Van Rooyen, Lionel (L)

Rifleman Lionel Van Rooyen was killed on July 10 1981 in a training excercise at Omuthiya SWA. (he was blown up in a mortar explosion which was later described as a "misfire") 15 of our troops were injured. He was 19 years old at the time and as far as I remember, a springbok ice skater. He was part of Bravo company of 1 SAI which was stationed at 61 Mechanised Battalion Group.

I remember the day very well. We, the 81mm mortars from Alpa and Bravo Company, were told we were going to be using an Airborne Observer for the first time. We fired our smoke bombs first (to check if we were on target) then the 120mm Mortars fired by (Campers from a Durban Artillery Unit). I don't know if the man in the spotter plane got us mixed up but we were told to cease fire. Which we did and the 120mm were told to continue. Lionel lost his life however many more were injured when the mortars landed amongst them as they debussed from their Ratels.

Due to disorientation, I believe, the guy in the spotter declined the 120mm mortar (HE) fire by 100m instead inclined (lifted it) by 100m from the smoke marker. I remember our Comp. Commander's request in which he requested the incline in fire from the FOO. Shortly thereafter we were ordered to "Debuss / Stap Uit" and as we debussed the next bombardment HE rounds hit the ground between Rudolf Delport's troops of which Lionel was one. It was traumatic and not the way to lose a fellow soldier. Salute you Lionel!!

Yes, you guys got it right, Spotter messed up that's why he got killed and many others injured. It was a stupid mistake. I think 4 HEs in total were fired after smoke and wrongful clearence by the spotter-plane. Do any of you know where Kurt Balzun finds himself these days?

Lionel was saam met my op skool en ek het eers die dag na sy begrafnis in die koerant gelees van die insident. jy bly in my gedagtes . marius Wentzel wenmar@ live .co.za

I was next to lionel the day he got killed our section and platoon took brunt of mortars the previous night we still all had a sip of drambiue which was his fav I salute you old. friend. craig

I was walking between Bruce and Lionel in formation when the incident happened. Lionel, Bruce, Alfie and myself were best friends and were Riflemen 1 to 4 of our section. One 120 mm mortar fell between Bruce and Lionel right next to Lionel and one mortar fell between myself and Bruce about 3m away from me. The other 2 mortars fell further away to the right between the rest of my platoon. 15 members my platoon were killed or wounded that day. I was the only one of my section that got back into my Ratel afterwards. The rest all seriously wounded. I was so lucky. Not a scratch. The worst was seeing his parents at the funeral ( Alfie and myself was sent back to the States to represent 61Mech at his funeral by Kmdt. de Vries). Terrible. Any one that know the whereabouts of Bruce or Alfie please let me know. Christo (Silk) Kruger

"Gone but not forgotten" Derek Walker

Lionel, it's been 21 years now mate. We will meet again.

I remember that Lionel, Chris and myself were in the same train compartment to Bloem in 1980. Lionel was killed by a 120mm mortar round during a live fire exercise before Ops Protea. If anyone from Bravo Coy reads this drop me a line.

What a waste.

Yeah, I will never forget that day.. Lionel and I were great mates and used to stand guard together when we were guarding the Mpacha airport. Ironically he was part of the storm pioneers that were trained to sweep for mines, however they were disbanded I seem to recall. At the time I was tuffie driver in the same excercise when the call came over the radio.... Lionel was indeed a very good ice scater and we salute him. I will never forget him, such a lovely person Cobie Snyman

Lionel, there is hardly a day that goes by that I remember that fateful day. Miss you my friend.