11 Commando (South African)

Last updated

11 Commando
SADF 11 Commando emblem.jpg
11 Commando emblem
ActiveNovember 1973 (1973-11)–2003 (2003)
Disbanded2003
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeArtillery
SizeRegiment
Part of South African Army Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ Kimberley
Motto(s)Per Gladium (The Sword)

11 Commando was an infantry training battalion of the South African Army Infantry Formation Corps.

Contents

Origin

11 Commando was formed at Kimberly around November 1973. The majority of the Danie Theron Combat School training/recruit wing staff were transferred to this unit.

The majority of the recruits were area bound farmers, business owners, or essentials services).

These recruits were to be allocated to regional commandos after their initial training. [1]

Relationship with Intelligence

When 11 Commando closed down, the Intelligence School took control of the facility and continued to use 11 Commando's insignia. [2]

In September 1982, SA Intelligence School took over from 11 Commando. The unit flash with the red Chief of Army Higher Formation bar was introduced thereafter. In December 1988, SA Intelligence School moved to Potchefstroom. From January 1989, the C Army reporting line was changed to the regional command reporting structure, so the school fell under North West Command from 1989 until the SADF was replaced by the SANDF in 1994, after which the regional command system fell away and was replaced by a new Army structure based on formations.

Commanding Officers

Insignia

11 Commando retained the standard commando beret badge

SADF era 11 Commando insignia SADF era 11 Commando insignia.jpg
SADF era 11 Commando insignia

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Army</span> Branch of the South African National Defence Force

The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. The Army is commanded by the Chief of the Army, who is subordinate to the Chief of the SANDF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Special Forces</span> Military forces of the Republic of South Africa

The South African Special Forces Brigade, colloquially known as the Recces, is South Africa's principal special operations unit, specialising in various types of operations, including counter-insurgency, long-range-reconnaissance, unconventional-warfare, special operations, hostage-rescue, and direct-action operations. The brigade operates with two active-duty groups, with 4 Special Forces Regiment focusing on maritime operations, and 5 Special Forces Regiment focusing on land and airborne operations. Only about 8% of recruits who undergo South African special forces training pass the course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South West Africa Territorial Force</span> Military unit

The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and comprised the armed forces of South West Africa from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's political control of the territory which was granted to the former as a League of Nations mandate following World War I.

Operation Sceptic was the largest anti-South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) sweep during the South African Border War up to that point. The operation was also known as Smokeshell though this was the codename for the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) base which was the main focus of the attack. This operation followed Operation Safraan and preceded Operation Klipklop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lohatla</span>

Lohatla is a training area of the South African National Defence Force. It is located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and is home to the SA Army Combat Training Centre, which is part of the South African Army Training Formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 South African Infantry Battalion</span> Military unit

3 South African Infantry Battalion is the Basic training unit of the South African Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8 South African Infantry Battalion</span> Military unit

8 South African Infantry Battalion is a mechanized infantry unit of the South African Army. The battalion is equipped with Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) used for fast transport and combat mobility across rough ground. Support weapons for mechanized infantry are also provided with motorized transport, or are built directly into these IFVs, in order to keep pace with the IFVs in combat. The battalion was raised at Upington in the Northern Cape in 1973 as part of the South African Infantry Corps, and since the change in structure, has been assigned to the Infantry Formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast Commando</span> Military unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethal Commando</span> Military unit

Bethal 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloemhof Commando</span> Military unit

Bloemhof 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De Mist Commando</span> Military unit

De Mist 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thabazimbi Commando</span> Military unit

Thabazimbi 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krugersdorp Commando</span> Military unit

Krugersdorp Commando or Kommando was a light infantry regiment from Krugersdorp district of the South African Army. It was active as a part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladybrand Commando</span> Military unit

Ladybrand Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army from Ladybrand, Orange Free State. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mafikeng Commando</span> Military unit

Mafikeng 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11 SAI</span> South African Army motorised infantry unit

11 South African Infantry Battalion was a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army. Infantry men are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot, historically this infantry has provided the most among of casualties during war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">15 Reception Depot</span> Military unit

15 Reception Depot was an administrative unit of the Personnel Service Corps of the South African Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stormberg Commando</span> Military unit

Stormberg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danie Theron Combat School</span> Military unit

Danie Theron Combat School was a light infantry training regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South West Africa Command</span> Military unit

South West Africa Command was a command of the South African Army.

References

  1. "South African Commandos". www.warinangola.com. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  2. "SADF.info". sadf.info. Retrieved 15 October 2021.

See also