On 13 September 1987, during Operation Modular in southern Angola, a 32 Battalion anti-tank Ratel commanded by 2Lt J.R. Alves was engaged in combat with FAPLA T-55 tanks, and became bogged down in a muddy shona. Before the men could extricate themselves, their Ratel was hit and destroyed by a T-55 tank, killing all the crew and men aboard the Ratel, including 2Lt Alves and Capt A.D. McCallum, the commanding officer of Foxtrot Company.       

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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

I remember: he was a friendly mortarist named barries, I was the barman, we were all innocent 18 year old kids not knowing we could die, his death was sudden and unreal

Sadly this is not the late comrade I thought it was.

Barnard and Corria from SWAGENI  /102BN names are not to be found on any list

Or memorial wall I checked. Sad that lives are lost and they go unrecorded

I would also like to know who this Barnard is, was he the guy that did JL's with me in 1986 at Bossiesspruit near Kroonstad.I later heard that he died in a mine accident but I could never confirm it. Barrie's was part of the SWA forces and he along with Tillo von Brandis were send to the SA in 1986 for training.I have some photos of him that I would like to give to his family.   

Russel was one of a number of paratroopers that was in a Puma Helicopter when it was shot down by enemy forces, all the occupants of the chopper died that die.

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.

Russel was my room mate at boarding school at Klerksdorp Techinical High School in 1980, the year we wrote Matric. We played hockey together and he was a great friend and up today we miss him. Rest in peace Russel.

This was the day that real men cried. Tears fell from every troop and every officer at 1 Para, when the announcement of the downing was made, but you would not look any of them in the eye to witness their sadness.

I was busy with Basics (Delta '82).  We all assembled on the Parade Ground and cried for Brothers, we never met, but were never-the-less Our Brothers.

I am one of the "boys" in the photographs on 18 August 1982, standing up-right while the Last Tattoo and Reveille was played out and clearly remembering that there were no tears when Rev Moore, quoted Sir Winston Churchill's famous speech from the 2nd Word War.

It was surreal. We volunteered for the Elite Paratroopers, and on that day, before finishing Basic Training, we were already at war, but were not yet ready to go to war.

On this day, every "boy" became a "man". No-one cried on that Parade Ground, in front of Our Brothers Parents, while we honored our fallen Brothers.

It was one of the scariest moments of my life, knowing that when we left Bloemfontein for the Border, any-one of us could be next to have his name carved into the Memorial Wall.

It is with sadness that I was not able to join my Brothers on the Border as a Parabat, but managed to regularly cross their paths, meeting them at various destinations after moving into other active duty on the Border.

I salute all our lost Brothers and once again shed my tears, knowing irrespective of what gets said or who has said what about the dedication and selfless sacrifice of all our Brothers who ever served their Military Service, if I could have the chance, I would do it all over again.

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Maroon Beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage peak from the Maroon Berets

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, South Africa's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Maroon Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Maroon Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of South Africa's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Maroon Beret.

http://youtu.be/FxqjXg6By20

Barrington was a rifleman from 6SAI, Foxtrot Company, Platoon 4 and was a pleasant well mannered and popular chap. As company signal officer I was in transit and detached to this platoon on that fateful rainy night. The platoon was in position for an ambush set up to stop insurgency from the north. Shortly before nightfall I received orders from HQ advising that we should expect insurgents from the south, I questioned the commanding officer and got my worst tongue lashing ever in the process, stupid engelsman etc. I conveyed this information to the platoon commander. During the night there was heavy rainfall, in order to relieve himself Barrington walked out of the ambush position in a sotherly direction, on his return to his position and in the pouring rain a comrade mistakingly shot him. Platoon 4 comprised the youngest group of men who were exposed to the most amount of contacts during our 18 months on the border, as a result of this they were quick on the trigger. This incident had a severe impact on morale not to mention the poor chap who pulled the trigger, he unfortunately had to accompany Barrington in a helicopter whilst travelling with Barrington alongside him. The spirit of Foxtrot Company and the bonds between the men of the company strenghthened, we were brothers.

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

Peter was educated at Michaelhouse in Balgowan, KZN, where he was a noted hockey player. He was called up to Medics in July 1981 to Klipdrift, Potchefstroom, where he completed basic training. From there Peter commenced his Ops Medic training at 1 Military Hospital and then SAMS College, Voortrekkerhoogte, where he completed the course in March 1982. He was posted to Rundu on the SWA Border and returned back to Pretoria in September 1982. He was tragically killed in a car accident, and was survived by his parents who lived north of Johannesburg, and an older brother and sister.

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 John, I am the son of Maj N Beetge.
I would just like to correct some info that you have on him.
He died in a plane crash in 1971 into Table Mountain.
It was going to be the first time that the SAAF was going to show the public their new Murcurises plane (spelling unsure).
According to the newspaper it was quite misty that day and they were about 4 km off course, they headed straight for the mountain which was discovered too late by the leading plane, as they pulled up they were too low to clear the summit and crashed just behind the Rhodes memorial.
There were 11 people killed that day. We do have a book that my Aunt made with all the newspaper clips on the crash.
His last unit was with 24 squadron at Pretoria.
Beetge Lourens

Hi My name is Gerhardus Beetge I was born in 1971. this is quite a coincidence.

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.

Eddie Bloem was the Flight Engineer on an Alo III (43) that was doing a night ops from Ondangua on 16 July 1986 when it hit a radio mast at Eenhana. He is well remembered by many: http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12615

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 .

Trevor Bodill belonged to the "Natal" Bodill family. All the Bodill's in South Africa are related. The first Bodill's William arrived in 1860 at Port Elizabeth. Trevor Bodill is decendants are from the Families who lived in Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort

Extract from Glenwood's "Roll of Honour"
Trevor Donald Bodill
Rank: TROOPER
Unit: S.S.B.
Where Wounded/Killed/Died: Operation Savannah, Southern Angola
Where Buried/Commemorated: To be confirmed
Cause of Death: Armoured car accident
Date of Death: 16/01/1976
Age: 19
Dates at Glenwood: 1969-74

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.

