Operation Super

Operation Super was a military confrontation during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War in March 1982 to prevent SWAPO guerrillas infiltrating into South West Africa through the Kaokoveld from a location near the abandoned Portuguese town of Iona 16°53′25″S 12°34′21″E / 16.8902°S 12.5724°E / -16.8902; 12.5724 (Iona) in the Angolan province of Namibe.

Initial contact

On 12 March SADF Recces launched a reconnaissance mission near Iona, based on intelligence they had gathered about SWAPO operations in the area. The Recces, who were inserted by helicopter, quickly determined that there was considerable SWAPO vehicle traffic in the area. After planting a TM 62 anti-tank landmine in the road, they withdrew to high ground to observe what unfolded. Later in the day, two SWAPO trucks entered the valley, with one of them detonating the mine. The mine strangely had little effect on the vehicle however, whose occupants simply transferred to the other vehicle before driving off.

A while later a patrol of 28 SWAPO arrived on the scene on foot and started looking for evidence of the attackers. They eventually found the tracks of the Recces, and started following them. The Recces, realizing that their position was now compromised, immediately called for re-enforcements from 32 Battalion who were assigned to cover them.

Meanwhile, the Recces were running out of time while they waited for the re-enforcements to arrive. In a desperate attempt to stall for time, they tried to pass themselves off as SWAPO as soon as the SWAPO patrol was within earshot, accusing the SWAPO patrol of being members of UNITA. A fierce argument between the parties ensued, but ended abruptly when the Recce commander shot the SWAPO commander. A heated firefight erupted, that was joined at this time by 32 Battalion and an Alouette helicopter gunship fitted with 20 mm cannon. When the fighting finally stopped, 21 SWAPO guerrillas had been killed, six captured and one escaped.

Interrogation of prisoners captured during this action revealed the presence of a previously unknown camp nearby in the Cambêno Valley at 16°56′29″S 12°36′32″E / 16.9413°S 12.6088°E / -16.9413; 12.6088 (Cambêno Valley), so a plan was immediately formulated to attack it.

Camp assault

A helicopter-borne assault involving 40 members of 32 Battalion was launched the next day, however the attack had to be aborted at the last minute to due thunderstorm activity that limited visibility. It was feared that any further attempt to attack the camp would be futile, as the helicopters had been close enough to be heard. However scouts positioned around the area reported no movement out the valley, so a second attack was launched the followed day.

The helicopters initially struggled to find the well-camouflaged camp, until they were virtually on top of it. At this point the enemy, realizing they had been spotted, started firing at the helicopters with everything they had. The 32 Battalion assault force was immediately dropped, only 50m from the camp where the intense fire was coming from.

The guerrillas had built their camp in the bottom of the valley flanked by high ground on either side, a factor that played strongly against them in the ensuing 18 hour battle. Alouette helicopter gunships used their 20mm cannon to great effect, but were fired upon in turn with RPG rockets and at least 4 SAM-7 missiles (the latter not arming due to helicopters being too close). By the next morning, 201 insurgents and 3 members of 32 Battalion were dead, with a large number of prisoners captured. Significant quantities of food, weapons and logistical equipment were captured.