Blowback S6 Episode 9 - "Something Big and Bloody"
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Feb 9, 2026 A deep dive into the climactic fighting around Cuito Cuanavale and how it reshaped southern African politics. Coverage of Cuban reinforcement choices and tensions with the Soviet Union. Accounts of South African military plans and the bloody turning points that altered momentum. Exploration of how battlefield stalemate forced diplomacy and influenced liberation movements.
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Soviet Advice Misfires
- Angola's Operation Salute to October initially advanced toward Mavinga but overextended without accounting for South African intervention.
- Soviet-advised tactics invited Pretoria's counterattack, turning the offensive into a costly reversal.
Castro Acts Independently
- Fidel Castro independently decided to send more troops and modern hardware to Angola without consulting Moscow.
- Havana prioritized decisive military action to pressure South Africa, straining Cuban-Soviet relations.
Air Superiority Shifts The Balance
- Cuban air power seized air superiority at Cuito Cuanavale, disrupting South African resupply and operations.
- The defensive Cuban victory there became a psychological turning point despite being tactically defensive.