<< 11

---

[21.04.2009 20:18:32] Max Gladkov
Hi Gert,

It is real pleasure and honor to see that so many South Africans feel and think the same way we do. If you don’t mind, I will translate your post into Russian – I am sure, the members of our organization and visitors of our website will be interested to visit your site and even contribute to it. And what do you think or know about what I’ve just written to Johan?
Best regards,

MG

---

[21.04.2009 20:08:35] Max Gladkov
Hi Johan,

How are you there? Happy to inform you that our website designers are already working on the “Useful Links” buttons, and yours is going to be among those on top of the list – many visitors of our site show tremendous interest to your work. By the way, I heard from one of them today that in one of your combat scenarios the Soviet T-54/55 tanks are mentioned, while the actual miniatures show T-62 vehicles. To the best of my knowledge, T-62 tanks were brought to Angola by the Cubans in the late years or even months of their involvement, but they have never ever been used by them in combat operations. Please let me know, if you have otherwise information.

Kind regards,

MG

---

[21.04.2009 20:01:46] Gert Minnaar
I heard about your website through Johan Schoeman ,a fellow South African , and wish to approach the Russian veterans of Angola in the same spirit of timeless honor and respect that fellow soldiers and veterans harbor for each other.

The dust has now long settled on the clashes in Angola between the South African forces and the Angolan forces and their compatriots , and those of us who survived that conflict did so by the grace of the Great Redeemer.

In South Africa we have recently established a veterans association for the 61 Mech Battalion Group veterans , a military unit that played a prominent role between 1979 and 1989 in the Border war in Namibia and Angola.

Our website at www.61Mech.org.za makes provision for the former foes to relate their stories and accounts of events , and it is important to hear what the other side had experienced at the time .This may bring us all to a better understanding of each other .

If there are Russian veterans of Angola that wish to contribute to our website by submitting a story about their experiences in Angola, we will be very grateful and honored by such contribution.

---

[21.04.2009 15:35:40] Andrei Polikanov
Hi Johan,
Sorry I couldn't reply you earlier.
I'll write a more detailed letter as soon as I recover from the ilness.
All Best,

Andrei

---

[14.04.2009 20:01:57] Johan Schoeman
Dear Max,

The photo exhibition sounds like a great idea! Its a pity that I will not be able to make it due to my professional committments (as well as economic considerations). Thanks for the invite though.... it would have been amazing to meet some of the Veterans and discuss things with them!

As to translating and publishing a book, you should get in touch with John Dovey of Just Done Productions (**Ссылка »***). They specialize in the publication of unusual material that is often not commercially viable, particularly Military History. He could advise you on what to do.

And thanks, I will load the photos with the references to Russian Angola Veterans’ Union (www.veteranangola.ru) into the article posted by Andrei.

Regards

Johan Schoeman
www.warinangola.com

---

[14.04.2009 08:44:56] Max Gladkov
Dear Johan,

Thank you for staying in touch. What you are saying is very important to me personally as well as to all of us – a couple of years ago, when visiting Cape Town, I bought a book that is one of my most favorite works of literature now. I mean “An Unpopular War” by J.H. Thompson (it was a great surprise to me finding out that the author is a lady). Your words about the SA National Servicemen just reinforce me in my intention to find ways to have this book translated into Russian. First of all because of the clear-cut parallels with the story of our soldiers in Afghanistan: they were also conscripted at the age of 18 to do a 2-year military service, and very rarely wanted to put their lives at risk for the ideas and ideals that had become quite questionable by that time.

Unfortunately this book does not promise to become a very successful commercial project in Russia, and I don’t think that the original publisher will be inclined to grant translation and publishing rights for free…

As to the photos, we normally allow using our website materials as long as there is an explicit reference to the source – Russian Angola Veterans’ Union (www.veteranangola.ru). Please, feel free to do so.

One more point – this summer (4-14 June) we are holding a photo exhibition devoted to our Angolan experience. If you are interested, it is a great time and opportunity to visit Moscow and meet Russian Angola veterans.

