opssavannah

The 1st large scale cross border operation of the bushwar. A covert operation by 4 SADF battlegroups, (Foxbat, Zulu, Alfa, Bravo) in support of the pro Western Freedom movements (UNITA and FNLA) in Angola in the days prior to independence, and as a secondary role, to clear SWAPO/PLAN out of southern Angola. The purpose of the operation was to ensure a military and political victory for the pro-Western forces of FNLA and UNITA. The CIA covertly assisted as well up to a point, and then withdrew as the USA was busy dealing with the Vietnam defeat and withdrawal, and the USA was ill-informed about the real situation in Angola. This left the small SADF Taskforce to fight alone against massive odds. The enemy was the communist supported MPLA freedom movement, backed up by well equipped Cuban forces of ever increasing strength. The SADF raiding parties operated in support of and with UNITA and FNLA. The SA Government denied knowledge of any presence in Angola and the SADF operated covertly and vehicles where painted in a non-standard SADF camouflage scheme. The pressence of SADF troops in Angola was revealed to the world by the war correspondent, Fred Bridgeland, who's article appeared in the Washington Post. He later wrote an excellent book on the latter years of the bushwar called: "The War for Africa". Later, 2 SADF POW's captured in the battles north of Cela, were paraded on international TV, and SA could no longer deny its involvement in Angola.

The main battles of Operation Savannah were:
1. Battlegroup Zulu's running battles up the western part of Angola.
2. The defeat of the SADF at Ebo, in which an Eland 90 column and UNITA Infantry were ambushed by a combined Cuban/Fapla force, 6-7 Eland's were lost, and nearly 100 UNITA troops killed.
3. The defeat of the CUBAN/MPLA forces at the Battle of Bridge 14.
4. The capturing of the town of Luso on the eastern front.

During this operation Col Jan Breytenbach leading battlegroup Zulu, earned the reputation as the Rommel of Angola by covering 3000kms into Angola in 33 days, while fighting MPLA forces and the roughness of remote Africa all the way.

The SADF decided to withdraw almost withing striking distance of Luanda. Should Luanda be taken or not? The military objectives of Ops Savannah were continiuosly changed by the politicians and it can be said that the objectives were largely "made up on the way" as the situation changed. Politicians were faced with a dilemma that the 3000 strong SADF force was never intended to capture Luanda, or face a well equiped Cuban force. After-all it was a secret low-key operation to enure the pro-western FNLA and UNITA will have a winning chance in the upcoming independance election. CIA assistance was also promised, which quickly evaporated for the reasons mentioned above. The SA Goverment did not want to be sucked into the escalating chaos that was busy enveloping Angola at this stage. It was the start of one of Africa's bloodiest civil wars. The SADF withdrawal (not defeat) was based on political reasons and it frustrated the SADF military commanders in the field who believed Luanda was within their reach. (See Col Jan Breytenbach's book: Buffalo Soldiers.). Even to this day, both sides claim victory, though there was never a decisive military showdown.

UNITA rose as the main opposition movement against the MPLA, and the SADF continued to support it militarily until the end of the bushwar in 1989. Many joint military operations were conducted as well, Operation Savannah succeeded for the SADF, as it prevented the crushing of all opposition by the MPLA. However, the ensuing chaos in Angola after Ops Savannah prevented a quick political solution, and made the Angolan people pay a heavy price in the civil war that followed. The MPLA was victorious in Angola's 1st democtaric elections and is now ruling the country.

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The South-African Bush War:

Operation Savannah - 1975 - 1976

1. Operation Savannah - 2 October 1975 - 27 March 1976.

A SADF 5.5 inch (140mm) gun and crew in Angola during Ops Savannah. Note the ast German helmets iisued by the SADF at Oshakati prior to the Operation, and the casual uniforms; typical of SADF units after being in the bush for extended periods. The camoulfage pattern of the gun is non SADF, and was part of the covert action to disguise the units as non-SADF.

The famous "Bridge 14" over the river Nhia in Angola where the battle of Bridge 14 took place during Ops Savannah on 9 December 1975. SADF Sappers repaired the bridge blown earlier by the enemy; with makeshift material as is evident in the photo, while under heavy Cuban/MPLA fire, including 122mm MRL rockets. The SADF lost 4 men in the battle, while enemy losses where etimated at 400.

Map showing the location in Angola of the Ebo battles during Ops Savannah.

SADF Eland 90mm armoured car knocked out during the Ebo battles in Angola, Ops Savannah 1975.

