BATTLE FOR ANGOLA

◗ Al Venter ◗ Helion (2021 reprint) ◗ £35 ◗ 543 pages (softback) ◗ ISBN:9781914059025 ◗ helion.co.uk

The Angolan conflict always seem to be a bewildering plethora of multi-national players, rebels, regulars, mercenaries, varied equipments, shifting alliances, and extraordinary differences in military skills and fighting abilities.

The author – a veteran war reporter – covers the various episodes in this complicated war, including a useful resume of the preceding 20th Century colonial struggles. Other authors have contributed chapters based on their own operational experiences, mainly in terms of the South African army’s ‘deniable’ involvement: far-ranging armoured and heliborne raids against enemy training camps, air operations, and the constant patrolling. South Africa faced economic sanctions, and much equipment was home-grown and well tailored to meet the challenges of enemies and terrain.

The style is often descriptive, emotive and personal, rather than academic or deeply analytical, and certainly leaves you in no doubt as to the impact of the war on those who fought. The text is supplemented by high quality photographs, but very few maps relative to the vast range of operations and situations covered. Recommended for those interested in post-war African conflicts.