OPERATION ASKARI

'Operation Askari' was a military operation by the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War.
Operation Askari, launched on November 1, 1983, was the SADF's sixth large-scale cross-border operation and was intended to disrupt FAPLA's, the Angolan governing party MPLA's military wing, logistical support and command & control capabilities.

Contents

Provisional Order of Battle

TASK FORCE X-RAY (c. 500 men)

TASK FORCE DELTA-FOX (c. 600 men)

TASK FORCE ECHO-VICTOR (c. 500 men)

TASK FORCE VICTOR (500 men)

Sources

Provisional Order of Battle

The primary SADF forces consisted of four ?battalion-sized? combat groups plus one smaller Unit operating to the east, as folloows:

TASK FORCE X-RAY (c. 500 men)

Composition:
Based on the 61st Mech. Btn and composed of:
3 motorized infantry companies (inclined to think this should be 2 co.?s) (equipped with Ratel-20?s),
1 armored car squadron (Ratel-90?s),
2 troops of mobile rocket launchers (Valkiri),
1 artillery battery (suspect this is 5.5? and not G5?s)
2 anti-aircraft batteries (Ystervark & SA7)
1 reconnaissance element and
1 troop of engineers
(I think there should also be an AT section with Ratel-90's and ENTAC)
Objectives:
Quileve
Cahama (debatable whether this town was to be taken or have its garrison pinned-down)
Mulondo (unsuccessfully probed by a company from X-Ray)
X-Ray was then sent to assist DELTA with taking Cuvelai (it?s unclear whether this was improvisation or design)

TASK FORCE DELTA-FOX (c. 600 men)

Composition:
Based an unidentified Citizen Force battalion equipped with Ratel-20's, Ratel-90?s and ENTAC launchers. I suspect this is a standard triangular SADF mechanized battalion.
My only clue as to the identity of this unit was that its commander was Comdt. Faan Greyling
No information on attached artillery
Depending on who you read this unit either did quite well or was in deep trouble when it engaged the FAPLA 11 ?Mech? Brigade supported by two Cuban battalions and a T-54 tank company outside Cuvelai.
Objective:
Cuvelai
COMBAT TEAM TANGO (about company-sized strength)
Composition
One SWATF company-based combat team from ?Sector 20? ? perhaps from the 202nd Battalion in Kavango.
Objectives
Caiundo and disrupting SWAPO infiltration.
Depending on whom you read, this force was either effective at halting infiltration in its area or it got seriously bogged down by the defenses of Caiundo in an unnecessary battle.

TASK FORCE ECHO-VICTOR (c. 500 men)

Composition
Based on the 32nd Battalion. It is unclear how many companies were involved, but given the 500-man strength, I assume this force was composed of two (maybe three) motorized companies plus supporting arms.
I?ve read that by 1983, the 32nd consisted of seven (?) motorized infantry companies plus a mortar platoon (82mm) and a recon wing. By ?84, an AT company with Ratel-90?s and ENTAC and batteries of M-5 120mm mortars, Valkiri, and Ystervark had been added. It?s unclear whether these latter attachments were in place for ASKARI, but I suspect that it was the results of ASKARI that suggested that the 32nd would need to be ?beefed-up? to contend with increased FAPLA opposition in the Border War.
In any event, I?ve seen a reminiscence by a sapper indicating that a section of Elands and 5.5? howitzers were attached to the 32nd for ASKARI.
Objective
Disrupt the SWAPO infiltration. Primary area of operations was between Cuvelai and Cassinga.

TASK FORCE VICTOR (500 men)

Composition:
Unknown ? although I have no basis for this, I suspect this was a SWATF unit, perhaps the 101st or 102nd based in Ovamboland - The 101 took part in Modular and they were available in the theater in 1983.
Objective:
Unknown. I?ve discovered nothing about Task Force Victor's role.

Sources

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