Jan Breytenbach: Difference between revisions

Jan Dirk Breytenbach

DVR SD SM MMM
Jan Dirk Breytenbach; DVR SD SM MMM
Born	14 July 1932
Died	16 June 2024 (aged 91); George, South Africa
Allegiance	Südafrika; Vereinigtes Königreich
Years of service	1950–1955 South African Army; 1955–1961 Royal Navy; 1961–1987 South African Army;
Rank	Colonel
Unit	1 Parachute Battalion
Commands	1 Reconnaissance Commando; 32 Battalion; 44 Parachute Brigade;
Battles/wars	Suez Crisis; Biafran War; South African Border War; Angolan Civil War; Bophutatswana crisis;
Awards
Other work	Author

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Jan Dirk Breytenbach DVR SD SM MMM^[3] (14 July 1932 – 16 June 2024) was a South African Special Forces military officer and author of military books. He is best known as the first commander of 1 Reconnaissance Commando, South Africa's first special forces unit. In his long career, he served in the Suez Crisis, the Biafran War, the South African Border War, and the Angolan Civil War, and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement. He died on 16 June 2024, at the age of 91.^[4]

Military career

Breytenbach attended the Army Gymnasium in 1950, and was awarded the Sword of Peace in 1953 and joined the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm after serving in the Armoured Corps and saw service in the Suez Crisis in 1956. He rejoined the South African Defence Force in 1961^[3] and soon after completed one of 1 Parachute Battalion's courses. Fritz Loots commissioned him to organise 1 Reconnaissance Commando in 1971.

In 1975 Breytenbach led Operation Savannah, the SADF's covert intervention in the Angolan Civil War. The remnants of this group became the elite 32 Battalion, or "Buffalo Battalion".

He attended Staff College in 1977^[5] and was promoted to colonel. In 1978, led the SADF air assault on Cassinga, and has continued to the present day to contest opposing versions of the event in the press.^[6]

He became senior staff officer for operations at Northern Transvaal Command and commanded 44 Parachute Brigade from 24 September 1980 to 31 December 1982. He founded the SADF Guerilla school, which he commanded until his retirement.^[3]

Breytenbach retired from the military in 1987, and has written a number of books since then. He is the brother of South African poet and writer Breyten Breytenbach and of war correspondent/photographer Cloete Breytenbach. During the 1980s, Breyten and Jan Breytenbach held strongly opposing political viewpoints, as his brother opted for a left-wing approach. This influential family effectively covered the political spectrum.

Awards and decorations

Van Riebeeck Decoration (DVR)
Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
Military Merit Medal (MMM) ^[2]
Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) (with Cunene Clasp) ^[a]
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years)) ^[2]^[7]
Naval General Service Medal (1915) (Great Britain)

Books by Jan Breytenbach

Breytenbach, Jan (1986). Forged in battle. Saayman & Weber. ISBN 0-7971-0025-3.
Breytenbach, Jan (1990). They live by the sword. Lemur. ISBN 0-620-14870-5.
Breytenbach, Jan (1997). Eden's exiles, one soldier's fight for paradise. Queillerie. ISBN 1-874901-24-4.
Breytenbach, Jan (2001). The plunderers. Covos Day. ISBN 1-919874-01-1.
Breytenbach, Jan (2002). The Buffalo Soldiers, the story of South Africa's 32-Battalion, 1975–1993. Galago. ISBN 1-919854-07-X.
Breytenbach, Jan (2008). Eagle Strike: The Story of the controversial airborne assault on Cassinga 1978. Manie Grove Publishing. ISBN 978-0-620-40614-7.
Breytenbach, Jan (2011). The Tempered Sword: Forged in battle revisited; Operation Savannah and the birth of 32Bn. South Africa: Manie Grove Publishing. ISBN 978-0-620-500470.

Notes

^ Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.

References

^ ^a ^b "Authors – Col. Jan Breytenbach". The Galago Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c "History of the South African Special Forces". SAForces Club. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c Els, Paul J. (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.
^ "Recce legend Colonel (Ret) Jan Breytenbach passes". George Herald. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 30. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
^ Shigwedha, Vilho Amukwaya (2011). Enduring suffering: the Cassinga Massacre of Namibian exiles in 1978 and the conflicts between survivors' memories (PhD thesis). Cape Town: University of the Western Cape. hdl:handle/11394/1711.
^ "Member Profile – Jan Breytenbach". Warinangola.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.

