Carolina Commando

Carolina Commando
Carolina Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek Union of South Africa   Republic of South Africa   Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army   South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Carolina, South Africa
Motto(s)	Altyd Getrou (Always Loyal)
Battle honours	Modjadji 1890, Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, Mpefu 1898, South West Africa 1914-1915

Carolina Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army for the district of Carolina, South Africa. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origin

Previously a part of the Lydenburg Commando, Carolina Commando was formed around 1859.

Operations

With the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek

During the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek the first engagements of the Carolina Commando included: ^[1]

• Opposing the Jameson Raid in 1896, and
• The war against Mphephu (1897–1898).

The commando was involved in the following engagements in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902): ^[2]

• The Battle of Modderspruit (Lombard's Kop or Farquhar's Farm) on 24 October 1899. ^{[3] [4]}

• The Battle of Platrand on 6 January 1900. The Carolina Commando attacked Ladysmith to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Platrand.
• The Battle of Spioenkop on 23–24 January 1900 where the Commando formed part of the reserve. ^[5]
• The Carolina and Lydenburg Commandos defended Botha's Pass (on the road between Memel and Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal) on 6 June 1900.
• The Battle of Bergendal on 21–27 August 1900. ^[6]
• The remaining members laid down the arms at the farm Twyfelaar in June 1902.

With the Union Defence Force

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.

Union Defence Force (UDF) era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the South African Defence Force

Under the South African Defence Force (SADF), this Commando was seconded to Group 28's Command. It was utilised in the area protection role.

With the South African National Defence Force

Under the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) its Group 12 situated in Ermelo, Mpumalanga made use of the commandos at Carolina, Ermelo and Piet Retief for some borderline functions. ^[7]

Disbandment

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all of them. ^{[8] [9]} 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. ^[10]

Unit Insignia

South African Defence Force (SADF) era Carolina Commando insignia.

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
1895	Cmdt David Johannes Joubert (1849–1903)	c. nd
1898	Cmdt Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo (1861–1900)	c. nd
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To

References

1. Henry, Richard (30 June 2021). "Commandant Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo and his presentation sporting Mauser Rifle". ditsong.org.za. DITSONG: National Museum of Military History. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
2. MacLeod, Andrew John (2024). "Chapter V. Regional background to the guerrilla warfare". The psychological impact of guerilla warfare on the boer forces during the Anglo-Boer war (PhD thesis) (PDF). University of Pretoria. OCLC   956373548 . Retrieved 4 April 2024.
3. Wessels, André (2011). "Boer guerrilla and British counter-guerrilla operations in South Africa, 1899 to 1902" (PDF). Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies. 39 (2). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
4. Davitt, Michael (1902). "Chapter XIV - Battle Of Modderspruit". Boer Fight for Freedom. New York: Funk & Wagnall. OCLC   902103982.
5. Gillings, Ken (October 1999). "After the Siege: The British advance and Boer retreat through Natal, March to June 1900". Military History Journal. 11 (3/4). The South African Military History Society / Die Suid-Afrikaanse Krygshistoriese Vereniging. ISSN   0026-4016 . Retrieved 4 April 2024.
6. Jooste, Cecilia P. (22 August 2016). "The Battle of Bergendal 21 AUGUST 1900…". showme.co.za. ShowMe™ Community Websites. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
7. Hennop, Ettienne (August 2001). "SANDF Control of the Northern and Eastern Border Areas of South Africa, Occasional Paper No 52" (PDF). issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com. Institute for Security Studies. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
8. Col. L. B. van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". issafrica.org. Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
9. "About the Commando system". saps.gov.za. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
10. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 4 April 2024. Cape Town — Members of the defunct military commando system were unwilling to serve a black government and were hostile to democracy in South Africa, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has told Parliament. During the Defence Department budget debate on Teusday, he told MPs that former commando members were politically indoctrinated and supplied with weapons and training to spy on blacks in their areas, making this military structure wholly unsuited to the new South Africa.

See also

• South African Commando System

• South Africa portal