Peter Polack - The Last Hot Battle of the Cold War: South Africa vs. Cuba in the Angolan Civil War

Published in the United States of America and Great Britain in 2013 by

CASEMATE PUBLISHERS

908 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083

and

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Copyright 2013 Peter Polack

ISBN 978-1-61200-195-1

Digital Edition: ISBN 978-1-61200-196-8

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To my peerless wife Monique who taught me love and

living; my extraordinary daughters Vanessa and Olivia

who have blessed me with blind adoration and loyalty;

my brother George who stood shoulder to shoulder

with me in the greatest storms: my gratitude, devotion

and eternal admiration.

In 1992 I met two Cuban Angola veterans who were refugees in Jamaica and I was told the most amazing stories about a little known war in Angola that sparked my interest, but there were few publications available on the subject. I was finally able to visit Cuba in early 2009 where I was able to obtain a few books on Angola that put my limited Spanish to the test. This was when I first heard of Cuito Cuanavale and became hooked on the subject, much to the delight of my family for a man with no hobbies.

I have tried unceasingly to be objective in my account of this little known battle in an obscure war that appeared to herald great changes in southern Africa. The first draft of this book, purposely written from a wide selection of sources, went through countless revisions from other sources that came to the fore in an effort to come to my own view. I have been pleasantly surprised by the open support and encouragement from many persons of different backgrounds and nationalities. To those who are skeptical of someone from the Caribbean writing this account you are invited to explore the written material on the subject that draws one to the inevitable conclusion that an objective and accurate account should be attempted by someone who is not from any of the countries participating in this conflict. Errors of any kind are mine alone, and while I have done my best to ensure accuracy and independence of thought, any lapses are regrettable. In every available instance eyewitness accounts or narratives by soldiers in the field have been preferred over the distant recollections of senior officers, several of whom have written about this conflict.

What began as a solo effort was embraced by many and I acknowledge the end result as a completely collaborative effort by the many I have acknowledged. Finally, I have to mention the peril of research in the Cayman Islands where, reminiscent of apartheid South Africa and other totalitarian societies, certain publications are banned despite my pleas to Governor Stuart Jack and Attorney General Sam Bulgin.

I wish to express my profound and humble thanks to all who participated in this effort primarily my brother George Giglioli who has been a constant source of encouragement along with his able assistant Mrs. Annette Espinoza and the patient Afrikaans translator Ms. Merinda Ferreira.

The teachers of Denstone College, England, past and present, who continue to inculcate a pursuit of excellence cautioned with generosity of spirit in their charges with special mention of P. T. I. Smith (History) and T. N. Tookey (English). I offer respectful gratitude to the great English and Drama teacher K. C. Ryder, an exemplary mentor and man among men, leading almost his entire mixed-bag English Language class of 1975 to O Level success at grade A, a rare feat.

To my mother Clarisse McNamee Polack, who persevered and sacrificed so much for her undeserving children.

Juan Tamayo, El Nuevo Herald staff writer for publication of the list of Cuban casualties.

Broadcaster Nelson Herbert Lopes of Voice of America Portuguese service for encouragement and assistance. To Pascal Fletcher, Reuters Bureau Chief, Southeastern United States and Caribbean, who was introduced to me by Tony Boadle, also of Reuters. Pascal immediately offered guidance and assistance. He visited Cuito Cuanavale on two occasions and once barely escaped with his life during a bombardment.

For Angola resources Colonel Manuel Correia de Barros, Vice-Presidente do Conselho Executivo (Deputy CEO), Centro de Estudos Estratgicos de Angola-Strategic Studies Center of Angola. sa Lund Moberg of Nordic Africa Institute Library. The generous Fernando Costa who had the most remarkable African childhood. The courteous and kind journalist Ms. Eliana Giannella Simonetti who opened doors for me. Thanks to Luis Marques of forum4611 blog for the Cuito Tower photo. The affable and well connected journalist Alexandre Solombe, indefatigable humanitarian Tako Koning who has managed to combine geology and social assistance in some of the poorest areas of Angola, Kier Schuringa IISH-Southern Africa archive project, aid expert and author Leon Kikkuk, and Julian Hocken of Halo Trust Angola for connections while doing the dangerous work of clearing mines.

The brilliant historian and journalist Edward George, author of the best book ever written about the Angolan civil war, The Cuban Intervention in Angola 1965-1991, for his great kindness, advice and encouragement.

Cuban sources were rare but for the penetrating interview by the learned Professor Russ Stayanoff MA, Academia Interamericana de Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama. Invaluable assistance from the Cuban MiG pilot Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Gonzalez Sarria, author of Angola: Relatos Desde Las Alturas (Tales from the Heights), who was very generous with time and photographs. A mi amigo Luis, gracias por todos.

From South Africa, a great bounty of help and information that guided to the truth, even from the most cynical who, I believe, also learned. There were none more able and industrious than my persistent researcher, Mrs. Audrey Portman. The generous and patient Piet Nortje, 32 Infantry Battalion (Ret.), who authored the excellent book 32 Battalion. Colonel Fred Oelschig-SADF Senior UNITA liaison officer Angola 1987, a clear minded and helpful officer who cleared away much of the fog of war.

Mrs. Gabriele Mohale: Historical Papers, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand.

Mike Cadman: Historical Papers, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand.

Michael Boer: School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for immeasurable help in Afrikaans translation.