Belfast Commando

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Belfast Commando
SADF era Belfast Commando emblem.jpg
Belfast Commando emblem
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 28
Garrison/HQ Belfast, South Africa

Belfast Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Contents

History

Origin

This commando was established on the farm Tweefontein near Belfast in the Eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga) in 1890. It was named after the capital city of Northern Ireland.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

This commandos registered battle honours[ according to whom? ] include:

  • Sekoekoei in 1876,
  • Eerste Vryheids Oorlog of 1880–81,
  • Modjadji of 1890,
  • Maguba of 1895,
  • Mpefu of 1898,
  • Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902

Battle Honours

Battle Honours
Awarded to Belfast Commando[ citation needed ]
Unknown: Sekoekoei_1876

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Unknown: Eerste_Vryheids_Oorlog_1880_81

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Unknown: Modjadji_1890

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Unknown: Maguba_1895

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Unknown: Mpefu_1898

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

Unknown: Anglo_Boer_War_1899_1902

Please see the Template:BattleHonour for help

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the SADF

During the SADF period, this commando was responsible for area protection and fell under the command of Group 28 at Middleburg, part of Eastern Transvaal Command.

With the SANDF

Disbandment

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units. [1] [2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula. [3]

Unit Insignia

This units first emblem was the crowned crane. The shoulder flash displayed was authorised in 1980.

SADF era Belfast Commando insignia SADF era Belfast Commando insignia.jpg
SADF era Belfast Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
FromCommanding OfficerTo
FromRegimental Sergeant MajorTo

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References

  1. Col L B van Stade (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  2. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also