Archive for January, 2012

"Dear Friends You are hereby cordially informed that the Angolan authorities have now also given their consent for the exhumation and repatriation of the mortal remains of the Ebo Four. Key roles players will be meeting on 23 January 2012 to discuss the detail, followed by a visit to Angola over the period 7 - 12 February by myself and the liaison person of the professional team, for discussions with the Angolan authorities and to again visit the grave sites. The three specialist members of the professional team will ultimately be responsible for the exhumation, identification and return of the mortals remains. If all goes well, we will return to Angola as soon as possible after the rain season, probably at the beginning of May. It is hoped to have the remains back and ready to be placed in the already engraved niches before or on 3 June 2012, the date of this year's annual commemoration service at the SADF Wall of Remembrance. The initial fund raising campaign for the project produced excellent results, and all who have contributed to date are again thank most sincerely. Unfortunately the long delay of more than six years since the launch of the project, during which time we had to struggle to get South African and Angolan government approval to proceed with the project without any state funds, has caused additional fund requirements. I therefore take the liberty to once again invite all interested persons to please consider making another contribution, if possible, please. The following serves to refresh your memory: · Trooper Niel Lombard was killed in his armoured car on 23 Nov 1975 at the Massaba River Bridge near the Ebo Village. Since the SA forces had to withdraw in a Southerly direction at that stage, his remains could not be evacuated. · The following fallen comrades were buried in a single grave, also near the Ebo Village. They died on 25 Nov 1975, when their Cessna 185 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire behind enemy lines: - Captain Daniël Jacob Taljaard, SA Army - Second Lieutenant Keith Arthur Williamson, SA Air Force - Second Lieutenant Eric Bryan Thompson, SA Air Force Any contributions may be deposited into the savings account of the Ebo Trust at Absa Bank, Brooklyn branch, branch code 632 005, account number 920 817 8694. A copy of the deposit or transfer slip must please be faxed to 086 615 9587. Persons who wish to make contributions from abroad, are cordially requested to inform, so that the correct details for international money transfers can be supplied to them. You will be kept informed about any further developments in this regards. Thanking you in anticipation. Best regards Maj Gen (Rtd) Gert Opperman Chairman Ebo Trust"

"Dear Friends You are hereby cordially informed that the Angolan authorities have now also given their consent for the exhumation and repatriation of the mortal remains of the Ebo Four. Key roles players will be meeting on 23 January 2012 to discuss the detail, followed by a visit to Angola over the period 7 - 12 February by myself and the liaison person of the professional team, for discussions with the Angolan authorities and to again visit the grave sites. The three specialist members of the professional team will ultimately be responsible for the exhumation, identification and return of the mortals remains. If all goes well, we will return to Angola as soon as possible after the rain season, probably at the beginning of May. It is hoped to have the remains back and ready to be placed in the already engraved niches before or on 3 June 2012, the date of this year's annual commemoration service at the SADF Wall of Remembrance. The initial fund raising campaign for the project produced excellent results, and all who have contributed to date are again thank most sincerely. Unfortunately the long delay of more than six years since the launch of the project, during which time we had to struggle to get South African and Angolan government approval to proceed with the project without any state funds, has caused additional fund requirements. I therefore take the liberty to once again invite all interested persons to please consider making another contribution, if possible, please. The following serves to refresh your memory: · Trooper Niel Lombard was killed in his armoured car on 23 Nov 1975 at the Massaba River Bridge near the Ebo Village. Since the SA forces had to withdraw in a Southerly direction at that stage, his remains could not be evacuated. · The following fallen comrades were buried in a single grave, also near the Ebo Village. They died on 25 Nov 1975, when their Cessna 185 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire behind enemy lines: - Captain Daniël Jacob Taljaard, SA Army - Second Lieutenant Keith Arthur Williamson, SA Air Force - Second Lieutenant Eric Bryan Thompson, SA Air Force Any contributions may be deposited into the savings account of the Ebo Trust at Absa Bank, Brooklyn branch, branch code 632 005, account number 920 817 8694. A copy of the deposit or transfer slip must please be faxed to 086 615 9587. Persons who wish to make contributions from abroad, are cordially requested to inform, so that the correct details for international money transfers can be supplied to them. You will be kept informed about any further developments in this regards. Thanking you in anticipation. Best regards Maj Gen (Rtd) Gert Opperman Chairman Ebo Trust"

