Battle on the Lomba 1987: The Day a South African Armoured Battalion shattered Angola’s Last Mechanized Offensive - A Crew Commander's Account Paperback – November 19, 2014

I could not put this book down. The author writes a very readable story of his experiences as a Soldier in the SA Army in the late 1980s that include his war time experience. While I never served in Africa but in the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, I can testify to the realism and relatable experiences of war from the Soldier's point of view. I had a very limited knowledge of the state of political affairs at the time of writing but the author informs the reader brilliantly. The author begins with his enlistment and is very honest about his motivations and abilities in the Army. The bulk of the book is taken up by his experiences fighting in 1987 as a Ratel 90 crewmember. Again, a very readable, relatable story thanks to the author.I recommend this book with no reservations to enthusiasts of modern African warfare, historians and the general reader.

This was a well written account of the firsthand experience of national service in the SADF as well as combat in a place many people have no idea exists. I really connected with the author...reminded me of my national service with 5SAI. Thanks David Mannell.

As a former SADF, conscripted recruit in the early 1970s - I also served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry in the Rhodesian bush war in the late 1970s. So David Mannall’s personal account of the ‘Battle on the Lomba’ provides some genuine familiarity for me – but also a riveting insight into one of the bigger, and largely unknown crucial battles that took place in Angola between the South Africans - and the Cuban and Russian backed MPLA of Angola. Out-gunned and against largely superior numbers the small South African armoured units out-maneuvered and blew away the enemy. Maybe ‘blew away’ is an understatement – actually crucified the enemy is more like it. Superior South African training, discipline, tactics and gunmanship won the day. I was living in Durban at the time (1987), and like most of the S. African public – was blissfully unaware of these events that the SA military was facing which could eventually have threatened S. Africa itself.The Russians had poured in over $ 1 billion (yes $ 1 billion in the 1980s) worth of equipment, tanks, arms and MiG combat jets in support of 25,000 Cubans and large numbers of the Angolan MPLA and FNLA troops. The Cuban/Russian foray into Angola was proven to be largely a failure. Castro had a senior Cuban general executed for his failure in the advance of the Cuban and MPLA units through southern Angola against the S. Africans. The Battle on the Lomba was an example of this enemy failure.Some typos and grammatical errors here and there in the book – but this is insignificant in view of a little known confrontation. A well told and gripping account of this battle from someone there in the thick of armoured conflict – that puts the reader there.Well done David.Jeremy Hall (author of Weep for Africa).

Just a great read from start to finish. A little slow at first but it quickly picks up speed and maintains it till the end. Mannal tells the story of his South African Defense Forces Armor Unit (SADF) in one of the last, and decisive, battles of the Angolan War. I am familiar with the area having spent time in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the 70's, (but that's another story) The fight against communist aggression was everywhere in central & southern Africa between the early 70's and late 80's, and Mannal tells the story well of his armor units defeat of a substantial better equipped Cuban/Russian/Chinese armed, and advised offensive. I recommend this book as it is well written, historically accurate, and told from first hand experience. .Welgedaan my broer !

For the first time I truly understand what happened in Angola at the battle on the Lomba river. How the SADF bloodied the superior Angolan, Cuban and Russian might.

I like the book generally from a content and style perspective, but in key places the paragraphs seem out of order. For example, once you get to the actual battle (about half way through the book), right as the author has drawn a great picture of the tense SADF soldiers getting their vehicles ready to engage the enemy, it abruptly shifts to paragraphs on the geopolitical implications after the battle. This happens repeatedly and is really frustrating. Perhaps it is just the kindle edition that I read?

David Mannall has written an excellent first-person account of a South African Defense Force (SADF) tank commander during Operation Moduler (November 1987) against Soviet/Cuban supplied FAPLA units in southern Angola, while allied with Angolan UNITA forces.What the book is really about is the “coming of age” of a young conscript soldier. Mannall begins the book as a recently graduated high school student, and we follow him as he goes through basic training and his induction into the SADF. Then, to his surprise, he’s assigned to an armored car unit on the border, which quickly finds itself in combat in southern Angola.What makes this a good book, and part of a genre of first person accounts of war, is the book is told totally from the aspect of an enlisted soldier; his perspective and experiences. Parts of the book account for a young man’s off time, alcohol, and, of course, his desire to lose his virginity. But most of the book provides true insight into his army experience in training and, more importantly, in war. At the same time Mannell provides insight into the SADF of the time; it’s training, organization, and weaponry, from a soldier’s perspective.His first person descriptions of what it’s like to be in combat, especially in close combat, helps one to understand that to a soldier on the ground, in combat, it’s not a neat and organized experience. Fighting in the African bush meant Mannall could only see the vehicles to his left and right, and sometimes not even those. There is confusion and a kill-or-be-killed perspective, while feeling that you’re fighting for your friends – you don’t want to let them down.Although there’s nothing new in these experiences, his perspective is one that bears repeating. These are the experiences of any soldier in combat.

I have not read such a moving book for a long time, so much so that six months later I read it a second time. Many "war" books are filled with gung ho and bravado - but here is one written with disarming honesty and openness. This little band of extremely brave young men performed nothing short of a miracle. These were conscripted soldiers - this was not a career of choice, but a function or reality in the society they lived in. Sure, they were provided probably the best training in the world, but within weeks of going through unspeakable horrors they were discharged into a society totally ignorant of what they had been up to and with consequentially no understanding or sympathy. The worst of all was the "Army" for who they had fought so bravely gave them no support whatsoever and they had to deal with their demons themselves. Gentlemen - I salute you one and all.

I enjoyed the book and it brought back memories. In the action parts you can feel the tension and sometime the authors frustrations. Were they wasted years? Only time will tell and the author also has his reflective moments

Excellent reading. David Mannall lays bare his soul. A truly honest and sobering account of war in Angola with no punches pulled.

Book written by a member doing his national serivice. Talks about the two years from his view point and experiences. Having done military service there was a lot I could empathize with. He happened to take part in The Battle of Lomba and it is from his view point.Very easy to read and I found it to be quite enjoyable.

Very well written, a lot of humour, for a part of the Cold War quite unknown of the public.You just get hooked on the story, can't quit this book very long !I will recall for long the amazing courage of these drafted young SA guys.Cheers, David Mannal.