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Title
The South African strategic and operational objectives in Angola, 1987-88 |
Full text
http://ajol.info/index.php/smsajms/article/view/55856 |
Date
2010 |
Author(s)
L Scholtz |
Abstract
so-called Battle of Cuito Cuanavale - the SADF, or the Cuban and Angolaforces. A lot depends, of course, on what the South Africans' strategic andoperational objectives were, and whether they reached these or not. On a somewhat lower level, the debate has centred on the question whether the SADF wanted to occupy Cuito Cuanavale. If they did, it becomes easier to argue that South Africa was dealt a heavy reverse there; if not, such an argument becomes more difficult to sustain. In this article, South Africa's strategic and operational objectives are analysed, based on archival sources. The basic conclusions are that the South African government was realistic enough to see that it could not replace the MPLA with UNITA by force, although it was hoped this might happen through elections. As far as Cuito Cuanavale is concerned, the sources are unequivocal: Although theoccupation of the town was indeed discussed, it was never seriously considered. The objective was simply to drive FAPLA over the Cuito River, to prepare the river bankas a defensive line, to turn it over to UNITA and then to pull back. By far most of the South Africans' objectives were reached. |
Language
en |
Publisher
Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies |
Type of publication
Peer-reviewed Article |
Format
application/pdf |
Source
Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies; Vol 38, No 1 (2010) |
Rights
Copyright belongs to the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University |
Repository
Africa - African Journals OnLine (AJOL)
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Added to C-A: 2010-08-26;09:03:16 |
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