Operation 53 - Kampforum.co.za · 2015. 3. 22. · FAPLA suffered heavy losses, with all four brigades losing about 60-70% of their strength. Throughout the battle, FAPLA had lost

“Operation 53” 5 – 22 March 2015 Page 1 of 36

Filename: Operation 53 - The Planning v1.01.docx

“Operation 53” In setting the scene, cognisance is taken of those who were there, by those who were not there, and in particular, in memory of those who never returned.

1 The Angolan Civil War The Angolan Civil War (Portuguese: Guerra Civil Angolana) was a major civil conflict in the African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict, the Angolan War of Independence (1961–74), had taken place. The following civil war was essentially a power struggle between two former liberation movements, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). At the same time, the war served as a surrogate battleground for the Cold War and large-scale direct and indirect international involvement by opposing powers such as the Soviet Union, Cuba, South Africa and the United States was a major feature of the conflict. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War)

2 Operation Moduler Operation Moduler was a military operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the South African Border War. It formed part of what has come to be called the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. The Angolan objective was to advance south-east to attack the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) at Mavinga. The SADF objective was to protect UNITA by stopping that advance. The advance was halted with heavy Angolan casualties. In August 1987, four brigades of the Soviet-backed People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) (the 47th, 59th, 16th and 21st brigades), departed from the Angolan town of Cuito Cuanavale with the aim of capturing the UNITA stronghold at Mavinga, which was the gateway to UNITA's capital of Jamba.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War



The presence of an armoured formation in the form of FAPLA's 47th Brigade was a threat that the relatively lightly armed UNITA could not counter, so it requested assistance from the SADF. South Africa responded by sending a mechanized force, led by a veteran unit of Operation Askari - 61 Mechanized Battalion. This force left the South-West African town of Rundu, crossed the border and headed north-west to intercept the 47th Brigade. The directive given to the SADF by the South African high command was to “support UNITA to stop an offensive against Mavinga”. The FAPLA forces did not expect the South Africans to attack directly from the south, resulting in the virtual destruction of the 47th Brigade when the two forces encountered each other near the junction of the Lomba and Cuzizi rivers. This left the FAPLA forces without a screening element south of the Lomba River. At the same time, there was also heavy fighting north of the Lomba River when UNITA forces (composed of the 3rd Regular, 5th Regular, 13th Semi-Regular and 275th Special Forces Battalions repulsed an attempt by FAPLA's 16th Brigade to capture Cunjamba. In a series of bitter fights 6 between 9 September and 7 October, SADF and UNITA achieved their primary objective of preventing the FAPLA from crossing the river. The Soviets withdrew their advisors and left the FAPLA without senior leadership, and FAPLA crumbled and ran. FAPLA suffered heavy losses, with all four brigades losing about 60-70% of their strength. Throughout the battle, FAPLA had lost 1059 dead and 2118 wounded, along with 61 tanks, 83 armoured vehicles and 20 rocket launchers. The SADF lost 17 killed and 41 wounded, plus 5 armoured vehicles and a spotter plane. The SADF also captured a highly sophisticated SA-8 anti-aircraft missile system – the first time the weapon had fallen into western hands. On 29 September, South African and UNITA forces, having gained the upper-hand, launched a counter-attack. The objective was to inflict a crushing blow to the FAPLA, so that they would not consider another offensive in the following year. The restrictions previously placed on the SADF by their political masters were lightened, and the SADF committed tanks for the first time. The 4th SA Infantry Battalion was added to the mix, bringing the SADF strength up to about 3000 men – the biggest of the entire campaign. During this phase the SADF units were supported by heavy artillery and air-strikes. The airstrip at Cuito Cuanavale was extensively bombarded, causing the Cubans to withdraw their aircraft to Menongue and to abandon the Cuanavale airstrip. The SADF tactics were based closely on the tactics used by the German commander Erwin Rommel in World War 2, when he crushed the British at Gazala. On 9 November the SADF attacked the FAPLA 16th brigade. Air strikes and artillery were used, and tanks went into battle alongside the armoured vehicles. UNITA infantry also participated. The 16th brigade was mauled, and withdrew in disarray back across the river. The battle ended after half a day, when the SADF vehicles ran low on ammunition and broke off the attack. FAPLA had 10 tanks destroyed and 3 captured, various artillery pieces destroyed or captured, and 75 men killed. The SADF had 7 killed and 9 wounded, plus one armoured vehicle destroyed, one damaged and a tank damaged. The second attack, on 11 November, again targeted the 16th brigade. Again 16th brigade escaped annihilation by crossing the river, but this time they lost 14 tanks and 394 men. The SADF had 5 men killed and 19 more wounded, with 2 armoured vehicles destroyed and one tank damaged. The recovery, under fire, of a crippled tank and the subsequent re-entry of a minefield where the tank was extracted from to rescue a wounded soldier, earned Captain



