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Lieutenant-General Willem Petrus Louw SSA SM (Bloemhof,[2]: 255 24 November 1920 – 4 July 1980)[1] was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Army in the Special Service Battalion in 1938,[3]: 94 and served in Italy in World War II.
Willem Petrus Louw | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 24 November 1920 Bloemhof, South Africa |
| Died | 4 July 1980 (aged 59) |
| Buried | 25°46′53″S 28°07′18″E / 25.78148°S 28.12166°E |
| Allegiance |  Republic of South Africa |
| Service |  South African Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1975 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands |
|
| Wars | World War II |
| Awards |          |
Military career
editAfter enlisting as a private, he served as an NCO in the Technical Service Corps (SAOC)[2]: 255 and was seconded to the South African Infantry. In 1943 he attended a Candidate Officers' course and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the South African Army Armoured Corps. He was transferred to the 6th Armoured Division and deployed to the Middle East and Italy.[3]: 94
After the war, he served in various posts and in 1959 became Officer Commanding North West Cape Command[2]: 255 In 1960 he attended a Parachute Instructors' course in England. He was promoted to Commandant (Lieutenant Colonel) in January 1961 and in April 1961 became the founder and first commanding officer of 1 Parachute Battalion. He was promoted to Colonel in 1964 and appointed OC of the Military College in Voortrekkerhoogte.[2]: 255 In 1966 he served as OC Northern Transvaal Command[3]: 94 as a Brigadier and Chief of the Army from 1967 to 1973,[4][3]: 94 and as Inspector-General of the South African Defence Force from 1973 to 1975.[3]: 94
After a re-organisation of the SADF, the position of Inspector General was abolished and he retired on 31 March 1975.[2][3]: 94
Awards and decorations
edit
Star of South Africa (1952) (SSA) – 1974[2]: 255 
Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM) – 1962
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Union Medal
1939–45 Star
Italy Star
Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
War Medal 1939–1945
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
References
edit- ^ a b "LOUW Willem Petrus 1920-1980". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Els, Paul J WO1 (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leiers Deur die Jare (1912-1982)" (Online). Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies (in Afrikaans). 12 (2): 89–98. doi:10.5787/12-2-631. ISSN 2224-0020. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ^ "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Army". defenceweb.co.za. Defence Web. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2014.