External links

The Silent War – Book on SA Special Forces History Archived 26 March 2005 at the Wayback Machine
32 Battalion Website
SA Army Website. Archived 22 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine
Partial mirror of the old, removed official SA Special Forces Brigade site.
South African Special Forces League
Jan Breytenbach at IMDb

Military offices
Preceded by Brig Mike du Plessis	OC 44 Parachute Brigade 1980–1982	Succeeded by Col Frank Bestbier
New title Established	OC 32 Battalion 1975–1977	Succeeded by Col Gert Nel

[7] Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.

[Galago-1] "Authors – Col. Jan Breytenbach". The Galago Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2008.

[SAMagte-2] "History of the South African Special Forces". SAForces Club. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2008.

[Conq-3] Els, Paul J. (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.

[GeorgeObit-4] "Recce legend Colonel (Ret) Jan Breytenbach passes". George Herald. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.

[5] Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 30. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.

[6] Shigwedha, Vilho Amukwaya (2011). Enduring suffering: the Cassinga Massacre of Namibian exiles in 1978 and the conflicts between survivors' memories (PhD thesis). Cape Town: University of the Western Cape. hdl:handle/11394/1711.

[WarinAngola-8] "Member Profile – Jan Breytenbach". Warinangola.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|South African military officer (1932–2024)}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
 {{Infobox military person
 | name          = Jan Dirk Breytenbach
@@ Line 5: / Line 6: @@
 | image         =
 | caption       =
-| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1932|7|14|df=yes}}
+| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1932|7|14|df=yes}}
-| death_date    =
 | birth_place   =
+| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2024|06|16|1932|7|14|df=yes}}
-| death_place   =
+| death_place   = [[George, South Africa|George]], South Africa
 | allegiance    = {{flag|South Africa|1982|size=23px}}<br />{{flag|United Kingdom|1801}}<ref name="Galago">{{cite web|url=http://www.galago.co.za/author_Jan_breytenbach.htm|title=Authors – Col. Jan Breytenbach|publisher=The Galago Publishing Company|access-date=2008-11-27|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026165000/http://www.galago.co.za/author_Jan_breytenbach.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | branch        =
@@ Line 18: / Line 19: @@
 | rank          = [[Colonel]]
 | unit          = [[1 Parachute Battalion]]
-| commands      = * 1 Reconnaissance Commando
+| commands      = {{plainlist|
+* 1 Reconnaissance Commando
 * 32 Battalion
 * 44 Parachute Brigade
+}}
 | battles       = {{plainlist|
 * [[Suez Crisis]]
@@ Line 28: / Line 31: @@
 * [[1994 Bophuthatswana crisis|Bophutatswana crisis]]
 }}
-| awards        ={{MilAward Ribbon|DVR|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | SD|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | SM75|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | MMM|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | PPC|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | SAM|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | GSM|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | GoodServiceG|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | GoodServiceS|x12px}}{{MilAward Ribbon | GoodServiceB|x12px}}[[File:Naval General Service Medal 1915 BAR.svg|x12px|link=Naval General Service Medal (1915)|Naval General Service Medal]]<ref name=SAMagte />
+| awards        ={{MilAward Stack|DVR|SD|SM75|MMM|PPC|SAM|GSM|GoodServiceG|GoodServiceS|GoodServiceB|NGSM1915|size=x12px}}<ref name=SAMagte />
 | laterwork     = Author
 }}
-'''Jan Dirk Breytenbach''' {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|DVR|SD|SM|MMM}}<ref name="Conq">{{cite book|title=We conquer from above|publisher=PelsA Books|last1=Els|first1=Paul J., WO1|year=2010|isbn=978-0-620-46738-4}}</ref> (born 14 July 1932) is a retired career [[South Africa]]n [[South African Special Forces Brigade|Special Forces]] military officer and author of military books. He is best known as the first commander of [[South African 1 Reconnaissance Commando|1 Reconnaissance Commando]], South Africa's first special-forces unit. In his long career, he served in the [[Suez Crisis]], the [[Biafran War]], the [[South African Border War]], and the [[Angolan Civil War]], and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement.
