Toaw Scenario: Cuito Cuanavale

Briefing
Cuito Cuanavale 1. Unit Colors Tan on Crimson: FAPLA Red on Blue: Cuba Black on Green: UNITA White on Brown: SADF Blue on Brown: SWATF 2. Background Twelve years have passed since Portuguese forces withdrew from Angola. The anti-colonial struggle has evolved into a brutal civil war among the various Angolan factions. By 1987 only two major Angolan players remain in the game: the MPLA (with its military arm, the FAPLA) which controls Luanda, the capital and the major towns and cities, and on the other, UNITA (headquartered in Jamba), which controls most of the countryside. The intensity of the conflict is magnified by Cold War politics. The Soviet Union, along with its allies, has provided massive quantities of weapons and advisors to the MPLA. Fidel Castro has poured thousands of Cuban volunteers into the conflict. The Cubans fly the MiGs and staff all levels of the FAPLA brigades in the field. FAPLA brigades are modeled on Soviet motorized rifle regiments, though the scale of equipment is considerably older and less lavish than in contemporary Red Army units. In contrast, UNITA is largely equipped with weapons captured from FAPLA. Still, the United States has provided significant covert training and advanced weapons like the Stinger man portable surface-to-air missiles. UNITA's principal supporter on the ground is the Republic of South Africa ("RSA"). The RSA initially intervened in Angola to combat the growing presence of SWAPO guerillas in the southern provinces of the former Portuguese colony. SWAPO has been fighting a low intensity war to free Namibia from RSA domination. As SWAPO turned to the MPLA and the Soviets for support against the RSA, Pretoria came to look upon UNITA as its natural ally in Angola. Suffering from the effects of an international economic embargo, and with only marginal domestic support for the intervention, Pretoria must fight the Border War on shoestring. During the 1970's and 80's, the South African Defense Force ("SADF") and the South West African Territorial Forces ("SWATF"), relying upon (1) the better training and technological proficiency of small elite ground units and (2) the South African Air Force's air superiority, have dominated the FAPLA. But by 1987, increasing Soviet/Cuban support of FAPLA with sophisticated arms and military advisers and coupled with the RSA's modern weaponry, have begun to tip the scales against the SADF. In 1987, Soviet General Constantin Shaganovitch has planned a new two-pronged offensive to crush UNITA and end the war. To the north, five brigades from FAPLA's Third Military Region will strike against towns of Gago Coutinho and Cangamba. Simultaneously, the Sixth Military Region, with eight brigades concentrated near the town of Cuito Cuanavale, will drive on UNITA's base at Mavinga. Mavinga airfield is an essential link in the CIA's supply line to UNITA from Zaire. Once these initial objectives have been attained, the twin arms of the FAPLA offensive will close on UNITA's capital at Jamba. The FAPLA preparations have not gone unnoticed. To the north, UNITA has massed a number of brigades to confront the Third Military Region's offensive. In the south, UNITA plans defend Mavinga on the Lomba River. But with the bulk of its military deployed to counter the northern thrust, UNITA has nothing left to confront the armored phalanx concentrated in Cuito Cuanavale. If Mavinga is to be saved, It's up to the SADF. Pretoria commits the 20th Brigade Group to the fray. The South African force is composed of the veteran 61st Mechanized Battalion with attached elements of the famous 32nd "Buffalo" Light Infantry Battalion and SWATF's elite 101st Infantry Battalion. 20 Brigade has the support of the Mirages of the 2nd Squadron SAAF, elite reconnaissance commandos and the SADF's superb artillery. If 20 Brigade can stop the FAPLA onslaught, further reinforcements comprising the 4th Infantry Battalion, a squadron of Oliphant tanks and more artillery will be made available to drive the FAPLA back across the Cuito River and bring Cuito Cuanavale's airport within range of the deadly G5 and G6 artillery. On the eve of battle, the SADF High Command acquires disturbing intelligence, that the Cuban 50th Division, reputedly the cream of the Cuban military, has been deployed to Southeastern Angola. 3. PLAYER NOTES 1. FAPLA shock. FAPLA ground and air forces operate under significant levels of shock throughout the scenario to simulate their generally low level of performance. 2. Both sides have theater options to bring in additional forces. But, be careful, every additional unit costs victory points and there are not a lot of points available on the map to compensate for the investment. 3. As no G5's are available from the equipment mix and the155mm artillery that is available lacks the necessary range, I've compromised by giving the SADF self-propelled G6's and eliminated the trucks. If any one can tell me how to create G5's I'd appreciate it 4. The scenario was designed to be played from the SADF's side. 5. The UNITA order of battle is based on very limited information. UNITA unit designations are pure invention on my part. Robert Simon

