Operation Savannah (Angola)

Operation Savannah was the South African code name for their military incursion into Angola in 1975–1976. It was part of the South African Border War and arose due to the Angolan War of Independence. The operation also materially influenced the subsequent Angolan Civil War. South African forces invaded deep into Angola with the objective of driving the MPLA, Soviet and Cuban forces out of southern Angola so as to strengthen the position of UNITA, the main opponent of the MPLA and an ally of South Africa.

This article is about the South African invasion of Angola. For the World War II military operation, see Operation Savannah.
Operation Savannah
Part of South African Border War and the Angolan Civil War
Date14 October 1975 – 1 January 1976
Location
Angola
Result MPLA-Cuban victory
Belligerents
 South Africa
FNLA
UNITA
Zaire
Supported by:
 United States		 MPLA
Cuba
Supported by:
 Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders
Constand Viljoen
Holden Roberto
Colonel Callan		 Agostinho Neto
António França
Jorge Risquet
Units involved

 South Africa

  • Task Force Zulu
  • Task Force Foxbat

FNLA

  • Special Commando Company

Zaire

MPLA:

 Cuba:

  • 3rd Motorized Infantry Battalion
  • 9th Motorized Infantry Brigade
Strength
FNLA:
20,000 soldiers
UNITA:
10,000 soldiers
Zaire:
1,200 soldiers
 South Africa:
Start of Operation:
500 soldiers
End of Operation:
2,900–3,000 soldiers
2 frigates
1 replenishment oiler		 MPLA:
30,000 soldiers
 Cuba:
4,000–6,000 soldiers (supported by T-34 and T-55 tanks and 122 mm guns)
 Soviet Union:
1,000 advisors
Casualties and losses
FNLA:
Unknown
UNITA:
Unknown
Zaire:
Hundreds killed
South Africa:
49 killed
100 wounded
7 captured
9–10+ armoured cars destroyed
2 SA 330 Puma helicopter destroyed
1 recon plane destroyed		 MPLA:
Unknown
Cuba:
200 killed (South African claim)
Soviet Union:
7 killed

South Africa as well as UNITA and FNLA had been receiving material and tacit support of the United States as part of their Cold War opposition to the Soviet Union which emboldened them to pursue this incursion. South African and UNITA fortunes were overturned and their forces were compelled to withdraw due to MPLA, Cuban and Soviet pressure. Victory was claimed by the MPLA who were actively supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, over the combined forces of UNITA, FNLA, Zaire and South Africa. For the MPLA, the victory was essential for the proclamation of independence and subsequent political control over Angola.

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