[2]: 24  South Africa, at this time under the rule of the Apartheid regime, refused to recognize this decision and no substantial moves towards independence for the territory were made.

[2]: 24 In September 1965, the first group of SWAPO insurgents (numbering only about seven men) moved across the thinly guarded Angola/SWA border and began attacking targets in northern South West Africa.

Incidentally, this was the only semi-permanent camp established by SWAPO on South West African soil for the duration of the conflict.

[1]: 43 On the 26th of August 1966, seven Alouette III helicopters, each carrying a six man assault team, took off from Ruacana and flew north towards Ongulumbashe.

The helicopters deposited the combined force of South African police and paratroops at pre-determined locations around the camp.