Twelve years have passed since Portuguese forces withdrew from Angola. The anti-colonial struggle has evolved into a brutal civil war among the various Angolan factions. By 1987 only two major Angolan players remain in the game: the MPLA (with its military arm, the FAPLA) which controls Luanda, the capital and the major towns and cities, and on the other, UNITA (headquartered in Jamba), which controls most of the countryside.

The intensity of the conflict is magnified by Cold War politics. The Soviet Union, along with its allies, has provided massive quantities of weapons and advisors to the MPLA. Fidel Castro has poured thousands of Cuban volunteers into the conflict. The Cubans fly the MiGs and staff all levels of the FAPLA brigades in the field. FAPLA brigades are modeled on Soviet motorized rifle regiments, though the scale of equipment is considerably older and less lavish than in contemporary Red Army units.

In contrast, UNITA is largely equipped with weapons captured from FAPLA. Still, the United States has provided significant covert training and advanced weapons like the Stinger man portable surface-to-air missiles. UNITA's principal supporter on the ground is the Republic of South Africa ("RSA").

The RSA initially intervened in Angola to combat the growing presence of SWAPO guerillas in the southern provinces of the former Portuguese colony. SWAPO has been fighting a low intensity war to free Namibia from RSA domination. As SWAPO turned to the MPLA and the Soviets for support against the RSA, Pretoria came to look upon UNITA as its natural ally in Angola.
Suffering from the effects of an international economic embargo, and with only marginal domestic support for the intervention, Pretoria must fight the Border War on shoestring. During the 1970's and 80's, the South African Defense Force ("SADF") and the South West African Territorial Forces ("SWATF"), relying upon (1) the better training and technological proficiency of small elite ground units and (2) the South African Air Force's air superiority, have dominated the FAPLA. But by 1987, increasing Soviet/Cuban support of FAPLA with sophisticated arms and military advisers and coupled with the RSA's modern weaponry, have begun to tip the scales against the SADF.

In 1987, Soviet General Constantin Shaganovitch has planned a new two-pronged offensive to crush UNITA and end the war. To the north, five brigades from FAPLA's Third Military Region will strike against towns of Gago Coutinho and Cangamba. Simultaneously, the Sixth Military Region, with eight brigades concentrated near the town of Cuito Cuanavale, will drive on UNITA's base at Mavinga. Mavinga airfield is an essential link in the CIA's supply line to UNITA from Zaire. Once these initial objectives have been attained, the twin arms of the FAPLA offensive will close on UNITA's capital at Jamba.

The FAPLA preparations have not gone unnoticed. To the north, UNITA has massed a number of brigades to confront the Third Military Region's offensive. In the south, UNITA plans defend Mavinga on the Lomba River. But with the bulk of its military deployed to counter the northern thrust, UNITA has nothing left to confront the armored phalanx concentrated in Cuito Cuanavale. If Mavinga is to be saved, It's up to the SADF.

Pretoria commits the 20th Brigade Group to the fray. The South African force is composed of the veteran 61st Mechanized Battalion with attached elements of the famous 32nd "Buffalo" Light Infantry Battalion and SWATF's elite 101st Infantry Battalion. 20 Brigade has the support of the Mirages of the 2nd Squadron SAAF, elite reconnaissance commandos and the SADF's superb artillery. If 20 Brigade can stop the FAPLA onslaught, further reinforcements comprising the 4th Infantry Battalion, a squadron of Oliphant tanks and more artillery will be made available to drive the FAPLA back across the Cuito River and bring Cuito Cuanavale's airport within range of the deadly G5 and G6 artillery.

On the eve of battle, the SADF High Command acquires disturbing intelligence, that the Cuban 50th Division, reputedly the cream of the Cuban military, has been deployed to Southeastern Angola.