11 Facts About Dan Pienaar

Dan Pienaar was born in Ladybrand, Orange Free State and in his youth grew up in Natal.

Dan Pienaar returned to the South Africa and back into the Union Defence Force ranks at the end of the war.

Dan Pienaar was commissioned and sent to England to train as battery commander as well as attending a staff officers course.

Dan Pienaar returned to South Africa in 1922 and was promoted to Adjutant of the South African Field Artillery.

Dan Pienaar commanded Orange Free State Command from 1935 to 1937.

Dan Pienaar fought in the battles of El Wak, The Juba, Combolcia and Amba Alagi.

Dan Pienaar was twice awarded the DSO and twice mentioned in dispatches for his service in North Africa.

Historians have argued these actions qualify as insubordination by Dan Pienaar, who is thought to have been reluctant to commit his troops after the loss of the 5th South African Brigade, fabricating or exaggerating reports of enemy attacks as justification for actions.

In 1942, Major General Dan Pienaar was killed in an air crash in Kenya on his way back to South Africa.

Dan Pienaar was survived by his wife Norma and his children: Nelia, Barry and Fay.

Dan Pienaar was one of South Africa's most charismatic and popular military commanders.