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The Forgotten Paratroopers: South African Special Forces in Angola

Jedidiah Hayes

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Published in 19 With A Bullet: A South African Paratrooper In Angola

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The South African paratroopers who fought in Angola during the Border War are a largely forgotten group of men. Their story is one of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, and it deserves to be told.

19 With a Bullet: A South African Paratrooper in Angola

by Granger Korff

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	466 pages

The Border War was a conflict that lasted from 1966 to 1989 between South Africa and the People's Republic of Angola. The war was fought over the control of South West Africa (now Namibia),which was a South African colony at the time.

The South African paratroopers were deployed to Angola in 1975 as part of Operation Savannah. Their mission was to support the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA),a rebel group that was fighting against the Angolan government.

The paratroopers were highly trained and well-equipped. They were armed with a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, machine guns, and rocket launchers. They also had access to armored vehicles and helicopters.

The paratroopers fought in a number of battles in Angola, including the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in 1988. This was the largest battle of the Border War, and it resulted in a stalemate.

The paratroopers eventually withdrew from Angola in 1989, as part of a peace agreement that ended the Border War. They returned home as heroes, but their story is largely unknown.

The South African paratroopers who fought in Angola were a courageous and dedicated group of men. They fought bravely against a formidable enemy, and they made a significant contribution to the war effort. Their story deserves to be told, and it should never be forgotten.

Training and Deployment

The South African paratroopers who fought in Angola were trained at the Parachute Training School in Bloemfontein. The training was rigorous, and it included physical fitness, weapons handling, and parachute jumping.

The paratroopers were deployed to Angola in 1975 as part of Operation Savannah. Their mission was to support UNITA in its fight against the Angolan government.

The paratroopers were initially deployed to the town of Silva Porto. They later moved to other areas of Angola, including Cuito Cuanavale and Mavinga.

Combat Experiences

The South African paratroopers fought in a number of battles in Angola, including the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in 1988. This was the largest battle of the Border War, and it resulted in a stalemate.

The paratroopers also fought in a number of smaller battles and skirmishes. They were often outnumbered and outgunned, but they always fought bravely.

The paratroopers faced a number of challenges in Angola, including the harsh terrain, the extreme climate, and the enemy's superior numbers and firepower.

Despite these challenges, the paratroopers always managed to overcome their obstacles and achieve their objectives.

Legacy

The South African paratroopers who fought in Angola are a largely forgotten group of men. Their story is one of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, and it deserves to be told.

The paratroopers made a significant contribution to the war effort, and they played a key role in the eventual victory of UNITA.

The paratroopers' story is a reminder of the sacrifices that our soldiers have made for our country. It is a story that should never be forgotten.

19 With a Bullet: A South African Paratrooper in Angola

by Granger Korff

4.6 out of 5