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Pretorius , Johannes Lodewicus (J L)

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Photo of Pretorius
Identity
Person No.
32571
Old ROH no.
1169
Service No.
81285504BG
Last Name
Pretorius 149
First Name
Johannes Lodewicus
Initials
J L
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1966 (±1 yr) 250
Age at Death
18
Death Record
Date of Death
04 January 1984 121
Cause code
KIA 14,778
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action 14,654
Killed in action, Ops Askari, contact with FAPLA T-54 NE of Cuvelai, Angola. 4 SAI Ratel 20 Callsign 13C became immobile after detonating a landmine, then knocked out by a T-54; a high-explosive shell penetrated the right-hand door and the ammunition exploded.
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
4 South African Infantry Battalion 97
Corps
South African Infantry Corps 10,347
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
"D" Squadron
Defence Force
SADF 3,839
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,872
Locality
Gauteng 9,374
Cemetery
GERMISTON (SOUTHPARK) CEMETERY 34
Grave Reference
Memorial Stone - Body not recovered 1
Operation
Operation
Askari
Dates
1983-12-09 to 1984-01-19
About
Major SADF operation into southern Angola against SWAPO and, for the first time on this scale, directly-engaged FAPLA forces around Cuvelai and Cahama; unexpectedly heavy FAPLA/Cuban resistance and losses on both sides contributed to the diplomatic track that produced the February 1984 Lusaka Accord.
Unit History
Part of
Infantry Formation (SAAIF) — Motorised Infantry — Regular
Awards
Pro Patria Medal
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. and Mrs. J. L. Pretorius, of Elsburg. Johannes Lodewicus Pretorius was killed during Ops Askari, the attack on Cuvelai on 4 January 1984. The Ratel in which he was an occupant was knocked out by a T-54 tank. Wikus and five fellow soldiers were killed. His parents learned of his death when a parcel they have sent him for his birthday at the end of January was returned with the word "oorlede" (died) written on it. This must be the worst case of parents learning of their son being killed in the war! Even today Wikus is not mentioned in publications about Ops Askari. Usually it is stated that five soldiers were killed in the Ratel. He has known grave

Research notes

Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 04 Jan 2017: 4 SAI Ratel 20 Callsign 13C knocked out near Cuvelai during Ops Askari by a Soviet T-54 HE shell through the right-hand door; ammunition exploded and the vehicle burnt out. Graham lists eight occupants. ROH already records the Ratel immobilised by a landmine before the tank hit. Family/memorial notes (Wikus) often say five or six in the Ratel; publications sometimes omit him. | Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 04 Jan 2024: repeats the eight 4 SAI Ratel 20 Callsign 13C names, T-54 HE near Cuvelai, Ops Askari.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 2
by Stephan Botha on 02 January 2006 · via source
Johannes Lodewicus Pretorius was killed during Ops Askari, the attack on Cuvelai on 4 January 1984. The Ratel in which he was an occupant was knocked out by a T-54 tank. Wikus and five fellow soldiers were killed. His parents learned of his death when a parcel they have sent him for his birthday at the end of January was returned with the word ???oorlede??? (died) written on it. This must be the worst case of parents learning of their son being killed in the war! Even today Wikus is not mentioned in publications about Ops Askari. Usually it is stated that five soldiers were killed in the Ratel. He has no grave but a cross was erected in his memory in the Elsburg graveyard.
on 24 October 2009 · via source
Killed in Action 4 th January 1984 Niel Wiid
Dedications 1
by Renier vd Merwe on 26 March 2008 · via source
Wicus, ons dink nog steeds aan jou en jou familie. Die mense wat Cuvelai saam met jou beleef het sal jou nie vergeet nie.