picture 169183

The FAPLA group to see most combat with the SADF during the Battle of the Cuito Cuanavale was the 2nd Task Force, commanded by Major Tobias Domingos. This included the 47th and the 59th Motorised Infantry Brigades, an independent mechanised infantry battalion operating two companies of seven BMP-1s each and one of PT-76 light tanks, several batteries of BM-21s and M-46 guns, several batteries of SA-13s, and one of SA-8s. The 47th and the 59th Brigades and the independent mechanised infantry battalion each included a platoon of BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles. Most of the vehicles in question were left in olive green overall, as on delivery, and wore no markings at all. (Artwork by David Bocquelet)