Veteran Christopher Neil McNamara HC 1 Parachute Battalion
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
SAMVOZA Western Cape - Veteran Christopher Neil McNamara HC
HONORIS CRUX
CITATION
RIFLEMAN C. N. (Neil) McNAMARA
Rifleman C. N. McNamara was awarded the Honoris Crux for his actions on the 18th October 1979, as a member of a six man stick of South African Paratroopers (Parabats) and a South African Air Force (SAAF) air crew who by Puma helicopter operating out of Air Force Base Ondangwa were airlifted on a search-and-rescue mission to locate and extract an Impala pilot, Major Aubrey Bell, who flying Impala aircraft tail number 1033 had been struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire and had crashed near an enemy base close to the Angolan town of Omupanda.
Although Major Bell had ejected successfully, he sustained a neck injury and a broken ankle upon landing, leaving him injured and very vulnerable in enemy-held territory.
The rescue Puma was flown by Major Paul “Polla” Kruger, the mission commander, with Lieutenant Nick Lithgow as co-pilot and Flight-Sergeant “Ziggie” Hoebel the flight engineer. They were accompanied by a stick of Parabats consisting of Riflemen Brian Southey, Assie de Lange, Ben Mare, Neil McNamara, Brian Gibson, and Lieutenant John Parkin.
The rescue force approached from the south; their task was to locate and extract the injured pilot, who was located very close to a well-defended enemy base A second Puma carrying an additional stick of six Parabats, orbited the area in support of the lead aircraft, should they be needed. This Puma also attracted and was hit by several enemy bullets.
Overhead, Major Bell’s wingman provided suppressive fire against the advancing enemy positions. After expending his ammunition, he conducted simulated attack runs in an effort to
delay the enemy’s advance. He was eventually forced to withdraw due to low fuel. Two additional Impala aircraft replaced him, also attempting to suppress the advancing enemy.
The threat was significant, as the enemy had already shot down Maj Bell’s aircraft, requiring
the pilots to operate with extreme caution to avoid also being struck / shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Despite the heavy enemy fire, Major Kruger inserted the Paratroopers and lifted off again.
The Puma narrowly avoided being struck by rocket-propelled grenade fire, with one RPG
passing over the aircraft and another exploding at the landing site moments after take-off.
Once on the ground, the situation deteriorated rapidly. What had begun as a rescue mission
had escalated into a contested high-intensity hot extraction, with the Paratroopers operating
under immediate and sustained enemy fire.
Rifleman Gibson located the injured pilot some distance from his parachute and narrowly
avoided mistaking him for the enemy. The enemy had advanced from their trench system
approximately 100 to 200 metres away to within proximity to Major Bell’s position. They were aggressively attempting to locate and capture him.
Once the pilot had been secured, Rifleman McNamara over the radio called for an extraction. Reporting that the Paratroopers were under heavy enemy fire. Aware of and
notwithstanding the danger on the ground, Major Kruger returned and landed the Puma.
Riflemen de Lange and Mare carried the injured Major Bell to the helicopter while the remaining Paratroopers scramble to boarded. The Puma lifted off under fire.
During take-off and withdrawal, the helicopter was struck by sustained 14.5 mm anti-aircraft
fire and small-arms tracer rounds. Two rounds penetrated the cockpit, grazing Major Kruger’s neck and disabling the intercom system. Rifleman Gibson was struck by a 14.5 mm anti-aircraft round that penetrated the floor of Puma’s fuselage, causing severe injuries to his hip and arm.
Despite significant damage to the fuselage and rotors, and a visible fuel leak caused by multiple enemy strikes, Major Kruger successfully flew the damaged aircraft to Oshakati, where an ambulance was standing by to evacuate the wounded. After a brief assessment of
the bullet-riddled helicopter, which was still dripping fuel, Major Kruger decided to fly the Puma back to Air Force Base Ondangwa.
In recognition of their bravery and exceptional conduct during this search-and-rescue hot extraction operation, the South African Air Force aircrew; Major Kruger and Flight Sergeant Hoebel, and the Parabats Lieutenant Parkin and Riflemen Mare, de Lange, Southey, Gibson, and McNamara were each awarded the Honoris Crux.
L-R Brian Southey, Albe De Lange, Bryan Gibson, Ben Mare, Neil McNamara, John Parkin,
Polla Kruger & Sieg Hoebel.
The above photo was taken the day prior to the Honoris Crux Parade held in Bloemfontein
on the 13 th February 1981 (photographer unknown presumed to be a Bloemfontein media
house at the time)
L-R Albe de Lange, Bryan Gibson, Ben Marais, Neil McNamara and Brian Southey
RETURN TO SMOKESHELL
Neil McNamara returned to Angola last year in June 2025, to locate/ visit the 1980 Operation SCEPTIC - Battle of Smokeshell site, that he was part of. It was a harsh trip to deepest darkest Africa. His friend Brian (Gibby) Gibson accompanied him. They had to travelthrough the Omapanda area. Upon their return, via GPS and prior feeds from pilots and their own memories and research were able to ( as close as Damit) locate this position. Roads and bush had changed over the years. It was deeply nostalgic. Approximately a month later Gibby died, Neil was broken.
The below videos showcase aspects of the 2025 SMokeshell Tour.
Border Boys Parade held at the
MOTH Dawn Patrol Shellhole in Bergvliet Cape Town kindly also
share as a separate article under the “Media Tab” on the SAMVO site
if possible.
2025 Border Boys Parade in Bergvliet Cape Town
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