Identity
Person No.
33579
Old ROH no.
1498
Service No.
83247502BG
Last Name
First Name
Dirk Willem
Initials
D W
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Military Service
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Unit
Secondary Unit
attd. 5th Reconnaissance Regiment
Defence Force
SADF 3,287
South African Defence Force
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,311
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Nindango Angola, in Operation Firewood against Swapo
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Notes
No additional information known at this time
Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 5
Dirk desperately wanted to be a "BAT" and tried three times before he got his "wings". His service would have been over in December 1988. On 31 October 1988 he was killed, I was told, in Operation Thunder Bird. They were apparently trapped by a sniper and he was shot through the heart. He will always be remembered, not as a soldier but as a friend. I must admit that there is a lot of anger when I think about this wonderful life that has been wasted, for the outcome of this war was not decided on the battlefield but around a conference table. May we never be led to the slaughter again by power hungry politicians.
1 Parachute Bn.
My name is Johan Kruys. I was one of the Platoon Commanders of Delta Company when Dirk van Rooyen was killed. The operation was called Ops FireWood. The operation was to attack a Swapo base in central Angola and Dirk was killed on the morning of 31 October 1987. He was a very pleasant young man and a dedicated paratrooper. We all miss you and remember you and your comrades that died that day.
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 -
My name is Ewen Smith . I served with those brave soldiers at ops firewood.Dedicated all to their country and each other.Never forgotten may they always rest in peace.
Dedications 6
Dirk, you were the best friend one could ever ask for. After all this time I still miss your humour and smile. Till we meet again.
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
I don't really know what to write. Don't really know, why I'm writing. Went onto google, typed in Angola Ops Firewood and got to this site. Dirk was my big brother. Me my sister, dad and mom went to Bloemfontein on 9 Nov 07, for a rememberance service. My other brother didn't go...because...why...Dirk is not there...everything's changed. Yes, after 20 years..it still hurts a lot. Can't believe, it's already 20 years. Yes, I was small (11 years) when Dirk died...but he was my big brother. I miss him and always wonder, if he would've been alive, where would he have been today. I would also like to hear more about him & his friends in the army. Ek is en sal altyd trots op jou wees Dirk Willem. Wens jy was vandag hier, maar ek weet jy is op 'n beter plek. Al wat jy wou wees, was die beste parabat wat daar kan wees. Lief vir jou altyd...jou klein sus.
Thinking of you, very sad to read your sisters note, noel