WEL EN WEE VAN DIE MILITêRE VETERANE : BERIG 17/2016 WEE VAN DIE VETERANE 1. Afsterwe van Ian Berg van die SALM Philip Weyers van die SALM verwittig met leedwese “…. dat Ian op 03/11/2016 oorlede is. Ian sal deur baie van die SALM se leerlingvlieëniers as Bev Grondskool tydens hulle opleiding op SVS Dunnottar onthou word. Hy was 'n ware heer”. 2. Passing of Michael (Mickey) Warr of the SAN * Arne Soderlund of the SAN advises with regret of the passing “… of Mickey on 13/11/2016 in Barrydale after a recent illness. He had turned 86 on 06/11/2016. Our sincerest condolences to his wife, Joan, and their daughter, Sharon”. * Emma Schoeman van die SAV voeg by “… dat Mike en Joan in die loop van die jaar uit Engeland teruggekeer en hulle weer in Barrydale gevestig het. Joan se telno is 028 572 1099”. 3. Passing of Zos van Greunen of the SAN Arne advises with regret of the passing “… of Zos on 03/11/2016, who passed away peacefully after a long illness. His memorial service was held in the Dockyard Chapel of the Naval Museum in Simon’s Town on 15/11/2016”. 4. Passing of Chris Venter of the SAN Arne advises with regret of the passing “… of Chris in Klerksdorp on 07/11/2016 after a short illness. Chris had graduated from the SA Mil Acad and a memorial service was held for him on 16/11/2016 at the Gereformeerde Kerk in Ventersdorp. Our deepest sympathy to his wife Annemari and all his family”. 5. Passing of Kashama Masanga of 5 Recce Regt Paul reports with regret of the passing “...of Kashama Masanga, Operator number 159, after being shot and killed whilst at work on 05/11/2016. The notice appeared on the Recce Webpage”. 6. Passing of of Vivien : Wife of Lt John Payne of the RN Arne advises with the deepest regret “… of the passing of Vivien, beloved wife of Lt John Payne of the RN and daughter of the late R Adm Terry-Lloyd. Vivien passed away peacefully in hospital on 07/11/20161 and at her request there will be no memorial service. Our sincerest condolences to John and to Roddy, Kathleen, Beatrix and their families. The RN allowed professional seafaring officers like John to stay in one rank for a long time by not attending courses and preferring to stay at sea. He was a specialist seaman”. 7. Memorial Service of Elizabeth : Wife of of Manie Jooste of the SAN Arne had last week advised of the passing of Elizabeth and now adds “… that a memorial service for Elizabeth was held on 11/11/2016 at the Methodist Church in Fish Hoek”. 8. Herdenkingsdiens vir Gielie : Seun van Michiel (Giel) Reinecke van Logistiek Patrys Cilliers van die Kavallerie verwittig “… dat die Herdenkingsdiens vir Gielie op 12/11/2016 by die Doxa Deo Kerk in Midstream gehou is”.

PERSOONLIKE BOODSKAPPE 9. Tribute to Oom Dirk du Toit of the Eastern Caprivi Gen Ian Gleeson states that he and Helen had the privileged of attending the memorial service for Dirk at Velddrif. It was a gracious and joyful occasion to celebrate his life of 91 years. To me Oom Dirk was one of the kindest and most dedicated officers I had ever met and his aim in life was to ensure the best for those young servicemen who worked for him and to do as much as possible for the upliftment of the Caprivians. Dirk retired to Dwarskersbos where he spent his 80th and 90th birthdays. At his funeral service, Dwarskersbos is described in Dirk’s own words as follows:

‘Dwarskersbos! Ja! Dis mos my wêreld daai....Waar die seewind sing oor St Helenabaai. Waar jy nog tarentale en fisante in die strate kry. n Duiker rooidag op jou grasperk wei en die seemeeu rustig op die duine ry’.

