“South Africa’s most decorated combat soldier, Colonel Jan Breytenbach, has died in his homeland at 91”
So, proclaimed Mr. John Elsegood in an article on October 17, 2024 – to be found here: https://newsweekly.com.au/newsweekly/passing-of-a-warrior-jan-breytenbach/
In his obituary Mr. J Elsegood refers to the late Colonel, a distinguished soldier, as:
“one of only two men to win the Van Riebeeck Decoration (DVR) – for distinguished service in the field against the enemy – and also the Southern Cross Decoration (SD)”.
Without any other qualifying awards stated and attributed to late Colonel to justify his statement, Mr Elsegood is patently incorrect. Three examples of historical fact demonstrate Mr Elsegood’s inaccurate missive and can be found on a simple source such as Wikipedia:
• Major Arthur Walker HCG and Bar, SM (February 1953 – 28 March 2016) was a South African Air Force helicopter pilot who was twice awarded the Honoris Crux Gold decoration during the South African Border War. The Honoris Crux Gold was the highest military award for bravery awarded to members of the South African Defence Force. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Walker_(Pilot)
• Andrew Frederick Weatherby (Anthony) Beauchamp- roctor, VC, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC (4 September 1894 – 21 June 1921) was a South African airman and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was South Africa’s leading ace of the First World War, being credited with 54 aerial victories.
• Adolph Gysbert Malan, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (3 October 1910 – 17 September 1963), better known as Sailor Malan, was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain.[1] He finished his fighter career in 1941 with twenty-seven destroyed, seven shared destroyed and two unconfirmed, three probables and sixteen damaged. At the time he was the RAF’s leading ace, and one of the highest scoring pilots to have served wholly with RAF Fighter Command during the Second World War.
All three were air war recipients.
So, to the publication by Mr. J. Elsegood – anyone can write what they like, yet if opining on historical fact, it may be prudent for a Wikipedia search, something that even a year one undergraduate student is advised not to use. Or he could just reference this site and an accurate source article on the highest and most decorated South Africans written by Peter Dickens – link as follows; South Africa’s top military medalists
No shortage of information out there!
Written for the Observation Post by Dr. Garth Benneyworth
The Observation Post 
Hi.
I don’t understand
one of only two men to win the Van Riebeeck Decoration (DVR).
I don’t see this medal under those awarded to Arthur, Proctor and Malan.
Also not the Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
They were awarded other medals.
Why is he wrong??
Stefaan Bouwer
Postnet Olivedale
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He is not wrong – just incorrect.
The HC Gold, awarded just once, although Major Walker received it twice, makes the Major the highest decorated (bravery) recipient in the RSA. The Victoria Cross – awarded to some South Africans, Sergeant Smyth for example outranks in hierarchy the awards by the late Colonel. Hence the opining by Mr. Elsegood is completely inaccurate.
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Garth
Surely Elsegood is technically correct? Jan was a soldier (ex Royal Navy), not an airman, and hence fits definition of âcombat soldierâ. Airmen would never want to be called soldiers!
Soldier, a personhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/person who is in an armyhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/army and wearshttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wear itshttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/its uniformhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/uniform, especiallyhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/especially someone who fightshttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fight when there is a warhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/war (Cambridge dictionary)
Mike Gowan
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Mr. J. Elsegood is incorrect, Mike Gowan.
As captioned – never let facts stand in the way of a good story. There are countless examples of inaccuracy by Mr. J. Elsegood stating that Col. J. Breytenbach was, as quoted: South Africa’s most decorated combat soldier, Colonel Jan Breytenbach, has died in his homeland at 91”
The late Colonel was not, as stated, as three examples from military history show. There are many others.
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Completely wrong as always… but it’s John Elsegood – what else should one expect.
He really should give up on trying to comment on military history, and instead stick to jabbering about horse racing, and waving the old South African flag about.
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As a National Serviceman, I met Col Breytenbach on Christmas day 1976 at a function at the home of the OC 1 MA. I got fingered to represent the SAMS Senior Medical Officer at Rundu. I developed a liking for the Colonel and we ended up long-distance neighbours. He living in Sedgefield and myself in George. Whatever the issue of the decorations, I am not party to that either way. I liked Col Breytenbach, the person. Another character who has faded, was Lt Col Frederick Potgieter (Vuil Pottie). I loved that man. What a character. His experiences will be forgotten.
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