Legacy Conversations - Ops Sceptic - Perspectives on the Smokeshell Base Attack

SADF Ratel IFVs attacked an enemy base called "Smokeshell" during Ops Sceptic on 10 July 1980 in Southern Angola. Three vehicles were shot out almost immediately and a running battle for survival started. 32Bn was there in the background and in this episode two members, Peter Williams and Gavin Myburgh tells their side of the events to 61 Mech Veteran and Legacy Host, Andrew Whitaker, who was also at Smokeshell Base. If you have questions for our panel, please leave them below. Subscribe and activate the bell to be informed of new episodes.
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[@garethrutherford]

Hearing this account in context with the sceptic sweep is very interesting to hear about 42 years after the event. Thanks to everyone.

[@deniscoyne5671]

Thank you guys, I had no idea about 32 Battalions involvement in Sceptic. Huge respect for 32 💪💯

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

Denis, it’s something I only learnt about fairly recently, in fact when Peter asked to join our Smokeshell group. But even then I was unaware of the intensity of their involvement

[@fthedems7547]

Also one Parabat company was operating with 32 as 54 Batallion doing area ops etc. near the target OC was Kmdt Anton v Graan

[@Cee0624]

Great respect... Epic contribution.

[@hennies9509]

An absolute amazing eye opener interview from the guys on the ground reliving the ordeals they had to endure. Thank you for what you did, first of all for each other and secondly for your country. I remember each night how the names of the fallen was read over the news and me as a youngster having a nauseating feeling in my stomach. We were 2 brothers in the house and I could see the look on my moms face each time it was read, there was silence in our house. Luckily both of the brothers came back and me with an injury. I can tell you one thing, even Sargeant Majors kept quiet when my mom spoke and wanted to know how her son was. RIP to those that did not make it back and a salute to the others. Maatjies moet saamwerk en saamstaan lol!!!

[@kempvdwesthuizen9245]

What an interesting episode. Thanx guys for sharing, enjoyed it very much. Thank you once again for what you are doing Koos

[@garethrutherford7686]

The tiffies were incredible andvi saw them right up on the front line in front of the medical teams.. operating under fire they recovered our damaged vehicles. They had huge towing trucks and were able to patch together disabled vehicles on the contact area. I mentioned this in my vivid and exacting diary written during the aftermath of battle. Brave amazing tiffies..

[@douglaslombard8371]

I was a one of the technical asst fire control for the gunners artillery and glad that smokeshell wasnt swept under the carpet Frank

[@orca2162]

I remember Peter from 1 SWA, fond memories

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

Just as an interesting aside, Gavin and I were at school together and this was the first time we had met since 1977

[@fthedems7547]

Just to get perspective 1SAI in battle groups 61 and 1zero ratels attacked the 13 targets of Smokeshell over 45squre Km's and 1 Parachute Bn did the mopping up.32Bn was used to clear the route towards the targets and Jordaans group D&E Coys was used to attack east of the actual targets

[@andrewwhitaker7313]

Originally Parabats were to be dropped in as a stopper group but chopper fuel never arrived. They assisted in the mopping up.

[@fthedems7547]

Correct there where 6 stopper groups total of 168 men and also one company was grouped with 32 as 54 Bn to fo area ops near Mulemba

[@fthedems7547]

According to Genral Alexander episode 4 Parachute Batallion after mopping up were detached from 61 mech and was added to battlegroup One Zero of Serfontein who were then involved in many other attacks on other targets like Mongua etc

[@pauldanos6917]

Respect guys

[@WschweigerW]

I was there.

[@AW-rj6qf]

Salute / Saluut.

[@chrismoll6862]

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