1. Hugo Biermann served as Chief of the Navy from 1952 to 1972 and Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1972 until 1976, the only naval officer to have served in the post.
14 Facts About Hugo Biermann
1. 2.
Biermann's father, named Hugo Hendrick, joined the Orange Free State postal service at the age of 12, and later joined the South African Railways and Harbours as a telegraphist.
3.
Hugo Biermann started school in the Transvaal until his father was transferred to Cape Town.
4.
Hugo Biermann began his naval career in 1938 as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
5.
The crew of the HMSAS Gamtoos cleared several Mediterranean ports of sunken and scuttled ships, and at Marseilles, Hugo Biermann blew a hole in the harbour wall so that he could enter the Vieux Port and begin work.
6.
Hugo Biermann was the Senior Officer of the minesweeping squadron.
7.
In 1950, Hugo Biermann was transferred to Defence Headquarters and served on the staff of the then Director-General of the South African Naval Forces.
8.
Hugo Biermann held commodore rank until 1 April 1957, with the handing over of the Simon's Town Naval Base, he was promoted to rear admiral.
9.
Hugo Biermann was made vice admiral on 1 December 1965, when his position was simultaneously retitled as Chief of the Navy.
10.
In 1972, Hugo Biermann took over the position of Commandant General of the South African Defence Force and promoted to Admiral, the first time this rank was used in the South African Navy.
11.
Hugo Biermann received the Star of South Africa on 13 May 1960 in recognition of his exceptionally meritorious services.
12.
Hugo Biermann was the last recipient of this honour prior to the declaration of the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961, which has Queen Elizabeth II's royal cypher on the back above the pre-2000 Coat of arms of South Africa.
13.
Hugo Biermann was the very first recipient of the Southern Cross Decoration, which he received upon his retirement as Chief of the South African Defence Force in 1976.
14.
Hugo Biermann died on 27 March 2012 at the age of 95 in a retirement home, Silvermine Village, near Cape Town.