Identity
Person No.
32507
Service No.
82220401BT
Last Name
First Name
Michiel George
Initials
M G
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
22
Military Service
Rank
Sergeant
Regiment
Secondary Unit
Air Force
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Died in Freak Accident, was the commander of an Olifant tank when a tree crushed him in his commander's hatch. Pienaar's tank (call sign 13B) struck a tree of approximately 750 cm in diameter. Due to the soft ground and various veld fires in the past, the tree toppled onto the tank, crushing Pienaar in his hatch. He was still alive, but severely injured at that time. The squadron's tiffies were called upon and tried to lift the tree from the tank with a hydraulic crane. Unfortunately the tree was too heavy for the crane and it crushed Sgt. Pienaar again which caused his death
Grave Reference
Location
Additional Information
Notes
Son of Mrs. M. E. Pienaar, of Bloemfontein.
Citation
LG Sup 3 March 1917 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and determination"
External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project