Petrus .J.S. 'Mannetjies' Nel

served in the South African Army

78440187PF

Military Service from to
Date of Death: Sat 13 Mar 1982 - Killed in Action with three other members of 32 Battalion, in Southern Angola during Operation Super. SWAPO/PLAN had set up a new infiltration route into the Kaokoveld towards the end of 1981 and when the SADF became aware of this, it was decided to assault the transit camp base at Cambeno, 40 kilometers north of the Cunene River. Puma helicopters airlifted the assault force, but as the choppers lifted off the LZ, 2/Lieutenant Nel, found that the enemy was only 50 metres away. Fortunately for him the helicopter gunships managed to neutralise some of the enemy and gave him a chance to consolidate his position. An intense fire fight developed with Lieutenant Nel's position being assaulted on both flanks simultaneously. He then called for air support but as this was not available, he and two men charged the enemy to try and eliminate the threat to his troops. During this selfless act of courage in the face of extreme danger and adversity, he received multiple bullet wounds and was killed. A total of 201 PLAN insurgents were killed in the fierce fire-fight that followed and a vast amount of Soviet and East Bloc weaponry and equipment was captured. 2/Lieutenant Nel was posthumously awarded the Honoris Crux