Somebody recently said of Dirk that ‘… as jy hom met sy Swartlandse aksent nog nie ontmoet het nie, jy armer deur die lewe sal gaan’. The same can be said of the wonderful places of Dirk’s world like Dwarskersbos, Laaiplek, Hopefield, Elandsbaai and others. We have come to the end of a recent era which fortunately has many wonderful memories for us all, of which Oom Dirk is an important part. We can only be grateful that the Good Lord gave us somebody like him for so many years and allowed him to pass on when he most wanted to”. 10. Tribute to Gielie : Eldest Son of Michiel (Giel) Reinecke of Logistics Roland de Vries of the Mech Infantry wishes that “… God may bring peace and solace to our friend and brother in arms, Michiel Reinecke and Maureen, with the passing of their eldest son, Gielie, on 06/11/2016. We have been friends with Michiel and Maureen and their sons, Gielie and Riekus, from Jan 1981 when we served together at 61 Mech Bn Gp during the Border War. Our friendship has lasted from then, in the form of a family bond, as most of those still are today who had served with 61 Mech. This bond was so strong that the name of their youngest son, Riekus, was given to him via radio on 18/07/1982 by the command group of 61 Mech, whilst we were deployed deep in Angola for Op Meebos. The passing of Gielie comes as a great shock to all of us who know the Reinecke family so intimately; who until this day still form part of the 61 Mech family. We will remember Gielie as one of our sons. Salute!” 11. Giel Reinecke sê Dankie “Graag wil ek net namens my familie ons dank en waardering uitspreek aan al die veterane, oud-kollegas en vriende wat ons verlede week so ondersteun het tydens die afsterwe van Gielie. Ons sê baie dankie vir elkeen wat ons geskakel, ‘n boodskap gestuur en ook die herdenkingsdiens bygewoon het. Bowenal is dit julle gebede wat ons deur hierdie moeilike tyd dra. Ons waardeer julle vriendskap en ondersteuning opreg. Ek en Maureen is terug in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia en ons ander seun, Riekus, is terug in Italië. Ons weet dat ons Hemelse Vader en julle voortgesette gebede ons sal versterk en vertroos in die tyd wat voorlê. Nogmaals baie dankie”. 12. Gedagte oor Peter Jaacks van die Geskut Lilla du Preez van die SAV noem dat sy “… die voorreg gehad het om vir Peter die laaste drie jaar van sy lewe goed te leer ken en was as een van sy kinders beskou. Toe ek van sy afsterwe verneem was ek geskok en is steeds baie hartseer. Hy was ‘n wonderlike man en het nie toegelaat dat sy siekte hom onderkry nie. Ons twee het baie oor die ou dae gesels. Hy was ‘n regte heer en ek salueer ‘n besonderse mens”.

13. Correction : Passing of Dries van Coller * In the previous Newsletter reference was made to the late Dries van Coller of the Infantry and Int Div and a photo provided. * Mike Louw is the Chairman of the SAAF Association and he states “… that the photo depicted is clearly that of Lt Col Dries van Coller of the SAAF, who was a renowned helicopter flight engineer and who had suddenly passed away a while ago”. Please accept my apologies.

14. Monica van Coller is in Pretoria Verlede week is navraag gedoen oor die vrou van wyle Dries van Coller. Mercia Serfontein van die Gilde van die Donker Hande noem dat sy telefonies “… met Monica kontak gehad het. Ons was bure op Oshakati tydens die sewentiger jare, terwyl Chris op Ogongo gestasioneer was. Sy was baie verras om te hoor en dat die militêre vriende haar nog onthou en noem dat dit wonderlik sal wees om weer met al haar ou vriende kontak te maak. Sy woon in Fairie Glen in Pretoria en werk by 'n naskoolsentrum in Silver Lakes. Haar selno is 082 376 0313”. 15. Hercules du Plessis van Personeel Dup verwittig vanaf die plaas by Vaalwater dat hy en Betta “… op 26/11/2016 vertrek om vir 'n maand by ons kinders naby Boston in die VSA te gaan kuier. Intussen gaan dit goed op die plaas, want ons het 'n bietjie reën gehad en die gewasse soos tabak, grondbone, aartappels en hawer kom mooi aan. Ons wens al die bekendes ‘n Geseënde Kersfees toe”. MILITêRE AANGELEENTHEDE 16. Denel Land Systems Upgrades Mortars Godfrey Giles reports in his RFC Newsflash that Denel Land Systems has recently upgraded its 60 mm mortars, increasing range and accuracy. The new DM42 and DM43 60 mm mortars are designed for extended range up to 6 000 metres and comes standard with a larger base plate and bipod. For even longer range, Denel Land Systems offers the DM82 81 mm long range version with a range of 7 000 metre.

