Scenario 3b: First Clashes: 47 Brigade 13-14 September 1987 (The Recovery) After the abortive daylight assault of Combat Group Bravo on forward positions of FAPLA s 47 Brigade in the old UNITA logistic base on the 13 th, the SADF left a number of damaged and destroyed vehicles on the objective. (The type and number and positions of these can be determined by the results of the refight of Scenario 3a, or if not possible, historically, as two destroyed Casspirs and two damaged Casspirs, the destroyed Ratel having been recovered by Major Hannes Nortman during the withdrawal of Bravo). A SADF force held in reserve is sent in at night to recover or destroy all the vehicles left on the objective Clear areas in light brown comprises of grass and bush making it easy to conceal infantry, especially when in trenches. The Lomba River is un-fordable. No vehicle can get within 5cm of the river anywhere on its flow across the table without getting bogged down for the duration of the game. Umpire notes: (for his eyes only) FAPLA Forces must be deployed as per individual briefings in the areas designated as A. UNITA forces may deploy in cover within area A. UNITA may not spot enemy on SADF behalf. Only by actually touching the UNITA stand can any SADF element automatically become aware of what that UNITA element has spotted, or attempt to spot it itself. SADF forces will arrive in any order determined by the SADF overall commander from the southern or eastern edges of the table and will have the first move. Movement distances are to be measured from the edge of the table. No artillery may fire unobserved, except by fire-plan. Every target MUST first be spotted before fire can be adjusted. This applies to both sides so there can be no speculative fire. No vehicle can get within 5cm of the river anywhere on its flow across the table without getting bogged down for the duration of the game except when within 5 cm either side of the
TMM bridge, where the engineers are assumed to have hardened the area for the purposes of crossing. The ground scale is as normal with 1cm = 20m (50cm = 1km), and the figure scale are 1 model per vehicle, and 1 full stand (4 figures) per section (8-10 men) or ½ stand (2 figures) per team (4-6 men). Time scale is 1 full turn (all players had 1 bound each) equals 5 minutes of real time. The time for the first turn is at 10h30. The turn sequence is UNITA, SADF, then FAPLA in turns, until a result is reached or there is no more time to play the game agreed to by mutual consensus. Victory Points can be calculated as follows at the end of the game: FAPLA gains 10VP for every SADF element and 5VP for every SADF vehicle destroyed, and 15VP for any SADF vehicles captured intact, and 2VP for each UNITA element destroyed or captured. UNITA gets 2VP for each FAPLA element or vehicle captured or destroyed, and 2VP for each UNITA element that survived the fighting. SADF gets 2 VP for each FAPLA element or vehicle destroyed or captured. It also loses 10VP for each SADF element and 5VP for every vehicle lost, consistent with the SADF policy to NOT lose men and equipment. Conversely, the SADF gets 10 VP for every vehicle recovered from the objective and only 5 VP if a vehicle was or had to be destroyed Players may not view an opponent s Order of Battle for this scenario. Each player is allocated to a side (either SADF/UNITA or FAPLA), prior to being issued with the individual briefings. This scenario allows for 1 FAPLA, 1 UNITA and 1 SADF players. The key to the realistic experience of participants in this battle lies therein that the exact composition, deployment, and strength of opposing forces are not realized by either side. The SADF commanders that can be played as are: Major Dawid Lotter (61 Mech Bn Grp, SADF) Major Hannes Nortman (32 Bn, SADF) The UNITA commanders that can be played as are: Captain Walther * (UNITA) The FAPLA commanders that can be played as are: Captain Carlos Antonio Franco* (FAPLA) All names marked with * are, while real enough, fictitious in their designations. Victory points are to be awarded according to each individual briefing's Orders stipulations. (A copy of these should be made available to the Umpire) If the combined VPs for SADF and UNITA are at least double those of FAPLA, the result of the First Clashes with 47 Brigade will be a Decisive Victory for the SADF/UNITA alliance. The entire FAPLA advancing force will fall back on their previous positions at the Lomba- Cuzizi confluence and dig in. The SADF force withdraws but lets UNITA occupy the positions. The entire FAPLA force s morale drops by one level, while the UNITA/SADF morale increase by one level, if possible.
