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.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Operation 53 - The Planning | 3.34 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 1 | 1.09 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 2 | 749.14 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 4 | 813.08 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 5 | 1.29 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 6 | 1.08 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 7 | 933.6 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 8 | 1.79 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 9 | 780.56 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 10 | 978.22 KB |
Day 4 Trip Report: Kamanjab to Ratel 72
This is where the trip starts getting interesting...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz9JVi_3lhiNSGVvYU5ldVktTmM/view?usp=sharing
Video Footage: Finding Ratel 72
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz9JVi_3lhiNZXhxTmxHQkFJYVk/view?usp=sharing
When viewing this footage, spare a moment for Dolores O'Riordan, too!
Ja ek is maar 'n emotionele…
Ja ek is maar 'n emotionele outjie en kry trane in my oë as ek hierdie video' s sien. Baie dankie, dit is die beste! 
Baie dankie vir al jou moeite om dit te dokumenteer en dat jy dit met ons deel.
A kindred spirit...
Yes, I still get goose bumps when I think back to this journey...
Emotional moment to see the…
Emotional moment to see the video. Thanks for sharing.
Ja broer so is die lewe. Ek…
Ja broer so is die lewe.
Ek kan my nie indink, wat deur jou gedgtes gaan op daai oomblik nie.
Baie dankie vir die deel, ek is nou 'n tweede keer hier deur en gaan dit vorentoe weer deur gaan.
Johann maak so en bring hom…
Johann maak so en bring hom sommer weer vorentoe sodat ons ander ook weer kan onthou
Hallo Tosen. Ek het nogal…
Hallo Tosen. Ek het nogal gewonder hoe was julle Sondela Cruiser dag gewees saam met die Operation 53 presentasie? 
Land Cruiser Festival 2018 Presentation
Voortrekker, thanks for the enquiry.
I spoke to a number of people, who expressed an interest, but none arrived for the three allocated slots.
Yes, I am still available to do a presentation on request.
Lekker gelees
Finally had some time over the weekend to read the trip reports. Well planned and well written. Thanks for sharing.
Op 'n heel ander noot - 'n R1 was vir my 'n wonderlike wapen. So nie omgee as ek vandag een kon besit nie. Is ook seker ek sal hom vandag nog in die donker kan uitmekaar haal en weer aanmekaar sit.
Johan K ek was te laat vir …
Johan K ek was te laat vir 'n R 1, en het met' n R4 gespeel. 21 sekondes, wonder of ek sal weet wat om met hom te maak as hy nou voor my neergesit word?
Puik puik
Lekke gelees en gekyk puik