Petrus van Zyl and Lieutenant de Villiers Vosloo of 32 Battalion both Honoris Crux decorations. The FAPLA 21st brigade withdrew rapidly across the river, and was pursued. On 17 November they were engaged again, and suffered 131 men killed, along with 9 tanks destroyed and about 300 other vehicles. The SADF lost 6 dead and 19 wounded, plus 4 armoured vehicles. A final attack on 25 November bogged down in heavy bush, and was eventually abandoned. Operation Moduler achieved the objective of halting the FAPLA advance against UNITA, and inflicted heavy losses on FAPLA. After the FAPLA offensive had been stopped, the South African/UNITA force went over to the offensive, thus ending Operation Moduler and beginning Operation Hooper. (Adapted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Moduler)

3 Operation Hooper Operation Hooper formed part of what has come to be called the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. The Cubans' objective was securing the town of Cuito Cuanavale on the west of the river from capture. The SADF objective was to drive the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) west across the river or to destroy them, so as to ensure that FAPLA was no longer a threat to the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in the south-east. The FAPLA advance was permanently halted. UNITA lived to fight on for another 15 years. The SADF never attempted to capture the town. (Adapted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Hooper)

4 Operation Packer Operation Packer (Mar – Apr 1988) was a continuation of Operation Hooper, using fresh troops and equipment. The Cuban's objective was still to secure the town of Cuito Cuanavale to the west of the river from capture. The SADF objective was once again to eliminate the remaining Angolan forces on the east side of the river, so as to ensure that the Angolans were no longer a threat to UNITA in the south-east. Although at the conclusion some Angolan units remained in positions east of the river, the Angolan advance against UNITA was permanently halted, and UNITA lived to fight on. The SADF never attempted to cross the river or to capture the town of Cuito. (Adapted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Packer)

5 The Third Attack on Tumpo This took place on 23 March 1988 starting at 05:00. By 10am the attack was in full swing, and T-55s tanks joined in returning fire on the then stuck South African force. The attack was stalling in the minefields. G-5’s fired on the positions of the enemy tanks and a tank was reportedly knocked out with a direct hit. The T-55’a fire was sustained on the South African force for a number of hours, increasing in intensity every time the force tried to enter the minefields. Eventually, by about 14h00, there was a backwards movement when the tanks started pulling back. At that point in time it was not known that three Olifant tanks (12A, 52, 53) that were damaged in the minefields and were left behind. Commandant Gerhard Louw tried to recover the immobilised tanks, unsuccessfully. (Adapted from http://blogs.warinangola.com/Home/tabid/167/EntryId/2/-Trying-to-destroy-the-Olifants.aspx – Johan Schoeman)

6 “Operation 53” The tank with call sign 53 was taken to the Cuito river by the Angolans, where an attempt was made to get the tank across the river on a GSP55 (a tracked self-propelled amphibious ferry) to be taken back to Moscow. This was however not possible due to the Olifant being

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Modulerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Hooperhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Packerhttp://blogs.warinangola.com/Home/tabid/167/EntryId/2/-Trying-to-destroy-the-Olifants.aspx-http://blogs.warinangola.com/Home/tabid/167/EntryId/2/-Trying-to-destroy-the-Olifants.aspx-



heavier than that that which the GSP55 could carry. It is believed that the turret was removed, and the location of the shell remains a mystery. (Adapted from http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?TabID=1612 - Johan Schoeman)

52 and 12A still remain in the minefield as is alluded to below.

