Strategy & Tactics #290: Angola – Cold War Struggle in Africa is an operational-level, two-player wargame simulating the decisive 1987–88 campaign in the Angolan Civil War. This was one of the largest and most complex battles of the Cold War era, marked by massive foreign intervention from Cuba and South Africa, large-scale armoured engagements, and the final act of a long-running proxy war between East and West.

• Historical Background: During the height of the Cold War, Angola became a crucial battleground for competing ideologies. The Marxist MPLA government, supported by Cuban troops and Soviet equipment, clashed with the Western-aligned UNITA movement, aided by the South African Defence Force. The campaign of 1987–88 saw both sides launch sweeping offensives that culminated in some of the largest armoured battles in Africa since World War II.
• Gameplay & Objectives: Each player controls multiple factions and military forces, including regular armies, guerrilla fighters, and foreign contingents. The goal is to seize territory, destroy enemy forces, and secure political control of Angola. The game’s command-control mechanics, based on the acclaimed “Boots” system, capture the complexity and coordination challenges of multi-faction warfare.
• Scale & System: Each hex represents approximately 31 miles (50 km) of terrain, encompassing all of Angola and border regions of Namibia (then South-West Africa) and Zaire. Units range from battalions and brigades (300 to 3,000 troops) to cadres and elite detachments representing special forces. Each game turn equals one month of operations, giving a sweeping yet detailed view of the campaign.
• Design & Play Style: Angola is a tense blend of strategic planning and operational execution. Players must manage logistics, air support, and coordination between diverse forces while dealing with the fog of war. Armoured columns, Cuban air units, South African commandos, and Angolan infantry all clash in a dynamic simulation of Cold War-era conventional warfare.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour map depicting Angola and surrounding regions
• 228 die-cut counters representing Cuban, South African, Angolan, and insurgent forces
• Operational-level rules using the refined “Boots” command-control system
• Low-to-intermediate complexity — ideal for fans of modern and Cold War conflicts

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Battalion / Brigade
Hex: 31 Miles (50 km)
Turn: 1 Month

Gameplay Focus: Angola – Cold War Struggle in Africa delivers a powerful recreation of one of the Cold War’s most dramatic proxy conflicts. Command Cuban tank brigades and Angolan divisions against elite South African mobile forces and UNITA guerrillas in a struggle that shaped southern Africa’s modern history.

Strategy & Tactics #290: Angola provides a rare look into a forgotten chapter of 20th-century warfare — a clash of superpower ambitions fought under the African sun. The game’s accessible mechanics, combined with deep historical grounding, make it an essential addition to any modern conflict wargame collection.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s trusted source for historical wargames, strategy titles, and military simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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