Dan Pienaar
|
Daniel Hermanus Pienaar CB DSO & two bars |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Dan |
| Born | 27 August 1893 Ladybrand, Free State |
| Died | 19 December 1942 (aged 49) Kisumu, Kenya |
| Allegiance |
 Union of South Africa
|
| Years of service | 1911 – 1942 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
1st Infantry Brigade 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards | |
.svg){kind=small}
Major General Daniel Hermanus ("Dan") Pienaar (27 August 1893 – 19 December 1942) CB DSO & two bars was a South African World War II military commander.
Pienaar joined the artillery branch of the Natal Police (NP) in 1911, and transferred to the Union Defence Forces (UDF) when they took over the NP in 1913. In World War I, he served as an artilleryman with the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force in German East Africa and Palestine.
Between the two world wars, Pienaar held various staff and command posts. He commanded Orange Free State Command from 1935 to 1937.
In 1940-1941, during the East African Campaign, Pienaar commanded the 1st South African Infantry Brigade. He fought in the battles of El Wak, The Juba, Combolcia, and Amba Alagi.
In 1941-1942, during the North Africa Campaign, Pienaar fought in the battles of Sidi Rezegh and Gazala). On 10 March 1942, he was promoted to GOC 1st South African Infantry Division, which he led in the battle of Gazala, the retreat to Egypt, the defence of El Alamein, and the final battle of El Alamein. He was twice awarded the DSO and mentioned in dispatches twice for his service in North Africa.
...
Wikipedia