Oct 1987
20 SA Brigade - from 6 September 1987
Brigade Headquarters, 20 SA Brigade
1 Platoon, Delta Company, 32 Battalion
2 Platoon, Delta Company, 32 Battalion
HMG Section, 32 Battalion
Chemical Warfare Advisory Team
Mobile Air Operations Team #1, SAAF
Medical Team
Recce Team 1, 5 Reconnaissance Regiment
Recce Team 2, 5 Reconnaissance Regiment
Recce Team 3, 5 Reconnaissance Regiment
Recce Team 4, 5 Reconnaissance Regiment
320 FACP, SAAF
Engineer Troop, 25 Field Squadron
Electronic Warfare Section
Support Company, 32 Battalion
Combat Group Alpha
Headquarters, Combat Group Alpha
Alpha Company, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Charlie A/C Squadron, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Golf Company, 32 Battalion
81mm Fire Group, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Anti-Aircraft Troop, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Mobile Air Operations Team #2, SAAF
Artillery Observation Team, 20 Artillery Regiment
Medical Team
Combat Group Bravo
Headquarters, Combat Group Bravo
Foxtrot Company, 32 Battalion
3 Platoon, Delta Company, 32 Battalion
902 Company, 101 Battalion
903 Company, 101 Battalion
Anti-Tank Squadron, 32 Battalion
81mm Fire Group, 32 Battalion
106mm RR Section, 32 Battalion
HMG Section, 32 Battalion
1st Recce Team, 32 battalion
2nd Recce Team, 32 Battalion
Mobile Air Operations Team #3, SAAF
Artillery Observation Team, 20 Artillery Regiment
Forward Air Controller, SAAF
Medical Team
Combat Group Charlie
Headquarters, Combat Group Charlie
Bravo Company, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Anti-Tank Platoon, 61 Mech Bn Grp
81mm Fire Group, 61 Mech Bn Grp
Medical Team
20 Artillery Regiment
Regimental Headquarters, 20 Artillery Regiment
Quebec Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
C Troop, Quebec Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
D Troop, Quebec Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
1 Platoon, Bravo Company, 32 Battalion
2 Platoon, Bravo Company, 32 Battalion
Stinger Team 3, UNITA
Stinger Team 4, UNITA
Stinger Team 5, UNITA
Stinger Team 6, UNITA
SA-7 Team 3
SA-7 Team 4
Mobile Air Operations Team #5, SAAF
Papa Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
A Troop, Papa Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
B Troop, Papa Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
Charlie Company, 32 Battalion
Anti-Aircraft Troop, 32 Battalion
Stinger Team 1, UNITA
Stinger Team 2, UNITA
SA-7 Team 1
SA-7 Team 2
Mobile Air Operations Team #4, SAAF
Sierra Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
G Troop, Sierra Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
H Troop, Sierra Battery, 20 Artillery Regiment
3 Platoon, Bravo Company, 32 Battalion
More about the vehicles, armament,
equipment and men of each subunit in
forthcoming issues of this newsletter...
________________ ________________ ________________
Images from “Grensoorlog” series, by Linda de Jager, reproduced with kind permission by MNET
South African Ratels advance
through the bush in Angola
TEST YOUR
KNOWLEDGE OF
THE SADF!
Write the names of
the units represented
by the flashes below
each one.
Find the answers in
next week’s issue!

www.warinangola.com
Plate 1f: Ratel 20 Mk 1 Infantry Fighting WAR IN ANGOLA

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
mulato
Portuguese word used to describe the coloured
people of Angola.
