Xangongo was the headquarters of SWAPO's "northwestern front." A South African military operation called "Operation Protea" occurred on August 23, 1981. Its aim was to destroy SWAPO in the Angolan towns of Xangongo and Ondjiva. It was very successful and significantly boosted the South African military operations against both SWAPO and the Angolan military. The bridge over the Cunene River was destroyed by SADF Special Forces and the town was held for many years by South Africa.Turton, A.R. 2010. Shaking Hands with Billy. Durban: Just Done Publications. http://www.shakinghandswithbilly.com At the end of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale the Fidel Castro 50th Brigade moved in and started harassing the withdrawing SADF forces, triggering Operation Excite/Hilti.Nortje, P. 2003. 32 Battalion. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. In response to this harassment the SADF mobilized 81 Armoured Brigade in Operation Desert Fox, designed to neutralize the Cuban 50th Division,Ramsden, Tim. 2009. Border-Line Insanity: A National Serviceman’s Story. Alberton: Galago. but this was not necessary because of the successful negotiations that ended the South African involvement in the Angolan Civil War.
