Episode 46 – The attack on Smokeshell leaves 17 dead – the largest SADF loss in a single day’s combat since 1945

This is episode 46 and its June 10th 1980 and Commandant Dippenaar’s Combat Group 61, that huge convoy of 151 vehicles, had drawn up to the East of the main target of Operation Sceptic. That was a group of more than a dozen facilities grouped together and the codenamed Smokeshell. Last episode we heard how Dippenaar had broken up his assault force into six combined armed combat teams for the coming attack. 1,2 and 3 were to launch directly from the east to the west, while teams 4 and 5 were deployed as stopper groups on the Western Side. Teams 1 and 3 moved in first just after 13h00 hours and they found that the defenders in the north had disappeared. They came to the erroneous conclusion that SWAPO had fled instead of wanting to fight. In a moment Team 2 were going to find the assault a different kettle of fish entirely. OR perhaps a can of worms is the better analogy. Team 1 wondered off track and ended up north of their target – 800m to be exact, whereas Team 3 were right on their selected facility but it was empty of PLAN troops who had withdrawn so quickly, they left several anti-aircraft guns behind. This further reinforced the perception that SWAPO had run away. Team 1 eventually located their target which was deserted and made sure the trenches and bunkers to the north were empty, then regrouped. Some of the fleeing SWAPO fighters were spotted and a firefight broke out, six SWAPO were killed. Meanwhile Team 2 which was led by Captain Louis Harmse and comprised of B Company of mechanized infantry, supported by Ratel 90s and mortars were heading directly towards the main southern end of this network of bases at Smokeshell. We’ll hear a lot more about Captain Harmse in coming episodes – unfortunately he was to join his father in the pantheon of those who were to give their lives fighting for their beliefs.