Episode 49 – SWAPO uses FAPLA as a defensive screen in southern Angola and the plans are laid for Operation Protea

It’s the first half of 1981 and more hit and run raids were being carried out by SWAPO – particularly around Okalonga and Mahanene. Some of the frustrations concerning the quality of intel were proving difficult to explain away by the SADF. The early months of 1981 were characterized by a series of operations inside Angola of various sizes. 32 Battalion and 1 Parachute Battalion were busy most of the time, and it was apparent that FAPLA was growing increasingly aggressive. The Angolan Air Force too was showing signs of life – and the training was improving. In mid August more contacts took place near Chiede – but each firefight led to SWAPO beating a hasty retreat in the direction of the nearest FAPLA base. And thus the move to Operation Protea which would turn into the largest ground assault by South Africans of the entire Border War. The cooperation between SWAPO and FAPLA had to be broken. Both used the same logistics routes so the SADF needed to destroy the communication lines across the Cunene River. To do that Major General Lloyd approached Constand Viljoen and suggested a large force be sent into Angola to destroy the combined FAPLA/SWAPO strongpoints at Xangongo, Mongua and Ongiva.