When the Cold War came to Africa: Photographs show US-backed troops fighting Communists in 'South Africa's Vietnam war'

Photographs show how the Cold War spilled into the African bush as rival forces battled for control of Angola
They show troops from South Africa, which was supporting the Western-backed independence group UNITA
Fidel Castrol sent thousands of Cuban troops to back the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola
Conflict became a proxy war between the United States and Russia who were vying for Cold War supremacy

Fascinating pictures have emerged showing US-backed troops fighting Communists in what became known as 'South Africa's Vietnam War'.
Photographs show how the Cold War spilled into the African bush as rival forces battled for control of Angola.
In one picture, troops from the Western-backed National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) cross a river while another image shows rival soldiers from the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which was supported by Fidel Castrol's Cuba.
Images also show South African Olifant tanks moving into position ahead of a battle near the Cuito River in the late 1980s.
Castro sent tens of thousands of troops when oil-giant Angola became embroiled in a proxy war between the US and Russia who were vying for Cold War supremacy. At the same time, South Africa sent its own troops in to support UNITA rebels, who were backed by America.

The Angolan Civil War began in 1975 soon after the country gained independence from its former-colonial power, Portugal, and continued with interludes until 2002.
The conflict started as a power struggle between two former liberation movements, UNITA and MPLA. It soon became a Cold War struggle with the involvement of Cuba, USA and the Soviet Union.
The pictures have been released in an updated version of The War For Africa: Twelve Months That Transformed a Continent by Fred Bridgland who reported on the conflict for many years as a foreign correspondent.

It focuses on Cuban-South African fighting in Angola in 1987-88.
Images show UNITA general Demosthenes Chilingutila, a commander of 20 SA Brigade standing with two M-46 Russian artillery pieces and South African fighters gathered together with trucks preparing for battle.
Colour shots show troops climbing over a Russian-built Mi-8 assault helicopter used by the Angolan air force and UNITA men walking along the Benguela Railway.
The pictures have been released in an updated version of The War For Africa: Twelve Months That Transformed a Continent by Fred Bridgland who reported on the conflict for many years as a foreign correspondent.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4491842/Photos-backed-troops-fighting-Communists-Angola.html

Fascinating pictures have emerged showing US-backed troops fighting Communists in what became known as 'South Africa's Vietnam War'. South African Olifant tanks are pictured moving up to the frontline prior to a major battle near Angola's Cuito River in the late 1980s

Cuban 'Tanquistas' are pictured on a tank in Angola. Fidel Castro sent tens of thousands of troops when oil-giant Angola became embroiled in a proxy war between the United States and Russia who were vying for Cold War supremacy

Colour photos show troops from the Western-backed National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) crossing a river

South African Ratel tanks and rocket launchers cross a rover towards the end of the war. South Africa sent its own troops in to back UNITA rebels, backed by America

cristianisraeli:
The conflict became a proxy war between the United States and Russia who were vying for Cold War supremacy.

It has “tayed” since Amerika & Russia have both been using proxies to fight their geo-political battles - but since Russia represents “Freedom & Truth” while Amerika represents “slavery & mind-boggling Lies” ; therefore Russia Shall triumph!