‘Floats like a Butterfly, stings like a Bomb’. Operation Modular 8 October 1987. Destroyed SADF 61 Mechanized Battalion Group Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

The South African armored column had penetrated deep into Angola and had just formed a laager to take bearings on their position and objectives. Two Angolan Mig fighter jets had spotted the column, making a low pass initially they turned and came in for the attack. The Migs each dropped 500lbs parachute retarded bombs, one bomb landing just behind the Ratel IFV, literally driving the back axel into the ground and igniting the Ratel’s 90mm ammunition. The second 500lb bomb made the crater that the SADF soldier is standing in.

The Ratel’s driver Frikkie De Jager was taking a break and resting in the back of the Ratel when the bombs hit and died a little later of his injuries caused when the ratel’s ammunition detonated, a fellow crew member Gary Pearman White was critically injured and lost a leg.

Thank you to Dave Mannall, who was commanding the Ratel next to this one for his memoir and eye witness account. Rest in Peace Frikkie De Jager, lest we forget.