Bambatha Rifles

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Bambatha Rifles
Witwatersrand Rifles
Wits Rifles Insignia.jpg
SANDF Witwatersrand Rifles emblem
Active1 May 1903–present
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleMechanised infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part of South African Infantry Formation
Army Reserve
Garrison/HQ Germiston
Motto(s)Pro Deo et Patria (Latin)
(For God and Country)
MarchWithin a mile O' Edinburgh town
Anniversaries1 May 1903
(Regimental Day)
Commanders
Colonel of the RegimentCol. (Hon) J.L. Job, SM MMM JCD
Insignia
Company level Insignia SA Army Company Insignia.png
SA Mechanised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 SA mechanised infantry beret bar circa 1992.jpg
SA mechanised infantry beret bar circa 1992
AbbreviationBR

The Bambatha Rifles (formerly the Witwatersrand Rifles) is a reserve mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army.

Contents

History

Origin

The Witwatersrand Rifles (often familiarly known as the "Wits Rifles or the Wit Rifles") was formed by proclamation on 1 May 1903 and absorbed the members of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles, both of which had fought on the British side during the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902.

As befitted a regiment based from the gold-rich Witwatersrand region, it had a very close relationship with the mining establishment of the time; and its cap badge further emphasised this link.

Bambatha Rebellion

The regiment first saw action during the Bambata Rebellion of 1906, when it deployed a contingent to (the then) Zululand.

Absorption of the Transvaal Light Infantry

Transvaal Light Infantry insignia Transvaal Light Infantry insignia.jpg
Transvaal Light Infantry insignia

In 1907 the regiment was further strengthened when it absorbed the Transvaal Light Infantry Regiment.

World War 1

The regiment was mobilised again when World War I broke out.

German South West Africa

The first action that it took part in was the South African invasion of German South-West Africa (now Namibia).

After the successful conclusion of this campaign, virtually all members volunteered for overseas service.

Western Front

Most of the volunteers were consequently assigned to the 3rd South African Infantry Battalion. (Due to the South African military law of the time, soldiers could not be forced to serve overseas, nor could existing military units be deployed there.) The most well-known action that this unit took part in was the Battle of Delville Wood in the Somme.

East Africa

Other members of the regiment served in the Witwatersrand Rifles company of 7th Infantry ACF, which served in German East Africa against the forces of General von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Rand Revolt

The inter-war years saw the regiment deployed during the 1922 Rand Revolt, when rebellious South African Communist Party miners attempted to overthrow the government of General Jan Smuts.

In the early 1930s the regiment affiliated with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment of the British Army. As a consequence, the Witwatersrand Rifles adopted the uniform and many of the traditions of this Scottish Lowland regiment. Despite the Cameronians' disbandment in 1968, the Wits Rifles still continues this heritage today.

World War 2

As a result of the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the regiment was expanded to two battalions. However, due to the battalions being used to supply replacements in a piecemeal fashion to depleted South African units taking part in the North African campaign, the Witwatersrand Rifles was only deployed as a coherent unit (to Egypt) in 1943.

During its service in North Africa, the Witwatersrand Rifles was amalgamated with Regiment de la Rey. This combined regiment, was nicknamed the "Royal Boere" and saw extensive action in Italy as part of the South African 6th Armoured Division, particularly at Monte Caprara and Monte Stanco.

Border War

From 1970 until the first all-race democratic elections in 1994, the regiment saw action in the South African Border War in South-West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola as well as on the South Africa/Botswana border and in South African townships.

Post 1994

When conscription ended in 1993, the regiment began an active recruitment drive to maintain reserve troop strength. During South Africa's second democratic election in 1999, the regiment deployed 180 volunteers in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Late in its history the Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment attracted volunteers for regular part-time training.

Scottish tradition

To maintain its Scottish links, the regiment had formed alliances with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the King's Own Scottish Borderers (now amalgamated into the Royal Scots Borderers). Up to the disbandment and name change, members of the regiment continued to maintain their traditional Scottish Lowland uniforms and traditions and uphold very high standards of discipline and effective military training.

The regiment also had an active pipe band as well as one of the top shooting teams in the country and was ably supported by a Regimental Council, a very active Regimental Association and a Ladies Committee up to the point of the renaming process.

Peacekeeping

The Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment provided troops for internal operations in support of the South African Police Service and on the border (as part of Operation Corona) as well as for United Nations peacekeeping operations in the DRC and the Sudan. [1]

Name Change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. [2] The Witwatersrand Rifles became the Bambatha Rifles, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia. [3]

Freedom of Entry

The Regiment holds the Freedom of the Cities of Johannesburg and Germiston as well as the town of Barberton.

