Near Nkongo Ovamboland. After passing a waterhole near a village his platoon was ambushed. Some soldiers were still drawing water. Appelgryn and Victor where hit. Recoilless rifles were used and vehicles, so this was no small enemy force. Three quarters of the platoon were wounded. Appelgryn was hit in the shoulder and the round hit his shoulderblade and went into his lungs. When his mate got to him he told him to leave him and to help the more badly wounded chaps. He died shortly after.

This incident was 54 battalion which was 5 SAI BN. We operated from Nkongo, Elundu and Eenhana. Ops Intel was over 45 enemy attacking divided into 3 flanks. A very bad day.

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou ?n groep van die Verkennings Kommando?s, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in ?n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen ?n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur ?n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit ?n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook ?n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in ?n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm ?n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel ?Vingers? Kruger met ?n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met ?n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met ?n LMG, Gary Walker met ?n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in ?n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet ?n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op ?n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur ?n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter ?n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met ?n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan ?n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. ?Ek het my hand by die werk in ?n ongeluk seergemaak? sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op ?n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook ?n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

Baadie was tragically killed when the Caspir he was travelling in rolled on the road from Ombalantu to Ondangwa.I spoke with him the night before the accident. He was Bravo Coy, 1 Parachute Battalion. 

RIP Baadie   

De Brug - Shooting insident - Accident

Military Vehicle Accident.

Listed as "Bango, C." on Klapperkop

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, # 132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted. None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived. The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

Cpl Basson died after suffering serious burns in a mortar attack (phosper) His family was from Namibia but he attended school in Paarl

Died of wounds - died after suffering serious burns in a mortar attack (Phosphor) - Etale - Freak accident

A number of ex-Rhodesian soldiers, now serving with the SADF since Zimbabwean independence, were located in camps in the Northern Transvaal. The SADF recruited and trained these men, primarily for sabotage operations designed to destroy infrastructure, damage the economy and undermine the military capacity of Zimbabwe's armed forces.

This series of planned operations, called Operation Drama, had the objective of ensuring that the new Zimbabwe government did not provide concrete support to the ANC and PAC in their armed struggles.

Sgt Robert Trevor Beech was a member of a team of 18 SADF soldiers, sent into Zimbabwe on a clandestine mission. They were ambushed by the Zimbabwean army 40 miles inside Matabeleland, and three men, including Sgt Beech, were killed in the ensuing fire fight.

Cpl Beechey was attached to 1 Special Service Battalion. He was killed in an aircraft crash along the Silva Porto ? Lobito Road when the task force was heading to Lobito. He was an observer in the aircraft that was looking for enemy positions. The reason for the crash was not known.

Hi Lourens,

I hit on this " web site' by mistake. I was a SAAF Candidate Officer in 1963, & was on the same Flying Instructors course as your dad. He was then a 2nd Lt. There was also a third cadett that used to fly with us, & he was JJ le Roux, who was killed in a Harvard crash in the mid 1960`s.,/p>

In 1966, I left the SAAF, & joined SAA where I flew till retirement in Nov 2004. I attended one of the funerals from that illfated crash. That was George Euverard.

Did you do any flying after you left school?

Harry was killed on the border at RUNDU in SWA. His brother Charles was in the front vehicle and he in the second one. They detonated a land mine in the road and the second vehicle was blown up. 7 young white men, 2 coloured and 2 black men were killed.

After much deliberation this was the first time that news was released to the press concerning our many young men who had perished on the border.

Harry and Charles had signed up for a second stint on the border just a few days before his death.

Always remembered as a friendly and quite person.

Sad day that he left us,so could not help but remmember him and been on my mind for years,as I was injured 6 weeks later.

Recall that Mark walked into a ambush and was hit in the head,while operating with fellow Pathfinders.

Know that he comes from Humansdorp,around a 100 km outside of Port Elizabeth.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

During Operation Savannah, on 23 November 1975 WO2 Benson was one of 100 South Africans who were part of a force of 400 men involved in an attack from Edo to Conde in Angola.

After the Eland armoured cars leading the attack had come under enemy fire and become bogged down, the 81 mm and 107 mm mortar teams attempted to relieve these, but the 81 mm crews in turn came under fire and suffered a number of casualties.

2Lt van Niekerk, in charge of the 107 mm mortars, directed his men to fire ahead of the 81 mm crews to assist them, but the enemy then proceeded to shell the two 107 mm mortar positions.

All but one member of their non-South African crews promptly fled but WO Benson and one other South African WO, as well as 2Lt van Niekerk, took over and continued to fire on the enemy.

It was whilst doing so that a shell exploded close to their position, severely wounding 2Lt van Niekerk and mortally wounding WO2 Benson.

Information extracted from Cross of Honour by Ian Uys. Uys Publishers 1992.

WO Benson was in charge of a platoon of mortars operated by UNITA soldiers. On 24 November 1975 our group was ambushed by Cubans north of a town called Ebo. During the engagement, his position was struck by a mortar or a 122mm rocket which killed the entire platoon. His body was recovered and returned to South Africa.

A number of ex-Rhodesian soldiers, now serving with the SADF since Zimbabwean independence, were located in camps in the northern Transvaal. The SADF recruited and trained these men, primarily for sabotage operations designed to destroy infrastructure, damage the economy and undermine the military capacity of Zimbabwe's armed forces.

This series of planned operations, called Operation Drama, had the objective of ensuring that the new Zimbabwe government did not provide concrete support to the ANC and PAC in their armed struggles.

Sgt Peter David Berry was a member of a team of 18 SADF soldiers, sent into Zimbabwe on a clandestine mission. They were ambushed by the Zimbabwean army 40 miles inside Matabeleland, and three men, including Sgt Berry, were killed in the ensuing fire fight.

Corporal H P "Klasie" Bester (20) from Kempton Park and Mr Louis Fourie (farmer) from Tsumeb were shot dead by SWAPO in an ambush on a farm 15 km south of Oshivello. Klasie and Mr Fourie, a father of seven were killed on Friday night at 19h30 on 7 May 1982 while herding cattle.

Ek herleef weer die aand van 7 Mei 1982, al was ek net ses jaar oud, sal ek nooit vergeet wat gebeur het nie. Ons was vannaand (28 Sep 2009) 5 mense bymekaar wat daardie aand op die plaas Ruimte was. Vir Bes en die ander wat hulle lewens vir ons opgeoffer het, DANKIE, aan julle dink ons nog 27jaar later.

Was shot during a rare night attack by SWAPO near Ombalantu (Owamboland).

Assigned to do the regular 8 day "Yeti" patrol duty, his platoon's overnight patrol camp was ambushed and the SADF suffered 5 casualties that night, Beukes was the only fatality. Although seriously wounded, Beukes might have survived if casevac had been carried-out earlier. A call for helicopter evacution from Oshakati was turned down due to obvious risk-factor (night flight etc.). However soldiers "refreshing" at "A" Company HQ (Ombalantu) at the time, immediately volunteered to attempt to evacuate casualties via "unimog", but the order to allow this was substantialy delayed due to incompetence of dithering senior rank.

On the contrary investigative evidence strongly indicated that SWAPO had taken their wounded and probably dead comrades (if any) with them.

Quite demoralising actions at the time, after all what was it all about and what was the final achievement?

Bezuidenhout lost his life while on guard duty with Gnr Bosse on a farm near Tsumeb, well below the danger line. A small band of terrorists sneaked up on the two and shot them at point blank range. They were both members of 1 Medium Battery, 4th Field Artillery Regiment. Both had Western Transvaal colours in Cricket and Rugby. They grew up together as best friends, and had no family (having been brought up together in a childcare facility)

Remember him from school, tough as nails think played scrumhalf. Our dads also played cricket for same team. Respect to you comrade. Let us never forget our sacrifices we made for South Africa.

Died 20/10/1977 near Sheepmoor.

He was in 15 squad He died flying a super frelon accident He was 31 years old

Oorlede in 'n buffel ongeluk, opad terug "states" toe na 3 maande opleiding saam met Infanterieskool. Ek was saam met hom in dieselfde peleton, hy was in die buffel wat voor my gery het toe die "barbed wire" losgekom het van die spaarwiel en in die regter voorwiel verstringel het. Die buffel het omgeslaan en ons het aanvanklik gedink dis 'n landmyn. Ek het die drup op my R4 se loop (blitsbreker) gehaak en dit so hoog as moontlik gehou terwyl hy behandel was, agter op 'n PB se bakkie. 'n Ander baie goeie maat, Pottie het sy een been verloor en later ook die ander een.

Mariental - Military vehicle accident

Kevin's Bungalow was hit by a rocket killing him and 9 others at Katemo

Eddie was the stopper group with Venter in an ambush in the Jati above Etale near St Mary's. They were attacked from the side and both of them died. He was a very tidy soldier and very popular. His death affected the section deeply.

A flight on the 25th Nov 1971 of WASP 83, that was aboard SAS President Steyn, returning from France for the acceptance of submarine SAS Emily Hobhouse, ended in tragedy. While the ship was in Luanda for a courtesy call, the Wasp underwent a main rotor change, and while being test flown by Capt Tiedt to Luanda's airport, it went down in flames claiming four SAAF lives.

Please refer to:

Construction Number f.9552 from;

http://www.helis.com/database/?menu=7&tfabrn=22&tmodn=102&menudiv=5&menudiv=5

Trevor Donald Bodill [ born 21/12/1956] attended Glenwood High School , Durban from 1969-1974 . He was killed on 16/1/1976 in the operational area in an accident while travelling in an armoured car . He was 19 years of age .

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Dr. Louis Bothma, skrywer wat as lid van 32 Bataljon aan die Grensoorlog deelgeneem het, beskryf hoe die geskiedkundige herontmoeting tussen sappeur Johan van der Mescht en sy Swapo-ontvoerders by die watergat by Elundu aan die grens tussen Namibia en Angola gebeur het.

Woensdag 2 Desember 2009. Oos-Ovamboland. Terug by die berugte watergat  knap duskant die ou Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag (SAW) se Elundu-basis. Hier waar sappeur Johan van der Mescht kort voor dagbreek op Sondag 19 Februarie 1978 deur Swapo gevang en oor die grens na Angola geneem is. Skokgolwe het deur die SAW getrek. Johan, wat byna vier en 'n half jaar van sy lewe in die gevreesde Sao Paulo-tronk in Luanda geslyt het, is allesbehalwe 'n held. Vra maar die mense, dan hoor jy: "Hy het geslaap toe hy die watergat moes oppas; hy het na Swapo toe oorgeloop; hy is 'n verraaier; 'n slegte troep..."

'n Mistroostige suidewindjie rol by die watergat wit stowwe die bosse in toe die betrokkenes in die drama uit die bakkies klim. Aan die een kant Johan, sy vrou, Cheryl, en hul twee dogters, Chantal en Nadia. Teenoor hulle, mnre. Danger Ashipla en Kamati ka Elio, die manne wat Johan gevang het. Daardie jare "terroriste"; vandag Swapo-guerrillas. 'n Kortkop agter hulle volg Danger se seun Stephen, ons tolk wat vlot Afrikaans praat. Een van Danger se 18 kinders. "Dit is nie meer dieselfde nie," se Johan agter sy donkerbril, toe sy blou oe na 31 jaar, 9 maande en 13 dae, weer oor Elundu se watergat gly. Maar Johan, nou 55 jaar oud, is ook nie meer dieselfde nie. Cheryl en die dogters maal senuweeagtig in die ronde. Weet nie mooi waar om te kyk nie. Is hierdie dan nou die plek waar alles begin het? 'n Lang diep gat langs 'n stowwerige paadjie iewers tussen nerens in die bosse...

'n Rukkie later is die geselskappie aan die suidekant van die watergat bymekaar. Min of meer op die plek waar die tent gestaan het. Danger-hulle het van die westekant af op die handjievol Suid-Afrikaanse soldate afgesluip. Die oggend 04:00, pas nadat die maan ondergegaan het. "Ons kon hulle hoor snork," vertel Danger. Hy het met 'n stok teen die kolf van sy AK47 getik, die teken dat sy manne gereed moes maak vir die aanval. Toe het hy 'n handgranaat na die tent geslinger. Dit was chaos. Kamati ka Elio onthou nog hoe Danger geskreeu het: "Forward! Forward! Capture! Capture!"

"Johanna van der Mescht" (soos Kamati Johan uit onkunde noem) het tussen die tent en die watergat gele. Gewond. "Toe tel ek hom oor my skouer en sleep hom weg. Hy was nie so groot soos nou nie. Hy was maer," vertel Kamati.  'n kort, ronde kereltjie; self vandag twee maal groter as toe. "Ons het nog een gevang. 'n Groot Boer. Maar hy wou nie loop nie. Toe maak ons hom dood," vertel Danger en vat aan sy donkerbril met die groot ronde lense waarin die watergat weerkaats. Dis nuus vir my. Daar was drie dooies - Ferreira, Hunter en Bosch. Watter een van die drie was dit? Skielik is daar 'n stokou man met 'n verslete oorpakbaadjie op die toneel. Hy val Danger om die nek. Ons staan oorbluf. "Wie is hy? Waar kom hy so skielik vandaan...?" "Dit is Hosea Martin. Ons noem hom Shimbungu, wat 'wolf' beteken. Hy kom doer van sy kraal af." Danger beduie westekant toe. "Die Boere het op 'n dag sommer net 'n gat hier voor my kraal kom grawe, asof dit hul plek was," vertel Shimbungu. Ons hoor die plek se naam is eintlik Ehono. Johan en Cheryl staan hand om die lyf. Die dogters haak by hulle in. Die Van der Meschts is 'n hegte gesin. Cheryl kan die trane nie teehou nie. Johan fluister iets in haar oor. Danger vertel hoe hulle haastig 'n draagbaar vir Johan geprakseer het. Toe is hulle suid, wes, en uiteindelik noord na die kaplyn (grens) toe met hom. 'n Ander groep onder bevel van 'n Haufiku was ongedissiplineerd. Hulle is reguit op hul spore terug en het in 32 Bataljon vasgeloop. Haufiku het met sy lewe geboet.

'n Ander groep wat tegelykertyd die Elundu-basis moes aanval, het nooit in posisie gekom nie. Dinge het skeefgeloop. Maar die operasie het in sy hoofdoel geslaag: Om 'n wit Boer lewend te vang. Nogal in sy tent, nie in Angola nie, maar in Suidwes-Afrika self! "Waar gaan ons nou?" het Johan aan Kamati gevra toe hulle oor die kaplyn gaan. "Oshakati toe." Johan het geld gevra. "Ek wil my vrou bel." Maar Kamati het nie verstaan nie. Eers later by sy makkers gehoor "bel" beteken "phone". Anderkant die kaplyn is Johan saam met Danger agterop 'n voertuig gelaai en na die People's Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) se gebiedshoofkwartier by Ohaipeto geneem. Almal was in ekstase. Danger Ashipala was 'n held. Toe Cassinga toe. Die eindbestemming was Luanda, waar Johan saam met die berugte 'kolonel' Callan se huursoldate opgesluit is.

Johan se beurt om te vertel: "Ek was maar net 'n doodgewone ou wat die water moes skoonmaak. Geen rang gehad nie. Die infanterie moes die watergat oppas. Ek het hulle nie eens geken nie. 'Elke week was hier 'n ander seksie. Moet my nie vra wie die bevelvoerder daardie nag was nie. Ek weet nie. Dit was my laaste Grenskamp. Ek en Cheryl was pasgetroud; Chantal maar sewe maande oud..."

Later stap Johan en Danger alleen water toe. Ons kan nie mooi hoor wat hulle praat nie. Maar toe hulle omdraai, skud hulle blad en se Danger vir Johan: "We are friends now."

Soos Kitchener aan die einde van die oorlog vir die Boere gese het. Ovamboland se son het geen genade nie. Ons klim terug in die bakkies. Nie grappies om terug op die Grens te wees nie. Die jare het aangestap. Tyd wag nie vir die helde nie. Danger is al 'n man van 65. "Het jy ooit in die bos gebid?" waag ek dit. "Ja, ja. Ons is Christene net soos julle. Ek het baie gebid," se die man wat voor die oorlog 'n bokser was en nou 'n polisie-kommissaris in Windhoek. Hy vertel hoe hy die hele oorlog deur geveg het, maar nooit gevang is nie. Daar was lospryse op sy kop. Vroue, selfs 'n familielid, is gestuur om hom te verraai. Koevoet het gereeld foto's van dooie "terroriste" aan sy ma gewys: "Hier is Danger. Ons het hom doodgeskiet." By die polisiekantoor op Eenhana word ons gul deur kommissaris A.K. Shivute en sy dienaars ontvang. Maar ons moet lastige vrae beantwoord. "Hoekom het die Boere in Namibie kom veg?" Johan moet praat. Danger kry hom aan die arm beet: "Haal af jou goggles en jou keppie en praat met die mense." Johan draai na my toe. "Wat moet ek se?" "Se vir hulle wat in jou hart is. Not dit." "I am here because of the reconciliation between me and Danger. I believe your country is doing very well. It was not a nice war. I was no chief. The big chiefs stayed behind..." Toe trek die groepie polisiemanne los met 'n strydlied. Johan stap bakkie toe. Tyd vir 'n koue bier. Hy is nie die held nie. Danger Ashipala is. Maar Danger kan dit nie wees sonder Johan nie.

Rfn G.M. Boshoff - Witbank Commando was killed in a follow up operation (after an attack on farmers in the Transvaal/Rhodesian border town of Alldays.

Rfn George Boshoff was a member of the Witbank Commando and was doing his first three month camp after completing his two year national service.

On 10 November 1983 he was part of a SADF / SAP pursuit tracking four heavily armed insurgents who had crossed the border from Zimbabwe into Northern Transvaal. The insurgents had attacked a local farmer and his elderly grandmother in their vehicle the evening before, and both were fortunate to escape with their lives. The SADF cornered the four insurgents on a farm some 20 kilometres outside of Alldays, and in the ensuing fire fight all four insurgents were killed, but unfortunately so was George Boshoff.

His death was doubly tragic for his family as he was only 18 days away from completing his camp. Also, his older brother had been killed in a vehicle accident some three years previously.

Bosse lost his life while on guard duty with Gnr Bezuidenhout on a farm near Tsumeb, well below the danger line. A small band of terrorists sneaked up on the two and shot them at point blank range. They were both members of 1 Medium Battery, 4th Field Artillery Regiment. Both had Western Transvaal colours in Cricket and Rugby. They grew up together as best friends, and had no family (having been brought up together in a childcare facility)

This is probably "Botha, D" as listed on the Klapperkop monument.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

On 2 January 1976 2Lt Brandon was in command of a Platoon of men approaching Cela from the North, during the South African withdrawal from Angola. He was advised that Cuban troops occupied the hillocks, or dimples as they were known, ahead of them so he led his patrol on foot towards these, camping overnight in rainy weather once they had reached the latter. Early the following morning Brandon led a section on a reconnaissance, leaving Corporal Vincent Rawlings and the remainder of the Platoon in the bivouac they had established. After leading his section up a footpath to the crest of the hill, 2Lt Brandon climbed onto a large flat rock but was immediately shot and killed by enemy machine gun fire, which broke out. They had walked into an ambush. At great personal risk, Corporal Rawlings moved forward and retrieved 2Lt Brandon's body under enemy fire, an act that earned him the Honoris Crux in Silver.

An ex-colleague of mine told me a few years ago that he was on that train. I called him earlier today and without referring to the accident, asked him where he was on 25 March 1977. Het asked me "what time" and I said "about 02h00". He said "sitting upright in my train bunk at Keetmanshoop station." He is very creative with the pen and he and an excellent memory, being an ex history teacher. I asked him to send me a few notes. Unfortunately it's in Afrikaans and here it is:-

Keetmanshoop - 25 Maart 1977

Iets maak my wakker en ek trek my regop aan die *rand* van die boonste slaapbank in ons 6-man kompartement in die 4de wa van ons troeptrein wat na die grens op pad is * ons is almal van Regiment Westelike Provincie. Dis 02:10.

Die volgende oomblik is daar *n slag en ons word almal geskud. Die ander 5 ouens val almal uit die slaapbanke en sommige word beseer toe hulle op die oopgeslaande tafel val. Almal hardloop uit na die perron en daar*s chaos. Willem (?) sit en huil op die perron.

Ons hoor toe *n trein met 2 *units* en 25 oop trokke met tonne ystererts het in ons trein wat voor die stasie staan, teen *n effense helling afgekom en in ons vasgery. Die *units* is ontspoor en die 1ste wa ook, maar die 2de een het dwarsgedraai en die ander trein se een *unit* het regdeur *n kompartement gery. Vyf van ons manne is dood, terwyl die 6de een in daardie noodlottige kompartement sonder *n skrapie deur die venster geval het. Gary Bricknel * wat vir die WP krieket speel * is een van die oorledenes.

Daar word vir volunteers gevra om die beseerdes te help en altesaam 90 manne word later na milit?re hospitale afgevoer. Twee RP*s met ammunisie word voor die telefoonhokkies op die perron staangemaak en beveel om enigeen wat 2 meter van die hokkies kom, te wond. Almal wil net teruggaan * land toe * maar kmdt Ivan Bester van die Paarl * ons bevelvoerder * s? later di? oggend dat ons voortgaan en gaan veg, en om 14:00 vertrek ons trein weer noorde toe. Heelwat van die waens is beskadig, maar hulle is intussen vervang.

Willem herinner my later hoekom hy gehuil het en ek word koud. Ons was op Kaapstad in wa 1, maar *n halfuur voor ons sou vertrek, het een of ander offisier ges? ons 6 moes na wa 2 gaan, na die kompartement waar die 5 man gesterf het. Tien minute voor ons vertrek is ons weer aanges? om na wa 4 te gaan.

Dit was nog nie ons tyd nie!"

Info from http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/13/13046/13046.html and http://content-www.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/44238.html :-

Gary Bricknell, the young Western Province left-arm spinner, was killed in a train crash at Keetmanshoop, South-West Africa, on March 25. Only 22, he had taken 58 first-class wickets at 21.38 in his brief career.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Military vehicle accident - Armour car rolled and fell on member

Capt Anthonie (Tonie) Johannes Brits 61286936E

Born 07 Sep 1944 - Springs, Transvaal (Gauteng).

Matriculated in 1972 at Hoër Seunskool Hugenote, Springs.

Joined the Army on 03 Jan 1967 and studied B.Mil (B.Com) at the Military Academy, Saldanha and was Sportsman of the year in 1968 - played rugby, cricket and tennis - and completed his studies in 1968. He was stationed at "81 Voorraad Depot" (don't know what the English for that would be) when he applied for a transfer to the Air force to be trained as a pilot during 1971 and despite being 27 years old, this was approve and he started his pilot training at Central Flying School April 1972. He died in a airplane crash on 13 June 1973 whilst doing weapons training in Bloemfontein. He was due to receive his wings during the span of 1973.

Maj Frederik Wilhelm Christiaan (Chris) Brits 65851354E

Born 08 April 1946. Matriculated 1973 at Hoër Seunskool Hugenote, Springs.

Joined the Air force as pupil pilot on 14 Mar 1966. During his career he was attached to various units, was flying instructor and was a member of the Silver Falcons. It was his desire to be a fighter pilot and this brought him to Waterkloof Airforce Base as Mirage F1 pilot.

He died on 15 Feb 1979 in a air crash outside Cullinan.

2 Lt Roelie Britz from 32 Bn Gp was killed by a crocodile on the night of 14 November 1978 when he went for a swim in the Kavango River. His body was never recovered.

Schackleton 1718 crashed in the Stetteynskloof mountains near Rawsonville in the Western Cape after encountering bad weather on a training exercise, with the loss of all 13 crew members. The aircraft was on it's way to join a Royal Navy ship taking part in "Capex" off Port Elizabeth.

'I saw too much suffering'

Breggie Hoffman (Piorek), Johannesburg

I was an assistant nurse at the Windhoek State Hospital in 1976 when a soldier was brought in with burns from a landmine that exploded when they drove over it in the road.

The soldier was young - 18 or 19 years old - his name was Anton Broodryk from Koppies, Free State. After two weeks he was transferred to Voortrekkerhoogte Hospital in Pretoria, but he sadly passed away a couple of days later.

Till this day I can't forget that soldier's face or his name.

(extracted from: Die Beeld)

RFN M.A.BROWN , OF THE KAFFRARIAN RIFLES DIED ON SERVICE DURING TRAINING AT OUDTSHOORN IN 1965 .THIS WAS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT OF OVER 37 C,HE DIED OF HEAT EXHAUSTION IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING IN DECEMBER OF 1965.TRAINING PROCEDURES WERE LATER MODIFIED DUE TO THE FINDINGS OF THIS DEATH

.

14 Julie 1983 sal nooit uit my gedagtes gaan nie. Die dag toe jou lewe weg geruk was. Naby Baken 53.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Dawie Burger was my friend when we were at school in Worcester, Cape, South Africa. He was a helicopter pilot who trained at Valhalla and Swartkops Military bases. It is more than a quarter of a century since he died and I am not at all sure of the details, except that he met his end while flying. I vaguely remember that he died somewhere around the border of Mozambique and Swaziland and SA, but I may be wrong.

I mention what I know so that future researchers can start searching with a little bit of help.

Francois Greeff, London, 2003. goodgreeff@hiddencode.co.uk

I wonder if you could help me. We are searching for details on my father in Law. He died during the Angola War - his name is on the honours list, but we do not have any details on him at all - person no 179.

All the details we have for him are: Force no - 65943037PE, Name - Joseph Johannes Burger. We do know that a got a Honouris Medal. My husband cannot remember him at all. His parents were divorced and his mother never talks about his father at all.

Please could you perhaps find out any information on him.

Your help would be greatly appreciated

Yours sincerely

Helen Burger

SAAF Member - Kamieskroon - Military vehicle accident

Rfn Buys served in A Coy (Pl 1 Sec 3) of 11 Commando (Kimberley) and was killed on 12 Dec 1977 when the buffel he was travelling in detonated a "cheese mine".

Rfn Buys as well as Cpl Mark Wilcox were killed as a result of injuries sustained in this blast.

Paul was killed on the Oshikango border post by a booby trap/land mine(s). This was just before the usual 40 days to complete our 2 years national service. Paul was one person who just got on with everyone. He was in my bungalow for some time. Paul was a replacement driver as the regular driver for this Eland had gone down to Grootfontein to write an exam. I was a gunner in the 32Charlie car on the same operation and we dislodged a landmine by riding over the edge as we crossed over into Angola. We found this out later...Tough day!!

I was both shock and saddened to come across this story of Andrew Byrd:

"He was based at the Mpacha Sickbay, Sector 70, and the circumstances around his death, was covered up somewhat, he had been trained as a normal ward medic at Klipdrift the SAMS Basic training centre in Jan-Jun 1986, before being shipped to Mpacha, on completion of Basic and 2nd phase training, he was a young eager to please guy, who volunteered to go out with an mobile infantry patrol along the cutline (the bulldozed open area that formed the country?s border) between Zambia, and what was then South West Africa. The plan was that he would do the patrol with the infantry who on completion of their patrol would hand him over to continue on another 3-day patrol with an armoured car patrol before they returned to base. The infantry patrol returned as planned, and 3 days later when the armoured car patrol returned the Lieut. Patrol Officer came to the sickbay to register a complaint that he?d had to do his patrol without a medic. It was only then that it was discovered we had a medic lost in the bush for 3 days. The Lieutenant who had commanded the Infantry patrol was called and he showed that he?d dropped Pte Byrd off at a waterhole on the cutline by one of the firebreaks, instead of where the main Mpacha road intercepted the firebreak. A patrol was sent out to collect Andrew, who was found dead by the water hole, with 2 bullet wounds. The San tracker reported that he?d formed a simple boma around himself, but there were Hyena paw prints in the immediate vicinity. It was thought that Andrew who had not completed any formal bush or Ops medic training, had remained where left for 3 days waiting to be collected and had been too scared to move away from where he was left, and at night he?d be scared by the animals like the Hyenas sniffing around, and too scared to light a fire to scare them away as that could attract possible enemy insurgents His rifle was found loaded, on fully automatic, and the safety off in his hands with 2 rounds fired., the position of the body and rifle was that he?d been sat with his back to a tree, and it appeared that he?d fallen asleep exhausted with his finger on the trigger and while asleep he'd slipped to one side and caught his finger on the trigger and had fired 2 rounds into his chest (1 round lodged into his chest the other went straight through). The position of the entry wounds we?re not in keeping with suicide, and the fact that his rifle and medical supplies etc had not been taken indicated that it was not enemy action.

The result of this situation was that both patrol Lieutenants were reprimanded and told to brush up on their patrol procedures ? one for leaving Andrew in the wrong place and not waiting for the pick up, and the other for alerting HQ that the medic had not been collected at the pick up point. Nothing was raised in regards to sending an untrained person on patrol."

May he rest in peace.

This is probably "Cahasa, A" as listed on the Klapperkop monument

Explosion

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou 'n groep van die Verkennings Kommando's, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in 'n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen 'n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur 'n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit 'n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook 'n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in 'n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm 'n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel 'Vingers' Kruger met 'n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met 'n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met 'n LMG, Gary Walker met 'n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in 'n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet 'n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op 'n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur 'n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter 'n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met 'n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan 'n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. 'Ek het my hand by die werk in 'n ongeluk seergemaak' sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op 'n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook 'n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

See incident of J van Z van Heerden also of 1 SSB.

I Bazil Johnson (2Lt) 1987. Reading the story of the two troops that were shot while searching a kraal is still so vivid in my memory. I was the ops-officer on duty that day when the call came through to the control room that the platoon had drawn fire and that two boys were down. The speed that myself and the signalers reacted to get the major in the ops room and to contact the choppers for a casavac was amazing. This was the first time in my 2 years national service that I visibly saw empathy in the voice and face of a PF company commander as he was speaking to the platoon commander. I had to repeatedly ask the chopper pilots to get out there, to no avail. They refused stating that they will not fly their machines where the possibility exists that they could be taken out. The value of a chopper was more than a national serviceman's life. I would for the rest of my life from that day have no respect for chopper pilots. My task thereafter was to right the casavac and situation reports to be sent to pretoria, etc. The shocking realisation for me was the age of only 18 or 19 years of each of them. And they were dead and I was only 20 and had on many occasions with my platoon from 2 SAI Infantry, residing in the same base, inspected kraals just like this one. Rest in peace my fellow soldiers from that time. If only we were in that war for the right reasons!!!

Schackleton 1718 crashed in the Stetteynskloof mountains near Rawsonville in the Western Cape after encountering bad weather on a training exercise, with the loss of all 13 crew members. The aircraft was on it's way to join a Royal Navy ship taking part in "Capex" off Port Elizabeth.

Kamieskroon - Military vehicle accident

Ops area - enemy action - contact

De Doorns - Military vehicle accident - Motorcycle accident

Shaun Hammond (SHammond@tu.gov.ab.ca)

Date sent: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 10:27:25 -0600

John

241: Rfn H.D. Coker.

I went to school with Dudley Coker. Quiet reliable guy, a decent man. He did his NS at the same time I did; I believe he was with 3SAI (Grahamstown?). Dudley was killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident involving his section being transported in (as I recall) one of those miserable Gladiators. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The word spread quickly around the SAI Battalions about the incident, leaving all of us with a sick feeling about the losses. RIP.

Shaun Hammond

In 1983 Donald was on patrol in the operational area. His unit was ambushed and Donald was hit across the body by a burst of RPD machine gun fire.