17. Draft Annual Programme of CMVO Events for 2017 Gert Opperman of the CMVO advises that “… the draft updated edition of the 2017 Annual Programme of CMVO Related Commemoration and Related Events are now available from my e-mail address at gertopperman5@gmail.com. The first draft has been updated to include information received from the responsible organizers and needs to be scrutinized by all concerned and value added as soon as possible. The CMVO cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. The programme will again be updated and distributed in final format by middle Jan 2017. Organizers remain responsible for the detail of each event, including the communication to all concerned of more urgent changes to the programme. Information is also required of events to be discontinued, to ensure that they are not retained in future programmes. Your support to finalize the programme would be sincerely appreciated”. 18. List of OCs and RSMs at 1 Mil Hosp Manuel Ferreia of the SAAF and Int Div says “... that Karin Jonk is responsible for public relations at 1 Mil Hosp and needs to complete a list of all the previous OCs and RSMs from 1982 until 1994. Karin's e-mail address is stoltz.karin@yahoo.com”. 19. SA Armour Formation Marks its 70th Anniversary * Godfrey Giles reports in his RFC Newsflash that the SA Armour Formation marked its 70th anniversary this month with the fourth Armour symposium and a thanksgiving service at Tempe outside Bloemfontein. * Willie Lombard van die Kavallerie wil dit regstel en noem “… dat dit wel die SAPK se 70 ste herdenking was en nie die Pantserformasie s’n nie. Die SAPK is ingevolge die Staatskoerant van 18/10/1946 in die lewe geroep en vier dus nou die 70 ste herdenking van die Korps se verjaarsdag. Die Pantserformasie en die ander Formasies is eers in 1999 op die been gebring nadat die Kommandemente gesluit is en die Formasie hierdie pligte en verantwoordelikhede oorgeneem het”. 20. Cost Prevents the USN from Firing its New Gun Last week reference was made to the advanced Zumwalt-class destroyer and its awesome new gun that has a range of 70 miles. However, the USN Navy cannot fire the gun as the rounds are too expensive and cost nearly $I million each. Just after the USN commissioned its most advanced warship, the service says it will not be buying any more of the guided precision munitions called the Long Range Land-Attack Projectile. According to Lockheed the 155mm round is the most accurate and longest-range guided projectile in Naval history. The Navy was not expecting the exorbitant cost when it first began producing the Zumwalt-class destroyers. Angel thinks that they should request DENEL to design something for them as they were pioneers in the 155mm long range ammunition.

21. USS Zumwalt Breaks Down in Panama Canal The USS Zumwalt experienced engineering problems while transiting the Panama Canal en route to its new homeport and had to be towed to a berth. Problems likely resulted from an issue with heat exchangers in the ship’s power plant.

22. Display of Synchronized Squad Drill Robbie Roberts of the Infantry provided this impressive programme of a platoon of 40 US Marines performing a display of synchronized rifle drill. It is available from his e-mail address at robbieroberts14@gmail.com. MILITêRE MEDIESE VERSORGING 23. Lid in SWA Wat Sorg Benodig * Verlede week het Albert van Zyl van 32 Bn en Leërinligting gerapporteer oor die lid in SWA, Jan de Koker, wat sonder kunsbene oor die weg moet kom. * Tony Dippenaar van Cela het onmiddellik gereageer en dat Jan se persoonlike en militêre besonderhede versoek sodat ‘n stel kunsbene vir hom gereël kan word. * Albert van Zyl verwittig die goeie nuus dat Tanja, verslaggewer by die Republikein, geskakel en bevestig het dat Oom Jan, weens die artikel in die koerant, reeds kunsbene gekry het. Sy noem egter dat die tipe kouse wat hy moet gebruik baie duur is en dr Dippenaar is versoek om daarmee te help. Albert noem toe “… dat dr Tony moet kom kuier sodat hy ‘n paar ou krygers kan kom reg dokter en ons sal vir hom Duitse versnapperinkies gee”.

TOEKOMSTIGE OORLOë 24. NTR

EIETYDSE MILITêRE GESKIEDENIS

25. Besoek aan Israel Dr Shai Mulder van die Genie onthou dat “… in die laat sewentigs met die beplanning vir die stig van die SA Leërgevegskool, het tien senior offisiere onder leiding van genl Raymond Holtzhausen ‘n besoek aan die Israeli Weermag gebring. Die sending was ‘n verrykende ervaring! Op die foto hieronder verskyn genl Frans van den Berg en Leon Koekemoer voor, terwyl George Kruys, Bertie Botha, Hannes Botha, Joep Joubert, Charles Wentzel, genl Holtzhausen, Tiffie Laas en Shai Mulder agter staan. Vyf van hierdie lede is reeds oorlede”.

