Angola Operasie Savannah 1975 - 1976
Author: F J Du T Spies as assisted by Lt Col S J du Preez
Publisher: S A Weermag (Direktoraat Openbare Betrekkinge )
Edition: First 1989
ISBN: 0-621-12641-1
Language: Afrikaans
Condition: Good. Clean copy with tight binding.
Binding: Hardcover with dustjacket
Pages: 348. Text with images and maps
Additional Information
Operation Savannah was the South African code name for their military incursion into Angola in 19751976. It was part of the South African Border War and arose due to the Angolan War of Independence. The operation also materially influenced the subsequent Angolan Civil War. South African forces invaded deep into Angola with the objective of driving the MPLA, Soviet, and Cuban forces out of southern Angola to strengthen the position of UNITA, the main opponent of the MPLA and an ally of South Africa. This incursion was influenced by the Cold War opposition between the United States and the Soviet Union. South African and UNITA forces were compelled to withdraw due to MPLA, Cuban, and Soviet pressure. The victory was claimed by the MPLA, actively supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, over the combined forces of UNITA, FNLA, Zaire, and South Africa. For the MPLA, this victory was essential for the proclamation of independence and subsequent political control over Angola.The conflict had significant implications for Angolas history and the broader geopolitical landscape during the Cold War era.Operation Savannah was the South African Defence Force's 19751976 covert intervention in the Angolan War of Independence, and the subsequent Angolan Civil War. The withdrawal of the Portuguese from Angola in 1974 left a power vacuum which was filled by three Angolan forces: MPLA, FNLA and UNITA. South African forces, in an attempt to secure the northern border of (then) SWA pushed deep into Angola in 1975. Operation Savannah lasted until March 1976, when SA forces had to withdraw. During Operation Savannah, SA soldiers had heavy censorship imposed on them and local SA newspapers were not allowed to carry detailed reports of the fighting, although international papers did. Savannah convinced the Botha government of the need to improve SA armaments and ushered in a period of intense military growth. This enabled the SADF to fight longer and more intense battles in Southern Angola in 1978 (operations Reindeer, Revenge & Sceptic) and during the 1980's. It also taught the SADF hierarchy not to trust the politicians who they felt had bowed to international pressure. Savannah was controversial in SA (35 SADF soldiers were killed) and in an attempt to allay fears, the Defence Force commissioned two histories via the shadowy Brigadier Willem Otto, head of the Military Information Bureau, of which this is one.
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