My heart breaks for those that died and those that lived.

Our youth was wasted.

Corporal Tim Conway served in Ovamboland during 1976. It was here one evening, that his unit came under sustained mortar and machine gun fire by insurgents. Corporal Conway was fatally wounded by shrapnel during the opening engagement. (see person No.1662 also)

Doe was killed in a RTA whilst on a mission to LBG Grootfontein. His Convoy was returning from Rundu.

Costello was trajically killed near Rucana in 1983 by a bunch of drunken 101BN behind a Patmor during a training exercise.

O/Kpl. Carl Creamer was verbonde aan 8 SAI. Bn. Alpha kompanie.Op daardie stadium het ons diens gedoen vanaf Oshigambo, in 53 Bn.

Die presiese datum ontgaan my, maar dit was op 'n Donderdag oggend in Febr. 1983. toe hy en sy makkers in 'n landmyn voorval betrokke was.

O/Kpl. Creamer was die enigste oorledene. Van die ander lede het baie ernstige beserings opgedoen.

WAS DIT DIE MOEITE WERD GEWEES !!!!!!!!!!!

I remember the day is if it was yesterday ... not the date ... just the day ...

We were doing a stint at Oshigambo (Google earth). Craemer was in our platoon, and yes, as the previous writer witnessed, just made L/CPL due to his fantastic organisational skills and leadership abilities. It was a day of deep sorrow indeed. Here's a man with so much in his favour, and he was removed from us in an eyewink! If I'm not mistaken, he was either busy with varsity, or would just have started ... As the previous writer asked ... WAS DIT ALLES DIE MOEITE WERD !!!

L/Cpl Craemer had to leave Oshigambo (Latitude: 17° 47'19.45"S Longitude: 16° 4'45.07"E) early that morning to go and get provisions in Ondangwa (Latitude: 17° 52'30.10"S Longitude: 15° 57'7.53"E). A team of sappers swept the road between Ondando (Latitude: 17° 54'16.49"S Longitude: 16° 2'45.48"E), and Oshigambo every day to check for mines. Due to the early departure of L/CPL's Craemer's convoy (7 am), they bundu-bashed all the way next to the gravel road, in a southerly direction as they knew that the sappers were not done yet.

This is the worst bit ... they emerged from the bush just in front of Ondando and upon doing so, the Sappers busy sweeping, saw them. They all waved and Craemer's convoy continued to Ondangwa. What we heard after the incident was that the Sappers thus assumed that the 2-Buffel convoy travelled all the way from Oshigambo on the gravel road, and they subsequently ceased their sweeping activities for the day, as they thought 'the road was clear'.

When Craemer's convoy returned from Ondangwa, they assumed that the sappers completed the sweeping, and continued north on the gravel road back towards Oshigambo. A light drizzle broke out, whereafter Craemer stopped and told the troops to take out their ground-sheets for covering. Apparently this was +/- on a horizontal line between Oneputa and Lyakahani. (Latitude: 17° 51'2.54"S Longitude: 16° 5'0.19"E). Craemer was the the driver of the 1st Buffel. According to eye-witnesses in the 2nd Buffel, as he pulled away, still busy fastening his belts, the Buffel apparently detonated 3 cheese mines on each front wheel, with horrible consequences. Craemer was casavaced in a chopper, and we heard later that morning that he passed away.

I still have the photos of the wreck after it was towed back to Ondangwa base.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, which we beleived were either only his Father and Mother, or an elder brother as well.

Up till today, we SO miss you CPL Craemer ! A man who we all looked up to !

If I remember correctly, some of the names that come to mind who 'we' constituted was ... Herbert Atkinson, Piet Beetge, Bees Bezuidenhoudt, Brian Jones and Neels le Grange (who I think drove the 2nd Buffel).

Michael's dad "Doc" Craul was my mother's (Lynette Robertson) cousin. I was 12/13 at the time of Mike's death. My mother told me that Mike was killed by a gunshot when one of the guards on duty went "bossies". He spent a few days with my family during a vacation at Stilbaai. Although the contact we had with him was only occasional he made an impression on me as a child because he was so vibrant, fun, full of life. On occasion we had lunch with his parents at the Picardie Hotel in Paarl, a BIG treat for a kid! His parents were the owners (or managers I am not sure) of the hotel during that time.

At the bottom of one of John's photos, marked "memorial", is a Sktr DP Croezer. He was at school with me and active in Settlers High cadets, at that stage affiliated to the Regiment and dominated by SSgt Tex Silva.

I am told he was killed when his vehicle was taken out by an RPG. His brother was apparently in the same vehicle at the time and was later posted to CTH.

I was on the same patrol on this fateful day and in 1983 I went on another mission called Operation Askari when I lost another rifleman by the name of Callie Fourie. I will never forget Croeser and Fourie. You will always be the real heroes of this damned war we fought.

EEN VAN DIE 7 GOUDVELDERS

Military Vehicle Accident.

Unsure whether he was 31 or 32 Battalion?

This is probably "Daniels, J." from the list on the Klapperkop Monument

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, # 132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted. None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived. The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

Able Seaman, Platoon 18, Viking Co., SA Marines

Gerhard de Lange and I matriculated at the same school in 1982. In 1984 we were both deployed in Namibia/Angola as part of A-Coy, 1 Para. We were sweeping an area between Ondangwa and Oshikango-my platoon to the east and Gerhard's platoon to the west of the road. A Swapo contingent walked into their TB just after sunset, during stand down, and Gerhard was killed in the contact. I cannot recall the date but it must have been around June 1984 and not January as stated. I was a platoon commander then and Gerhard's platoon commander was 2nd Lt D Benade.

I saw his story on a program called grensoorlog on Kyk-net. What a waste of a young life, his mom looked so strong but you could still see the pain of a parent loosing a child although it was a long time ago.

Full Names: Jacques de Lange
Unit: 5 Signal Regiment
Date of Death: 21/02/1988
Place of Death: Angola during the war.
Cause of Death: According to an official army report member was killed in an airstrike attack by enemy aircraft.

Little do people know in how much danger the troops of 5 Signal Regiment came into danger while in Angola. 5 Signal Regiment had 3 troops in Northern South West Africa, 511Tp, 512TP and 513Tp. Since most of us were foreign language speakers such as Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and others we were an essential part of the intelligence gathering information body at that time. We deployed many times with the forward recce units with the front line many kilometeres behind us.

Even though I did not know De Lange personally I can testify of the courage we had to display while under attack. Our Vehicle were high priority targets for the FAPLA and Cuban Forces. When we got attacked by air everybody but us could run to their Fox holes or bunkers. We sat like siiting ducks in our vehicles doing our thing. We were not used but abused by the system.

My self and a few others took place in OPS Modular, Hooper, Packer and Displace without leaving the bush. You will always be remebered by your friends: Mushky, Speedy Gonzales, Tony Villar, Granger, Frenchie Macquet, GV Smith, and others.

I will never forget.

I klaared out some two months before De Lange was killed. I was part of the January 86 intake. Speedy, Villar and Granger were taught, "our thing", by me and a few other guys. I heard that Speedy was present when it happened and was wounded in the chest. I will never forget 513tp. I will never forget the day I left. Speedy, Villar, Granger and I cried like babies. It was something that one cannot explain. How can "manne" cry like that? I still remember the day that Speedy nearly electicuted himself, by cutting a live wire with his teeth, and the drum roll that Villar taught me. To all ex "BRUSH" operators I salute you.

Don't forget Sgt Gerrit Maritz who was killed at the same time. MTSRIP !!!!

Good but scary days - still have dreams about them and was treated for PTSD about 7 years ago.

Any guys out there from the Grootfontein 'BRUSH' base , from the 1981/82 days? Wishing all of you guy's the best.

It is amazing that just because people heard that we were in Signals, that we had an easy time up there. I was 512 TP in Mpacha and I remember how the stuff used to fly there.

Used to go out with 32 BN to triangulate enemy positions and get the noodles shot out of us.

Has anyone got a copy of the B.R.U.S.H emblem to email to me

5 Signals Regiment links:

Linked in Group

Stuart's Story

5 SIG on Google Earth

Hughes De Rose attended Pinetown Boys' High School and did National Service with 1 Parachute Battalion.

While the details of what happened are sketchy, he and his best friend, Raymond Light, also a pupil at Pinetown, were involved in a contact with SWAPO terrorists.

As the fire fight subsided, the group realised that one of these boys were missing.

I'm not sure who went back for who, but at the end of the day, both Paratroopers were dead.

The one had paid the highest price for the other.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

I fought alongside this man who had great courage! He will always have a special place in my heart. We had some great times back then nearly 21 yrs ago !

Always remembered, never forgotten! Remember fortune favours the brave !

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

I was present where this person died after being shot down during ops Savannah in the Puma helicopter. His death was not due to crash. I tried pulling him out of the burning helicopter but was unable to do so due to heat and exploding ammunition. This was more than an aircraft crash which seems to be wrongly stated on the records. There was one survivor who was badly burnt and airlifted for treatment.

Place of death - Dondo (200km South East of Luanda)

Explosion

Steve was in the equestrian section. He was a nice guy and we met at 1SAI during basics.

Rifleman J.H. Diedericks was a member Goudveld Commando. On 6 January 1983 he and a number of others from this unit were on patrol when their vehicle tripped a landmine, killing five of them and injuring the rest. Two of the latter were so badly injured that they succumbed to their injuries the following day.

For details, see entries for B.J. du Toit, F.M. Griessel, P. Uzzel and J.L. van der Merwe.

• J.H. Diedericks
• P. Uzzel
• F.M. Griessel
• J.L. Van Der Merwe
• B.J. Du Toit

Lt Diggle died in an aircraft accident after a partial engine failure. He was acting as co-pilot for Lt Mc Guinness when the attempted forced landing went wrong and the aircraft crashed into trees.

Pierre Digue was a dear friend of mine. To my knowledge, he was based at 1 SAI Bn Tempe and attached to 61 Mech Bn Gp at the time of his death. Pierre died in action during late 1987 in Operation Modular. I wasn't there at the time, but rumour has it that he had volunteered for a task - and that he was killed when his vehicle encountered a Soviet 23 mm AAA gun deployed in a ground role. That was so typical of him. Pierre, we will always remember you.

My name is Andre and Pierre was my twin brother (non-identical). We were born in Grays hospital Pietermaritzburg, Natal the 23rd of February 1962 and lived in Natal for our first 12 years where after we moved to Bloemfontein. We both attended Jim Fouche primary school grade 6 and 7. Pierre then decided to complete his High school years at the High Technical School in Bloemfontein. He was a man's man. A real lion amongst the men and had many true friends. One of his favorite passions in high school was singing in the choir. Pierre was never a great sports lover or I never regarded him as wanting to get physical through sports and that is why his career in the army was such a contrast to how I experienced him in his younger years. Pierre discovered the secret of life long before most of us realise why we are here. And that is to, apart from worshipping the almighty God, to live out your dream, your passion in life. His dream and passion I believe, was to stand up and fight on behalf of many. He was not weak. He fought for the weak. He had some faults like all of us yes, but that did not deter him from fulfilling his destiny. Pierre had a good relationship with his father. There was a special bond I believe. This investment he received from his father allowed him to be the leader and role model for others, dramatically impacting the lives of many. Although our interests differed and we thought on different levels, I respect and honour God for who Pierre was. He fought a physical battle that a lot of us have to fight in the spiritual. It is not easy but I believe we are continuously called to fight the good fight on behalf of many, in the same spirit that Pierre did, to stand up and volunteer. Not waiting to be called when conditions are perfect but simply and courageously stating: 'here I am'.

Pierre Digue was a permanent force corporal in O Company, 1SAI, Bloemfontein, when I did my basic training there in 1983. He was a tough, uncompromising, at times aggressive, non-com. After basics he was given the drivers' platoon of O Company to whip into shape. I was one of those drivers. He brooked no-nonsense, drove us ceaselessly, did not tolerate slackness and generally gave us a very tough time. Yet we grew to respect him enormously. He was enormously loyal to us and I once saw him assault an entire company who had dared to try and get to our food in the mess. In the end we would have waded through fire to follow him.

In August 1983 he took us to the border to be part of Fighting Group Charlie, which participated in Ops Llama in Angola. Here we learnt a different side of him. He was a funny, caring, intelligent person, a good friend, a fine soldier.

He was with us in Fighting Group Delta when we took part in Ops Askari.

I last saw him at 1 SAI. He was sitting in the driver's seat of a tractor. It was weeks before my national service ended. We had a very candid conversation. I tried to convince him to leave the army, feeling that he could make a success of any career he chose. But the army was in his blood.

I phoned him at his home in Bellville, if I remember correctly. It was New Year's Day, 1986. He sounded genuinely pleased to hear from me. 

Looking back, I can honestly say that I'd learnt more about leadership from Pierre Digue and my platoon sergeant during basics, corporal "Bere" van den Bergh. He could not stand kow-towers and was always fair.

I will always remember him with great affection and enormous respect.

25 Years on..... the driver's platoon will be having a reunion in Bloemfontein 17/18 October 2009 and hope all that reads this info could possibly pass on this important information so that we can also toast to our beloved corporal. Paul Stone,(082 9310272) Clint Mann, (082-854444).Charlie Dunston and Prof Venter (0836906257).

Killed in a Contact

Alan Dixon was a friend of mine in 101 Transport Company, based in Grootfontein. He was driving a Magirus Deutz one night, loaded with supplies for 32 Bn at Nkurenkuru (sp.), when a front tire blew and the vehicle rolled and crushed him.

Jim J.

Pierre was killed in action in SWA, on 12 August 1978, whilst in hot pursuit of a terrorist group of about 45 men strong. He died together with two other paratroopers, Hannes Greyling and Corrie vd Nest. Pierre was walking at almost point when he took the shots.

He was a jovial, strong man, with exceptional vasbyt!

"Come and stand by your glass and be ready,
here is a toast to the men of the skies,
here is a toast to the one dead already
and a toast to the next one to die..."

Died in a freak accident. Drowned

I knew Jacques du Preez as a gentle, thoughtful person when we were in school together. Apparently he was teaching local children in South West Africa and one night his bungalow was hit by a mortar.

Listed on Klapperkop wall as "* G. H. Du RAND"

Sktr du Toit was lid van die Goudveld Kommando. Op 6 Januarie 1983 is hy en ses ander lede van die Goudveld Kommando op n roetiene patrollie toe hul voertuig n landmyn in die Kaokoveld, in die Noord-Westelike operasionele gebied, aftrap. Sktr du Toit en vyf van sy makkers is op slag oorlede, nog twee sou die volgende dag aan hul wonde beswyk.

• J.H. Diedericks
• P. Uzzel
• F.M. Griessel
• J.L. Van Der Merwe
• B.J. Du Toit

Rfn E.P. du Toit was killed in an explosives accident with Rfn R.G. Dunn on the SWA Border, Koakoveld

Rfn E.P. du Toit was killed in an explosives accident- SWA Border Koakoveld.

4 SAI Assault Pioneer- Middelburg

I was in the same platoon with Evert du Toit and Robert Dunn and I remember the incident well. The accident actually happened in Sector 20, Rundu area.

"I was making comms at last light when I received a flash message to stand by for a signal in code. I got the code book out and recorded the letters and figures but as I deciphered it tears started to well up in my eyes. It read simply: 'Sunray call sign one is dead.'

Our sister group had been lying up at midday when an X Company of some 100 FRELIMO Regulars had followed them. The sentry had spotted their lead scouts and detonated the defence claymores. Kocky marshalled his forces for a sweep through the contact area. An undetected, wounded man shot and killed him as he led his men forward. The group had then come under sustained close-range fire but had fought their way out using mini-claymores to give themselves some breathing space. The loss of Kocky was a hammer blow.

He was liked and respected; his humour; and love of life had touched each of us. He was the best officer I'd served with in any army."

Killed in a Contact

Viljoen du Toit, O/Kpl Medic, 201 Bn, Golf Kompanie, Pel 3.

Sterf in kontak Oos van Kunene rivier wes van Cuamato

Angola April 1988.

Die kontak het plaas gevind tussen SWA Gebiedsmag Romeo Mike (reaksie mag) (wat die gebied gedomineer en skoon gehou het van SWAPO terroriste) en Angolese/Kubaanse magte. 'n Paar Boesmans sterf ook in die kontak en baie ander lede is gewond en "ge-casevac".

Viljoen kon nie na die kontak opgespoor word nie (asook ander lede van die pelaton). Sommige het eers na dag drie in SWA aangekom.

Viljoen se liggaam is later deur verkennings elemente in 'n "vlakgraf" weg van die kontak toneel gevind. Hy was definatief in die kontak gewond en is deur die terroriste weg gevoer.

'n Baie netjiese en deeglikke jongman het sy lewe verloor wat ek sien as die draaipunt van die "bosoorlog" na 'n "semi-konvensionele" oorlog teen die Kubaans/Russies/Oos Duitse/Angolese beskermhere van die Swapo terroris bendes.

Viljoen en almal wat hul lewe gelaat het word gesallueer.

Ek was sy Kompanie Bevelvoerder

Some more details on my Son, Pieter Gerhardus Viljoen Du Toit.

• Surname: Du Toit
• Initials: P. G. V.
• Rank: L/Cpl
• Date: 18 Apr 1988
• Corps: SAMS, (not SA Army)
• Awards: Pro Patria and Southern African Medal (Posthumous)
• Year: 1988
• Place: Near Chipeque, 30 km SE from Xangongo, Angola.
• Date of Birth: 29 Dec 1968
• Full names: Pieter Gerhardus Viljoen
• Military number: 84379122 BG
• Death age: 19 Yrs
• Unit: Sector 20, 31 Bn, Omega Sickbay, Ops Medic
• War: Border SWA / Angola
• Buried on 8 June 1988 at Centurion Cemetery, Hero Acre.

Rfn R.G. Dunn (4 SAI) was killed in an explosives accident with Rfn E.P. Du Toit (4 SAI) in SWA Border Koakoveld

Richard Ede was our brother and died at the Angolan border on 06 January 1983 at the age of 27. He was survived by his wife Annie and his two sons, Richard and Charles as well as his four siblings and parents. His death came as a great shock to all especially as the government at the time denied the fact that our boys were in Angola at all. I pray every day that his death was not meaningless and that he did not die in vain. We still love and miss you everyday Richard, your ever loving siblings Glynis, Lesley, Thelma and Clive

Donald was killed in Katima Mulilo in the SWAPO mortar attack on the 23 Aug 1978. A shell pierced the roof of a bungalow killing 10 and wounding a number. I was in the mortars of 3SAI and we were stationed outside the camp in which they were killed. He was a great guy and a great soccer player which is where I got to Know him.

He was from the Roodepoort area.

The unit Dennis Elworthy was in was 2SSB (2nd Special Services Battalion -Zeerust). He was killed at Katima Mulilu in the Caprivi strip SWA in 1978, by a red-eye attack from Shesheke.

He was my best friend. I was shot later on and was unable to attend his funeral.

My name is Deon Erasmus, 5 years after the bombing myself and 4 friends were instructed to demolish the bungalow. What I saw that day when we opened the bungalow doors is still fresh in my memory today. I was from 5 M.W.E.

My name is Barry Callaghan I was in the attack that night in 1 SSB. Still have bad memories of that horrible night.

I was a gunner in 1 SSB and we had just arrived to take over.

Lance and I shared a tent in in 3 SAI, Hotel Coy, at Bloubos, Potch. He ironed our clothes while I boned our boots. Both of us wanted to become pilots, but I was on the shooting range when the Beddies collected the intake. So Lance went to Dunnottar, I stayed in 3 SAI, later that year I joined the SAAF as terminologist, was invited to Lance's solo party but could not make it. About 2 weeks later, his Harvard malfunctioned and Lance went down in a maize field. The farmer who went to his aid thought that Lance was still alive. Alas, a fantastic young man, full of zest and kindness was no more. One of the casualties of those times.

Major Ed Every was killed in action when his Mirage F1AZ was shot down whilst on an operational sortie.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

I Bazil Johnson(2Lt) 2 SAI infantry Battallion. Wayne Ewels my bud, we spent our primary school years together at the same desk, played rugby as foes for 5 years and greeting you on the runway at Rundu that September 1987, I never expected for you to go so soon. May you rest in peace my friend and may you somehow find this message that I leave for you here.

I believe that NO 445 EYBERS was attached to 1 Special Services Battalion in Bloemfontein. The reason for this is that 2SSB had only one intake a year and he was never with us.

Tpr Eybers was a driver of an armoured car. He was driving at the head of the squadron when they were ambushed by Cubans north of a town called Ebo on 24 November 1975. His armoured car was hit by an anti tank shell and Eybers took the full impact of the explosion. The car was toppled to its side.

The other two crew members survived the attack and were forced to remain in the car throughout the engagement.

When the squadron withdrew from the battle, the crew had to wait until dark before they could escape.

His body was not recovered and must have been buried by the enemy in the field of honour.

Not breaking tradition as a PF instructor, Sgt Furstenburg was a respected hardliner and merciless disciplinarian. On numerous occasions I personally endured his one to one "special treatment", testing my physical and mental capabilities to the uppermost limit. He did however compliment my stamina or ability to "Vasbyt" (which obviously made him go up slightly on my estimation chart).

He was tragically killed in a "friendly fire" incident along with two other soldiers, Rfn Wilters and a Sgt Markx. The incident took place near Ombalantu (Owamboland) during a routine anti-SWAPO night ambush set-up. Feedback was that for some reason the victims apparently stood up without warning, subsequently being mercilessly shot several times by one of their own.

Amazingly only one Rfn had opened fire and apparently every single bullet fired was a hit. Sgt Furstenburg had been shot more than five times. Initial inquest deemed the incident a tragic accident and the individual that opened fire, was granted a "Discharge" on the grounds of "traumatic psychological experience".

More than a year later I had the pleasure of spending 21 days in "Durban Beach" (Detention Barracks near Pretoria) and was astonished to see the "marksman" there. Querying him he explained that he had been charged with murder. Two witnesses had stated that they had heard him gloating about his actions having been deliberate.

Intriguing hey? I do not know what the outcome of the "Court Marshal" was, but what still baffles me is the accuracy of the shots.

THE SADF Man Who Died In Angola Identified

PRETORIA Sept 11 1992 Sapa

Pathologists have established that the remains of a South African Army medical orderly killed by enemy action while travelling with a Unita convoy in Angola in 1985 are those of Cpl Bruce Andrew Fidler, whose parents live in Florida, Johannesburg.

In a statement on Friday, the SA Army said Cpl Fidler's remains were returned to South Africa by the Angolan authorities in June this year.

The date of Cpl Fidler's death was officially declared as September 15, 1985.

His identity was finally established with the aid of his dental records, the Army statement said.

The young soldier's remains will be cremated on September 15 -- exactly seven years after his death. The service, with full military honours, will be from the Methodist Church in Florida.

Source

Sgt A.R. Foote's Story

Sgt Foote (A.R) (Bob) was a flight mechanic on the first Alouette 111 that the Air Force lost.

It happened in the du Toit's kloof when the chopper flew into some high tension cables.

All aboard were killed.

I saw the remains arrive at Ysterplaat on a Queen Mary.

Very little left recognisable as a helicopter.

CO F J Forster of 1 Recce died in shooting incident at Katima Mulilo, accident during "livefire" shooting drills

More info here Regiment Mooirivier and South African Transborder Operations into Angola during 1975/76 and 1983/84

Died in shooting incident, at Ladysmith

Explosion.

Possible Date: 1982-09-23

Possible Name: Lewis

Killed while moving from a ambush site towards sound of terrs using a different footpath ran into ambush.

Dear John

During June 2008, I visited the cemetery at Tsumeb and found the grave of Lt Kurt Gagiano, photo attached. He is listed as person 485 on the ROH website.

I have no nothing of this person other than what is available on the grave e.g. age. What I would like to know is why he was buried in Tsumeb. Was he originally from Tsumeb? I do not know much of the Gagiano family other than of a senior officer in the current air force.

Please use the photo for the website. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Hi Christo my name is Ruan Kurt Gagiano. My father's name is Enrico Gagiano and Kurt was his brother. They lived in Tsumeb at that time with his other brother and parents. I got my name from Kurt. My dad is still in the army stationed at Kroonstad millitary base. And Carlo Gagiano from the airforce is his cousin. If you want to make contact with me or my dad just send me a email and my dad can tell you something you might want to know.

Thank you all for all the stories.

my regards

Killed in Action (Tank took out Ratel)

4^th January 1984

As far as I can recall Martin was killed at Pomfret in the Northern Cape - 32Bn's base during Parachute Training. He was a keen photographer and was taking a video of a Dakota as it was taking of from the runway. He was standing at the end of the runway and the tail wheel of the Dakota hit him on take-off. He was killed instantly.

A Calamitous Incident

Alpha Company was detached for special duties in a terrorist hunting excercise with the Parachute Battalion to the rear of the Cape Town Highlander's position and north-east of Ondangwa, where mining of vehicle tracks had become a common feature. Tragically, late on 25th May, Sgt W.H.B. Gildenhuys, a 27-year-old weapons instructor of No 3 Platoon of the company, whose brother had served in the regiment and whose father and mother had been in the Navy and Airforce, died of wounds received in an extremely gallant attempt to save others when a rifle grenade exploded whilst they were on patrol. Rfn F.E. Eksteen, W.R. Hamber, R.J. Schonken and A.J. Rohlandt were all injured at the same time.

Sgt. Gildenhuys's body was flown back to Cape Town. He was a married man with a baby son, and was popular with everyone. Gildenhuys had been with the Cape Town Highlanders for more than ten years and had been bitterly disappointed at being medically turned down the previous year for service in Angola. At his full military funeral from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on 30th May, Pipe-Major N. Mouton played the "Flowers of the Forest" lament and Bugler E. van der Spuy sounded the "Last Post" and "Reveille". In the desolate bush country where he had met his death his fellows commemorated his passing with a minute's silence.

He was posthumously awarded the Honoris Crux for his bravery.

Accidentally Killed

Hannes was killed in action in SWA, on 12 August 1978, whilst on hot pursuit of a terorist group of about 45 men strong. He died together with two other paratroopers, Pierre Du Bois and Corrie vd Nest. A mortar bomb detonated between him and Corrie killing both.

Hannes was up and out of cover lifting the radio from his back so that he could call for a strike when he took the hit. He was a quiet decent man, with exceptional vasbyt!

"come and stand by your glass and be ready,
here is a toast to the men of the skies,
here is a toast to the one dead already
and a toast to the next one to die..."

I was at his military funeral in Wepener and can still remember the singing of the workers from the Greyling family farm at the graveside. It was a day of sincere grief for all present - fellow Parabats, friends and family. I acted as driver for Col Archie Moore OC after the service and well remember his anguish at the death of this young man and good soldier.

So ver bekend aan my was Sktr. Griesel lid van die Goudveld Kommando. Op 6 Januarie 1983 was Sktr. Griesel saam met 7 ander lede van die Goudveld Kommando op n roetiene patrollie toe hul voertuig n landmyn in die Kaokoveld in die Noord-Westelike operasionele gebied afgetrap het. Sktr. Griesel is op slag oorlede saam met vyf van sy makkers. Twee het die oorspronklike aanval oorleef maar is die volgende dag aan hul wonde oorlede.

As ek kan reg onhou is hy nie opslag oorlede nie hy is oppad na die hospitaal in vliegtuig oorlede. Ek dink ook sy van is verkeurd gespel (Griessel).

Hy is in Welkom begrawe. 5 van hulle is op die selfde dag bymekaar begrawe. Twee van hulle was my nefies (Griessel) + (VAN DER MERWE)

• J.H. Diedericks
• P. Uzzel
• F.M. Griessel
• J.L. Van Der Merwe
• B.J. Du Toit

Died in a Military Vehicle Accident, involving his section being transported in a Gladiator. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The army vehicle he was in collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith army camp.

I was a platoon commander at 32Bn and flew in this aircraft about 30 minutes before it was shot down.  It was an older L-model Puma helicopter as I recall and I joked with Grobler about flying in "this old aircraft", to which he jokingly responded that he was going to beat me up for insulting his chopper.  It flew as the last Puma in the formation of eight when it transported our company, but moved to the fifth position when it transported A Coy, 1 Para later that afternoon.  It was shot down by saturated fire of several 14,5mm weapons, which we took from the enemy the following day.  RIP

Wallie was 'n 5 SAI seksie leier wat in Elundu gestasioneer was. Hy was baie goed en moes die laaste keer saam met ons uitgaan voor hy na Vryburg sou vertrek om met die liefde van sy lewe te trou. Ons was in totaal 17 lede wat 'n groep van ongeveer 90 van SWAPO se bestes moes gaan afsny.

Kort voor ons vlug het hy aan my vertel dat die Here die vorige nag vir hom gewys het dat hy dit nie gaan maak nie. Ons het saam gebid tot voor ons vlug. Toe ons later die oggend op die spore van 'n meter breed en ongeveer 7 cm diep afkom, Het die Pel Bev. Clive Logan panniekerig geraak en groot taktiese foute gemaak.

Wallie was voor my op sy fosforgranaat geskiet. Ons was oppad om die ander wat binne die L hinderlaag vasgepen was te gaan help.

A.S. Groenewald was killed along with his brother and two others when their Ratel 20 APC was hit by ZSU23mm fire during the battle with the 59th Brigade on the 12th February 1988, Operation Hooper.

Great guys who I served with in 1SAI, Bloemfontein 1987.

AS Groenewald was killed with his nephew Pieter, Lance Corporal Kleinhans and Rfn van Nieuwenhuizen at about 17h00 on 14 February 1988. Their Ratel got stuck on a treestump that was left in the tanktrack in front of us. When their ratel got stuck, Corporal Kleinhans got on our Ratel 22A and rode with me until we got to the shona before the attack. 22C then caught up and the Corporal left for his ratel.

About half an hour later we heard that 22C was shot out. It was shot on the left-hand by a ZSU 23-4, but on the right-hand where the Groenewalds sat, a big hole was ripped out of the Ratel. There were two more Groenewalds in the Ratel, the driver and another rifleman. The other rifleman was also seriously wounded in his neck from the shots. The two that were killed were the MAG gunner team.

They were very dear friends, we started army together in Alpha Company 1 SAI and in 2nd phase went to Bravo Company and then to Bravo at 61 Mech.

That day made that Valentine's day will never be the same. One always thinks back to the friends who died that day, the sunset as we drove back, with smoke dwindling upwards and bombs still exploding

P. Groenewald was killed along with his brother and two others when their Ratel 20 APC was hit by ZSU-23mm fire during the battle with the 59th Brigade on the 12th February 1988, Operation Hooper.

Great guys who I served with in 1SAI, Bloemfontein 1987.

Pietie was one of the nicest guys one could ever hope to meet, especially in Angola where he always made you feel better about everything. He came and gave me my post on the morning of 13th of Feb. The next day, 23A, my Ratel was called to assist the stricken Ratel. Henk de Koker and myself carried the wounded to our Ratel, then Henk ran back again into enemy fire to retrieve the burning from 22C.

Pieter Groenewald was killed with his nephew AS Groenewald, Lance Corporal Kleinhans and Rfn van Nieuwenhuizen at about 17h00 on 14 February 1988.

