The Angola Bush War

Buccaneer en-route to the target area. Note the ECM pod.

The Buccaneers was flown hard over the full envelope and by April 1978, nine had been lost to flying accidents. But the SAAF's excellent ground crews and the help of the local industry kept the remaining aircraft flying. South Africa found itself in conflict against the communist supported Angola. This intensified into what became known as the Bush War.  The Buccaneer was recognised as the SAAF's most valuable asset. SA was forced to use any aircraft at its disposal due the arms embargo - and the first mission took place on 4 May 1978 with Operation Reindeer. Six Buccaneers made dive attacks with eight 1000lb bombs on Casinga, where a large SWAPO garrison was known to exist. The attack was successful and the crews was tasked with a second mission, to attack insurgent bases at Chetequara. In flight to the new target the crews received note of an armoured convoy approaching Cassinga. One Buccaneer, piloted by Capt. Dries Marais and his navigator Capt. Ernie Harvey, was diverted  to Casinga for air support of the SADF ground forces. The brave action of the crew saved many SADF member's lives by destroying most part of the convoy. On returning to base the aircraft had a total of 17 hits, including a 37mm hit through the port flap. Dries was awarded the Honoris Crux (Silver) and Harvey received the Chief of Defense Force's Commendation Medal. (Full account of this mission - see "Buccaneer to the rescue" on the Buccaneer page by A. Brooks.) The aircraft was used regularly on various attack missions, from night attack to a  long range dive attack over south-west ZambiaSouth Africa. One of the primary missions of the Buccaneer in later years was the pinpoint attack of enemy radar and SAM installations. The Nord AS30 was ideal for this task. Operations continued through out the years up until the intensified period of late 1987. Both 1000lb bombs and AS30 missiles were used - later, the newly developed laser guided bombs. The last mission over Angola was flown on 6 February 1988 and none of the aircraft was lost to enemy action. Peace talks began in May and a settlement was reached on 22 December. During this time no 24 Sqdn retained its maritime strike capability. (total flying time 3hr 15min).
 

But with sophisticated radar networks, AAA and the latest SAM's (all Soviet supplied) been employed against the SAAF - the crews of 24 Sqdn decided to abandon dive attacks  and introduced medium and low level toss deliveries. The first toss delivery were flown 5 July 1979. The accuracy achieved by the techniques developed were astonishing. Another technique used for night missions was the use of a high power flare. The first aircraft would toss the flare and break off to reform on the tail of the other Buccaneers, who by this time completed their bomb delivery.

Nord AS30 missile

 The aircraft was also used for reconnaissance duties by using a camera crate developed in South Africa. One of the primary missions of the Buccaneer in later years were the pinpoint attack of enemy radar and SAM installations. The Nord AS30 missile  was ideal for this task. Operations continued through out the years up until the intensified period of late 1987. Both 1000lb bombs and AS30 missiles were used - later, the newly developed precision guided munitions. The last mission over Angola was flown on 6 February 1988 and none of the aircraft was lost to enemy action. Peace talks began in May and a settlement was reached on 22 December. During this time no 24 Sqdn retained its maritime strike capability.

South Africa's nuclear capability - fact or fiction?

In the mid 80's a suspicious 'blip' on the nuclear warning network of the United States caused the world to put South Africa under the microscope again. The US said they picked up a nuclear explosion just of the west coast of South Africa.  This was  denied by  South Africa and argued the suspicious 'blip' must be a technical system error. Since then no other 'blips' been reported and South Africa's nuclear enrichment plant was declared to world standard, when the new Government of National Unity came to power. But the armchair aviators and strategists had a field day - one aspect they all agreed on was the only SAAF aircraft, capable of such a delivery was the Buccaneer.  The original 'blip' - fact or fiction - we will never know......