In Memory Of

NEL, JOHAN

Service Details
Age:
 26
Date of Birth:
 -0001-11-30
Service No:
 97724264PR
Rank:
 Captain
Unit:
 7 Medical Battalion Group
Unit 2:
 attd. 44 Parachute Brigade
Regiment:
 South African Medical Health Service
Date of Death:
 1998-09-22
Date of Death 2:
 1998-09-23
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, in Operation Boleas, to restore stability in Lesotho at Khatsi Dam, going to the aid of Cpl. J. Sax who had been fatally wounded
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Grave 569
Cemetery:
 JOHANNESBURG (WEST PARK) CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Gauteng
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Decorations:
 SAMHC CROSS
Capt. Nel, of Krugersdorp, was wearing a bullet proof vest but a bullet went in through the gap between the plates. Capt. Nel wanted to become a heart surgeon. Parents: Klaas and Alet Nel of Westdene. Alet worked at RAU. Brother: Dirk. His funeral service was at NGK Aasvoelkop. On the morning of 22 September, during the initial invasion, four South African helicopters were sent to Katse, two of the helicopters were used as Gunships and the other two helicopters were used to carry 20 Pathfinders (10 in each Chopper). When the first Chopper landed the Pilot said: 5 out and 5 Pathfinders must stay. The Pilot took off and landed again near the small Lesotho army base which was guarded by 28 Lesotho soldiers. The other 5 Pathfinder got out of the Chopper and walked to the Military base. A Pathfinder Corporal had pamphlets in his hands saying that they were a peace force and there on request of the Lesotho Government, but before he could give the pamphlet to the Lesotho soldiers one of them shouted something in Sesotho and then 28 Lesotho soldiers started to shoot at the 5 Pathfinders without any warning. The one Chopper went back and picked up the other 5 Pathfinders that were with the Civilian South Africans working on the Katse Dam Project. Then both Choppers landed near the Lesotho base and dropped the entire Pathfinder group. After the firefight Sergeant Jeremy Sax and a Pathfinder went to clear the buildings. Sergeant Jeremy Sax was shot throw a door busy clearing a room. A medical doctor with the Pathfinders, Captain Johan Nel, went to aid Sergeant Sax, he also was shot. Both men died instantly. A Chopper was called and both men were taken to the Command Hospital in Ladybrand.