Name : Piere Botha 
Military Number: 81196776 PE 
 Date of death: 6 Sep 1985
Age: 20
Unit: Technical Services Corps

Piere Botha died in a shooting incident at 61 Base Workshops, accident in Weapon Workshop - bullet ricochet off Workbench, killing Piere.
(Information from "South Africa War Graves Project)

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.

I was in the same platoon as cpl Bruwer and remember the claymore mine accident clearly. Rfn Groenewald was critically injured in the same incident. We were on the Angolan border and had set up claymore mines. Someone decided platoons had to change positions. Terrible descision. Just before the chopper landed another mine was accidentally detonated. We lost a brave soldier that day and two others were seriously injured. We heard the explosion and were only a few hundred meters away.
Rest in peace cpl!!

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.

MY NAME IS CHRIS J LOTTER. I WAS THE OPS MEDIC WHEN THIS ACCIDENT OCCURED. DOC RICK MORRISON AND MYSELF TRIED TO SAVE BUYS AND WILLCOX. BUYS DIED OF SEVERE HEAD INJURIES AND WILLCOX FROM CHEST INJURIES...THE ROLLBAR ON THE BUFFALO CAUSED THE INJURIES. 7 OTHER GUYS WERE ALSO INJURED.BOTH WILLCOX AND BUYS WERE CASAVAC'ED TO ONDANGWA BUT BOTH DIED FROM THEIR INJURIES.

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

Middag

sal nooit vergeet toe ek en Carstens met ons matrasse moes strand toe gaan op sondag r&r. terwyl almal swem moes ek en hy slaap op ons matrasse omdat ons aan die slaap geval het met n sessie in n klaskamer.dit was nou met opleiding by 1Recce op Bluff in 1987. het gehoor dat hy in kontak gesneuwel het maar nou eers gelees basies waar.ons glo en vertrou hy in Hemel en geniet homself.Al my liefde en gebede aan sy naasbestaandes.

Explosion

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

this is a correction as to the facts of Donalds death.Donald took a hit from a mortar bombwhile moving out of an ambush zone

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)

I served with Tim in the same platoon but not in the same section. Earlier the day of 16 December 1976 we spend some time together during the day chatting about the love ones back home. Enjoying some of the eats that we received from the states. The attack happened just after stand to the evening of 16 December 1976. We heard the enemies mortar base plates and I immediately realized we are under attack. It felt like forever before the first mortar shell landed near our base. The attack lasted about 40 min but it felt like hours. Soon after the noise ended I heard someone moaning and realized one of us were hurt and soon afterward heard that it was Tim. He was taken to a tent and preparations started to have him CASAVACTED. I went to see him and his first question was ???if all his men are OK???. I assured him they were OK and that was the last time I saw him alive. They CASAVACTED him but soon afterwards we were informed he died. I was then told I must take over his section. At that stage I was a youngster of 21 sitting with a section in mourning. It was not easy but we pulled through. I just want to take the opportunity to salute my old army buddy.

He was the RSM of 5 Maintenace Unit and was killed by an landmine explosion

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

We served in the same PLT and Section, I was the section leader. Brave and dedicated man. Stayed in Swaziland and did NSM as a volunteer if I remember correctly. RIP always thinking of you and Forbes.

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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

If this is Leon, then he died in a shooting accident in training at Oshivelo with the Durban Regiment, I was part of the following section to fire live ammunition at targets pinned in the bushes simulating a contact, the instructors had moved us up not realising Leons section were not yet clear of the area behind, an estimated 200 x R1 rounds were fired at the targets into the bushes behind where ten of our own men were taking cover, surprisingly Leon was the only casualty. I am sorry I never met him as he had only joined our platoon that morning.

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

Killed in an armoured car accident on the road between De Brug training grounds and Bloemfontein.

Charles and I were friends and were candidate officers at School of Armour in 1976. We were returning from De Brug after a training session when his armoured car (Eland 60) rolled. Charles was killed in the acident.

Always thinking of you Charlie! RIP

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).

Hein Lorenzen and I were together on JL?s. I clearly remember Sgt. PJ Digue for two reasons. The first is I do not recall him ever wearing a jersey or bush jacket even on those cold winter mornings at MLW or ?Die Brug?. Always in an immaculate short sleeve ?Browns? shirt boldly displaying the three stripes on both arms. Secondly during Platoon commanders course, special weapons training Sgt. PJ Digue singled me our as the ?Engelsman? being one of about four English JL?s, I remember him saying it in a funny yet compassionate way. I would have followed him to hell and back had he asked. Unfortunately before we could be deployed the bad news reached us.

Steven Mavromatis (Engelsman)

Sergeant Dique was killed in action on 9 November 1987 by FAPLA's 16th Brigade, a battle in which I also participated.  According to stories at the time he was sitting in the tailgunner's position on a Ratel 20. A mortar shell landed on the Ratel and he was hit in the head by shrapnel that came in under his headset. Stories at the time had it that he ilved for sometime and had medical attention and a blood transfusion, but died shortly afterwards.  Like I said these were battlefield rumours and stories told at the time. Lance Corporal P. F. Botha 84413681BG 4 SAI, A Company , Platoon 3

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"

During Operation Dolfyn, on 1 July 1983 the third platoon of Alpha Company, 32 Battalion, were waiting to be joined by the first platoon at a TB between Dova and Nehone in Angola. When the guards spotted uniformed men approaching the TB, they assumed them to be the first platoon, but they were in fact a group of some 50 SWAPO insurgents, who proceeded to open fire on the third platoon. Still believing that they were under friendly fire, the third platoon scattered into the bush, carrying only their personal weapons, and did not open fire on the SWAPO group as they believed they would be causing friendly casualties. Once they realised their mistake, it was too late to carry out an effective counter-attack with only light weapons and SWAPO was able to loot the TB before making off. The third platoon suffered two fatal casualties, Sergeant G.H. du Randt and Rifleman E. Cassera, whilst 2nd Lieutenant G.W. Roos, Corporal P.G. Grobler and two more riflemen were wounded in the fire fight.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje. 

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.

On 21 February 1985 a 32 Battalion patrol from Echo Company were preparing to set an ambush some 30 kilometres east of Cassinga in Angola, when they spotted the tracks left by six men just north of their TB. These six men were then sighted approaching the TB from the east, and sixteen 32 Battalion soldiers went out to intercept them. Hardly had they done so when a heavy and accurate mortar barrage began falling onto their TB and the company prepared to withdraw southwards.