Kind regards,

MG

---

[14.04.2009 03:13:40] Johan Schoeman
Hi Andrei! No problem with your greeting at all! We are no longer enemies, and I hope we can be and remain friends...! Your viewpoint on the term 'suffering' certainly is interesting... we obvioulsy did not 'punish' you enough...;-)

Jokes aside, I think the difference lies in that you were probably all professional soldiers and your stint in Angola was probably seen both as an adventure and an opportunity to boost your career as a soldier.

We, on the other hand, comprised mostly of young National Servicemen (2 year conscription) and Civilian Force Members (another 12 years of 1-3 months duty after the two years were done), led by the Permanant Force Cadre of the SADF (the full-time soldiers). I myself was once a member of the PF (1980 - 1985) but spent most of my time either being trained and training National Servicemen. I did participate in a single operation in November, 1981 (Operation Daisy), when we attacked a SWAPO base in the Bambi area. It was only after I resigned that I was called up in 1987 for preparations for, and in 1988, the actual operation around Cuito (Operation Packer) as part of 82 SA Mech Bde, which comprised almost entirely of Civilian Force members up to the Bn and Regt Commanding Officers. We relieved all of the National Servicemen and most of the PF specialists (like OPOs) in the field during Feb/Mar 1988.

Even the junior leaders of 32 Bn comprised of National Servicemen leading the hardened ex-FNLA soldiers...

So while the PFs probably seen this as part of their career and wanted to be soldiers, the fact is that 95% of the SA forces comprised of young white men that were forced to be there, mostly directly after school, under the massive peer pressure from parents, authorities, and friends, that they are doing the 'right thing' by fighting Communism and the 'Red Onslaught'. This was their 'duty' because as whites they could vote, something which was not available to the others in South Africa. So for the sake of 'voting' the male minority had to go out and fight the minions (FAPLA and SWAPO) of the Red Bear! Most of the youngsters that saw action never even had the opportunity to vote themselves!

So my point is that most SADF soldiers did not enjoy being there, away from their loved ones, to carry the fight into another country in order to keep the 'enemy' out, and certainly did not see it or experience it as an adventure, hence the reference to 'suffering'.

While well trained, with a Esprit d'Corps second to none, and a fierce Afrikaner and English pride, these young men stood their ground and 'did their bit' for their country, however misguided it may well have been. That is why most white SA men of my generation will always remember and refer to our time in the Army with pride... and we do think back on it as one hell of an adventure, but not something we wish on any of our own sons!

I, myself, enjoyed the interaction with the UNITA soldiers that were assigned to protect my little team of three, and we did our bit to teach them English (and us to learn a bit of Portuguese) during our three month stint. So I understand your love of that beautiful country and its people. It is fantastic that now we can visit that country freely and enjoy what it has to offer! One day I hope to be able to visit Russia as well and meet with some of you guys too...!

Thanks for the information on the Russian casualties, Andrei.... Thats what I deducted from all I read as well. I am sorry that the circumstances led to their deaths, but conversely I also lost five members of my Battery through the years, people I knew personally... Boss&#232; (18), Bezuidenhout (18), Engelbrecht(19), and Van der Westhuizen(22), as well as my Bty Commanding Officer during 1982, Cmdt (then Major) Johann Durandt, who was the OPO in the Bosbok Recce plane that was shot down with a SA-8 in September 1987. May they all rest in peace!

Max, Andrei, may I load the photos you refer to on the www.warinagola.com site as well? I am sure the users of my site will appreciate the gesture and honour your casualties as well.

Andrei, you mentioned that you were in 59 Brigade... During my stint at Cuito, I manned an OPO post a few hundred metres south of the HQ bunkers of the 59 Brigade positions after it was driven out during 14 Feb 1988. In fact, I went inside the bunker which was described to me by UNITA as the Russian advisors' bunker... very impressive, I may add! From this position, about 13km directly east of Cuito, on the Chambinga highground, we had an incredible view of the entire Tumpo and Cuito areas from the observation tree (what I refer to as the 'highest tree on the highest ground' east of Cuito). I manned this position for 43 days, untill our recall on about the 9-12th of May 1988. I think I relieved the PF OPO at this position directly after the attack on the Tumpo Triangle of 28th Feb 1988.

