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.