Hugo Biermann
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Hugo Hendrik Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
6 August 1916 Johannesburg |
| Died | 27 March 2012 (aged 95) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Allegiance |
 South Africa
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| Service/branch |
 South African Navy
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| Years of service | 1945–1976 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Service number | 01222819PE |
| Commands held |
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| Awards | |
| Relations |
Peggy Cruwys (wife) R Adm Stephanus Biermann |
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Peggy Cruwys (wife)
Admiral Hugo Hendrik Biermann SSA SD OBE GCIH (6 August 1916 – 27 March 2012) was a former Chief of the South African Navy who later served as Chief of the South African Defence Force, the only Naval officer to have served in this post.
Biermann's father, also named Hugo Hendrick, joined the Orange Free State postal service at the age of 12 and later joined the SA Railways and Harbours as a telegraphist. Born in Johannesburg, Biermann started school in the Transvaal until his father was transferred to Cape Town and he completed his schooling at Jan van Riebeck High School After leaving school at the age of 16 he join the South African Training Ship General Botha
Biermann was one of four children. His brothers Phillip and Stefanus (Chips) served on whalecatchers that had been converted to minesweepers during World War II. His brother Stefanus reached the rank of Rear Admiral in the SA Navy.
After two years training on the South African Training Ship General Botha from 1932 to 1933, he entered the British Merchant Navy as a cadet and served until 1938 when he was transferred to the Maritime Department of the South African Railways and Harbours.
He began his naval career in 1938 as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. In January 1940 he was called up for full-time service and transferred to the Seaward Defence Force. Promoted lieutenant in mid 1941 he commanded HMSAS Imhoff,HMSAS Roodepoort and HMSAS Aristea before being promoted to Lieutenant Commander in command of the salvage vessel HMSAS Gamtoos.
The crew of the HMSAS Gamtoos cleared several Mediterranean ports of sunken and scuttled ships, and at Marseilles, Biermann blew a hole in the harbour wall so that he could enter the Vieux Port and begin work. The Gamtoos went on to salvage the Sidi Aissa, towing it away to clear the valuable graving dock at La Ciotat by 14 December 1944. This earned Lt Cdr Biermann the Order of the British Empire, an honour he shared with the entire ship's company
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Wikipedia