SADF mass airborne drops

[Stevin]

I'm guessing drops might only really be viable if ground defences have been neutralized? Can't imaging a drop where a SAM drills you 50km from the green light.

As a side note, US Army Rangers. Their main mission set is still air drops to capture air fields. So the US Army still sees a need I guess.

[paulnb]

My book 'We Conquer from Above - The History of 1 Parachute Battalion' states the last operational parachute drop of the Border War was executed in Angola by two companies of 1 Para Bn in May 1988. It comprised a cordon and sweep operation. The operation was called 'Pineapple'. I have not heard of this operation at all.

[Zuku]

The operation was called 'Pineapple'. I have not heard of this operation at all.

Me too. This is what I like of this forum, Always something new to learn.

According to internet

Operation Pineapple was a South African Defence Force (SADF) operation conducted in May 1988 during the Angolan Border War/Bush War. It is significant as the last official, full-scale parachute drop of the conflict. It occurred in the latter stages of the war as the SADF, under pressure, prepared for a final phase of combat against SWAPO and FAPLA/Cuban forces.

Context: Operation Pineapple took place in May 1988, towards the end of the conflict that culminated in the 1988 Tripartite Accord, which involved the withdrawal of foreign forces from Angola and independence for Namibia.
Action: It was the final operational parachute drop of the Bush War, involving 44 Parachute Brigade, which was placed on high alert and reorganized in early 1988 to manage the unstable situation in Angola.
Significance: While much of 1988 involved heavy fighting, such as at Cuito Cuanavale and the SWA/Angolan border (Operation Prone/Pact), Operation Pineapple was one of the specific, named parachute insertions conducted in that final, intense phase.

Operation Pineapple was part of a larger series of, at times, desperate, high-stakes military actions designed to secure the SADF's tactical position before the diplomatic end to the conflict.

[Tango Sierra]

Interesting, I'd never heard of 'Pineapple' either.

[oafpatroll]

Interesting, I'd never heard of 'Pineapple' either.

I recently listened to Des Latham's excellent podcast series on the border wars and don't remember it being covered there either.