Rifleman Lionel Van Rooyen was killed on July 10 1981 in a training excercise at Omuthiya SWA. (he was blown up in a mortar explosion which was later described as a "misfire") 15 of our troops were injured. He was 19 years old at the time and as far as I remember, a springbok ice skater. He was part of Bravo company of 1 SAI which was stationed at 61 Mechanised Battalion Group.

I remember the day very well. We, the 81mm mortars from Alpa and Bravo Company, were told we were going to be using an Airborne Observer for the first time. We fired our smoke bombs first (to check if we were on target) then the 120mm Mortars fired by (Campers from a Durban Artillery Unit). I don't know if the man in the spotter plane got us mixed up but we were told to cease fire. Which we did and the 120mm were told to continue. Lionel lost his life however many more were injured when the mortars landed amongst them as they debussed from their Ratels.

Due to disorientation, I believe, the guy in the spotter declined the 120mm mortar (HE) fire by 100m instead inclined (lifted it) by 100m from the smoke marker. I remember our Comp. Commander's request in which he requested the incline in fire from the FOO. Shortly thereafter we were ordered to "Debuss / Stap Uit" and as we debussed the next bombardment HE rounds hit the ground between Rudolf Delport's troops of which Lionel was one. It was traumatic and not the way to lose a fellow soldier. Salute you Lionel!!

Yes, you guys got it right, Spotter messed up that's why he got killed and many others injured. It was a stupid mistake. I think 4 HEs in total were fired after smoke and wrongful clearence by the spotter-plane. Do any of you know where Kurt Balzun finds himself these days?