Left: Of the earliest photos seen - Phillip Smethurst and his wife Sharon. The search for the shell of 53 proved to be the Holy Grail of the FaceBook group Angolan, Mozambican and African War Relics. “Operation 53” was initiated (11 October 2013) to try and find of this notorious relic. Fortunately, or unfortunately, 53 was located before the journey could start.

7 Finding 53 This is how Anton le Roux (Australia) found 53:

“As with most of you, I have been searching randomly for 53 in different places, through different media and via discussions with different people since being added to this group. I was sort-of convinced the relic lying next to the river opposite the town of Cuito below the confluence of the Cuito and Cuanvale rivers Cuanavale was 53 because it seemed logical based on the the photo where the Cubans were trying to get 53 across the river on a GSP55. Still something kept me going,

maybe just the fun of the chase?? Come 14 Aug 2014,

lying in bed in after waking I did the usual by checking new posts of friends on my FaceBook timeline and was going through some 800+ photos posted by Alexandre Soviético Buchnev when I saw the tank photo. This had been taken by one of Alexandre’s friends, who is flying Ilushin’s for the Angolan Airforce

Photo 1: Left - Of the earliest photos seen - Phillip Smethurst and his wife Sharon. Right: Cuito

Photo 2: The possible 53, also referred to as Johan's relic.

http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?TabID=1612



The tank looked similar to photos which had previously been on this page but then my eye caught the “R” number. The R number has been known for a while now and is sort of imprinted in the back of my mind. But it was as if someone hit me with a baseball bat. I looked again, then looked carefully again.

Then the penny dropped…”WHAT…, WHAT…, HEY…” I shouted, “THAT’S 53!” There was a legible registration (R76341) and there were some good photos. I wanted to jump up and down, I wanted to call Carlos (FaceBook group administrator) but then realised I didn’t have his number, I couldn’t decide what to do first, PM (Personal Message) him, place the photo on Relics and tag him, I was soooo excited!!. 53 was somewhere, but did I not know where. Then I struggled to share the photos because I was in a bit of a flat spin. Finally managed it and all I could think of writing was Yahooooo (later realising it was thanks to Google not Yahoo hehe!) I then urgently wanted to find it on Google Earth so that “Operation 53” could have the coordinates to visit it. I decided to start my search at airports in Angola and with a fine tooth comb via Google Earth started with Luanda (because some of the photos in

Alexandre's collection was of Luanda airport). After Luanda I went from the Northernmost airport in Angola all along the Angolan coast heading South, double checking every airport, every building that may resemble the one in the photos of 53, behind every blade of grass, behind every tree hehehe and then worked my way Westward (inland) still from North to South. And then, a lot of hours and airports later, voila, there the building and finally the grand ole lady was. I nearly shed a tear. The rest is history. I was the lucky one, but we are all the

53 team. The adventure continues...”

Photo 3: Alexandre Soviético Buchnev in his military uniform.

Photo 4: 53, before it started attracting attention.



This was an anti-climax, as how could one organise a trip to find a relic which had just been found. While the Holy Grail had been found, the journey would continue and a detailed route would now have to be planned. Being at an airport, on an apron, most probably in a military area would be a challenge to access, and hence the task was started calling on anyone who could assist. The route would have to be determined, based on locations to be visited, accommodation, fuel stations and the available time.

Figure 1: 53 at Menongue as plotted on MapSource

What is interesting is that 53 was found 96m from a previously identified relic. Could the location of 53 have been identified, not realising what it was? In an attempt to find 53, relics were identified on Google Earth, and coordinates recorded for possible investigation. GPS coordinates of relics were also obtained from persons who been on previous battlefield tours, and a relics list was compiled. This also included a number of photos collected from FaceBook, personal collections, Sentinel Projects, the South African Legion, 61 Mechanised Battalion Group, Outapi War Museum, SA Legion, SWA / Angolan Border War 1966 - 1989.



