Willem Louw

Lieutenant-General Willem Petrus Louw SSA SM (Bloemhof,[2]: 255  24 November 1920 – 4 July 1980)[1] was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Army in the Special Service Battalion in 1938,[3]: 94  and served in Italy in World War II.

For the South African cricketer, see Willem Louw (cricketer).

Lieutenant General

Willem Petrus Louw

SSA SM
Born(1920-11-24)24 November 1920
Bloemhof, South Africa
Died4 July 1980(1980-07-04) (aged 59)
Buried
Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria, Gauteng, New Military cemetery[1]
25.78148°S 28.12166°E / -25.78148; 28.12166
Allegiance Republic of South Africa
Service/branch South African Army
Years of service1938–1975
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
  • Inspector General of the SADF
  • Chief of the Army
  • Northern Transvaal Command
  • SA Military College
  • 1 Parachute Battalion
WarsWorld War II
AwardsStar of South Africa SSA Southern Cross Medal SM Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ' Union Medal ' 1939–45 Star ' Italy Star ' Defence Medal (United Kingdom) ' War Medal 1939–1945 ' Africa Service Medal (WWII) '

Military career

After enlisting as a private, he served as an NCO in the Technical Service Corps (SAOC)[2]: 255  and was seconded to the South African Infantry. In 1943 he attended a Candidate Officers' course and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the South African Army Armoured Corps. He was transferred to the 6th Armoured Division and deployed to the Middle East and Italy.[3]: 94 

After the war, he served in various posts and in 1959 became Officer Commanding North West Cape Command[2]: 255  In 1960 he attended a Parachute Instructors' course in England. He was promoted to Commandant (Lieutenant Colonel) in January 1961 and in April 1961 became the founder and first commanding officer of 1 Parachute Battalion. He was promoted to Colonel in 1964 and appointed OC of the Military College in Voortrekkerhoogte.[2]: 255  In 1966 he served as OC Northern Transvaal Command[3]: 94  as a Brigadier and Chief of the Army from 1967 to 1973,[4][3]: 94  and as Inspector-General of the South African Defence Force from 1973 to 1975.[3]: 94 

After a re-organisation of the SADF, the position of Inspector General was abolished and he retired on 31 March 1975.[2][3]: 94 

Awards and decorations

References
  1. "LOUW Willem Petrus 1920-1980". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  2. Els, Paul J WO1 (2010). We conquer from above. PelsA Books. ISBN 978-0-620-46738-4.
  3. Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leiers Deur die Jare (1912-1982)" (Online). Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies (in Afrikaans). 12 (2): 89–98. doi:10.5787/12-2-631. ISSN 2224-0020. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  4. "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Army". defenceweb.co.za. Defence Web. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

See also
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