Commanding officers

Colonel-in-Chief

(This Honorary post officially fell away in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became a Republic)

Railway Pioneer Regiment

Witwatersand Rifles

1st Battalion

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelTo
1908Col. Sir, L. Phillips – Bart1937
1909Col. R.W. Schumacher – Ffennel1923
1937Col. J.G. Hamilton1971
1937Col.The Hon. C.F. Stallard 1971
1972Brig. J.B. Bester1985
1985Lt Gen. W.R. Van Der Riet 1988
1989Maj Gen. W.N.A. Barends2002
2002Col. (Dr.) J.L. Job2019
FromOfficer CommandingTo
1903Lt Col. J.G. Hamiltonc.1905
1906Lt Col. T.J. Macfarlanec.1908
1908Lt Col. R.W. Schumacher – Ffennellc.1909
1909Lt Col. C.B. Sanerc.1912
1912Lt Col. J.W. Smythc.1919
1919Lt Col. S.B. Schlamc.1923
1923Lt Col. R. Dukoff – Gordonc.1928
1928Lt Col. W.C.M. Howarthc.1931
1931Lt Col. W. Crewe – Brownc.1936
1936Lt Col. L.F. Sprengerc.1939
1939Lt Col. W. Jamesc.1942
1942Lt Col. H.C. Sumnerc.1943
1943Lt Col. J.B. Besterc.1945
1945Lt Col. W.R. Van Der Riet c.1946
1946Lt Col. G.M. St.L. Dainesc.1951
1951Cmdt. C.J.R. Nichollsc.1956
1956Cmdt. E.C. Harrisc.1962
1962Cmdt. C.L. Pittc.1965
1965Cmdt. R.C. Gradigec.1968
1968Cmdt. C.J. Derby–Lewis c.1973
1973Cmdt. D.C. Fletcherc.1981
1981Cmdt. (Dr.) J.L. Jobc.1986
1986Cmdt. A.E. Dixon – Seagerc.1989
1989Lt Col. K.J. Townsendc.1997
1997Lt Col. E.L. Carton – Barberc.2002
2002Lt Col. C.E. Caseyc.2005
2005Lt Col. M.F. Robbertsc.2007
2007Lt Col. J.C.L. Valentinec.2013
2013Lt Col. L.H. Malakoanec.2014
2014Lt Col. S.G. Mooketsic.2015
2015Maj. A.M. Mosehlanac.2016
2016Lt. Col. G. Mazibukoc.2019
FromRegimental Sergeant MajorTo
1903Unknown1910
1910WO1. G. Eliot1914
1914WO1. G.H. Forsyth (Later Capt.)1915
1915WO1. W.K. Lawson1916
1916WO1. W.R. Watson1917
1917WO1. D. Smith1918
1918Unknown1932
1932WO1. J. Suttie1940
1940WO1. E. Owen1943
1943WO1. C.H.C. Wheeler (KIA)1944
1944WO1. C.W.B. Walsh1946
1946WO1. R.W. Thorpe, JCD1961
1961WO1. A.J. Norton1963
1963WO1. R.W. Thorpe, JCD1968
1968WO1. D. Morton1971
1971WO1. J.M. Bruigom, PMM, JCD1981
1981WO1. M. Bonette, JCD1988
1988WO1. A.E. van den Berg, JCD1992
1992WO1. D.J. Vosloo, JCD1997
1997SWO. D. Williams, JCD2006
2006SWO. M.M. Motlohi2019

2nd Battalion

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelTo
FromOfficer CommandingTo
1940Lt Col. W.A.D. Cherringtonc.1941
FromRegimental Sergeant MajorTo
c.1940WO1. W. Watsonc.1941

Regimental Symbols

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era Witwatersrand Rifles insignia SADF era Witwatersrand Rifles insignia.jpg
SADF era Witwatersrand Rifles insignia

Current Dress Insignia

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

Honours and Affiliations

Battle honours

As a Rifle regiment, the Witwatersrand Rifles did not carry colours. Instead the honours banner was displayed on the pipes of the Pipe Major. The Witwatersrand Rifles had the following battle honours:

South West Africa 1914–1915

Italy 1944–45, Cassino II, Allerona, Florence, Monte Querciabella, Monte Fili, The Greve, Gothic Line, Monte Stanco, Monte Salvaro, Sole/Caprara, Po Valley, Campo Santo Bridge

Battle Honours
Awarded to Witwatersrand Rifles
South West Africa 1914-1915 Embroidered.png
Italy 1944-45 Embroidered.png
Casino II Embroidered.png
Allerona Embroidered.png
Florence Embroidered.png
Monte Querciabella Embroidered.png
Monte Fili Embroidered.png
The Greve Embroidered.png
Gothic Line Embroidered.png
Monte Stanco Embroidered.png
Monte Salvaro Embroidered.png
Sole-Caprara Embroidered.png
Po Valley Embroidered.png
Campo Santo Bridge Embroidered.png

Sister Regiments

Alliances

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References

  1. "WITWATERSRAND RIFLES" (PDF). rfdiv.mil.za. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.