“The noise was deafening as we moved forward past 12 Bravo and took their place in the advance formation. Bullets kept smacking and pinging off the armour and I was straining to see anything other than bush and trees in front of us, but kept traversing left and right, firing bursts into the bush., the strong smell of cordite in my nose. A constant stream of orders and information was coming over the headset interspersed with gunfire. We were told to fire into the treetops as FAPLA was apparently using them as observation posts to zone in their mortar fire on us. I fired bursts into any trees that I saw ahead, but doubt whether there were any fuckers who were either brave or stupid enough to still be up any trees this close to us. Trees and bushes were being crushed and smashed as we surged forward. Tracers were kicking up dust and shredding trees and bushes ahead. Bullets were thudding into the Ratel and zinging overhead as we drove through a trench. As the Ratel bucked up out of the trench I saw a vehicle dug in right ahead of me and opened fire, raking it and then the trench left and right of it. I swung back to the vehicle and noted that it was loaded with drums and raked it again with three long bursts from the Browning. Sand, dust and tracers kicked up all around the half-track and the trench that it was dug into and it burst into flame.” Regards SteveH

“The noise was deafening as we moved forward past 12 Bravo and took their place in the advance formation. Bullets kept smacking and pinging off the armour and I was straining to see anything other than bush and trees in front of us, but kept traversing left and right, firing bursts into the bush., the strong smell of cordite in my nose. A constant stream of orders and information was coming over the headset interspersed with gunfire. We were told to fire into the treetops as FAPLA was apparently using them as observation posts to zone in their mortar fire on us. I fired bursts into any trees that I saw ahead, but doubt whether there were any fuckers who were either brave or stupid enough to still be up any trees this close to us. Trees and bushes were being crushed and smashed as we surged forward. Tracers were kicking up dust and shredding trees and bushes ahead. Bullets were thudding into the Ratel and zinging overhead as we drove through a trench. As the Ratel bucked up out of the trench I saw a vehicle dug in right ahead of me and opened fire, raking it and then the trench left and right of it. I swung back to the vehicle and noted that it was loaded with drums and raked it again with three long bursts from the Browning. Sand, dust and tracers kicked up all around the half-track and the trench that it was dug into and it burst into flame.” Regards SteveH

Dear Friends

You are hereby cordially informed that the Angolan authorities have now also
given their consent for the exhumation and repatriation of the mortal
remains of the Ebo Four. Key roles players will be meeting on 23 January
2012 to discuss the detail, followed by a visit to Angola over the period
7 – 12 February by myself and the liaison person of the professional team,
for discussions with the Angolan authorities and to again visit the grave
sites. The three specialist members of the professional team will ultimately
be responsible for the exhumation, identification and return of the mortals
remains. If all goes well, we will return to Angola as soon as possible
after the rain season, probably at the beginning of May. It is hoped to have
the remains back and ready to be placed in the already engraved niches
before or on 3 June 2012, the date of this year’s annual commemoration
service at the SADF Wall of Remembrance

The initial fund raising campaign for the project produced excellent
results, and all who have contributed to date are again thank most
sincerely. Unfortunately the long delay of more than six years since the
launch of the project, during which time we had to struggle to get South
African and Angolan government approval to proceed with the project without
any state funds, has caused additional fund requirements. I therefore take
the liberty to once again invite all interested persons to please consider
making another contribution, if possible, please.

The following serves to refresh your memory:

· Trooper Niel Lombard was killed in his armoured car on 23 Nov 1975 at the
Massaba River Bridge near the Ebo Village. Since the SA forces had to
withdraw in a Southerly direction at that stage, his remains could not be
evacuated.

· The following fallen comrades were buried in a single grave, also near the
Ebo Village. They died on 25 Nov 1975, when their Cessna 185 reconnaissance
aircraft was shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire behind enemy lines:

- Captain Daniël Jacob Taljaard, SA Army

- Second Lieutenant Keith Arthur Williamson, SA Air Force

- Second Lieutenant Eric Bryan Thompson, SA Air Force

Any contributions may be deposited into the savings account of the Ebo Trust
at Absa Bank, Brooklyn branch, branch code 632 005, account number 920 817
8694. A copy of the deposit or transfer slip must please be faxed to 086 615
9587. Persons who wish to make contributions from abroad, are cordially
requested to inform, so that the correct details for international money
transfers can be supplied to them.

You will be kept informed about any further developments in this regards.

Thanking you in anticipation.
Best regards

Maj Gen (Rtd) Gert Opperman
Chairman Ebo Trust

Hier is ek weer vir hulp Is daar medals gegee indien jy langer as 6 of 9 maande op die grens was behalwe die diens medal en propatria

I am totally wowed and perpared to take the next step now.

Pin my tail and call me a deokny, that really helped.

Your's is the inetllgient approach to this issue.

TYVM you've soveld all my problems