South Africans raid 125 miles into Angola

March 19, 1981

South African troops made one of their deepest strikes yet into Angola against black nationalist guerrillas of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO.) The raid was announced by the defense force chief, Gen. Constand Viljoen. He said in a brief statement the attack took place Tuesday after repeated warnings to Angola from South Africa.

Informed sources said the raid, which penetrated some 125 miles across the border to the town of Lubango, was one of the longest missions carried out by the South Africans inside Angola. It was also the first large-scale move into Angola since 1978.