Family, friends, and military veterans paid tribute to the long life and significant military legacy of Colonel Jan Breytenbach at a moving memorial service at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. Breytenbach made invaluable contributions during a military career spanning around four decades to three of South Africa's elite fighting units Special Forces, 32 Battalion and 44 Parachute Brigade. He passed away in George on 16 June at the age of 91.
Speaking during the memorial service held against the backdrop of the Wall of Remembrance, Marius van Rooyen, Chaplain for the Council of Military Veterans Organisations in South Africa, said Breytenbach would be remembered for his leadership, courage and compassion, and that he had made an invaluable contribution to the country.
Breytenbach began his military career in 1950 at the Army Gymnasium. He was selected for officer cadet training and in 1953 was awarded the Sword of Honour as the top student, an early indication of his outstanding abilities. Disillusioned with the then Union Defence Force he resigned and joined the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in 1956 as a navigator. This saw him participate in the Suez crisis in 1956.
In 1961, he joined the new South African Defence Force and was posted to 1 Parachute Battalion. Again, his potential was recognised and he was selected for a Rhodesian SAS selection course. With his understanding of counter-terrorism operations he was chosen to lead a small team to train the Biafrans during the Nigerian civil war in 1969.
In 1970, when the SADF approved the establishment of a Special Forces unit 1 Reconnaissance Commando, he was part of the initial group which was colloquially known as the 'Dirty Dozen'. He became the unit's first commander. During 1976, he was instrumental in establishing 32 Battalion, which comprised largely soldiers from the National Front for the Liberation of Angola. This was the renowned rapid-raiding light infantry battalion with the nickname Os Terrivais The Terrible Ones during the Border War.