Their Ratel got stuck on a treestump that was left in the tanktrack in front of us. When their ratel got stuck, Corporal Kleinhans got on our Ratel 22A and rode with me until we got to the shona before the attack. 22C then caught up and the Corporal left for his Ratel. About half an hour later we heard that 22C was shot out. It was shot on the left-hand by a ZSU23-4, but on the right-hand where the Groenewalds sat, a big hole was ripped ou of the Ratel. There were two more Groenewalds in the Ratel, the driver and another rifleman. The other rifleman was also seriously wounded in his neck from the shots. The two that were killed were the MAG gunner team. They were very dear friends, we started army together in Alpha Company 1SAI and in 2nd phase went to Bravo Company and then to Bravo at 61 Mech.

That day made that Valentine's day will never be the same. One always thinks back to the friends who died that day, the sunset as we drove back, with smoke dwindling upwards and bombs still exploding.

Ons was lede van Echo Kompanie, 8 SAI. In die weermag het ons nie eerste name gebruik nie, net vanne. Hanekom was die tiepe van ou met wie almal oor die weg gekom het. Uitgaande persoonlikheid wat hom nie met nonsens opgehou het nie.

Ons basis was Ciete(spelling?), so 50km binne Angola. Ons was besig met eerste fase operasies vir Ops Askari. Dit laat oggend was toe ons die nuus kry dat (Pierre) Hanekom gesneuwel het. En dit was net 'n week of so voor ons eerste Grensfase oor was, en ons vir Kersfees terug 'States' toe gegaan het op pas. Ek het sy ouers die jammerste gekry, want ek kon net dink wat se skok dit was, so kort voor pas en Kersfees.

Mnr. en Mev. Hanekom, as julle meer wil weet oor wat gebeur het, kontak my asseblief by bg. email adres.

This was my brother Abraham Hattingh. He mtriculated at Glencoe Technical High School in 1977. The next year he was called up for service. He died on 7 February 1978 in the Army Base in Potchefstroom. They were busy cleaning the barracks when the lightning struck the electric polisher. He was busy polishing the floor at that moment. He died on the sceen. He died a month before his 18th birthday. He was laid to rest in Witbank with a full military burial.

He is still very much missed by his father and two sisters.

Susan Grobler 083 717 8112 P.O. Box 13214 MIDDELBURG 1050

A man who gave his life for his family, friends and country. He gave his best to the end, never considering himself, dedicated to the brave service he delivered upon all!

A true hero, you live through your son ... a dedicated young man with his father's soul (a picture of you inside and out).

Sersant Wynand Jacobus Hawkins: Wynand het in 1977 by die lugmag brandweer aangesluit na 4 jaar by die Pretoria Brandweer, en as korporaal na Langebaan verhuis waar hy vir 2 jaar gestationeer was. Einde 1977 meld hy aan vir Grens Diens te Grootfontein. Hy het bevordering ontvang tot Sersant in 1978, en ontvang die Honoris Crux vir dapperheid.

In 1979 word hy verplaas na Devon, en einde 1979 meld hy weer aan by Grootfontein. 1981 word Sersant Hawkins weer verplaas na Waterkloof Lugmag Basis, en lewer weer grens diens in 1983 by Omega Basis.

Op 21 Mei 1985 is hy oorlede in 'n brand by die Sasol Depot in Pretoria Wes.

"Hy was 'n godvresende man en het 'n hart van goud gehad. Wynand was 'n wonder man vir my en 'n goeie pa vir sy 2 dogters op daardie stadium. Niks was ooit te veel vir hom nie, hy was baie behulpsaam en 'n geliefde persoon. Sy oorlede pa het altyd gese "Jy is my tjom, my beste tjom in die wereld"."

Vir n beter Pa sou ek nie kon vra. Met my geboorte, en elke mylpaal in my jong lewe, tot koffie in die bed was hy daar vir my en aan my ma se sy. Pa was soms streng, maar regverdig. Saam het ma en pa my geleer van liefde, respek en eerbied vir mekaar, en vir God.

Pa was altyd reg met n grappie of twee, veral met Ouma en Oupa Hawkins! Ons het baie daar gekuier en gebraai. Dit was Pa se lewe. Hy het altyd baie liefde en wedersydse respek teenoor sy ouers getoon.

My pa moes baie weg gaan grens toe, dan was sy klossie (my bynaam) baie siek, sommer vir dae aaneen. Ek het altyd geweet hy kom terug met ietsie mooi vir my.

Toe Lizelle gebore is, was pa baie trots. Ons was 'n gesinnetjie van vier. Maar diep in sy hart het hy gehinker na 'n seun ook, min wetend dat hy wel eendag sy seun sou kry!

Pa was n man van durf en daat. Een aand is ons almal saam geroep en die nuus gekry, dat ons 'n boetie of sussie gaan kry, ons was so opgewonde! Pa was so trots, en ons het gewag en gewag.

Tot daardie tragiese dag. Ek is by die skool kom haal, en ma het gese "my bokkie jy moet sterk wees", en ek wou weet waar my pa is? ek het net geweet. Verder het alles net te vinnig gebeur. Almal het net gese dit was 'n ongeluk, hy het onherkenbaar verbrand. Ek moet hom onthou soos hy was! Ek mag hom nie gesien het nie, ek kon nie afskeid neem nie. Dit was te veel vir my!! Die begrafnis was vol milkier. Brandweerwaens, kanonskote, en almal wat eerbiedig afskeid neem van 'n geliefde vriend, eggenoot en pappa. Als het gevoel of dit tot stilstand gekom het. In die kort tydjie wat ek gehad he tom hom as my pa te ken, was hy my held!

Gavin John Harvey was a drummer boy, a child of peace and born with the gift of incredible humour. He ignited laughter wherever he went. His impersonations were spot on, and always a twist to the story. He loved music. He lived for it. It was he who introduced me to Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, The Brecker Bro's... we made a band in high school with Martin Yates, a talented boy of muso parents, who was Gavin's best friend... they indulged my love of ballads and strong melodies and lyrics. All Gavin really wanted to do was to be a muso. In another time and space, that's what he would've been. But The Call-Up hung over his head. First he'd work at the Std Bank for 6 months then join the July Call-up, to fill those inbetween days of waiting.

It was 5 years later that i would write a song with Barney Simon from the Market Theater, entitled 'O Pale Ladies of South Africa'... cos I know that the white women of SA were complicit in condoning the call-ups. My revolutionary urge was to do anything to avoid it, even as I hear my mother say to my brother, who didn't want to go... "But it'll make a man out of you Neil!!!" What kind of a man, Mom? Broken? 'Pale Ladies' was a call to all the wives, the girlfriends, the sisters the oumas to present themselves instead, at the stations, where the trains would wait for the cargo of cannon fodder, our beautiful unknowing boys...we should dress all frilly and feminine...and see what would happen...what could they do? would they take us instead? can you see the power of the meek... it would be a peaceful protest of Gandhi-esque proportions. Obedience in a culture such as ours can be a dangerous thing. Look at how Nazi Germany evolved, whilst the intellectuals dismissed Hitler as a buffoon...just like PW. Alice Miller writes about poisonous paedagogy. We all were taught, from within the marrow of the school systems, to hate and fear the communists and the blacks, out there in the townships..also 'communists'... A few rebellious crazy ones, sometimes consequentially so, would become heroic in their protest. There was little trustworthy to rely on in those days... dark days of censorship and lies...

So Gavin went to Bloem, and none were more surprised than me, to hear he was VOLUNTEERING FOR THE BATS!! I can only think that something radically shifted for Gavin, during basics... the taste for heroism... or maybe a kind of reckless madness for the inevitable, maybe he volunteered just to see if he could do it, for an entirely insporty and non-competitive guy, this was a madness indeed. and then again, maybe he just had a dream to fly.... we had been lovers. he was tender and smelt of blue stratos and sometimes brandy and behind his glasses were green eyes that were wise and kind... and we loved music. we really loved the music together, and the first time we made love it was in his bedroom, squashed on his narrow bed, the moonlight shimmering on the silver of his drums, and Stevie crooning.. 'i don't wanna bore you with it...bit i love you, i love you, i lo-o-o-ve you..."

I went to University, it was a big and fantastic move for me- freedom, at last, from the stifling control of home. we wrote many many letters. they would arrive in blue envelopes, on the hostel notice board. they smelt of what i didn't recognise. but filled with pages of blue ink anecdotes and jokes and some endearments, not much really. and I waited... he hitched from Bloem to Grahamstown to visit me one weekend. I smuggled him into my room. It was 2 days of simple and sweet intimacy, we brewed gluwein with my element and slept close as we'd ever been. we fitted together, in the wordlessness, and the wonder of being naked, for one whole night, together, and there, somehow, our worlds met, in time's suspension. ..no future and a distant past. he seemed proud of his wings, about to go to the Border. The Wings were a big thing. he became animated and his eyes shone when he spoke of them.. To the Border... we couldn't talk politics. we chose not to. I was a radical lefty then already in trouble for some of the articles i had written for the student paper.

When he left, I told my mom, during her Sun evening telephone call to me, of his visit. she was outraged that he had stayed in my room. she withdrew her permission for me to leave the residence the next year. Maybe she had hoped I was still a virgin. it didn't matter. I would relocate to Cape Town University, for their specialised Drama degree. at the end of first year, I couldn't wait any longer ... I met Alf, who was actually gay, but I didn't know then, and I told Gavin it was over. I was heady with a new romance, and how would it work over the massive distance, and my new life, my new exciting drama-queen life? I can't really say how it affected him. He stopped writing. I know it hurt him...now, when I look back, I can see the inevitability of it, for me and him. My road was drawing me to very different places...and him?

The news that came to me, via a call to Cape Town, in my second year of study, that he was in 1 Military Hospital in a coma, after being flown down from Angola.. flown down from Angola. The story was they had been travelling in a Buffel when they hit a landmine. The shrapnel entered his lung. That was the story. This was about 4 weeks before he was to klaar out, and just after his 21st birthday. I wanted to go to Pta. I was in the middle of a series of excrutiating improvisations toward the production of Marat Sade, directed by Prof Mavis Taylor. Contracted in her own agony of rheumatoid arthritis, she refused me permission to go. I made a tape of songs to play for him, and poems and words to call him somehow, back to us...to me? The cassette never arrived in Pta. And I, well I am ashamed to say, I was not courageous enough then, to disobey instructions and travel to Pta without permission. I would have forfeited my entrance to the exams. i was a bursary student, finances were precarious...a million justifications. Fact is, I didn't and if I had...who knows? who knows?

His last letter arrived unexpectedly in our little flat in Hope St, me living with my new boyfriend, in those last weeks before the accident. Very strange letter. Little communicated, as everything was scrutinised by Big Brother, but there were 2 cartoons : one of a small dog, weeping by a gravestone saying RIP Gavin John Harvey..and something else. I need to find the letters again to get the whole story. and also a reference to the craziness of being up there. someone had put the head of a kitten on someone elses' cushion.. things were not so good. it was not a good time, up there.

It was a trip into the extremities of barbarism and man's inhumanity towards man...in the bloody ruthless and ignoble pursuit of the diamond mines and rich reserves of Angola. and our best and most gifted of young men were systematically being offered as slaughter...and slaughterers. you were powerless to do much about it when you were there. the zeitgeist was impenetrable: Jump when you had to, Run when you had to, Shoot when you had to, Kill when you had to, Hide when you had to and fuckin' keep your ears and eyes awake all the time. No time for dreamless sleep and the unspeakble horror of what you saw an undertone. Always try keep calm and believe you would get back.. and shit yourself because you were so scared, not just at what was the invisible, scent of them beyond, but what was happening in the eyes of those around you. and the face that stares back at you in the piece of broken glass.

Iin the end, I think he'd just had enough..emotionally...he had transgressed his own borders, and how in God's name was he to put it all back together when he got home? How would he ever talk about it/ tell us even one of the stories that blister on your lips in the naming? He chose to klaar out big time...take the Big Step... I am sure he is still around, when I write I can hear his voice dictating this. His mom and dad really suffered. Grieved for their youngest beloved boy. It was unspeakable that this should happen. It wasn't part of the plan, and that is why I think this is such an amazing space you have created John Dovey. We, in some way, through telling the stories and posting the dedications are able to re-construct and honour... within a much bigger context. Our own gestures toward re-membering and forgiving what was a terrible price paid for the madness of war.

Amen

Clinton was killed in Angola near Cuito and he was a Bombardier in the Anti-Aircraft SAM-7 team unit of 61 Mech.

Good day John,

I would like to know if anybody ever sent you a photo of my brother. I only have photos of him as a child. So, please should you have a grave (or any other) photo of him please forward it to me.

On 20 May 1983, the MK (ANC) Special Operations Unit planted a car bomb in Church Street, Pretoria, outside the building housing the administrative headquarters of the South African Air Force. The explosion killed twenty-one people  (eleven of whom were employees of the SAAF and two of whom were MK operatives) and injured 217. Commandant Izak Jacobus Henning was one of those killed.

Killed in Action (Tank took out Ratel)

4^th January 1984

HE WAS KILLED DURING A RETALIATRY AIR ATTACK BY MIG 27`S ON THE CALUEQE DAM ON THE 27TH JUNE 1988. THE BUFFEL TOOK A DIRECT HIT, KILLING ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS.

Ek onthou vir O/kpl Holder nog baie goed. Hy het altyd gelag met so n stoute vonkel in die oe. Ek was Seksie leier van Peleton 3, Bravo Kompanie, 8SAI tydens die aanval. Sal die troepe wat die dag gesterf het nooit ooit vergeet nie.

On 23 November 1975, during Operation Savannah, Capt Holm led an attack via Ebo to Cond? in an armoured car, accompanied by 2Lt Hermanus van Niekerek, who was driving Capt Holm's civilian Honda.

The armoured cars came under enemy fire and one was hit, toppling into a river-bed, while the rest became bogged down. Mortars were brought forward but these could not be brought to bear on the enemy properly as their base plates kept shifting in the soft ground. The enemy continued to shell the combined South African / UNITA force, inflicting a number of casualties. In an effort to evacuate some of these casualties and retrieve their mortars, Capt Holm moved forward in his Eland armoured car, together with 2Lt van Niekerek in the Honda. Whilst doing so, an enemy rocket exploded behind the Eland and Honda, killing Capt Holm, who was exposed in the turret, and throwing 2Lt van Niekerk through the air. The Honda was destroyed.

Information extracted from Cross of Honour by Ian Uys, Uys Publishers 1992.

Capt Holm was an infantry officer who was attached to the squadron. He replaced Capt Schoeman who was injured by a landmine and took command of the squadron and was a crew member in an armoured car.

The squadron was ambushed by Cubans north of a town called Ebo on 24 November 1975. During the course of the engagement he had to expose himself to physically help another armoured car out of the ambush area. A shell exploded near by and he suffered severe head injuries. (A plastic bag had to be placed over his head to keep everything together)

His body was recovered and returned to South Africa.

Listed on Fort Klapperkop Wall as "P.H.J. Holtshausen"

An ex-colleague of mine told me a few years ago that he was on that train. I called him earlier today and without referring to the accident, asked him where he was on 25 March 1977. Het asked me "what time" and I said "about 02h00". He said "sitting upright in my train bunk at Keetmanshoop station." He is very creative with the pen and he and an excellent memory, being an ex history teacher. I asked him to send me a few notes. Unfortunately it's in Afrikaans and here it is:-

Keetmanshoop - 25 Maart 1977

Iets maak my wakker en ek trek my regop aan die *rand* van die boonste slaapbank in ons 6-man kompartement in die 4de wa van ons troeptrein wat na die grens op pad is * ons is almal van Regiment Westelike Provincie. Dis 02:10.

Die volgende oomblik is daar *n slag en ons word almal geskud. Die ander 5 ouens val almal uit die slaapbanke en sommige word beseer toe hulle op die oopgeslaande tafel val. Almal hardloop uit na die perron en daar*s chaos. Willem (?) sit en huil op die perron.

Ons hoor toe *n trein met 2 *units* en 25 oop trokke met tonne ystererts het in ons trein wat voor die stasie staan, teen *n effense helling afgekom en in ons vasgery. Die *units* is ontspoor en die 1ste wa ook, maar die 2de een het dwarsgedraai en die ander trein se een *unit* het regdeur *n kompartement gery. Vyf van ons manne is dood, terwyl die 6de een in daardie noodlottige kompartement sonder *n skrapie deur die venster geval het. Gary Bricknel * wat vir die WP krieket speel * is een van die oorledenes.

Daar word vir volunteers gevra om die beseerdes te help en altesaam 90 manne word later na milit?re hospitale afgevoer. Twee RP*s met ammunisie word voor die telefoonhokkies op die perron staangemaak en beveel om enigeen wat 2 meter van die hokkies kom, te wond. Almal wil net teruggaan * land toe * maar kmdt Ivan Bester van die Paarl * ons bevelvoerder * s? later di? oggend dat ons voortgaan en gaan veg, en om 14:00 vertrek ons trein weer noorde toe. Heelwat van die waens is beskadig, maar hulle is intussen vervang.

Willem herinner my later hoekom hy gehuil het en ek word koud. Ons was op Kaapstad in wa 1, maar *n halfuur voor ons sou vertrek, het een of ander offisier ges? ons 6 moes na wa 2 gaan, na die kompartement waar die 5 man gesterf het. Tien minute voor ons vertrek is ons weer aanges? om na wa 4 te gaan.

Dit was nog nie ons tyd nie!"

He was my cousin...

Grant Howard

Brian Hoy was killed in SWA when the Ratel in which he was travelling (standing in the commanders turret) rolled during an excercise. He was with the 1st Regiment Northern Transvaal (1RNT) He was a gentle and quiet guy who died at the hands of an inexperienced driver - What a waste of a life

RIP

An ex-colleague of mine told me a few years ago that he was on that train. I called him earlier today and without referring to the accident, asked him where he was on 25 March 1977. Het asked me "what time" and I said "about 02h00". He said "sitting upright in my train bunk at Keetmanshoop station." He is very creative with the pen and he and an excellent memory, being an ex history teacher. I asked him to send me a few notes. Unfortunately it's in Afrikaans and here it is:-

Keetmanshoop - 25 Maart 1977

Iets maak my wakker en ek trek my regop aan die *rand* van die boonste slaapbank in ons 6-man kompartement in die 4de wa van ons troeptrein wat na die grens op pad is * ons is almal van Regiment Westelike Provincie. Dis 02:10.

Die volgende oomblik is daar *n slag en ons word almal geskud. Die ander 5 ouens val almal uit die slaapbanke en sommige word beseer toe hulle op die oopgeslaande tafel val. Almal hardloop uit na die perron en daar*s chaos. Willem (?) sit en huil op die perron.

Ons hoor toe *n trein met 2 *units* en 25 oop trokke met tonne ystererts het in ons trein wat voor die stasie staan, teen *n effense helling afgekom en in ons vasgery. Die *units* is ontspoor en die 1ste wa ook, maar die 2de een het dwarsgedraai en die ander trein se een *unit* het regdeur *n kompartement gery. Vyf van ons manne is dood, terwyl die 6de een in daardie noodlottige kompartement sonder *n skrapie deur die venster geval het. Gary Bricknel * wat vir die WP krieket speel * is een van die oorledenes.

Daar word vir volunteers gevra om die beseerdes te help en altesaam 90 manne word later na milit?re hospitale afgevoer. Twee RP*s met ammunisie word voor die telefoonhokkies op die perron staangemaak en beveel om enigeen wat 2 meter van die hokkies kom, te wond. Almal wil net teruggaan * land toe * maar kmdt Ivan Bester van die Paarl * ons bevelvoerder * s? later di? oggend dat ons voortgaan en gaan veg, en om 14:00 vertrek ons trein weer noorde toe. Heelwat van die waens is beskadig, maar hulle is intussen vervang.

Willem herinner my later hoekom hy gehuil het en ek word koud. Ons was op Kaapstad in wa 1, maar *n halfuur voor ons sou vertrek, het een of ander offisier ges? ons 6 moes na wa 2 gaan, na die kompartement waar die 5 man gesterf het. Tien minute voor ons vertrek is ons weer aanges? om na wa 4 te gaan.

Dit was nog nie ons tyd nie!

One needs to read Col Jan Breytenbach's new book "Eagle Strike". An awsome account of the truth of the Cassinga attack. Not the rubbish written by certain officers who claimed to be in charge on the day and even got names incorrect of members KIA or MIA.

I was present where and when this person died after being shot down during ops Savannah in a Puma helicopter. His death was not due to a crash. I tried pulling him out of the burning helicopter but was unable to do so due to heat and exploding ammunition. This was more than an aircraft crash which seems to be wrongly stated on the records. There was one survivor who was badly burnt and airlifted for treatment. Place of death - Dondo (200km south east from Luanda)

Raymond Jagga, was the Medic attached to School of Armour's Tank Squadron which participated, as part of 61 Mechanised Infantry during the period June to October 1988. Raymond was killed during a SWAPO attack on the 61 Mechanised convoy returning from an excersise in the Operational Area. The Ratel in which he was travelling was struck by two RPG rockets. The first hit the engine, the second went through the door, which killed Raymond instantly.

I will miss Raymond, as he was well liked by the Tank Crews.

Regards

If I am correct, this man was my sister's boyfriend before he was called up. He, and several colleagues, perished in a weapons familiarisation accident. A supposedly "safe" foreign grenade exploded and killed several men. I have no more data.

I was friends with his sister before he went off to do his duty, and I can still recall Alan as a very out-going, friendly and mischievous character. He was usually up to something, and lived life to the full.

You are still remembered Alan, rest in peace mate.

A. Jordaan 3SAI 82-83 Charlie company - Potch 81 mm mortar

Comment: Served in 82-83: 3 SAI, with the 81mm mortar platoon C Company with Sgt Donald and other great mates

He did his bit for South Africa in the town of Xangogo, Ondjiva, and Alfa Tower etc. This is for our all the friend that lost the battle and died for South Africa Infantry.

Military Vehicle Accident

I was present where and when this person died after being shot down during ops Savannah in a Puma helicopter. His death was not due to a crash. I tried pulling him out of the burning helicopter but was unable to do so due to heat and exploding ammunition. This was more than an aircraft crash which seems to be wrongly stated in the records. There was one survivor who was badly burnt and airlifted for treatment. Place of death - Dondo (200km South East from Luanda)

Chris Kemp was a member of 14 Field Squadron -Engineer Corps (part of Northern Transvaal Commandment). He died in a landmine explosion in January 1977 on the Golden Highway near the old Eenhana camp in Owamboland (not the new Eenhana base where the mass graves were found). We were on our way to Nkongo (?) camp on a routine patrol and the vehicle hit the landmine whilst he was walking in the bushes next to it. Those of us who were there will always remember him - R.I.P.

I am pretty sure this is my brother. He died in a landmine explosion. He was the shortest guy in his platoon and was well liked by everyone. I was only 10 at the time when it happened but remember it like yesterday. It happened on the Sat and they told us on the Sun, a navy chaplan came by and we thought it was him knocking on the door on a Sun morning to surprise us that he was back from the border. My mum never really recovered from it. But my oldest looks just like his uncle. We love you Henkie, for us you will live on for ever. xx

2Lt Keulder was killed in a SWAPO ambush south of Chana Henombe in Angola on 8 March 1977. He and his fellow 32 Bn soldiers tried to "liberate" some SWAPO cattle to Omauni for own use when the enemy opened fire on them.

Killed in a shooting accident involving his beat partner, at HSPT AFB. A tragic loss !

He was just a kid. Fresh from Infantry School. Posted to 6 SAI Bn as a Pl Cmdr. I can't remember the date but I believe it was sometime in April '76 shortly after Easter. We were being deployed and tasked to establish a new base east of Eenhana. I was a signaler riding on the Doc's (Capt Toppie Mulder) Unimog. Got the message that one of the 'Mogs up ahead had rolled and several guys had been injured. This was just outside Eenhana. We broke from the convoy and rushed forward to get the Doc and the medics there. The 'Mog had rolled over him and apparently crushed his pelvis. Doc tried to stabilise him. When the choppers came we loaded him and the others to be casevaced. We carried on to our new location. We received the message later that evening that he had passed away. He was our first casualty that year. He was a good kid. Let us remember him.

Died in freak accident, at Ladysmith, drowned

I only found out about what happened in 1993 when I went to visit some of the guys that joined on for short Service in 1992. Cpl Mike Land told me that L/Cpl Kladis had died in a car accident along with Pte Pohl and Pte Olberholzer. Mike Land and myself were their Medical Phase instructors.

Cpl. Kleynhans was the vehicle commander of a Ratel 20. He was with Bravo Company, 61 Mech and was killed on 14 February 1988 in Angola when his Ratel (22C) was hit by direct fire from an enemy 23mm gun during the attack on Fapla 59th Brigade. Three other crew members of 22C died in this attack and another 5 were injured.

We will remember you

Corporal Kleinhans, Rfn As & PH Groenewald and VV Nieuwenhuizen were killed at about 17h00 on the 14th of February 1988. Their Ratel (22C) got stuck on a treestump that was left on the tanktracks, earlier that day. Corporal Kleinhans got with me on the back of our Ratel (22A) and we rode there together 'til 22C caught up with us just before we entered the shona from where the attack began. Corporal Kleinhans got down from 22A and went back to 22C, a bit after they were killed in the attack. Their ratel was shot by a ZSU23-4 on the righthand side, but it had a gaping hole where Corporal Kleinhans and his MAG gunners sat. What caused the hole we will never know.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

While on patrol, his Ratel started "Snaking" and capsized. Phillip was caught under the Ratel, from the waist down.

We were called to assist as 61 Mech was stationed at our base as visitors at the time. I was an Ops Medic with the RM at the time. Phillip was a friend in the short time I got to know him and will be sorely missed.

Cpl. Koorts was my platoon seargent when I was busy with Basics at 8SAI in Upington in 1988. Later in 1988, Koorts was posted to the operational area and was patrolling near Cuito Cuanavale. They were attacked one afternoon by Cuban MIGS, and the story we heard whilst busy with 2nd Phase training at Riemvasmaak, was that one of the MIG21's? released a bomb that dropped into a Buffel troop carrier - Koorts and Tucker (his Lieutenant) were in the Buffel when the bomb exploded.

Sadly, Koorts was not a well liked person - of all the guys in my platoon not one dwelt too long on hearing the news of his death. Tucker was different though - he was a brilliant bloke....really sad to have seen him go.

We were together from the first day. He was most of the time a cheerfull lad. Always found new ways to p$%* off the Cpl. He always took training with a spoon. He was my pole buddy and my room buddy. Golf coy lost a good soldier and I a good friend. I saw the buffel at ruacanna a while later and could not help bursting into tears. Always questions but no answers. You will be missed mate. God bless.

There is a further mention made in your records of a Attie Krog who also was from 5SAI who died in South West.

The story there was that the July 78 intake at Ladysmith sent some new drivers to Nkongo when we went back to this base about November 78. These drivers had only been in the army about 5 months and could not keep up with the likes of Attie who was an ouman driver and so they damaged a lot of vehicles. By this time a new road had been built from Eenhana to Oshikati and we were now at Eenhana in January 78.

It was decided to send Attie in his buffel with 10 of the new drivers from Eenhana to Oshikati, from there the new drivers would return to Ladysmith. Attie let one of the new drivers drive as he knew the guy from school and Attie sat in the middle seat in the buffel. Luckily everybody strapped in and they decided to spook the new road ie take a chance and not use mine detectors. This was a bad move as this road had been constantly sabotaged with mines since it was built.

On their journey they hit 3 anti tank mines killing the driver instantly and Attie got crushed by the steel brace that sits underneath the centre seat. A school friend who was also in the vehicle told me later that the bones in his heels were sticking out of his boots after the blast. He had to stay at Natal Command for an extra year after his 2 years as the army would not dicharge him until his wounds had healed.

I hope this sheds some light on Atties death.

I was in the same landmine as Attie. He was my ouman and a kind guy. Later on the same day of the landmine he died in hospital next to me. Another person died in the same accident. The other names I remember are Garry Russow and Pop Bradfield come to mind. The aniversary of the mine was on the 12 January.

The young (18) A.A. Gunner blown in half by a 20mm shell. 15^th January 1984

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou 'n groep van die Verkennings Kommando's, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in 'n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen 'n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur 'n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit 'n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook 'n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in 'n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm 'n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel 'Vingers' Kruger met 'n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met 'n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met 'n LMG, Gary Walker met 'n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in 'n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet 'n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op 'n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur 'n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter 'n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met 'n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan 'n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. 'Ek het my hand by die werk in 'n ongeluk seergemaak' sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op 'n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook 'n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

If recall OP Kruger, had a twin, both were killed in a landmine blast back in 1982. I was in the same sqn with them.

JD

Here is (finally and while I'm still subscribed!) that tribute to GK I mentioned that was published in the school yearbook.

There is also a pic of him wearing his SADF stepouts I think, but I have yet to dig the book itself out. I got the teacher who had written it to post this to me for your ROH, you have her permission to use it, she is Dylan Weston in case you want to ascribe the words to her, she taught him in his last year or two at Sunward Park High School in Boksburg.

Hope this is of use to you.

Trev

Grant, never a day goes by without thinking of you. My oldest son looks, talks and writes like you. He too questions the world's norms and vocalises these in an opinionated and thought provoking manner. You would have loved him. I always remember Mom saying, Grant whatever you do don't join the "Paratroopers."

We had such a sense of foreboding and fear for you when you were on the border. The loss of my only much loved brother is something I have never fully come to terms with. I still suffer seperation anxiety when my children go away as I do not take it for granted that they will come home. You never came home and I spent many years illogically hoping that a mistake had been made. We never had the privilege of closure and I still have so many unanswered questions. My youth and trust in life was shattered forever when we lost you. I now live in Australia . It has has been a difficult adjustment for me as I do not transplant well.

I know that you are with us in spirit You touched the lives of so many people in the short time you were on this earth. You inspired us, made us laugh with outrageous comments and also infuriated us at times..How I wish you had made safer choices. It wasn't to be.

Thank you so much to those who have left a message on this site. Thank you for remembering a young man who was taken from us much too soon.

I just wanted to add a little note on here to say that more than 25 years after Grant's passing, I took my daughter who is now 12, to the SANDF memorial in Pretoria. I was just 6 years old when Grant passed away, and it was with both pride and heartsore that I could show my daughter our cousin's memorial plaque and tell her the story of Grant. 

Grant, you may be gone from this life, but you most definitely are not forgotten. Even by someone who was just a little girl at the time.....your memory will live on and be passed down. Until we meet again. Sandy.

I grew up with Danny Lan in Hatfield, Pretoria. He was mates with my best friend's brother, Carl Honicke. As far as I know, Dan was a door-gunner in an Allo gun-ship, and he was apparently killed on an Op, but don't know the circumstances.

The strange thing about this is that Dan was a first-generation ex-patriot Israeli, and according to SADF custom, shouldn't have been in Sector 10 at all, as the policy was not to allow Jewish people up there because of dietary complications (Kosher kitchens).

Check out everyone who was based in Hoedspruit and then transferred to Ondangwa - the common denominator is that they "dead". Perhaps Steve could fill us all in with what happened to them, if he is still alive.

Daniel's helicopter apparently flew into an electric cable over the border and he was thrown out of the helicopter and the chopper landed on him. This is why he, like Eddie Bloem, was also not able to be identified by his family after his death and why there was a "closed" coffin.

Eddie and Danny were mates and were both based in Hoedspruit then transferred to Ondangs, both are dead, both deaths were under strange circumstances. Paranoid? 773301058, no answers, only ever questions.

