Operation Cerebus (1985)

Operation Cerebus
Part of South African Border War
Location
Angola

Operation Cerebus (1985) is located in Angola
Longa
Longa
Menongue
Menongue
Cuito Cuanavale
Cuito Cuanavale
Mavinga
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.

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 

References

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

Further reading

  • Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War(e-book). Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 9781908916624.