Cuban involvement in third world conflicts post 1945 has been of some importance - mainly in destabilising these countries and even entire regions. Not necessarily by their direct action, but purely in the attention they drew from global or regional superpowers. They were sent originally to keep the Communist FAPLA/MPLA in power, their mission evolving into one of protecting communications, airfields and oil installations. Cubans first set sail for Angola in 1975 after the Soviets had made clear their support for the MPLA. The MPLA were one of 3 factions struggling for control of the country in the wake of decolonialism - in this case the withdrawl from the Angola by the then Portuguese rulers. The Cubans were involved in training the forces of the MPLA, and in medical, teaching, and civil engineering roles. Personnel in Angola peaked at around 40,000 in 1981. Moreover ,during their time in the country they had between 8 and 12 of their infamous Motor Rifle Regiments. These units and other advisors saw plenty of action in the struggle against UNITA and the FNLA and contributed to the eventual victory of the MPLA - later called FAPLA after their victory. After 1980 the Cubans role changed - they were to act as security for Cuban bases and not committed to action unless the situation was extreme, then more often than not only committing battalion sized units. This is curious since the' threat' was now extreme - that of the involvement of the South Africans and their overt support for UNITA rebels. Indeed, the Cubans would often mobilise to intercept the SADF upon crossing the border - but rarely managed to catch them. On the other hand if the SADF encountered Cuban opposition in a defensive position, the SADF had a real battle on their hands. Cuban Motor Rifle Regiment in Angola For use with Rapid Fire Rules System REGT HQ: 3 Figures 1 BTR 60 PU (Command Version) 1 GAZ 66 Truck REGT RECON COMPANY: 1 PT76 2 BRDM 2 REGT A/T COMPANY: 1 BRDM AT-3 SAGGER REGT AA COMPANY: 1 ZSU 23 and 3 Figures 1 GAZ 66 Truck 3 INFANTRY BATTALIONS at: BATTALION HQ: 3 Figures 1 AGS 17 - 2 Figures 1 SA 7 - 2 Figures 1 DSHK 12.7 HMG - 2 Figures 1 BTR 60 PU 2 BRDM 2 EACH BATTALION WITH 3 INFANTRY COMPANIES: 8 Figures each (1 with RPG-7) 1 BTR 60 each 1 MORTAR COMPANY: 1 107MM B11 RCL with 2 crew 1 UAZ 469 jeep 1 120MM mortar and 3 crew 1 GAZ 66 truck 1 ANTI TANK PLATOON: 1 AT 3 Sagger and 2 crew 1 BTR 60 REGIMENTAL TANK BATTALION: BATTALION HQ: 1 T54/55 1 GAZ 66 - Supply 3 TANK COMPANIES at 2 T54/55 REGIMENTAL ARTILLERY BATTALION: BATTALION HQ: 3 Figures 2 FOO GROUPS at: 2 Figures 2 UAZ 469 jeeps 3 GAZ 66 trucks - supply 3 ARTILLERY BATTERIES at: 2 122 MM D30 howitzers 8 crew Figures 2 GAZ 66 Ttricks 1 ROCKET ARTILLERY BATTERY at: 1 FOO GROUP 2 Figures 1 UAZ 469 jeep 1 BM21 Rocket Launcher NOTES: BRDM's could be substituted by BTR 40's as can BTR 60's by BTR 152's for pre-1980 actions or just mix the 4 vehicle types. The heaviest concentration of Cuban forces were in the mid-1980's: 2 mechanised infantry regiments were based at Luanda, one at Caxito, two at Cabinda, and one at Nto. Seven additional battalions were deployed along the Benguela railway line. Other regiments were based at Lobito, Benguela, Calla, Huambo, Kuito, Namibe, Lubango, Matala, Jamba, and Menongue. These Cuban forces were organised into ten command groups with headquarters at Luanda, Cabinda, Malenge, Luena, Lobito, Huambo, Cuito, Matala, Namibe, and Menongue. Since there is very little in print regarding the Cubans battles and skirmishes with the SADF and allies we can only draw up fictional battles, using the scrub - savannah like landscape of South West Africa (ideal vehicle country in the dry season). The Cubans represent the effective opposition to any SADF' externals' in wargame terms. You can use their threat in a 'wandering monster' role, or even let your SADF units take on one of their bases. The Cubans will be equal to most SADF forces except the SADF 61st mech' infantry, 32nd Light battalion and the Parachute battalion. Of course you can also wargame the Cubans against UNITA forces. However several battles from the hundreds leap from the pages of any good book concerning the war. LUMBALA 7/11/82 A large UNITA force (double the enemy) attack the above town garrisoned by FAPLA and Cuban forces. ALTO CATUMBELA 12/3/83 UNITA captured this town and garrison capturing Czech and Portugese technical advisors, the town had 6,000 Cuban and FAPLA troops. SUMBE 25/3/84 2 reinforced UNITA battalions ( 5,000 men) overan Cuban and FAPLA forces inflicting heavy casualties. TCIPA JUNE 1988 South Africans engage Cubans during 'Operation Displace'- were Cubans were caught in a SADF/SWATF ambush. Wargaming with the Cuban Army We have used Rapid Fire as the system for wargaming the conflict and the supplement for modern warfare that appears on the internet on the SOTCW page, the supplement also appeared in the SOTCW magazine The Journal. But, other systems can be easily modified using the above. In 20mm there is only one range with dedicated Cuban figures post 1980, that is by Liberation miniatures. In other smaller scales modern Soviets will suffice. AFV's are fairly easy to get hold of Red Star now make the BM21 and used to produce BTR 40's and BTR 60's - I believe they can supply at request. Skytrex make a large PT76, BTR 60, T54 as well as D30's and 120mm mortars. Liberation do the Sagger,RCL's, T54, and UAZ 469. S and S models do the BRDM and ZSU 23. READING: I highly recommend the new book 'Continent Ablaze' by John Turner, Arms and Armour press. £ 25.00. Also 'War in Angola' by Concord publications - this is a superb photo history. And not forgetting the Osprey books parts 2 and 3 concerning modern African wars which serve a starting point, but are weak on detail. Back to Frontline Vol. 1 Iss. 1 Table of Contents Back to Frontline List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by Rolfe Hedges This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com