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Willem Louw

South African army general From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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.

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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 

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Awards and decorations

References

See also

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