24 Nov 1989
The last SADF troops leave Namibia
8 Apr 1989 Ehomba
SADF SF (14-Para Group; 44-Para) launch Operation Merlyn, an air-deployed COIN operation in Kaokoland in northern SWA targeting PLAN insurgency This is a rapid projection of a balanced force by air from Murray Hill in Pretoria to the Operational Area at Ehomba, Kaokoland, yielding 20 PLAN KIA and 20 PLAN POWs
1 Apr 1989
On 1 April a force of between 1,200 and 1,800 SWAPO guerrillas crossed into Namibia, SWAPO's single largest incursion in its twenty-three-year insurgency.
31 Mar 1989
SWAPO PLAN surges across the Angolan/Namibian border in an effort to gain a military foothold inside the country in order to engage the forthcoming elections from a position of strength. At this stage SWAPO is uncertain it will win a majority in a free and fair election so this military incursion is seen as a backup plan. This becomes the 9 Day War.
20 Mar 1989 - Ombalantu
On March 20, 1989, SADF 51 BN Ombalantu base was handed over to SWAPOL
22 Jan 1989 Omahanga
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Omahanga
6 Oct 1988 Omafu
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Omafu for the second time
13 Sep 1988 Eenhana
SWAPO PLAN attack on the base at Eenhana at 22h50 with 82mm mortars. Mortars fell short of base
26 Jul 1988 Onavivi
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Onavivi for the fourth time
8 Jul 1988 Ehomba
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Ehomba for the second time
27 Jun 1988 Calueque
61 Mechanized Battalion again lay down an ambush and engage a strong Cuban force, led by tanks. A fierce fire fight ensues, and as 32 Battalion is given protection by SADF artillery, MIG 23’s enter the fray, forcing the artillery to disengage and go to ground. All SADF forces cross the Cunene River by 12:55 and for some unexplained reason the Cubans disengage and withdraw back to Techipa, losing their brief tactical advantage.
At 13:55 four MIG 23’s bomb Calueque Dam, followed at 14:05 by another three aircraft, damaging hydraulic works including a pipeline, killing 11 soldiers from 8 SAI. Two MIG 23’s are damaged in the engagement by ground fire and a third crashes on landing. This is the last military engagement of the South African – Angolan War in which loss of life occurs, at least involving the SADF
26 Jun 1988 Techipa
Operation Displace becomes the last significant military engagement as FAPLA try to harass the SADF in Sector 10. A skirmish takes place at Techipa. The SADF withdrawal from Angola is orderly and relaxed.
61 Mechanized Battalion, reinforced with four ZT3 Ratel AFV’s, deploys in ambush position at Techipa (Operation Hilti/Excite). An artillery barrage is laid down at 20:00, destroying the Cuban artillery command post entirely. In a separate action east of Techipa, a platoon from Delta Company 32 Battalion, led by Lieutenant T.T. de Abreu, comes under heavy attack by a Cuban tank unit, engaging in a running fire fight over a 20-km distance, before breaking off the engagement under accurate and heavy artillery fire
24 Jun 1988 Cuamato
SADF forces guarding Cuamato come under attack from a combined FAPLA/Cuban force based at Xangongo, resulting in a fierce skirmish in which 201 Battalion loses some vehicles but holds on to the town (Operation Hilti/Excite)
14 Jun 1988 Onavivi
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Onavivi for the third time
13 Jun 1988 Omahenene
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Omahenene for the second time
11 Jun 1988 Tsamatse
SWAPO PLAN attacks the SADF military base at Tsamatse