Before they could do so, a further 70 enemy soldiers surrounded the TB from the east, west and south, forcing Echo Company to withdraw northwards under fire. In the ensuing firefight, Lance Corporal L. Dumba was killed and Rifleman B. Paulo was wounded and captured by the enemy soldiers, whilst the latter also captured all of Echo Company's equipment.   

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

My name is Bobby Thomson. I was in Katima Mulilo that night. I was a gunner and served at the mortar locating radar (32 Loc Battery)which was situated on a tower next to the heli pad. The second red eye landed between us and the helipad . We then directed fire onto pre-listed targets along the river and in Sesheke and the guns at golf wiped out all their long and medium range weapons within the first 10 - 15 minutes after the attack. I remeber that we were in a direct line between Golf firebase and some of the targets in Zambia. We would see the firing of the guns, then hear the shells come overhead and her the explosions when they landed. Lt Schalekamp gave mopping-up fire orders the next day. The next day we went to look at the bungalow and what we saw remained with me for many a year after that.

My name is Okkie Vosloo. I served with Dennis during that particular time. He was a great soccer player and a very pleasant chap.  The date of 23 August 1978 will forever be in my mind, as this was the day I lost good friends and also because it was my 21st birthday. Hi "Bob Dylan" = Brian Dale, Paul Scully, Jorrie Jordaan and all my mates
Dennis RIP

my name is eric robinson and i was also with 3 sai based at wenela on the night katima was hit. it was our last night of a patrol when we were ordered to walk to the golf base to lend support to the gunners. it was a spectacular sight seeing these huge plumes of fire coming from the G5 cannons, the whole place was one heat wave. it was an experience i shall never forget. 

Hi my naam is 'Baldraad' en was saam met Dennis van 2 SDB Zeerust. Dit was ons laaste aand op die grens en ons sou die volgende more terug vlieg.Ek was daai aand op Wanela, so 8 km van Katima. Een troep was op Katima en een op Wenela. Hy was die enigste een van 2 SDB wat gesterf het. Die ander was omtrent almal van 1SDB- Bloemfontein.(Hul eerste aand op die grens)

Hy was n ' great' engelsman en was mal oor sokker. Saam gesweet op Zeerust en saam gelag in die 'pub'. Ek is besig om n storie oor daai 5 dae te skryf soos ek dit beleef het en het toe op die website afgekom.

He was an amazing guy.

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.

So many years ago, but still remember your faces like yesterday , U our hero's !!!!!!

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.

Thank you John for your information displayed about my husband no 446 JPA Furstenburg. I got it now for the first time.

Much information was witheld at that stage and after 33 years I read that he was shot 5 times and accurately. The outcome of the courtcase after 3 years was planned murder. High Court Windhoek Namibia.

A very traumatic incident in the lives of my son and myself. We survived and are happy to see the information is on the internet. In fact it is his birthday today and he would have turned 57. He was shot at the age of 24. I still decide to write a book on experiences based on the SWA war as a war widow.

You are doing a great job.

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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

Born 23 Feb 1963. Son of Mr. & Mrs. F. W. Fidler of Johannesburg. During a movement his unit was ambushed and he was subsequently captured and interrogated. Cpl Fidler was executed by the enemy during brutal interrogation. He never revealed the presence of his nearby unit although been brutally interrogated thereby enabling them to escape and evade. His remains was repatriated back to South Africa 10 years later and on 15 September 1995 he was cremated precisely 10 years after his death. Corporal Fidler was posthumously awarded the Honoris Crux Silver (only 27 were ever awarded ) for his actions of bravery. Cpl Fidler's name appears on both the roll of honour of 1 Parachute Battalion and 7 Medical Battalion Groups.

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.

Eddie Forbes is interested in contact with the relatives of Alexander.

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

I was sad today when browsing on the internet and i came upon this site. Lt Kurt Gagiano was one of the Lt's in Charley Company, 2 SAI Battalion, Walvis Bay, 1975 to 1976 when i did national service. I remember him very well as i served in the same Company as a Rfn and we did Border Duty together. He must have joined 101 Battalion, SWATF when we left to come home in Feb 1976. R.I.P. Lt Kurt Gagiano, i SALUTE you.

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

Gerhard Genis. A brilliant scholar. Matriculated from Springs Boys High 1976. Was tragically killed in a Silver Falcons training exercise when the wing of the Impala aircraft broke off.

An Error of Judgement

From Fields of Air by James Byrom

When things are going well it is all too easy to become overconfident and not give proper attention to one's duties. I Ching (BC 1150)

It was a Wednesday that will live in my memory all my days. 26 May 1971. I was chief sub-editor of the Natal Mercury in Durban, responsible for getting the paper ready for the press. I arrived at work to learn that three military jets had crashed into Table Mountain. Eleven senior officers of the South African Air Force had been killed. It was undoubtedly the worst multi-aircraft disaster in the peacetime aviation history of South Africa.

I was told to stand by for stories and photographs from the Cape Times. Those were the days before computers and desk top publishing and scanning of pictures. The type had to be set in lead -hot-type we called it- and the photographs, or blocks, were etched with acid into metal. They were processes that took time, so deadlines had to be strictly adhered to if the first editions were to catch trains and connections for country distribution. We had a few minutes' latitude with the second edition, which was for street sale and surburban deliveries, but the first edition had to be off my desk by midnight.

As the evening wore on we got the early pages out of the way and began the front page after eleven o'clock. The reporters of the Cape Times were thoroughly professional, and the telex machines had rattled furiously all evening as their stories came over the wires. But there was a delay with the photographs. The later it got, the more anxious I became. I could not hold back the front page, so making up went ahead, with a large space left on the page for a picture. Several telephone calls were made to Cape Town to find out when the pictures would be coming through, but all I got were assurances that they would be sent as soon as they had been cleared by the authorities. As the landline pictures still had to be developed after they had been received, a messenger was standing by in the receiving room to run the canisters to the photographic department, where darkroom assistants were also waiting.