multiple rocket launcher
NAACP
Nama
National Association for the Advancement of
Coloured People - an organisation started by
the radical Dr. William du Bois in the USA,
attempting to sanctify the American Negro but
also reaching out to the black nations of Africa,
which culminated in the visionary ideas of Marcus
Garvey who prophesized a Black African
Empire and evangelized Black Zionism
An ethnic-linguistic group of people indigenous
to northwestern South-West Africa, now Namibia
National Defence Committee
Body created in Angola under the Alvor Agreement
wherein all three the major liberation
movements (MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA) got
equal representation in the coalition government
established on 31 January 1975. The National
Defence Committee comprised of the High
Commissioner, the Presidential Committee, and
the United General Staff. The last comprised of
the three commanders of respectively the Portuguese
land, air, and sea forces as well as the
military commanders of each of the nationalistic
movements. This defence committee would
then be responsible for the combining and integration
of a military force comprising of 8 000
soldiers each of the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA,
and 24 000 of the Portuguese Defence Force
National Service
South African conscription of young white males
into full time military service for a period of initially
one year (up to 1977), but then changed
to two years. This South African conscript was
referred to as a National Serviceman
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
negritude
A concept designed by Almé Césaire, who
started the first school of African literature in
Paris and achieved acclaim in the intellectual
world of Paris and amongst others, enjoyed the
support of Jean-Paul Sartre. The Negrophilosopher
Frantz Fanon also contributed to
the outlining of the concept. Although the movement
was largely cultural in nature, it was also
drawn into the political whirlwinds of the time. In
September 1956 the first congress of Negroauthors
and –artists were held in Paris, where
the main argument made was that the black
man should remain true to himself.
“Noddy-car”
Nickname given to the Eland-90 (Panhard AML-
90) armoured car by South African troops because
of the way that it swayed (“nodded”)
whenever it stopped to aim and fire its 90mm
gun (see Eland-90)
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Glossary
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
nogal
Afrikaans for surprisingly
“November”
Codeword representing the fourteenth letter of
the radio-alphabet used by the SADF; also used
to indicate the fourteenth sub-unit of a military
unit
Nzilo II
FNLA base close to Kolwezi, which was created
in 1968 on their Eastern Front
OAU
OC
Oerlikon
Organisation of African Unity
Officer-in-Command
Manufacturer of twin 35mm anti-aircraft guns
"Olifant-balle"
Afrikaans name meaning “Elephant-balls”, and
which are huge black rubber containers used to
carry Aviation fuel on the back of a standard 10ton
supply truck
Olifant
South African main battle tank which is essentially
a modernised Centurion Mk V. It has a
new fire control system and a 105mm gun for
which it carries 72 rounds. The secondary armament
consists of a 7.62mm machine gun coaxial
with the main gun and another mounted at
the commander’s cupola.
OMA
Organisaçào das Mulheres de Angola — the
women’s organisation of the MPLA
Omega Base
Home base of 31 (later 201) Battalion, also
known as the Bushman Battalion, in West Caprivi
OMERA 31
Cameras fitted to the nose of a Mirage III R2Z
for photo-reconnaissance (PR)
OP
Observation post
OPC
Owambo People’s Congress, an organisation
founded in 1958 in Cape Town, which was
based on the structures of a union. Founding
members included Andreas Shipanga, Herman
Toivo ja Toivo, Emil Appolus, Jacob Kuhanga,
Solomon Mefima and Jariretendu Kozonguizi
Operational Area
The general area of operations which covered
northern SWA and southern Angola
OPO
Observation post officer, an officer deployed
within line of sight of the enemy positions, for
the purposes of observation and reporting of
enemy activities and the adjustment of artillery
fire, usually by means of radio
“Oscar”
Codeword representing the fifteenth letter of the
radio-alphabet used by the SADF; also used to
indicate the fifteenth sub-unit of a military unit

