Stories

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…

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 da…

L/Cpl Kladis had died in a car accident along with

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

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…

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…

This was Foxtrot Company, 6SAI and we were working in 52Battalion, although Jordaan had joined us from 3SAI. I was involved in this same incident and I was on the same Buffel as Jordaan. I was in seated two seats away f…

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…

"Willem" Jans was killed on an external Angolan operation in the early hours of the morning of June 9th, 1979 while serving with Johannesburg Regiment on what I believe was called Ops Twaksak at the time but was later r…

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 "…

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 ? nor…

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 "…

Capt Holm was an infantry officer who was attached to the squadron. He replaced

One our bloodiest battles. I was positioned at the 7 o'clock 50-100m behind 33 Charlie,Adrians Ratel 90, in 30 bevels ratel. He was in the process of laying down fire and getting ready to "wissel" position.Earlier he ha…

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 was 29years of age.Major Lukas Grundling jumped from the plane before his troops, at Wepener, FreeState, SouthAfrica. It was degrees below zero. He landed in a farm dam. Military Court Cases never revealed the exact…

13 Sep 1970: Six members from 5 SAI and one member from 3 SAI were killed while being transported in a Gladiator Troop Carrier back to Ladysmith Army Camp. Their vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a Newspa…

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 be…

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,

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 wil…

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…

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…

Rfn R.G. Dunn (4 SAI) was killed in an explosives accident with Rfn

I was in the same platoon with Evert du Toit and

Rfn E.P. du Toit was killed in an explosives accident with Rfn

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 operasione…

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,

Lt Diggle died in an aircraft accident after a partial engine failure. He was acting as co-pilot for

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 o…

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 da…

We went through basics at 2 special services,shared a tent with Frikki ,endured 2 weeks of rain and mud at rooisloot spanbevs course and we attended a radio comms exercise at zeerust partook in bondel sport at 2ssb and…

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…

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…

Glen was a good friend...I knew him well. He got the nickname "Chapstick" as he was a medic who handed out chapsticks for sore lips. I knew him from spending a lot of time on patrol with him and he was a sweet and gentl…

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 ope…

68222322N Rifleman Gregory George Olyott (5 SAI). He was 18.

68444918N Rifleman Richard Neville Marriott (5 SAI). He was 17.

68238567N Rifleman Kevin Eric Mack (5 SAI). He was 18.

6732700N Rifleman Peter Alfons Ernst Leonhardt (5 SAI). He was 19.

65395287N Rifleman John Grinyer (5 SAI). He was 20.