As the clock ticked rentlessly towards midnight, my anxieties grew. Fifteen minutes to go...ten minutes...five minutes...Even if the landline machines began receiving now, the picture that was being run would not be received in time for the edition. And there was still the hole on the front page to fill! I looked up at the wall clock again; and then it caught my eye. There on the wall next to the clock was a large insurance company calender with a beautiful picture of that side of Table Mountain where the crash had occurred. I snatched the telephone from its cradle and asked the girl on the switchboard to get me the Cape Times again. While the call was coming through, I told someone to bring me the calender. Cape Town was on the line. "Sorry about the pictures. They have been released and they will be running within seconds," I was told. "Never mind. I've got a calender with a picture of Table Mountain showing the Rhodes Memorial and the inland side of the mountain. If you can give me an X-marks-the-spot I can use it." I said. The same calender was hanging in the Cape Times newsroom! Over the telephone we were able to pinpoint the site of the crash; and the first edition went to press with that picture as our only illustration.

Two hours later dramatic photographs had been received, and the second edition went to press with a new page one. But our calender picture showed so well where on the mountain the crash had happened that it was retained on an inside page for the later edition.

The three jets were a variation of the Hawker Siddeley 125, a twin-engined executive transport jet. They were the VIP flight of the South African Air Force. The SAAF called them Mercurius, but they were the ninth version of the HS-125, which first flew in 1962. They had a crew of two and, depending on their configuration, could take from seven to twelve passengers in airline seating. The cabins were pressurised and the cabins were fitted with drop-out oxygen masks and toilets. They were technically still on the secret list, to be shown to the public for the first time at the tenth Republic Festival celebration flypast on 31 May. On the day of the crash they were taking part in a rehearsal. Eye-witnesses saw the three jets fly over the saluting dais and then do a right-hand sweep that took them into the clouds. Soon afterwards there was a great explosion as all three crashed into Devils Peak above the Rhodes Memorial. One witness who saw the aircraft a moment or two before they struck said that one appeared to break away from the formation. But if teh pilot had seen the mountain through a break in the clouds, it was too late. The explosion shook the tearoom at the Rhodes Memorial and was heard over a wide area.

The first news to reach DF Malan Airport came from a switchboard operator at Groote Schuur Hospital, who saw two of the jets smash into the mountain. Confirmation came a few minutes later when a game guard reported that he had seen the explosion on the mountain. Immediately police and rescue personnel went into action, but there was little that could be done. The side of the mountain was clothed in thick fog. It was raining and the slopes were muddy and slippery, which made searching almost impossible. After a cold, wet climb, rescuers reported back on the grim scene on the mountain. So completely were the Mercurius jets destroyed that probably only the pilots could have had a split-second look into the face of death. The passengers knew nothing.

Planning for the event had been going on for two and a half months, and because of the unsettled weather in the Cape at that time of year, senior officers had worked out five complex plans to put on the safest and best display possible. These ranged from a magnificant clear-weather displayvin which more than two hundred SAAF aircraft- Impalas, Mirages, Vampires, Canberras, Buccaneers, Skymasters, Shackletons, helicopters, Cessnas, Albatrosses and Dakotas- would fly past at different altitudes in ten action-packed minutes, to a display in thickly overcast weather of helicopters only, flying at five hundred feet. Three hundred and fifty pilots and crew were backed up by five hundred and fifty ground crew and communications staff. The Operation had been planned with great precision. For the various aircraft to arrive over the dais at the right times, bearing in mind the great differences in their speeds, timing had to be calculated to split seconds. There could be no overlaps, nor could there be large gaps between the formations. Precautions had even been made in the event of engine trouble, and pilots were instructed to head for the open sea where lifeboats and rescue squads were standing by.

To understand the disaster, it is necessary to look at some of the planning in greater detail. Several plans had been worked out to make provision for variable weather. However all the plans were subject to the requirement that all flying was to be carried out in visual conditions, that is, the pilots would be able to see the ground at all times. Electronic navigation aids were sited for the safe routing of aircraft, and all these were tested in practice. All pilots received written orders as well as detailed verbal pre-flight briefing, and were shown key points along the routes, from the air and on the ground. The planners worked out holding areas for various types of aircraft, the routes they would take to the dais, the fly-past routes, the heights and speeds, the turning points and the routes from south of the saluting-base back to their bases, DF Malan Airport, the SAAF base at Ysterplaat and the Flying Training School at Langebaanweg. Summersfield was designated a reserve airfield. Planners also made sure that routes, turns and altitudes would prevent collisions between aircraft and, if the weather should turn nasty, they would keep the aircraft away from high ground. To make sure that the various groups of aircraft passed the saluting base within a certain number of seconds, aircraft with different speeds were grouped in blocks and instructed to fly at certain speeds and heights. There were seven speed blocks, and the Mercurius aircraft were grouped with the Vampires and Impalas in the sixth block with a stipulated speed of 250 knots. After the fly-past there was always the danger that the different aircraft might catch up with one another or collide on their return to base. To avoid that, formations were instructed either to fly straight on or turn to the left or right after the completion of the fly-past. Aircraft with longer endurances, such as the Shackletons, Hercules, Dakotas, Skymasters, Albatrosses, Canberras and Buccaneers, were to fly straight ahead. Aircraft with short endurances- Vampires and Mirages- were to turn left and return to DF Malan Airport. Turning right to return to their base at Langebaanweg, the Mercurius jets and Impalas took a breakaway route from south of the saluting base over low ground over the Swart River area. This was the safest route, for if they had turned left to return to base they would have had to fly over high ground, which would have been dangerous in bad weather. The right turn for the Mercurius and Impala aircraft was calculated mathematically at a rate of one turn, that is, three degrees a second. This at 250 knots, from a point thirty seconds flying time, also at 250 knots, south of the saluting-base would have given the aircraft a safe distance of two miles east of Devils Peak. This calculation was tested in practice and found correct by the control staff. Leaders of formations were also given the opportunity to practice the turn and to comment on the practicability of this manoeuvre. The leaders of the Mercurius and Impala teams flew the route and turned twice, once on the day of the accident, but neither made any comments to the control staff about the plan. An extensive communications centre at Goodwood kept formation leaders and control staff under strict supervision, and the positions of formations could be ascertained and correlated with planned positions at all times. The communications system also allowed liaison between leaders of formations and enabled them to report changes in the weather and to receive new instructions from the control centre. There were no breakdowns in this communications system, and it worked perfectly. So what went so terribly wrong on that practice flight on Wednesday, 26 May 1971?

