Howzit Oaks, Pinetown Boys High has a stronger connection the SADF than many may realise... Most people know the Angola war in the 70s and 80s affected many lives. What fewer people are aware of during that time was the massive Communist military build-up in Angola and impending threat this posed to SA (a bit like Ukraine situation today). Even less well known is an Operation launched by SADF in 1987 that effectively smashed the largest, and ultimately, final major offensive by Castro and USSR to achieve their goal of domination in Southern Africa. Over the years much has be written about a siege and ceasefire that centred on a small town called Cuito Cuanevale, but in the months before all that diplomatic stuff, SADF had battered FAPLA into a hasty retreating back to the town over 100km from the Lomba River, where, following a month of epic Tank/Armoured car battles and skirmishes between opposing forces, then the total destruction of 47 Brigade on 3 October 1987 at Lomba and the rapid withdrawal of over 10,000 enemy combatants, the Chief of Defence proclaimed ...That day was the greatest single battle victory in the history of SADF. My Squadron was right on the front-line that day. This is my account and our story. In writing this story it struck me how many PBHS pupils did more than their bit during this phase of our countrys history. Sadly, some lives were lost, honours were earned and PBH boys were involved in a lot of it, the school should feel proud of their alma mater. Our country asked. We answered. davidmannall
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 20:17:48 +0000
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