"Operation 53 - In Search of the Holy Grail"

On 23 March 1988, a tank with the call sign 53 got stuck in a minefield in the 3rd attack on Tumpo (Cuito Cuanavale, Angola), and it was abandoned.

The intention was to go back and recover the tank, but the Angolans captured it, before this could be done.

It is understood that it was taken to the Cuito River, where a GSP55 (Russian amphibious vehicle) was supposed to take it across the river. This could not be done, as it was too heavy.

The tank disappeared into thin air, and became the Holy Grail of the Angolan, Mozambican and African Relics FaceBook group.

On 11 October 2013, the search for the Holy Grail began, and had all engrossed trying to find it. On 14 August 2014, almost 27 years after being captured, the Holy Grail was found.

This Trip Report covers the planning of the journey, the execution (5 – 18 March 2015) of the intended visit to 53, the trials, tribulations, mud, sweat and tears.