opsprotea

The South-African Bush War:

Ops Protea

Operation Protea: 24 August 1981 - 1 September 1981

The aim of Ops Protea was to eliminate the PLAN HQ in Xangongo as well as the large Cuban/Fapla conventional force buildup in the towns of Xangongo and Ongiva near the SWA (Namibian) border in Southern Angola. Heavy artillery, armour and sophisticated radar systems were being deployed on the SADF's doorstep and these had to be eliminated. SADF losses were 10 while ANTI-SA forces suffered over 1000 casualties. The SADF captured 2000 tons of equipment, including T34/85 tanks, 76mm guns, Gaz Trucks, 23mm AA guns, etc.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS!

Submit your photos and experiences by clicking on this email linkOR the above pictures and these might be used on this page and the planned future book on the SOUTH-AFRICAN BUSH WAR. Help to tell the story of this very controversial and clandestine conflict.

Home

57mm AA gun of USSR origin, similar to models captured during Ops Protea from Cubam and Fapla forces. On display at the SAAF Museum, Zwartkops AFB, Pretoria.

57mm AA gun of USSR origin, similar to models captured from Fapla forces during Ops Protea. On display at the SAAF Museum, Zwartkops AFB, Pretoria.

57mm AA gun of USSR origin captured in Angola from Cuban or Fapla forces during the bushwar, similar to samples captured during Ops Protea. On display at the SAAF Museum, Zwartkops AFB, Pretoria.

Another 57mm AA gun of USSR origin captured in Angola during the Bushwar from Cuban or Fapla forces. On display at the SAAF Museum, AFB Zwartkops, Pretoria.

76mm AT gun of USSR origin captured in Angola during Bushwar. Most likely Ops Protea. On display at the Military Museum, Johannesburg.

Brandnew Angolan Kwanzas "liberated" from a bank during Ops Protea. The notes were still in brandnew packs, wrapped with a Bank ribbon when found.

USSR-made Gaz troop transport truck captured during Ops Protea in Angola. On display at the Military History Museum, Johannesburg.

USSR made Gaz troop transport truck captured in Angola during Ops Protea. On dispaly at the Military History Museum, Johannesburg.

Another Soviet propoganda booklet captured during Ops Protea. Its written in Portuguese so Angolans can understand it.

Russian propoganda booklet in Portuguese, captured during Ops Protea. The print-date of the booklet is Moscow-1981; the same year as Ops Protea, confirming the direct support by the USSR.

Virtualy new Russian-made "jeep" captured in Angola. On display at the Military Museum, Johannesburg.

Russian-made PT76 amphibious tank captured in Angola and on display at the Military History Museum in Johannesburg. Some were captured during Ops Protea as well. On display at the Military Museum, Johannesburg.

T34/85 Russian-made tank operated by Fapla forces and captured during Ops Protea?, now on display at te Military History Museum, Johannesburg.

T34/85 tanks, Gaz trucks, and other hardware captured during Ops Protea. Many of the vehicles captured were new. An estimated 2000 tons of equipment was captured, and confirmed the massive buildup of conventional forces near the SWA border. Here weapons are on display in northern SWA at a SADF base.

Burnt-out T34/85 USSR-made tank captured from Cuban or Fapla forces during Bushwar in Angola. Most likely the one shot out near Cuvelai during Ops Protea. On display at Fort Klapperkop, Pretoria. The Fort Klapperkop display "dissapeared" prior to the 1994 elections - does anybody know what happened to it?

Small arms, grenades, mines, etc. captured during Ops Protea. On display at an SADF base in Northern SWA.

More to be added soon!

T34/85 tanks, Gaz trucks, BRDM scout cars, guns, etc captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

RPG-7 rocket launchers, rifles, grenades, mines, etc. captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

Russian Leninist propoganda booklet written in Portuguese, found during Ops Protea. The printdate of the booklet is 1981-Moscow; the same year as Ops Protea, illustrating the direct Soviet support.

Another Russian propoganda booklet written in Portuguese, found during Ops Protea.

T34/85 tank of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SA Military Museum Johannesburg.

57mm AA-gun of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SAAF Museum Pretoria.

PT76 amphibiuos tank of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SA Military Museum Johannesburg.

