"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"

Comments are closed.

"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"

Comments are closed.