Post Timelines

8 Jul 1988 Ehomba

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

27 Jun 1988 Calueque

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...

26 Jun 1988 Techipa

Operation Displace becomes the last significant military engagement as FAPLA try to harass the SADF in Sector 10. A skirmish takes place at Techipa. The SADF withdrawal from Angola is orderly and relaxed. 61 Mechanized Battalion, reinforced with four ZT3 Ratel AFV’s,...

24 Jun 1988 Cuamato

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)

14 Jun 1988 Onavivi

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

13 Jun 1988 Omahenene

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

9 Jun 1988 Ogongo

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

17 May 1988 Oshigambo

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

2 Feb 1988 Cuito River

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

31 Jan 1988 Oshaango

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Oshaango (nr.Omuthiya)

14 Jan 1988 Cuito Cuanavale

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

2 Jan 1988 Ontala

SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Ontala

21 Nov 1987 Luena

A FAPA MIG-23ML jet fighter is shot down at Luena in Angola killing the Cuban pilot Bárbaro Raúl Qualia Castañeda

30 Oct 1987 Mavinga

4 SAI arrives at Mavinga after a rigorous ten day cross country journey and is immediately ordered to form the core element of Battle Group Charlie, consisting of two mechanised companies in Ratel 20 IFV’s, two motorized companies from 32 Battalion in Buffel MPV’s, a...

24 Oct 1987 Cuito Cuanavale

In a very sophisticated operation, 4 SAAF Mirage F-1AZ fighter aircraft launch a dummy attack on the airfield at Cuito Cuanavale. Knowing they are no match for the MIG-23 fighters, their task is to bluff them that they were about to attack. As they overfly the base,...

14 Oct 1987 Cuito Cuanavale

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...