![]() ![]() The aforementioned enemy strongholds were located in the Cunene Province of southern Angola. ![]() The South African Defence Force ( SADF) was about to launch its first classic large scale conventional strike into southern Angola since Operation Savannah in 1975-76.Ħ1 Mechanised Battalion Group was to be part of this encounter.ĭuring Operation Protea the SADF destroyed two main integrated FAPLA and SWAPO ( PLAN) defensive complexes located at Xangongo and Ongiva respectively. It occurred during the South African Border War and the Angolan Civil War. Protea was a military operation which came to pass in August 1981. Operation Protea occurred more than thirty years prior to my writing of this account, yet most of it was still as clear in my mind as during the days that it actually happened Task Force Reserve consisted of teams from 52 Reconnaissance Regiment and a pathfinder platoon from 1 Parachute Batallionīattle group 10 The task of battle group 10, which in essence was the 61 Mech Battalion Group main force, was to move along the western side of the Cunene river to Humbe and cut off any SWAPO escape to the west over the bridge at Xangongo and to prevent any intervention by FAPLA from Cahama.īy Roland de Vries Operation Protea in a nutshell Battle group 40 under command of commandant Deon Ferreiraĥ. Battle group 30 under command of commandant Chris SerfonteinĤ. Battle group 60 under command of commandant James Hillsģ. Battle group 50 under command of commandant Frans BotesĢ. ![]() Task Force Bravo Task Force Bravo under command of colonel Vos Benade consisted of an HQ, Task Force Reserve and four battle groups, namelyġ. The battle groups further had their own complement of armoured cars, artillery and the necessary support services while the Task Force Reserve consisted of a mechanised company, two Ratel 90 troops, one Medium Artillery Battery and two protection platoons. Task Force Alpha Task Force Alpha under command of colonel Joep Joubert consisted of an HQ, Task Force Reserve and four battle groups, namelyġ.Battle group 10 under command of commandant Roland de VriesĢ.Battle group 20 under command of commandant Johann Dippenaarģ.Battle group 30 under command of commandant Chris SerfonteinĤ.Battle group 40 under command of commandant Deon Ferreiraĥ.Task Force Reserve under command of commandant Johan Coetzer ![]() To capture leaders as well as advisers and/or supporters from Russia, Cuba or any other country That the safety of own troops and equipment must be of prime importanceĦ. That the success of the operation must be certainĥ. That the duration of the operation should not exceed fourteen daysĤ. To respect the lives and property of the local populationģ. Not to attack any FAPLA positions or troops unless they interfered and the safety of own forces were thus threatenedĢ. The destruction of the bases at Xangongo and Ongiva would undermine Swapo’s ability to conduct operations on the North-Western front and also have a psychological impact by reinforcing the message that it no longer had the luxury of safe sanctuaries in Southern Angola The following restriction guidelines were imposed:ġ. Operation Protea was launched on 23 August 1981 to destroy the Swapo command and training centre at Xangongo and its logistic bases at Xangongo and Ongiva with the intention to neutralize SWAPO's military forces in Southern Angola between the Cunene and Kavango rivers, also known as the Central Theatre. ![]()
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