76mm AT gun/howitser of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SA Military Museum Johannesburg.

Brandnew Angolan banknotes "liberated" from a bank in Angola during Ops Protea. The notes were still in packs tied with the central bank ribbon when found.

Burntout T34/85 tank shot out in Angola and on display at Fort Klapperkop, Pretoria. (Probably the T34 shot out at Cuvelai during Ops Protea?). Note the Vampire A/C in the background. The Klapperkop display "dissapeared" just before the 1994 democratic elections - does anyone know what happened to it?

Light jeep of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SA Military Museum Johannesburg.

Gaz troop transport truck of Russian origin, captured in Angola (most likely Ops Protea), and on display at the SA Military Museum Johannesburg.

Assault rifles, LMG's, etc., captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

Duel 23mm, and triple 23mm AA guns, 76mm AT guns, etc., of Eastern Bloc origin, captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

Gaz Russian Forward-control? truck captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

BM-21 MRLS (Russian) captured during Ops Protea, and on display at a SADF base in SWA.

85mm T34 Tank ammo (AP left, and APHE right), captured during Ops Protea, on display at a SADF base in SWA.

T34/85 tank of Russian origin captured during Ops Protea, on display at a SADF base in SWA.

PT76 light amphibious tank of Russian origin captured during Ops Protea, on display at a SADF base in SWA.

Heavy Tank transporter truck of Russian origin captured during Ops Protea, on display at a SADF base in SWA.

SADF publication on Ops Protea; compilation of press articles - Page 1.

SADF publication on Ops Protea; compilation of press articles - Page 2.

SADF publication on Ops Protea; compilation of press articles - Page 3.

SADF publication on Ops Protea; compilation of press articles - Page 4.

SADF publication on Ops Protea; compilation of press articles - Page 5.

SADF propoganda logo in Ops Protea publication.

Burning T34/85 tank shot out in Ops Protea - near Cuvelai?.

Triple barrel 23mm AA gun of Yugoslave? origin eplacement taken out in Ops Protea. Also used in the ground attack role. Note spent cartridges and rounds around the gun.

SADF troops hand out provisions to the local population as part of Com-ops (Communication Operations), to win the harts and minds of the local population, - Ops Protea.

Military Sector 10 (one-zero) logo, headquartered at Oshakati - Ops Protea.

Simplistic map of the 2 targets for Ops Protea, Xangongo and Ongiva.

Arfrikaans press article announcing the return of SADF troops after Ops Protea, quoting Genl. Contant Viljoen, the then chief of the SADF.

SADF Eland 90 (AML-90) armoured car in the foreground, and Ratel IFV's in the backgroung, Angolan Bush, Ops Protea.

SADF Buffel mine resistant APC's forming up during Ops Protea.

SADF mechanised column consisting of Buffel mine resistant APC's forming up during Ops Protea. 10ton Samil 100 transport truck in the background. Note white callsigns applied on the vehicles for this Ops.

SADF troops rounding up captured enemy equipment during Ops Protea. 23mm?/14.5mm? AA mount in the foreground.

An assortment of captured equipment of Soviet origin captured by the SADF - Ops Protea. 23mm AA gun in the foreground, 14.5mm AA gun, and BM-21 MRLS truck in the background.

SADF Ratel 20mm IFV at a staging point - Ops Protea. Probably deployed in the Command role as is suggested by the callsign: G3 (golf 3). Battle smoke in the background.

Battle smoke in the Angolan Bush, Ops Protea.

SADF troop briefing in the Angolan Bush, Ops Protea. Note battle maps and callsign OB (Oscar-Bravo) on Ratel 20 IFV.

SADF troops inspect triple barrel 23mm AA gun emplacement - Yugoslave? origin - Ops Protea. Another gun in the backgroung. Often deployed in the ground attack role

Burning Gaz truck of Russian origin of the Swapo/Fapla forces, twin 23mm AA gun on the back, Ops Protea.

SADF troops inspect a captured Fapla T34/85 tank - Ops Protea.

Afrikaans press article describing the action in Ops Protea.

SADF Buffel APC somewhere in Angola (Xangongo or Ongiva) during Ops Protea. The sign in the foreground next to the road says something about 'rasist South Africa".

Goto: Ops Protea - Page 2