Nick Bierman

Jacobus Nicolaas "Nick" Bierman SSA SM CBE
File:Nick Bierman.jpg
Born	(1910-02-13)13 February 1910
Died	8 June 1977(1977-06-08) (aged 67)
Place of birth	Potchefstroom
Place of death	Potchefstroom
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1934-1967
Rank	Lieutenant General
Service number	105970V
Commands held	Army Chief of Staff Inspector-General General Officer Commanding Joint Combat Forces
Awards	Star of South Africa Southern Cross Medal Commander of the Order of the British Empire Bronze Star

Lieutenant-General Jacobus Nicolaas "Nick" Bierman SSA SM CBE (1910 – 1977) was a South African military commander. He played one Rugby Test Match for the Springbok team in 1931

Military career

He joined the South African Army in 1934. During World War II he served in North Africa, and was commanded the artillery of the South African 6th Armoured Division in Italy. He served as Army Chief of Staff from 1958 to 1959, as Inspector-General from 1959 to 1960, as Director of Planning and Operations from 1960 to 1965, and as General Officer Commanding Joint Combat Forces (GOCJCF), co-ordinating Army and Air Force operations and training, from 1965 to 1967. As GOCJCF, he was the third-highest-ranking officer in the South African Defence Force's Supreme Command.

Awards and Decorations

In 1945 then Brigadier Bierman was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The notice in the London Gazette reads as follows:

The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy:
To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
Brigadier (temporary) Jacobus Nicolas Bierman (105970V), South African Forces.

He was also awarded the Bronze Star

See also

• List of South African military chiefs
• South African Army
• South African National Defence Force