+'''Jan Dirk Breytenbach''' {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|DVR|SD|SM|MMM}}<ref name="Conq">{{cite book|title=We conquer from above|publisher=PelsA Books|last1=Els|first1=Paul J. |year=2010|isbn=978-0-620-46738-4}}</ref> (14 July 1932 – 16 June 2024) was a South African [[South African Special Forces Brigade|Special Forces]] military officer and author of military books. He is best known as the first commander of [[South African 1 Reconnaissance Commando|1 Reconnaissance Commando]], South Africa's first special forces unit. In his long career, he served in the [[Suez Crisis]], the [[Biafran War]], the [[South African Border War]], and the [[Angolan Civil War]], and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement. He died on 16 June 2024, at the age of 91.<ref name="GeorgeObit">{{cite web | url=https://www.georgeherald.com/News/Article/Local-News/recce-legend-colonel-ret-jan-breytenbach-dies-202406160730 | title=Recce legend Colonel (Ret) Jan Breytenbach passes | publisher=George Herald | accessdate=16 June 2024 |date=16 June 2024 }}</ref>
-==Military career==
+== Military career ==
+Breytenbach attended the Army Gymnasium in 1950, and was awarded the [[Sword of Peace]] in 1953 and joined the Royal Navy [[Fleet Air Arm]] after serving in the [[South African Army Armour Formation|Armoured Corps]] and saw service in the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956. He rejoined the South African Defence Force in 1961<ref name="Conq"/> and soon after completed one of 1 Parachute Battalion's courses. [[Fritz Loots]] commissioned him to organise [[South African 1 Reconnaissance Commando|1 Reconnaissance Commando]] in 1971.
-Breytenbach attended the Army Gymnasium in 1950, and was awarded the [[Sword of Peace]] in 1953 and joined the Royal Navy [[Fleet Air Arm]] after serving in the Armoured Corps and saw service in the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956. He rejoined the South African Defence Force in 1961<ref name="Conq"/> and soon after completed one of 1 Parachute Battalion's courses. [[Fritz Loots]] commissioned him to organise [[South African 1 Reconnaissance Commando|1 Reconnaissance Commando]] in 1971.
 In 1975 Breytenbach led [[Operation Savannah (Angola)|Operation Savannah]], the SADF's covert intervention in the [[Angolan Civil War]].  The remnants of this group became the elite [[32 Battalion (South Africa)|32 Battalion]], or "Buffalo Battalion".
-He attended Staff College in 1977<ref>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992|year=1992|publisher=Fortress Publishers|page=[https://archive.org/details/southafricanmili0000uysi/page/30 30]|isbn=0-9583173-3-X|url=https://archive.org/details/southafricanmili0000uysi/page/30}}</ref> and was promoted to colonel.  In 1978, led the SADF [[Battle of Cassinga|air assault on Cassinga]], and has continued to the present day to contest opposing versions of the event in the press.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Enduring suffering: the Cassinga Massacre of Namibian exiles in 1978 and the conflicts between survivors' memories |url=http://etd.uwc.ac.za/xmlui/handle/11394/1711 |publisher=University of the Western Cape |location=Cape Town |date=2011 |degree=PhD |language=en |first=Vilho Amukwaya |last=Shigwedha|hdl=handle/11394/1711}}</ref>
+He attended [[South African Army College|Staff College]] in 1977<ref>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992|year=1992|publisher=Fortress Publishers|page=[https://archive.org/details/southafricanmili0000uysi/page/30 30]|isbn=0-9583173-3-X|url=https://archive.org/details/southafricanmili0000uysi/page/30}}</ref> and was promoted to colonel.  In 1978, led the SADF [[Battle of Cassinga|air assault on Cassinga]], and has continued to the present day to contest opposing versions of the event in the press.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Enduring suffering: the Cassinga Massacre of Namibian exiles in 1978 and the conflicts between survivors' memories |url=http://etd.uwc.ac.za/xmlui/handle/11394/1711 |publisher=University of the Western Cape |location=Cape Town |date=2011 |degree=PhD|first=Vilho Amukwaya |last=Shigwedha|hdl=handle/11394/1711}}</ref>
-He became senior staff officer for operations at Northern Transvaal Command and commanded [[44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa)|44 Parachute Brigade]] from 24 September 1980 to 31 December 1982. He founded the SADF Guerilla school, which he commanded until his retirement.<ref name="Conq"/>
+He became senior staff officer for operations at [[Northern Transvaal Command]] and commanded [[44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa)|44 Parachute Brigade]] from 24 September 1980 to 31 December 1982. He founded the SADF Guerilla school, which he commanded until his retirement.<ref name="Conq"/>
-Breytenbach retired from the military in 1987, and has written a number of books since then. He is the brother of South African poet and writer [[Breyten Breytenbach]] and of [[war correspondent]]/photographer [[Cloete Breytenbach]]. During the 1980s, Breyten and Jan Breytenbach held strongly opposing political viewpoints, so with his brother opting for a more left-wing approach, this influential family effectively covered the political spectrum.
