Bell , Etienne Louis (E L)

I crossed paths with L/Cpl. Bell in basic training (B Company, 1 Parachute Battalion, July 1978 intake). I'm not familiar with the circumstances surrounding his sacrifice. Rfn. A.

D Coy were walking at night and Eitieen was point, ter was hiding in a bush and shot him in the head from behind. Unable to get choppers in as it was dark and Eitieen died after a few hours.

LCpl E. Bell was the LMG group leader on the left flank of for Valk Group 1 who were in a spread out line of the box formation we had structured our Company at 18:45pm on 6 July 1979. I am 2 Lt HD Mac Millan of Valk Group 3 on the left flank of the box formation who had moved up to go through a gap in the bushes ahead of us the bush had obscured the view of his Valk Group 1 and also my view of my Valk Group 3, in the exact twilight time of 18h45 as we took the gap my friend and fellow paratrooper E. Bell was 3m ahead of me and as he stepped over a fallen tree stump shots rang out and seeing tracer round making contact with him I responded and was able to shoot one of the two enemy we make contact with, it was the low-light of my entire life and I continue to pray and remember E.Bell, All my love to his family xx Harold Mac Millan

Vryheid’s parabat leaped into conflict
Etienne Louis Bell was born on July 1, 1958 in Vryheid. He was the son of Louis Botha Bell – a qualified pharmacist who practiced his trade at the Melman’s Pharmacy on Church Street (in those years owned by Mrs Colley) – and Louise Francine Suzette ‘Dolla’ Stoffberg.
After graduating from High School Etienne joined up with the SADF, and after “Basics” he was sent to the Tempe Military Base in Bloemfontein where, after he passed the gruelling selection phase, he was trained as a paratrooper.
Corporal Etienne Louis Bell of the SADF No.1 Parachute Battalion, was killed in action on 6 July 1979 at the age of 21 years, during a contact with the enemy.
A school friend, who did not want to be named, and who was with Etienne in the Parachute Battalion, recalls his death as follows: “It was during Operation “Safraan” in 1979. Delta Company received instruction to attack an enemy target in Zambia. The target was attacked and some of the enemy force managed to get away and formed splinter groups. During the night our company retreated in a typical “U” formation on our own tracks, with the purpose of forming a “TB” (Temporary Base) for the night. At that time one of the enemy splinter groups was conducting its own reconnaissance, and had surprised our forces. The enemy fired at us and one bullet hit Etienne in the head. The wound to Etienne’s head was fatal. Early on the following morning Etienne’s body was transported to the military base at M’pacha in South West Africa by helicopter. This was early July 1979, if I recall correctly”.
Hilton Way wrote that he had crossed paths with Etienne Bell during basic training at 1 Parachute Battalion. “D-Company was walking at night and Etienne was at point. Terrorists were hiding in a bush, and they shot Etienne from behind in the head. It was dark and they could not get choppers in, and Etienne succumbed of his wounds a few hours later”.
Lieutenant H.D. MacMillan wrote: “Corporal Bell was the LMG group leader on the left flank that was spread out in a line of the box formation. This was at about 18:45 on 6 July 1979. I was on the left flank of the box formation and we had moved up to go through a gap in bushes in front of us. Louis Bell was about three metres ahead of myself, and as Louis stepped over a fallen tree stump, shots rang out, and I could see tracer rounds making contact with Etienne. I responded and was able to shoot one of the enemy. This incident probably was the low-light of my entire life, and I continue to pray for, and remember Etienne Bell”.
Corporal Etienne Louis Bell was laid to rest with full Military Honours, and his remains were placed at the Stellawood Crematorium in Durban. His name is marked on the Fort Klapperkop wall with a * (star), indicating that he had died during operations or in combat. His name is also engraved on the War Memorial in Vryheid.
Ex Alto Vincimus – We Conquer from Above
Lest we forget.
https://northernnatalnews.co.za/190825/vryheids-parabat-leaped-conflict

[Improved photo sent in by Frik van der Bank]

Paratrooper?s Prayer Heavenly Father, King of the world I know that all things are in your hands, whatever happens to me. As a paratrooper I am prepared to suffer hardship. I am ready to endure danger and unrest, pain and hurt. I am willing to be hungry end thirsty. I am prepared to face the enemy fearlessly. Lord I am weak. I cannot depend on my own strength. I do not want to trust in my own abilities. Lord my God; Let me trust in you alone. Give me courage and strength, and, above all, faith to do my work fearlessly ? always.