I was with Danny on the F/E course in Bloem. I have good memories of us together. We often went to my parents place in Durbs on weekends during the course (as there were only 4 english speaking guys on the course). It was with deep sadness and shock my friend to see your name on the SAAF memorial during a visit to SA during 2001 and I can honestly say I wept tears that I survived and you did not, why? We both had a common dream and we often discussed what we would do after the SAAF. I chose to pursue my aviation career in Switzerland and have been true to it ever since leaving the SAAF. Rest in peace my friend as I still look at the fotos of the two of us in the Berg during the mountain course and have fond memories of us discussing our aviation careers after the SAAF. Sadly yours ended to soon. I by the grace of God managed to continue my dream.

• Rfn Smit
• Rfn Schronen
• Rfn Le Roux

Killed in Action. 31^st December 1983

This incident was 54 Bn/5 SAI Bn and the followup was performed by Berede 101 Maj Mense. I was at Eenhana at the time.

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, #132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted. None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived. The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

Maruis was a crew commander of a Ratel 90 belonging to 61Mech in Angola during Op Hooper. Trained in 2SSB Zeerust. Marius was commanding his Ratel when the command came to visgraad (take cover under trees) when enemy Migs were overhead. A branch from the tree caught the browning mounting which came loose and hit Marius in the head. Marius was a great guy, always the centre of any fun.

Steven was a section-leader in a special combat-engineering element of 1Para Bn. He died in a fire-fight in the South-West of Angola. He was an excellent soldier and a man of strong faith. It was an honour to have served under him.

Only the good die young!!!!

I will always remember and cherish his memory.

Killed in Action (Tank took out Ratel)

4^th January 1984

Died in a Military Vehicle Accident, involving his section being transported in a Gladiator. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The army vehicle he was in collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith army camp.

As part of Operation Askari in 1983/1984, the first attack by South African mechanised infantry on Cuvelai began on the morning of 31 December 1983. During the initial assault an 81mm mortar platoon and the artillery were tasked to provide indirect fire support. The South Africans, who were not visible directly from the Cuvelai base, were met by intense 23mm fire. The officer in command of the mortar section, Second Lieutenant P.M. Liebenberg, lifted the mortar fire by 50 metre leaps to try and suppress this fire, but shortly after the beginning of the attack, the mortars suddenly became quiet as an enemy 23mm gunner hit the tower of Liebenberg's Ratel, fatally wounding him.

Piet was 'n stil voorbeeldige leier. Lt Anton Melck het net oor die radio gese "Moenie vir Piet roep nie-hy is nie meer daar nie"

Killed in Action (23mm in the head) 31^st December 1983

Raymond was a Paratroper who had attended Pinetown Boys' High School.

His best friend at school, Hughes De Rose was also a Paratrooper and they served together in The Operational Area.

During a fire fight with SWAPO terrorists, one of these boys was badly injured. The details are sketchy, and when one of them went back to assist the other, both were killed.

These boys were of the highest quality and ultimately laid down their lives for each other.

May they RIP.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, #132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted.

None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived.

The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

My name is Gunther Mynhardt. I was stationed at Makalani base in Oshakati during this time. I was a platoon sergeant for the storm pioneers and was asked to do a final kit inspection before these men moved out on patrol. Cpl Lotriet asked me for a cigarette. I handed him one and we stood smoking together and just talking in general. Later that night the signal came through that Cpl Lotriet had been killed by friendly fire. I was sent to collect his personal belongings from the hospital in Oshakati. There was a sealed letter in the side pocket of his trousers. I sent this letter off in the post. I hope his last written words reached it's rightful owner. This was a very sad and unfortunate accident. He was a friendly and likable lad.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

He was struck in the back of the head by a single round that bounced off the hatch of the Caspir. It was early / mid evening and they were follwing up on spoor just North of Alpha tower. They were fired on and the Major was killed. They came back to Etali base and he was then already declared dead by the Doc. We brought him back to 53 to his wife that night.

Killed in Action (Tank took out Ratel)

4^th January 1984

Maj Louw was second in command of 8 SAI, Upington, Northern Cape. He was accidentaly shot in a night attack exersize. It was a freak accident and he was hit by a low aimed flair triggered by a fellow officer with the rank of Captain.

May he rest in peace.

Maj Louw was the 2IC at 8SAI and while on a training exercise at Riemvasmak outside of Upington, he was shot in the back of his head with a flare by accident by the Adjudant.

City Airman killed in N3 Crash

City Reporter

A National serviceman from Pietermaritzburg, Airman Craig Lucarne (19), was killed and four of his colleagues were injured in an accident on the N3 near Louis Botha Airport yesterday.

No details of the accident were available last night but a spokesman for the South African Air Force, where all five were undergoing training, said a Rhino military vehicle overturned.

Airman Lucarne was of Steele Road, Scottsville.

Those injured in the accident were Temporary Corporal K. Charvat (19), Airman D.J.M. Miller (20), Airman C.W. Delve (19) and Airman J.W. Vermeulen (19).

Temporary Corporal Charvat and Airman Miller were said to be in a serious but stable condition at Addington Hospital while Airmen Miller and Delve were slightly injured.

The South African Air Force spokesman said a board of inquiry had been convened to look into the cause of the accident.

The dead man is survived by his parents, Mr Alwyn Lucarne and Mrs Daphne Lucarne, and a sister, Mrs Sharon King.

At his funeral (at Boschoff Street Methodist Church) the church was packed full with his friends and family. I remember that his girlfriend had to be taken out of the church because she was hysterical with grief.. There wasn't a dry eye in the whole place. Craig was truly loved by everyone who had come into contact with him..
John

Died in a Military Vehicle Accident, involving his section being transported in a Gladiator. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The army vehicle he was in collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith army camp.

We were a section moving along the Yati Strip. A person who i idendified as an member of the SADF ran across the strip. The next minute all hell broke loose. It was later reported that we had been ambushed by 40 terr's. Malan was shot through the right arm ,stomach and left arm. He died 4 day's later,/p>

I was in the Vickers Platoon. That ambush was laid for us at Onhunda. Malan was a friendly young man who I remembered as being a "really nice guy". We were all shocked and upset by his death. I wish that his nation had recognised his sacrifice more. May his soul rest in peace.

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, # 132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted. None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived. The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

Goodman sadly passed away in September 1992 during Navy training exercises conducted by SAS Jalsena which was a Navy training unit situated in Durban, the unit subsequently closed down at the end of 1992. The incident was surrounded in controversy due to the Naval commanders being accused of being harsh and punishing during this exercise. It is not known what came of the investigation. May Goodman's soul rest in peace

My brother was killed accidentally whilst on a flight out of Port Elizabeth - 6 Squadron.

The canopy hinge of his Impala Mk 1 broke resulting in the locking mechanism impacting his helmet and either rendering him unconcious or killing him instantly.

This occurred at approx. 11,000 AGL and terminated in an almost vertical impact with the ground between Steytlerville and Uitenhage.

A tragic loss at the age of 22.

Richard Neville Marriott [born 22/11/1952] attended Glenwood High School, Durban from 1965-1969. He was killed, together with John Grinyer, Peter Leonhardt, Gregory George Olyott, Kevin Mack, Mark Felice Vallero and Hylton Dudley Coker when their army vehicle collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van somewhere between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith Army Camp.

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou 'n groep van die Verkennings Kommando's, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in 'n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen 'n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur 'n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit 'n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook 'n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in 'n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm 'n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel 'Vingers' Kruger met 'n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met 'n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met 'n LMG, Gary Walker met 'n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in 'n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet 'n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op 'n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur 'n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter 'n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met 'n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan 'n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. 'Ek het my hand by die werk in 'n ongeluk seergemaak' sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op 'n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook 'n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

Lt Mc Guinness was accompanied by Lt Diggle who was acting as his co-pilot. The aircraft crashed into trees while attempting a forced landing.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Muller did officers training with me. He was killed when an RPG hit his Ratel. It seems as if there was a miscalculation of enemy position and the two groups stumbled into each other.

Killed N/E of Calueque (S Angola) on 27 June 1988

I was with Muller on the day he died. We were school friends and both became officers in our training year. We were together in Angola since late November 1997. He was a great friend and a fine soldier, very much loved by his troops.

Following a night of massive artillery bombardments by our forces on a town called Techipa we advanced in 3 fairly small groups towards Techipa. The thinking was that the Cuban/FAPLA forces will move south towards the then SWA border after the bombardment. They did exactly that but a group of infantry 32 battallion? was unable to inform us of their positions. Our 8 Ratel 90's drove straigth into them in an ope "shona". They first hit my 71A ratel with an RPG from behind. It was chaotic. Following that they struck Muller's ratel 72 and then also his 72C vehicle. I realised he was hit as he did not communicate on radio and his vehicle was reversing eratically.

I recovered his body and later passed it onto an infantary ratel 20 who had a body bag. The projectile hit his turret and then hit him full in the chest causing severe damage.

This year will be the 20th year since his death and I can still recall the day as if it happened yesterday. Fortunately no more people lost their lives as we were sitting ducks and had no protection and no support until we managed to break contact and collect all the solders whose vehicles were destroyed.

I salute you.

Baie dankie aan almal wat Muller se nagedagtenis eer, so n wonderlike troos. Ons verlang nog steeds na 21 jaar en in ons huis en hart sal hy altyd bly voortleef as ons seun en ouboet. Ons lewe het so drasties verander, woon nou in Australia om by ons kleinkinders te wees.

Ek het onlangs die boek AT THY CALL gelees en het vir die eerste keer verstaan wat daar in Angola gebeur het. Dankie ook aan Clive Holt die skrywer.

My innige dank aan Hugh vir die mooi en gevoelvolle manier waarop jy die nagedagtenis van Muller eer, dit doen my mamma hart so goed om te weet daar is die wat hom onthou na soveel jare.

Hier sterf gereeld Ozzie soldate en my hart gaan uit na hul geliefdes, dit is n ewige seer.

Nogmaals dankie aan een en elk vir julle mooi bydrae.

Maj R J Miller was the pilot of an Impala MkII Ser No 1008 that crashed at Pietersburg on 22-Feb-91 alledgedly due to pilot error whilst landing.

I do not know the exact circumstance of Jeff's death other than what we were told. The story is that after Tiffy's School he was posted to the Border. He was told to repair a tank, he jumped in, lit up his torch and the tank exploded. It was full of gasoline fumes. We heard that it took weeks for him to go. I think about him a lot. He was just a kid really, unruly hair, good natured. So sad. I suppose this story is better than a blank page. There seem so many of those. It is not fair but then again when is war ever.

I think we replaced his unit. We were raced through to Nkongo base, 12 km from the Angolan border, where we replaced the drivers from Romeo Mike 16. The first team of drivers had been withdrawn, because one of them had died. The unit consisted of 27 Bushmen trackers, 6 drivers a sergeant and a lieutenant. The unit had been operating in Angola prior to our arrival, just above Nkongo.

May he rest in peace!

We used to be good friends and I knew his family well.

As far as I can remember Willie was shot by one of his own when he wandered out of the "TB" (temporary base) one night to have a leak. On his return he was shot when one of the soldiers in the platoon thought he was the enemy. Tragic story. At the time he was an OPS driver for Omega although he was from 7SAI. His sisters are Erma and Karen, can't remember his parents names. All very good people.

Date: 08/02/1982 at 09h30

Place: Calueque Barrage in the Cunene River 30 Km north of the SWA border in Angola.

L/Cpl EC Moolman and Cpl FC Rudolph were washed over the barrage weir. They were both caught in the current and the turbulent down draft caused by the fast flowing water pulled them both down.

With a great struggle Cpl FC Rudolph managed to swim out of the fierce vortex but L/Cpl EC Moolman was pulled down. His body never reappeared.

We searched the banks of the river for 3 days and nights using inflatable rubber boats and search lights. At night with in the search lights we saw many crocodiles on the river banks and on the islands between the reeds.

L/Cpl EC Moolman's body was never found.

RFN H.S.L. MOSS "MARNIE" WAS A MEMBER OF THE KAFFRARIAN RIFLES ON OPERATIONAL DUTY IN SWA DURING 1976 WHEN HE WAS KILLED IN A LAND MINE INCIDENT.

Mostert died with less than 40 days to go on his service outside of the Kaokaland town of Opuwa late in 1983.

Mostert was part of the Mounted infantry unit (Platoon 2) attached to 1 SWA SPES.

Died in accident when buffel personel carrier overturned on the S.W.A. border while serving in the S.W.A. SPECIAL FORCES (SWASPES) Equestrian Unit

Joseph Wayne Muller was born on 31 Janaury 1963 in Cradock to Muis and Lorraine Muller, the third child of six children. He was always the black sheep in the family and if something could go wrong it would happen to him. In his Std 9 year at Brebner High School, Bloemfontein he sustained a concussion in rugby and was hospitalized. He was in a coma and lost his eyesight. He eventually recovered but was unable to return to school for a while, after which he eventaully did. He was put on medication that he had to take for the rest of his life. He was determined to play rugby again and when the trials for the following year came up he asked our mother to take him to buy new rugby toggs but she refused. We lived about 10km out of town. This did not stop him, he got onto his bicycle and went and bought toggs and played trials. Returning home that afternoon he told my mom that God had touched his life and healed him and that he would never drink another pill again. In his Matric year he received full rugby colours.

I never saw my brother cry, except once. He had a tame chicken that would follow him around and always run after his car in the afternoon when he returned home from work. One day one of my mom's English bulldogs caught his chicken and Wayne had to put it out of its misery.

When Wayne was called up to the Army, he was very excited and being the type of person he was, he was fully prepared for what was lying ahead. He made sure he was fit and I remember how he slept outside in winter to get use to the cold. He did his basic training and immediately went to the Border. We only saw him on one pass during this time and he was extremely restless and could not wait to go back. In this time at home he made a point of visiting everybody he knew even going to see people that he had not visited in years. (After his death we realized that subconciously he must have known what was lying ahead for him). He returned to the Border never to come back. On 27 August 1983 my mother was sitting in bed the evening and reading her Bible, she is a dedicated Christian, when suddenly she started trembling. She told God that He was not a God of confusion and asked Him to give her peace, and He did.

On the Sunday 28 August we had a family day on our family farm and the whole congregation spent the day with us. During the course of the day our Minister called my Dad aside and spoke to him after receiving a phone call. My mom and I were in her bedroom changing nappies of the babies from the congregation. When she saw my Dad she thought that something had happened to her Bulldogs but when my Dad said it was not so, she knew it was my brother. He had died the previous night when she was praying. It all seemed so unreal and you always think it cannot happen to you until it does. We thought it was a dream and nobody slept for days. We only believed it to be true, when we saw it on the news on TV. Because Wayne was a Recce we were given no information surrounding his death, this we would only find out later. The funeral took place on the following Friday as his remains were to be flown out from Angola. Initially we were not allowed to see his body because of the injuries he had sustained. My father was determined and because his face was unscathed we were able to see what was left of him. We had a semi military funeral for him on the farm Kleinfontein. An army unit from Grahamstown were there and it was a beautiful service, that was held in the barn on the farm. The service was recorded and three quarters of the young men from Grahamstown dedicated their lives to Jesus at his funeral. They all commented that there was LIFE and not death at his funeral. Wayne was a very keen horseman and afterwards when we listened to the tape we noticed that everytime Wayne's name was mentioned his horse Steiger Fire Cracker reined in the backround. He wanted to go into the Ministry after the Army and even in his death he was serving God. My dad had a vision of what had happened to Wayne when he was killed, this would be confirmed by a stranger later. When we packed out Wayne's things, we came across his pills that he had to take for his concussion and the expiry date on them was the same month and year he died.

At the time I was an ATC at George Airport, but because of the loss of my brother, I decided to return to Cradock. My father came and fetched my things about three weeks later. On his return to Cradock he noticed a soldier with his arm in a sling next to the road and gave him a lift. They started speaking and my dad enquired about his injury. The soldier mentioned that he was in combat with the two soldiers that had been killed three weeks ago. My dad told him that his son was one of them. He recounted the story and my fathers' vision was confirmed. On the border Wayne was known as the Black Mamba due mainly to his pitch black hair but also because he was extremely hairy. Wayne was dedicated to God, the unknown soldier recalled that the one thing he would always remember about him was that he prayed for everbody every evening, mentioning them each by name and for spesific things example Piet' blisters or whatever.

Wayne was stationed at 54 Battalion, Eenhana. They were on a reconnisaince when they encountered a terrorist group which they followed into Angola. The group entered a small village and after our soldiers flattened everything that moved with gunfire somebody had to go in to check that all was well. Being the person that he was, Wayne never expected anybody to do something, if he could do it himself. He always had to prove himself. He and CPL David Prins went in and were both killed with an RPG.

Even if he is not a hero to the rest of this country, he will always be to me. He paid the highest price, he gave his life and I will always remember.

Rfn Nel was a member of 4 SAI Bn, attached to 53 Bn (Alpha Coy). He was stationed at Etale, 18 km from the Angolan border.

In early 1982, Nel was assigned to an escort detail that was to protect a Water Works JCB that had the task of repairing the water pipeline between Charlie Tower at Engela hospital and Eenhana. On the way there the JCB got stuck in the mud on several occasions. Nel and his buddy (Reyneke), got off the armoured vehicle and stayed close to the JCB with the intention of assisting it through the mud whenever it got close to getting stuck. From this point on, the going was really good, until the JCB detonated a land mine with one of it's back wheels.

Nel was killed instantly.

I did my basic training with Johan Nel, at Valhalla Air Force Station, first intake 1988, 3rd Flight, Squadron 3, under Cpl Dave Doubell, Johan originally from a farm near Bredaarsdorp, was the ultimate gentle giant.

After basic tarining he was posted out to Mobile radar at the then snake valley, if I remember correctly, and he left for the border about the same time I did, July 1988, I never did see him there although we had regular contact over the radio's as we were in similar set-ups in mobile radar encampments he was just about three hundred kilo east of us.

I think it happened just before Christmas that year, Johan was on call and they got a heads-up and rushed to the trailers, only problem was that the one trailer was not earthed properly and in the rush Johan was barefooted and to further compound a rash of sad events, it had been raining, there was a short on the door of the trailer and as he touched it he was instantly shocked to death.

A waste of a truely great person, as it always is, but I think still an unforgivable mistake, one that has never been fully explained or cleared up. No one was brought to book for this nor a investigation launched. That's the story.

Johann was buried at his home town just after new years, if I remember correctly.

Lest we forget, you will always be missed you big dutchman!!

I was in the C-160Z Crew that was flying reinforcements of 32 Bn soldiers during Ops Super. As I recall, 2LT Nel was a fair-haired shortish chap, but a real leader...a spitfire actually. I'd seen him on a number of other missions previously. We brought in successive loads over that period, and 2LT Nel was on one of the first loads. I remember him driving his men hard to get unloaded -to get out to the contact to support the Battalion. The next day we brought out his body and the other soldier killed with him. In all the roar of engines, sand, dust, diesel drums, ammunition, and frenzy, I recall wondering about the agony his parents were going to experience. In spite of all the tragedy, their unit put mission first. The soldiers who brought the remains to the aircraft did it with decorum -even though they were rushing to get on the Pumas to support the fight.

Kim Rolstone

SWAPO HAD SET UP A NEW INFILTRATION ROUTE INTO THE KAOKOVELD TOWARDS THE END OF 1981 AND WHEN THE SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY LEARNT OF THIS IT WAS DECIDED TO ASAULT THE TRANSIT CAMP BASED AT CAMBENO 40 KILOMETERS NORTH OF THE CUNENE RIVER. PUMA HELICOPTERS AIRLIFTED THE ASSAULT FORCE, BUT AS THE CHOPPERS LIFTED OFF NELLA, AS LIEUTENANT NEL WAS KNOWN, FOUND THAT THE ENEMY WAS ONLY 50 METRES AWAY FROM THE LZ.

FORTUNATELY FOR HIM THE HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS MANAGED TO NEUTRALISE SOME OF THE ENEMY AND GAVE HIM A CHANCE TO CONSOLIDATE HIS POSITION. AN INTENSE FIRE FIGHT DEVELOPED AND LIEUTENANT NEL'S POSITION WAS BEING ASAULTED ON BOTH FLANKS SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE THEN CALLED FOR AIR SUPPORT BUT AS THIS WAS NOT AVAILABLE HE AND TWO MEN CHARGED THE ENEMY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE THE THREAT TO HIS TROOPS.

DURING THIS SELFLESS ACT HE WAS KILLED.

Vince was killed late afternoon, on 14 February - Valentines day - 1988. He was in a Ratel 20, when it was hit by a ZSU 23. He, Cpl Kleynhans and the two Groenewalds were all killed.

We will remember you

Rfl VV Nieuwenhuizen, AS Groenewald, PH Groenewald and Lance Corporal Kleynhans were killed at about 17h00 on 14 February 1988. Their Ratel got stuck on a treestump that was left in the tanktrack in front of us. When their Ratel got stuck, Corporal Kleinhans got on our Ratel 22A and rode with me until we got to the shona before the attack. 22C then caught up and the corporal left for his ratel.

About half an hour later we heard that 22C was shot out. It was shot on the lefthand by a ZSU23-4, but on the righthand where the Groenewalds sat, a big hole was ripped ou of the ratel. There were two more Groenewalds in the Ratel, the driver and another rifleman. The other rifleman was also seriously wounded in his neck from the shots. The two that were killed were the MAG gunner team. They were very dear friends, we started army together in Alpha Company 1SAI and in 2nd phase went to Bravo Company and then to Bravo at 61 Mech.

That day made that Valentines day will never be the same. One always thinks back to the friends who died that day, the sunset as we drove back, with smoke dwindling upwardsand bombs still exploding.

Unit was D Squadron attached to 2 SAI BN GP

Sam van den Berg (svdb3@iafrica.com)

I only found out about what happened in 1993 when I went to visit some of the guys that joined on for short Service in 1992. Cpl Mike Land told me that L/Cpl Kladis had died in a car accident along with Pte Pohl and Pte Olberholzer. Mike Land and myself were their Medical Phase instructors.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

Died in a Military Vehicle Accident, involving his section being transported in a Gladiator. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The army vehicle he was in collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith army camp.

Danie Oosthuizen was a number 3 on a 127 mm rocket launcher. He trained as we all did in Potch at 14 Field Regt as a gunner and when we made the transition to the launchers he continued as a no 3.

We were on our way to the border to take part in Operation Askari, and were travelling in convoy from our base in Middelburg where our battery had been moved to form part of the battle group based in 4 SAI. We were to join 62 Mech in Omutiya.

We had all been issued with live ammo prior to leaving Middelburg and were driving through Namibia somewhere past Otjiwarongo. Rudi Simpelaar who was Danie's no 1 on the launcher was driving the Unimog (they were left hand drive vehicles) and Danie was in the passenger seat. Rudi had his R4 resting on the rear view mirror bracket and was taking the odd shot at game along the road. A shot went off, he lost control of the unimog and rolled it. Danie had his arm resting out of the open window when the mog rolled. He was badly injured in the accident, I remember seeing his injuries and seeing him leave in the transport to the hospital in Otjiwarongo. He died that night (I think, or maybe the next) and I still have a photograph of the unimog after the accident.

He was in my troop, I was battery survey sergeant and he was a fine young man. His brother was in the same battery and I remember Johan being told of the loss of his brother, I still think of him when I drag out my old army photos.

The above was my SGT during my National Service 1983-84. He was killed in Action in early December during Operation Askari. He was part of the Anti-Aircraft team that was dropped off near Caindo in Southern Angola. During a massive contact involving over 200 Fapla troops he was killed. I was not with him but buddies of mine who were there told me of his heroism when he stayed behind manning a LMG so the rest could get away. Besides him the LT and 5 others were also killed.

2Lt Andre Opperman was killed in a SWAPO ambush on 6 September 1978 close to Chana Omalapapa at Beacon 28 on the Angolan border.

I remember Oppies as I worked with him and picked up his body after he was killed on the white road. Oppies was killed on the border. I also remember Sarel Kruger and Gerhard Retief was was with us and also both dead

Lt Nigel Osborne was shot down on 6 September 1979 in Mozambique whilst co-piloting a Puma seconded to the Rhodesian Air Force. The pilot, Lt Paul Velleman and flight-engineer Sgt D Retief were also killed. I believe they were carrying ammunition and got hit by a RPG7.

Nigel (My Cousin) was flying a Puma with 13 other occupants im Mozimbique during Operation Uric To quote http://home.wanadoo.nl/rhodesia/uric1.htm "En route one Huey was forced to put down in a pan due to severe engine vibrations. The remainder, continuing on to Mapai, suddenly overflew a big enemy camp spread over a large area, and one of the Pumas, Hotel Four, was hit by an RPG-7 as it headed for its dropping zone. The result was the worst single disaster of the Rhodesian war. The rocket struck the aircraft behind the pilot's seat and exploded, killing all 14 people aboard. Forced into a downward spin the helicopter hit the ground and burst into flames. Army call signs dispatched to the crash site found the aircraft totally destroyed, the largest pieces being the turbines; they also found the 14 bodies of their comrades and arranged for their recovery when safe to do so after the taking of Mapai. Sadly this proved impossible."

Recently a Journalist contacted his mother saying he had found the site where Nigel and the 13 other people were buried.

Search for Puma Lost at Mapai

April 11, 2009 - April 14, 2009

Under the cover of darkness, on the night of the 6th September 1979, I was flown out of the forward admin area of Op Uric, situated deep in the Mozambique bush, to our Operational Forward HQ situated at Chipinda Pools. I was the sole passenger in the SAAF Puma that evening, and my task was to sort out notices for the casualties sustained earlier that day, when a SAAF Puma (See Photo 1) carrying elements of 1 Commando 1RLI and 2 Engineer Squadron had been shot down on the outskirts of Mapai (Rail) formerly known as Jorge de Limpopo, killing all 17 on board. During the 40 odd minute flight back to the Rhodesian border, I vowed that I would one day return to the crash site to honour my friends and comrades in arms who had made the supreme sacrifice that morning, but who, because of the expediency of the battle, had had to be left behind where they had died.

29 years later I was privileged enough to be invited to join Bob Manser's expedition to find the Donaldson Canberra lost over the Malvernia area in January 1977. It became plainly obvious during this search, that the local police, militia, and Mozambicans were more than willing to assist in the location of these war sites and bore absolutely no malice towards their former adversaries. It was then that I realised that it was possible to honour the pledge I had made in 1979. Slowly over a period of 5 months I was able to assemble a "Team" for the Mapai expedition by using the members of Bob's Canberra party as the nucleus.

Regrettably both Bob and Alistair Macrimmon were both unable to make it and so Neill Jackson ex Support Commando, "Stan" Standish White ex SAS volunteered their services. Added to these "volunteers" were Eastern District farmers Duff Odendaal and his son in law, Gareth Barry. The final search team was thus made up as follows:

• Rick van Malsen
• Kevin Jones
• Malcolm Macrimmon
• Neill Jackson
• "Stan" Standish White
• Duff Odendaal
• Gareth Barry

Nearly two hundred E mails were sent out globally as we planned, sourced information, obtained eye witness accounts, speculated on where the actual site was, made up introductory letters and catch phrases in Portuguese, sorted out admin and log etc. It finally all came together and on Thursday 11th April 2009 "The Team", complete with wives, converged on Mabalahuta camp in the southern Gonarezhou National Park.

Friday 12th April was used as a rest day and was used to prepare ourselves for the trip to the search area. Later in the afternoon we held a final formal briefing of what to expect, where we were going etc.

Saturday 13th April 2009 we rose early and in two vehicles, left camp at 0500 hours so that we could be at the border at 0600 hours, the supposed opening time. True to form, the bleary-eyed border officials only arrived at 0645, which meant we only got through the border formalities at 0800 hours, 1 hour behind our planned timings. The road down to Mapai remains mostly unchanged over the last 30 years. Trains derailed by various SF operations that many years ago, were still in evidence, as well as many shot out buildings. We all just hoped that Stan's contribution to the road had been removed, as he couldn?t remember where he had buried them.

At 1030 hours we arrived in Mapai (Rail) and asked directions the police station. This was a broken down 2 room building that could have passed for a toilet. Not an auspicious start! A young policeman read our letter of introduction and said that we needed to see the local military or garrison Commandant. He then went off to find him but returned to say he was not there. We were then taken to the head of FRELIMO party for the area. Arlindo Penicela Baloi, who, although unable to speak English, was able to read our letter of introduction. Thank heavens for Bob's notes! He reiterated that we had to go back and get the Garrison Commandant's permission.

Back down the road again and fortunately the Commandant was now at home and after reading our letter cheerfully gave permission for us to go to the crash site, but insisted we had to get the local headman?s blessing first. Protocol reined supreme! Now accompanied by Arlindo we set off to site. Suddenly Arlindo stopped me and spoke to a portly gentleman on the side of the road who turned out was able to speak English. Wallah a translator! Solomone, the translator, climbed in and off we went.

We followed a track leading directly East from the main road for about 3 kms when we stopped at a small village where, seated under a tree, was the local headman Araujo Chivite. After a brief discussion between my other two passengers and Araujo, he readily agreed to show us where the site was. With Araujo's 2ic also in tow, (now making 5 of us in a king cab!) we then continued down the track which gradually turned South where we intersected the main Mapai/Machaila road about 3.7 kms from Mapai (Rail)

We had only gone a few metres down the road when we were told to stop and on getting out of the vehicle, we were shown an area which we were told was the crash site. An initial search turned up a partially burnt SF water bottle and then we started finding the unmistakable signs of an aircraft crash. There was a large mound in the centre of the site and this, we were told, was where the soldiers killed in the crash were buried.

We had brought a prefabricated cross complete with a base with us and asked permission to erect this on the site. Araujo immediately agreed but only on condition the site was cleaned up first, which they insisted on doing themselves! These were recovered and brought back with us. Once the cross had been erected, a brief service was held, using the exact format as Bob had used at the other sites, and the Roll of Honour read out. This is repeated below for those who have not seen it.

• "With thanksgiving, let us remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live on in peace, and in appreciation, we now dedicate this cross to their memories. Help us to keep them in our thoughts, and never forget what they gave for us."
• CAPT JOHANNES MATHEUS DU PLOOY 1 RLI
• CAPT CHARLES DAVID SMALL ENG 2ND
• LT BRUCE FRASER BURNS ENG
• SGT MICHAEL ALAN JONES ENG
• CPL LEROY DUBERLEY ENG
• CPL GORDON HUGH FRY 1 RLI
• L/CPL PETER FOX ENG
• TPR JACOBUS ALWYN BRIEL 1 RLI
• TPR AIDEN JAMES COLEMAN 1 RLI
• TPR MARK JEREMY CROW 1 RLI
• TPR BRIAN LOUIS ENSLIN 1 RLI
• TPR STEVEN ERIC KING 1 RLI
• TPR COLIN GRAHAM NEASHAM 1 RLI
• TPR DAVID REX PROSSER 1 RLI
• CAPT PAUL VELLERMAN SAAF
• LT NIGEL OSBORNE SAAF
• F/SGT DICK RETIEF SAAF

"They shall not grow old As we that are left, grow old Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn, At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them"

Neill then repeated the words of the service in Afrikaans in memory of the South African crew. Finally the "Last Post" was played. At all stages of the service the Mozambique contingent were actively involved which we all found very humbling and magnanimous. At the end of the proceedings headman Araujo called a woman called Lydia, who was farming the surrounding fields, and instructed her to build a fence around the site so that the war graves can be looked after properly in the future.

