South African Mechanised Company vs Angolan Mechanised Company, The Border War, 1988
A fictitious action from the war on the border of Namibia in the late 1980s. This is meeting engagement with one side being smaller than the other but arriving on the table earlier. All models are 1/300, the Angolans by Heroics & Ros and the South Africans from Scotia.
The South African Force (Morale - Regular, Training - Trained)
Company HQ - 2 x Ratel each carrying 2 Rifle Groups, one of which is the Commander
1st Platoon - 4 x Ratel each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
2nd Platoon - 4 x Ratel each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
3rd Platoon - 4 x Ratal each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
Attached Anti-Tank Platoon - 2 x Ratel 90, 2 x Ratel ZT3
Artillery Support - 1 x Ratel carrying an Artillery Observation Officer observing for a brigade battery of 4 G5 155mm guns
The Angolan Force (Morale - Conscript, Training - Raw)
Company HQ - 1 x BTR60PB Sarath carrying 2 Rifle Groups, one of which is the Commander
1st Platoon - 3 x BTR60PB each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
2nd Platoon - 3 x BTR60PB each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
3rd Platoon - 3 x BTR60PB each carrying 2 x Rifle Groups
Tank Platoon - 3 x T62A
Artillery - 1 x jeep carrying an Artillery Observation Officer observing for a divisional battery of 6 x BM21 MRL
Here is a view of the table from the south - the South African entry edge - before any troops had entered. There were seven areas of brush, counting as open woods, with the rest of the table being good going. The objective for each side was to seize the 2 areas of brush nearer the enemy baseline.
The Angolans entered first sending 2 platoons towards cover in the centre and to the left flank.
The Angolan tanks advanced in the centre and gave themselves a good field of fire.
The South Africans entered with most of their force to the west. One Ratel in the 1st platoon on the left was hit by HMG fire that caused it to halt and made casualties of one rifle group.
One South African platoon advanced towards an area of brush in the centre and deployed infantry out of the Ratels to force the Angolans to fight for it.
An Angolan platoon grabbed an area of brush opposite the South Africans as the T62s moved westwards to engage the South Africans. The opposing infantry fired at each other from positions of cover.
In the west race for some brush was won by the Angolans who fired at the South Africans as they advanced to contest the position.
A major firefight ensued with the South Africans gaining the upper hand through superior training, numbers and firepower.
The South Afican 1st platoon, originally tasked with a thrust along the left side, was sent eastwards to take the Angolan position in the flank.
The unengaged Angolan platoon attempted to flank the Soith African platoon in the central firefight but is spotted by the South African anti-tank platoon that was deployed far back to combat such a move. ZT3 Swift ATGMs and 90mm guns made quick work of the BTR60PBs and the infantry who managed to escape from the stricken vehicles declined to take further part in the action.
The Angolan AOO spotted the South African anti-tank platoon but his request for support was declined. The South African AOO had observed the firefight in the centre and was more persuasive with his battery, and was able to call in the guns on target. The effect was devestating and finished off the Angolan platoon. With the other Angolan platoon's morale crumbling, only the tanks were intact and the end was nigh.
Verdict
A quick and decisive win to the SADF who lost only a rifle group from each infantry platoon. The south African units supported each other much better than those of the Angolans who fought a pair of isolated actions while the other units manoeuvred ineffectively. The Angolan tank platoon, a unit that worried the South Africans, moved around looking for targets without firing a shot.