FOLLOW UP: GRAVE: J “PIET” ZULU

Grave: Private J Zulu: N12401: Native Military Corps: S.A Forces, Tobruk.

Brig HB Heymans (SAP – Ret) & Capt C Ross (SA Navy – Ret)

Refer to: https://www.nongqai.org/1942-ww2-south-african-police-brigade-the-murder-of-private-piet-zulu-as-described-by-an-eyewitness-sergeant-j-folsher-mm/

First, we had the eyewitness-account of the murder of Private J “Piet” Zulu written up by Sgt Johan Fölscher.

Secondly, we had the task to identify “Piet” Zulu. He was then fully identified as per above.

Thirdly, Capt Ross searched for a photo of Private Zulu’s grave. This has now been found.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a photo of Private Zulu.

The only outstanding item now, is to get in touch with his family so that they can get the full story of Private Zulu’s murder 83 years ago and finally get closure.

General View of Graveyard at Tobruk

Private Zulu’s grave in Tobruk

J Zulu was attached to 2SAP. He was buried at Tobruk War Cemetery at grave H.12. The date of his death (murder) is 21/06/1942 which is the day Tobruk surrendered.

He was murdered by a German soldier in the presence of Sgt Johan Fölscher then of 1SAP.

Johan Fölscher is identical to:

1. Union Defence Force: No SAP 196859, “Act/Corp”^[1]; and
2. No 19549 (Mounted) Constable JCEP Fölscher No 53 District (Omaruru) SWA^[2].
3. The Military Medal (MM) awarded on 26 Jul 1945 for “bravery in the field” ^[3]. According to Danny King (Gallantry Awards of the South African Police 1913 – 1994), Sgt Fölscher die was awarded the medal for “gallant and distinguished service prior to, and during the battle of Tobruk^{[4] [5]}.
4. Sgt Fölscher’s nom de geure in Italy was Giovanni Rossi. He was well-known and a legend in Italy where he partook in various skirmishes ^[6] Apparently, he was later appointed as Sergeant in the UDF because there are various mentions of Sgt Fölscher’s. His nickname was “Ginger”.^[7]
5. Initially he was a POW in Camp 344^[8].
6. No. 196859 Sergeant Johann Christian Emanuel Petrus FOLSCHER, South African Forces, substitute No. 196859 Sergeant Johan Christian Emanuel Petrus FOLSCHER, South African Forces^[9].

Piet Zulu is identical to:

1. Private J Zulu N12401 (known as “Piet”), Native Military Corps S.A Forces, buried at Tobruk war cemetery at grave H.12. Date of his death (murder) is 21/06/1942 which is the day Tobruk surrendered.

Let hope we can one day find his family.

Lest we forget!

1. King 2000: 265 ↑
2. King 2000: 265 ↑
3. Huisamen & Fölscher 1987: 124 ↑
4. Vlug na Vryheid – J Huisamen en J Folsher, Perskor, 1987 ISBN: 0 628 03187 4 ↑
5. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37194/supplement/3858/data.pdf – Supplement to London Gazette ↑
6. Huisamen & Fölscher 1987: 62 ↑
7. Huisamen & Fölscher 1987: 104 ↑
8. King 2000: 283 ↑
9. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37331/supplement/5318/data.pdf – Supplement to London Gazette ↑