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Marais, Dewald (G J)

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Identity
Person No.
31592
Service No.
70237326
Last Name
Marais 64
First Name
Dewald
Initials
G J
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1955 (±1 yr) 393
Age at Death
24
Military Service
Rank
Lieutenant
Regiment
SA Army 413
Unit
12 Sqdn. 179
Secondary Unit
Army
Death Record
Date of Death
01 January 1979 329
Cause of Death
Killed in action 9,874
Killed in action, in Angola, shot down, in English Electric Canberra #452. On a bombing mission and left 12 Squadron on the evening of 14th March 1979 at about 16H00. Four Canberras flew in formation and while doing a low level tree top flight and dropping bombs something from the ground fired and hit the Canberra on the side, killing the pilot, D. Marais, instantly. Nav. O.J. Doyle flew the plane from the navigator's position for about 12 minutes with bomb bay doors open. Eventually the plane climbed steeply, turned, and crashed into the ground half inverted, exploding on impact, at about 17H00
Grave Reference
Alternative Commemoration until grave found 1,598
Location
Country
South Africa 17,413
Locality
Gauteng 9,426
Cemetery
SADF WALL OF REMEMBRANCE, VOORTREKKER MONUMENT, PRETORIA 1,912
Additional Information
Notes

Husband of Mrs. J. Marais, of Pretoria

Citation

LG Sup 17 September 1917 pg. 9577 - serving with East Surrey Regiment - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy shell fire. He was instrumental in saving the lives of several NCOs and men of his company who had been buried in a tunnel by an enemy bombardment. He was severely wounded whilst engaged on this duty."

External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project

southafricawargraves.org — record #31592