All the best,

Johan Schoeman
www.warinangola.com

---

[08.04.2009 02:38:41] Andrei Polikanov
Hi Johan,
I hope I can greet you this way.
I do understand the privacy problem and do respect their attitude.
Your phrase that your \"brothers in arms\" \"are trying to forget the sufferings of a past war\" did touch me deeply. I never felt it this way and would never refer to that time as \"suffering\" though. Moreover I rarely use the word \"war\" when I mean my stay in two missions in Angola - my 1st war experience was back in 1982-83 in Mulondo, Cunene province, 19 INF Brigade. My brain knows that that was the real war - air assaults, ambushes, napalm, bullets flying, trenches, mines, shrapnel over your head, death of my comrades, you mention this. On the other hand my heart says that at that time I was young and happy. Thanks God, I loved my both stays in Angola. Not exactly your 155 mm shells or 2,500 pound bombs exploding next to my shelter. But I loved the people I lived and worked with and trained, new country, new culture.
Sorry perhaps I am too long
As far as I know two Russian advisors were killed in Cuito in 1987:
September 26, Oleg Snitko, Junior Lieutenant, interpreter with the 21st INF Brigade (picture # 289 in our photogallery/фотогалерея, Oleg is on the second raw standing, 3d from left, with # 1116),
November 27, Andrei Gorb, Colonel, Chief of the Mobilization Department of the 6th Military Region (Quando-Qubango), (picture # 295 in the photogallery, Andrei is in the center).
Several advisors were also wounded.
That is all for the moment,

All Best,

Andrei

---

[07.04.2009 23:59:30] Johan Schoeman
Thanks, Max and Andrei!

Max, I\'m sure your visits to South Africa were not your last and I sincerely hope to be able to meet with you on the next one...

Thank you both for registering on www.warinangola.com. It would be great to see you guys log in and visit the site occasionally, just to make sure I am getting all the facts for my refight scenarios straight...;-)

I will soon be able to put some real names to the FAPLA forces and may even field a Russian Advisory Team or two in some scenarios! I will have to work out what should (would have?) happen(ed) when South African forces encounter these Advisors....

Please feel free to participate in the Forums on my site and please encourage your members to do the same. Please ask if you need some information on any aspect. I will do what I can to find out if I don\'t know the answers. And when we ask some stupid questions about Russian equipment and its effectiveness, feel free to respond and inform us of the facts. I have even created an anonymous forum for unregistered guests to post some questions and answers - I see someone (Anon) already posted a question on this forum about the numbers of advisors attached to the brigades and casualties amongst them. If you have this information available, please forward it to me or reply to the post directly... I would also like to know this for incorporation into my scenarios.

Andrei, I wish I am able to get all the parties involved in the battles to participate here, but most of these guys are lying very low or are trying to forget the sufferings of a past war. I personally knew and trained with some of the guys that were your direct adversaries during the time you were there. Most of the OPO\'s did their OPO training with me, or assisted in our training. I\'ll refrain from using their names in an open post (they may value their privacy), but hopefully I can eventually get them to join in.

Max, feel free to create that link! Although my visitors statistics have already indicated a big increase in visitors from your side of the world - something I can only attribute to my having contacted the Veterans of Angola!

Just something about wargaming.... It is entirely possible to create fictitious scenarios such as a direct encounter between real Russian forces (say a brigade) deployed in Angola and a South Africa force... or the South Africans taking on the entire Cuban 50th Division!

I am also contactable through the Contact Us page on my site. If I am at the office (which is mostly late at night (GMT+2), you will be able to chat directly to me using the embedded Yahoo Messenger Pingbox(tm). Please try it....

