Identity
Person No.
30232
Old ROH no.
423
Service No.
73246241BG
Last Name
First Name
Dennis Michael
Initials
D M
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, during the early hours of the morning when the bungalow in which they were sleeping at Katima Mulilo received a direct hit from a Soviet GRAD-P 122mm High Explosive Katyusha Rocket. SWAPO/PLAN insurgents operating from Zambia fired 20 x 122mm GRAD-P Katyusha Rockets into the town. 18 rockets exploded harmlessly in the veld, one struck a school in the Katima Mulilo Township and the other demolished the Bungalow in which the soldiers were sleeping
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Trooper
Regiment
Unknown
Secondary Unit
Army
Defence Force
SADF 3,821
South African Defence Force
Location
Memorial
Memorial
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
1978 Army. Left column. 24th name from the top (Elworthy D.M.)
Unit History
Awards
South Africa
Pro Patria Medal warrant, Government Gazette No. 5171 (25 Jun 1976), Rule 5, as amended by GG No. 5575 (3 Jun 1977); discontinued by GG No. 25213 (25 Jul 2003, Schedule corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 Sep 2004) for service on/after 27 Apr 2003. Gazette extracts: https://rohsa.co.za/award.php?id=24
Notes
Son of Mrs. S. Elsworthy. Of Florida.
Research notes
SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)". 1978 Army. Left column. 24th name from the top (Elworthy D.M.). | Bushwar Books 23 Aug 2026: confirms Elworthy D.M., 2 SSB, Katima Mulilo Katyusha rocket attack, age 20. | Willem Steenkamp, Borderstrike! South Africa into Angola 1975–1980, 3rd ed. (Just Done Productions, 2006, ISBN 978-1-920169-00-8): PLAN titled the 23 August 1978 stand-off bombardment of Katima Mulilo “Operation Revenge” (not an SADF operation name). One 122mm rocket into a prefabricated barracks killed 10 and wounded 10; Steenkamp does not name the dead. Attack began 1.15am; some occupants were sleeping, others had come in for coffee.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Borderstrike! (Willem Steenkamp)
open source ↗
Willem Steenkamp, Borderstrike! South Africa into Angola 1975–1980, 3rd ed. (Just Done Productions, 2006, ISBN 978-1-920169-00-8)
-
Bushwar Books - Lest We Forget
open source ↗
Bushwar Books 23 Aug 2026 Lest We Forget post.
-
SADF.info Border Roll of Honour
open source ↗
SADF.info Border RoH
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
-
The War in Angola
open source ↗
War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), pages 33-35 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 19
Donald was killed in Katima Mulilo in the SWAPO mortar attack on the 23 Aug 1978. A shell pierced the roof of a bungalow killing 10 and wounding a number. I was in the mortars of 3SAI and we were stationed outside the camp in which they were killed. He was a great guy and a great soccer player which is where I got to Know him. He was from the Roodepoort area.
The unit Dennis Elworthy was in was 2SSB (2nd Special Services Battalion -Zeerust). He was killed at Katima Mulilu in the Caprivi strip SWA in 1978, by a red-eye attack from Shesheke. He was my best friend. I was shot later on and was unable to attend his funeral.
My name is Deon Erasmus, 5 years after the bombing myself and 4 friends were instructed to demolish the bungalow. What I saw that day when we opened the bungalow doors is still fresh in my memory today. I was from 5 M.W.E.
My name is Barry Callaghan I was in the attack that night in 1 SSB. Still have bad memories of that horrible night. I was a gunner in 1 SSB and we had just arrived to take over.
