Rudolph Hiemstra

General Rudolph Hiemstra, SSA, SM (10 March 1912[1] – 26 July 2007) was a South African Air Force commander who served as Commandant General of the South African Defence Force.[2][3]

Rudolph Christiaan Hiemstra
Nickname(s)	Rudi
Born	10 March 1912 Lydenburg, South Africa
Died	26 July 2007 (aged 95) Pretoria, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Air Force
Years of service	1931–1972
Rank	General
Service number	01217207PE
Commands held	Commandant General of the South African Defence Force 2 Squadron SAAF
Awards	Star of South Africa Southern Cross Medal Knight of the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal)
Spouse(s)	Gertruida Hiemstra (wife)
Relations	Judge Victor Hiemstra (brother)

Military career

Hiemstra joined the South African Air Force in 1931. He did not serve in the Second World War because of his political opposition to South Africa's involvement in the war and was transferred to the civil service, from which he returned to the defence force when the National Party government came to power in 1948.

Hiemstra was Military Attaché in Sweden, France and the United Kingdom.[4] Among other appointments, he was officer commanding 2 Squadron SAAF, The Flying Cheetahs.[4]

Hiemstra served as Adjutant General, interrupted by his attendance at the Imperial Defence College,[1] as Inspector General from 1959 to 1960, as Deputy Commandant General from 1961 to 1965, and as Commandant General of the South African Defence Force from 1965 to 1972. In 1966, the Commandant General was appointed Secretary for Defence over and above his appointment as head of the South African Defence Force.

In May 1967, the dual title of Commandant General and Secretary for Defence was dispensed with by the elimination of the title "Secretary for Defence". The Commandant General, as permanent head of the Department of Defence as well as of the South African Defence Force filled the post of Commandant General, which post embraced the functions signified by the former dual title. At the same time the rank of Commandant General, instituted in September 1956, was changed to that of general.[5]

In 1960, Hiemstra was awarded the Star of South Africa for exceptional services.[4] He was also awarded the Southern Cross Medal and appointed a Knight of the Order of Prince Henry from Portugal.

Death

Hiemstra died on 26 July 2007, aged 95, in 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. He was survived by six children, sixteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.[4]

Among his influential brothers were Dr Louis W. Hiemstra, who made his in mark in the field of journalism, and Judge Victor Hiemstra of Pretoria.[4]

References

1. Who's Who of Souther Africa 1959. Ken Donaldson (Pty) Ltd. 1959. p. 290.
2. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6243:fact-file-chiefs-of-the-sandfpast-and-present&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159
3. Uys, Ian S. (1992). South African Military Whoʼs Who, 1452-1992. ISBN 9780958317337.
4. Britz, Elretha (27 July 2007). "Oud-weermaghoof RC Hiemstra sterf". Beeld (in Afrikaans). Media24. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
5. STRATFORD, DO (December 1968). "The Office of Secretary for Defence". Military History Journal. Johannesburg: South African Military History Society. 1 (3). SA. Retrieved 1 December 2008.