26. Reporting of Submarines Along the RSA Coastline One of the readers of Arne’s MN mentions that in the late 1960s there were a lot of sightings of submarines along the RSA coast and especially along the Pondo/Transkei coastline. The late Capt ‘Tubby’ Reaper was the SSO ASW at Naval Headquarters, then still in Simon’s Town, and he had to investigate each sighting. On one of these missions he eventually arrived at the house where the sighting originated from. The housewife explained how the submarine sailed up the river in front of her house, and returned about two hours later. Tubby took off his shoes and in his shorts walked across the shallow bank at the river’s mouth. On return he told the lady that her story does not hold water. She then asked “… if I keep on reporting these submarines, will it help me to get a telephone?” 27. Wearing a Poppy to Remember the Fallen Nantie Potgieter of the CMVO refers to International Poppy Day on 11 Nov of each year and says that detail is available on the link at Poppy Day Posters. He explains that the red poppy (Papaver Rhoeas) is mentioned in history from the earliest of times. The poppy was found on Egyptian pyramids dating back 3 000 years, while it features in Homer’s Iliad and plays a central role in Greek mythology. It has become the symbol of remembrance for fallen comrades as the poppy’s seed can lie dormant for extremely long periods and once exposed to sunlight, the seeds sprout and grow. Vast carpets of poppies have formed on the scenes of violent battles through the ages. Genghis Khan’s battlefields were covered with the white Asian poppies and battlefields during the Napoleonic War were covered in red poppies. Fields of poppies appeared in Flanders and elsewhere during WW 1. The poppy has inspired many anthems, songs and poems. After WW1 hundreds of thousands of people worldwide were unemployed and bereft as a result of war. In the UK, Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium and France, formed The Royal British Legion in 1921 to assist the men who had served with him in battle. In that year, a group widows of French veterans’ proposed to him that the Legion sell French-made silk poppies to raise funds to support British veterans. He ordered 9 million of these poppies and sold them on 11 Nov of that year. The tradition of wearing a red poppy in remembrance is now common practise in many countries The SA Legion distributes poppies in aid of our Military Veterans and their families every year in Nov.

28. Newsletter of the GEPF Monitering Groep Errol Massey-Hicks of the SAN is the editor and states “... that Volume 5 has been placed on the link at https://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/gepf Monitor_vol_1_no_5. Volumes 1 to 4 can also be viewed there, but alternatively, google ‘GEPF Monitor’ and the Newsletter will also be found. Thank you to everybody for your support." 29. Nongqai : Tydskrif van die SAP Hennie Heymans van die ZARPe is die redakteur en hy noem dat die Nongqai op die skakel by https://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/vol_7_no_13 beskikbaar is. Baie dankie aan die Militêre Veterane wat artikels vir plasing verskaf”. 30. Website of the SA Signals Association Robbie Roberts is the Chairman of the SA Signals Association and “... is proud to announce the launch of our first Website at www.signalsassociation.org.za. We hope it will serve as a showcase of Signals, not only in the RSA, but also worldwide. It will be a useful tool to bring Military Veteran Organizations of all arms, registered under the CMVO, and elsewhere, closer together and be able to take viewers to other websites with similar values. As the only registered Military Veteran Organization for Signallers in the RSA, we regard it as our duty to try and enhance the relationship between all CMVO and other Veteran Organizations. We hope you will enjoy it and in order to improve, I shall appreciate you sharing your honest views, opinions, comments and suggestions, with me at chairman@signalsassociation.org.za”. 31. Soldate Monument by 2 Vd Genie Regt Shai Mulder van die Genie noem dat genl Magnus Malan die Soldate Monument by 2 Vd Genie Regt se ingang in Nov 1977 onthul het, waartydens 13 gevalle Sappeurs by daardie geleentheid herdenk is. Die naasbestaandes het elk 'n miniatuur van die Soldate Monument ontvang. Elke jaar word 'n Herdenkingsdiens ter wille van die gesneuweldes gehou om hulle nagedagtenis te eer. We remember the fallen. Ubiquie. Fas Et Gloria! Up the Sappers! First in; Last out!”

