Modern African Wars (3): South-West Africa by Helmoed-Romer Heitman
This book details the organization and equipment of the armies engaged in the various wars in South Africa, involving such forces as the South Africa Defence Force, the Cubans, the Angolan Army and various geurilla units. The end of World War II signalled the beginning of a process of de-colonization for most of the European nations. This book argues that few areas of the world have suffered as much from this process as south-west Africa. Since the end of the war this area has been the arena for a series of conflicts first between the Portuguese and popular liberation movements, then after the Portuguese withdrawal between the various factions and groups as they fought for overall control of the area. The Marxist MPLA eventually emerged as the government of Angola and the other main forces were forced by Cuban-backed government troops to retreat into the bush and continue the war. Since then FAPLA and UNITA along with the SADF have been involved in continuous warfare against the Angolan government and their Cuban backers in both Namibia and Angola. This book offers detailed descriptions of all the organizations involved in these conflicts.