Operasie Packer, Maart-April 1988, Suidoos- Angola : Tumpo, Tumpo en nogmaals Tumpo!!!

Abstract

In addition to securing the União Nacional para a Independêcia Total de Angola (UNITA) strongholds at Mavinga and Jamba, Operations Modular, Hooper and Packer (1987-1988) also intended to destroy all Forças Armadas Populares de Libertação de Angola (FAPLA) brigades east of the Cuito River, or to drive them to the west across the river. During operations Modular and Hooper the South African Defence Force (SADF)-UNITA allies succeeded in effectively stopping the advance of the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) allies. The primary objective to destroy all FAPLA brigades east of the Cuito River or to drive them across the river at least, could not fully be realised, however. During Operation Hooper, two failed attacks were launched on Tumpo within the scope of about two weeks - each time from the same direction or line of advance. This article focuses on the third and final South African Defence Force (SADF)-UNITA attack on Tumpo and the claim by Colonel Jan Breytenbach, former commander of 32 Battalion, that "By early the next morning [23 March 1988] they had driven the 25th Brigade from their positions and taken Tumpu [sic]. This clearly demonstrated that well planned, well led and well coordinated night [sic] attacks by well trained infantary seldom fail."