Operation Wishbone

Last updated
Operation Wishbone
Part of the South African Border War
Location
Angola location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ongiva
Red pog.svg
Xangongo
Operation Wishbone (Angola)
Planned bySAAF
ObjectiveAir attack by the SAAF against a PLAN bases inside southern Angola.
Date19 December 1980

Operation Wishbone was a military operation in Angola during December 1980 by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and South African Air Force (SAAF) during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War.

Angola country in Africa

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a west-coast country of south-central Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Angola has an exclave province, the province of Cabinda that borders the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital and largest city of Angola is Luanda.

South African Defence Force comprised the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994

The South African Defence Force (SADF) comprised the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Force was officially succeeded by the SADF, which was established by the Defence Act of 1957. The SADF, in turn, was superseded by the South African National Defence Force in 1994.

Angolan Civil War Armed conflict in Angola between 1975 and 2002

The Angolan Civil War was a civil conflict in Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. The war was a power struggle between two former liberation movements, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The war was used as a surrogate battleground for the Cold War by rival states such as the Soviet Union, Cuba, South Africa and the United States.

Contents

Background

The mission called for mid-level bombing attacks by the South African Air Force (SAAF) against SWAPO's PLAN bases in Angola at Oshiheng near Ongiva and Palele close to Xangongo. [1] :Chp6 Four formations of aircraft were assembled at either airbases at Grootfontein or Ondangwa in Namibia/South West Africa. [1] :Chp6 The aircraft formations consisted of either four Buccaneers or Mirage F1's and one lead aircraft, a Canberra bomber. [1] :Chp6 The Canberra bomber would signal when the bombs would be dropped on the target. [1] :Chp6 The operation took place 19 December 1980. [1] :Chp6

South African Air Force Air warfare branch of the Republic of South Africas armed forces

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of South Africa, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in a low intensity war in Angola, South-West Africa (Namibia) and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased until in the late 1980s, the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states. Today the SAAF has a limited air combat capability and has been structured towards regional peace-keeping, disaster relief and maritime patrol operations. During the apartheid era, it was known by its Afrikaans name of Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag, a moniker which has since been depreciated.

SWAPO political party

The South-West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO),, and officially known as SWAPO Party of Namibia, is a political party and former independence movement in Namibia. It has been the governing party in Namibia since the country achieved independence in 1990. The party continues to be dominated in number and influence by the Ovambo ethnic group.

Ondjiva Commune and City in Cunene, Angola

Ondjiva is a town and commune in the municipality of Cuanhama, province of Cunene, Angola. It is also the administrative capital of Cunene Province and is located at the extreme south of the country. The city is located 42 kilometres (26 mi) from the border with Namibia. It was traditionally the seat of the Ovambo king of the Oukwanyama tribe. Ondjiva was greatly affected by the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002).

Aftermath

Intelligence gathered after the attack proved that the bombing at the height chosen had been inaccurate and that the PLAN bases were unoccupied during the attack.. [1] :Chp6

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War. Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN   9781908916624.

Further reading

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