Willie Jacobus Appelgryn

South African served in the South African Army

76293679BG

Date of Death: Fri 14 Dec 1979 - Killed in Action near Nkongo when their Platoon was ambushed by a numerically superior force of SWAPO/PLAN insurgents near a village waterhole. Some soldiers were still drawing water when the enemy opened fire with Soviet B10 Recoilless Guns, RPG-7 Rocket Launchers and Machine-guns before speeding away in vehicles. Rifleman Victor was killed instantly and Rifleman Appelgryn severely wounded when hit by shrapnel that deflected off his shoulder blade and punctured his lungs. Three quarters of the platoon were wounded and when his mates came to assist him, he told them to leave him and assist the more badly wounded instead. He succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards