Identity
Person No.
32374
Old ROH no.
1085
Service No.
83219139BG
Last Name
First Name
Nico Smith
Initials
N S
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
19
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Nindango Angola, in Operation Firewood against Swapo
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Operation
Unit History
Home Unit
Attached To
Role at time of death
Airborne light infantry (paratroops)
Status
Regular Force
Part of
Raised 1 April 1961 at Tempe. First battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978.
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 Prof. L. R. Olivier, of Pretoria.
Research notes
31/201 Battalion Veterans Association (Ziggy Hentze / Rowley Medlin, omega-vets 12 Jan 2011): named NS Olivier, killed Operation Firewood 31 Oct 1987 Nindango (~30 km N of Cassinga). 31 Bn and 201 Bn on the op. Rowley said C Coy; ROH has D Coy.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
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 66-76 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 1
Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese. Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood. The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle. At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds. Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997. The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein. We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers. Ex Alto Vincimus -
Dedications 7
1 Parachute Battalion - Code of Honour I am a proud and fully pledged member of this Parachute Battalion. I am a member of a unit which is second to none in the world. I promise to serve my country and my nation at all times with pride and loyalty. I promise to wear the insignia of my unit with pride and distinction and to conduct myself at all times as is required of a paratrooper. During battle I am first and foremost a paratrooper and promise to behave as such even if the enemy by far outnumber us. I pledge the highest sacrafice to my country should it be expected of me. I believe in myself, I believe in my unit, I believe in my country, and above all, I
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!
We were Soldiers, once, and young! It is sixteen years ago today that our brave comrades paid the highest price for their unit and their country. Today we your old comrades remember you and your families. May God grant your families peace. Time may heal the pain but we will never forget you. St Michael, Our Lady Queen of Angels defend us in combat, Defend Us in Battle Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and ALL the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin
From his gravestone in VTH Cemetery: "Ek het die goeie wedloop afgele, ek het die wenstreep bereik. 2 Timoteus 4:7 " John Dovey
Aan Nico. Saam het on JL's begin op Oudtshoorn waar die Swartberge met on gepraat het op Vasbyt, daarna is on gekeur vir valskerms. Ons is saam grensoorlog toe. Jou bed op Ondangwa was leeg na 31 October 1987. Ou staf Arrie Helberg (staff safe) het ons harde tyd gegee. Jy was my buurman in die baracks by 1 Valskerm. Ons het saam "ride safe" Pretoria to gery en baie ander dinge aangevang. Maar jy my ou maat, jy het die hoogste prys betaal, en dit alles vir wat? Ek was lanklaas by VTH begrafplaas, maar ek sal 'n plan maak ou maat. Rus in vrede.
Was 31/10/2011 by jou graf ou maat. Ek dink aan jou.
Nico, I remember you fondly - dressed as Julius Ceasur in The "Living In's" Barracks. You took my place my friend. I will always be grateful for your friendship and your sacrifice. God bless you.