If the combined VPs for SADF and UNITA are more than but not double or more than that of FAPLA, the result of the First Clashes will be a Marginal Victory for the SADF/UNITA alliance. The FAPLA tank battalion falls back on the current position of 47 Brigade while the SADF force withdraws to its laager positions. UNITA forces move up to occupy the logistical base. If the VPs for FAPLA are more than but not double or more than that of the combined VPs of SADF and UNITA, the result of the First Clashes against 47 Brigade will be a Marginal Victory for FAPLA. The SADF force falls back in disorder as the infantry from the FAPLA 47 Brigade occupies the logistical base again during the early hours of the 14 th. If the VPs for FAPLA are double those of the combined VPs of SADF and UNITA, the result of the First Clashes against 47 Brigade will be a Decisive Victory for FAPLA. Loudly proclaimed by the Angolan and Cuban press as a major victory over superior forces, captured and dead South Africans and destroyed equipment are proudly displayed on every major news channel in the world. Clearly nothing is going to stop the FAPLA advance to Mavinga as 47 Brigade continues its advance to the Lomba-Cunzumbia confluence unopposed. All SADF forces fall back to the Lomba-Gombe confluence. All UNITA forces back off from contact as the FAPLA Brigade advances. The entire FAPLA force s morale are boosted up a level, while UNITA and SADF morale drops one level.
BRIEFING: To: Captain Carlos Antonio Franco* (FAPLA) Date: 13 September 1987 22H00 Background 1. Your Tank Company supporting the FAPLA 47th Brigade having had advanced round the source of the Lomba River for an attack on the UNITA base at Mavinga. 2. Elements from 59 Brigade, still north of the Lomba River, have been unsuccessfully trying to link up with 47 Brigade through a potential crossing-point over the river. 3. A SADF Mechanised force of unknown strength has just attacked infantry positions of 47 Brigade in the old UNITA logistical base south of the Lomba river, and had been driven back, with losses. A number of their damaged vehicles have been abandoned in the base. 4. You report directly to Commanding Officer, 47 Brigade Situation 5. Own Forces a) You are currently deployed in advance positions facing east just west of the old UNITA logistics base south of the Lomba River. b) Your force comprises of your Tank Company with: [call sign] # men 1 T-55 Command [F35] 1 T-55 12 1 st Tank Troop, with [F351] 3 T-55s 12 2 nd Tank Troop, with [F352] 3 T-55s 12 Total: 36 c) The 1 st and 2 nd Battalions of the brigade have withdrawn from the base and are deployed to the west facing east. This was done to avoid more casualties caused by the accursed SA artillery all of which seem to have registered targets in the base. d) The Tactical Group has also fallen back on this headquarters for re-supply. 6. Enemy Forces: a) Known enemy forces in the area include UNITA s 3 rd Regular Battalion in the south as well as unknown elements from the SADF, somewhere in the southeast. Orders: 7. You are to deploy your force in the area designated as B on the map facing and covering the eastern approaches. 8. You are advance to the east into the UNITA logistics base and prevent SADF and UNITA forces from recovering any damaged SADF vehicles, until friendly infantry elements can re-occupy the base in the morning and capture any such SADF equipment and vehicles. 9. Destroy or capture any UNITA [2VP] or SADF elements [10VP] or SADF equipment [5VP] that you encounter. [Signed] Commander Silva Commander FAPLA 47 th Brigade
BRIEFING: To: Major Dawid Lotter (SADF): Date: 13 September 1987 19H00 Background 1. Your Combat Group Charlie is part of SA 20 Brigade operating in southeast Angola in support of UNITA and reconnaissance elements are monitoring the progress of FAPLA s 47 Brigade as it advanced round the source of the Lomba River. 2. After the First Contact, the FAPLA 47 th Brigade pulled back its advance guard for the time being and the brigade settled into defence positions south of the Lomba river. 3. Teams from 5 Recce had marked the brigade s positions for an air strike by the SAAF during the night of 11 September, but the air strike and an attack by UNITA were cancelled due to the POW exchange involving Captain Du Toit, who was captured in Cabinda in 1985. 4. Their positions were still bombarded by G5 s and MRL s during the night, causing the brigade to dig in even deeper. 