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32. Scavengers of the Sea In Arné’s MN it was reported that three Dutch warships sunk off the coast of Indonesia in 1942 have disappeared from the seabed of the Java Sea. The wrecks of HNlMS De Ruyter and HNlMS Java seem to be completely gone while HNlMS Kortenaer is still visible with a large portion missing. The Dutch Minister of Defense expressed concern stating ‘... that the Battle of the Java Sea is part of our collective memory. The wrecks are silent witnesses of this tragic event and set the stage for the many stories about the horrors of war but also the camaraderie between people on board’. De Ruyter, Java and Kortenaer sank and hundreds of Dutch sailors died on 27/02/1942. Among the deceased was R Adm Karel Dorman who had the opportunity to survive but chose to sink with his ship according to old naval tradition. Rules of the sea dictate that all ships sunk with sailors on board during war time are considered war graves and it appears that scrap merchants had desecrated the war graves. Photo shows HNlMS De Ruyter.

33. Dislike of Fresh Water in the USN In the previous Newsletter an interesting story was told of the drinking ability of sailors of the USN in the previous century. Although the USS Constitution carried 48 600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475, the sailors preferred an abundance of liquor collected on the way. Arne is of the opinion that one should never let the truth get in the way of a good story, but has the true facts about this voyage of six months of sustained operations, which is available on request from his e-mail address at angel45@iafrica.com. 34. Efficient Communication. The following thought is specifically for all those who served in Communication Operations: Think like a wise man, but communicate in the language of the people. NUWE MILITêRE BOEKE 35. Boek deur Shai Mulder van die Genie : Meer as Oorwinnaar ook in die Grensoorlog! “Op aandrang van my seuns het ek my ervaringe van 35 jaar in die SAW te boek gestel. Die gebeure tydens Op Savannah en by Brug14 (foto hieronder) is deel van die operasionele hoofstukke. Die boek kos R100 en kan by my verkry word. Ons het 'n wonderlike Weermag van weleer gedien, met wonderlike leiers en puik troepe. Ons troepe is nou manne in hulle laat 50s. Dankie manne. Julle het julle kant gebring. Saluut ook vir ons leierskorps. Soli deo Gloria. My e-posadres is shyriesmulder@gmail.com”.

PAUL ELS SE BOEKE 36. Verste Basis * Paul het vroeër genoem dat hy probeer bepaal watter militêre of SAP basis die verste Noord tydens die bosoorlog geleë was. * Manie Eloff van Leërinligting het gereageer en gesê dat in die Kaokoland was Okongwati heelwaarskynlik net-net verder Noord as Sodoliet. * Jerry Schültz van die Infanterie stem nie saam nie en verklaar dat hy “... nog altyd onder die indruk was dat die SAV se Vlootbasis by Wenela in die Caprivi die vêrste

Noord van al die SAW se basisse was. By HK Sektor 70 was die algemene konsensus dat die klein basis wat die Zambezi patrolleer, die vêrste Noord was. Ek onthou dit want dit was nogal ironies dat dit juis 'n Vlootbasis was”. 37. Ons Was Daar : Sektor Een Zero Paul verskaf die foto hieronder van sy nuwe boek en noem dat “ ... die prys R460 per boek gaan wees en dat voorlopige bestellings by die uitgewer, Groep 7, sê e-posadres by epos@groep7.co.za geplaas kan word. Ek is besig met finale redigering en dit sal hopelik vanaf die tweede week van Jan 2017 beskikbaar wees”.

ALGEMENE ASPEKTE 38. Involvement of the Military Veterans Dan Lamprecht of Special Forces says that he “... has often pondered about the saying that ‘… old soldiers never die, they just fade away’. Sadly, we are all, and particularly at the Military Veterans’ Organizations, experiencing this. It seems to me that too many of our old soldiers cannot be bothered any more. Here I take my hat off to the MOTHs, who after WW2, has kept the concept of camaraderie, loyalty, service, belonging and caring, burning bright. I may be wrong, but the Bush War generation seems to have retired early and is just fading away. We have a history to be proud of. It has been stated that ‘... no revolution can change the pages of history’. If nothing else, then at least we should honour our fallen comrades and spend time celebrating our history and the remarkable people who served in the SADF. Simultaneously we must look to the future and help build bridges to the future”. 39. Remembering the Fallen Arne provided this photo of the firing of the canon located above Simon’s Town at 111100B to pay homage to those that had fallen in WW1. The gun is a 9 inch Rifled Muzzle Loade, was designed in 1865 as a broadside gun for ironclad ships and harbour defence and a total of 190 were made. This gun was first mounted in Halifax, Nova Scotia until 1878, then at Bermuda until 1881 and then at Sheerness, England, until 1885. It was mounted at Middle North Battery above Simon's Town in 1896 where it still remains. The gun was restored in the East Dockyard Gun Shop in 1984. Through the efforts of WO1 Harry Croome of the Naval Museum and a few other enthusiasts, it is now in good condition and is fired about ten times a year for the naval festival, national days, armistice day and at midnight on new year’s eve.

