On 9 March 1982, ten SADF South African Special Forces Brigade soldiers ("Recces") dressed in PLAN uniforms launched a reconnaissance mission near Iona, based on intelligence they had gathered about SWAPO operations in the area.

[2]: 159  A standby force consisting of a platoon from 32 Battalion and two Alouette gunships stood ready to react when required.

A heated firefight erupted, that was joined at this time by 32 Battalion and an Alouette helicopter gunship fitted with 20 mm cannon.

A helicopter-borne assault involving 40 members of 32 Battalion was launched on 12 March; however, the attack had to be aborted at the last minute due to thunderstorm activity that limited visibility.

However, scouts positioned around the area reported no movement out the valley, so a second attack was launched at dawn the following day, 13 March.

[2]: 160 The guerrillas had built their camp in the bottom of the valley flanked by high ground on either side.,[2]: 160  a factor that played strongly against them in the ensuing 18-hour battle.

The battle lasted over seven hours by which time the soldiers of 32 Battalion resorted to using enemy weapons as they began to run out of ammunition.