SADF troops in green non-SADF uniform in front of a heavily camouflaged Eland armoured car some where deep in Angola during Ops Savannah. These uniforms were probably sourced internationally and was of bad quality. Again the covert nature of the operation is evident from the non-standard SADF uniforms. Rumours during the time were that the green uniforms were intended to make the SADF troops look American. At that stage the CIA was still actively supporting the operation, but it soon pulled out, leaving the SADF on its own deep inside enemy teritory. Note the sleeves and pants being cut off as a result of the African summer heat (Oct-Dec), and the casual dress reminicent of troops on long operations.

SAAF Mirage III fighterbombers at the ready in support of Ops Savannah; at the foremost operational airbase at Ondangwa in northern SWA (Namibia).

An oddity of war! At the town of Luso the ANTISA forces deployed this armoured buldozer, which took several direct hits from the Eland 90's as is evident from the photo. The crew abandoned the vehicle during the battle while it was running and it came to a halt in a ditch.

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Walid type armoured car photographed during Ops Savannah, with a 12.7mm machine gun mount. Walid on a Unimog chassis, was manufactured in Egypt.

Walid type armoured car photographed during Ops Savannah, with a 12.7mm machine gun mount.

Enemy BRDM armoured car shot out during Ops Savannah.

The same bulldozer as above, from the front. It took several direct hits as is evident from the damage.

A SADF soldier in front of Cela hospital. The town of Cela with its airport became an important staging post for the SADF's central front, and the HQ for Battle group Foxbat and Battlegroup Zulu for its drive towards Luanda. Dr Tony Dippenaar was the surgeon in this relaively well equiped hospital.

An FNLA? soldier at Cela airfield. Visible on the airport apron are 2 Cessna 180 observation planes with the distingtive white "T" painted on its top surfaces. This was done to find the planes in the bush, should it be shot down. Aslo visible is a "VIP Dak" with its white top, and a C130B Hercules from 28 Squadron, flying in supplies for the operation.

Small arms captured during Ops Savannah. Vissible are Ppsh submachine guns, RPD machine guns, an FN 7.62mm, ex-Portuguese Heckler and Koch beltfed MG (HK21), and a US-made M72 66mm LAW rocket launcher.

More small arms captured during Ops Savannah somewhere in a town. Vissible are SKS rifles, limped mines, Ppsh sub machine guns, and a B10 recoilless gun in the background Note the SADF troops inside the building, and the SADF Bedford truck in the background.

Another enemy BRDM armoured car cooking during Ops Savannah.

An enemy (Fapla) ammunition convoy shot out by SADF artillery during Ops Savannah. Note the various unexploded shells scattered around.

What appears to be SADF "high brass" during Ops Savannah. Can anybody identify them? Col. Jan Breytenbach on the right? Note the varied non SADF uniforms as disguise.

A SADF 5.5 inch (140mm) gun and crew in Angola during Ops Savannah. Note the casual uniforms, long hair and beards; typical of SADF units after being in the bush for extended periods. The one soldier is carrying an AK 47 rifle. The camoulfage pattern of the gun is non-standard SADF, and was part of the covert action to disguise the units as non-SADF.

Ammunition and supplies captured by the SADF at Sa da Bandeira during Ops Savannah.

An enemy (Fapla) BM 21 multiple rocket launcer (Stalin Organ) shot out by SADF during Ops Savannah. Note the barrels are still loaded with rockets. The "Stalin organ" terrified the SADF troops in the beginning of the campaign, as it did not have a similar weapon, but the SADF troops soon learned that this weapon was not very accurate, and its shrapnel not very leathal, as it was made from a very light alloy. This weapon in Angola lead the SADF to develop its own version, the Valkiri, which became operational in the early 1980's. It was alo called the "Voster Organ", after Prime Minister John Voster, the then SA Prime minister.

A SADF 5.5 inch (140mm) gun position in Angola during Ops Savannah. In the foreground is a camouflaged 20mm AA gun, again in non SADF camouflage pattern.

A B10 recoilless AT gun, capured during Ops Savannah. Apart from its AT role, the gun was sometimes used by PLAN (SWAPO) later in the bushwar conflict, to fire harrasing shots at SADF bases in SWA (Namibia). It was normally pulled on foot by the 2 handles at the muzzle end.

Another view of the captured BM 21 multiple rocker launcher described on the left. Note the bullet hole in the fueltank.

FNLA troops being kitted out by the SADF with brandnew FN 7.62mm assualt rifles, new uniforms, and new "tekkies" trainer-shoes. This photo was taken at Serpa Pino airport during Ops Savannah. It is from FNLA troops, that the famous 32Bn was formed.

Gutted Bank building in Angola during Ops Savannah.

Destoyed FNLA headquarters in Luso/Luanda? during Ops Savannah.

A dead MPLA soldier amongst ammunition boxes, and a US-made M72 66mm LAW rocket launcher in the background - Ops Savannah.

Pro Unita graffiti somewhere in Angola - Ops Savannah.