Military veterans celebrate 1983 landmine survivor (60)
The Namibia landmine explosion survivor says he still sheds a tear for the many who lost their lives in service when he recalls the traumatic experience chiselled in his brain from the 1983 military operations.
A surviving intelligence soldier and his fallen service members were celebrated on Sunday by other fellow military members.
Lieutenant Hendrik Cornelius (Hennie) le Roux (60) survived a landmine incident in Namibia 40 years ago.
Le Roux was part of the 61 Mechanised Battalion Group which was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps.
The group was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery and was primarily tasked as an Immediate Response Unit for the army.
It is reported in 1983, several South African soldiers were killed, while two were critically wounded by a landmine explosion in Namibia.
The reports state that a follow-up operation was launched in bad weather to try to track down those responsible, however, another land mine had apparently been planted on a public road.
The remembrance service was organised by the South African Military Intelligence Veterans Association (SAMIVA) at Fort Klapperkop Troopie Memorial in Groenkloof.
It is part of their annual ceremony.
Recalling the landmine experience, Le Roux said he still suffers from the trauma experienced in 1983.
“I often go to a place where I was alone with my thoughts. There I sit and think of my fellow soldiers. I think of those who were hurt. I think of those who died. Of what I experienced during 12 months on the Border. Sometimes tears flow down my face.
“Our generation did what was expected of us by our country. I remember those days, with pride,” said Le Roux.
In 2020, Le Roux said it took him 33 years to pen down his personal experience of what had been chiselled in his brain in 1983.
Le Roux attended SA intelligence school in Kimberley from July 1981 to June 1982.
He currently spends his days farming in the Northern Cape, near Upington.
SAMIVA management committee member Sakkie du Plooy said on March 1983 Lieutenant Hennie le Roux was operating in Namibia with a group of South African Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers as part of a follow-up operation.
Du Plooy said Le Roux cautiously walked closer to the scene and noted down some details from the scene in front of him.
“A soldier from another unit was not so watchful, walked past him and detonated an anti-vehicle landmine.
“The enemy was returning into Angola and they followed the group’s tracks in their Ratel Combat Vehicles. One of the Ratels hit a landmine,” said Du Plooy.
He said as the explosive fragments settled in the dusty terrain, Le Roux saw the young badly wounded soldier in the crater caused by the mine.
“He noticed that he was bleeding badly and urgently needed support and treatment.”
According to Du Plooy, Le Roux had to risk his life to save the bleeding soldier as there was a possibility of more landmines planted in the area.
Du Plooy said as Le Roux drew closer to the soldier, he noticed his legs were blown away.
“A helicopter arrived to evacuate the casualty and Le Roux carried him through a minefield to the helicopter.
“His friend survived. Thanks to the brave and selfless act of Hennie le Roux.”
Le Roux has since been awarded an Honoris Crux medal by General Magnus Malan.
The memorial service on Sunday was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand, Rebecca Williams; Chief of the Army official, Brig.-Gen. Modise Boihang; and several military attachés.
Twenty-six representatives from other veteran’s associations also laid wreaths in commemoration of their fallen comrades.
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