Operation Egret

Operation Egret
Part of South African Border War
Location	Evale Anhanca Operation Egret (Angola)
Objective	Pre-emptive raid against PLAN bases in the Evale, Anhanca and the Dova areas in Angola.
Date	15–22 September 1985
Outcome	South African Success
Casualties	15 PLAN Soldiers Killed 103 PLAN Soldiers Captured

Operation Egret was a military operation in Angola during September 1985 by the South African Defence Force (SADF) against People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War.

Background

In order to interrupt a planned raid into South-West Africa/Namibia from Angola by PLAN's Charlie detachment, the SADF planned an operation into Angola on 15 September 1985 to counter the proposed incursion. ^{[1] : Chp11} This would be the first deliberate operation into Angola since Operation Askari with strict instructions to avoid FAPLA forces. ^{[2] : 134} 500 men of 101 Battalion and Puma, Alouette and Impala aircraft of the SAAF, would sweep the areas between Evale, Anhanca and Dova for the PLAN units. ^{[1] : Ch11} In nine separate contacts and one air attack, the SADF killed 15 PLAN soldiers and captured 103 with the operation ending on 22 September. ^{[1] : Chp11  [2] : 134}

Order of battle

South African and South West Africa Territorial Forces

• 101 Battalion

PLAN Forces

• PLAN "Charlie" detachment - Eighth Battalion

References

1. Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Air Force during the Border War. Solihull, West Midlands, UK: Helion and Company Ltd. ISBN   9781908916624.
2. Steenkamp, Willem (1989). South Africa's Border War. 1966 - 1989. Gibraltar: Ashanti Publishing Ltd. ISBN   0620139676.

Further reading

• Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War (Kindle ed.). Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN   9781908916624.
• Steenkamp, Willem (1989). South Africa's border war, 1966-1989. Gibraltar: Ashanti Pub. ISBN   0620139676.