Willem Louw
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Willem Petrus Louw
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|---|---|
| File:Willem Louw.jpg | |
| Born | 24 November 1920 Bloemhof, South Africa |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. |
| Buried | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Allegiance |  Republic of South Africa |
| Service/ |
 South African Army |
| Years of service | 1938 – 1975 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
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| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/> |
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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.
Military career
After enlisting as a private he served as a 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
Star of South Africa (SSA)
Southern Cross Medal (SM)
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
References
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- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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See also
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by
Maj Gen Fritz Loots
|
Inspector General of the SADF 1973 – 1975 |
Post Abolished |
| Preceded by | Chief of the South African Army 1967 – 1973 |
Succeeded by Magnus Malan |
| Preceded by
Brig JH Burgher
|
OC Northern Transvaal Command 1966 – 1967 |
Succeeded by Brig FJ van Deventer |
| Preceded by
Col JH Burgher
|
OC South African Military College 1964 – 1966 |
Succeeded by Col JW van Niekerk |
| New creation Regiment Founded
|
OC 1 Parachute Battalion April 1961 – 1964 |
Succeeded by Jan Fourie |
|
Chiefs of the South African Army
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|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Land Forces |
 |
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| Army Chief of Staff | ||
| Chief of the Army | ||
