Chronological Listing of Angolan
Losses & Ejections

Cuban sources deny the loss, stating the pilot "landed safely" back in the base...

On 9th August 1984 a pair from the 9th Fighter-Training Squadron and four MiG-23MLs led by Maj. Antonio Rojas - became lost during a training flight in bad weather, with result that a MiG-21bis, a MiG-23UB (flown by Maj. Marrero), and two MiG-23MLs crashed, while two other MiG-23MLs made emergency landings in Luena.

Enjoyed looking at Cuban involvement and losses in Angola, which is one of my many little interests, for very personal
reasons.

What caught my eye on your list of Mig losses was the loss of Mig 23ML flown by Capt. Juan Rodriguez on 15 Feb 1988 near Cuito Cuanavale.

At that time I was sitting in a command Ratel as an SADF Corporal as part of the intelligence team during the 2nd assault on the Cuito bridgehead. We received a radio message that a Mig23 had been shot down by their own forces (and had crashed into (or near) the Cuito River. What apparently happened was that the South African G5 artillery had fired white Phos [phosphorous]* rounds into the Angolan positions, which as was known was a target marker for the Angolan Air Force. Apparently the Mig attacked this smoke, assuming this was the line of SADF and Unita advance, was warned by radio from his side that these were own forces but persisted in further runs and was, after being warned off again, shot down by hisforces. This was the gist of the message we received from what I assume came from the SAAF radio intercept crew at the Tac Hq, who had a number of Spanish speaking translators(Chilean!) with them, monitoring Angolan Air frequencies. If I recall correctly, this incident would have occurred around noon of that day, when we had almost reached the bridge head (about 6-8 km from the river) before we withdrew later that day.

Its been a long time ago, but those events are locked into my memory as if it happened yesterdy. I can only say this is what I recall and it would be interesting if you have any other feedback from other sources
re this incident.

20 SAAF (and SADF) intercepts were very good, we monitored their flights (Comms) from takeoff to landing back at Menongue. In fact this is how we had most of our advance warning (15 min, if I recall correctly) to get all washing off the line and stop all vehicle movements etc.

Other advance warning was from Reconnaissance Commando team lying in hide outs near Menongue. No doubt the Migs were flown by competent pilots but, lucky for us, they were largely ineffective in carrying out any successful attacks. Apparently they fielded a 1 percent success rate, ie 1 mission successful in 100 flown - not overly brilliant.

Hope this is of interest to you, again, I can only repeat what I remember, whether this is the" truth" or actual fact I cannot say.

Kind regards,

Dietmar Wesemann
in email 26th February 2011

*" .   .   . the G5 was a South African quality product, 155mm long range howitzer (range 40 km) which were firing white Phosperous (and other rounds) into the Angolan positions. This was a deliberate ploy to confuse the Angolan/Cubans. And it worked, as the MiG attacked its own positions after seeing the white phos smoke. The Angolan/Cuban then shot it down, I don't know with what ordinance - could have been SAM 7, any assortment of AAA, SAM 8 or 9 systems, they had a whole arsenal of Eastern Block weaponery."

Monday
10th august 2005
06:50
check date

Crashed on  during its landing on Luena runway, in eastern Moxico province.

FURTHER DETAILS APPRECIATED