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...
Post Timelines
5 Oct 1987
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.
30 Sep 1987 Lomba-Cunzumbia
FAPLA 47 Brigade is again attacked with heavy SADF artillery fire when they attempt to link up with 59 Brigade and they are forced to withdraw to their earlier positions
29 Sep 1987 Lomba-Cunzumbia
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...
21 Sep 1987 Lomba-Cunzumbia
At precisely 08:50 four SAAF Buccaneers launch a series of air strikes against FAPLA 47 Brigade as the tactical balance shifts in response to the decisions made on 16/9/87. The Buccaneer assault is followed immediately by four Mirages despatched at 13:00, with another...
9 Sep 1987 Lomba River
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...
7 Sep 1987 Mavinga
61 Mechanised Battalion’s 55 Ratel IFV’s and 62 logistical vehicles, commanded by Commandant Bok Smit and despatched on 2/9/87, arrive at Mavinga as part of Operation Modular
31 Aug 1987 Lomba River
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...
29 Aug 1987 Lomba River
FAPLA makes a vigorous advance along the Lomba River but cannot cross it.
19 Aug 1987 Cuzizi River
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.
15 Jul 1987 Mavinga
Commandant Robbie Hartslief of 32 Battalion Support Group, is ordered to establish a forward operational support capability at Mavinga in anticipation of Operation Modular
7 Jul 1987 Mupa
Mupa is again shelled with mortars from 32 Battalion as part of Operation Radbraak with the intention of flushing out SWAPO, but nothing happens
28 Jun 1987 Mupa
Mupa is shelled with mortars from 32 Battalion as part of Operation Radbraak with the intention of flushing out SWAPO
18 Apr 1987 Miershoop
PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Miershoop
8 Apr 1987 Onavivi
PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Onavivi for the first time
31 Mar 1987 Evale
The SWAPO force at Evale is attacked by 32 Battalion and the town is cleared, opening the logistics line between Mupa and Evale, denying the enemy logistics movements from Cuvelai to Ongiva