Episode 51 – Xangongo the target as Operation Protea begins and the story of a freak smoke rocket shot

The air strikes on the targets for Operation Protea have ended, and now the mechanised units will begin their move on the targets, Xangongo and Peu Peu. 32 Battalion has already cleared the bunkers and trench positions in the north of Xangongo as you heard last episode. Attacking westward on the northern flank of Battle Group 20 was 40 under command of Commandant Deon Ferreira. They were to fight through the most northern FAPLA defences at Xangongo and capture the old Portuguese Fort overlooking the river. This fort was situated on high ground with an excellent view of the critical bridge across the Cunene River and the main road leading from Humbe into Xangongo. Whomever held this fort could influence the course of the battle with direct fire weapons, small arms and short range mortars. The high grounds at the fort and to the south of the main road, adjacent to the river, were important tactical features either for defence or attack. This included a high-rise water tower just to the south of the main road next to the river which was an excellent observation post to the west and over the town. The South Africans left it standing because they were going to use it. This high rising stretch of ground adjacent to the Cunene river formed the most western edge of the Xangongo defences. Later on Battle Group 10 would use the river and the high ground in combination for the defence of Xangongo once it was taken. The small town of Peu-Peu 10kilometers to the north also nestled alongside the Cunene River and Battle Group 30 was due for a stiff fight there. Back in Xangongo, as the mechanised units moved forward, machine-gun and AK47 fire increased until suddenly the chatter of a single Soviet 23mm anti-aircraft gun stopped the Battle Group dead in its tracks. This weapon was extremely effective in the hands of a trained crew – and that’s what faced the SADF at this moment.