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Pretorius , Pieter Daniel (P D)

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Photo of Pretorius
Identity
Person No.
32574
Old ROH no.
1171
Service No.
79551099BG
Last Name
Pretorius 149
First Name
Pieter Daniel
Initials
P D
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1964 (±1 yr) 296
Age at Death
20
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, while exiting a Ratel to conduct a dismounted attack on the Cuvelai trenches during Op Askari
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 3,848
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,872
Locality
Gauteng 9,374
Cemetery
THABA TSHWANE (NEW) MILITARY CEMETERY 592
Grave Reference
Grave 1252 1
Coordinates
-25.78214, 28.12179 OSM
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. P. D. Pretorius, of Wonderboom, Pretoria.

Research notes

Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 04 Jan 2017: lists him among eight 4 SAI occupants of Ratel 20 Callsign 13C, age 21 (ROH 20). ROH CauseDeath records he was killed while exiting a Ratel for a dismounted attack on the Cuvelai trenches. | 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. Graham age 21 (ROH 20). Pearson and P.D. Pretorius occupancy (inside 13C vs exiting for a dismounted attack) left as previously noted from ROH / Flip van Wyk.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 1
on 24 October 2009 · via source
Killed in Action 4 th January 1984
Dedications 1
on 06 November 2008 · via source
Ou Langes Ek het nog nooit vergeet nie Flip van Wyk