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Fourie , Jacobus Hendrik (J H)

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Identity
Person No.
30364
Old ROH no.
1783
Service No.
76389238BG
Last Name
First Name
Jacobus Hendrik
Initials
J H
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, in Operation Sceptic, in contact with the enemy at Smokeshell. Section Number One Ratel: Callsign 21A Ratel 21A was engaged from the front at virtually point-blank range by a 23mm ZU-23-2 Anti-Aircraft gun. Fourie was standing up in one of the right hand side fighting compartment hatches throwing hand grenades into enemy positions when he was hit in the midsection by a 23mm bullet that killed him instantly. His body was pulled back into the vehicle by his comrades
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Unit
Unknown
Defence Force
SADF 3,825
South African Defence Force
Operation
Operation
Dates
1980-06-01 to 1980-06-30
About
Large mechanised operation into southern Angola against SWAPO bases around Chifufia and Mongua, notable as an early large-scale combat use of the Ratel infantry fighting vehicle and Olifant tank.
Awards
Pro Patria Medal
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 Mr. F. E. Fourie, of Knopfontein, District Alha

Research notes

Confirmed 23 Aug 2026 against the 61 Mech Veterans Association official Roll of Honour (61mech.org.za/index.php/roll-of-honour): "Rifleman J H Fourie - 10 Jun 1980 - Op Sceptic".

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 1
by Gerrit van Rensburg on 13 May 2013 · via source
Koos as he was known to his mates, was killed by fire from a 23mm anti-aircraft cannon deployed in a ground role against the platoon 1 Ratels. When hit, he was standing upright and attacking Swapo trenches by throwing grenades into the trenches. May he rest in peace.
Dedications

No dedications have been added yet.