Identity
Person No.
33533
Old ROH no.
1478
Service No.
77554202PF
Last Name
First Name
Maartin Jacobus
Initials
M J
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Military Service
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
Secondary Unit
"D" Coy. Oudtshoom
Defence Force
SADF 3,263
South African Defence Force
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
Unknown
Cause of Death
Whilst on patrol the Lt sent out a section (1 Ratel) to follow a couple a tracks that the tracker had picked up. The Ratel hit an ambush just after 10am. By the time backup had formed up and went to their aid a group of soldiers had been killed
Grave Reference
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Coordinates
Notes
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Jaarsveld
Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 2
It was about 10am in the morning on the 15th April 1982. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were on patrol and our Lt sent out a section (1 Ratel) to follow a couple a tracks that our tracker had picked up. The Ratel hit an ambush just after 10am. We (the other 3 Ratels) were a couple of hundred meter away but not visible through the thick bush. By the time we had formed up and went to their aid about 5 guys had been killed. Kpl Van Jaarsveld (sitting at the rear gunner position), Wolfaart (sitting inside), Hough (driver), Potgieter (gunner) and I don't remember the rest 100%.
About 150 members of an elite Swapo unit code named 'Vulcan' had infiltrated the farming area around Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi and Tsintsabis. Several farmers and farm workers were killed during this incursion, as were seven members of Alpha Company of 61 Mech Bn on 15 April 1982. They were Rfn B.J. Wolfaardt, M. Petersen, J.H. Potgieter, L.P. Hough, L/Cpl J.J. van der Berg, Cpl M.J. van Jaarsveld and 2Lt D. van der Westhuizen ("Oom Daan"). Whilst on patrol the Lieutenant sent out a section (one Ratel) to follow a couple of tracks that the tracker had picked up. The Ratel hit an ambush just after 10 am. By the time backup had formed up and went to their aid a group of soldiers had been killed.
Dedications 3
This is to all the 61Mech guys killed on the morning of 15 April 1982. I still remember like it was yesterday.
I will never forget that fateful day in SWA and I'll never forget you my friend. May God keep you until
This is a dedication to all my friends who tragically passed away on 15 April 1982. We will never forget you Piet Spreeuwenberg (Doc)