My name is Chris Crossley. Dennis Elworthy was actually with 1SSB in the 1978 January intake. He was in B Squadron for operational duty and was posted to Katima Mulilo in July 1978. The attack was from Sesheke where Swapo launched "Red Eye" rockets, one of which made a direct hit on the bungalow where the armoured troop were billited. Ten of the 12 members of the troop were killed in this incident. I was at Ruacana airfield at the time in Troop 1 of A Squadron when we heard about the attack. The crew commanders and guuners of this troop all did gunnery phase with me. In early April1979, I was posted with Troop 1 of A Squadron 2SSB to Mapacha in the Caprivi some 20kms from Katima. It was an absolute shock to us to hear of the attack and the loss of so many of our comrades in arms. I still remember them to this day. They were fine soldiers. "We will remember them" Chris Crossley
My name is Chris Boshoff.I was based at Wenela the time of the attack. I was on guard duty that night. The attack happenen at about 1:00 in the morning. I saw the "red eyes" in the sky(a long red stripes). All the rockets and mortars missed our base Chris
My name is Bobby Thomson. I was in Katima Mulilo that night. I was a gunner and served at the mortar locating radar (32 Loc Battery)which was situated on a tower next to the heli pad. The second red eye landed between us and the helipad . We then directed fire onto pre-listed targets along the river and in Sesheke and the guns at golf wiped out all their long and medium range weapons within the first 10 - 15 minutes after the attack. I remeber that we were in a direct line between Golf firebase and some of the targets in Zambia. We would see the firing of the guns, then hear the shells come overhead and her the explosions when they landed. Lt Schalekamp gave mopping-up fire orders the next day. The next day we went to look at the bungalow and what we saw remained with me for many a year after that.
My name is Erich. I was based at golf, as part of an engineering troop, building the new golf base, as well as being part of the specialsed mine team. The retaliation fire came from our base. The 5,5 cannons shot the hell out of Swapo that night. No red eye landed very close to our base. We had to protect the guns whilst the gunners were doing their stint. They wiped out their targets time and again.Well done to the gunners and Martin Schalenkamp as the Op officer sitting on the water tower that night. went into the main Katima base the morning and saw the bungalow that was hit. It was a sight that I will never forget. we will remember them erich
My name is Okkie Vosloo. I served with Dennis during that particular time. He was a great soccer player and a very pleasant chap. The date of 23 August 1978 will forever be in my mind, as this was the day I lost good friends and also because it was my 21st birthday. Hi "Bob Dylan" = Brian Dale, Paul Scully, Jorrie Jordaan and all my mates Dennis RIP Okkie Vosloo
My naam is Bertie Visser. Ek was op patrollie,3SAI peleton 4, seksie 3 op die kaplyn ongeveer 5 km weg van Wenela. Swapo het die nag n 122mm vuurpyl oorkant ons posisie in Zambie afgelaai van waar hulle om middernag begin het om teikens in die Caprivi te bestook. Ons was amper in die terug vuur deur die 5.5,s raakgeskiet. Ek onthou nog die vreesaanjaende geluid van die 122mm vuurpyle wat oor ons afgevuur was.
It was a night that will long linger in ones memory."goofy" The Late D Elsworthy was a great fellow as was those who fell around him on that fateful night. God bless their souls and families who sacrificed all . Soccer was not the same after those who "fell" "swazi"
My name is Johan van Loggerenberg. I was one off the permanently based poeple in the SAW . i was sleeping in the bugalo that was destroyed.the medic that slept next to me ( Biggs ) was killed that night. I was in the OPS room and it saved my life. The only guy i car remember that passed that night was Erasmus , we met in the mess hours before his death. I am 52 now and still think about this tragic event .
my name is eric robinson and i was also with 3 sai based at wenela on the night katima was hit. it was our last night of a patrol when we were ordered to walk to the golf base to lend support to the gunners. it was a spectacular sight seeing these huge plumes of fire coming from the G5 cannons, the whole place was one heat wave. it was an experience i shall never forget.
