Frans van den Berg

Lieutenant General Frans van den Berg was an artillery officer who was appointed as the first Chief of Staff Planning in the SADF in 1986.

Early life

He was born in Kimberley and matriculated from Potchefstroom High School for Boys.

Military career

He joined the Union Defence Force and served in the artillery. He was an instructor at the Army Gymnasium, he completed the British Long Gunnery Staff Course in 1962. Chief Instructor Gunnery at the School of Artillery & Armour. He served as Second in Command 4 Field Regiment during 1969, Second in Command School of Artillery in 1969 to 1970. Officer Commanding School of Artillery from 1970 to 1973 and simultaneously Director Artillery from 1970 to 1972, OC 81 Armoured Brigade 1973 to 1974. He was promoted to rank of brigadier in 1974. OC North Western Command 1974–1977 and simultaneously Director Artillery from 1974 to 1976, Military Advisor to Bophuthatswana from 1975 to 1977. He was tasked by the then Chief of the Army-Lt Gen Constand Viljoen to visit the Israeli Combined Arms Training Center in 1977 that led to the creation of the Army Battle School in Lohatla. Commandant Army Battle School in 1978 to 1982. OC Northern Transvaal Command 1982–1983. Much later served as Chief of Staff Planning from 1986 to 1991.

Awards and decorations