13 January, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
13 Jan 1949: P/1486 Corporal Booi Thatise from the Native Military Corps attached to 31 Group South African Air Force died from meningitis in 1 Military Hospital. He was 34.
13 Jan 1964: Two members from 8 Squadron were killed when their AT-6 Harvard, Serial No. 7049 crashed on the farm “Elim” approximately 13 miles North East of Bloemspruit. The Pilot was conducting an aircraft test flight after the aircraft had undergone a technical maintenance servicing. During the test, the aircraft was seen to suddenly enter into a steep dive from which the pilot failed to recover. The casualties were:
PX5051 2/Lieutenant Johannes Theodorus Brits (Pilot). He was 19.
P47567 Air Mechanic Louis Johannes Lodewyk Rothman (Aircraft Fitter). He was 20.
13 Jan 1979: 76330588BG Private Eduard Hechter, a Radio Fitter from 87 Advanced Flying School (Later 87 Helicopter Flying School) was killed in a private motorcycle accident at Tempe in Bloemfontein. He was 18.
13 Jan 1982: 73448417PE Corporal Daniel Jacobus Steenkamp from 400 Airfield Maintenance Unit was killed in a military motor vehicle accident in Pretoria. He was 25.
13 Jan 1986: Rifleman Thomas Chilunku from 201 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 25.
13 Jan 1987: 83326645BG Airman Craig Anthony Lucarne from 508 SAAF Security Squadron, Air Force Base Durban, was killed when his Rhino Armoured Personnel Carrier overturned on the N3 near Louis Botha Airport in Durban. He was 19.
13 Jan 1998: 95666426 Rifleman T. Maci from 14 SAI was killed in a private motor vehicle accident at Maclear while Absent Without Leave AWOL from his Unit. He was 24.
13 Jan 1998: 94976180 Private R. Mgiba from Lentz Military Base was shot dead in Alberton by persons unknown. He was Absent Without Leave AWOL at the time of the incident. He was 27.
13 Jan 1998: 94968898 Corporal M.N. Yengayenga from 3 SAI suffered a fatal heart attack at Diskobolos in Kimberley. He was 34.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.