5. Combat Group Bravo has attacked the FAPLA forces in the old UNITA base earlier today, with your Combat Group held in reserve. 6. Combat Group Bravo has had to withdraw from the objective having sustained a high number of casualties and equipment losses during the attack, leaving a number of damaged vehicles behind on the objective. 7. You report directly to Colonel Deon Ferreira, Officer Commanding 20 SA Brigade. Situation 8. Own Forces a) You are currently operating together with two other combat groups south of the Lomba River monitoring the movements of the advancing FAPLA 47 and 59 Brigades. b) Your force comprises of your Combat Group Charlie with: [call sign] # men 1 Ratel-Command [0] 1 command section (2 officers, 2 NCO s, radio operator) 5 1 medical section, with [M01] 1 Rinkhals 1 medical section (1 doctor + 4 medics) 5 2 maintenance sections [0M1][0M2] 1 Ratel recovery 1 technical section (tiffies: 1 NCO, 4 men) 10 Total: 20 1 anti-tank troop, with [73] 4 Ratel-90 s 1 command section (2 officers, 2 NCO s, radio operator) 5 3 crew sections (NCO + 4 men each) 15 Total: 20 Bravo Company, 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1 command Ratel-20 [10] 5 1 close support section, with [10C] 3 Ratel-60s 15 1 st platoon, with [11]
1 command Ratel-20 1 command section (Officer, 2 NCO s, radio op + medic) 5 3 Ratel-20s [11A][11B][11C] 3 rifle sections (NCO + 9 men with R4s, LMG, RPG7) 30 2 nd platoon, with [12] 1 command Ratel-20 1 command section (Officer, 2 NCO s, radio op + medic) 5 3 Ratel-20s [12A][12B][12C] 3 rifle sections (NCO + 9 men with R4s, LMG, RPG7) 30 3 rd platoon, with [13] 1 command Ratel-20 1 command section (Officer, 2 NCO s, radio op + medic) 5 3 Ratel-20s [13A][13B][13C] 3 rifle sections (NCO + 9 men with R4s, LMG, RPG7) 30 Total: 125 In Direct Support: 81mm Mortar Platoon [20] 2 Mortar fire groups troops, each with [21][22] 2 Ratel-81 2 Crews (NCO + 4men with R4s) 20 TOTAL MEN: 185 c) Your Combat Group Charlie has been in reserve to exploit any successes and had followed behind Combat Group Bravo during their attack on the 47 Brigade positions. d) UNITA s 3 rd Regular Battalion is deployed to the southwest of the known enemy positions, having engaged the Tactical Group during the attack. e) UNITA s 8 th Semi-Regular Battalion is holding positions to the east of the enemy (in area A indicated on the map) and will guide you in to the objective. f) The objective is an old UNITA logistical base with only a single access route along the east-west axis, and somewhere west of the UNITA 8 th Semi-Regular Battalion. g) There have been no 81mm illumination rounds available for the Ratel-81s. h) There is also no artillery support available, as all the artillery assets are been redeployed during the night. 9. Enemy Forces: a) Known enemy brigades in the area: 47 Brigade to the east advancing around the source of the Lomba as well as 59 Brigade north of the Lomba River. Each brigade could have at least three battalions of infantry, a battalion of artillery, as well as either a company or battalion of tanks. b) UNITA has reported that the FAPLA force that was dug in with shallow trenches some 6 kilometres from the east of the main 47 Brigade positions, have now withdrawn from the logistics base after the attack. c) The nearest other enemy force is the Tactical Group comprising of at least a battalion of infantry and more tanks which were deployed some six kilometres to the west of the forward defensive positions. According to UNITA, they have also disengaged and withdrawn to the main 47 Brigade positions. Orders:
10. You are to take your Combat Group Charlie to carry out a night incursion into the area marked A during the night of 13 September 1987, in order to locate and recover or destroy damaged SADF vehicles that were left on the objective during Combat Group Bravo s attack. 11. You will move out of your laager positions by 19h00, accompanied by Major Hannes Nortman, to be guided to your forming-up position and where he last saw the damaged vehicles. 12. You will form up your force anywhere east of the area designated as A on the map, (within 6 inches of the eastern table edge) by at least 22h00, to sweep the area of the objective, moving through the positions of the UNITA 8 th Semi-Regular Battalion, who has reportedly occupied the now abandoned base. They will play no active part in the actual recovery. 13. It is of the utmost importance that ALL vehicles be recovered. Major Nortman will brief you on the numbers, types and locations of these. [10VP per vehicle successfully recovered, 5 VP per vehicle destroyed] 14. Cause maximum casualties on any enemy encountered [2 VP per enemy stand/vehicle]. 15. You are not to lose any casualties or equipment to the enemy under any circumstances. This includes the reconnaissance elements or any other SA elements under your control. [lose 10VP per stand/ 5VP per vehicle lost] [Signed] Colonel Deon Ferreira Officer Commanding 20 SA Brigade