+Breytenbach retired from the military in 1987, and has written a number of books since then. He is the brother of South African poet and writer [[Breyten Breytenbach]] and of [[war correspondent]]/photographer [[Cloete Breytenbach]]. During the 1980s, Breyten and Jan Breytenbach held strongly opposing political viewpoints, as his brother opted for a left-wing approach. This influential family effectively covered the political spectrum.
 == Awards and decorations ==
-* {{MilAward Desc|DVR|x25px}}
+* {{MilAward Desc | DVR|x25px}} <!-- There was a problem with this. It's fixed now. {{Medal Display | DVR|x25px}}. -->
 * {{MilAward Desc | SD|x25px}}
 * {{MilAward Desc | SM75|x25px}}
@@ Line 56: / Line 58: @@
 * {{MilAward Desc | GoodServiceG|x25px}}
 * {{MilAward Desc | GoodServiceS|x25px}}
-* {{MilAward Desc | GoodServiceB|x25px}}<ref name=SAMagte>{{cite web|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshistory.html|title=History of the South African Special Forces|publisher=SAForces Club|access-date=2008-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120201620/http://samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshistory.html|archive-date=20 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=WarinAngola>{{cite web|title=Member Profile - Jan Breytenbach |url=http://warinangola.com/default.aspx?tabid=1252&Parameter=3593 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141212080601/http://warinangola.com/default.aspx?tabid=1252&Parameter=3593 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2014 |website=Warinangola.com |access-date=12 December 2014 }}</ref>
+* {{MilAward Desc | GoodServiceB|x25px}}<ref name=SAMagte>{{cite web|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshistory.html|title=History of the South African Special Forces|publisher=SAForces Club|access-date=2008-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120201620/http://samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshistory.html|archive-date=20 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=WarinAngola>{{cite web|title=Member Profile – Jan Breytenbach |url=http://warinangola.com/default.aspx?tabid=1252&Parameter=3593 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141212080601/http://warinangola.com/default.aspx?tabid=1252&Parameter=3593 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2014 |website=Warinangola.com |access-date=12 December 2014 }}</ref>
+* {{MilAward Desc | NGSM1915|x25px|country=ZAR}}
-* [[File:Naval General Service Medal 1915 BAR.svg|x25px]] [[Naval General Service Medal (1915)|Naval General Service Medal]] (United Kingdom)
 == Books by Jan Breytenbach ==
@@ Line 74: / Line 76: @@
 * [[32 Battalion (South Africa)]]
 * [[South African Border War]]
+== Notes ==
+{{notelist}}
 == References ==
 {{reflist}}
-{{s-start}}
-{{s-mil}}
-{{s-bef | before = Brig [[Mike du Plessis]]}}
-{{s-ttl | title = OC [[44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa)|44 Parachute Brigade]] | years = 1980 {{snd}}1982}}
-{{s-aft | after = Col [[Frank Bestbier]] }}
-{{s-new | reason = Established}}
-{{s-ttl | title = OC [[32 Battalion (South Africa)|32 Battalion]] | years = 1975{{snd}}1977}}
-{{s-aft | after = Col Gert Nel }}
-{{s-end}}
 == External links ==
 *[http://www.galago.co.za/CAT1_A.htm The Silent War – Book on SA Special Forces History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050326010917/http://www.galago.co.za/CAT1_A.htm |date=26 March 2005 }}
 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071011203854/http://www.32battalion.net/ 32 Battalion Website]
@@ Line 97: / Line 90: @@
 *[http://www.recce.co.za/ South African Special Forces League]
 * {{IMDb name | id = 0108336 | name = Jan Breytenbach }}
+{{s-start}}
+{{s-mil}}
+{{s-bef | before = Brig [[Mike du Plessis]]}}
+{{s-ttl | title = OC [[44 Parachute Brigade (South Africa)|44 Parachute Brigade]] | years = 1980–1982}}
+{{s-aft | after = Col [[Frank Bestbier]] }}
+{{s-new | reason = Established}}
+{{s-ttl | title = OC [[32 Battalion (South Africa)|32 Battalion]] | years = 1975–1977}}
+{{s-aft | after = Col Gert Nel }}
+{{s-end}}
 {{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Breytenbach, Jan}}
-[[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:1932 births]]
-[[Category:Afrikaner people]]
+[[Category:2024 deaths]]
+[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
+[[Category:Afrikaner nationalists]]
 [[Category:South African people of German descent]]
 [[Category:South African Army officers]]
-[[Category:1932 births]]
-[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
 [[Category:South African writers]]
 [[Category:South African military personnel of the Border War]]

Authority control databases
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