After leaving an appropriate reward with the headman for this to be done, we packed up and left the site, each in our own thoughts. After dropping off Araujo at his village, we returned to Mapai (Rail) and then decided to go down to the old Mapai airfield and Mapai (River) both targets of the Scouts column raid in June 1977. Arlindo and Solomone both accompanied us on this leg, which rather inhibited us from scouting around too much for old military positions.

At Mapai (River) we were shown a mass grave, covered by a concrete slab, which we were told held the civilian victims of this raid. Expedition members showed the appropriate respect at this site. We then returned to Mapai (Rail), dropped off our two passengers and headed off back towards the border.

Our next task was to return to the site of the Donaldson Canberra crash site in order to place a more permanent memorial to the airmen lost in this crash. Time was running short, so we dispensed with protocol and just drove direct to the site. After placing the cross, we sounded the "Last Post" which was particularly fitting as the sun was starting to set as the sound of bugles rang out hauntingly through the silent bush. We then had to rush for the border before it closed, which we got through without any problems and headed for home, arriving at 20 00 hours.

We had travelled a total of 360 kms in 15 hours. There are many people involved in making a trip, such as this, the success it was.

My grateful thanks go to the following:

• First and foremost to Bob Manser, who pioneered searching for these forgotten sites. Bob gave us all his notes to use, offered invaluable advice and encouragement throughout
• Prop Geldenhuys for all the help, encouragement and research done on our behalf.
• Eyewitness accounts from Gavin Wehlburg, Jono Lane and Keith Dell all helped to get an overall picture of approximately where we had to look.
• To the ex Rhodesians of Francistown, who fabricated the crosses, galvanised them and then painted them all at no cost. They looked magnificent.
• To the 5 wonderful Mozambicans who took the time out to guide us and asked for nothing in return. You were a wonderful example of what true reconciliation should be. There is absolutely no doubt that this war memorial will be looked after by these people.
• And lastly to the most wonderful "team" without whom, none of this would have happened. All rallied to the call, and freely gave up their valuable time and at personal cost, to be there.

"Thank you" is not enough.

"Bones" Palmer as he was known was a member of the Natal Carbineers during SWA border duty

Palmer died of injuries received when a rifle grenade exploded prematurely.

As far as I know, R.C. Palmer "Bones", was a member of The Natal Carbineers, B Company, at the time of his death.

In November 1975 Battle Group Foxbat had routed an MPLA force, which retreated across Bridge 14 at the Nhia River and then blew it up. The advance of the South African forces along the only tarred road to Quibala was brought to a halt at the river - due to heavy rainfall in the area and swampy terrain, the bridge was the only means of crossing with heavy vehicles.

Colonel Swart, CO of Task Force Zulu, wanted to know what the enemy was doing at the bridge and so Cdt Breytenbach sent Sergeant Danny Roxo with a platoon of infantry and a couple of armoured cars to the bridge area to reconnoitre.

Shortly afterwards the main force heard the sound of battle, including mortar fire. In the distance the two armoured cars were observed returning to the main force at full speed, closely followed by exploding mortar shells. Breytenbach ordered the cars to return to assist Roxo and the infantry, but the commanders refused, saying the barrage was too heavy.

Then the infantry appeared on the road and a few minutes later Roxo and his men had climbed onto the armoured cars and returned to the main force's positions. Roxo reported that the bridge was down, and mentioned offhand that a few enemy soldiers had been killed during his reconnaissance.

Evidently, as Roxo had moved forward to check the bridge he saw a Cuban on the far side and shot him. Roxo began to move back and more enemy troops then emerged from cover and began shooting at him. He returned fire from the hip, killing eleven of the enemy, four of them Cubans. He was later awarded the Honoris Crux for this encounter.

Roxo's exceptional courage is evidenced by the manner of his death some months later. During a patrol near the Okavango river, his Wolf hit a landmine and was tipped over, killing one man and crushing Roxo beneath it. The rest of the crew tried to lift it free, but it was too heavy.

Danny Roxo, in keeping with his dauntless character, decided to make the best of things, lighting a cigarette and smoking it calmly until it was finished, then he died - still pinned beneath the Wolf. He had not complained once, nor uttered a single groan or moan, although the pain must have been excruciating.

Thus Sergeant Danny Roxo died, a man who had become a legend in the Portuguese Security Forces in Mozambique, and who had rapidly become another one in the South African Special Forces.

I met Daniel Roxo back in 1968/70 in the Niassa province of Mozambique. He was a good man and an outstanding soldier along with his men. I served the Portuguese army and made some field operations with Roxo. Still have a photo of both of us in the bush.

I'm sorry he's gone. I though it were rumors when in 1974/5 I heard the story from a Highaway Commando from Pinetown/Natal.

Let his soul rest in peace.

I read this with great interest as I was in the armoured cars in question at the recce incident towards the bridge, and in fact was in the Charlie car of the Pappa troop who was the first to cross Bridge 14 when the eventual attack started some days later.

I agree wholeheartedly that Danny was an amazing soldier, but I respectfully disagree with some facts around the particular contact as repeated through third hand accounts that were not at the actual scene of the contact.

In mitigation to the armoured car crews involved, allow me to explain what actually expired as experienced by us.

Some confusion and different perceptions apply here as recounted by various parties over time.

Firstly one has to understand the composition of the combat groups at the time. Principally the UNITA and FNLA forces in the southern part of Angola then consisted out of a nucleas core group of European SADF officers and senior NCOs? to lead the untrained and ill equipped UNITA/FNLA infantry rabble, and who also operated the jeep mounted 106 recoilless guns and 60/81mm mortars, along with two troops of 90mm Eland armoured cars. The artillery and other support assets only joined just before the battle of Ebo and later preceding Bridge 14. Up to that stage it was a very fluid and mobile war very much dictated by the military prowess of the local combat group commander. Up to that point one became used that especially the UNITA troops decamped at the first sign of serious opposition, leaving the SADF command element to face the music.

Secondly allow me to correct the statement that Foxbat had routed the MPLA forces that fled over the Bridge. In fact, itself was badly routed on the 23rd of November (and not on the 25th as stated on some official accounts) by the Cuban MMCA troops under Diaz Arguellas. These were the Cuban equivalent of Speznatz also under command of the Cuban Dept of Interior Affairs as was the Soviet model. The Cubans unknown to us at that stage had precious few troops in the field against us and through sheer audacity and genius on the side of Diaz, who one has to admire as a soldier, checkmated both the Bravo and Foxbat Combat groups first north of Novo Rodondo, and later at Ebo with limited military assets to his disposal. At that stage the forces where viewing each other over the Nhia river with some trepidation and it was only then that the Cuban forces were heavily reinforced with substantial troops and artillery, including BM21's and 120m mortar batteries and they even had some Sagger anti tank missiles which thankfully were never deployed against our armoured forces. Although they went under the flag of MPLA, it consisted principally out of the MMCA troops with some supporting MPLA troops very much like or own combat groups. It was surmised that Diaz died in the Bridge 14 battle, but we were very much ignorant of all that at that stage. But I am digressing, back to the particular tactical movement involving Danny Roxo on that eventful evening.

It was not the first time that we approached the bridge, as we approached the bridge area only a couple of days prior and were then subjected to heavy "red eye" missile fire. In fact the bridge over the Nhia river were blown by Diaz?s troops in the face of Foxbat?s initial advance, and the general advance axis focus shifted to the Bravo Combat Group under Cmdt. Breytenbach then at Novo Rodondo where they themselves were checked by Diaz?s troops at some bridge north of Novo Rodondo, and it was realized that the focus had to shift back to Foxbat who then tried the Ebo route and later the Bridge 14 route. (Just imagine the tactical opportunity to our forces if they realized that they were being checked on both advance routes by the same small enemy contingent?)

We were actually under the command of Cmdt. Kruis who just took over from Cmdt. Webb as commander of the Foxbat Combat Group. Cmdt. Breytenbach who commanded the Bravo Combat Group and who only joined us on the day of the battle of Ebo on the 23rd of Nov, apparently ordered a full troop to accompany the infantry soldiers to recce the blown bridge. We were surprised that we were called upon to do so not being in the Bravo Combat Group, and as we just returned from a day long mission and were busy servicing our cars. As only 2 cars was immediately available, our troop leader 2ndLT Grib ordered the Alpha and Charlie cars to accompany the troops, and might I add, with little briefing as to the mission or who the infantry were.

One has to remember that up to that time the SA troops grew used to the fact that the UNITA troops decamped at the first sign of trouble and had no faith in their military capability at all.

The troops that accompanied us were seemingly a bunch of ill disciplined UNITA troops and at no stage did we even know that Danny accompanied them.

It was already dusk when we moved forward, and the cars took up a herringbone position 30m in front of the blown bridge on a slightly raised narrow tar road. The river turned sharply to the right after the bridge roughly flowing SS-E, exposing any friendly forces to close enemy fire.

The UNITA troops scattered in a seemingly unmilitary deployment, and we were left pondering the sensibility of exposing the real offensive military assets available to Foxbat in our 19 year old minds. At no stage were we aware that Danny in fact crossed the river and were on the opposite bank in enemy territory.

Suddenly we came under heavy RPG 7 fire (not mortars as claimed) and as per normal the UNITA troops decamped at the first shot. (As a fast "tactical withdrawal" to put it mildly) That left us seriously exposed with no support against anti tank infantry attack. That as any military tactician would confirm, was a total untenable position. I clearly saw the launchers being fired from very close on our right from behind trees in the river line. We started laying down a covering fire with our co-ax Browning machine guns as we couldn?t use our main weapon as the 90mm shells would have detonated against the close trees. I have a photograph of one of our cars where a RPG glanced of the side leaving a nasty gash. By that stage there was no sign of any friendly infantry troops, and we had no reason to linger any longer than was absolute necessary, we turned the cars around on the tar road with great difficulty, as one would promptly become mired should one allow even a wheel to leave the tar road, and withdrew ourselves back to our base position, the whole time attracting RPG fire from very close proximity.

Back at our base position Cmdt. Breytenbach briefly spoke to the Alpha car crew commander and we were none the wiser on the subsequent proceedings. The gist of the full story only became apparent much later and in hind sight.

I have delivered many talks on various aspects of Ops Savannah over the years and as founding Chairman of CAPE SAAACA and SAHA (South African Historian Association) promote the establishment of the true history instead of sanitised politicised versions. It is imperative that the factual history be documented as it often is reflected in "adapted form" by opportunistic raconteurs and eventually becomes accepted as the truth.

Francisco Daniel Roxo was born on the 1st of February 1933 in the village of Mogadouro in the Tras os Montes province of Portugal. In 1951 he settled in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique and after a short period with the Civil Service became involved with hunting in the Niassa province of Northern Mozambique. It was during these years that Daniel honed his skills and learnt the moods of the bush that were to be put to use in the war against insurgents in later years. Daniel was to lead the Militia Forces in the Niassa province with great success and for his actions in combat, was awarded 2 x CRUZ DE GUERRA ( Portuguese Cross of Honour) as well as the MEDALHA DE SERVICOS DESTINTOS ( Medal of Merit).

Daniel left Mozambique shortly after the Portuguese revolution of 25th April 1974, and joined the South African Defence Force. At the age of 41 was to pass the tough selection course to join 1 Reconnaissance as a Special Forces Operator. Soon after qualification he was seconded to Charlie Coy of Bravo Group as a platoon Leader. Soon after his arrival Operation Savannah starts, and Daniel’s actions in combat against Cuban and Angolan Forces at Bridge 14 Angola in December of 1975 had him recommended for and awarded the HONORIS CRUX Decoration. S Sgt Daniel Roxo was the first non - South African to receive this decoration! On the 23rd August 1976 Daniel was killed in combat during an ambush. Daniel was also awarded the PRO PATRIA MEDAL with the Cunene Clasp as well the Southern Africa Medal (posthumously).

Daniel left behind a wife and 6 children.

Killed in Action (Tank took out Ratel)

4^th January 1984

Steve was 54 Bn stationed at Eenhana. Attack after a Kuku shop visit and killed just before our end of time there. We called him Simon (Simple Simon) as he believed in keeping everything simple.

Was a good soldier and friend.

I was with Steve on the border in Eenana and Eludu.I would like to correct the imformation.He was with me in Charlie company 5SAI. He was shot through the groin and the bleeding could not be stopped in time. RIP my young mate. You will never grow old like the rest of us.

• Date: 1988-04-13
• Full Names: Hendrik Pienaar
• Date of birth: 1962-09-08
• Place: Rundu
•  Corps: SA Infantry Corps
•  Military Number: 78402195 PE
• Death Age: 25
•  Unit: Sector 70 HQ, Katima Mulilo
•  Awards: Pro Patria Medal

Sergeant Pienaar, from Regiment Pretoria, was the commander of an Olifant tank when a tree crushed him in his commander's hatch late November 1987.

We left Calais (approximately 3km inside Angola from Rundu) early the morning to form up with the rest of the battle group at Mavinga to participate in Ops Hooper. (Normally this is a seven day drive up to Mavinga, but it took us fourteen days to do the trip.)

After several navigational errors during the course of the day we got very far behind schedule. Due to all the delays, the squadron commander decided that we should push on through the night trying to catch up on the time lost during the previous day's excursions.

It was more or less mid night when tragedy struck. Pienaar's tank (call sign 13B) struck a tree of approximately 750 cm in diameter. Due to the soft ground and various veld fires in the past, the tree toppled onto the tank, crushing Pienaar in his hatch.
He was still alive, but severely injured at that time.

The squadron's tiffies were called upon and Rocco Greyvensteyn (a good friend of mine) tried to lift the tree from the tank with a hydraulic crane. Unfortunately the tree was too heavy for the crane and it crushed Sgt. Pienaar again which caused his death.

After this incident Rocco was never the same again. He committed suicide at Lohatla in the early 1990's.

Both of you Rest In Peace and remember the tanker's motto : "We Make The Rules"

GRossouw

I only found out about what happened in 1993 when I went to visit some of the guys that joined on for short Service in 1992. Cpl Mike Land told me that L/Cpl Kladis had died in a car accident along with Pte Pohl and Pte Olberholzer. Mike Land and myself were their Medical Phase instructors.

A LETTER FROM DES BURMAN, ONE OF THE COMMANDERS OF 32 BN, TO HIS CHILDREN

"Hi guys I wrote this letter to my kids to try to explain the issue of materialism and that money is not everything in the world. You might want to tell your kids the same. Rgds
DES

“Hello Blake and Chris,

The story of Mark Pond.

The moral of this story concerns life and materialism. Never forget this story.

I have never met a soldier who has disregard for life or is materialistic. The reason for this when you are killing people and taking lives and trying not to be killed there is nothing in this world that is more important than life. Soldiers cannot dress properly, pick their clothes, care for expensive things, need money or try to climb the social ladder. The reason for this is your clothes are all the same every day, its either camouflage or camouflage and it the same every day and you don’t have to pick.

Their home is supplied by the army, the food, the medical, the boots, the ration packs, the guns the ammo and all the rest so we don’t care a shit for anything else out there except possibly a better weapons. All soldiers are fixated by weapons. This is their tools and this is all that counts. They are all generally good survivors in ANY world. I will never be materialistic and actually don’t care a dam what other people think of what I wear or how I live etc. Also, very few soldiers have to prove anything to anybody, they have done it all. When you have to kill people, try to survive and avoid been killed and look after your mates nothing else in the world is important. Life is the ONLY important thing and you can loose it VERY fast. It is IRREPLACEABLE!!! Everything else in this world is not worth shit – it can be replaced!!

So what has this to do with Mark and what is the lesson. Its simple, Mark was killed at the age of 19 whilst under my command. He had 40 days left of the army and then he was out forever. He was the only son of a great family and the only soldier that I ever lost in almost 20 years of almost continuous combat operational deployment.

When Mom and I were living in South West Africa- Namibia and I was in the army in Rundu I was a Captain in the Special Forces tasked with some complicated operations. I worked in one of the military sectors called SECTOR 20. There were in total 10 Sectors in the country. My sector was the second worst for enemy in the area. My job was to collect information on the enemy in that area then using small combat teams of no more than 5 people find them and eliminate them. These operations were called small team operations and we often ran into very big groups of enemy. The team consisted of troops that I had trained from my old battalion 32 Battalion and captured enemy. Whenever we captured enemy soldiers, we tried to “turn” them to our cause as soon as possible and use them against their own people. We were about 90% effective with this. My team consisted of half South African black soldiers and half captured enemy soldiers. Each team had two whites. This was myself and one Non commissioned officer, usually a Sgt. These were always national white servicemen who were in the army for two years and after that were finished with the army. Any national serviceman with 40 days or less in my team I tried my best to keep out of the combat zone.

In 1986, we had a large infiltration of enemy into our sector and all units were deployed and operational. We had just captured an enemy soldier and although he was wounded, we are able to find out that the rest of his team were to meet at a specific place in the bush. I had my team but could only use Sgt Mark Pond as all the other NCO,s were deployed.

As usual, we were dropped about 5 Kms from the area where the enemy were to meet. This was done by chopper and usually at sunset. We walked to the location where the enemy were to meet. We always had heli gunships available if we had a contact and fast support if we needed it. My team at that stage was 6 people including me and Mark, the only whites.

As we approached the kraals, village where the enemy were to meet we heard taking close to us in the mealie field we crept closer and one of the captured enemy confirmed that he knew the guy talking and that he was an enemy soldier. I wanted to attack at that stage but was not able to able to as there was plenty of dead dry laves on the ground and that made a noise.

The enemy soldier was asking one of the herd boys if there were any South African soldiers in the area. The guy then disappeared into the mealie field. I knew that the rest of the enemy were on their way to the meeting spot and that the meeting would possibly take place at the kraals / village or in the village.

After dark, we approached the village and went into ambush positions. At that stage we were quite safe and in control of the situation. We were well equipped with night vision headsets and telescopes on all of our weapons so we were able to fight in the dark.

We waited all night for the enemy group to come to the village as they usually do. By early morning, they had still not arrived. At first light we moved out of the ambush position and out of the immed area to the bush line approx 200 meters from the village.

On the way to the bush, we captured a young boy with some goats. He told us that the enemy were located in the mealie field under a very big thorn tree. I knew that Mark had 4 days to go and I decided to keep him out of this firefight. I worked out that with three guys I could attack the group of enemy under the tree by crawling through the mealies up to the tree and then engaging them. I also realised that if there were any left alive they would run for the tree line.

I sent Mark out of the area to the tree line to kill any enemy who ran from the tree to the bush. I assumed that they would be safe. We were not sure of how many enemy were there but assumed it to be around 6 or 7 and we could handle that.

Once Mark was out of the area, we attacked the enemy under the tree. In the process, we killed 4 of them. The rest ran for the bush but not in the direction of Mark.

After the contact, I called Mark on the radio and told him to meet me at the tree. He was to walk directly through the mealie field to me and not through the bush as the enemy had ran into the bush. I waited under the tree.

Mark decide to walk some distance along the tree line and then through the mealie field to me. I waited for him. Not long after he had started to move, a heavy firefight started in the bush line. I could not make contact with Mark on the radio. We advanced to the tree line to the area where we heard the firing. As I walked into the bush I stumbled upon a body on the ground, the face was really white and initially I could not work out who it was. I grabbed one of the troops that were with Mark and asked where he was. They told me that he had been shot and was on the ground close to me.

A wounded enemy soldier had crawled under a dead tree trunk and as Mark walked down the path at a range of approx 5 meters has shot him in the chest. I ran back to Mark, saw his very white face and he looked bad. I had to find the wound fast as it seemed that was loosing blood fast. I had to take off his thick jacket to find the bullet entry point. I did that and only saw one bullet hole in his chest but very little blood. I called for the first aid kit and a drip. I could see that he was dying but I was unable to work out why. I then turned him over and saw this huge puddle of blood underneath him.

I realised that the bullet had hit one of he main arteries in his chest. I immediately wrapped a bomb bandage on that and connected him to a drip. He was losing blood so fast that I had to squeeze the drip to get the drip solution into him. I went through a litre of drip in max 3 minutes and put another one up. We had called for a chopper and there were armoured vehicles on their way to us (Koevoet). I was kneeling over Mark, calling his name, and shaking him to try to “get him back”. As fast as I as pumping the drip into him it was running through his system and out. After about 5 minutes as I was working on him and kneeling over him I looked into his eyes which were very blue and very open. He seemed to be looking intently at something in the sky and at that point I literally saw him go out of his body through his eyes. It all seemed as if he knew where he was going and he was on his way to something in the sky. I even looked up to what at was what he as looking at.

I was shattered when I realised that he was dead. I really lost it. I have never lost any soldiers of mine killed in contact, even after so many years in that war. I always managed to save them somehow. This was the first, he was white and only had 40 days left, and he had been in the team for almost 12 months. I was devastated!!

Very soon after that the chopper arrived and the armoured vehicles with trackers. 3 of the enemy had escaped including the one who shot Mark. My team with dead Mark were all loaded into the Puma heli and taken back to the base at Rundu. The armoured vehicle and the trackers followed the rest of the enemy and killed them later that afternoon.

I arrived at the base after approx 45 min in the chopper with Mark dead on the floor at my feet. The chopper aluminium floor was covered with blood, it dripped onto the skids of the chopper.

At the base, I had to report to the Commander immediately and make a report of the contact and the death of Sgt Mark Pond. I did this in detail. I also told the commander that I was finished with small team operations and needed to have break as I was suffering from battle fatigue and some traumatic stress. He said that he would consider this, which he never did as I was back in operations a week later.

After the debrief I went to the sickbay to talk to the doctors who were doing an examinations of Marks body. I needed to know why he had died as I had tried everything. They did a post mortem and the Doc confirmed that the bullet, the only one had totally cut one of the two main arteries running below the heart to the rest of the body – the aorta. They informed me that there was absolutely nothing that I could have done bar cut a hole in his chest and physically clamp the artery with my fingers. The aorta is approx 1.5 cm thick.

I then went home and tried to explain to Mom what had happened to Mark and me. She could not understand it. She never could understand it when I tried to explain a serious situation I had experienced in the bush. I remember lying in the bedroom of that mobile home that we had and wanting to either run away from it or drink myself to death.

A month or to later I was sent on a course in Durban - NATAL. Possibly to chill me out. I knew that Mark had come from Natal and decided to find his family. I tracked them on to Pietermaritzburg approx 100 Kms from Durban. I contacted them and told them who I was and requested a visit. I did that and had the chance to give a full description of how Mark was killed to his mother. He did not have a father, he had been killed in a car accident few years before. He was the only son and child. The mother was extremely grateful and we kept in contact. The army NEVER tells the whole story. I was also pissed off that I could not attend the funeral as I was on operations in the bush.

Nothing in the world is more important than life and when you are in a situation when the life blood of one of your mates and comrades is running out of his body into the ground and you cannot stop that and you seem him die in front of you, then that is serious. I always say that you never have a problem unless someone is about to die, then you have a huge problem. Life cannot be replaced, bought, brought back, fixed etc when it is dead.

The moral of the story is that NOTHING in this world is worth anything except life. To hell with the rest. After that comes FREEDOM. If you have those two things then you actually need bugger all else!!! Everything else is materialistic and can be bought and replaced!! Anything that does not have life is not worth shit, it can be replaced. So never, forget this story as it is the basis of freedom, courage and a healthy spirit. So the world can throw ANYTHING at you and you should never worry as it is all temporary and replaceable.

YOUR LIFE, your spirit and your freedom ------ that, they can NEVER touch!!!!

LOTS OF LOVE DAD"

Sam van den Berg (svdb3@iafrica.com)

Killed in Action 4^th January 1984

Killed in Action 4^th January 1984

I SERVED WITH SEAN AT 1 SAI BLOEMFONTEIN & ON THE BORDER (61 MECH) DEC 1983 IN ANGOLA (OPS ASKARI).

SEAN WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN A RATEL EXPLOSION & DIED A DAY OR TWO LATER. WE WERE IN THE SAME COMPANY BUT DIFF SECTIONS. WE TRIED OUR BEST TO ASSIST SEAN ON THAT FATAL DAY, BUT HIS INJURIES WERE TOO SERIOUS.

WE LOST A GOOD BUDDIE.

Billy was one of my guys. An unidentified person (enemy???) asked Billy for some water after an attack. The water bottle was booby trapped and went off as he filled it. Billy was killed.

Greg Smith

THIS ALL HAPPENED WHILE WE ALL WENT TO O'S POSITION FOR A PRAY PARADE AND ORDERS THE DAY BEFORE D-DAY. THEY HAD TO STAND GUARD OUTSIDE THE RATELS. WHILE I WAS ON RADIO DUTY, AT 30 ALPHA POSITION, THE SHOT WENT OFF. BILLY WAS A GOOD GUY.

Lt John Purdon received his wings at Dunottar with my brother Lt Eric Thompson in 1974, they where both posted to 11 squadron in Potch. he was like a family member as he spend most of his weekend passes at my parents house. My brother went MIA in Angola 1975, however John still remained part of the family until his death in 1977.

On 20 May 1983, the MK (ANC) Special Operations Unit planted a car bomb in Church Street, Pretoria, outside the building housing the administrative headquarters of the South African Air Force. The explosion killed twenty-one people (eleven of whom were employees of the SAAF and two of whom were MK operatives) and injured 217. Flight Sergeant Jacobus Johannes Ras was one of those killed.

I believe this guy was on the border with me at 61 Mechanised Battalion, at a place known as Omathiya, just north of the Oshivelo gate in sector 10. We were from 4 field Artillery in Potch and were sent to the border from Dec 1984 to Dec 1985. The guys were on a training shoot with 120mm mortars when his mortar tube exploded after dropping a mortar into the device. Apparantly there was a hairline crack in the tube which caused it to blow up killing him instantly.

RIP

A. D. Renken . [1199] Killed Border

Age : 27

Mil. No : 75338285BT

Grave in Kirkwood [E Cape]

Sgt Dirk (or Dick) Retief was the Flight Engineer on a puma that was shot down on the 6 September 1979, whil seconded to the Rhodesian Airforce.  The pilot, Lt Paul Velleman and Co-Pilot, Lt Nigel Osborne were also killed. I believe they were carrying ammunition and got hit by a RPG7.

Search for Puma Lost at Mapai

April 11, 2009 - April 14, 2009

Under the cover of darkness, on the night of the 6th September 1979, I was flown out of the forward admin area of Op Uric, situated deep in the Mozambique bush, to our Operational Forward HQ situated at Chipinda Pools. I was the sole passenger in the SAAF Puma that evening, and my task was to sort out notices for the casualties sustained earlier that day, when a SAAF Puma (See Photo 1) carrying elements of 1 Commando 1RLI and 2 Engineer Squadron had been shot down on the outskirts of Mapai (Rail) formerly known as Jorge de Limpopo, killing all 17 on board. During the 40 odd minute flight back to the Rhodesian border, I vowed that I would one day return to the crash site to honour my friends and comrades in arms who had made the supreme sacrifice that morning, but who, because of the expediency of the battle, had had to be left behind where they had died.

29 years later I was privileged enough to be invited to join Bob Manser's expedition to find the Donaldson Canberra lost over the Malvernia area in January 1977. It became plainly obvious during this search, that the local police, militia, and Mozambicans were more than willing to assist in the location of these war sites and bore absolutely no malice towards their former adversaries. It was then that I realised that it was possible to honour the pledge I had made in 1979. Slowly over a period of 5 months I was able to assemble a "Team" for the Mapai expedition by using the members of Bob's Canberra party as the nucleus.

Regrettably both Bob and Alistair Macrimmon were both unable to make it and so Neill Jackson ex Support Commando, "Stan" Standish White ex SAS volunteered their services. Added to these "volunteers" were Eastern District farmers Duff Odendaal and his son in law, Gareth Barry. The final search team was thus made up as follows:

• Rick van Malsen
• Kevin Jones
• Malcolm Macrimmon
• Neill Jackson
• "Stan" Standish White
• Duff Odendaal
• Gareth Barry

Nearly two hundred E mails were sent out globally as we planned, sourced information, obtained eye witness accounts, speculated on where the actual site was, made up introductory letters and catch phrases in Portuguese, sorted out admin and log etc. It finally all came together and on Thursday 11th April 2009 "The Team", complete with wives, converged on Mabalahuta camp in the southern Gonarezhou National Park.

Friday 12th April was used as a rest day and was used to prepare ourselves for the trip to the search area. Later in the afternoon we held a final formal briefing of what to expect, where we were going etc.

Saturday 13th April 2009 we rose early and in two vehicles, left camp at 0500 hours so that we could be at the border at 0600 hours, the supposed opening time. True to form, the bleary-eyed border officials only arrived at 0645, which meant we only got through the border formalities at 0800 hours, 1 hour behind our planned timings. The road down to Mapai remains mostly unchanged over the last 30 years. Trains derailed by various SF operations that many years ago, were still in evidence, as well as many shot out buildings. We all just hoped that Stan's contribution to the road had been removed, as he couldn?t remember where he had buried them.

At 1030 hours we arrived in Mapai (Rail) and asked directions the police station. This was a broken down 2 room building that could have passed for a toilet. Not an auspicious start! A young policeman read our letter of introduction and said that we needed to see the local military or garrison Commandant. He then went off to find him but returned to say he was not there. We were then taken to the head of FRELIMO party for the area. Arlindo Penicela Baloi, who, although unable to speak English, was able to read our letter of introduction. Thank heavens for Bob's notes! He reiterated that we had to go back and get the Garrison Commandant's permission.

Back down the road again and fortunately the Commandant was now at home and after reading our letter cheerfully gave permission for us to go to the crash site, but insisted we had to get the local headman?s blessing first. Protocol reined supreme! Now accompanied by Arlindo we set off to site. Suddenly Arlindo stopped me and spoke to a portly gentleman on the side of the road who turned out was able to speak English. Wallah a translator! Solomone, the translator, climbed in and off we went.

We followed a track leading directly East from the main road for about 3 kms when we stopped at a small village where, seated under a tree, was the local headman Araujo Chivite. After a brief discussion between my other two passengers and Araujo, he readily agreed to show us where the site was. With Araujo's 2ic also in tow, (now making 5 of us in a king cab!) we then continued down the track which gradually turned South where we intersected the main Mapai/Machaila road about 3.7 kms from Mapai (Rail)

We had only gone a few metres down the road when we were told to stop and on getting out of the vehicle, we were shown an area which we were told was the crash site. An initial search turned up a partially burnt SF water bottle and then we started finding the unmistakable signs of an aircraft crash. There was a large mound in the centre of the site and this, we were told, was where the soldiers killed in the crash were buried.

We had brought a prefabricated cross complete with a base with us and asked permission to erect this on the site. Araujo immediately agreed but only on condition the site was cleaned up first, which they insisted on doing themselves! These were recovered and brought back with us. Once the cross had been erected, a brief service was held, using the exact format as Bob had used at the other sites, and the Roll of Honour read out. This is repeated below for those who have not seen it.