Regards

Johan Schoeman
www.warinangola.com

---

[06.04.2009 00:04:13] Andrei Polikanov
Dear Johan,
Thanks a lot for your answer and the invitation to join your site, which I will definitely do.
I am pretty sure we do have a lot of information to exchange and I think we shall be able to help you out with your project of the \'refights\' of the battles in Cuito.
My personal interest in this exchange is that I want to now better the people I could have been good friends with under other circumstances.
All best
Andrey

---

[05.04.2009 12:22:41] Max Gladkov
Dear Johan,

I wish we set up this English Guestbook earlier – I visited South Africa twice in the past couple of years. It would have been great meeting you there. On my second visit I arrived in Cape Town with terrible toothache. Ironically, in Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital I was treated by a dentist who had served on the Border as an ops medic in 1987-1988 – exactly the years when I was in Angola.

Your idea to launch a forum sounds really great. If you do not mind, I will create a direct link to your website for our visitors who do not read in Russian.

Regards,

MG

---

[04.04.2009 22:27:52] Johan Schoeman
Dear Andrei and Max,

Thank you for your kind feedback and welcome. Obviously I was a bit hesitant to make contact with my previous so called 'enemies', but I am now glad and relieved that we can continue to discuss the events openly.

Andrei, to answer your question: I was only deployed as part of the relieving SA 82 Mech Brigade that took over late Feb/early March until early May 1988. So it sounds like we were not actually facing each other in the same period, although some of your comrades may have been in Cuito then...

We really need to exchange a lot of information, I'd say. Especially from the view of what I currently do with the 'refights' of the battles in Cuito... I would like to get the ORBATS and names of people involved as accurately as possible in the scenarios I draw up.

For this puprose Id like to suggest that we duplicate this topic both here in this guestbook (for your members) as well as in a specific forum on www.warinangola.com for the members of my site.

We can continue discussions here and I will simply duplicate them in my forums. For this puprose, could I request that you actually register on warinangola.com? I will then post your messages on your behalf, without you having to do it on both.

PS. If any of your members ever get to visit South Africa, please ask them to make contact with me... I would love to have some coffee with them!

Regards
Johan

---

[04.04.2009 02:53:02] Andrei Polikanov
Dear Johan,
I am very sorry I haven't replied to you letter you sent to my apolikanov gmail address last month.
You were an Artillery Observer on the Cuito Cuanavale front line, right? What was the year? The point is that I was a military interpreter in C.C. from late October 1987 thru early February 1988 and twice was assigned to FAPLA anti-artillery mobile groups aiming at destroying SADF G-5/G-6 artillery groups.
Kind Regards,
Andrei

---

[03.04.2009 21:43:40] Max Gladkov
To Johan Schoeman

Thank you very much for your feedback, and for posting a link, too. It means that our idea to set up an English Guestbook was not bad at all. I truly believe that today it is really good time for us all, from both sides, to look impartially at the events of those days, and do our best to make sure that there are no more reasons for us to be on opposing sides.

Kind regards,

MG

---

[03.04.2009 18:45:47] Johan Schoeman
As an ex-SADF Artillery Observer that was deployed at Cuito Caunavale, it is so refreshing to read an original account of the battles as experienced by the "other side"....

Please do more of the same...

Igor Zhdarkin's book is truly an amazing and informative document!

I have posted a link on my War In Angola website (<a href="**Ссылка »***;) and asked visitors to also please sign your English Guestbook while they are visiting your informative website...

---

[02.04.2009 02:40:01] Andrei
Hi Robert!
How are you?
All best
Andrei

---

[31.03.2009 11:26:20] Robert D. im
Hi all!

---

[27.03.2009 21:55:46] Max Gladkov
Dear Visitors,

The book of memoirs "We did not see it even in Afghanistan" by Igor Zhdarkin, one of the most prominent veterans of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale is now available in English. Please use the following URL: **Ссылка »***

We welcome any comments and questions as long as they are not racist in nature.

Kind regards,

MG

---

<< 11

Your name*:
Your message*:
Please add 1 to this number* :