The South African Border War - Meanwhile back at the South West African Border and 32 Battalion.

in war •  7 years ago  (edited)

With Angola now independent and firmly in the hands of the new MPLA government, with its Cuban and Soviet backing, South Africa's fears regarding SWA quickly materialized.

The MPLA was more than willing to allow SWAPO or PLAN fighters to set up bases inside Angola and conduct insurgencies directly from Angolan soil.

The South African reaction was to change a previous lottery draft system to 2 year compulsory military conscription for all white South African males.

Part of this two year conscription and the "camps" or reservist yearly duty was likely to be spent inside the "Operational Areas" or "border duty" as it was known.

The general SA conscripts were initially deployed at bases inside northern South West Africa in a maintenance or counter insurgency role.

For general infantry this often consisted of week long or fortnight long foot patrols monitoring insurgency routs etc.

In 1975 during operation Savannah the former FNLA soldiers had done plenty and proved themselves as dedicated fighters and career soldiers.

These were formed into 32 Battalion and, being Angolan, operated mainly in southern Angola, as a buffer between the communist backed forces and South Africa's regular forces.

Early on some of the officers came from Australia, Rhodesia, Portugal and the United States but later they were mainly white South Africans.

The main base was at Buffalo on the banks of the SWA side of the Okavango River and their insignia was the buffalo.

By MrPenguin20 , CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Hence there nickname Buffalo's, they were feared by the Angolan forces and some of their Russian advisers noted that if it was rumored that "Buffalo's" were attacking, the battle was often over, as the Angolan forces would down weapons and run.

In Portuguese they were nicknamed Os Terríveis or "The Terrible Ones".

They distinguished themselves throughout the conflict as a highly effective combat force but were always plagued by a reputation for brutality, torture, rape, desecration of fallen opponents bodies and other atrocities including against civilians.

How much of it was based on real facts and how much of it was reputation and rumor is hard to tell; and will probably never be known. The white sands of Southern Angola are a long way from everything and anything can happen with nobody any the wiser.

This reputation was so entrenched that part of the negotiated transition that would come to South Africa decades later was the disbanding of this unit before transition to full democratic rule.

Other posts in this series

The piece of the cold war nobody told you about - Africa's forgotten war

The Air Battles
The SA Fighter Aircraft
The SA Bomber Aircraft
The conflicts deep roots and start
Regional Tensions
Africa's forgotten cold war - Angolan War of Independence.
Africa's forgotten cold war - Mozambican War of Independence.
Africa's forgotten cold war - Rhodesian Bush War
Africa's forgotten cold war - The Angolan War of Independence transitions to the Angolan Civil War
The South African Border War - The start of Operation Savannah and Large scale South African involvement.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - the wheels start coming off.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Quifangondo
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Ebo
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Bridge 14
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Luso
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah comes to an end.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah the withdrawal.
The South African Border War - Meanwhile back on the home front.
The South African Border War - Meanwhile over in neighboring Mozambique.

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I was conscripted in January 1978 into the South African Airforce, I think we were the second two year group. At the end of the two years, I realised that I knew how to iron and not necessarily believe the body's complaints when undergoing fairly intense training. I felt it was a huge waste of my personal time but I loved the camaraderie. Many amusing moments that are remembered long after the unpleasant ones have faded.

I have a 32 Batallion story. I was serving with 6 SA Infantry and we were based in a platoon camp at the Okavango River crossing at Bagane (about half way between Angolan and Botswana borders) (April to June 1975). As you described we would do week long foot patrols and lots of hearts and minds meetings with local people.

On one of those foot patrols, we received radio communication to get the hell out of the omuramba we were patrolling and to withdraw to a point in arrears where we would be picked up. Apparently 32 Batallion had been dropped into the other end of the omuramba - we would have been toast.

Yup, nothing worse than friendly fire.

That would have been one hell of a "blue-on-blue" incident as the Americans call it. Good thing your people caught it on time.

Was not very often our radios were working but they did that morning. Only ever seemed to work at night.

