By the time the training centres were fully staffed and operational on 18-20 October, unnoticed by the world, Operation Savannah was already in full swing.
Internationally South Africa found itself completely isolated and the failure of its Operation Savannah left it "without a single crumb of comfort".
Viljoen was the senior SADF military official directing Operation Savannah in 1975.
The first significant post-war action of the Cape Town Highlanders took place in January 1976, during Operation Savannah.
Full intervention through Operation Savannah followed shortly afterwards.
This was the first tangible South African defeat of Operation Savannah.
It was extensively used in the early stages of the South African Border War, including Operation Savannah.
During the post-war period the Regiment was mobilised several times for duty in the South African Border War, including Operation Savannah.
The Regiment was mobilized together with most other the other units of 71 Brigade to serve in Southern Angola during Operation Savannah.
During the German occupation, Elven was the scene of the first airborne operation, dubbed Operation Savannah, on 15 March 1941.