Senekal Commando

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Senekal Commando
SADF era Senekal Commando emblem.jpg
Senekal Commando emblem
Active1900 - 2003
DisbandedMarch 14, 2003(21 years ago) (2003-03-14)
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 36
Garrison/HQ Senekal

Senekal Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation and the South African Territorial Reserve.

Contents

History

Origin

This unit started as a subunit of the Winburg Commando around 1900.

Operations

With the Orange Free State Republic

After the battle of Paardekraal, the Senekal Commando joined up with General de Wet. On 4 April 1900, they defeated a British column near Mostertshoek. This was followed by a siege of Brabant`s Horse at Jammersberg.

The last major battle was at Biddulphsberg on 29 May 1900, when this commando took positions in the mountains between Senekal and Ficksburg.

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 controlled by the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab.jpg
UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

Under the SADF

In this era, the commando was utilised primarily for area force protection.

This unit fell under the command of Group 36.

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

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
FromCommanding OfficersTo
1900Commandant A.I. de Villiersnd
1901Commandant S.G. Vilonelnd
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo

See also

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References

  1. Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "About the Commando system" . Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.