Introduction to AK47 Rules: Angola/Border War

This scenario represents some of the nature of the fighting between the Marxist governing
party’s (MPLA) armed forces (FAPLA) and the South African backed insurgency (UNITA) in
Angola in the mid to late eighties.

FAPLA was supplied with Soviet and Eastern Bloc manufactured weaponry and was
supported by Cuban, Soviet and Eastern Bloc advisors and specialists. FAPLA could
generally beat UNITA in a straight fight but, as guerrillas, this was something UNITA went to
some lengths to avoid.

A pattern developed in the campaign season whereby FAPLA would launch a ground
offensive aimed at eliminating UNITA strongholds and UNITA would fall back on its base
area in remote south eastern Angola, whereupon South African forces would intervene and
force FAPLA back.

Battle #1 is a confrontation between a FAPLA armoured column and UNITA forces. UNITA is
the defender (despite having more political manoeuvre points) and whilst airstrikes, artillery,
entrenchments and barbed wire have been left out of the scenario for simplicity UNITA can
employ an ambush and its mortars may use smoke.

Battle #2 pits FAPLA against a South African (SADF) mechanised column. FAPLA has
brought up some artillery support and the South Africans can call upon an airstrike. FAPLA
is the attacker and so the SADF may employ an ambush.
Orders of Battle

Battle #1

UNITA 800 pts

C in C: 25 pts

Political Manouevre: 79 pts

Unit 1: Special Forces/Mercenaries Professional

4 x Jeeps with HMGs

2 x Jeeps with Recoilless Rifles

3 x Small Arms Groups

1 x RPG Group

268 pts

Unit 2: Regular Technicals

5 x Pick Up Trucks with HMG

1 x Pick Up Truck with AA Gun

157 pts

Unit 3: Mortar Battery Regular

4 x Mortars
1 x Unimog Truck

145 pts

Unit 4: Infantry Militia

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG

63 pts

Unit 5: Infantry Militia

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG

63 pts
FAPLA 800 pts

C in C: 25 pts

Political Manouevre: 29 pts

Unit 1: Armoured Platoon Regular

3 x T55 Tanks with standard gun

1 x ZSU 23(4) ‘Shilka’

220 pts

Unit 2 Armoured Platoon Regular

3 x T55 Tanks with standard gun

180 Points

Unit 3 Special Forces

3 x Jeeps with HMG

1 x Jeep with Recoilless Rifle

3 x Small Arms Groups

186 Points

Unit 4 Infantry Platoon Militia (stiffened to Regular)

1 x Prof Small arms

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG

80 pts

Unit 5 Infantry Platoon Militia (stiffened to Regular)

1 x Prof Small arms

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG

80 pts
Battle #2

SADF 800 pts

C in C: 25 pts

Political Manoeuvre: 32 pts

1 x Airstrike 50 pts

Unit 1: Tank Troop Regular

3 x Oliphants (Tank with newer gun)

198 pts

Unit 2: Infantry Platoon Regular

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG
90pts

Unit 3: Infantry Platoon Regular

6 x Small Arms
3 x RPG
3 x Buffalo APC with HMG
195 pts

Unit 4: Support Platoon Regular

2 x HMG
2 x Recoilless Rifles
3 x Mortars
2 x Unimog Trucks
90 pts

Unit 5: Recce Troop Regular

3 x Eland Armoured Cars

120 pts
FAPLA 800 pts

C in C: 25 pts

Political Manoeuvre: 49 pts

2 x Artillery Bombardments 50 pts

Unit 1: Tank Platoon Regular

3 x T55 (Tank with standard gun)

180 pts

Unit 2:

3 x T55 (Tank with standard gun)

180 pts

Unit 3: Infantry Platoon Militia (Stiffened)

6 x Small Arms (militia)

3 x RPG (militia)
1 x Cuban advisor with small arms (professional)
80 pts

Unit 4: Infantry Platoon Militia (Stiffened)

6 x Small Arms (militia)

3 x RPG (militia)
1 x Cuban advisor with small arms (professional)
80 pts

Unit 5: Cuban Special Forces Professional

3 x Technicals with HMG

3 x Small Arms
156 pts