EAGLE STRIKE: THE STORY OF THE CONTROVERSIAL AIRBORNE ASSAULT ON CASSINGA 1978 - COL JAN BREYTENBACH

Manie Grove Publishing, 2008, brand new Paperback in pristine condition. 587 pp.

This is the story of an audacious, airborne assault, on 4 May 1978, on a SWAPO fortified base containing its military headquarters, logistical support, reserves and training facilities.

The assault was supported by a very strong air strike by bombers and fighters as well as by air transport to drop the paratroopers into battle in one of the major, post World War para drops, 250kms deep behind enemy lines, and thus, of a necessity, the deployment of a veritable swarm of helicopters to extract the paratroopers back to safety, this execution of the whole intricate operation through a joint HQ deployed in the field. Unfortunately the subsequent uproar in the international media, based on allegations that this assault was a brutal attack on a refugee camp, did much to detract from the incredible victory the SADF had claimed for the paratroopers and the air force. (From back cover)