Operation Cerebus (1985)

Last updated
Operation Cerebus
Part of South African Border War
Location
Angola

Angola location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Longa
Red pog.svg
Menongue
Red pog.svg
Cuito Cuanavale
Red pog.svg
Mavinga
Operation Cerebus (1985) (Angola)
TargetShoot down Angolan military aircraft
Date5 October – 3 November 1985

Operation Cerebus was a South African Defence Force (SADF) special forces operation conducted in Angola during October 1985 during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War.

Contents

Background

To discourage any further advances by FAPLA forces towards Mavinga after Operation Wallpaper, it was decided to further hinder Angolan airforce operations between Menongue and Cuito Cuanavale. Two captured mobile SA-9 anti-aircraft missile systems were flown into the UNITA held airfield at Mavinga by South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 Hercules. [1] :Ch11 They were then driven north-west by SADF special forces and UNITA soldiers to an area between Menongue, Longa and Cuito Cuanavale. [1] :Chp11 The operation was not successful and no aircraft shot down, the Angolan's airforce avoiding the area. [1] :Chp11

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References

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

Further reading