At the various bases and over the saluting dais the weather was suitable for the rehearsal. However, during the fly-past, the base of a broken layer of cloud south of the dais was down to eight hundred feet, and approval was given by control center for formation leaders to reduce height to maintain visual flight. This was in accordance with instructions to formation leaders, including the leader of the Mercurius jets. While flying towards the dais, the leader of the Vampires radioed to the leader of the Mercurius jets. He was thirty seconds behind the Mercurius jets, but he wanted confirmation that they were not behind time according to the tight schedule. When the Mercurius leader confirmed that they were ten seconds late, the Vampire leader increased speed to 280 knots, at which speed he flew over the saluting dais. The distance between the Vampire and Mercurius formations at first decreased, then remained constant, which meant that the Mercurius leader also probably increased speed. When the Mercurius formation flew into the broken cloud soon after flying over the dais, it maintained its planned height of a thousand feet. In doing so, the formation leader chose to ignore the overriding instruction that visual flight was to be maintained at all times. Why did he do that? We can only suppose, as the board of inquiry did, that the leader regarded the flight in cloud as a common occurrence, for as a transport pilot he had complete confidence in his own ability and his instruments. The Impalas, however, which were following the Mercurius formation, were taken by their leader below the clouds where they were able to maintain visual flight as ordered. And what about instrument flying? The Mercurius had weather radar, but even if it was switched on, it is doubtful whether the leader would have had time to pay much attention to it.

The board of inquiry ran through the fatal flight in every detail. It flew the identical course in an identical aircraft. Then, together with evidence from eyewitnesses, it was able to reproduce the exact flight path of the Mercurius formation. It showed that the principal cause of the accident was simply that the formation turned much wider than had been planned and which the leader had been instructed to do in his briefing before the flight. The formation was flying faster than had been stipulated in its attempt to make up the few seconds that it had lost in the fly-past. Now remember that the Mercurius formation had to break to the right thirty seconds after flying over the saluting base and then fly back along the same bearing to Langebaanweg. Thirty seconds was adhered to, but the turn began farther south than the point planned. Again, the higher speed also resulted in a wider turn than had been planned, and the leader had not made allowance for that by turning more steeply. The last, fatal error was in not maintaining visual contact with the ground. That would almost certainly have warned the leader that he was two miles west of his planned flight path and on a collision course with the mountain. The board of inquiry found that the disaster was caused by the leader of the Mercurius formation not maintaining visual contact with the ground, and during the flight in the clouds, making an error of judgement by turning too wide, which resulted in a collision with the slopes of Devils Peak.

Written by James Byrom Fields of Air

• Mercurius 01: Maj MCdeG Genis, Capt DduP Lombard
• Mercurius 02: Cmdt LAF Henning, Maj GJ Euvrard, Maj N Beetge (pax, 24 Sqn) Capt GN Snyman (pax, 24 Sqn)
• Mercurius 03: Maj HHAMC Lomoral, Maj WA Prinsloo, Cpl RN Grobler (pax), L/Cpl E Hayes (pax), Pvt GH Wasserman (pax)  

I was also witness to the crash as we lived on Groote Schuur estate and remember the rattle of my bedroom window as they hit the mountain,the game guard refered to was my father who was first on the scene. There was a memorial service held at the Groote Kerk and we all had to attend,also the whole cabinet attended as they all knew the pilots.The general public had to stand outside the church.

Weeks later we all got a lecture from Oom Piet Ledlie on how to calculate the angle of bank for a rate one turn at different airspeeds.

Thanks to all who posted,it sure brought back the memories,how ever sad they may be. The names of the departed have brought back many memories. I had forgotten that George Euvrard died in this sad accident. I was also acquainted with Willa Prinsloo and Chris Genis. Maj. Lamoral was of Belgian origin, if I remember correctly. A very nice man and fine aviator who struggled to teach me formation flying (with a French accent, nogal).

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

Died in motor accident. He was in Sasol commando.

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

A young speedy winger by the name of Renier Grobler had a phenomenal rise to Bok colours in 1969. He made his debut when Northern Transvaal beat the 1969 Australians 13-3 and scored a try. He would play two more games for N.TVL and scored a try in the 1969 Currie Cup final against WP at Loftus. That match is fondly remembered for Frik du Preez's "gedrop, geplace en gescore" exploits. The public questioned Grobler's selection, citing inexperience. He gave a good account of himself on tour and was not overawed by the task at hand.

The following year, a series of injuries kept him out of the N.TVL team and in 1971 he was slowly working his way up through the N.TVL B side. On the day 26 May 1971, the touring 1971 French side ripped apart W.TVL 50-0 in Potchefstroom, Grobler a corporal in the SAAF, was a passenger in one of three SAAF Hawker-Siddeley HS -125 (code named Mercurius). 

The SAAF were doing a practice run for the 10th anniversary Republic Day Celebrations in Cape Town and due to low clouds around Rhodes Memorial, the three executive jets slammed into the mountain at high speeds killing all eleven men. Remnants of that crash still remain, but tragically "Rysmier" Grobler was lost to South African rugby forever.

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

One of the earliest memories of my life was the story my Dad told me about Dougie Hinds, when I was a little boy and my Dad returned from the Border... Up to this day, my father has told us almost nothing about his times on the Border, hence the fact that the story of Dougie made such an impact on me that I still remember it to this day! In short, my father John Hartslief, served with Dougie on the Border. Both of them were Lt's at the time. If memory serves me right, Dougie and his men was on patrol just ahead of my father's patrol. Dougie and his men drove into an ambush and he, his gunner and his radio operator was shot and killed instantly. Dougie was shot behind the ear and my father was the first / one of the first to rush to his body. My father lifted his head of the ground and held it in his hands. This obviously had a deep effect on my dad... I honour him - it could have been my Dad...  

