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De Jongh , Robert Edmund (R E)

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No photograph available — remembrance poppy
Identity
Person No.
29978
Service No.
206971V
Last Name
First Name
Robert Edmund
Initials
R E
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
29
Death Record
Cause code
AA 1,737
Aircraft accident
Cause of Death
Died in Aircraft Accident, AT-6 Harvard #7033, collided in mid-air and collided with #7120 and crashed near Barberton
Military Service
Branch
Air Force
Rank
Captain
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
Army
Defence Force
UDF 24,808
Union Defence Force
Notes

Brother of Mrs. M. J. van Wyk, of Plumstead. Born Pretoria. A medical student. ref. 85 years of SAAF

Research notes

SAWGP smear: LG 31 July 1945 p.3926 Lt de Jongh Montebelluno belongs here. Copied onto PN 29979-30145. | War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), page 1 of 143: dates this 1952-09-02 (ROH/SAWGP: 1952-09-01). SN 206971V and unit (4 Squadron) confirmed. Not overwritten.
Col (rt) Graham du Toit, Last Post, 1 Sep 2026: Capt R.E. de Jongh DFC, 4 Squadron, mid-air collision (AT-6 Harvard 7033 x 7120) near Barberton, age 29. Matches ROH record. Same incident as Lt C.M.D. Reitz (PersonNumber 32659).
Mike Sandham 3 Sep 2026 omissions: notes same mid-air collision as Lt C.M.D. Reitz (32659) Harvard #7120 / #7033 near Barberton; Reitz date conflict (attrition 1 Sep vs headstone/SAWGP 3 Sep) — this record already DateDeath 1952-09-01.
5 Sep 2026: Unit "4 Squadron" (a squadron, SAAF's regiment-equivalent) promoted to Regiment, per John's decision. Corps (South African Air Force) unchanged.

Citations

LG Sup 31 July 1945 pg. 3926 - "This officer has displayed the highest standard of efficiency and courage. He has completed a very large number of sorties including many reconnaissances. In April 1945, Lieutenant de Jongh was leading a formation of a strafing reconnaissance. A convoy of motor transport was observed in the Montebelluno area. Despite adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition, this officer led the formation into attack. Twelve of the enemy vehicles were subsequently destroyed and a further three damaged. In air fighting Lieutenant de Jongh has been responsible for the destruction of at least one enemy fighter and has damaged others."

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37202/supplement/3926

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37202/supplement/3926 p.3926
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37202/supplement/3926 p.3926
External References
  • Mike Sandham
    Mike Sandham 3 Sep 2026 omissions: notes same mid-air collision as Lt C.M.D. Reitz (32659) Harvard #7120 / #7033 near Barberton; Reitz date conflict (attrition 1 Sep vs headstone/SAWGP 3 Sep) — this record already DateDeath 1952-09-01.
  • South African War Graves Project open source ↗
  • The London Gazette open source ↗
    DFC. Supplement dated 31 July 1945 (issue 37202), p.3926.

    Lieutenant Robert Edmund DE JONGH (206971V), S.A.A.F., 1 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn.

    This officer has displayed the highest standard of efficiency and courage. He has completed a very large number of sorties including many reconnaissances. In April, 1945, Lieutenant de Jongh was leading a formation of aircraft on a strafing reconnaissance. A convoy of motor transport was observed in the Montebelluno area. Despite adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition, this officer led the formation into attack. Twelve of the enemy vehicles were subsequently destroyed and a further three damaged. In air fighting Lieutenant de Jongh has been responsible for the destruction of at least one enemy fighter and has damaged others.

    Page scan (PDF): https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37202/supplement/3926/data.pdf
  • The War in Angola open source ↗
    War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), page 1 of 143: date conflict, see ExtraCitation.
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