In Memory Of

THORNE, LEON

Service Details
Age:
21
Date of Birth:
-0001-11-30
Service No:
W414579P
Rank:
Constable
Unit:
South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K Division (KOEVOET)
Regiment:
South West African Police
Date of Death:
1989-04-02
Cause of Death:
Killed in action, heavy fighting continued to rage throughout Northern Owamboland as large groups of heavily armed SWAPO/PLAN insurgents numbering 150+ continued with mass infiltrations into the area from Southern Angola and were constantly being engaged by Koevoet elements in the field. The Koevoet Casspirs bore the brunt of the attacks in the face of fusillades of Soviet RPG-7 anti-tank rockets, Czech RPG-75 anti-tank rockets, Yugoslavian M60 Anti-Tank rifle grenades and M60P HEAP Pencil STRIM rifle grenades. The SWAPO/PLAN insurgents paid dearly for their efforts but the South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K Division (Koevoet) Units suffered another ten members Killed in Action during these fierce contacts with many others being wounded
Commemoration
Cemetery:
CENTURION CEMETERY
Localitly:
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Additional Information
ref. Gallantry Awards of the South African Police 1913-1994