Operation Wishbone was a military operation in Angola during December 1980 by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and South African Air Force (SAAF) during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War.

Operation Wishbone
Part of the South African Border War
Location
Operation Wishbone is located in Angola
Ongiva
Ongiva
Xangongo
Xangongo
Operation Wishbone (Angola)
Planned bySAAF
ObjectiveAir attack by the SAAF against a PLAN bases inside southern Angola.
Date19 December 1980

Background

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The mission called for mid-level bombing attacks by the South African Air Force (SAAF) against SWAPO's PLAN bases in Angola at Oshiheng near Ongiva and Palele close to Xangongo.[1]: Chp6  Four formations of aircraft were assembled at either airbases at Grootfontein or Ondangwa in Namibia/South West Africa.[1]: Chp6  The aircraft formations consisted of either four Buccaneers or Mirage F1's and one lead aircraft, a Canberra bomber.[1]: Chp6  The Canberra bomber would signal when the bombs would be dropped on the target.[1]: Chp6  The operation took place 19 December 1980.[1]: Chp6 

Aftermath

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Intelligence gathered after the attack proved that the bombing at the height chosen had been inaccurate and that the PLAN bases were unoccupied during the attack..[1]: Chp6 

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War. Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 9781908916624.

Further reading

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  • Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Airforce during the Border War (e-book). Solihull, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 9781908916624.
  • Louw, Martin; Bouwer, Stefaan (1989). The South African Air Force at War. Melville: Chris van Rensburg. ISBN 0868460842.
  • Steenkamp, Willem (1989). South Africa's border war, 1966-1989. Gibraltar: Ashanti Pub. ISBN 0620139676.