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
Operation Displace 164,174,178,199
Operation Hooper 5,94,99,104,194,218
Operation Moduler 5,6,7,15,16,17,19,25,26,
27,29,35,36,37,39,45,46,
47,49,55,56,57,65,66,75,
76,82,85,86,87,92,95,96,
97,99,102,105,106,107,
109,112,115,116,117,119,
122,125,126,128,132,135,
136,137,142,145,152,162,
165,172,175,179,182,185,
188,189,192,195,198,202,
205,208,209,212,213,215,
219,222,225,226,228,229,
232,235,236,238,239,242,
245,246,248,249,252,254,
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
Index
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
Pélissier, R. 34,94,124
People’s Republic of Angola 22
Pereira de Eça (see Ongiva)
Permanent Force (PF) 119,156,157,159,206,229,
259
Personnel Services School 159,239,249
Petrongol 126
Phalaborwa 79,89
PIDE (Policia Internacional a
Defesa do Estado)
34,104,144,174,237
Pienaar, ‘Pine’, Lieutenant-
Colonel
176,206
Pinheiro, General 21
Pistole Makarov (see Makarov)
Pistole M, East German 103
PKM 7.62mm machine gun 183,193,203
255,256,258,259 PLAN (People’s Liberation Army 66,68,77,81,89,109,121,
Operation Moduler, map 39,128,138,188,238,254 of Namibia)
143,151,154,164,166,221,
Operation Packer 104,174,184,199,218,219
230,251,252
Operation Protea 91,189
Plofadder mine-clearing hoses 185,235,236
Operation Sausage 226
PLUA (Partido da Luta Unidade 4
Operation Savannah 13,109,189,199,229,239 dos Africanos de Angola)
Operation Sceptic 62,66,67,68,69,72,76,77, PMM-2 amphibious bridging 89
78,79
system - tracked
Operational Area 21
PMP heavy folding pontoon 89
Operational Command Post 107,145,205,209 bridge
Operational Group 22
Pointe Noire/Pointe Noira 84,104
OPO (Owambo People’s Organi- 156
poison gas 72,75,112
sation)
Polish 20
Oranje Vrystaatse Veldartillerie 199
POMZ 2 mine 204
Ordnance Services School 149,159,249
Porto Ambolm 216
“Organizing African Unity” 64
Portugal, Portuguese 1,2,4,12,14,21,34,38,42,
Os Terríveis (see 32 Battalion)
44,47,49,51,54,54,58,59,
‘Osa-AK’ anti-aircraft missile 8,15,20,22,28,202
64,71,74,81,86,88,94,101,
system, (also see SA-8)
104,106,107,108,111,114,
Oshakati 157,165,166,225
116,124,126,134,136,144,
Oshikango 211,216,217
154,156,164,166,174,175,
Oudtshoorn 69,119,129
176,177,181,184,185,186,
Ovimbundu, -tribe 44,81,111,114.141
194,201,204,205,207,211,
Owambo(s), Owamboland 109,164,185,195,197,205,
214,217,224,227,231,234,
216,221,225,226,234,235,
237,245,246,251,255
241,245,256
“Portugal and the Future” 11,59
Owambo Board 197
“Portugal e o Futuro” (Portugal 11,58
Owambo Border Guard 225
and the Future)
Owambo-Kunene border 215
“Portugal, the last empire” 14
“Owambo” 235,236
“Portugal’s stand in Africa” 54
“Portuguese Africa” 54
P
“Portuguese Africa. A Handbook” 4,14,44
P-19 radar station 28
“Portuguese Africa and the 86,88
P (Papa) Battery 16,25,66,155,178,194,195 West”
PAIGC 31
Portuguese Air Force 44,88
Pan-African movement 64
Portuguese army, forces, armed 1,2,13,38,44,61,71,88,
Parabats (see South African
forces, soldiers
101,107,127,131,134,136,
Paratroops)
141,144,161,194,201,216,
Paris
Paulo, Captain
PCA (Partido Comunista de
Angola)
PCP (Portuguese Communist
Party)
PCDA (Partido Cristào Democràtico
de Angola)
Peking (see Beijing)
12,14,64
6
4
4
42
217,221,224,227,234,237,
241,245,251,255
Portuguese Colonial War, insur- 13,21
rection
Portuguese colonies 14,38,54,59,74,88
Portuguese government, author- 34,91,255
ity
Portuguese Military Command 255
Potchefstroom 119,129,139,157,189,197

WAR IN ANGOLA
www.warinangola.com
Volume 1, Issues 1-26
THE NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS, INFORMATION AND FACTS RELATING TO
THE CONFLICT IN ANGOLA AND SOUTH-WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) FROM 1975 TO 1989
www.warinangola.com
1 January — 1 July 2011
THE NEWSLETTERS
VOLUME 1
All 26 issues of the first volume of the War In Angola Newsletters, presented
in a single, high quality, well-bound, hard-cover book. The printed
edition includes a complete Table Of Contents, a comprehensive Glossary
of all the terms, acronyms, abbreviations and equipment used in the newsletters,
a select Bibliography, as well as a detailed Index.
Finally, to replace the Events Section on page 10 of every issue, a detailed
computer-drawn Schematic Drawing of relevant equipment has also been
included. Designed to be the first of many more volumes to come...