War in Angola – Helmoed-Römer Heitman

Description

War in Angola” is an engrossing and detailed account of South African Defence Force (SADF) operations in southern Angola against Angolan (FAPLA) and Cuban forces in 1987-1988. Despite being drawn almost entirely from South African sources – and as a consequence, is somewhat uncritical of the South African strategic perspective – the discussion of these operations is informative and relatively objective at the operational and tactical level.

The discussion of tactical-level operations includes clear, detailed accounts of battalion group operations, together with first-person perspectives of small-unit actions and incisive comment on the activities and limitations of other arms and services, including the weaknesses inherent in quickly mobilising ad hoc units and task groups. I would single out the authors understanding and explanation of the SADF employment of artillery in particular as particularly insightful and far superior to the usual treatment of artillery in similar works. Heitman is also clear and objective when discussing the reasons why the SADF campaign failed to meet its operational objectives, including the shortcomings of South African military and political leadership at this level.Review by Peter Monks