From then on the regiment, either in one body, but more often in individual batteries, was shifted across southern Angola in all directions. They followed seemingly incoherent orders which had their origin in politically motivated decisions from the very top, and were not always based on proper military criteria. Nonetheless, the gunners were not found wanting and were not challenged by the enemy, in fact they never even saw him. Instead their daily existence was an unending struggle against a combination of natural calamities like rainstorms, described as "schnorkel and frog feet weather", and the ensuing mud which hindered progress and forced them to use the most unusual methods to clean guns. It did not prevent them from reaching their objectives. Only Camp Swampy was an exception. As some wag remarked, they moved: "na 'n tent kamp in 'n vlei en slaap in die modder". At that time much of Angola was under MPLA domination and the Soviets were flying in tons of equipment and ammunition with 15 Antonov AN-22 transporters each day, while in comparison the American CIA gave minimal assistance. It was therefore left to the South African forces to occupy the greater portion of Angola on their own, pushing aside MPLA and Cubans with ease, while hoping that UNITA would be strong enough to continue to hold it.
The war had its lighter moments, though. A staff officer received a message from a forward base asking for 250 sandbags, but since he felt this was above scale, he sent a signal asking: "What do you want to do with the sandbags?" Back came the answer: "We want to fill them with sand." Somewhere else a unit was supplied with 5 500 jerry cans when they only needed a fraction of them, but upon complaining were briskly told: "This is what it says on the form, and this is what you get."
Lionel dealt at length with his beloved guns, Ordnance QF 25 PR
Howitzer and BL 5.5 Inch Gun, the five-five, and their firing
power as well as many technical details.
If they were not active during operation Savannah, they came into
their own during operation Budgie, and it is hoped that Lionel
will give us another in depth and humourous talk at a later stage
of what happened to the CPA Regiment in Angola.
It was a most enjoyable evening, leaving many ex-soldiers reminiscing about their times at the front or at home, and a good time was had by all.
Lionel's book on "Armaments of the Boer War" is in the process
of being published and should be available before X-Mas. We will
keep you informed.
At present the author is busy with "History of the C.F. Artillery
from 1857 to the present", a multi-volume work, hopefully to be
available next year.
Meetings are normally held on the 2nd Thursday of each month,
at 20h00 in the Recreation Hall of the SA LEGION'S ROSEDALE COMPLEX,
Lower Nursery Road, Rosebank (off Alma Road), opposite Rosebank Railway Station, below the line.
All visitors welcome. Tea and biscuits will be served.
Jochen (John) Mahncke (Vice-Chairman/Scribe) (021) 797 5167