The Loose Association of Wargamers

Interesting batrep; I'd always pictured such engagements being a little more one-sided, but that's probably because I didn't have many FAPLA/Cuban veterans teaching me at school!

BaronVonWreckedoften wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 2:48 pm Interesting batrep; I'd always pictured such engagements being a little more one-sided, but that's probably because I didn't have many FAPLA/Cuban veterans teaching me at school!

The campaign is a classic case-study of how light mechanised forces with superior training, tactics and manoeuvrability can operate successfully against a heavier and more technologically-advanced, but less mobile and less well-trained foe. The USMC and FFL in particular paid VERY close attention.

But then the SADF weren't commanded by an incompetent like me...

I was always amazed at how SA could conscript kids and turn them into incredibly effective troops so quickly. It would be interesting to compare the effectiveness of the earlier conscripts who generally believed in the 'communists on the borders' tropes, and the later tranches who were much more disaffected from the regime. The other thing that went against conventional wisdom was the huge schism between 'English' and 'Dutch' conscripts, which didn't seem to affect their effectiveness as much as you would expect: Ek kan nie meer korporaal

I'm really liking the finish on those Peter Pig (& Timecast?) buildings. they're lovely little models, even in the various shades of khaki (beige really..) that I've used.

Shahbahraz wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:53 pm I was always amazed at how SA could conscript kids and turn them into incredibly effective troops so quickly. It would be interesting to compare the effectiveness of the earlier conscripts who generally believed in the 'communists on the borders' tropes, and the later tranches who were much more disaffected from the regime. The other thing that went against conventional wisdom was the huge schism between 'English' and 'Dutch' conscripts, which didn't seem to affect their effectiveness as much as you would expect: Ek kan nie meer korporaal

Yes, regardless of disgust for the SA regime, as with 1940s Germany there is a lot to be learned from how they turned a conscript army into a superb fighting force. That said, some of the propaganda, particularly with regards to the Parabats needs to be taken with a HUGE pinch of salt, though the performance of some units was astonishing and very difficult to replicate in wargames. For example, the mismatch in raw armour/gun performance between the Ratel 90 and T-54/55 is phenomenal, though training and morale tipped the balance in the Ratel's favour 9 times out of 10. There was also often a HUGE mismatch between SWAPO-PLAN guerrillas and those hunting them, but the hunters almost always won.

That said, quite a few of the SADF's best units were professional and/or black Africans who had no love for the other side. Be it the guerrilla-tracking specialists of 101 Bn, the anti-Communist ex-FNLA men of 32 Bn or the Khoi-San and Ovambo of the Modular Bns. There were also the Koevoet teams of the South West African Police.

A WIP update
https://wordpress.com/view/valleyboyinnz.wordpress.com

You've been incredibly productive.

What a busy boy! those look great.

How do you manage to be a doctor and do all this painting? Are you actually a meth pusher?

He hypnotises his patients and just puts a brush in their hands.....