• "With thanksgiving, let us remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live on in peace, and in appreciation, we now dedicate this cross to their memories. Help us to keep them in our thoughts, and never forget what they gave for us."
• CAPT JOHANNES MATHEUS DU PLOOY 1 RLI
• CAPT CHARLES DAVID SMALL ENG 2ND
• LT BRUCE FRASER BURNS ENG
• SGT MICHAEL ALAN JONES ENG
• CPL LEROY DUBERLEY ENG
• CPL GORDON HUGH FRY 1 RLI
• L/CPL PETER FOX ENG
• TPR JACOBUS ALWYN BRIEL 1 RLI
• TPR AIDEN JAMES COLEMAN 1 RLI
• TPR MARK JEREMY CROW 1 RLI
• TPR BRIAN LOUIS ENSLIN 1 RLI
• TPR STEVEN ERIC KING 1 RLI
• TPR COLIN GRAHAM NEASHAM 1 RLI
• TPR DAVID REX PROSSER 1 RLI
• CAPT PAUL VELLERMAN SAAF
• LT NIGEL OSBORNE SAAF
• F/SGT DICK RETIEF SAAF

"They shall not grow old As we that are left, grow old Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn, At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them"

Neill then repeated the words of the service in Afrikaans in memory of the South African crew. Finally the "Last Post" was played. At all stages of the service the Mozambique contingent were actively involved which we all found very humbling and magnanimous. At the end of the proceedings headman Araujo called a woman called Lydia, who was farming the surrounding fields, and instructed her to build a fence around the site so that the war graves can be looked after properly in the future.

After leaving an appropriate reward with the headman for this to be done, we packed up and left the site, each in our own thoughts. After dropping off Araujo at his village, we returned to Mapai (Rail) and then decided to go down to the old Mapai airfield and Mapai (River) both targets of the Scouts column raid in June 1977. Arlindo and Solomone both accompanied us on this leg, which rather inhibited us from scouting around too much for old military positions.

At Mapai (River) we were shown a mass grave, covered by a concrete slab, which we were told held the civilian victims of this raid. Expedition members showed the appropriate respect at this site. We then returned to Mapai (Rail), dropped off our two passengers and headed off back towards the border.

Our next task was to return to the site of the Donaldson Canberra crash site in order to place a more permanent memorial to the airmen lost in this crash. Time was running short, so we dispensed with protocol and just drove direct to the site. After placing the cross, we sounded the "Last Post" which was particularly fitting as the sun was starting to set as the sound of bugles rang out hauntingly through the silent bush. We then had to rush for the border before it closed, which we got through without any problems and headed for home, arriving at 20 00 hours.

We had travelled a total of 360 kms in 15 hours. There are many people involved in making a trip, such as this, the success it was.

My grateful thanks go to the following:

• First and foremost to Bob Manser, who pioneered searching for these forgotten sites. Bob gave us all his notes to use, offered invaluable advice and encouragement throughout
• Prop Geldenhuys for all the help, encouragement and research done on our behalf.
• Eyewitness accounts from Gavin Wehlburg, Jono Lane and Keith Dell all helped to get an overall picture of approximately where we had to look.
• To the ex Rhodesians of Francistown, who fabricated the crosses, galvanised them and then painted them all at no cost. They looked magnificent.
• To the 5 wonderful Mozambicans who took the time out to guide us and asked for nothing in return. You were a wonderful example of what true reconciliation should be. There is absolutely no doubt that this war memorial will be looked after by these people.
• And lastly to the most wonderful "team" without whom, none of this would have happened. All rallied to the call, and freely gave up their valuable time and at personal cost, to be there.

"Thank you" is not enough.

L/cpl Reyneke was a member of 4 SAI Bn, attached to 53 Bn (Alpha Coy). He was stationed at Etale, 18 km from the Angolan border.

In early 1982, Reyneke was assigned to an escort detail that was to protect a Water Works JCB that had the task of repairing the water pipeline between Charlie Tower at Engela hospital and Eenhana. On the way there the JCB got stuck in the mud on several occasions.

Reyneke and his buddy (Nel), got off the armoured vehicle and stayed close to the JCB with the intention of assisting it through the mud whenever it got close to getting stuck. From this point on, the going was really good, until the JCB detonated a landmine with one of it's back wheels.

Reyneke was killed instantly.

L Cpl Carlos Alberto Correia Pinto Ribeiro (little Robbie) joined the SADF in 1975. He was a member of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.

Little Robbie, as he is fondly remembered by his colleagues, went missing believed killed during a contact between Luenge and Coutada do Mucusso about a week before S Sgts Roxo and Soeiro were killed, much further south along the Okavango river. He was driving a Unimog loaded with a ton or more of explosives when he ran into an ambush while the company he served in was on its way back to Buffalo. He was probably hit by a RPG 7 which meant that the whole truck exploded and his remains could not be recovered. It was because of this incident that Col Breytenbach sent Ribeiro senior home to visit his mother after the second ambush in which Daniel Roxo et al were killed and which led to Robbie Ribeiro also getting killed in that nasty incident on the Golden highway.

At the time Carlos Alberto went missing in action he was seconded to B Group in Rundu (32 Bn).

What a tragic time for the Ribeiro family, loosing the two brothers in a week. Little Robbie was single.

Before joining the SADF, L Cpl Ribeiro was a Paratrooper with the Portuguese Defense Force.

L Cpl Carlos Alberto Correia Pinto Ribeiro's name should appear on the ROLL OF HONOUR of the Special Forces and 32 Battalion.

I knew Rhian well, was in the same Comp. I was also at his funeral in the Cape. Friends may contact me.

This is an account of the events that led to the death of Lt Roos.

In May 1966 the Air Force was making preparations for the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Republic of South Africa, scheduled for 31 May. A fly-past of jet fighters sporting contrails in the colours of the national flag (Orange, white and blue) was contemplated. There was no problem in making blue and white contrails, but making an orange contrail was a challenge.

At that time I was doing a course at the Radar School at Waterkloof Air Force Base to become a ground radar operator. One day, I am not sure about the exact date, but it may have been on 26 May 1966, there was every now and then a F-86 Sabre flying low along the runway and making a contrail that was orange in colour, but turned green after a few seconds. It was obvious that the technical staff had difficulties in producing an orange colour and was experimenting with a liquid to inject into the exhaust of the jet engine that would give a contrail with an orange colour.

At about lunchtime, when the class was on the way to the mess, we observed how the Sabre came past again, but was at last producing a flawless, bright orange contrail, meaning that all the experimenting during the morning to produce the correct colour had been successful.

After this pass, the pilot made an approach as if to land, but then decided to make another fly-past, doing a low level double barrel \"victory\" roll, flying along the runway. This manoeuvre failed dismally and he flew straight into the ground in an upside down position front of our eyes.

We later learned that the unfortunate pilot was Lt IP Roos.

I went to South Africa from England in 1974. I met Brian and we became firm friends. We did everything together until he had to do his National Service. He was 19 I think when he was killed. He was killed by a landmine.

I was with Brian when he died. We were members of a patrol (10 guys) in charge of a few kilometers of the Yati. Days were spent laying claymores and burying animals that had walked into them. In our area of responsibility was a watering hole, a miserable little hole with brackish brown water. But we were given only one fresh water bottle a day so we were very happy with our watering hole. Some days we swam, whilst one or two of the guys kept watch.

One day Gary and Brian were on watch. We were swimming and very close to us there was a huge explosion and dust. We flew out of the water and found Gary going in circles on all fours and Brian lying unconscious. They had wandered off for some reason and, I believe, walked into one of our own claymores, one that we had laid. We soon saw that Gary was not fatally hurt but that Brian was in trouble. He was unconscious. I do not believe that he was in pain or had any awareness of his situation. His wounds were not such that we could do anything, by that I mean he had small puncture wounds that were not bleeding profusely. We did mouth-to-mouth until the chopper arrived. I am sorry this all happened, so wasteful.

Brian was a quiet, modest guy. We liked him.

Charlie was a pilot for the Silver Falcons. During an airshow at Lanseria, the wing of his Impala separated. He ejected but did not survive. Strangely enough he had succesfully ejected earlier in his SAAF career.

As far as I know L/Cpl Ruthven was killed when a Buffel overturned on the Black River Parkway in Cape Town. We were doing township duty in and around Cape Town at the time. As far as I am concerned this death took place in the RSA and not in Namibia

Sadler was based at 101 Workshops in Grootfontein SWA (now Namibia).

He was known as "Boxer" to most of us.

I understand from a Lt. that he fell under the wheels of a supply vehicle while in Angola, and suffered major internal organ damage. He was not able to be helped medically for many hours due to a Communication breakdown, and unfortunately passed away due to internal injuries.

Ben was a section leader on patrol in the Jati strip North of Umbalantu. His section came under heavy enemy fire at evening "klaarstaan" at their TB. Ben was wounded in the neck and although a CASEVAC was arranged, he died of his injuries. He was with Regiment Noord Natal.

Capt Schoeman was injured when he stepped on a landmine. The incident took place on the T junction on the east west road leading to Lobito. The north road went to Luanda. The enemy had placed landmines on the road but our armoured cars were able work around them easily. Capt Schoeman was walking on the road and as a vehicle approached him , he stepped off the road onto the soft shoulder and stood on the mine. The incident occurred in mid November 1975. He was buried in Zeerust.

I did my National Service at 2 Special Service Battalion in Zeerust. I was called up in July 1974. 2SSB had only one intake a year which was July.

During that time Taljaard, Vollgraaf, me and about six others opted to take the 18 or 24 month National Service option. This would have exempted us from camps and there was a bonus that was paid out upon completion of the service.

On October 8, 1975, nine of us were called into the Officer Commanding?s office and told that we were going to Bloemfontein that night. Capt Schoeman, Cpl Taljaard, Tpr Vollgraaf were part of this group.

We traveled to Bloemfontein and when we got there, we were merged with personnel from 1SSB to form a squadron. We were allocated Eland 90?s which were prepared for travel.

About two days later the squadron left Bloemfontein for Grootfontein in the then South West Africa. At that time it was abnormal to have a squadron made up of entirely Eland 90?s. Normally one troop had 90?s and the rest were Eland 60?s (Mortars).

When we arrived in Grootfontein we settled into our tents. Then we all went to see a movie at the base. When we returned to our quarters we found that all the cars had been painted in camouflage markings and that the registration numbers had been erased.

The following morning the squadron was called to a presentation at the mess. A brigadier told us that we were going into Angola on a covert operation to assist UNITA to defeat the MPLA. We had to sign the Official Secrets Act at the time. It was made quite clear to us that we had to volunteer for the task and anybody who did not want to go could remain at the base. One person did remain behind.

We were issued with green uniforms (similar to prison issue at the time) and tennis shoes. Anything that we took with us into Angola had to have any reference to South Africa erased. It meant that labels on food cans had to be removed, wording scratched off other items.

The cars were ?bombed? up (loaded) with ammunition.

Over a period of a few days we and the equipment were flown to Silva Porto in Angola. When we arrived there we drove to a prison out the town. The prison was used as a training camp for UNITA soldiers. They were to provide the ground troop support for us. They were trained by Recces.

About two weeks later we started to head for Lobito taking one town at a time.

During the time I was there until December 1975 we had six contacts. Our group suffered no casualties until Capt Schoeman was injured. About 3 UNITA soldiers were killed or wounded as we progressed to Lobita.

Our biggest loss was incurred north of Ebo on 24 November 1975. We heard shortly after that Ebo engagement that Capt Schoeman had died from his injuries just before the 24th.

He was a very quiet man and was very safety conscious when it came to his troops. One car in Angola rolled down a bank and he told the crew to test the 90mm gun. But they had to tie a very long piece of rope to the firing lever and fire the gun from behind a tree.

If had survived long enough to hear that Taljaard and Vollgraaf had been killed in action, I believe that he would have been heartbroken.

Out of the nine of us who left Zeerust, three were killed, two injured and the rest came home in one piece.

It was a very tough journey.

Thanks

We were on patrol in the townships just outside Port Elizabeth in September 1985. Cpl Schoeman was the platoon Sargeant of Platoon Four, Delta Company (5 SAI). I was in Charlie Section, Platoon Five.

We were at the end of our 12 hours of duty in the township and our buffel met up with the one that Cpl Schoeman was riding in. We chatted to the guys in his buffel and we agreed that we would do one more ride around and then head for home.

We waited for the other buffel to join us after about half an hour and when we had heard nothing from them, we set out to find them.

We noticed a bunch of young children (about 10-15 years old) gathered in a crowd down a side road. They all scattered when we approached, and revealed the mutilated a body on the road. It was Cpl Schoeman. He was still alive when we got to him. He had been stabbed 75 times, castrated and disembowled. There were pieces of flesh missing from his buttocks and an axe embedded in his forehead.

He died while we were waiting for the ambulance.

Apparently, he had joined with his section in chasing after some people who had thrown stuff at the Buffel, and had got seperated from them. He had not taken his personal weapon with him, and could not defend himself.

• Rfn Smit
• Rfn Schronen
• Rfn Le Roux

Were killed when a mortar round hit the rollbar of their buffel on the 31/12/83.

Killed in Action 31^st December 1983

Jan Jurgens Roets SCHUTTE, 16 Aug 1958 Springs - 23 Aug 1978 Katima Mulilo, seun van Stefanus Johannes Bester SCHUTTE en Johanna Susanna Maria VENTER.

Hy is oorlede tydens die Grens-oorlog toe PLAN (Swapo se gewapende vleuel) Katima Mulilo met 122mm vuurpyle vanuit Zambia aangeval het in die vroee oggend ure van 23 Augustus 1978. Dertig vuurpyle is afgevuur op die dorp waarvan slegs 2 skade aangerig het. Die een vuurpyl het 'n skool in die swart woonbuurt beskadig en die ander een het 'n bungalow in die militere basis getref. In die bungalow is 10 soldate gedood (waarvan Jan Jurges Roets Schutte een was) en 10 ander verwond ("South Africa's Border War, 1966 - 1989" deur Willem Steenkamp bl. 80). Hy was ongetroud. Sy naam verskyn op die ere-rol van gesneuweldes by Fort Klapperkop in Pretoria.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

Scott was killed during a retaliatry air attack by Mig 27's on the Calueqe dam (50KM North of SWA border, Angola) on 27 June 1988 at 14H07 after SADF artillary attacked town of CHIPEQUE. His buffel took a direct hit, killing all 10 occupants. A Noddy (Eland-90) was also hit, killing the gunner and driver. He was from 8SAI BN acting in a support role to 701 BN SWATF and other support elements from 8 SAI, who were holding the dam and the high ground to the N/E of Calueque. After this incident SADF withdrew all forces, including 32 BN, while 701 BN SWATF covered the withdrawal. The ramparts over the dam wall were blown up on our withdrawal.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Gysbert Johannes Smit was my uncle.

Born: 17 October 1953 in Groblersdal. He died on: 04th May 1981 in 1 Military hospital after being shot by a fellow soldier while on duty.

He was buried in Groblersdal cemetary.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

• Rfn Smit
• Rfn Schronen
• Rfn Le Roux

Were killed when a mortar round hit the rollbar of their buffel on the 31/12/83.

I was in the same platoon as Smittie. Sgt Pierre Digue was our platoon commander and was killed in 1987. Our platoon is holding a reunion this month and we have nade a DVD containing pictures of the border as well as our time in camp. I would like to send one to Smitties relatives. Please contact me if anyone knows where I can get hold of them

Killed in Action 31^st December 1983

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Killed in action during a SWAPO rocket attack on the SADF base at Katima Mulilo.

4 January 1976, killed in Angola, outside Dondo. Hand grenade thrown into his trench. Was a member of 5SAI.

I collected RFN Snyman after he had been wounded, with a medic we took him to a point where we would meet a helicopter. He died in the helicopter. I often think about him and his parents. We had another Unimog with a Sgt Major and 10 troops as a guard for us, they left us and did not return, the medic and I had to spend the night in the bush by ourselves with our Unimog.

During a patrol near the Okavango river, a Wolf hit a landmine and was tipped over, killing Sgt P.G. Soeiro and crushing S/Sgt D. Roxo beneath it. The rest of the crew tried to lift it free, but it was too heavy, and he too subsequently died.

Attached to 32 Battalion when he died. Considered one of their own.

Ponciano Gomes Soeiro was born in Portugal, where he joined the Portuguese State Police. He was transferred to Angola, early in his career with the DGS, and was stationed in the Uíge Delegation with the rank of Agent 2nd Class.

S sgt Soeiro, joined the SADF after the Portuguese revolution of 1974. Soeiro completed the Special Forces selection course in September of 1975 together with Roxo, Robbie Ribeiro and Mourão da Costa to became an Operator with 1 Reconnaissance Commando. Like Roxo, Ribeiro and Mourão da Costa, he was deployed to Angola during Operation Savannah as part of a Special Forces team. On his return to South West Africa, like his Portuguese colleagues, he remained with the group of Angolans they had fought alongside in Angola, the core of whom were to form 32 Battalion. Soeiro’s experience as a former policeman was put to good use many times during Ops Savannah.

Soeiro was killed in combat on the 23rd August 1976 with Daniel Roxo on a operational mission on the way to Dirico in Angola. Unlike his friend Roxo, Soeiro did not die at the scene, but while being evacuated by road back to Woodpecker.

S sgt Soeiro was awarded the PRO PATRIA (Cunene Clasp) and the SOUTHERN AFRICA medals.

Ponciano was married and left behind a daughter.

Killed in Action 4^th January 1984

Greg had completed his 2 years as a Parabat and Pathfinder. Trained at Tempe then based in Odangwa with RECES.  Did many foot patrols in Angola and was even wounded in the leg. (1985-1986) Started to reintegrate into society and then was called up for a stupid 3 Months camp in March 1988. They needed him to go to Angola. He tragicly died doing a night practice jump just north of Pretoria at 8 Pm 20 March. It was a Sunday. If somebody was present that night and knows what exactly happened please email me. ian@adbs.co.za

Rfn. JJC Stols was a driver in Support Company, 3SAI, January 1982 intake.
I do not remember (if I ever knew it) his first name but we knew him by his nickname, "Stollie".
There was a tendency for the English and Afrikaans O-Coy drivers to keep to themselves and as he was Afrikaans I never got to know him very well.
I remember that he was short and a little on the plump side.
His trademark was his apparent wish to wear the smallest bush hat he could get his hands on. He ended up with a tiny hat that didn't provide him any shade as it perched atop his head.

During our second border trip we were based at the 52Bn HQ at Ogongo.
One of the satellite bases was Okalongo, a roughly platoon-sized base.
We were fulfilling the support role while there was a company of campers fulfilling the infantry role at 52Bn. Natal Carbineers if I recall correctly. They had their own Buffel and driver at Okalongo but needed another for some ops they were doing.
Stollie was detached with his Buffel and sent off to Okalongo where he stayed for perhaps a week. During this time his Buffel developed some problems with the throttle linkages and not having access to a tiffie, he made a plan and rigged up some wires so he could continue driving the vehicle.

When it came time for him to return, the short route, via a shona was used, rather than the longer route by road. It was common knowledge that this shona was heavily mined and although we were quite lax about seat belts we would always use them when driving along the shona.

The story we were told by the corporal in command of the vehicle was that the throttle had jammed in the open position and Stollie had to lean out of the cab to adjust his wire setup. Unfortunately he chose not to stop but removed his seat belt, stood up and leant out while moving.
It was while he was leaning out that the rear wheel hit a double mine. The Buffel was flipped over and thrown forward 17 metres, coming to rest upside down. Stollie was flung out of the cab and twisted around so that he landed on his back underneath the vehicle.

The edge of the troop compartment came down across his chest, killing him instantly.

None of the other occupants were injured as they were all wearing their seat belts.

Steve Crane
Craniac@davesworld

On 28 May 1978 in the area between old Etali base and St. Mary's Mission Station, ... S.R. Strydom, was accidently shot by a fellow platoon member. A casevac/medivac chopper with medical personnel was immediately requested by radio. While the platoon medic helped him, Strydom requested that the Platoon Commander say a prayer. At this stage it was apparent that he was slipping away, but the medic tried his utmost best and everybody tried to assist, either by preparing a LZ, stand guard in all-round defense or to comfort Strydom, until the dust-off chopper arrived to take him away. The personnel aboard the chopper took over and a few minutes after take off, the pilot radioed back to the platoon that their comrade had passed away.

A sad loss, he was young, bright, had a future ahead of him and could still have contributed much to society and his country.

May his soul rest in peace.

Michael (a sapper) was killed in action supporting the parabats at an unknown location in Angola. The APC that he was travelling in was ambushed and Michael was killed by armour piercing rounds. Michael was afriend of mine from Florida Park High School.

HIS DEATH WAS ALL FOR NOTHING........WHAT A WASTE OF LIFE.

This boy wasn't killed on the border, I watched him burn to death in Bourke's Luck along with 6 other boys. We had just come back from active duty in Kwa-Zulu Natal, and were called out to assist with a forest fire on Erasmushoop farm.

According to other internet sources he died when the Unimog he was travelling in hit a landmine.

Cpl Taljaard was also a crew member of an armoured car. The car was disabled in an ambush by Cubans north of a town called Ebo on 24 November 1975. They abandoned the vehicle and he sought some refuge amongst some trees. Unfortunately, there was an explosion nearby and he was killed when some shrapnel hit him in the neck. His body was recovered and returned to South Africa.

Rfn Thabete was an int collector in the Natal area. He was hitchhiking back to PMB, when he fell asleep in the truck. His service pistol was stolen and he was shot dead with his own pistol. Oshkosh was a very brave soldier and was responsible for the collection of first class information. (I was his PF handler.)

Sgt Cobus Theron died on 6 June 1978 as a result of wounds he sustained from own artillery fire early May 1978 during Operation Rheindeer.

I knew Corporal CJ Torre and his family, his younger brother was about my age and we used to be good friends playing at the bulk storage facility of the local maize mill in town. I know that he was stationed at 7 South African Infantry Battalion Phalaborwa for his two year national service and the town was quite shocked with the news of his passing and until today it is not clear what exactly what caused his untimely demise because that info was according to my knowledge not made public to anyone.

While serving my two years, I had the task of sorting Pro Patria medals that never reached their owners or next of kin; I found myself standing with his Pro Patria in my hands knowing that his mother will never see it because at that time their address was unknown. The Pro Patria medal was awarded to all ranks of the South African Defense Force members for activities to prevent or suppress terrorism, which in practice covered everything from border duties to active combat.

To the best of my knowledge Cpl. Truebody was with 2SSB armoured car unit. He was killed when the 90mm Eland he was a crew commander in, was hit, by a 106 recoiless, while going through a ditch. The projectile entered the turret from the top, exactly where the front crew commanders eppiscope is mounted.

The driver and gunner escaped with minor wounds. The turret was replaced and the car went back into action.

I served with Herbert in this unit and was also in this bit of action. His car was taken back to the SSB Service Unit in Bloemfontein for a thorough investigation (which is why the later models had a more secure crew commander's setup) and then possibly the hull was put back into service after getting a new turret.

Herbert WAS a hellava guy: good friend, good buddy. He was one of two to die in that action.

I also served with Herbert in 2SSB and can confirm he was a great guy. We did basics together in 1997 at Rooikop. Not sure what happened with the Eland 90 after the incident, but can confirm that he was a Troup Leader and the only person who died in this Eland as a result of the hit.

Lt Noel Tucker was killed during a retaliatry air attack by mig 27's on the Calueqe dam (50KM North of SWA border, Angola) on 27 June 1988 at 14H07 after SADF artillary attacked town of CHIPEQUE.

His buffel took a direct hit, killing all 10 occupants. A noddy was also hit , killing the gunner and driver. He was from 8SAI BN acting in a support role to 701 BN SWATF and other support elements from 8 SAI, who were holding the dam and the high ground to the N/E of Calueque.

After this incident SADF withdrew all forces , including 32 BN, while 701 BN SWATF covered the withdrawal. The rampants over the dam wall were blown up on our withdrawal.

Maj R M Turner was the pilot of an Impala MkII Ser No 1041 that crashed near AFB Pietersburg on 10-Apr-1991 due to engine trouble whilst on finals for landing.

An ex-colleague of mine told me a few years ago that he was on that train. I called him earlier today and without referring to the accident, asked him where he was on 25 March 1977. Het asked me "what time" and I said "about 02h00". He said "sitting upright in my train bunk at Keetmanshoop station." He is very creative with the pen and he and an excellent memory, being an ex history teacher. I asked him to send me a few notes. Unfortunately it's in Afrikaans and here it is:-

Keetmanshoop - 25 Maart 1977

Iets maak my wakker en ek trek my regop aan die *rand* van die boonste slaapbank in ons 6-man kompartement in die 4de wa van ons troeptrein wat na die grens op pad is * ons is almal van Regiment Westelike Provincie. Dis 02:10.

Die volgende oomblik is daar *n slag en ons word almal geskud. Die ander 5 ouens val almal uit die slaapbanke en sommige word beseer toe hulle op die oopgeslaande tafel val. Almal hardloop uit na die perron en daar*s chaos. Willem (?) sit en huil op die perron.

Ons hoor toe *n trein met 2 *units* en 25 oop trokke met tonne ystererts het in ons trein wat voor die stasie staan, teen *n effense helling afgekom en in ons vasgery. Die *units* is ontspoor en die 1ste wa ook, maar die 2de een het dwarsgedraai en die ander trein se een *unit* het regdeur *n kompartement gery. Vyf van ons manne is dood, terwyl die 6de een in daardie noodlottige kompartement sonder *n skrapie deur die venster geval het. Gary Bricknel * wat vir die WP krieket speel * is een van die oorledenes.

Daar word vir volunteers gevra om die beseerdes te help en altesaam 90 manne word later na milit?re hospitale afgevoer. Twee RP*s met ammunisie word voor die telefoonhokkies op die perron staangemaak en beveel om enigeen wat 2 meter van die hokkies kom, te wond. Almal wil net teruggaan * land toe * maar kmdt Ivan Bester van die Paarl * ons bevelvoerder * s? later di? oggend dat ons voortgaan en gaan veg, en om 14:00 vertrek ons trein weer noorde toe. Heelwat van die waens is beskadig, maar hulle is intussen vervang.

Willem herinner my later hoekom hy gehuil het en ek word koud. Ons was op Kaapstad in wa 1, maar *n halfuur voor ons sou vertrek, het een of ander offisier ges? ons 6 moes na wa 2 gaan, na die kompartement waar die 5 man gesterf het. Tien minute voor ons vertrek is ons weer aanges? om na wa 4 te gaan.

Dit was nog nie ons tyd nie!"

Rifleman P. Uzzel was a member Goudveld Commando. On 6 January 1983 he and a number of others from this unit were on patrol when their vehicle tripped a landmine, killing five of them and injuring the rest. Two of the latter were so badly injured that they succumbed to their injuries the following day.

For details, see entries for B.J. du Toit, F.M. Griessel, J.H. Diedericks and J.L. van der Merwe.

• J.H. Diedericks
• P. Uzzel
• F.M. Griessel
• J.L. Van Der Merwe
• B.J. Du Toit

Died in a Military Vehicle Accident, involving his section being transported in a Gladiator. There was a bad crash and fire, with the troops trapped in the rear. The army vehicle he was in collided head-on with a newspaper delivery van between Colesberg and Philippolis, on their way back to Ladysmith army camp.

Gerrit was our driver. He was a funny guy and a drummer. He ran out of the tent naked once when ordered to fall in. He showed us how to drum using sticks on concrete. He put on a show once standing in the corner, wearing a woman's blouse (I think), and pretended someone was making out with her (him) - you had to be there - he was funny. Unfortunately he died because of an accidental shooting. If I remember correctly, one of the other drivers was farting around and accidently shot Gerritt?. What a tragedy, and for what?

On May 13 1985, a South African Navy strike craft carrying the Recce team as well as a back-up team left Saldanha Bay and traveled to a spot 160 kms off the Angolan coast near its border with Zaire. The mission was to confirm the existence of ANC terrorist bases and SWAPO bases near Cabinda. Reports indicated this area as containing a major ANC training base from which insurgents returned to South Africa. The area contains oil storage installations run by the Angolans and Gulf Oil, and because of this, several large military bases are in the vecinity. Speculative reports had mentioned US Veterans and ex-SAS guarding the installations.

The plane brought the soldiers close to the coast in the darkness of May 19. An advance scouting party was sent to gather intelligence on terrain where the party would land, rowing ashore in rubber dinghies. No hostile movement or activity was noticed so the rest of the team landed on the night of May 20th. Under ideal cloudy skies, the Recce teams trip was slowed by the need to launch their boats farther from shore than anticipated. The longer journey, as well as rough seas threw off the precise timing of the mission. Near shore, Capt. du Toit noticed a small fishing vessel in the area of the landing zone and the occupants were on shore around a fire. This forced the team to wait off-shore until the boat left the area. They were now three hours behind schedule, and the danger of being detected grew. Upon landing the boats were hidden and a rendezvous point set up.

The men climbed a bluff and followed a route that skirted a small village and led to a road. They miscalculated the distance to the road and turned back losing an hour of valuable time. Du Toit decided to continue and reach the lay over position in a densely wooded area within the two hours prior to dawn. South African Intelligence and aerial photographs showed an uninhabited area, but in fact it was surrounded by camouflaged FAPLA bases. The hide was finally reached as day broke. This proved to be far from ideal as a hiding place as it was not part of the jungle but an island of dense growth some distance from the jungle.

The Recce's hid in the undergrowth and spread into a defensive perimeter, one man at an observation post several yards to the North with a view of the course they had traveled. As dawn broke, the features of a well hidden FAPLA base became clear some 1,000 yards from the hide position. A few hours later, a small FAPLA patrol could be seen following the tracks they had left the night before. They team watched as the patrol withdrew, and then came back with a larger patrol which passed the hide. At 5:00 pm a three man patrol followed the team's trail directly to the thicket where the Recce's were hidden. They stopped short of entering the brush, and returned to their base. Meanwhile a second patrol approached the hide from the other direction, and opened up heavily on the hidden position. As RPG rockets struck their position Capt. du Toit ordered the withdrawal of his troops.

They had no choice but to double back on the trail that brought them to this position the previous night. Two of the men were wounded as they exited the trees. FAPLA troops deployed 50 yards west of the site opened up with RPD machine guns RPG and many AK-47s. The team turned north, pursued by FAPLA soldiers. Another group of Angolan soldiers advanced from the west, flanking the Recce's, they could only go east now. They could see a group of trees, but needed to cross 40 yards of waste high grass to get to this cover. Du Toit took two men and made his way through the grass as the rest of the team hid in the thicket. The small team drew fire as over 30 troops moved onto the exposed position. Corporal L.P. van Breda was killed as his two comrades fought on. The fighting continued for a full 45 minutes. The two men started to run out of ammunition and were wounded. Corporal R.R. Liebenberg was killed, and du Toit nearly so, though he remained conscious. The contact was over, and two of South Africa's finest soldiers were dead.

While du Toit lay on his stomach, FAPLA soldiers approached thinking he was also dead. While stripping his equipment, they realized he was alive and shot him through the neck. He remained awake with wounds in his neck, shoulder and arm as the FAPLA soldiers began to savagely beat him. The soldiers ranted that he was a mercenary, while du Toit explained that he was in fact a South African officer, which surprised the soldiers greatly, though they were unaware he was a member of the notorious Recces. After being abused, he was finally taken to Cabinda for medical treatment then to a Luanda hospital.

The remaining six Recce operators carefully made their way north where they regrouped and made contact with their plane. They were picked up and returned safely to South Africa. Their escape was due in part to being ignored after the Angolans captured du Toit.

Maj Willie Van Coppenhagen was killed in March 1988 when he crashed in a Mirage F1AZ whilst returning to Rundu from a night strike on Baixa Longa in Angola.

It was about 10am in the morning on the 15th April 1982. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were on patrol and our Lt sent out a section (1 Ratel) to follow a couple a tracks that our tracker had picked up. The Ratel hit an ambush just after 10am. We (the other 3 Ratels) were a couple of hundred meter away but not visible through the thick bush. By the time we had formed up and went to their aid about 5 guys had been killed. Kpl Van Jaarsveld (sitting at the rear gunner position), Wolfaart (sitting inside), Hough (driver), Potgieter (gunner) and I don't remember the rest 100%.

In December 1983 we were stationed at Okalongo base in Northern Namibia. It was a few weeks before we were due to finish initial National Service of 2 years. We were with B-Company, 8 SAI. On that day the platoon that van Jaarsveld was a member of was preparing to go out on patrol. They were standing outside the bases' sand walls when the RPG-7 rocket launcher another soldier was carrying, misfired and struck van Jaarsveld. He was seriously injured and died at about the same time we finished National Service. As with most of these occurances we were not told the full details surrounding his death.

I confirm this. We knew him as Jassie. I was the signaller in his platoon. 8 SAI, Platoon 1, Bravo Company, January 1982 intake. We were enroute to set up an ambush ahead of the 32 battalion sweep and everyone was carrying extra munitions and claymore mines. The incident happened outside the walls as we all lined up to load our weapons.

Jassie I will never forget you.

Accidentally Shot

Dirk desperately wanted to be a "BAT" and tried three times before he got his "wings".

His service would have been over in December 1988. On 31 October 1988 he was killed, I was told, in Operation Thunder Bird.

They were apparently trapped by a sniper and he was shot through the heart.

He will always be remembered, not as a soldier but as a friend. I must admit that there is a lot of anger when I think about this wonderful life that has been wasted, for the outcome of this war was not decided on the battlefield but around a conference table.

May we never be led to the slaughter again by power hungry politicians.

1 Parachute Bn. Alpha Company.

My name is Johan Kruys. I was one of the Platoon Commanders of Delta Company when Dirk van Rooyen was killed. The operation was called Ops FireWood. The operation was to attack a Swapo base in central Angola and Dirk was killed on the morning of 31 October 1987. He was a very pleasant young man and a dedicated paratrooper.

We all miss you and remember you and your comrades that died that day.

Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese.

Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood.

The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle.

At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds.

Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997.

The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers.

Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above

1501 van rooyen g.n. killed in bosbok aircraft accident tinley manor beach.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Captain Van Wyk was killed by a SWAPO hand grenade just east of SWASPES at Otavi. It was around April or May, forget the dates. I was Bike squad PL 11 pl sgt at the time, we were involved in the annual SWAPO invasion of the farm areas south of Tsumeb. I have since learned that this was by a unit called "vulcan", a highly trained special ops type of operation. We, and other units, chased them every day for weeks, with gunships and Koevoet Casspirs called in to help. The bikes were highly mobile so we were used as a quick reaction force. There was a hut about 8 k's east of Otavi, south of the Grootfontein road just before it S-turned into the valley that we had been to once or twice, looking for spoor or signs of SWAPO presence. It was out in the bush somewhere, forget the significance of it, seems like it was a cattleherder's shack in occasional use.

The parabats were going to surround it that night, I believe they had some info that SWAPO would be there. Turns out one WAS there, and he threw a grande that killed Capt van wyk. We heard it the next day. While some of the details have slipped my mind, I can still see him walking acroos the street at the HQ on an Otavi side street, my 2lt platoon commander and I were sitting on the steps outside the door on standby. We jumped up, but he waved at us and said relax guys. I had spoken to him a few times before that, a friendly officer who acted very professionally. Anyways, we exchanged a few words and he walked off. About 6 hours later he was killed.

I drove through Otavi Dec 2002 while on the BIKE SA desert run, and went to find some of the old haunts. We stopped right where I had sat 20 years before, and I got a very strange cold feeling, I could see him again. As I recall he had a family too.

Ek is Carl Trahms. Attie was saam met my op skool, en ons het saam in Dinwiddie gewoon. Saam in Elspark Tegnies gewees. 'n Goeie vriend van my. Altyd saam partytjies bygewoon. Ek onthou sy mooi meisie wat hy in matriek gehad het. Kan nie haar naam onthou nie maar sy was mooi en hy was vrek baie lief vir haar.

Ek het Attie weer op die grens raakgeloop en met hom gepraat net voor sy dood. Hy het 'n pad vir landmyne gevee toe hy op een getrap het. Sy dood was erg vir die hele basis en vir my wat hom so goed geken het. Eek salueer hom en sy familie vandag want hy het met die duurste prys betaal.

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou 'n groep van die Verkennings Kommando's, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in 'n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen 'n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur 'n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit 'n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook 'n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in 'n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm 'n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel 'Vingers' Kruger met 'n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met 'n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met 'n LMG, Gary Walker met 'n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in 'n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet 'n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op 'n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur 'n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter 'n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met 'n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan 'n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. 'Ek het my hand by die werk in 'n ongeluk seergemaak' sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op 'n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook 'n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

An ex-colleague of mine told me a few years ago that he was on that train. I called him earlier today and without referring to the accident, asked him where he was on 25 March 1977. Het asked me "what time" and I said "about 02h00". He said "sitting upright in my train bunk at Keetmanshoop station." He is very creative with the pen and he and an excellent memory, being an ex history teacher. I asked him to send me a few notes. Unfortunately it's in Afrikaans and here it is:-

Keetmanshoop - 25 Maart 1977

Iets maak my wakker en ek trek my regop aan die *rand* van die boonste slaapbank in ons 6-man kompartement in die 4de wa van ons troeptrein wat na die grens op pad is * ons is almal van Regiment Westelike Provincie. Dis 02:10.

Die volgende oomblik is daar *n slag en ons word almal geskud. Die ander 5 ouens val almal uit die slaapbanke en sommige word beseer toe hulle op die oopgeslaande tafel val. Almal hardloop uit na die perron en daar*s chaos. Willem (?) sit en huil op die perron.

Ons hoor toe *n trein met 2 *units* en 25 oop trokke met tonne ystererts het in ons trein wat voor die stasie staan, teen *n effense helling afgekom en in ons vasgery. Die *units* is ontspoor en die 1ste wa ook, maar die 2de een het dwarsgedraai en die ander trein se een *unit* het regdeur *n kompartement gery. Vyf van ons manne is dood, terwyl die 6de een in daardie noodlottige kompartement sonder *n skrapie deur die venster geval het. Gary Bricknel * wat vir die WP krieket speel * is een van die oorledenes.

Daar word vir volunteers gevra om die beseerdes te help en altesaam 90 manne word later na milit?re hospitale afgevoer. Twee RP*s met ammunisie word voor die telefoonhokkies op die perron staangemaak en beveel om enigeen wat 2 meter van die hokkies kom, te wond. Almal wil net teruggaan * land toe * maar kmdt Ivan Bester van die Paarl * ons bevelvoerder * s? later di? oggend dat ons voortgaan en gaan veg, en om 14:00 vertrek ons trein weer noorde toe. Heelwat van die waens is beskadig, maar hulle is intussen vervang.

Willem herinner my later hoekom hy gehuil het en ek word koud. Ons was op Kaapstad in wa 1, maar *n halfuur voor ons sou vertrek, het een of ander offisier ges? ons 6 moes na wa 2 gaan, na die kompartement waar die 5 man gesterf het. Tien minute voor ons vertrek is ons weer aanges? om na wa 4 te gaan.

Dit was nog nie ons tyd nie!"

About 150 members of an elite Swapo unit code named 'Vulcan' had infiltrated the farming area around Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi and Tsintsabis. Several farmers and farm workers were killed during this incursion, as were seven members of Alpha Company of 61 Mech Bn on 15 April 1982. They were Rfn B.J. Wolfaardt, M. Petersen, J.H. Potgieter, L.P. Hough, L/Cpl J.J. van der Berg, Cpl M.J. van Jaarsveld and 2Lt D. van der Westhuizen ("Oom Daan").

Whilst on patrol the Lieutenant sent out a section (one Ratel) to follow a couple of tracks that the tracker had picked up. The Ratel hit an ambush just after 10 am. By the time backup had formed up and went to their aid a group of soldiers had been killed.

Information extracted from www.moth.org.za

RFN J.A VAN DER BERG A SERVING MEMBER OF THE KAFFRARIAN RIFLES WAS KIA IN SWA DURING 1978 WHILE ON OPERATIONAL DUTY WITH THE REGIMENT.

My father and mother divorced just after I was born, being so young I never got to know my father. I was 5 when he was killed on the Border. It was extremely difficult for me and when old enough to realise, my father was no more around. My mother gave me little information of his death and his grave site.

It has taken me 20 years, with the help of my loving husband managed to locate and visited his resting place in Boksburg. If anybody was with my father, during his army days or at his passing, would be so kind to make contact with me on the following e-mail darjac@iafrica.com

Your daughter Jackie

SKTR J.L Van Der Merwe was saam met SKTR B.J. Du Toit, SKTR F.M. Griessel, SKTR J.H.Diedericks en SKTR P.Uzzel op daai nootlotige dag toe hulle die landmyn met hulle voertuig afgetrap het, hulle het al vyf omgekom en hulle is almal in die Helde Akker in Welkom in die Vrystaat te ruste gele.

• J.H. Diedericks
• P. Uzzel
• F.M. Griessel
• J.L. Van Der Merwe
• B.J. Du Toit

L/Cpl vd Merwe was killed while on patrol within 10 km from Ondangwa.Their Armour troup surprised SWAPO that morning in a chana. Nic was killed while directing fire from the turret of his armoured car. 9 SWAPO killed and 2 taken POW

Hello Riana,

First of all, allow me to say how terribly sorry I am for your loss. I knew all the men who died in the Ratel that fateful day. I got to know your dad, Lt van der Westhuizen and brother-in-law, Sktr J.H. Potgieter through operations in 61 Mech. I can't begin to tell you what good men they were. I remember both your Dad and brother-in-law as true Sons of Africa, who loved their country, but also loved the people they served with. They could be serious on the job, but also enjoyed a good laugh in between tough situations. They were true heroes, who gave their lives so others may live in freedom.

It is now long ago, but I will pass on to you what I remember about the brave, fearless men of 61 Mech.

Operation Yahoo was in the making of what started on Friday, April 9th, 1982. About 190 terrorists had made their way past Tsumeb and past 61 Mech base at Omuthiya. A Koevoet group tracked them and made contact. There was also a farmer, who's name I don't remember, who helped in the attack by flying over the battle with his private plane and dropped grenades on the ters. Unfortunately the ters shot his plane down and also shot out a Caspir belonging to Koevoet, in the process killing 6 of our men. The Koevoet group continued to track this group as they dispursed into smaller groups, making it difficult to attack all together.

On Wednesday, April 14th, we (Alpha and Bravo company of 61 Mech) attended a concert in Tsumeb. I don't remember too well, but I think the performer was Geraldine, who came up to Tsumeb to raise the troops' morale a little. Halfway through the show, our RSM, Sergeant Major Smith (Killer Smith), got on stage, told the singers to stop and made an announcement for 61 Mech to dispurse immediately and go to our vehicles. We left immediately back to 61 Mech base, Omuthiya. Once there, we were pulled together and received our orders. Left over groups of April 9th were tracked and spotted and we were to track them down and eliminate them. We started arming ourselves and loading up the Ratels with ammunition for a full scale attack. Operation Yahoo officially began the morning of Aril 15th at 2:30 AM as we left Omuthiya.

We reached Tsintsibis at about 4:00AM the morning of April 15th. We monitored the radios as we heard various groups, including ourselves, observing ter movements, tracks on the "Kaplyne". Three Alpha company Ratels were following the track of a large band of SWAPO ters. The tracks were fresh. Your Dad, Lt D.R. van der Westhuizen and Skt J.H. Potgieter were with us that day in one of the Ratels. Lt vd Westhuizen was in the command position in the Ratel's turret. The normal vehicle commander, Cpl Van Jaarsveld had given your Dad his seat and moved to the back of the Ratel into the Anti-air Gunner's position, allowing your Dad better visibility of the terrain. One of you Dad's Bushman trackers also joined us in that Ratel and was sitting on the nose of the Ratel to let him track the spoor better.

At one point, around 10:00AM, the band of ters split up, I believe 20 went one way and another group (60 if I recall correctly), went the other way. A decision was made to let two Ratels continue on the spoor of the large group and let your Dad's Ratel follow the small group for a few miles to get an idea of what direction they were heading, since they sometimes walked in circles to confuse us temporarily and then head in their planned direction. Once we figured out what direction this group was going, the Ratel would turn around again and join the other two Ratels in the hunt.

Your Dad's Ratel set out, followed the spoor through thick bush and plains for about 1/2 hour. When they again crossed an open plain, the ters opened fire with RPG's from the tree lines where they were dug in. The first RPG hit the Ratel on the side through the engine compartment, instantly killing Cpl Van jaarsveld, wounding everyone inside. Your Dad managed to call "Contact" over the radio and the other two Ratels turned around to rush to their assistance. Meanwhile the men all opened fire, but were very vulnerable with the Ratel disabled and sideways against the attack. The blast blew the Gunner off the turret, as he was just sitting on top of the vehicle, and not positioned inside next to your Dad. About four more RPG's followed into the Ratel, while the ters also opened with AK 47's as the men tried to get out of the burning, disabled vehicle.

The Ratel exploded inside as the ammunition caught fire. The men fired back and fought with all they had, but being badly wounded and trying to get out of the Ratel into the line of small arms fire and incoming RPG's, they just did not have a chance. The Bushman tracker and the gunner, who were both blown off the vehicle were also wounded, but they opened fire on the ters. Four ters were killed and the rest escaped before the other Ratels could arrive.

More explosions followed through the Ratel and it was impossible for us to even get closer than a few hundred meters from the vehicle. After the explosions stopped, the Ratel burned at an extreme heat. It was impossible for us to reach any of the bodies and it continued to burn the next day. We were able to reach the bodies of our friends later and take it back to Tsintsibis on Saturday, April 17th. This was a terrible day for us. We lost a lot of good men that day.

Ops Yahoo continued with many more successes by us in 61 Mech and Koevoet and finally ended on May 18th, 1982 with us returning to 61 base at Omuthiya.

I kept notes of every day of Ops Yahoo and together with my memory, this is about as much as I can recall of this day. I hope this helps you in some way bring closure about your Dad. All I'd like to add is that he died a brave man, a hero and friend to all of us. What's more important is the way he lived. He led by example, fearlessly, unselfishly and protected all of us by giving up his own life. There is no greater honor in than what he did.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

Hi Riana,

My name is Craig Dunbar, at the time of your dad's contact I was a driver in one of the follow up groups, based out of Tsintsibis, where some of us had been suconded from 61 Mech. Myself and a handful of Artillery Drivers (14 Field Artillery - Jan 82 - july 82 Umuthiya) had been placed there to drive the Buffels for a few weeks, and to look out for the ters that were moving to Tsumeb. Most of my crew were South West Territorials and we had been on patrol when the light aircraft mentioned buzzed us to set up an ambush for the ters on one of the kaplyne's. We did so, and because I was the only radio operator being artillery, I was following the action as it got closer. Unfortunately, the ter group missed us and passed by us hundreds of metres further east of us. We meet the following group and my Bushman tracker was put with the lead vehicle to help the chase. I tailed into the battle group from there. The contact happened just after a wadi, when my tracker said the tracks were fresh and that the lead vehicle would continue pursuit. The rest is very much like told in the story before. I knew some of the guys in passing in that lead ratel and we all felt the loss. My tracker was hit by shrapnel and tried to run home to the Tsintsibis base where his family was. One of the units coming to our aid stopped him a couple of km's away and he promptly died.

The one image I take from this was the Gunship that flew in and killed the ters from the air and some of the ratels on that side of the wadi who joined in. I swore never to drive a ratel again after this contact and haven't.

Also killed in this action in the ratel was a civilian, whose wife was handling the radio net on the day. The name escapes me but hopefully someone will remember.

Side story - We had been in Tsintsibis for a few weeks and before our Bushman tracker was killed, we had spent many days on patrol in the Mangeti Block around Tsintsibis. He became fasinated with UB40, because I had a tape deck rigged to the Buffel battery while we drove and he would sit on the spare tyre next to me as we drove patrols, and jive to this UB40 tape. Anyway, one evening about two weeks before he was killed, I was invited to his Hut which was just outside the base camp. I took a collegue of mine, Greg Basson with me and we went. This bushman tracker lined up his seven wifes and said he would swap one for the tape - well forgive me, but I declined and we were still friends. After he died, and when I was leaving Tsintsibis, I gave my whole collection of tapes, and the tape deck with a car battery to his family. We all cried for different reasons.

In closing, my heart goes out to you and yours for your loss, and all those we lost during that time. It was a hard time for many, and not easy to remember. For those of us who were there for so long, we will only talk of the good times with those gone on before us and honour them for the fellows they were.

Landmine

Capt Paul Velleman was the pilot of a Puma seconded to the Rhodesian Air Force, co-piloted by Lt Nigel Osborne with flight engineer Sgt Daan Retief. On 6 September 1979 during Ops Uric in Mozambique they were shot down (reportedly hit by RPG-7) whilst carrying 14 Rhodesian troops (including Capt C D Small). All were killed in the resultant crash.

Search for Puma Lost at Mapai

April 11, 2009 - April 14, 2009

Under the cover of darkness, on the night of the 6th September 1979, I was flown out of the forward admin area of Op Uric, situated deep in the Mozambique bush, to our Operational Forward HQ situated at Chipinda Pools. I was the sole passenger in the SAAF Puma that evening, and my task was to sort out notices for the casualties sustained earlier that day, when a SAAF Puma (See Photo 1) carrying elements of 1 Commando 1RLI and 2 Engineer Squadron had been shot down on the outskirts of Mapai (Rail) formerly known as Jorge de Limpopo, killing all 17 on board. During the 40 odd minute flight back to the Rhodesian border, I vowed that I would one day return to the crash site to honour my friends and comrades in arms who had made the supreme sacrifice that morning, but who, because of the expediency of the battle, had had to be left behind where they had died.

29 years later I was privileged enough to be invited to join Bob Manser's expedition to find the Donaldson Canberra lost over the Malvernia area in January 1977. It became plainly obvious during this search, that the local police, militia, and Mozambicans were more than willing to assist in the location of these war sites and bore absolutely no malice towards their former adversaries. It was then that I realised that it was possible to honour the pledge I had made in 1979. Slowly over a period of 5 months I was able to assemble a "Team" for the Mapai expedition by using the members of Bob's Canberra party as the nucleus.

Regrettably both Bob and Alistair Macrimmon were both unable to make it and so Neill Jackson ex Support Commando, "Stan" Standish White ex SAS volunteered their services. Added to these "volunteers" were Eastern District farmers Duff Odendaal and his son in law, Gareth Barry. The final search team was thus made up as follows:

• Rick van Malsen
• Kevin Jones
• Malcolm Macrimmon
• Neill Jackson
• "Stan" Standish White
• Duff Odendaal
• Gareth Barry

Nearly two hundred E mails were sent out globally as we planned, sourced information, obtained eye witness accounts, speculated on where the actual site was, made up introductory letters and catch phrases in Portuguese, sorted out admin and log etc. It finally all came together and on Thursday 11th April 2009 "The Team", complete with wives, converged on Mabalahuta camp in the southern Gonarezhou National Park.

Friday 12th April was used as a rest day and was used to prepare ourselves for the trip to the search area. Later in the afternoon we held a final formal briefing of what to expect, where we were going etc.

Saturday 13th April 2009 we rose early and in two vehicles, left camp at 0500 hours so that we could be at the border at 0600 hours, the supposed opening time. True to form, the bleary-eyed border officials only arrived at 0645, which meant we only got through the border formalities at 0800 hours, 1 hour behind our planned timings. The road down to Mapai remains mostly unchanged over the last 30 years. Trains derailed by various SF operations that many years ago, were still in evidence, as well as many shot out buildings. We all just hoped that Stan's contribution to the road had been removed, as he couldn?t remember where he had buried them.

At 1030 hours we arrived in Mapai (Rail) and asked directions the police station. This was a broken down 2 room building that could have passed for a toilet. Not an auspicious start! A young policeman read our letter of introduction and said that we needed to see the local military or garrison Commandant. He then went off to find him but returned to say he was not there. We were then taken to the head of FRELIMO party for the area. Arlindo Penicela Baloi, who, although unable to speak English, was able to read our letter of introduction. Thank heavens for Bob's notes! He reiterated that we had to go back and get the Garrison Commandant's permission.

Back down the road again and fortunately the Commandant was now at home and after reading our letter cheerfully gave permission for us to go to the crash site, but insisted we had to get the local headman?s blessing first. Protocol reined supreme! Now accompanied by Arlindo we set off to site. Suddenly Arlindo stopped me and spoke to a portly gentleman on the side of the road who turned out was able to speak English. Wallah a translator! Solomone, the translator, climbed in and off we went.

We followed a track leading directly East from the main road for about 3 kms when we stopped at a small village where, seated under a tree, was the local headman Araujo Chivite. After a brief discussion between my other two passengers and Araujo, he readily agreed to show us where the site was. With Araujo's 2ic also in tow, (now making 5 of us in a king cab!) we then continued down the track which gradually turned South where we intersected the main Mapai/Machaila road about 3.7 kms from Mapai (Rail)

We had only gone a few metres down the road when we were told to stop and on getting out of the vehicle, we were shown an area which we were told was the crash site. An initial search turned up a partially burnt SF water bottle and then we started finding the unmistakable signs of an aircraft crash. There was a large mound in the centre of the site and this, we were told, was where the soldiers killed in the crash were buried.

We had brought a prefabricated cross complete with a base with us and asked permission to erect this on the site. Araujo immediately agreed but only on condition the site was cleaned up first, which they insisted on doing themselves! These were recovered and brought back with us. Once the cross had been erected, a brief service was held, using the exact format as Bob had used at the other sites, and the Roll of Honour read out. This is repeated below for those who have not seen it.

• "With thanksgiving, let us remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live on in peace, and in appreciation, we now dedicate this cross to their memories. Help us to keep them in our thoughts, and never forget what they gave for us."
• CAPT JOHANNES MATHEUS DU PLOOY 1 RLI
• CAPT CHARLES DAVID SMALL ENG 2ND
• LT BRUCE FRASER BURNS ENG
• SGT MICHAEL ALAN JONES ENG
• CPL LEROY DUBERLEY ENG
• CPL GORDON HUGH FRY 1 RLI
• L/CPL PETER FOX ENG
• TPR JACOBUS ALWYN BRIEL 1 RLI
• TPR AIDEN JAMES COLEMAN 1 RLI
• TPR MARK JEREMY CROW 1 RLI
• TPR BRIAN LOUIS ENSLIN 1 RLI
• TPR STEVEN ERIC KING 1 RLI
• TPR COLIN GRAHAM NEASHAM 1 RLI
• TPR DAVID REX PROSSER 1 RLI
• CAPT PAUL VELLERMAN SAAF
• LT NIGEL OSBORNE SAAF
• F/SGT DICK RETIEF SAAF

"They shall not grow old As we that are left, grow old Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn, At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them"

Neill then repeated the words of the service in Afrikaans in memory of the South African crew. Finally the "Last Post" was played. At all stages of the service the Mozambique contingent were actively involved which we all found very humbling and magnanimous. At the end of the proceedings headman Araujo called a woman called Lydia, who was farming the surrounding fields, and instructed her to build a fence around the site so that the war graves can be looked after properly in the future.

After leaving an appropriate reward with the headman for this to be done, we packed up and left the site, each in our own thoughts. After dropping off Araujo at his village, we returned to Mapai (Rail) and then decided to go down to the old Mapai airfield and Mapai (River) both targets of the Scouts column raid in June 1977. Arlindo and Solomone both accompanied us on this leg, which rather inhibited us from scouting around too much for old military positions.

At Mapai (River) we were shown a mass grave, covered by a concrete slab, which we were told held the civilian victims of this raid. Expedition members showed the appropriate respect at this site. We then returned to Mapai (Rail), dropped off our two passengers and headed off back towards the border.

Our next task was to return to the site of the Donaldson Canberra crash site in order to place a more permanent memorial to the airmen lost in this crash. Time was running short, so we dispensed with protocol and just drove direct to the site. After placing the cross, we sounded the "Last Post" which was particularly fitting as the sun was starting to set as the sound of bugles rang out hauntingly through the silent bush. We then had to rush for the border before it closed, which we got through without any problems and headed for home, arriving at 20 00 hours.

We had travelled a total of 360 kms in 15 hours. There are many people involved in making a trip, such as this, the success it was.

My grateful thanks go to the following:

• First and foremost to Bob Manser, who pioneered searching for these forgotten sites. Bob gave us all his notes to use, offered invaluable advice and encouragement throughout
• Prop Geldenhuys for all the help, encouragement and research done on our behalf.
• Eyewitness accounts from Gavin Wehlburg, Jono Lane and Keith Dell all helped to get an overall picture of approximately where we had to look.
• To the ex Rhodesians of Francistown, who fabricated the crosses, galvanised them and then painted them all at no cost. They looked magnificent.
• To the 5 wonderful Mozambicans who took the time out to guide us and asked for nothing in return. You were a wonderful example of what true reconciliation should be. There is absolutely no doubt that this war memorial will be looked after by these people.
• And lastly to the most wonderful "team" without whom, none of this would have happened. All rallied to the call, and freely gave up their valuable time and at personal cost, to be there.

"Thank you" is not enough.

HJ Venter (nick name FENNA) was a 7 SAI Assault Pioneer 1986 to 1988. We opperated out of Ruacana base at the time in Sticks of 3. Fenna and two other Assault pioneers jioned Koefoet and 101 to somewhere into Angola and around 13h00 [Can not remember the exact date]we received the news they where ambushed and a RPG7 whent thru the back of the Caspir and hit FENNA in the Chest.This were info we received from our fellow Assult Pioneers in the same group but difrent Caspirs.

He was L/CPL HJ VENTER

Battle of Bridge 14

It was about November or December 1975 at Bridge 14 in Angola where Myself (Private Kevin Bowden) and Docter Andre Heyns under enemy mortar fire were requested to accompany 3 Recce's on foot to cross the river behind enemy lines to evacuate Rfn PJ Venter who had been shot in the chest by the Cubans.

When we arrived at his side he was already pretty weak as he had been laying there for many hours with only his comrades as company and none of them had any medical training.

Myself and Doc Heyns stabilised him and loaded him on a stretcher for the hike back to our base which felt like 500 kilometers. While we were staggering through the bush I remember seeing a small white bible in his top shirt pocket close to where the bullet had entered. I just thought to myself "What chance do I have of surviving if he had his Bible on him and he was in such a bad shape".

Myself and Doc Heyns spoke to him every now and again telling him to hold on we would have in safe hands shortly. He was looking up at us and nodded his head that he understood. Looking down at him like that I just prayed that we could keep him alive long enough for the chopper to Casevac him to Cela Hospital where Colonel Dippenaar and his medical team where on alert.

I know that Colonel Dippenaar was not the most liked officer back in the States but he used to work tirelessly throughout the night trying to save the lives of our soldiers. I have the greatest respect for him.

When we got back to base we loaded him in a vehicle and drove Ventertjie (Doc Heyns and myself's affectionate name for him) to the Casevac point where the chopper picked him up and flew him to Cela Hospital. We were so excited knowing that he was still alive and on his way to the capable hands of Colonel Dippenaar and his team.

Much to our dismay a radio report came a little while later telling us he had passed away just as they put him on the operating table. This was a terrible blow to us and we felt if only we had got to him sooner he may still be alive today.

kevinb@unify.com

Johan was shot by own of his own troops after the troop was reprimanded for going off to drink at a "koeka" shop.

Gavin Viljoen was killed when the Samil truck transporting himself and other soldiers collided with a civilian vehicle near their base, 7 SAI Phalaborwa. Gavin was the only casualty. Although his parents tried their best the find out the truth, they were never told the exact circumstances of his death. They were not allowed to see his body. To this day the event is surrounded by mystery and rumours.

Sapper Hakies Viljoen, as he was known, was a member of 2 Field Engineer Regiment and did his basic training in Bethlehem in the Free State as part of the January 1977 intake. He died in a shooting accident in Kwando in Namibia, less than three weeks after reporting for border duty in Oct / Nov 1977. He was initially stationed at Katima Mulilo and when told that he was to be relocated to Kwando, he verbally indicated that he did not want to go and would prefer staying in Katima. Those in charge would not adhere to his request and he was sent to Kwando.

Approximately 13 days later, he was no more. God bless his soul.

This story is about Karl Paul Viljoen and Johan Le Roux on that fateful day of the 10/8/1978 at Nkongo. What happened was that we B company 5SAI had spent 7 months at Eenhana and Nkongo.Our last patrols had come out the bush on the 9/8/1978 and we were due to be replaced on the 10/8/1978 and then we would head to Southern Slums at Grootfontein on the 11/8/1978. On the morning of the 10/8/1978 platoon 2 went on a follow up near the kaplyn. After a few hours the spoor was lost and the 3 buffels went to go and fetch the platoon. Everyone was in a hurry to get on the vehicles. One of the troops whose name I seem to remember but will not name him was running towards the buffel. He had a rifle grenade on his R1 and a ballistite in the chamber with the safety catch off when he suddenly fell. Upon standing up he accidently pulled the trigger launching the rifle grenade towards Karl and Johan who were standing by the buffel, killing both instantly. The person who pulled the trigger came back to base and was taken away instantly. We never saw him again. This was one of those unfortunate accidents that happened in South West. From that day on when we went back to South West for a further 6 months nobody was allowed to walk on a patrol with their rifle safety off.

I was at Nkongo in the aapkas on that day when Sgt Major Koekemoer called the company into the mess tent to tell them the news. It was the only time I saw a PF cry for his troops.

There is a further mention made in your records of a Attie Krog who also was from 5SAI who died in South West. The story there was that the July 78 intake at Ladysmith sent some new drivers to Nkongo when we went back to this base about November 78. These drivers had only been in the army about 5 months and could not keep up with the likes of Attie who was an ouman driver and so they damaged a lot of vehicles. By this time a new road had been built from Eenhana to Oshikati and we were now at Eenhana in January 78. It was decided to send Attie in his buffel with 10 of the new drivers from Eenhana to Oshikati, from there the new drivers would return to Ladysmith. Attie let one of the new drivers drive as he knew the guy from school and he sat in the middle seat in the buffel. Luckily everybody strapped in and they decided to spook the new road ie take a chance and not use mine dtectors. This was a bad move as this road had been constantly sabotaged with mines since it was built. On their journey they hit 3 anti tank mines killing the driver instantly and Attie got crushed by the steel brace that sits underneath the centre seat. A school friend who was also in the vehicle told me later that the bones in his heels were sticking out of his boots after the blast. He had to stay at Natal Command for an extra year after his 2 years as the army would not dicharge him until his wounds had healed.

I hope this sheds some light on these fellow soldiers. It is almost 30 years later and I salute my fellow comrades. Luckily I now live in Brisbane Australia and every year on the 25th of April the streets are closed in the city and everybody who has fought in a war is allowed to march to remember the fallen. Myself and another guy from JHB march with the Rhodesians. If anyone else would like to join us next year contact me on my email address.

RFN Derek Austin
74529280
Section2
Platoon5
B Coy
5 SAI

Karl & Johan were on the same flossie we were on (all 54BN (5 SAI)) from SWA to Pretoria. Only 5 Sai changed there BD's (Body Bags) in Grootfontein before the last section of our flight to 1 Mil Hosp in Pretoria. This was under direct orders from Bok Van Zyl (Rooibard) that no-one touches them besides the lads from 5 SAI. A bad day losing 2 good friends. Never to be forgotten.

