Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

August 14, 1987 · Battle site

Angolan and Cuban forces defended the town of Cuito Cuanavale against UNITA and South African forces. Both sides claimed victory, and the fighting led to talks on Namibian independence and the withdrawal of Cuban troops.

On the map Contemporaries

UNITA

Angola

UNITA

South Africa

Angola

Cuba

African National Congress

Soviet Union

East Germany

North Korea

Vietnam

Magnus Malan military commander Demosthenes Amos Chilingutila military commander Arlindo Pena Ben-Ben military commander

Pyotr Gusev military commander António dos Santos França military commander

Ulises Rosales del Toro military commander

Strength and losses

South Africa Deaths 38 · Wounded 90 · Tanks 13 · Aircraft 4 · Aircraft lost 2

UNITA Killed 3,000

Cuba Wounded 70 · Tanks lost 6 · Aircraft lost 6

Soviet Union Deaths 3–4 · Wounded 5