Tragic day during the Border War, this is the bombed out SADF #Buffel Armoured Personnel Carrier that signifies one of the heaviest days for the SADF.

On the 27th June 1988, a combined Angolan FAPLA-Cuban force launched an unexpected ground attack against the Calueque Water Scheme SADF positions, close to the South West Africa/Namibia and Angola border. This was followed shortly thereafter by a treacherous air attack with MiG fighters.

The ground attack was halted by a combined SADF and SWATF protection force. However, the first wave of enemy aircraft bombed the bridge and sluice gates, killing a South African soldier in the process. Another wave of Migs bombed the pump and generator station, while a third strike destroyed the water pipeline to Ovamboland.

Significantly and tragically, one of the last bombs dropped hit the position of eleven South African soldiers nearby, who had exited their Buffel troop carrier to watch the events unfold.

Twelve SA soldiers and more than 300 Cuban and Angolan soldiers died in the two skirmishes.

Let us always remember our fallen brothers in arms, the brave South Africans killed in action on this day were :

Lt. N Tucker (23) – 8 SAI Bn.
2nd Lt. M Meiring (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
Cpl. EP Koorts (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
L / Cpl. JRG Holder (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
L / Cpl. WA Van Wyk (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
Rfn. MJ Van Heerden (20) – 8 SAI Bn.
Rfn. TB Rudman (20) – 8 SAI Bn.
Rfn. JMS Venter (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
Rfn. ASJ Els (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
Rfn. PR Marx (19) – 8 SAI Bn.
Trooper G Scott (20) – SA Armoured Corps.
Trooper E Erasmus (20) – SA Armoured Corps.

Thanks to David Benedict Kiley for the narrative. #8SAI