A Damned Determined Lot - Africa at War

Scenario Size: Medium 2 Player Game?: Yes AI Play?: Play as SADF

Designers' Notes: Scenario is represented in smaller scale than actual battle.

Victory Conditions: Major Victory: FAPLA holds all objectives and exits 1 unit from map at exit hex Minor Victory: FAPLA holds two objective hexes Draw: FAPLA holds 1 objective hex and exits 1 unit from exit hex Minor Defeat: FAPLA holds 1 objective hex and exits no units from exit hex Major Defeat: FAPLA holds 1 objective hex and loses 4 T54/55's or FAPLA holds 0 Objectives

13 SEPTEMBER 1987 VICINITY OF CUNJAMBA, ANGOLA

3 days after the inital contact, FAPLA renewed their drive as 2 battalions of the 59th Brigade (supported by 2 platoons of T54/55) attempted once again to establish a bridgehead across the Lomba River.

The South Africans and UNITA again attacked immediately, as their Ratel-90's anti-personnel shells cut a swathe of destruction through the massed enemy infantry.

As the SADF/UNITA force started to advance, FAPLA T54/55's suddenly joined in, causing chaos and sending the lightly-armoured Ratels and Casspirs fleeing in all directions. Realizing they had the advantages of speed and maneuver, the SADF AFV's began to circle round the tanks, enticing them into chasing the armoured cars in ever-smaller cricles until the Afrikaaners were able to come in behind the tanks and fire.

By the end of the engagement 5 T54/55 tanks had been destroyed and an estimated 250 FAPLA had become casualties at the cost of 8 SADF KIA and 3 Ratels destroyed.

Sources

Days of Glory - Final Defeat of the SADF in Africa The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale - Richard Allport