Mark cronje 74562802 - now in Miami - USA

I'm busy with my operational war diaries from 1978 and 1979 and was doing some research on Eenhana where I was stationed as a medic from 19 June to 10 Nov. I came across this article and checked for any entries about it on that day. This is what I wrote about it on Thursday August 10th 1878. "Two guys were killed at N'konga with a rifle grenade, poor buggers, they would have been going home tomorrow and they die in an accident. Shit" So finally I have the story, sad as it is. RIP

Tpr Vollgraaf was a driver of an Eland armoured car. The car was disabled in ambushed by Cubans north of a town called Ebo on 24 November 1975. They abandoned the vehicle and he was shot in the back as they were leaving the ambush area. He was evacuated to a town called Cela and taken to a hospital there. During the operation he vomited and drowned from the vomit. His body was returned to South Africa and was buried in Upington.

Kurt von Brandis was in 2 SAI Bn. He was deployed near Rundu with his company. He was drowned while crossing or swimming in a river

Operasie Kropduif (die aanval op Eheke) op 28 Oktober 1977, sou die donkerste dag in die geskiedenis van die Suid Afrikaanse Spesiale Magte se bestaan wees.

Nadat die Suid Afrikaners aan Angola onttrek het in 1976, sou Swapo die geleentheid gebruik om operasionele basisse bykans teen die SWA grens te vestig. Hierdie basisse is vanaf twee groter streeks hoofkwartiere ondersteun. Cassinga sou die sentrale deel van Swapo se aanvalle op die SWA grens ondersteun, en Eheke die oostelike deel van Owamboland en die Kavango.

Daar is besluit om Eheke eerste aan te val. Drie kompanies van die nuwe 32 Batteljon sou te voet oor die grens, en Eheke vanaf die suide aanval. Op dieselfde tyd sou 'n groep van die Verkennings Kommando's, noord van Eheke afgeooi word, en met eerstelig die basis uit die noorde aanval.

Alles het van die begin verkeerd gegaan. Die Spesiale Magte is sowat 15 kilometer te ver noord uit die vliegtuie gelaat. Om dinge verder te kompliseer was die terrein plat en sonder bakens. Eers teen dagbreek was die verkenners in 'n situasie om sinvol te kon navigeer. Toe Drie Twee nog ook halfpad na die teiken, teen 'n verwoede Swapo mag vasloop is daar met reg gevra of die operasie nie afgelas moes word nie. Ook veterane soos Sers Maj FC van Zyl vra vrae. Die bevelvoerende offisier Brig Gleeson, in Rundu het teen die beter wete van die grond bevelvoerders besluit dat die operasie moes voortgaan.

Toe gebeur 'n volgende tragedie. Eheke het uit 'n groter kompleks bestaan as wat die foto interpretasie kenners raak gesien het. Behalwe vir die basis in die suide was daar ook 'n basis in die noord ooste. Hierdie kompleks is totaal misgekyk. Teen drie uur die middag loop die verkenners in 'n trop beeste vas. Die veld was bebos maar onder is die hout en dekking verwyder. Die bees wagtertjie wys na die loopgrawe voor hulle.

Die Operateurs vorm 'n linie met die ondersteunings groepe na agter. Aan die linkerkantste buite flank is Michiel 'Vingers' Kruger met 'n RPG, dan aan sy binnekant, Gert Eksteen met 'n LMG, dan FC van Zyl, Wentzel Marx met 'n LMG, Gary Walker met 'n RPG, Grant Clark, nog een, dan Antonie Badenhorst en dan Luit Chris Strydom. Aan hulle regterkant is nog groepe besig om vorentoe te beweeg. Dan bars alle hel los. Die seksie aan die linker flank het vasgeloop in die deel waar die basis se loopgrawe 90 grade wegswaai van die lyn van die aanval. In plaas daarvan dat hulle soos die res van die aanval die vyand frontaal aanval, loop hulle hulle vas in 'n vuur nie net van voor nie maar ook van die kant. Amper soort van verby die loopgrawe geloop!!

Hierdie toeloop van gebeure sou die lewe van ses jong mans kos. Letterlik binne sekondes. Die eerste om te val was FC van Zyl, die man wat die res van die seksie geinspireer het toe niemand meer lus was nie. Bykans op dieselfde oomblik sterf Vingers Kruger, die man heel buite op die flank. Tussen hulle twee stoor Gert Eksteen se LMG. Hy gaan sit op sy hurke om sy wapen se probleem uit te sorteer. Toe sy regterhand aan sy wapen raak, skiet 'n projektiel hom net bokant sy regter middelvinger deur sy hand. Sy wapen ook stukkend. Aan die regterkant gaan dit nie beter nie. Wentzel Marx, Gary Walker, Grant Clark, Antonie Badenhorts sneuwel almal. Luit Strydom word ook gewond. Gert Eksteen het nerens om heen te gaan nie. Hy haal sy pistool uit en veg met sy linkerhand verder. Op 'n stadium word twee van die ander groep deur 'n RPD masjien geweer vas gepen. Hulle kan hom nie raak skiet waar hy agter 'n boom le nie. Toe die gunner weer om die boom kruip skiet Gert Eksteen hom met sy pistool dood.

Met durf en determinasie veg die aanvallers teen die oormag en wen stukkie vir stukkie die stryd. Gert Eksteen is nie meer nodig nie. Sy hand bloei te veel. Hy beweeg terug, waar hy Kapt Meerholz aantref met 'n skoot deur die been. Hy help Meerholz so aba-aba terug na die mediese pos. By die mediese pos pluk hy sy middelvinger wat net aan 'n velletjie hang af en gooi dit in die Angolse stof. Sy hand word verbind. Hy gaan terug na sy gesneuwelde makkers en bring hulle een vir een terug.

Ek glo nie Gert Eksteen het die storie ooit vroeer aan enige iemand vertel, voor die Maandag aand in Januarie 2004. 'Ek het my hand by die werk in 'n ongeluk seergemaak' sou hy altyd se as iemand hom vra. Meer wou ek nie vra nie. Ek was op 'n baie persoonlike en privaat gebied. Maar ek is dankbaar. Helde almal van hulle, maar medaljes word ongelukkig nie in getalle toegeken nie, al is die dapperes ook 'n seksie van agt Recces. Hulle kon maar vir almal van hulle gegee het. Daardie dag is net 3 Honoris Crux toegeken. Corrie Meerholz sou een kry.

Dave was een van my en Kaggies se makkers. Ons was op daardie staduim spanserante op 101Bn se reaksiemag spanne. Ekkan nog onthou hoe ons een oggend ontplooi het en hy in sy erg engelse aksent geroep het saam met wie ry die sarge( hy het geweet.) Boeta en kon hy hardloop --- ek kan onthou as ons die vorige aand lekker gekuier het die volgende dag moes ons hardloop--- vergeet maar Dave was los voor. Ons het ook lekker gekuier in Tsumeb. Ja n groot en netjiese soldaat.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Ian Webb was best friend to our next door neighbour's son in Durban. He went to School at Park View Primary and Glenwood High in Durban. Although the details were vague, he apparently was killed when the SAMIL transport he was on overturned enroute to an airbase in SWA from where they were due to "Klaar out" after their 2 years NS. What a waste!

My naam is Jaap Lourens, radio operateur vir Pel.3 D- Komp, 6 SAI, soos in 1981 - 83.

Weideman en ek het saam in 1980 aan die Hoerskool Florida gematrikuleer, en daarna saam opgeroep in 1981 vir diensplig te 8 SAI, Upington, waar ons Basies en vakopleiding voltooi het, en laat'81 is ons na 6 SAI op Grahamstad verplaas, as 'n kompanie in geheel.

Vroeg in 1982 is ons in Ovamboland, 52 Battaljon, Sektor 10 te Okalongo ontplooi. Laat '82 het ons vir 'n paar dae tuisverlof gehad, en by ons terugkeer in Ovamboland, soos gewoonlik weer 'n week of twee op Oshivelo opleiding gedoen, voor ons na ons volgende basis, Concor op die pad na Ruacana ontplooi sou word.

Ons kompanie bevelvoerder was 'n Maj. Shoam,'n ongure man, wat min tyd vir sy troepe gehad het, en hy het vooruit, teen hoe spoed vertrek, om eerste die basis te bereik. Die res van die konvooi Buffels het teen hoe spoed moes ry om te probeer by bly, en soos gewoonlik was niemand van ons vasgegordel nie.

Ons Buffel het 'n treiler met kit agter aan gehak gehad, en op 'n gedeelte van die pad wat geteer was, was daar klein stormwater bruggies, vol sand. "n Slaapsak het van ons treiler geval, en die Buffel drywer agter ons het skerp gerem. Die Buffel agter hom was te naby, die een met Weideman en die ander seksie-leiers op, wat ook nie vasgegordel was nie.

Die gevolg was dat hulle voertuig ge-knipmes het, en deur die stof kon ek die Buffel omtrent 4m hoog deur die lug sien trek. Die voertuig het reg op Weideman se kop geval, en hy is op slag dood. Van die ander seksie- leiers is ook erg beseer. Hoe ons dit gedoen het weet ek nie, maar ons het die Buffel opgetel, en ons het sy liggaam uitgesleep.

Vandag 22 jaar na die voorval, onthou ek dit steeds baie goed, en ek dink gereeld aan ons makkers wat nooit terug gekom het, gestudeer, getrou en kinders kon he, wat eendag vir hulle seuns stories van die Grensoorlog kon vertel nie. Ook aan die 100de ander wat ek nie eers geken het nie, maar ons almal wat bereid was om vir ons land bloed te stort, is ons almal Broers.

Ek salueer julle almal, al het ek julle nie geken nie, maar sal julle altyd onthou. Ek en duisende ander was gelukkig om lewendig terug te kom, maar tog, in ons lewens, was dit een ondervinding wat geen geld ooit sou kon koop nie.

EK CARL TRAHMS WAS SAAM MET WEIDEMAN IN DIE SEKIE EN SAAM MET HOM OP DIE BUFFEL TOE DIT GEROL HET. ONS ALMAL WAS SAAM OP DIE BUFFEL EN VASGEGORDEL.WEIDEMAN EN DIE SEKSIELEIER WAS NIE WAS GEGORDEL NIE. DIE DRYWER HET HARD GEREM VIR N VOERTUIG VOOR ONS EN DIE SLEEPWA HET GEJACKKNIVE EN DIE GEWIG VAN DIE SLEEPWA WAS SWAARDER AS DIE BUFFEL EN ONS HET GEROL.DIE ROL WAS ERG EN WEIDS HET UITGEVAL. DIE BUFFEL HET AMPER OP SY VOETE GELAND MAAR HET TERUGGEVAL OP WEIDS. HY HET NIE N MERK OP HOM GEHAD NIE EN EK KON NIE GLO HY WAS DOOD NIE. DIT WAS ERG. EK ONTHOU DIE MEISIE WAT HY VOOR SY DOOD GEHAD HET.HY WAS BITTER LIEF VIR HAAR EN SY WAS BAIE MOOI EN ENGELS AS EK REG KON ONTHOU. EK SALUEER HOM EN SY OUERS VANDAG WANT EK WEET HULLE WAS BAIE LIEF VIR HOM EN EK WEET DIE SEER WAT DAAR IS KAN NET NOOIT GENEES NIE.

Ek, John Lombard was een van Weids se persoonlike vriende en as ek vandag hier moet sit en vertel van wat ons alles saam beleef het gaan die brief te lank wees.

Ek was een van hulle wat eerste op die toneel was. Waar ons die krag gekry het om daardie buffel op te tel weet ek nie. Ek het reg langs hom gestaan terwyl die buffel opgetel word en ek sien nou nog sy kop wat so skud op die grond toe hulle hom uit trek en iemand se hy is dood. Weids ek het nog nie een ou jaar beleef wat ek nie aan jou dink wat daardie middag 16H40 gebeur het nie. Ek wens ek kon alles deel wat jy met my gedeel het hier vir ander om te hoor. Maar daar sit die trane te veel.

Ek was bevoor reg om sy begrafnis by te woon en ek glo die hele Kompanje wou daar wees. Maar ons was almal daar op parade toe ons die gedenksteen in gehuldig het. Wat n dag en met groot hartseer kon ons jou salueer. Ek dink baie aan sy ouers en wat hulle my vertel het. Weids jy was spesiaal. Die belangrikste was dat jy jou hart vir God gegee het en dit is my berusting. Man ons kon darem lekker darts gespeel het. Daar het ek en hy gerule.

My naam is Morne Weideman jongste broer van Andre Weideman. Wil net baie baie dankie se vir al die mooi "dedications". Andre sou vandag sy 46ste vejaarsdag gevier het. Ek en my familie het vandag die geleentheid gehad danksy Jaap Lourens om die

A number of ex-Rhodesian soldiers, now serving with the SADF since Zimbabwean independence, were located in camps in the northern Transvaal. The SADF recruited and trained these men, primarily for sabotage operations designed to destroy infrastructure, damage the economy and undermine the military capacity of Zimbabwe?s armed forces. This series of planned operations, called Operation Drama, had the objective of ensuring that the new Zimbabwe government did not provide concrete support to the ANC and PAC in their armed struggles.

Sgt John Andrew Wessels was a member of a team of 18 SADF soldiers, sent into Zimbabwe on a clandestine mission. They were ambushed by the Zimbabwean army 40 miles inside Matabeleland, and three men, including Sgt Wessels, were killed in the ensuing fire fight.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

Not sure if the above refers to the person the above writer actually refers to. The Sapper "Tommy" Wiggel I remember did his national service with us in Bethlehem in the Orange Free State in 1977 and was killed shortly after basic training in an accident where he was crushed between two Bedford trucks. This happened in the main base in town about 3 months before any of us were deployed for active border duty. All respects, however, to the dedication given above as I do respect every aspect thereof. Possibly a "gap" in the details of the hero's who served our country, especially those who served in the special forces of whom so little has been revealed.

Mark was a corporal in 11 Commando (Kimberley). He was an old boy from Queens College in Queenstown and was killed on 12 Dec 1977 when the vehicle he was travelling on detonated a "cheese mine". Mark was killed as a result of injuries sustained when the Buffel he was in rolled after the mine(s) detonated. It happened on 'Oom Willie se pad'

22 December 1977. David Wilters was serving on the Angolan border when the contact took place. He and the rest of his section of ten men were out on a standard ten day patrol in the Yati. He was stationed at Ombalantu at the time with 4SAI. He was a 60mm mortarist and partenered with Kevin Adank on this patrol.

For some reason the Lt (Foster) in charge of the platoon as well as the platoon corporal (I think Singleton) were 'staying' at this particular shauna which is a kind of mini oasis where water would pool in the rain periods of January. The volcano like crater made a perfect base for the night and offered protection as well as the circular shape allowing the men to spread around the circumference.

It was first light on the morning of 22 December 1977. The section leader had woken up and gone to relieve himself 50m away from the 'camp'. As he returned to his sleeping bag position all hell broke loose and there was a full scale contact. Kevin Adank was shot in the arm. David had also been shot and was in a bad way.

Someone read from the only (english) bible to David as he lay there. The rest of the detail will be known only by those who were there. It was my bible that was used to read to David.

Thirty one years later and I can still remeber his face.

Kevin Roy Winterbottom, Posthumous HC

SA Air Force

No 70388129PE

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Decoration: Honoris Crux (Posthumous)

On the morning of 9 June 1976, 2nd Lieutenant Winterbottom was flying an Impala aircraft on a general exercise. On returning to Air Force base Waterkloof and while on final approach for landing, the aircraft suffered an engine failure.

2 Lt Winterbottom was immediately faced with the situation that the runway was beyond gliding distance, there was a busy road ahead of him and he was losing height rapidly. At that stage he could have ejected safely but he chose to remain with his aircraft and turn to the left and away from the road, a manouevre which then set him heading for the built-up area of Monument Park. Realising this and although extremely low, he persisted with his left turn in a final effort to avoid damage to property and injury or death to persons on the ground.

The aircraft was then so low as to exclude a possibility of ejection and it hit the ground just as it cleared the built-up area. 2nd Lieutenant Winterbottom was killed instantly.

There can be no remnant of doubt that he sacrificed his own life in his courageous effort to ensure that his crippled aircraft would cause no harm to persons or damage to property on the ground.

This display of bravery under conditions of personal danger, not only distinguishes this deceased young officer, but amply justifies the posthumus award of the Honoris Crux.

Died in the crash of the SAS Kruger into the SAS Tafelberg. He was serving on the SAS Kruger at the time.

In the early hours of Thursday 18 February 1982, SAS President Kruger, oldest of the three Type 12 Frigates of the South African Navy, collided with the replenishment vessel, SAS Tafelberg. Both ships were severely damaged but TAFELBERG returned safely to Simon?s Town. President Kruger sank approximately two hours after the collision when efforts to keep her afloat failed.

14 men from Mess 12, Chief Petty Officers J B Booysen and W M G van Tonder; Petty Officers S A Bothma, G A Brind, R C Bulterman, G W de Villiers, E Koen, H Lotter, R A McMaster, R F Skeates, H W Smit, W R Smith, M B R Whiteley and C J Wium died in the collision and their bodies went down with the ship. A further two men, Chief Petty Officer D Webb and Able Seaman G T Benjamin, lost their lives after the collision and whilst abandoning ship. Of these last named two only CPO Webb?s body was recovered after being sighted by SAS Protea on the morning of 19 February.

See the full story in Three Frigates by Rear Admiral Chris Bennett SAN (Ret)

I believe Cpl Yeo was killed in a landmine incident in Sector 10. He was a sapper and I remember him giving a landmine orientation lecture to Hotel Company, Infantry School in early 1988.

My Uncle Edward Clive Yeo, was Indeed killed disarming a landmine, from what I understand of it the mine had a secondary charge burried under it which fired and resulted in his untimely death.

As a Parabat occasionally stationed in Oshakati, I attended landmine orientation lectures given by Cpl. Yeo. He was an exceptionally gifted instructor whose knowledge of EOD's was second to none. His dedication and amiable manner left a lasting impression on everybody he trained.

We were absolutely stunned and shocked when we heard that he was killed in such a tragic way while clearing a mine-field.

Cpl. Yeo was one of the most likeable and good-natured individuals I've had the honour of knowing. He would have been a brilliant teacher/lecturer.

It's been 17 years since his passing, but his remarkable presence stays with me till this very day. The world is a poorer place without this unique young man!

Du Toit was killed in action during operation Smoke Shell (1980). During a strike on a terrorist base in Angola some Ratels were shot up and disabled by AA guns in the base. He was maning the tail gun of his Rattle giving covering fire during the battle and was killed with small arms fire.

Lt Hannes du Toit was second in command of Combat Team 2, operating from Ratel IFV Two Zero Alpha. On 10 June, during the attack on Complex 8 near Chitumba, Angola, as part of Operation Sceptic, the Ratel IFV Two Zero, commanded by the leader of Combat Team 2, Captain Louis Herman, suffered a bent axle. Captain Herman transferred his command to Lt du Toit's Ratel, Two Zero Alpha, leaving du Toit to make his way forward as best he could in the damaged Ratel, Two Zero.

Once the damaged Ratel had been repaired Lt du Toit and his men, plus Captain Piet Botha (attached from 44 Parachute Brigade), made their way forward in an endeavour to catch up with the now much advanced Combat Team Two. While doing so, their Ratel ran into a strongly defended SWAPO position at Complex 8, where they came under intense fire. During this exchange the Ratel suffered jams in both their 20 mm cannon and the 7.62 mm Browning, leaving them only the twin anti-aircraft Brownings at the rear to defend themselves with.

Lt du Toit, manning these Brownings, exposed himself while firing the twin Brownings at the surrounding SWAPO insurgents, while Captain Botha quickly swung the Ratel around in a U-turn and drove out of range of the insurgents' fire. Unfortunately, in the brief exchange Lt du Toit had been mortally wounded, although he continued to give covering fire until he lost consciousness. Despite the best efforts of his men, he died shortly afterwards, but his supreme sacrifice had enabled the rest of his crew to escape unscathed.

For his bravery and self-sacrifice in this engagement, Lt du Toit was posthumously awarded the Honoris Crux.

Dean Shelley [dean@phoenix.idiscover.co.uk]

Lt Oosie was van 5SAI (Ladysmith) gestasioneer te Nkongo (54BN, Sektor 10). Hy het in Maart 1980 gesneuwel (nie meer seker oor die presiese datum nie) tydens 'n voertuighinderlaag, ongeveer 5km vanaf die basis op die Chandelier, rigting Elundu.

Hy was in bevel van 'n aantal voertuie (heelwaarskynlik 3 of 4), met 'n sapper element wat die pad gevee het, om 'n konvooi vanaf Elundu te gaan haal. Die sapper element was kampers gewees (ek en van my troepe het net teruggekom vanaf 'n patrollie saam met Infaterieskool, dus was die DP sappers nie beskikbaar nie). Die sapper berskermingselement het baie vars spore en tekens van stellings weerskante van die pad gekry en sodoende ook aan lt Oosie geraporteer.

Intussen het 'n 32 voertuig element by die Chandelier/Nkongo kruising gewag, want die konvooi was vir hulle geoormerk. Lt Oosie het vanaf sy Buffel geklim, na die spoer gaan kyk en besluit om dit aan die basis te rapporteer. Hy en die seiner het die B52 opgestel langs die pad en die radio antena in 'n boom gegooi, toe die hinderlaag gespring word.

Op daardie stadium was enkele troepe op die grond met die sapper veespan wat in die middel van die Chandelier vasgepen gele het. In die chaos is alle kontak met Lt Oosie verloor en na die skietgeveg (wat met booster gelaaide 82mm mortiere vanaf Nkongo bygestaan is) het almal na hom begin soek.

In die eerste paar minute na die geveg is gevrees dat hy dalk gevangene kon geneem gewees het, en daar was sulke geerugte dat hy gesien is saam met die Swapo's wat oor die pad gevlug het. Sy liggaam is egter gevind 'n ent vanaf die radio. 'n Vyandelike mortier het naby hom geval toe hy gesoek het vir skuiling tydens die vuurgeveg. Sy liggaam was vol mortier skrapnel.

Toe die geveg uitbreek het die 32 element wat by die kruising gewag het onmiddelik op hulle voertuie gespring en na die kontak gejaag en sommer in die ry vanaf die Buffels met mortiere losgetrek.

Dit was op hierdie stadium dat die vyand onttrek het.

Ek was die persoon wat LT. Oosthuisen gehelp het om die B52 op te stel om die spoor rapport deur te sein na Bok van Zyl toe. Ek het ook gehelp om vir Oosie op die 32 Bn Buffel te laai nadat ek hom in die bos gekry het. Dit was 'n moeilike dag, ek sal dit nooit vergeet nie.

Rus in vrede.

Almerindo Mourão da Costa, was born on the 19th August 1944, in a small village in the north of Portugal.

Sgt C P Greyling HC of 1 Recce died on 17 April 1980 in a military vehicle accident in Sector 70, Caprivi

My Brother Rifleman IR Whitehead was wounded in the same incident as the death of Corporal Chris Catto.

He never really recovered from his experiences during the border war and passed away in 2005. The sad part is that there are so many unseen and unheard stories of the issues of Post traumatic stress syndrome that was a definate cause of my brothers demise many years after the incident took place.

Corporal Catto was a member of 5 SAI and the incident happened in 1980.

Dean Shelley [dean@phoenix.idiscover.co.uk]

Hi
Antonie matriculated at the Staatspresident Swart High School in Brandfort approximately 1976.

He is buried at the Brandfort Memorial Cemetry.

Also listed on the 4 SAI Memorial. Assume he was attached to 61 Mech.

Derek Evans was a friend of my brother, and we heard he dead when the Buffel he was in, overturned in the Ethosha reserve. Derek and his family lived at Zwavelpoort, outside Pretoria, at the time of his death.

Derek was the cousin of my husband Douglas David Evans. His untimely death was a great shock to us, just a few days after my mother-in-law (his aunt Kay passed away). His parents Ann and Fred Evans have both also since passed away, but his brothers Trevor ( Uvongo), Peter( Sinoville, Pta) and sister Alethia are still alive. They have sold their part of the family farm, Zwavelpoort, outside Pta, but Doug and his brother, Roger still owns their part of the farm.

Dean Shelley [dean@phoenix.idiscover.co.uk]

Ande was my brother who had joined the RLI in 1979. He quit to join 32 bn when Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. He had only been serving a short time when he was killed at the battle of Savate in 1980. He was wounded in the chest as far as we know after attempting another attack on an enemy position. He bled to death on the battlefield. He was an Englishman who loved South Africa and gave his life for that country.

Piet Bonnet died as result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident outside the 61 base in Tsumeb. He was busy belting in when the top-heavy buffel overturned and he sustained severe lung injuries from the force of the belts.

Piet was an orphan and had been brought up by relatives.

Johan Calitz was a member of Platoon 2, Bravo Company, 3 SAI. While on patrol in the Okatopi region of Ovamboland in the latter half of 1980 his section were ambushed by approx 50 SWAPO who were part of the annual mass incursion into the area from Angola during the wet season. Johan was fatally wounded in the encounter and unfortunately later died on the casevac chopper. Three others in the section were wounded in the firefight. It was their third and final border duty during national service having previously served at Ruacana and Ombalantu. He lived in Bloemfontein and was known as Wingnut by his platoon mates due to his prominent ears.

I noticed that you didn't have certain information on a person on the Honor Roll. Person #1775, S.M. Cronje (Stephen Cronje) was from Pietermaritzburg, Natal where I went to school with him and his younger brother, Leon. He was attached to 61 Mechanized Battalion and he died in Angola during Operation Smokeshell when his Ratel was shot out by RPG fire.

Thought I'd let you know so that he could be honored with more information.

This is a great site and a great way to honor our fallen comrades. Thanks for doing this!

Pte de Beer was fatally wounded in an ambush between Eenhana and Oshigambo whilst sweeping the road for landmines. He was in the 81mm mortar platoon and was on convoy protection duties between Oshikati and Eenhana at the time. He was in the group coming from Eenhana towards Oshigambo. Our group, coming from Oshikati was supposed to meet them at the halfway mark.

Pte de Beer was well liked in his section. He was in the same section as Pte Wiese who also died in the ambush.

I knew this person very well, he got killed in a ambush travelling from Eenhana to Oshakati, they were anbushed between Eenhana and Oshigambo, I still remeber this like yesterday, we were travelling from Oshakati to Eenhana, we were supposed to meet half way. De Beer and Wiese both were killed in this ambush. We heard the news of the ambush when we teamed up. CPL Brits if I am correct was the convoy leader.

Still today it will always be sad, we will never forget them, they will always be our ' BROTHERS IN ARMS".

To both of you I salute you, you will always be part of our lives.

This was a really special friend. The coolest dude. He smoked more cigarettes out of my packet than I did. It was a pleasure and he gave me a whole packet the day before his passing. He took all our guard duties the night before that fateful day. It was as if he knew. We had suffered together for many gruelling months during our training and became very good friends. We had a lot of fun in De Brug, Lohatla, Messina and Border camps.

Operation Sceptic, Smokeshell was where we encountered an unfortunate sequence of events leading up to this disaster. Robert died instantly as he jumped out of the top of the ratel. The compressed air tanks to open the doors had exploded and the only exit was through the top hatches. As he exposed to the top he was severed in two by anti-aircraft rounds where I was first to find him. Andrew and Frank got shrapnel inside and died later. Mike died also as he jumped out the top.

Robert was not alone here, he was with close friends. He was a comrade I was proud to be alongside in such an intense battle.

My brave friend and a gallant soldier, Robert de Vito, died june 10th 1980 50km into Angola fighting SWAPO and MPLA.

Miss you Rob.

Rob,

You and I got on like a house on fire. We shared not only special moments in our army career but in our home lives as well. I just wanted you to know that I have kept my promise to you and still continue to talk to your Mom. You will always be in my heart and in my mind. And there will always be stories to tell about the mischief you got up to (not forgetting the trains you missed).

Take care my dear friend

Listed on Klapperkop as "* J.D. ERNESTE"

Rfn. Pieter Geel was killed in action during a contact at Ruacana on 29 February 1980 and is buried in the Stikland Cemetery, Bellville.

Information extracted from www.moth.org.za

Missing my Brother Wrn Gerhardus Johannes Kemp (I/D: 6009115015005) Beukesstraat 33, Warden, 9890.

Died in Smokeshell 1980 for what?

Niekie was my best friend on the border at Ondangwa. I was a sapper and he a storm-pioneer. While sweeping for landmines at Okatope, where the terrs had blown up the telephone line and posts, he stood on a anti-personal mine and it blew both his legs off.

He lived long enough for an army chaplain to pray for him whereupon Niekie died next to the tar road.

Needless to say, we lost a great and wonderful person and 26 years later I will never forget Niek.

His parents lived on a plot in the Petit area in the Bapsfontein area.

Ek onthou die tydperk - dit was in die Nkongo gebied - weens baie hoe infiltrasie van Swapo in die gebied is heelwat versterkings daarheen gestuur. Verskeie eenhede het kom uithelp en latere oorgrensoperasies - voorloper van Smokeshell en Protea in die tydperk. Ek was die Geniekorporaal op Nkongo en daagliks moes ons aanvullings doen of casevacs afvoer. Tydens hierdie insident het ek my eerste landmyn gelug naby aan die plek waar die lede gesterf het.

As ek reg het het hulle ingegrawe vir 'n TB vir die nag, nadat ons hulle die middag afgelaai het (naby die kaplyn op 'n hoof infiltrasie roete). Daardie nag is hulle aangeval en verskeie lede het gesterf.

Die oggend toe ons hulle moes afvoer het ek die myn digby hulle TB waar die kontak was gelig (TM57 en 'n TMA3 -verbind met cortex)

Andrew died in my arms in Angola 10th June 1980.

Operation Sceptic as Smokeshell took us 80km into Angola on counterinsurgency. One of the bravest of our group, he fought to stay alive for four hours after his fateful injury. He lay under my close and desperate medical attention as the life slowly drained away. We prayed together and he gave me his rosary which he had been given by his grandmother.

Rescue was delayed further and futility and sickening sadness closed over us as the sun set and the night took hold. Andrew was a gentle giant who we all respected and on occasion shielded me and other meeker comrades from some of the rougher types that were to be found in the army. Andrew was such a good all rounder and an excellent soldier.

He had severe shrapnel wounds caused by anti aircraft rounds that had penetrated the inside compartment of the ratel. He had a hole in the back of his neck and under his arm. Shock and loss of blood had caused his veins to collapse. There was no pain as I spoke gently with him all the while. He died peacefully.

Ek onthou die tydperk - dit was in die Nkongo gebied - weens baie hoe infiltrasie van Swapo in die gebied is heelwat versterkings daarheen gestuur. Verskeie eenhede het kom uithelp en latere oorgrensoperasies - voorloper van Smokeshell en Protea in die tydperk.

Ek was die Geniekorporaal op Nkongo en daagliks moes ons aanvullings doen of casevacs afvoer. Tydens hierdie insident het ek my eerste lanmyn gelug naby aan die plek waar die lede gesterf het. As ek reg het het hulle ingegrawe vir 'n TB vir die nag, nadat ons hulle die middag afgelaai het (naby die kaplyn op 'n hoof infiltrasie roete).

Daardie nag is hulle aangeval en verskeie lede het gesterf.

Die oggend toe ons hulle moes afvoer het ek die myn digby hulle TB waard die kontak was gelig (TM57 en 'n TMA3 -verbind met cortex)