Operation Protea | Operations | 61 Mech

Operation Protea was launched on 23 August 1981 to destroy the Swapo command and training centre at Xangongo and its logistic bases at Xangongo and Ongiva with the intention to neutralize SWAPO’s military forces in Southern Angola between the Cunene and Kavango rivers, also known as the Central Theatre.

The destruction of the bases at Xangongo and Ongiva would undermine Swapo’s ability to conduct operations on the North-Western front and also have a psychological impact by reinforcing the message that it no longer had the luxury of safe sanctuaries in Southern Angola

The following restriction guidelines were imposed:
1.Not to attack any FAPLA positions or troops unless they interfered and the safety of own forces were thus threatened
2.To respect the lives and property of the local population
3.That the duration of the operation should not exceed fourteen days
4.That the success of the operation must be certain
5.That the safety of own troops and equipment must be of prime importance
6.To capture leaders as well as advisers and/or supporters from Russia, Cuba or any other country

Task Force Alpha

Task Force Alpha under command of colonel Joep Joubert consisted of an HQ, Task Force Reserve and four battle groups, namely
1.Battle group 10 under command of commandant Roland de Vries
2.Battle group 20 under command of commandant Johann Dippenaar
3.Battle group 30 under command of commandant Chris Serfontein
4.Battle group 40 under command of commandant Deon Ferreira
5.Task Force Reserve under command of commandant Johan Coetzer

The battle groups further had their own complement of armoured cars, artillery and the necessary support services while the Task Force Reserve consisted of a mechanised company, two Ratel 90 troops, one Medium Artillery Battery and two protection platoons.

Task Force Bravo

Task Force Bravo under command of colonel Vos Benade consisted of an HQ, Task Force Reserve and four battle groups, namely
1.Battle group 50 under command of commandant Frans Botes
2.Battle group 60 under command of commandant James Hills
3.Battle group 30 under command of commandant Chris Serfontein
4.Battle group 40 under command of commandant Deon Ferreira
5.Task Force Reserve consisted of teams from 52 Reconnaissance Regiment and a pathfinder platoon from 1 Parachute Batallion

Battle group 10

The task of battle group 10, which in essence was the 61 Mech Battalion Group main force, was to move along the western side of the Cunene river to Humbe and cut off any SWAPO escape to the west over the bridge at Xangongo and to prevent any intervention by FAPLA from Cahama.