I came across this website and was shocked to hear about what happened at Wenela base in 1978.I did my first border stint there during January and April 1977,I was 25 at the time and part of Wynberg Commando Regiment based in Cape Town.I think we did our refresher training at Katimo Mulilo,it was very tough and the training was carried out by Lt. Hudson,I think he was permanent force and a mean bastard,I think they called him "Shu Shu".I remember we did patrols,4 days out and 4 days in and when back at base we stood gaurd duty.The patrols were not very pleasant,boiling during the day and then rain at night,we got wet most nights,fortunately we were lucky and did not encounter any problems,only enemy was the snakes,spiders,elephants,etc. Later I became part of the reaction force and was based at an airport nearby,cant remember the name.To hear that this base was hit with such a loss is a shock and only a year after we were there.Had a look at the shot of the camp with the bungalows,which I remember well,god it was hot in those bungalows during the day.My heart goes out to all those guys who perished in 78.I did 2 more stints,in 79 Rundu,and 82 Ondangwa airbase,both of which were very quiet I am glad to say.I feel as a commando unit we were purposely sent to quiet areas,although we were always told otherwise,for obvious reasons.I would say the greatest thing about border duty was that plane trip home after 3 months.
My name is Marlize (Botha) Visagie. I was in that attack that night, I was 9 years old and we lived in Katima for 3 years. My dad was stationed in Katima Mullilo and me, my mom and sister were sitting it out in our bunker in front of our house. 13 long hours of listening to it all. My dad (Major Dick Botha) had to go into the Military Base for the duration of the attack, as all military personnel were ordered to do. He saw what happened with those troops, and years afterwards still talked about it with tears in his eyes. But as far as I can remember, they were all ordered to sleep in the trenches/ bunkers for more than a week prior to the attack. I guess they were tired of doing so and decided to take a chance that night ... Really sad. I would love to make contact with anyone that was part of it or knew my dad.
Hi my naam is 'Baldraad' en was saam met Dennis van 2 SDB Zeerust. Dit was ons laaste aand op die grens en ons sou die volgende more terug vlieg.Ek was daai aand op Wanela, so 8 km van Katima. Een troep was op Katima en een op Wenela. Hy was die enigste een van 2 SDB wat gesterf het. Die ander was omtrent almal van 1SDB- Bloemfontein.(Hul eerste aand op die grens) Hy was n ' great' engelsman en was mal oor sokker. Saam gesweet op Zeerust en saam gelag in die 'pub'. Ek is besig om n storie oor daai 5 dae te skryf soos ek dit beleef het en het toe op die website afgekom. He was an amazing guy.
Ek is Johan Swiegers my bynaam was weerman Doppies( onthou julle die spotprent op die agterblad van Paratus ) Ek was saam met die artilerie op Golf die nag van die aanval .Ek en Theuns de Bruin van Askam het saam in een banker geslaap. Dit was so kwart voor een die nag toe die eerste Rooi oog ander kant ons geval het .Dit was chaos vir die eerste 10 minute ,gelukkig het ons gou die kanonne gereed gekry en ons eerste bestoking was 10 skote per kannon maw. 80 projektiele Daarna het ons aanhou skiet tot 7uur die volgende oggend .Ek was gelukkig om n opname van die aanval op tape te kry by ons O.P lt.Wessie .Ek het Luit.Kol Constant Viljoen op Lughawe by Mpatcha gaan haal en hom gaan wys waar die rooi oog projektiele geval het .Ja ek was by die bungelo waar die 10 ouens geslaap het dit wil ek nooit weer sien nie . Ek sal graag van die ander gunners wil hoor Johan
My name is Hennie Bosman. Was stationed in Katima the night the attack took place. Rude awakaning about 1am in the morning with shells expoding around us. We were right next to the Heli Pad. 4 ops with our Radar set. What a night and proud of our mates the gunners that wiped out the enemy. later that day we only then realized that one of the bungalows were hit and that sight will always be on my mind.
I am Willie Els. I was part of the Armoured car troup stationed at Wenela that night. Goofy was with me as part of the Squadron fro 2 SSB from Zeerust,we were suppose to fly back home the morning of 23rd August. That night is engraved in my memory for ever...i was present when Brian Dale were shot in Field Unit Morning Star during follow up operatons in Zambia.... We few...we happy few...we band of brothers...for he that shed his blood for me today shall be my brother....ek sal julle mooit vergeet nie boys....
Dedications
No dedications have been added yet.