Dougie and I were at school together and were the closest of friends for our entire time together during our High School years and after School we did our then compulsory military service together. Both serving in the Army. After that year Doug went off to University in Bloemfontein and I went to Varsity in Pretoria and in the USA. Each year till 1976 we did our camps together and I was there when he died in 1976 serving his Country... I was very close to his Mom and Dad and his elder sister Mavis. Both his parent died post 2000. His Mom in a tragic car accident and his father a few years later. Lovely people they both were and like parents to myself... Mavis is lovely and has two children and lives in Krugersdorp. Dougie had a son that was born in 1976 and his name is also Douglas. His Mom Erna lives I think today in Kroonstad. You will always be remembered dear friend and forever in our hearts..! 

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

DEATH OF CAPTAIN J.A.A. HOWITSON

Captain John Howitson was killed late in 1979 on a Junior Leadership training camp (OSC) at the Letaba training camp, which I think was where the Letaba Ranch Game Reserve is today ? north of Phalaborwa and east of the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve.  He was the officer in charge of the training course.  I was on the course and it was the final stage of our training.  He died after a ricochet bullet hit him where he was standing on one of the earth mounds (normally used for shooting against with the bigger machine guns), observing a shooting exercise ? half of the group was shooting from a lying (having taken cover) position at targets placed where the other half of the group had taken cover when the command was given.  Those of us not shooting at that stage were all standing behind the mound.  As candidate officers we did not necessarily get the exact details of the injury but as far as I know the bullet entered his chest somewhere below the right armpit (arms were raised holding the binoculars) and exited on the other side (or maybe the other way around).  We used R1 7.62mm rifles, of course.   He died instantly.

As the officer second-in-charge (Lt. Fouche, cannot remember his first name) was killed in a car accident (his car, a BMW518, aquaplaned and rolled on his way home somewhere in the Delareyville area) earlier (in August or September, I think) we had lost both the senior officers during the course.  His name is not on the roll of honour, presumably as his death was not related directly to military service.

The Late Capt John Howitson was my brother in Law, married to my sister Marianne (nee van Graan). Marianne was at the time of John`s death pregnant with their 4rd child, Jean who was born about 7/8 weeks after his death. Marianne did not marry again, and is a single mother to 4 lovely children, Basil, Catharine Conrad and Jean. She lives in Bellville and is proud grandmother of 3 grandchildren. John`s mother and sister, Joey and Dorothy Ann respectively, still  lives in Kimberley.

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

My brother (19) was taken away from us on the 19 August 1988, a day I will never forge t... getting a knock at the front door... my worst day ever. Raymond I love and miss u so much u just have no idea... I am still battling to come to terms with what happened... I have those days where I just want to talk to u and let u know what is happening in my life.. I love u Raymond and SALUTE YOU...YOU are my HERO..

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

Alan was my good mate and partner in all sorts of mischief. We both matriculated from Alexandra High School in Pietermaritzburg and went to Scottsville Presbyterian Church. Alan was posted to 1 SAI and I was posted to II SSB - I volunteered for officer training at School of Armour - Bloem, and occasionally saw Alan at church or at 1 SAI during weekends. He was a little sad when I last saw him - battling with homesickness and general army life (as we all did). He asked if I would come and see him a bit more often - (we were a little less restricted at Panzerskool) I was a bit slack at visits and next I heard, he had been killed. I managed to get hold of the Adjudant at 1 SAI when I received the news a couple of weeks after the event, and quizzed him over the events of his death. I was given a similar story to that that was published in the Natal Witness - I still have a copy of the article. Not sure of the accuracy of the statement though. (Alan had been on an NCO training course.) 

I will never forget you My Friend. Your death marked a very definitive change of my outlook of life. Your smile and your lust for life will always enrich the lives of those who you left behind. I never was abe to maintain a relationship with Michael, Sharon Cindy or your Mom & Dad after your passing, but I always felt for their pain as well.

We Will Never Forget You.

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

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

On the evening of 3 April 1983, the first and fourth platoons from 32 Battalion's Alpha Company were preparing to set an ambush on a road four kilometres north-east of Vinte Sete, when they spotted six SWAPO insurgents moving ahead of them. They were spotted in turn and the SWAPO men managed to run to cover in a more favourable position, before opening fire on Alpha Company, pinning the latter down for some 15 minutes and inflicting a number of casualties on them before withdrawing under cover of an 82 mm mortar bombardment.

The combat had definitely ended in favour of SWAPO on this occasion, as Alpha Company suffered two fatalities, Sergeant A. Mande and Rifleman J.D. Kativa, whilst 11 other members were wounded, including both platoon commanders, 2nd Lieutenants A du Plessis and G.W. Roos.         

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

On 9 March, whilst on patrol, Lt Gert Keulder and his patrol located a SWAPO base in the vicinity of Nutalala, which they destroyed. Whilst withdrawing from the area however, they came under attack briefly from a 300-strong SWAPO force. Although heavily outnumbered, Lt Keulder's men inflicted five fatal casualties on SWAPO, after which they withdrew. Unfortunately, Lt Keulder was also mortally wounded in this brief clash.

Information extracted from "32 Battalion - The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit" by Piet Nortje 

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.

I actually have a photograph of the chopper doing the casevac. We were part of the convoy when it happend.

If I remember correctly it was around this time of the year, either the 14th or 15th May.

Photo's are available to view on the SA-Soldier.com website.

Died in freak accident, at Ladysmith, drowned

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

Unfortunately the stories above are not true. Danny was killed by a SWAPO terrorist AK 47 round to the chest ALMOST a year and a day after Eddie Bloem died in a helicopter accident. Eddie Bloem had just returned from his brothers funeral in Durban, (stabbed in the chest by a an unknown F@@C#*).

When Eddie returned to Ondangwa he insisted that he fly the night ops and in the place of Danny he flew out of Ondangwa. The approach to the forward base from where they would have operated that night involved landing in a very dusty area. The first helo to land circulated so much dust that Eddie's heli had to abort the landing and the pilot involved turned to the right instead of the left. The heli blades sliced thru the tower and the tail rotor gearbox was caught in the stay cables of the tower. As the int officer was seated in Eddies seat at the time and Eddie on top of the 20mm cannon, as the pilot tried to do an emergency landing, due to a tail rotor failure, the helo rolled to the port side and Eddie fell out, the helo landed on top of him. He died 45 minutes later.

Danny was killed in a SWAPO-SADF SKIRMISH A YEAR later as far as I can remember, possibly as a result of a cowboy helo pilot who I refused to fly with, because he liked to fly low and slow, not the recommended altitude of 800ft and 65 knts. Harry Somebody!

