Fatfox9's Blog

A sad day in the history of the Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, The Rhodesian Light Infantry, and the South African Air Force. Today Sunday 6th September 2026 marks the 47th anniversary of the downing of Puma 164.

The South African Airforce Puma, call-sign Hotel 4, was hit behind the pilot’s seat, causing it to crash and burst into flames. Nine of the dead were Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) (Joe du Plooy, Gordon Fry, Jacobus Briel, Aiden Colman, Jeremy Crow, Brian Enslin, Steven King, Colin Neasham, David Prosser), 5 from the Rhodesian Corps of Engineers (RhE) (Charlie Small, Bruce Burns, Michael Jones, LeRoy Duberly, Peter Fox) and the Souyh African Air Force Crew (SAAF) air crew of 3 (Captain Paul Vellerman, Lieutenant Nigel Osborne and Flight Sergeant Dick Retief).

2nd Lieutenant Bruce Frazer BURNS, 1 Squadron, Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, KIA. Killed when shot down by an RPG7 in a Puma helicopter at Mapai, Mozambique on Op Uric.

Corporal LeRoy DUBERLY, 1 Squadron, Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, KIA. Killed when shot down by an RPG7 in a Puma helicopter at Mapai, Mozambique on Op Uric.

Lance Corporal Peter FOX, 1 Squadron, Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, KIA. Killed when shot down by an RPG7 in a Puma helicopter at Mapai, Mozambique on Op Uric.

Sergeant Michael Alan “Mick” JONES, 1 Squadron, Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, KIA. Killed when shot down by an RPG7 in a Puma helicopter at Mapai, Mozambique on Op Uric.

Captain Charles David “Charlie” SMALL, Rhodesian Corps of Engineers, Army HQ, KIA. Killed when shot down by an RPG7 in a Puma helicopter at Mapai, Mozambique on Op Uric. 

We Remember Them…….As Long As We Say Their Names, They will Never Die.

So many of my 1 Squadron mates taken from us that day. Rest In Eternal Peace Brothers.

Acknowledgments to Terry Griffin and Rhodesian Corps of Engineers Facebook Page