BRIEFING: To: Captain Walther * (UNITA): Date: 13 September 1987 19H00 Background 1. Your 13 th Semi-Regular Battalion is operating in Angola in support of the SADF and you are monitoring the progress of FAPLA s 47 Brigade as it advances round the source of the Lomba River. 2. The SADF has just launched an abortive attack on the old logistical base and had to withdraw with heavy losses and leaving behind numerous damaged SADF vehicles. 3. You report directly to General Ben Ben, Commanding UNITA Semi-Regular Forces. Situation 4. Own Forces a) You are currently operating independently south of the Lomba River monitoring the movements of the advancing FAPLA 47 and 59 Brigades. b) Your force comprises of your battalion with: [call sign] # men 1 command section (2 Officers, 3 NCOs, 1 radio operator)[u80] 6 1st infantry company, with [U810] 1 command section (2 Officers, 2 NCO s, radio operator) 5 1st platoon, with [U811] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U811A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U811B] 10 1 close support section, with [U811C] 10 2nd platoon, with [U812] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U812A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U812B] 10 1 close support section, with [U812C] 10 3rd platoon, with [U813] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U813A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U813B] 10 1 close support section, with [U813C] 10 2nd infantry company, with [U820] 1 command section (2 officers, 2 NCO s, radio operator) 5 1st platoon, with [U821] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U821A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U821B] 10 1 close support section, with [U821C] 10
2nd platoon, with [U822] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U822A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U822B] 10 1 close support section, with [U822C] 10 3rd platoon, with [U823] 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U823A] 10 1 infantry section (1 NCO, 9 men with AK47s) [U823B] 10 1 close support section, with [U823C] 10 1 weapons battery, with [U83] 3 82mm mortars [U83A,B,C] 3 mortar teams (NCO + 3 men) 12 3 75mm RR [U84A,B,C] 3 Crews (1 NCO, 3 men with AK47 s) 18 Total: 280 c) Your battalion has occupied positions in the logistical base abandoned by the enemy. d) The 3 rd Regular Battalion are holding positions to the southwest of the base, after their clash with the Tactical Group of 47 Brigade. e) A SADF Combat Group of unknown strength will move into the logistical base to recover damaged and destroyed vehicles. 5. Enemy Forces: a) Known enemy brigades in the area: 47 Brigade to the east advancing around the source of the Lomba as well as 59 Brigade north of the Lomba River. Each brigade could have at least three battalions of infantry, a battalion of artillery, as well as either a company or battalion of tanks. b) The enemy infantry has withdrawn from the base to the east after the abortive attack by the SADF. c) There are no sign of the Tactical Group which was attacked by the 3 rd Regular Battalion, and they are believed to have withdrawn to their headquarters for resupply and refitting. Orders: 6. You are to deploy your force anywhere in the area designated as A on the map. 7. You must hold positions here during the SADF recovery effort (5 VP for every vehicle the SADF recovers, with or without UNITA assistance). You must support any SADF actions against enemy positions and report any enemy activity to the closest SADF members. Should SADF forces be successful in recovering their vehicles, you are to occupy and hold those positions. In the event of a SADF withdrawal, you are to hold and defend your current positions against possible FAPLA incursions. 8. Cause maximum casualties on the enemy [2 VP per enemy stand/vehicle]. 9. Preserve your own force [1 VP per surviving base at end of the battle] [Signed] General Ben Ben Commander UNITA Semi-Regular Forces