40. Militêre Vaandels van die RSA Verlede week is genoem dat dr Fred Brownell, ‘n voormalige Staats- en Militêre Heraldikus,poog om die vyfde en finale reeks oor SA Militêre Vaandels (1664-1994) vir die SA Vlagkundige Vereniging te voltooi. Die deel oor die SA Leër en Kommandos is afgehandel en die finale deel handel oor die SALM, SAV, SAGD en SAP se vaandels. Een van sy grootste probleme is om te bepaal wat van die meer as 400 Nasionale Vaandels geword het. Ons huidige nasionale vlag het op 27/04/1994 in gebruik gekom en feitlik alles wat met die vorige vlag te doen het, is net onder die mat ingevee. Informasie oor die vorige Vaandels word graag versoek by telno is 012-361 6338 en faksno 012-365 2596. * Paul Els voeg by dat hy “...saam met dr Brownell na die VTM gegaan het om ’n opname van Vaandels te doen en dit is verblywend om te sien dat die Vaandels goed geberg is.Daar is 15 eenheidsvaandels en een Nasionale Vaandel gevind. Ek is bewus van die vaandels van die SP Wag en Ou Diensvakskool wat by Leër HK in ‘n kantoor is. Twee vaandels het 12 jaar gelede uit ‘n stoor by Tswane Regt verdwyn, waarvan een moontlik van Regt Pretorius was en sal graag wil hoor of iemand miskien weet wat daarvan geword het. Die Nasionale Vaandel was die ou Landsvlag wat aan elke eenheid met ‘n eenheidsvaandel geskenk is en ons reken dat ongeveer 400 daarvan gemaak is. Die foto toon 5 Verk Regt se eenheidsvaandel en nasionale vaandel”.

41. Databasis van die Bond van Savannah Veterane Dan Lamprecht dien in die NUK van die Bond en noem “... dat tydens ’n onlangse vergadering van die NUK het die vraagstuk van die lede se databasis ter sprake gekom. Daar is verwys na die verleentheid toe 'n lid van die Bond se selnommer geskakel is, waarop sy weduwee verwittig het dat die lid reeds twee jaar gelede oorlede is. Die Bond wil aanbeveel dat ons Militêre Veterane oorweeg om 'n addendum by die testament te voeg, wat die kontakbesonderhede aandui van die MVO wat hy aan behoort het. Dit sal sy gesin en eksekuteur in staat stel om suiwering te bewerkstellig. Dit kan ook benut word om sy lidmaatskap aan burgelike organisasies te lys”. 42. Status of the Blenheim Project * Gert Opperman is the Chairman of the Ebo Trust and had previously told of the intention to recover the human remains of four members of the SAAF killed in an aircraft accident on Mount Kenya on 23/07/1942. * Gert’s muscles are still painful but says that “… the recovery mission during 24-27/10/ 2016 was an extremely demanding trip and without the active support of British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) it would have been impossible. Apart from all the other forms of support and the enthusiastic involvement of the Commander and Staff of BATUK, the replenishment of water by helicopter became essential when we had to extend our stay on the mountain with another day. We consider the expedition to have been highly successful, although we have not been able to retrieve the human remains of the four dead aircrew members. This was obviously a disappointment, but I am satisfied we have done our best. We contacted two historians by telephone from the accident site, who positively identified the Blenheim bomber and got instructions where to dig for the remains. We assume that the remains have been removed from the grave site. In the absence of human remains, we have retrieved 2 kg of soil from the grave site as well as some pieces of the wreckage. It is realised that the absence of human remains could make it awkward for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), but the team’s proposal is that we continue with a burial ceremony at Nanyuki War Cemetery, but that we put the retrieved soil and a few of the smaller pieces of the aircraft wreckage, in the four small coffins for the ceremony. Subject to the CWGC’s willingness to continue, the date for the ceremony has tentatively been set for 14/01/2017. BATUK will handle all aspects concerning the burial service. Should the CWGC not be willing to support the above action, it has been tentatively decided to launch another expedition to search for human remains, but it is sincerely hoped this will not be necessary. We feel that we should not further disturb the crash site on the mountain and instead consider erecting a type of memorial at the site in due course. Danie Hefers of SABC TV had joined the search party and provided an input of 16 minutes on SABC 2 on 06/11/2016. Monet Eliastam’s is a relative of one of the crew members killed in the Blenheim bomber accident and she accompanied the expedition as a relative, but also in her capacity as a freelance film maker from the USA”. 43. Portugese Burgers in Angola In die vorige Nuusbrief is verwys na die Portugese se vlug uit Angola nadat die PB op hulle begin aas het. Bok Geyer van die Infanterie het verneem van die Portugese nedersetting op die eiland, São Martinho dos Tigres, aan die onherbergsame Angolese kus en het mooi fotos en die geskiedenis van Tigres verskaf. Met die uitbreek van die burgeroorlog het die inwoners van hierdie eiland alles net so gelos en gevlug. Vandag, 40 jaar later, staan die leë geboue nog net so, soos hieronder gesien kan word. Bok se verslag en fotos is op aanvraag vanaf sy e-posadres by bokkiegeyer@gmail.com beskikbaar.

