Identity
Person No.
32221
Service No.
78440187PF
Last Name
First Name
Petrus Johannes Stephanus
Initials
P J S
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
19
Military Service
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Secondary Unit
Army
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Killed in action. Swapo had set up a new infiltration route into the Kaokoveld towards the end of 1981. When the South African army learned of this it was decided to assault the transit camp based at Cambeno 40 kms north of the Cunene River. Puma helicopters airlifted the assault force but as the choppers lifted off they found that the enemy was only 50 metres away from the LZ. Fortunately for Nel the helicopter gunships managed to neutralize some of the enemy and gave him a chance to consolidate his position. An intense fire fight developed and Lieutenant Nel's position was being assaulted on both flanks simultaneously. He then called for air support but as this was not available he and two men charged the enemy to try and eliminate the threat to his troops. During this selfless act his was killed. A 45 strong force of 32 Battalion with gunship support killed 201 SWAPO as well as captured vast amounts of equipment in the rugged terrain of Kaokaland desert
Grave Reference
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Coordinates
Additional Information
Notes
Next of kin, Mr. J. A. Nel, of Vryburg. Came from Pomfret. (also known as Fanus Nel)
Citation
Unknown
External Source
https://www.izkor.gov.il (Israeli Fallen Soldiers & Victims of Terrorism database — search by name)
South African War Graves Project