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Kemp , Gerhardus Johannes (G J)

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Identity
Person No.
31033
Old ROH no.
1799
Service No.
76464809BG
Last Name
First Name
Gerhardus Johannes
Initials
G J
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
19
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,779
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, in Operation Sceptic, in contact with the enemy at Smokeshell. Ratel hit by anti aircraft guns used in direct fire
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Unit
Unknown
Defence Force
SADF 3,828
South African Defence Force
Location
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. J. J. G. Kemp, of 33 Beukes Street, Warden

Research notes


25 Sep 2026, Unit2 service-branch sweep: the stored Secondary Unit "Air Force" was CLEARED. It was not a sub-unit, it was a service-branch word, and it CONTRADICTED this record's own Branch, "Army". Across the roll 787 records carried such a contradiction; judged against Corps and Regiment -- independent of both columns -- the evidence backed Branch 744 times and Unit2 not once. Branch is therefore kept and the contradicting word removed. Nothing is guessed: this man's branch of service is already recorded, and his sub-unit, if any, is simply not known.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 2
on 22 November 2006 · via source
Missing my Brother Wrn Gerhardus Johannes Kemp (I/D: 6009115015005) Beukesstraat 33, Warden, 9890. Died in Smokeshell 1980 for what?
by Ampie Kemp on 27 April 2008 · via source
My brother Gert Kemp was killed during operation Smokeshell on the 10 June 1980.As I understood they were ambush by artillery(Anti aircraft guns) while they withdrew from Ongiva back over the border.During this attack 10 members were killed.He was a Ratel driver situated at Bloemfontein.
Dedications 1
on 27 April 2008 · via source
In memorial of Gert Kemp who was killed on 10 June 1980,during operation "Smokeshell". There is still a lot of questions and I would like to know more obout the incident and any friends. Contact details:Ampie Kemp: 082 455 6107 Ampie Kemp