In Memory Of

PIENAAR, MICHIEL GEORGE

Service Details
Age:
 22
Date of Birth:
 1965-11-21
Service No:
 82220401BT
Rank:
 Sergeant
Regiment:
 Pretoria Regiment
Date of Death:
 1987-11-29
Cause of Death:
 Died in Freak Accident, was the commander of an Olifant tank when a tree crushed him in his commander's hatch. Pienaar's tank (call sign 13B) struck a tree of approximately 750 cm in diameter. Due to the soft ground and various veld fires in the past, the tree toppled onto the tank, crushing Pienaar in his hatch. He was still alive, but severely injured at that time. The squadron's tiffies were called upon and tried to lift the tree from the tank with a hydraulic crane. Unfortunately the tree was too heavy for the crane and it crushed Sgt. Pienaar again which caused his death.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Block 14 Grave 747
Cemetery:
 BLOEMFONTEIN (SOUTHPARK) CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Free State
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Son of Mrs. M. E. Pienaar, of Bloemfontein.