During Operation Balpoot ( June 1983), a South African Citizen Force Regiment and South West African Territorial Force members, including logistical elements, armoured cars and 2x 140mm G2 canon were tasked to operate in the area as far north of Ruacana base as where the Cahama, Xangongo highway forks at the Chicusse/Cahama turnoff , to monitor any enemy movement in the area and do a few search operations to locate possible arms-, logistical- and food caches and to resupply the Bat Falcon Groups at Xangongo….

after completion of this task with the Battle Team , the main force will return to Ruacana and cross border just north of Concorbase  and the visitors will then turn the convoy in a south east direction and move parallel to the Xangogo/Cahama highway to Xangongo, old Villa Rosaries…. the first part of the operation should not be too difficult, the terrain reasonably easy… it will not be necessary to bundubash … due to the threat of landmines on roads, vehicles have to avoid the roads as much as possible, but this method of operation takes its toll on both men and vehicles.. In open areas it is not a problem as the first vehicle leads and the others follow in its tracks, dust is usually the problem and the element of surprise will be lost because of this, quite easy to be detected, should enemy forces be in the vicinity … but in dense areas the first vehicle has to bundubash, literally knocking down trees , anything in its way, to make a road.. the next two vehicle do the same, but alternatively to the left and right of the first, thus creating a "highway" for the "rest of the convoy to follow… not a comfortable way to travel, driving over fallen trees, logs and constantly keeping an eye open for falling branches…. arriving at Calueque, we’ll take a stroll through the complex to see the damage caused by the Angolan Air attack … here 12 SA soldiers lost their lives on 27 June 1988 when Cuban MIG-23 fighters bombed the complex  …. a dedication to one of the soldiers killed during this attack; (John  Dovey Roll of Honour): "Lt. Noel Tucker was killed during a retaliatory air attack by Mig-27's (?) on the Calueque dam (50Km north of the SWA border, Angola) on 27 June 1988 at 14h07 after SADF artillery attacked town of Chipeque. His Buffel took a direct hit, killing all 10 occupants. A noddy was also hit, killing the gunner and driver. He was from 8SAI acting in a support role to 701 BN SWATF and other support elements from 8SAI, who were holding the dam and the high ground to the N/E of Calueque. After the incident the SADF withdrew all forces, including 32 Bn, while 701BN covered the withdrawal. The rampants over the dam wall were blown up on our withdrawal ".....Lt. N. Tucker, Tpr. G. Scott, Cpl. E.P. Koorts, L/Cpl. J.R.G. Holder... and other .. we will remember them.... we'll revisit Calueque again for Operation Protea...then we travel north again, into an area that has thick thorn bushes, commonly known as "haak en steek" … as these thorn bushes cover such great areas, it is better to drive through them .. the result being that everybody is covered in thorns and broken branches… not a pleasant way to travel, but it saves time…. moving north, we'll keep the river to our eastern side … remember, we navigate only by means of compass bearings, assisted by telstar aircraft, local knowledge or topographical futures … no GPS available …. all along the way you'll see the ruins of what once were Portuguese homes…. these buildings show the signs of the ongoing war… bullet marks, graffiti left by the Angolan, SWAPO and SADF forces… sad to see these once well built buildings destroyed and left to the elements… another feature of this area is the Portuguese dams... these dams were built by the construction teams who worked on the road systems … very handy for water replenishment when on an operation in Angola… tonight we lager just north of Tchipelongo… recon elements will be sent ahead and they'll guide us in ….

[Cpl. E.P. Koorts was killed during the Calueque attack on 27 June 1988 and is buried in Tulbach - New Cemetery]

  we’ll form the southern portion of the lager…. so be prepared for guard duty tonight … buddy system of 2 hours on and four off … please, no smoking on guard duty…stand too times will also be given later … no fires in the lager… only esbitt tablets to be used to heat food/water and again the buddy system applies… while you prepare your food, eat or even clean your rifle, your buddy is on guard and visa versa…. this is lion country, so be vigilant and prepared… drivers to check their vehicles…luckily it is never too cold to spend the night in the open in this area, it being so far north… remember it’s full moon tonight, so SWAPO’s torch will shine bright for most of the night … wakker slaap …. make sure you know where the claymores have been set up... as well as the firing arches of the LMG’s… early tomorrow a morning foot patrol will be sent out, firstly to do a parameter patrol and then to search for caches… report back every 15 minutes and keep within 81mm mortar reach, should you hit a contact…. if out of range the 5.5’s will provide support until the Impala aircraft from Ondangwa AFB pitch up to join the party…. be prepared to call in supporting fire from the ground based weapons as well as the aircraft… the FLOT (Front Line Own Troops) being very important when calling in fire support… indication of this should only be done by any colour smoke grenade or flare, except red when calling in an air strike…. red should only be used to indicate that the area is to dangerous for aircraft or gunships to operate in…. all over this area you'll find evidence of previous contacts… AK47 and R1 spent cartridges … bomb craters, due to canon and mortar fire, so please keep your eyes wide open… watch out for mines as well....just a reminder on radio procedures, please don't forget about the codes to use in messages and reports…. use Bosvark or if Griddle/Slidex/Shackel is preferred, please remember to use the correct runners of the day…. only in the case of a contact report or casevac report is open speech allowed….. or if hopper radios (automatic frequency changing / hopping radios) are available.

                Portuguese house - Tchipelongo ('83)                                                           After the landmine incident ('83)