Photo 5: Google Earth image of 53 at Menongue Airport

Photo 6: Underground Hangars at Lubango Airport



Photo 1: 53 back left.

Photo 7: Covers and plastic chain denote this must be of interest.



Photo 8: Fellow relic hunters pose alongside the trophy.

Photo 9: The engine bay and engine.



Photo 11: Migs at Lubango Airport

Photo 10: A section of the same airport (Lubango) from Google Earth reflecting a couple of Migs.



8 Planning the Route This was quite a challenge, in that it was desirable to get to Menongue and hopefully see 53, and then continue to Cuito, and see 12A and 53. The software supplied with the Gamin GPS was to be used to plan the daily routes. Daily legs would be desirable, which would allowed for diverse road conditions, viewing of attractions, bush/wild camps and refuelling points. Tracks and way points from previous trips done by Bostoe were used, and routes for the journey were proposed.

Figure 2: The first route.

The first day would have been from your residence to Zeldas Guest Game Farm, Oshikango, Ondjiva, Cubango, Cuvango, Cuito, Lubango, Xangongo, Calueque, Rundu, Maun and back home – 6,284km. That all in 9 days? Something was missing… There were 303 waypoints at this point of the planning, and the Tracks for Africa (T4A) GPS maps were being used to auto-route north of the Namibia-Angola border. T4A has to be used in Angola, as the Garmap 2012.2 maps would not auto-route. The route was reviewed, and the following proposed: Home, Zelda Guest Game Farm, Kamankab, Sterling Foster Farm, Lubango, Kamp China Rys, Kamp 3, Cuito, Shamvura Camp, Island Safari Lodge, Osasis Lodge and Home – 5,881km. In hind sight, this was still rather ambitious. The list of waypoints was also growing, and this would have it’s own implications at a later stage.



Figure 3: The second proposed route.

The next iteration included Flamingo Lodge, 6,186km and 15 days…getting better. The 4th iteration routed through Windhoek, instead of bypassing it. It was also at this point in time that I realised that there were roads in Angola, which were not on T4A, based on a paper map which Jan had purchased alongside the road on a previous trip. This was to be Jan’s 8th time in Angola. I then started looking for Garmap maps which supported auto-routing in Angola for a possible route back from Cuito to Katitwe/Cuangar via Nankova and Rito. I contacted NavWorld, who confirmed there were roads/tracks (on the map) and arranged for a demonstration, Yes, they worked, and this opened up a whole lot of opportunities, and created, at a later stage, a whole lot of risks. The Topo 2013 Pro maps certainly had a lot more data, eliminated the “direct-route” / bundu-bash as was done those years ago. It also brought into question the value of T4A, which I am still pondering. Note that the Topo 2013 Pro maps only work on BaseCamp, and that presented another challenge – change once again! The benefit of auto-routing is that one selects a destination, and the GPS will guide to the destination. Where the map cannot auto-route, you need to insert via-points where to turn, and make sure you have a detailed paper map close by. By the time we got to the 5th iteration, my patience was running out. This then took on a circular route, trying to avoid following the same route back. The route is as follows: Home, Gammibs Pan, Kamanjab, Chitado, Espenhierra (Ghost Town), Tombua, Sekelduin, Flamingo Lodge, Lubango, Matala, Cuito, Rundu (back via Menongue, or via Nankova and Rito), Katima, Kasane, Elephant Sands Lodge and Rome-Sweet-Rome. The final list had 496 waypoints, and 18 routes. The waypoints were downloaded to my Nuvi 500, an all Relics had a proximity added with an audible alert, such as a Mig flyover for an



aircraft, hoping that the vehicle occupants would not dive under the vehicle as the first relic was approached. MapSource/BaseCamp alss has a great feature – you can view you routes, tracks and waypoints by overlaying them on Google Earth, as can be seen below.