Wow. I wonder if there's any scientific explanation for that; weather conditions or something. I seem to remember there being some early-20th-century trick for bouncing radio waves off the ionosphere to get them across really long distances.

Thanks for these posts. It really touched all South Africans. I don't think many people really know how bad it was.

Interesting that part of the peace settlement was the disbanding of the Buffalos. A reputation can do wonders for a battle group--more than half the battle happens in the mind. If you have already won that battle, the fighting part is much easier. Great post.

your opinion is bigger....

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I think this is part of a sereis you have written. I'm confused where it starts. It would be very helpful if the episode number was shown at the beginning of each post. Congratulations on your writing style. I find your style a very well written one. I like the short paragraphs with headings.

start at the top...

I remember learning about the buffalos (and the selous scouts) in school history lessons. I was fortunate that I graduated the year they stopped compulsory service, but many of my friends' older brothers fought in the border war.

African nations and their history always have been overlooked and shadowed by other events in the same time period. Thanks for sharing.

Reading the news about killing tech today, and the amount of insanity exhibited by the world leaders, wars of the past (even 20th century) seem like a noble events... terrible, eh?

Conscription for African youth, To maintain the sovereignty of a loved country

Too many sacrifices have been sacrificed in this war by the African nation, especially the south africa. And there is still much we need to strive for and we sacrifice for the sake of peace in the African continent, for example you @gavvet, you take the time and thought to write this useful post, at least we are far from the African continent, know how our brother's condition in Africa today, a prayer from us to all the peoples of South Africa.

Again upvoting your post.. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

wow... @gavvet this narrative just reminded me of "Buffalo Soldier" , a reggae song written by Bob Marley and Noel "King Sporty" Williams. but this song was more related to Buffalo Soldier of the West and the Elimination of the Native American Race ...
i enjoy your African border war series as it portrays our African history during the cold war era... keep it rolling... thanks as this is worthy of my support as always...

We are in the world where nuclear weapons are built like toys. I hope all countries will keep the peace. I am so worried about these border issues even India, pakistan & India, china are also fighting because of the border disputes. :-(

good

Monkey Nuts

Amazing post!
@gavvet.
Thanks post! Very good!

Interesting History lesson in perspective.
They dont show the real truth of wars in the mainstream and although you may be 'other side of the world' we are all brothers and sisters ... no winners.

Now the Portuguese have gone I guess it is time to deal with the communism that remains backed of course the Soviets and Cubans who want to spread their influence across the globe.

Amazing to see how these troops were able to fight back against the enemy forces despite their reduced fire power. However, it is sad to hear such a great fighting force being branded as 'The Terrible Ones' due to their bad reputation that lived on until the day they were dissolved.

Another great post regarding the Border Wars that many of us have never touched on in our lives @gavvet! :)

It's always fun to read your poste. Keep going

@sara.ben
yeah....nice comment..his post is full of rich history of african conflicts

@gavvet i have a poem for you as support on south africa and africa itself

i would like to know you that i support the good future of your people..
and the country..

hope you give me a chance..i will always pray for your country..hope support my post..thank you..help me to share the good news to your nation..more power to you @gavvet

https://steemit.com/poetry/@mrblu/to-my-brothers-and-sister-to-africa-be-bless-the-lord-shower-your-country-more-blessing

OMG...

Why humans fight each other?

I hate a war! Why did people kill each other? We are the same people who live in thjs universe. I hope, there is not any war in the world. Thanks for sharing us this post.

thanks for the entry !
Upvoted and followed..

this post is upvoted
this post is followed
this post is reesteemed by

Hi gavet i am a new member of steemit and i am happy to follow you

Very interesting post, though I do not know much about the war of southern African border between angola and south africa. My place in aceh - indonesia also ever happened war between aceh rebellion with indonesian government. Aceh rebels (GAM) want to break away from parts of the country of Indonesia. This war is due to the aceh tsunami in 2004.

Best regards from @sipildanarsitek

meep

A new storm is about to brew in SA. Thanks for sharing the knowledge about African history. Very interesting read.