May EDDIE and DANNY R.I.P. forever and we shall always remember them for always and forever!

• 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

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.

My name is Corrie and I have just joined your website, some information on one of the fallen listed on your site. 

Lance Corporal Stephan Leamy, belonged to Regiment Piet Retief and was shot in the lung during a patrol near Enhana in 78, he died while waiting to be casavaced. 

His company was temp based at a school and a section was sent out to get water, they walked into an ambush of 65 ters, the section went down and returned fire killing three insurgents, during the initial fire Leamy took a shot in the lung, the signaller was grabbed and shot in the buttocks but he managed to escape. 

The patrols had a habit of following the same path every day on their water patrol, but on that day they veered from their route, the ambush was laid out in an L shape and they walked into the short leg of the L, neutralizing most of the longer legs fire. 

Leamy had a newborn child, I am sure this info can be verified by the ops reports of the unit, or the military

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

CPL Leonard was a section leader when I did my 1 year national service at 2 SAI in Walvis Bay. We all went to the boarder together. Terry and his section stayed in the tent next to mine at Nkongo up North. He had a special heart for sharing the gosple with his men and I often heard him pray with his guys. After 4 and a half months living in the bush we came to the end of our stint in Ovambu and were retreating back to our base in Walvis Bay. We had not seen normal civilization or a tar road all this time. 5 km before reaching Grootfontein the accident happened. I travelled on the Unimog, 2 vehicles behind his Unimog and was shocked at the scene that lay before us as we came round the bend. Apparently the driver fell asleep and the Unimog rolled and landed at the side of the road on its roof. We comforted the injured, loaded their equipment, kit, rifles, etc that lay scattered around and took it with us to Grootfontein. Unfortunately we were informed that Terry had passed away. What comforted me in this sad situation was that he had such a strong believe in God, and that he went home to be with his creator.  It is now 36 years later and this sad memory is still clear in my mind. I salute all those who were with me in 1976 at 2 SAI in Walvis Bay. They were tough times with good memories as well as the sad loss of CPL Terry Leonard. From L/CPL Simon van der Meulen

CPL Leonard was a section leader when I did my 1 year national service at 2 SAI in Walvis Bay. We all went to the boarder together. Terry and his section stayed in the tent next to mine at Nkongo up North. He had a special heart for sharing the gosple with his men and I often heard him pray with his guys. After 4 and a half months living in the bush we came to the end of our stint in Ovambu and were retreating back to our base in Walvis Bay. We had not seen normal civilization or a tar road all this time. 5 km before reaching Grootfontein the accident happened. I travelled on the Unimog, 2 vehicles behind his Unimog and was shocked at the scene that lay before us as we came round the bend. Apparently the driver fell asleep and the Unimog rolled and landed at the side of the road on its roof. We comforted the injured, loaded their equipment, kit, rifles, etc that lay scattered around and took it with us to Grootfontein. Unfortunately we were informed that Terry had passed away. What comforted me in this sad situation was that he had such a strong believe in God, and that he went home to be with his creator.  It is now 36 years later and this sad memory is still clear in my mind. I salute all those who were with me in 1976 at 2 SAI in Walvis Bay. They were tough times with good memories as well as the sad loss of CPL Terry Leonard. From L/CPL Simon van der Meulen

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.

My name is Bobby Thomson. I was in Katima Mulilo that night. I was a gunner and served at the mortar locating radar (32 Loc Battery) which was situated on a tower next to the heli pad. The second red eye landed between us and the heli-pad . We then directed fire onto pre-listed targets along the river and in Sesheke and the guns at golf wiped out all their long and medium range weapons within the first 10 - 15 minutes after the attack. I remember that we were in a direct line between Golf firebase and some of the targets in Zambia. We would see the firing of the guns, then hear the shells come overhead and hear the explosions when they landed. Lt Schalekamp gave mopping-up fire orders the next day. The next day we went to look at the bungalow and what we saw remained with me for many a year after that.

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

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 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.

Read the book written by Piet Nortje for the story. 32Batallion The Untold Story.

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

Anton Malan was a member of Foxtrot Company at Infantry School - Oudtshoorn as part of the January 1990 intake.

He was undergoing training as an officer and was in his 8th month of a 9 month Officers course. He was a qualified teacher, conscripted (in the manner most white male teachers were) and sent to Infantry School to become an officer.

He was killed in the final week of a Convetional Warfare training. During an assessment exercise, Anton was assigned to use a Multiple Grenade Launcher, offering support cover fire for a section doing 'fire and movement'. The weapon he was using malfunctioned, resulting in an explosion of the ammunition it contained.

Anton was in my Platoon. He was part of the Badmington team. A memorial was made on the site where he fell by his platoon buddies. This can be found at the following coordinates -

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.

On the evening of 3 April 1983, the first and fourth platoons from 32 Battalion's Alpha Company were preparing to set an ambush on a road four kilometres north-east of Vinte Sete, when they spotted six SWAPO insurgents moving ahead of them. They were spotted in turn and the SWAPO men managed to run to cover in a more favourable position, before opening fire on Alpha Company, pinning the latter down for some 15 minutes and inflicting a number of casualties on them before withdrawing under cover of an 82 mm mortar bombardment.

The combat had definitely ended in favour of SWAPO on this occasion, as Alpha Company suffered two fatalities, Sergeant A. Mande and Rifleman J.D. Kativa, whilst 11 other members were wounded, including both platoon commanders, 2nd Lieutenants A du Plessis and G.W. Roos.         

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

HANS WAS IN PELETON 4. A-KOMPANIE. 3SAI. HY IS OORLEDE TERWYL ONS BESIG WAS MET GRENSDIENS.

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.

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.

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.