44. The Film ‘My Father’s War’ Available on DVD Alishia van Deventer of Starburst Productions advise that the film is now available on DVD. Her e-mail address is alishia@starburstmusic.co.za. Detail is on the link at https://www.facebook.com/myfatherswarmovie/?fref=ts https://www.facebook.com/MovieUitvlucht?fref=ts and a trailer of the movie is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qvfCPYf_yc. The critic, Leon van Nierop, commented that this film “…comes highly recommended if you have memories of this war, or if you, as a woman, had to nurse the physical and spiritual wounds of your son or husband who is still struggling to come to terms with what had happened. This is an excellent film, one of the best SA films this year.” 45. Annual Salary of the New President of the USA The author, Al J Venter says that it has been reported by the BBC that President Elect, Donald Trump, is waving his president's salary of $400,000 a year and asking to be paid a single dollar, a masterful strategy that will shut up a lot of his critics. It certainly is not money he is after like somebody else we know here locally ...” 46. Adapting to Life at Home Angel reports that Dutch retired sailors find it difficult to adapt and when walking still wish to attune to the sway of the sea. A Dutch care organisation plans to assist retired sailors to move in the streets by using this walker:

47. Meeting of the Pretoria Canopy.Paul Els says that a meeting of the old Parabats took place in Thaba Tshwane on 14/10/2016. The highlight of the evening was when Les Rudman and Gert Nel started to practise doing airplane exit. The following photos were taken at the meeting where the members brushed up their ground training :

Stand in the door with Les Rudman as Number One of the string

Gert Nel ready to jump

Les doing Marble PT

SOEKTOGTE 48. NTR. GELEENTHEDE, FUNKSIES EN KURSUS- EN ANDER RE-UNIES 49. Vroeë Beplanning vir Lede van 5 SAI Bn Paul Els nooi alle oud-lede van 5 SAI Bn na ‘n ete by Chatterleys in Valhalla om 14:00 op 03/02/2017. Finale reëlings later. 50. Fun Walk of the Sappers Gunner Niel Wiid calls on “… the Gunners to support the Sappers’ Fun Walk on 26/11/2016. The event can be viewed on the link at www.gunners.org.za/uploads/MAGALIESFUNWALK.pdf. Please remember the GEM Homes Fete on the same day”. 51. Lunch for the Gunners in Johannesburg Gunner Niel Wiid advises that “… this month's lunch will be held at GEM Homes. We will be hosting the residents and treating them to a braai. As this is the last lunch for 2016, feel free to dress casual. The address is 99 Mendlesohn Road in Roosevelt Park and will be from 12:30 on 02/12/2016. Cost is R150 per person. Please advise attendance on 082 776 2233 or on wiidniel@gmail.com”. NETWORKING 52. Toer na Cuito Cuanavale Alex Smit van die Infanterie is die eienaar van Eco4x4 Africa en beplan ‘n toer vanaf Ruacana tot in Luanda tussen 17/08 en 14/09/2018. Besoek sal aan Namibe, Lobito, Benquela, Quibala, Brug 14 en Lubango gebring word. Die laaste tien dae van die toer sal van ‘n militêre aard wees en 43 jaar na Op Savannah en 30 jaar na Cuito Cuanavale, word daar vanaf Lubango na Xangongo, Ondjiva, Jamba, Menongue en Cuito Cuanavale gereis. ‘n Senior kundige sal met ‘n uitdeelstuk die oorlog behandel en soos wat die toer vorder gaan Ops Reindeer, Meebos, Askari, Firewood, Sceptic en Daisy bespreek word. Na Cuito Cuanavale reis die groep na Calai en eindig in Rundu wat die loslaatpunt is. Die toer vereis ‘n eie voertuig en kampuitrusting, maar etes word voorsien. Volledige informasie is per e-pos vanaf alex@eco4x4africa.com beskikbaar. Koste wissel tussen R5 500 tot R9500 per persoon na gelang van akkommodasie wat verkies word. Vroue is welkom om saam te gaan. Ek het al tien soortgelyke toere na Angola gedoen. Besonderhede is op die webblad by http://www.eco4x4africa.com/id49.html”. 53. Betroubare Huisbediende Liesbet het by Koos Maritz gewerk, maar Koos het besluit om nou op die plaas te gaan woon. Liesbet is beskikbaar om vanaf begin Jan 2017 een keer ‘n week op Donderdae te werk. Kontak vir Johann by 082 874 1953 indien iemand in haar dienste belang stel. Werkplek moet binne loopafstand van ‘n taxi-roete wees. ADMINISTRASIE 54. Nuwe Lede * Jan Lourens * Hugh Torlage * John van Heerden * Michiel Reinecke

