4 South African Infantry Battalion

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4 South African Infantry Battalion
SADF 4 SAI badge clean.jpg
4 SAI emblem
Active1 January 1962 to present
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
BranchFlag of the South African Army.svg  South African Army
TypeMotorised infantry
Part of South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ Middelburg, Mpumalanga
Engagements South African Border War
Commanders
OC 1989 -1990Commandant Izan Leibrand
Insignia
Company level insignia SA Army Company Insignia.png
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar SA motorised infantary beret bar.jpg
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar

4 South African Infantry Battalion (also known as 4 SAI) is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

History

Pretoria Origins

4 SAI was established on 1 January 1962, at Voortrekkerhoogte in Pretoria, but within a month was moved to Middelburg, South Africa. [4]

First troops began training in April 1962 and became an operational motorised unit in 1969. [4]

From motorised to mechanised Infantry

By 1976 infantry operations transformed drastically when the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was introduced for the first time and in November the first Ratel course was presented at 1 SAI. In 1982, 4 SAI converted to a mechanised infantry battalion mainly consisting of Ratel-20 IFVs.

SADF 4 SAI Ratels were known for their conspicuous red call sign markings SADF 4 SAI Ratel.jpg
SADF 4 SAI Ratels were known for their conspicuous red call sign markings

Similar to 1 SAI, 4 SAI's mechanised leaders followed the same training route all students attended the course until the Section Leaders Phase had been completed. Section Leaders were then awarded their Lance Corporal stripes and then placed with regular rifle companies. The rest of the future NCOs also received their stripes and future Officers received their white Candidate Officer's tabs. These students were then evaluated and split into the Mechanised Platoon Commanders Course and Specialist Instructors Course. These platoon commanders were destined to either become future leaders of 8 SAIs rifle companies or instructors at the Training Wing, while the Specialist Instructors would become Officers and NCO's responsible for training of Ratel gunners and drivers.

SADF era 4 SAI Mechanised Leader Brassards 1980s SADF era 4 SAI Mechanised Leader Brassards 1980s.png
SADF era 4 SAI Mechanised Leader Brassards 1980s

Operations in Border War

4 SAI took part in many external operations during the South African border war such as:

For these operations, 4 SAI became a detached unit supplying mechanised infantry to 62 Mechanised Battalion Group. An artillery battery of G5 howitzers, a Ratel-90 armoured car squadron and a [4] in some operations, an Oilfant tank squadron was also temporarily attached to the battalion. [4]

SADF 4 SAI medallion SADF 4 SAI medalion.jpg
SADF 4 SAI medallion
SADF era 4 SAI Commemorative Letter SADF era 4 SAI Commemorative Letter.png
SADF era 4 SAI Commemorative Letter
SADF Operation Hooper participation bar SADF Operation Hooper participation bar.png
SADF Operation Hooper participation bar

Operations in South Africa

4 SAI also supported the signing of the Nkomati accord between South Africa and Mozambique in March 1984 and took part in Exercise Thunder Chariot in September of that year. The exercise was, at the time, billed as the largest mobilisation of South African forces since World War II.

Reverting to motorised infantry

4 SAI reverted to a motorised infantry unit after 1994.

SANDF's Motorised Infantry

SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised Infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelTo
FromOfficer CommandingTo
1988Col Cassie Schoemanc.1989
1989Col Izan Leibrandtc.1992
2008Lt Col Thamsanqa Patrick Gosanic.2010
2010Lt Col Willie Lancelot Madikotoc.nd
2017Lt Col Andries Matlailac.nd
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo
1987WO1 w. Wiese1989
1989WO1 D. De Wetnd
1995WO1 De Morney1999

Insignia

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era 4 SAI insignia SADF era 4 SAI insignia ver 3.jpg
SADF era 4 SAI insignia

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg
SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Buchan, Colonel John (15 August 2014). The History Of The South African Forces In France [Illustrated Edition]. Pickle Partners Publishing. ISBN   978-1-78289-376-9.
  2. Nortje, Piet (2003). 32 Battalion: The Inside Story of South Africa's Elite Fighting Unit. Zebra Press. ISBN   978-1-86872-670-7.
  3. "Fact file: 4 SA Infantry Battalion". defenceWeb. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fact file: 4 SA Infantry Battalion". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2 March 2014.