Archive for November, 2010
A commemoration service was held at the SADF Wall of Remembrance on the Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site on Sunday, 15 August 2010.
The SADF Wall of Remembrance was inaugurated during a memorable wreath laying ceremony of 25 October 2009.
It was attended by a number of next-of-kin of persons who lost their lives during the period 31 May 1961 (birth of the Republic) and 27 April 1994 (the date when the SADF became part of the SA National Defence Force). More than 100 wreaths and crosses were placed during the inauguration ceremony. Even the old salts were visibly moved and some even remarked after the ceremony that it was one of the highlights of their total military careers.
In the interim, the time will be utilized to ensure that any names still missing from the Wall are placed on panels specially left vacant for this purpose before 15 August. The next-of-kin and other interested persons are therefore cordially but urgently invited to provide the Voortrekker Monument with the names so that verification and engraving can take place in time. The following information is required, if available:Full names and surname, rank, year of death, Arm of the Service and cause of death.
An inclusive approach is followed regarding the inclusion of names on the Wall of Remembrance. This involves not only the names of persons who died during combat operations but also others who served and perished in the SADF during this time. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Voortrekker Monument, Maj-Gen Gert Opperman (ret), reasons for including names are considered rather than reasons for excluding names. “We believe that it has a huge binding effect and that it helps to bring closure to the next-of-kin”, he said.
There are already 2 489 names on the Wall of Remembrance, including the names of 516 black soldiers who died in the service of the SADF and a total of 772 who died in combat operations. (The corresponding numbers on the Wall at Fort Klapperkop are 2 024, 289, and 645 respectively). Not only are the name list on the Wall of Remembrance at the Voortrekker Monument more complete and up to date, the Wall is also more visible and accessible, (also for the physically disabled), and it is supported by the excellent infrastructure of the VTM, including parking and function facilities.
Since its inauguration in 2009 the Wall of Remembrance has become an important additional visiting spot on the VTM Heritage Site. The VTM plays host to about 200 000 paying visitors per year as well as many more occasional visitors who make use of the facilities on the site.
Persons who would like to enquire about the names already appearing on the Wall or who like to provide particulars of further names to be added, are requested to contact our researcher, Mrs Estelle Pretorius, on navorsing@voortrekkermon.org.za or 084 337 9505 or 012 325 7885 during working hours.
Images of the inauguration ceremony will be available on a striking DVD that is on sale for R80 each, plus R10 postage (inside the RSA). Orders can already be placed with Mrs Pretorius.
The Voortrekker Monument and the Heritage Foundation
Books and Publications
According to airborne experts in Britain and Australia, this was the most audacious parachute assault since the Second World War; the mounting airfield was well over 1,000 nautical miles away. I was the commander of that airborne assault, which although successful above all expectations, also highlighted many shortcomings, some of which nearly led to a disastrous outcome.”
Into the ranks came professional veterans from the UK, USA, Australasia, Rhodesia and elsewhere, from such Special Forces units as the SAS, Selous Scouts and the RLI. “This is their book, a collection of stories about the founding and deployment of a unit of ‘Foreign Legionnaires’, from different parts of the world who became welded together into a remarkable combat unit, unsurpassed by any other South African Defence Force unit in their positive and aggressive approach to battle. For me it was an honour to have faced incoming lead together with them.”
Available from www.30degreessouth.co.uk
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