The Eland 90 is a South African-produced, four-wheeled light armored car that was used extensively in various conflicts across Southern Africa, most notably by the defense forces of South Africa and Rhodesia, during the Angolan Civil War and the Rhodesian Bush War....
The T-54/55 was a primary main battle tank used by Angolan and Cuban forces in the Southern African conflict (South African Border War). These tanks frequently engaged the South African Defence Force's (SADF) lighter, wheeled armored vehicles, such as the Ratel 90,...
The BTR-152 was a significant, though often vulnerable, piece of military hardware in the Angolan and Mozambican Civil Wars, primarily used by the Soviet-backed government forces of the MPLA and FRELIMO, respectively. Angola In Angola, the BTR-152 was a standard piece...
The M79 is known as the "Snotneus" in South Africa, which translates to "snot-nose," a nickname for the weapon's distinctive appearance and the way its projectiles would land in the field. The M79 was used by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and supplied to...
Omauni was started when no roads were running west to east. When the initial reconnaissance was done with a Landrover and two Unimogs they did not find the 17h30 cutline as it was not clear where it converged with the border fence. They continued east and found the...
The 54th South African Infantry Battalion (54 SAI) was formed in 1976 as one of several modular battalions designed to adapt to operational requirements. Its main responsibility was to secure the area around the Eenhana base
The 60mm Patmor is a lightweight, man-portable patrol mortar system, primarily associated with South African defence companies like Denel Land Systems and Truvelo. "Patmor" is a contraction of "Patrol Mortar". Key Features and Specifications Type: Muzzle-loading,...
The Ratel 90 is a South African wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant, designed primarily for fire support with a low-velocity 90 mm gun. It was a key asset in the South African Border War, known for its high mobility and long operational range. Key Features...
the first recipient of the Honoris Crux Medal in the battalion on 17 December 1975
In the dramatic power struggle for Angola in 1987, South African Air Force Mirage F1s tackled MiG-23s in the skies above south-western Africa. Lionel Reid recounts the story Angola 1987. The Soviet and Angolan MPLA forces decided on an ambitious plan: a large-scale...
After completing his basic military training, Gagiano started his South African Air Force career as a student pilot on the AerMacchi MB-326M in July 1968 at Flying Training School Langebaanweg. After completing his "wings test", on 28 August 1969, he was transferred...
HQ of several guerrilla training bases run by the CSI – Chief of Staff (Intelligence). This base was located in the Angolan border region and was associated with specific SADF Special Forces, Intelligence, and "Other" units. It was one of several bases, such as Fort...
The Aérospatiale Alouette III was a pivotal and versatile light utility helicopter in the Rhodesian, South African, and Portuguese Air Forces during the various Southern African conflicts, particularly the Portuguese Colonial War and the Border War (or Bush War). It...
Derek William Andrews was born in Wyndham (WA) on 4 January 1950. He first served in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) from 13 February 1968 to 18 November 1969 and then enlisted in the Australian Army on 24 November 1969. After basic training he was posted to the...
The armourer Flight Sergeant didn't like it one bit - "Captain, our orders were to load your aircraft with 72 standard HE rockets. I cannot change that on your request!' He was quite correct of course. The type of weapon used in an air attack is determined after...
Our first operation, code-named First Blood, was to destroy a temporary base in Zambia belonging to SWAPO, the guerrilla group fighting for the independence of South West Africa [now Namibia]. The base was a small transit camp, situated less than ten kilometres over...