Good vote @gavvet

Very Interesting! :)

This story only reflect only that the leaders of a nation always wage a war to solve the misunderstanding. They dont think how many young people were going to sacrifice life for their savage ideas solving conflict.

Why couldn't be Peace

Thanks for sharing

An upvote catching post.

Wish all the best for africa.
#peace

mmm

I really enjoyed your post, thank you for sharing with us. Enjoy the vote!

i require 0.002 steem can you transfar i give 5 vote to your 5 post

Very interesting, I knew a bit about that war (well that it happened) but not much more about it. I will look through those links too (upvoted)

nice bb

Nice post giving insides on the S.A. War. of olden days

Good work and wonderful wish

Hello @gavvet! I'm always looking out for your post on these wars, so interesting to learn history of African wars with you!
I have a lot more to read from your list, but will complete it soon!
Thanks so much for such great informations!
@progressivechef

We pray for them, we love peace, no war at all in the world is my hope. Thanks

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

We all hope wars and disputes stop. I am from Syria and I've experienced the horrible consequences of disputes. Great blog man thanks.

Please help my introduction.
You are very kind
I am very fan to you master @gavvet

I hope the best for African. No war and No tears.

nice post @gavvet

good jobs..

nice post full of information and history thanks!

thank you for sharing this man!!

I love to read this history of the African conflicts. Thanks for posting these stories and keep them coming man!

great as always
upvoted

Please follow me and upvote.

not that one

It's sad too see all this conflict at the expense of innocent people who just request justice. Unfortunately war is big business and the people must stand united to avoid such tragedies

Hello! I like your series and you efforts of rewarding original content! I advertised you in my last travel post and sent people your way. I used you picture, but I can edit if you want.

I hope it gets you more clicks! Also 100% here! Cheers!

Your posts are always Informative and educative.

  • Thanks for sharing sir.

Join my autoblog! Interesting news&facts

Thanks for the input, this is good information

Love history very much

Thx for sharing this information.. there is so much most of us don't know... learn every day on steemit... now I have to buy some external memory to keep the knowledge.

Congratulations @gavvet!
Your post was mentioned in the hit parade in the following categories:

  • Upvotes - Ranked 6 with 458 upvotes
  • Pending payout - Ranked 4 with $ 317,98

This continent has only a few bays, besides the Gulf of Guinea in the west, the Gulf of Aden in the east, and the bay of Sidra in the north. The number of islands is also small, though, Mandagaskar separated from Africa by the Strait of Mozambique is the fourth largest island in the world.
Climatic conditions appear uniform in many areas because of the prominence of the main nature of plato dibenua this. Thus almost all of Africa is hot throughout the year, with a clear distinction between rainy and dry seasons (except in low equatorial land), and has only minor temperature changes between seasons.
Please vote me @gavvet

Oh my goodness I had no idea this was going on! Thankyou for spreading awareness.

It's time to make a change and leave the system. But before we'll have to fix the brainwashing problem. So that other people see the big manipulative, opression cartel for themselves, and can decide to take the red or the blue pill! Thanks for the share @gavvet!

FOLLOWED, UPVOTED and RESTEEMED

Upvote this Comment for More Resteems

Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death.

Thank you for this post @gavvet! I didn't know this

Nice post dear friend @gavvet and i like post you..me resteem post you

Wow
hopefully many who ngevoted you .. follow me maybe we can be friends well

Thanks for sharing this post. The effects of war are so devastating..why heads of states let such war happen? Is it because they are hungry of power? It's the people who are suffering let alone the costs of such wars. I lived in Nigeria in the 80's and there was poverty all over when the country was under martial law and I should say even when they have the oil, the people are still poor... hopefully all leaders of african nations should get together of solving poverty and hunger in their respective nations before they go into war.

I didn't even know about this boarder war! I've learnt so much since I became a part of the steemit community!

An inspiration to me

teddy-bear-i-love-you-animated-greeting-gif-2.gif

thank you for sharing
upvote

really nice post ...we can learn many thing from this post@gavvet

Upvoted you.. :)

Hi Gavet, unrelated question, can you send me the link for the teamsouthafrica discord channel?