In Memory Of

POTGIETER, JOHAN DIEDERIK

Service Details
Age:
 40
Date of Birth:
 1935-05-14
Service No:
 01169895PE
Rank:
 Brigadier
Unit:
 Officer Commanding 2 Mil Area, SWA
Regiment:
 FREE STATE COMMAND
Date of Death:
 1976-01-04
Cause of Death:
 Died in Aircraft Accident, Aerospatiale SA3330 Puma C #122, shot down by own AAA. The OC 2 Mil Area, scheduled a visit to Battlegroup Chicken, near Mussende, Angola. Unfortunately the Puma was painted green, similar to the colour of the enemy planes and flew off course over an AA battery that had not been informed of the flight. Thinking the enemy were attacking, the AA shot the chopper down
Commemoration
Cemetery:
 BETHAL CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Mpumalanga
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Decorations:
 Southern Cross Medal
Husband of Mrs. S. J. Potgieter, of Saldanha. ref. 85 years of SAAF