Operation Savannah - The Battle of Bridge 15

DATE: 20/06/2024

TIME (GMT): 18:00

ERA: Cold War

MAP(S): Niakala

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Jarvis for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 52 / 82

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RATING: (12)

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The Battle of Bridge 15 took place in December of 1975 and was a continuation of The Battle of Bridge 14. Earlier in the year, specifically in November, Cuban and MPLA forces had been routed by Task Force Foxbat of the South African Defence Force with Cuban forces blowing up Bridge 14 in their retreat. SADF Engineers had spent nearly a month repairing the bridge whilst under near constant artillery fire.

By the 12th of December the Commander of Task Force Zulu, Colonel Blackie Swart, had met with the Commander of Task Force Foxbat to discuss the possibility of proceeding with offensive operations against the newly reinforced joint Cuban and MPLA force. The plan for the operation against Bridge 15 had been set into three phases.

Phase One -  A central attack by the Eland armoured cars and a company of infantry to drive the enemy back towards Bridge 15 near Cassamba.

Phase Two - An attack by a company of infantry to take the "Kraal".

Phase Three - An attack by a company of infantry on the hill positions to capture the high ground and then link up with the armoured cars of phase 1.

The Operation against Bridge 15 had been highly successful. The Cuban soldiers stationed in the area and MPLA irregulars suffered heavy casualties as a result of accurate SADF artillery fire and superior manoeuvring of SADF armoured assets. The exact number of casualties suffered by the Cuban expeditionary force is debated, however, BBC reporters witnessed 'truckloads of corpses' being evacuated throughout the battle frequently. The greater Operation Savannah had been a victory for the SADF force deployed in Angola, with many soldiers being awarded the Honoris Crux.

05:00, 15.12.1975 - Following an extensive artillery bombardment by SADF forces, Task Force Foxbat begins its advance towards Bridge 15 with the aim of crushing the MPLA in Quibala.