Identity
Person No.
2634
Service No.
101681V
Last Name
First Name
Jan Hendrik Smartenryk
Initials
J H S
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
22
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, in Martin B-26 Marauder Mk III, crashed into hillside on take off
Military Service
Branch
Air Force
Rank
Warrant Officer Class II
Regiment
Unit
Unknown
Defence Force
UDF 24,809
Union Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Unknown
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Unit History
Notes
Son of Josina M. van Wyk, of Discovery, Transvaal, South Africa. ***Removed this and replaced with new one - Killed in action, in Martin B-26 Marauder Mk III. Raid No. 24: Bombed Alfedena, Italy. Results excellent, large explosion caused. Heavy A.A. before and after target. Escort 4 Spitfires. Load 2x500 and 3 x 250 lbs. After target Lt-Col Brits and Capt Diew collided and both went down out of control. One parachute seen. (Capt Diew later returned to squadron, only survivor).
Research notes
5 Sep 2026: Unit "24 Squadron" (a squadron, SAAF's regiment-equivalent) promoted to Regiment, per John's decision. Corps (South African Air Force) unchanged.
Citations
Unknown
External References
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Dedications
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