We were told of Mark's death the day afterwards. I was told that it had been an accident as the contact had been with friendly SWATF forces. Both patrols had been told that there were no friendly forces in the area so when they happened upon one another, the shooting started. My brother and 2 SWATF servicemen were killed. I was invited to the hearing in Ondangwa by the SAP who were handling the investigation and was told I would be contacted. The next thing I knew we read in the Citizen newspaper that no-one was found guilty of the error which caused my brother's death. I was furious. I had just left the SAAF after doing my National Service AND had actually joined PF to do Pilot's Course 1/81 but resigned. I contacted a friend who had been on Officer's Course with me, Lt Johan Loots, who was a lawyer and asked him to find out as much info as possible. After 4 months he told me that he had been warned off from the case. I never got to find out the whole story nor who had made the error. I never knew why the SAP never got back to me and I had to read about it in the local paper. Truth is all of the guys died for nothing because, a.) The communists were never the threat they were made out to be and b.) We could never hold on to SWA nor even South Africa coz "the times were a-changin'". Would still like to know why, though. Miss you, Mark. Dave Mason, Bangkok, Thailand.

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)

On 13 September 1987, during Operation Modular in southern Angola, a 32 Battalion anti-tank Ratel commanded by 2Lt J.R. Alves was engaged in combat with FAPLA T-55 tanks, and became bogged down in a muddy shona. Before the men could extricate themselves, their Ratel was hit and destroyed by a T-55 tank, killing all the crew and men aboard the Ratel, including 2Lt Alves and Capt A.D. McCallum, the commanding officer of Foxtrot Company.       

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

Wallace and I did our training together as sapper at Bossiespruit near Kroonstad in 1986. I think he was in Delta company, I did not know him personally but everybody knew who each other in the camp was as we were only about 90 that did RO'S in the end. We still remember him as a very kind and good person.  

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.

Cpl Moag joined us on an ops driving one of the Buffels of a Romeo Mike team.We were making our way out of the area following a contact had stopped the vehicle convoy overnight in a standard circular temporay base.Willie had been chatting with me and we had been talking about the Moon which was so distinct in the sky that night.Willie said good night and walked back to his vehicle where he had decided to sleep between the front and rear left wheels.I was just settling down to sleep when a shot was heard,Once we had established we were not under fire,the message went around the TB that Willie was shot.Willie had got up walked to the front of his vehicle passing the left front wheel ,had relieved himself directly in frontof his vehicle and was returning to his sleeping bag. A young tracker sleeping in line with Willies sleeping position woke, took fright seeing a person coming toward him and fired a single shot from an R1.I can only say that I believe the TB outlay was questionable that night.Willie had not wondered out of the temporary base.Technically the TB was not as it should have been in my opinion.Willie was a true friend and is always in my thoughts,I remember him so vividly when I hear Men at Work,"I come from a land down under".Gone but never forgotten my friend.

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.

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.

L/Cpl EC Moolman and Cpl FC Rudolph were off duty at the time and canoeing in a Makoro (local wooden dugout canoe) above the Calueque barrage. As explained by JJ above they were caught in the current and pulled through the furthest sluice on the North Western side of the dam. They both surfaced just below the sluice but were sucked back down again and only Cpl FC Rudolph resurfaced. We thoroughly searched the banks and islands for days after the incident but found nothing. A tragic accident.

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

On 11 February 1985, a patrol from 32 Battalion's Charlie Company were in the vicinity of the Bale River, when their over-eager company commander took a short cut, against earlier advice from headquarters, and blundered straight into a well-prepared SWAPO base, manned by some 100 insurgents. In the 25 minute battle that ensued, Charlie Company suffered heavy casualties.

In all, 12 men from Charlie Company were killed in this action or died of their wounds soon afterwards, and many more were wounded. The seven fatalities in the inital contact were:

• Lieutenant Dave Light (killed instantly by a bullet that struck him below his left eye).
• Rifleman P. Kahete (severe schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman A. de Almeida (a gunshot that penetrated both lungs)
• Rifleman P. Jose (multiple schrapnel wounds)
• Rifleman K. Kalonga (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Rifleman J.C. Chihamba (multiple schrapnel wounds to head and torso)
• Lance Corporal J.A. Sachilombo (multiple schrapnel wounds, including to abdomen)

After dark, while the casualties were being moved to a temporary emergency base, another three wounded men, all suffering from massive chest wounds, died. They were

• Riflemen J. Fernando,
• M. Joaquim and
• M. Chipoya.

During the night another badly wounded Rifleman, M.A. Kinguelke, also died. The final death was that of Rifleman M. Muema, who succumbed to his schrapnel wounds at 10:00 the next morning.

Later, radio intercepts indicated that SWAPO lost 15 men killed and a number wounded in this contact, and a further two SWAPO insurgents were killed by Charlie Company and one captured when they approached the base on the morning of 12th February.

Information extracted from 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit, by Piet Nortje.

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.

Gideon Obbes died on the 24 November 1975 during a contact with MPLA forces at a bridge 40 kms North-East of Novo Redondo in Angola.

Unit was D Squadron attached to 2 SAI BN GP

Sam van den Berg (svdb3@iafrica.com)

On 24 November 1975 two Eland armoured cars and a Unimog full of paratroopers approached a half-destroyed bridge 40 kilometres north-east of Redondo. The second armoured car came under fire when 150 metres from the bridge and was hit, mortally wounding the commander and bringing the Eland to a halt. Tpr Obbes abandoned the Eland and took cover in some nearby bushes but attempted to return to the Eland soon afterwards, where the other two surviving members of the crew were continuing to engage the enemy. Whilst he was climbing back onto the Eland, an enemy mortar bomb exploded close by, killing him instantly. Information extracted from "Cross of Honour" by Ian Uys. Uys Publishing 1992.

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.

He was my youngest brother and his full names were DIRK CORNELIUS ODENDAAL. He was born on the 11 January 1961 and at the time of his death we were residing at Phillip Botha street 4 Sasolburg. He is buried in the Sasolburg Cemetry.

He did his basics at 4 SAI (Middelburg) and then did a dog handlers course.Reason for death given was and A.D. (accidental discharge) of fellow soldiers firearm. He was attached to 16 Maint Unit at time of death

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.

                                IT WHOSE A LIVING LEGEND AND A TRUE HERO FOR ALL OF US YOUNG MOZAMBIQUE BOYS.

OLD PORTUGAL HIGHLANDS BLOOD AND GUTS.

NEVER SURRENDER , LOYAL TO THE END.

REST IN PEACE

                                IT WHOSE A LIVING LEGEND AND A TRUE HERO FOR ALL OF US YOUNG MOZAMBIQUE BOYS.