Operation Reindeer Case Study
Operation Reindeer
In 1978, an operation was designed to ‘diminish the guerillas movements in view of possible internationally recognized movements.’ Botha wanted to diminish SWAPO’s military capabilities before elections and by April a plan had been formulated: attack two SWAPO bases in Angola, Cassinga (north of border and known to SWAPO & SADF as Moscow) and Chetequera (close to border and known as Vietnam.) (SADF, 1989)
The problem with attacking Casinga or ‘Moscow’ was that it would be difficult, if not impossible to reach, destroy, and withdraw successfully without a possible confrontation with Angolan or Cuban troops, thus they decided to use a paratroop force.
Vietnam, more easily accessed, would be attacked from the ground using a …show more content…
Vietnam would be attacked by Juliet Group from the North, and the procedure was rehearsed several times. The assembly area for the attack was reached 90 minutes late and at half past one the bombers flew over, producing a surprise attack with little damage. Ten minutes later the ground troops moved in but immediately struggled on the tough terrain. The Eland group, meant to provide cover ended up being in the wrong place, to the South. Vehicles landed up getting stuck or in the trenches. The vehicles eventually drove right into the base shooting and driving over SWAPO …show more content…
The SWAPO forces were divided into three fronts: Western, Eastern, and Central. A tactic which would become more often used by SWAPO was to send guerrillas to the white farm areas, to terrorise them and this happened for the first time on 8 May 1979. (South African History Online, 2016)
Around the same time the Soviet Union were wanting SWAPO to intensify the war resulting in an attack on the Ruacana Power Plant. It seemed that SWAPO were preparing for a large guerrilla offensive. In 1980 the decision was made by the South African government that SWAPO needed to be defeated in its entirety by attacking all its bases. The strategic purpose of the attack was to diminish the idea that SWAPO had the upper hand and to show that South Africa was in fact in control. South Africa needed to destroy PLAN’s headquarters.
For the attack a large supply of aircraft were used, consisting of Mirages and Buccaneers, and the troops started the operation from their bases on June 8.
In 1978, an operation was designed to ‘diminish the guerillas movements in view of possible internationally recognized movements.’ Botha wanted to diminish SWAPO’s military capabilities before elections and by April a plan had been formulated: attack two SWAPO bases in Angola, Cassinga (north of border and known to SWAPO & SADF as Moscow) and Chetequera (close to border and known as Vietnam.) (SADF, 1989)
The problem with attacking Casinga or ‘Moscow’ was that it would be difficult, if not impossible to reach, destroy, and withdraw successfully without a possible confrontation with Angolan or Cuban troops, thus they decided to use a paratroop force.
Vietnam, more easily accessed, would be attacked from the ground using a …show more content…
Vietnam would be attacked by Juliet Group from the North, and the procedure was rehearsed several times. The assembly area for the attack was reached 90 minutes late and at half past one the bombers flew over, producing a surprise attack with little damage. Ten minutes later the ground troops moved in but immediately struggled on the tough terrain. The Eland group, meant to provide cover ended up being in the wrong place, to the South. Vehicles landed up getting stuck or in the trenches. The vehicles eventually drove right into the base shooting and driving over SWAPO …show more content…
The SWAPO forces were divided into three fronts: Western, Eastern, and Central. A tactic which would become more often used by SWAPO was to send guerrillas to the white farm areas, to terrorise them and this happened for the first time on 8 May 1979. (South African History Online, 2016)
Around the same time the Soviet Union were wanting SWAPO to intensify the war resulting in an attack on the Ruacana Power Plant. It seemed that SWAPO were preparing for a large guerrilla offensive. In 1980 the decision was made by the South African government that SWAPO needed to be defeated in its entirety by attacking all its bases. The strategic purpose of the attack was to diminish the idea that SWAPO had the upper hand and to show that South Africa was in fact in control. South Africa needed to destroy PLAN’s headquarters.
For the attack a large supply of aircraft were used, consisting of Mirages and Buccaneers, and the troops started the operation from their bases on June 8.