* Robbie (William) Roberts * Vincent Torlage LAASTE LAWWE (EN SOMS ERNSTIGE) STUKKE 55. Remember. If you wait All that happens is that you get older! 56. Die Lewe op die Plaas Dan Lamprecht van die Parabats het nog altyd na die lewe op die plaas gehunker en dink dat hy weens sy volgende vermoëns ‘n sukses daarvan kan maak: Ek kan ‘n verkeerde perd opsaal Baie hooi op my vurk laai Ou koeie uit die sloot haal Katte skiet Met die hele sak patats vorendag kan kom Wingerdgriep kry Wrangvrugte pluk Versigtig op eiers loop Goed balke saag Twak verkoop Appels swaai Wys waar David die wortels begrawe het Pêrels voor die swyne werp Met ander se kalwers ploeg Saam met die hoenders slaap Bul by die horings pak En vir wolf skaapwagter maak 57. Sound Political Advice. Louw Trichardt had at first thought of entering politics, but then decided to rather leave it to Piet Uys after reading the following: * Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other - Oscar Ameringer * A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country - Tex Guinan

58. Healthy Advice for Military Veterans. Paul Els has decided to cut back on his activities after reading the following: * Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. * Veterans have two motivations, namely hunger and hanky panky and they cannot tell them apart. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich. * Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing. * All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. 59. Dealing with Old Age. Arlene Bronkhorst gives the following advice: * I do not mean to brag, but I finished the food for my 14-day diet in three hours and 20 minutes today. * A thief broke into my house last night. He started searching for money so I woke up and searched with him. * Just remember, once you are over the hill you begin to pick up speed. * The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts.

60. Dealing with a Rumbling Tummy Deon Potgieter of the MOTHS in Mossel Bay was in a coffee shop recently “… when my stomach started rumbling and I realised that I desperately needed to fart. The place was packed but the music was really loud so, to get relief and reduce embarrassment, I timed my farts to the beat of the music. After a couple of songs I started to feel much better. I finished my coffee and noticed that everyone was staring at me. Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my IPod. This is what happens when Military Veterans use technology!” 61. Romancing for the 70s After nearly 50 years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed when the wife felt her husband begin to touch her in ways he had not in quite some time. His fingers started at her neck and then began moving down past the small of her back, caressed her shoulders and neck, slowly worked his hand down, stopping just over her stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, working down her side, passing gently over her buttock and down her leg to her calf. Then, he proceeded up her thigh, stopping just at the uppermost portion of her leg. He suddenly stopped, rolled over and became silent. She asked in a loving voice “… honey that was wonderful, but why did you stop?' To which he responded with “… I was looking for the remote control”. SLOT 62. And on that frustrating note, sterkte vir die res van die week. Johann VRYWARINGSKLOUSULE 63. Hierdie Nuusbrief bevat die uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van Militêre Veterane en die Opsteller van die Nuusbrief kan nie in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid daarvoor verantwoordelik of aanspreeklik gehou word nie.