Belfast Commando

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Belfast Commando
SADF era Belfast Commando emblem.jpg
Belfast Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
  • South African Republic
  • South Africa Flag 1910-1912.svg Union of South Africa
  •  Republic of South Africa
  •  Republic of South Africa
Branch
  •  South African Army
  •  South African Army
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 28
Garrison/HQBelfast, 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.

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 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

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 resorted under 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

Leadership[]

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

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[]

  • South African Commando System


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