Battle for Cassinga

South Africa's Controversial Cross-Border Raid, Angola 1978

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 20th Century
Cover of the book Battle for Cassinga by Mike McWilliams, Helion and Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mike McWilliams ISBN: 9781908916013
Publisher: Helion and Company Publication: December 27, 2011
Imprint: Helion and Company Language: English
Author: Mike McWilliams
ISBN: 9781908916013
Publisher: Helion and Company
Publication: December 27, 2011
Imprint: Helion and Company
Language: English

Battle for Cassinga is written as a firsthand account by an ordinary South African paratrooper who was at the 1978 assault on the Angolan headquarters of PLAN, the armed wing of SWAPO. The book relates why the South African government took the political risk in attacking the fortress in an external operation and examines the SWAPO claims that Cassinga was a refugee camp guarded by a few PLAN soldiers. It also explains why Sam Nujoma the SWAPO leader had no option but to perpetuate this falsehood.

The battle, although a resounding success, suffered some setbacks which could have been disastrous to the South African paratroopers had they not maintained the initiative. The improvisations made by the commander Col Jan Breytenbach ensured that a flawed jump and poor intelligence did not adversely affect the outcome. The unforeseen Soviet-made anti-aircraft guns used against both aircraft and ground troops threatened to derail the attack. An appearance of a large column of armor manned by Cubans from the nearby town of Techamutete, when half the South African force had already left the battleground, placed the remaining lightly armed paratroopers in mortal danger. The landmines laid by the South Africans, together with the brave actions of the South African Air Force pilots saved the day, allowing the remaining forces to withdraw safely.

Battle for Cassinga looks at all the players in a critical light. SWAPO and PLAN, the SADF and the commanders from both sides, Dimo Amaambo of PLAN and Jan Breytenbach of the SADF as well as the brave soldiers from both sides who fought for their political ideologies but perhaps, more importantly, for their own band of brothers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Battle for Cassinga is written as a firsthand account by an ordinary South African paratrooper who was at the 1978 assault on the Angolan headquarters of PLAN, the armed wing of SWAPO. The book relates why the South African government took the political risk in attacking the fortress in an external operation and examines the SWAPO claims that Cassinga was a refugee camp guarded by a few PLAN soldiers. It also explains why Sam Nujoma the SWAPO leader had no option but to perpetuate this falsehood.

The battle, although a resounding success, suffered some setbacks which could have been disastrous to the South African paratroopers had they not maintained the initiative. The improvisations made by the commander Col Jan Breytenbach ensured that a flawed jump and poor intelligence did not adversely affect the outcome. The unforeseen Soviet-made anti-aircraft guns used against both aircraft and ground troops threatened to derail the attack. An appearance of a large column of armor manned by Cubans from the nearby town of Techamutete, when half the South African force had already left the battleground, placed the remaining lightly armed paratroopers in mortal danger. The landmines laid by the South Africans, together with the brave actions of the South African Air Force pilots saved the day, allowing the remaining forces to withdraw safely.

Battle for Cassinga looks at all the players in a critical light. SWAPO and PLAN, the SADF and the commanders from both sides, Dimo Amaambo of PLAN and Jan Breytenbach of the SADF as well as the brave soldiers from both sides who fought for their political ideologies but perhaps, more importantly, for their own band of brothers.

More books from Helion and Company

Cover of the book Dance of the Cranes by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Other Side of the Wire Volume 1 by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book A Military Government in Exile by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Thunder at Prokhorovka by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Counterinsurgency in Africa by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Battle For Angola by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Barbarossa Derailed. Volume 3 by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Paradise Afire. Volume 1 by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Rendezvous with the Enemy by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book In Case by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book A Whisper in the Reeds by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book Shadows of a Forgotten Past by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book An Accrington Pal by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book A New Battlefield by Mike McWilliams
Cover of the book The German Fallschirmtruppe 1936-41 (Revised edition) by Mike McWilliams
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy