Molapo Armoured Regiment

Last updated

2 Anti Tank Regiment
Regiment Hendrik Potgieter
Regiment Mooirivier
Molapo Armour Regiment
SANDF Regiment Mooi River.jpg
SANDF Regiment Mooi River emblem
Active1941 to present
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Armoured Car Regiment
SizeOne Battalion
Part of
Garrison/HQ Potchefstroom
Motto(s)Semper Prorsum
Ever Forward [1] [2]
EquipmentEland 90, Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle
Insignia
Beret ColourBlack
Armour Squadron emblems SANDF Armour squadron emblems.jpg
Armour beret bar circa 1992 SANDF Armour beret bar.jpg
AbbreviationMAR

The Molapo Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army.

Contents

History

Origin

The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector of the Potchefstroom University, Professor Fanus du Plessis. [3]

During 1955 the regiment was converted to an armoured car regiment and renamed Regiment Hendrik Potgieter. In 1959 the Regiment was renamed Regiment Mooirivier. [2]

Under the SADF

This unit served in South Africa's various internal conflicts as well as during the South African Border War, including duty in South-West Africa and cross-border raids into Angola between 1975 and 1984. The regiment participated in Operations Askari, Modular, Hooper and Packer. The regiment was equipped with Eland 90s at that stage.

Divisional affiliation

Under the SANDF

82 Mechanised Brigade Division was disbanded, and Regiment Mooirivier was transferred to the new armoured 'type' formation, the South African Army Armoured Formation.

Current equipment

The Regiment currently uses the Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle, equipped with a 76 mm quick-fire gun.

Rooikat Armoured Car Rooikat Armoured Car.jpg
Rooikat Armoured Car

Name Change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. [4] Regiment Mooirivier became the Molapo Armoured Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia. [5]

Regimental Symbols

Previous dress insignia

SADF era Regiment Mooirivier insignia SADF era Regiment Mooirivier insignia ver 2.jpg
SADF era Regiment Mooirivier insignia

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelTo

{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=vacant|to-date=

FromActing Honorary ColonelTo
August 2018Colonel Rory Hollins MMMPresent
FromCommanding OfficerTo
April 1954Commandant J.S. du PlessisJanuary 1967
January 1967Commandant C.W.A. SteynMay 1971
May 1971Commandant C.H. HeenopMay 1979
December 1979Commandant S.G. GreylingDecember 1987
January 1988Lt Col. W.H. van ZylMarch 2001
May 2001Lt Col. T. du P SnymanMay 2005
May 2005Lt Col. B.J. de KlerkJanuary 2014
January 2014Lt Col. H.H-P.J. StarkSeptember 2017
September 2017Maj. S.J.B. BrooksJuly 2018
July 2018Lt Col. S.J.B. BrooksPresent
FromRegimental Sergeant MajorTo
April 1954WO1 P.F. SmitJuly 1966
July 1966WO1 S.W. van der MerweMarch 1993
April 1993WO1 W.J. WagnerPresent
January 2019WO1 U.K. KoaishePresent

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References

  1. www.saarmourassociation.co.za https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015521/http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/regiment-mooirivier.aspx. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. 1 2 "Fact File: Regiment Mooi Rivier". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. Tylden, Major G (1954). The Armed Forces of South Africa. Frank Connock Publication No 2. Johannesburg: City of Johannesburg Africana Museum.
  4. "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.