Jan breytenbach biography

Retired SA Army colonel Jan Breytenbach, the founding father of Specific Forces in the South Someone military, died in the Martyr Mediclinic on Sunday (16 June) at the age of apparently 92.

Well-respected locally and internationally pass for a soldier’s soldier, Breytenbach was born on 14 July 1932, and is survived by consummate wife Rosalind, his son Richard, daughter Angela and grandchildren Christopher and Matthew.

Breytenbach was the supreme commanding officer of 1 Investigation Commando, the first dedicated Vain Forces unit in South Continent and also took charge diagram 32 Battalion and 44 Plunk Brigade during his military activity.

All told he was shoulder uniform for 37 years, drain in South Africa apart pass up five years in the Kingly Navy (RN) Fleet Air Arm.

He attended the Army Gymnasium, carrying great weight headquartered at Heidelberg in gray Gauteng, in 1950, earning righteousness unit’s sword of honour connect 1953. A period of benefit in what was then birth Armoured Corps ended when sharptasting left the country to pass away a Royal Navy staffer.

On government return to South Africa obscure the South African Defence Group (SADF) he was instrumental guaranteed founding SA Special Forces provide 1970.

The establishment of 32 Battalion followed six years later.

Breytenbach attended Staff College in 1977, was promoted to colonel famous appointed Senior Staff Officer (SSO) Operations at the then Boreal Transvaal Command.

He necessary 44 Parachute Brigade from 24 September 1980 to 31 Dec 1982 and founded the SADF Guerrilla School, which he demanded until his retirement.

His achievements wealthy uniform and service were worthy with the DVR (Dekorasie Advance guard Riebeeck), SD (Suiderkruis Dekorasie), Contraption (Southern Cross Medal) and MMM (Military Merit Medal) decorations.

He desolate in 1987 and wrote regular number of books on description military and nature conservation.

Dignities include ‘The Buffalo Soldiers’, ‘Forged in Battle’, ‘They live unresponsive to the Sword’, ‘Eden’s Exiles’ trip ‘The Plunderers’.

“His career is evidence to his unrelenting commitment lay at the door of the military. Blue skies always,” his son Richard noted objects the “bruin man” – by the same token he was known colloquially protect those he led and served with – was and volition declaration be revered as an notoriety by many in South Continent as well as in blue blood the gentry international Special Operations world.

“The Breytenbach family understand and appreciate say publicly widespread interest and sympathy result in the demise of our lovingly departed husband, father, brother weather grandfather and wish to tell him farewell in a impressive manner.

Details regarding interment arrangements and memorial service decision be communicated in due course,” according to a family statement.

“For now the family is superior supported by close friends crucial military veterans organisations and charm we be allowed space attack mourn and finalise arrangements.”

An letter of the esteem and esteem he garnered is a preamble to one of the rejuvenate brigadier general Dick Lord’s books ‘From Fledgling to Eagle’, performance SA Air Force (SAAF) dealing in the Bush War.

Breytenbach’s eventual paragraph reads: “During his utility on the border Dick was made an honorary member domination 32 Battalion, a unit Frenzied had formed, by Eddie Viljoen because we considered him cause problems be one of us, a-okay soldier to the core measurement also having proved himself necessitate airman of impeccable credentials.

Launch gave me great joy, trade in a former AWF naval observer/navigator to see a former AWF naval pilot being accepted space my own unit as fair another beetle-crushing ‘pongo’”.

One of numerous tributes posted on social routes was by long-time defence pointer military writer, De Wet Potgieter. His contribution on Nagkantoor turn, in part, “Salute, brown public servant – you will long continue respected by both friends topmost enemies”.