 South African intelligence picked up clear signs that Fapla was building up forces in the 6th Military Region at Cuito Cuanavale early in 1987. Daily shipments of equipment from the Soviet Union increased Fapla’s overall tank strength to over 500 and included T-62 and T-55 tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. Mig-23 fighters, SU-22 ground attack aircraft, Mi-24, Mi-25, and Mi-35 combat helicopters, and Mi-8 and Mi-17 assault helicopters increased the Angolan Air Force fleet to about 80 fighters and 123 helicopters.
Fapla was concentrating the strongest and best-equipped force yet in the Cuito Cuanavale area, clearly demonstrating their intend to launch a major offensive against Unita’s base areas in south-eastern Angola during 1987. Unita requested support from the South Africans to assist in stopping this offensive, an agreement to this effect being reached on 1 May 1987.
 Intending a low-profile intervention with minimum forces, the SADF only initially committed to liaison teams and artillery support on the ground, while using reconnaissance teams and particularly 32 Battalion (a SADF unit formed out of Angolan ex-FNLA guerrillas with white South African officers) for monitoring, delaying and harassment purposes.
It was soon clear that a significantly bigger commitment of South African forces would be required to stop the offensive.
20 SA Brigade was formed and Operation Moduler kicked off in August 1987, with the purpose of stopping the Fapla offensive…
 The scene is set for some of the most intense and largest series of battles of South African forces since World War 2!
Join us as we re-fight this series of battles with 6mm (1/300th scale) miniatures. Watch this space as the first contact between conventional SADF and FAPLA forces occurs once again...
For further information on our re-fights or to join in future games, please do not hesitate to contact me:
Johan Schoeman
Cell: +27 +(0)72 409-6271
Email: johan@warinangola.com
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