Krugersdorp Commando

Krugersdorp Commando
Krugersdorp Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	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 South African Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Krugersdorp
Engagements	Second Boer War

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

Unit history[]

Origin[]

The Krugersdorp Commando, was formed in 1898.

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek[]

War against the Magato and Mpefu[]

Anglo Boer War[]

During the Anglo Boer War, this commando was involved in the following engagements:

• rearguard for Dundee
• Battle of Elandslaagte
• Battle of Modderspruit
• Battle of Colenso capturing General Buller's artillery
• Battle for Pietershoogte

During the guerilla phase of the war in the Western Transvaal, this commando was also involved in:

• Battle of Vlakfontein
• Battle of Moedswil
• Battle of Driefontein
• Battle of Yzerspruit
• Battle of Tweebosch
• Battle of Boschbult and
• Battle of Roodewal

The battle of Nooitgedacht in the Krugersdorp area could have been a complete route had the Boers not stopped to plunder the British camp.^[1]

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 this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 17.

With the SANDF[]

Disbandment[]

Krugersdorp Commando along with all other Commando units was disbanded in the 1990s after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all existing Commando Units.^[2][3] 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.^[4]

Unit Insignia[]

Leadership[]

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonels	To
XXX	XXX	XXX
From	Commanding Officers	To
1989	Lt Col Charles Betts (MBE)	2003
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To
XXX	XXX MMM JCD	XXX

See also[]

• South African Commando System

References[]