Tribute to Brig Gen F.M. Hurter SM MMM

Brig Gen F.M. Hurter (Rtd) SM MMM

Major F.M. Hurter

On 24 May 2021, Felix Marius Hurter answered the sunset call!

What a great leader, soldier, comrade, and friend!

Still today I recall how Felix came running and carrying the injured Dave Wessels (HC) in his arms during Operation Savannah. Dave was hit by an enemy small caliber arms fire while he was trying to secure an enemy vehicle. Felix went in and carried Dave to safety where he was given medical support while waiting for a casevac. This was a display of sheer power because Felix had to carry Dave uphill from the river to a place of safety.

Hy het die bynaam “Baksteen” gedra omdat hy so sterk was en altyd  op krag gekonsentreer het. So onthou ek hoe hy sy seun Marius (en latere Springbok rugbyspeler) bokant sy enkels vasgehou en oor ‘’n visdammetjie voor Medium Battery se lyne, opgelig het. As Marius sou  knipmes, sou hy in die water gewees het. Marius was later in trane maar hy moes sy rug reguit en styf hou. Dit was Felix.

Military career

  • Born 28th June 1942 in Port Elizabeth.
  • Join SA Artillery – 10 Field Battery as a national serviceman on 04th Jan 1962 and completed his National Service at 143 Battery in Sept 1962 and was commissioned as an Assistant Field Cornet.
  • He studied at the SA Military Academy from 1963 and obtained a Bachelor of Military Science degree from Stellenbosch University in 1965. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in Jan 1965.
  • Lt Hurter was posted to 14 Field Regiment, Bethlehem as an OPO in Dec 1965. He successfully completed the military parachutist course.
  • Adjutant to Cmdt Jack Hawtayne at 4 Field Training Regiment in 1967. He was promoted to the rank of captain in Jan 1968.
  • Capt Hurter served as Army Air Liaison Officer, Army HQ from 1968-1969.
  • Battery Commander 1 Medium Battery, 4 Field Regiment during Jan-Dec 1970.
  • He was promoted to the rank of major on 1 Jan 1971. Chief Instructor National Services at the School of Artillery in Jan 1971-Dec 1973.
  • Maj Hurter completed the 3rd South African Long Gunnery Course from the 5 Jun-15 Dec 1972.
  • Maj Hurter was Chief Instructor Regimental Training Wing in 1974.
  • Maj Hurter completed the 43rd SA Army Senior Command and Staff Duties Course from 5 Jul 1974-28 Mar 1975.
  • Member of the Controlling Staff, SA Army College in 1975-1977. In the operational theatre, he was the Commander of the 88mm and 140mm guns Field Battery of Combat Group Alpha in Operation Savannah 1975.
  • He was promoted to the rank of commandant on 1 Jan 1978. First Artillery Branch Commander, Army Battle School in Jan 1978-Dec 1979.
  • OC 14 Field Regiment from 7 Jan 1980-3 Jan 1982.
  • He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on 1 Jan 1982. Courses Branch Commander in Lohatla during Jan 1982-Dec 1983.
  • Second in Command of the Army Battle School from Jan 1984-Dec 1985
  • Col Hurter completed the 16th SADF Joint Staff Course in 1985.
  • OC 10 Artillery Brigade from 12 Jan-31 Dec 1986.
  • Chief of Staff, North-Western Command in Jan-Dec 1987.
  • He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier on 1 Jan 1988. Chief of Staff Eastern Transvaal Command from 1988-1992
  • Brig Hurter completed the Special Joint Staff Course 18/92.
  • OC 8 SA Division in Durban from Jan-Dec 1993.
  • He participated in the negotiations in Jan 1994 and was involved in the negotiations for the
  • integration into the new SANDF, heading a team tasked to establish Wallmansthall Military Assembly Area.
  • In Oct 1994, he went on early retirement at age of 52.
  • Brig Felix Hurter was awarded the Southern Cross Medal (SM), Military Merit Medal (MMM), Pro Patria with the Cunene Clasp, Southern Africa Medal, General Service Medal, Unitas, Good Service Medal in Gold, Good Service Medal in Silver and Good Service Medal in Bronze.

Hy het ’n breë algemene kennis gehad en kon onderhoudend oor feitlik enige aspek gesels. Kon mens in fynste detail vertel van ‘’n aspek van belang. So vertel hy my van sy oogoperasie en hoe die oogarts ‘’n operasie gaan doen in duisendstes van millimeters. Ek moes verstaan hoe delikaat die operasie sou wees.

Brig Gen F.M. Hurter in conversation with Maj Gen K. Laubscher.
Brig Gen F.M. Hurter always with a huge smile on his face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meestal was Felix ’n baie joviale en aangename mens. Wanneer hy egter omgekrap geraak het, het hy  nie-verbaal gekommunikeer.  Net vir jou gewys; jy moes interpreteer en uitvoer.

Liefde vir gholf was aansteeklik. Hy was vir baie jare ‘’n ywerige gholf speler

Hy always asked questions. He would call you to his office with a mathematics problem written on the whiteboard. Obviously, he had the answer but he wanted to check whether you knew the answer.

His outstanding personality traits would be the following:

  • His integrity;
  • His sense of fairness;
  • His curiosity.
  • Trustworthiness
  • Respectful towards all people. Therefore people respected him.
  • Highly organized person.
  • Positive attitude towards life.

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Tribute by

Col S.J. Myburgh (Rtd) MMM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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