Photo 12: Sekelduin viewed in Google Earth



8.1 Detour The route also had a last minute detour… only 34 km. This detour (or so we through) was codenamed “Operation ALR” – Anton le Roux. The order…”Go find 72!” The following is an extract from Anton le Roux’s “Ratels damaged and crew KIA during the Border War V5”: “Ratel with the call sign 72 was damaged on 27 June 1988 by a RPG-7 rocket hitting the turret near Techipa whilst providing cover for another shot out Ratel’s crew. After crew had debussed, it was shot out by own forces on the same day. This was part of Operation Excite.” 2nd Lt. Muller Meiring (85445708BG) made the ultimate sacrifice. He was 19.

Photo 13: Operation ALR - The Target



The GPS coordinates were only available via Google Earth. This relic was located by Anton le Roux (the resident Google Earth Drone) based on a visit to this relic by one person. Who knows how he identified this as being the location of Ratel 72. We could only wait and see… Routing via this relic, would add a planned 34km to the day, and not impact significantly on the duration. Total MapSource distance: 6,994km.

9 Costs Inherently when a trip such as this is planned, costs come to the fore. Based upon previous Bostoe trips, the following costs were proposed: Each person would pay R 4,300.00 into the Kitty, and this would cover the following: Kitty 1. Shirt 2. Cap 3. Mug 4. Vehicle decals 5. Pre-paid accommodation, including 2 meals. 6. Last Evening’s Roll Call 7. Emergency satellite phone Excluded 1. Fuel 2. Visas (R 750.00) 3. Spending Money 5. Meals (Each vehicle will have to provide (supply, cook and prepare) two meals a day. Details shall be communicated once the number of vehicles and participants have been finalised) 6. 2-Way radio purchase/rental – you cannot go without this. October 2014 Fuel Cost Estimates: Petrol: R 8,503.20 Diesel: R 7,335.56 (Diesel Rules! Except in the Dunes) During the latter half of 2014, the Angolan government reduced it’s fuel subsidy, and increase fuel by 45%. Revised estimates per vehicle: (Jan 2015) Petrol: R 7,742.92 Diesel: R 6,864.03 So, is the art of planning quite visible! (How much art, and how much science?)

10 Expressed Interest Persons who expressed an interest: 64

Country Qty

Argentina 1



Country Qty

Australia 6

Austria 1

Canada 1

South Africa 52

United Kingdom 2

Vietnam 1

Grand Total 64

11 Crew

1. Andre van Tonder 2. Attie Strydom 3. Andre Blom 4. Henk Viljoen 5. Jan Slabber 6. Shaun Tosen

12 Vehicle Call Signs 1. Kolobe (Andre van Tonder and Attie Strydom) 2. Rooikat (Andre Blom and Henk Viljoen) 3. Caspir (Shaun Tosen and Jan Slabber)

13 Behind the Scenes On 3 October 2014, I established that the Russian Veterans Association was busy with a trip (29 September to 9 October). The articles below refer:

13.1 Defence minister receives delegation of Angola’s Veterans Union in Russia

Source: http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2014/8/40/Defence-minister-receives-delegation-Angola-Veterans-Union-Russia,87fa2d78-ff54-4bae-ad52-e1ba77abba08.html (Translated by Google Translate)

http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2014/8/40/Defence-minister-receives-delegation-Angola-Veterans-Union-Russia,87fa2d78-ff54-4bae-ad52-e1ba77abba08.htmlhttp://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2014/8/40/Defence-minister-receives-delegation-Angola-Veterans-Union-Russia,87fa2d78-ff54-4bae-ad52-e1ba77abba08.htmlhttp://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/politica/2014/8/40/Defence-minister-receives-delegation-Angola-Veterans-Union-Russia,87fa2d78-ff54-4bae-ad52-e1ba77abba08.html



“Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:55 - Updated Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:56 Luanda - The minister of National Defence, João Lourenço, received, Monday, in the capital, Luanda, a delegation of senior officers of to the Union of Veterans of Angola in Russia, in the context of historical relations in the defense field. After the meeting, the president of Angola’s Veterans Union in Russia, Vadim Sagatchko, stressed that the meeting served to address issues related to cooperation between the two countries in various fields, as well as strengthening the historic ties of friendship. In this context, he said that Angola is the country where the Russian internationalists fulfilled their duty, highlighting the Cuito-Cuanavale war as well as other missions undertaken by Russian cooperation. He noted that after the proclamation of independence in 1975, Angola experienced a period of war among brothers, facing the same way an external aggression by South Africa and thus emerged a prompt reaction of solidarity and international assistance in the fight for the defense of Angolan young nation. "This support was an important factor contributing to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, Angola is a strong and prosperous state. The bonds created in the common struggle make Angola and Russia to have relations of friendship and brotherhood, "he said. The Union of Veterans of Angola is a Russian non-governmental organization whose main objective is collaboration with associations of veterans of foreign countries, especially Angola and Cuba, protecting and spreading the story about the contribution of internationalists in victory of the national liberation movements in Africa. It also has as objective, spreading the story about the emergence of new states in defense of their sovereignty, social development, education, medicine and culture, as well as the joint protection of civil and social rights of veterans. Among the honorary members of the Union of Veterans of Angola, included officers of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) that contributed to the achievements of independence, strengthening the FAA, and strengthening of diplomatic, economic, social cultural and military relations between Angola and Russia.”

13.2 Angola: Veterans Union of Angola Intends to Conduct Historical Documentary

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201409300336.html (Translated by Google Translate) “29 September 2014

Luanda — The chairperson of Veterans Union of Angola, Vadim Sagatchko, expressed,

on Monday, intention to hold a historical documentary that depicts the war of Cuito Cuanavale and the contribution of Russian internationalists in that period.

The official of the Russian non-governmental organization was speaking to journalists after a meeting with the minister of National Defence, João Lourenço, to whom he asked

authorization to do so.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201409300336.html



According to him, the documentary aims to portray the common history between Angola and Russia, highlighting the support of the Angolan nationalists to Russian fighters,

which meant true demonstration of friendship, sisterhood and brotherhood among peoples, regardless of race.

He said that Russian and Angolan technical teams will henceforth initiating investigative work in various locations of the country, especially in the south.

On the other hand, he said that the delegation of Russian military officers assigned to the Veterans Union of Angola is in the country for an eight-day visit that aims to

strengthen the friendship and bilateral ties.

The Union Veterans of Angola is a Russian non-governmental organization whose main objective in international context is to collaboration with associations of veterans of foreign countries, especially Angola and Cuba, protecting and spreading the story about the contribution of internationalists in victory of the national liberation movements in Africa”

Photo 14: Note 53 in the background.



Photo 15: Colonels (ret.) Sergei Kolomnin (left) and Vadim Sagachko (right). Vadim Sagachko is the President of Union of Angola Veterans.

Photo 16: Taken 13 November 2014, definitely not at Menongue. (Courtesy of the HALO Trust)



On 13 November 2014, this above mentioned photo was received and I was asked if this was the tank we were looking for? No too difficult to answer. The good news was that it had been relocated from Menongue to the battlefield, and was not longer inaccessible on an airport apron (or so we thought).

14 Hoping to See… (Courtesy of the HALO Trust)



Photo 17: 53 with a mine roller, which did not belong to it.



Photo 18: 53 under the carport.



Photo 19: The HALO Team checking the areas around the tanks.



Photo 20: Mounting brackets for the mine rollers.



15 Bon Voyage! With the final route in place, the overnight locations, all that had to be done, is procure the groceries, refreshments, Visas, cameras, notebooks, clothing, medication…and we were ready to go.

Documents

Operation 53 - Kampforum.co.za · 2015. 3. 22. · FAPLA suffered heavy losses, with all four brigades losing about 60-70% of their strength. Throughout the battle, FAPLA had lost