Midmar Commando
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Monkbot (talk | contribs) at 11:29, 1 January 2021 (Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 3 templates: hyphenate params (7×);). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.
| Midmar Commando | |
|---|---|
 Midmar Commando emblem | |
| Active | 1978- |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 9 |
| Garrison/HQ | Howick |
| Motto(s) | "Pro Aris et Focis" For Hearth and Home |
Midmar 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
[edit]Origin
[edit]Raised in 1978 at Howick after a decision was reached that Umkomaas Commando was responsible for too large an area. C and D companies of Umkomaas Commando then formed the nucleus of this new unit.
Operations
[edit]With the SADF
[edit]The units headquarters was situated in an old World War Two hospital on the outskirts of Howick.
A shoulder flash for the unit was designed representing the Midmar Dam wall and approved for use on 15 June 1982.
Colonel M.O. Norton was appointed as the units Honorary Colonel on 29 November 1986.
In October 1987, the Commando was mobilised to assist with humanitarian operations caused by heavy flooding in the Howick and surrounding areas as a result of heavy rains.
Midmar Commando was often deployed on operations to assist the South African Police during internal unrest.
With the SANDF
[edit]Disbandment
[edit]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
[edit]
Leadership
[edit]- Cmdt M.O. Norton 1979-1981
- Cmdt A.M. Bosworth-Smith 1981-1984
- Cmdt I.H.W Rottcher 1984-1986
- Maj J.B. Weston 1986-1987
- Lt Col J.H. Hughes 1987-
References
[edit]- ^ 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) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
[edit]
South African Commandos | |
|---|---|
| Group 1 (HQ Kelvin) | |
| Group 2 (HQ Oudtshoorn) |
|
| Group 3 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 4 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 5 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 6 (HQ Port Elizabeth) | |
| Group 7 (HQ Grahamstown) |
|
| Group 8 (HQ East London) | |
| Group 9 (HQ Pietermaritzburg) |
|
| Group 10 (HQ Montclair, Durban) | |
| Group 11 (HQ Dundee) | |
| Group 12 (HQ Ermelo) | |
| Group 13 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 14 (HQ Pietersburg) |
|
| Group 15 (HQ Thaba Tshwane) | |
| Group 16 (HQ Marievale) |
|
| Group 17 (HQ Midvaal) | |
| Group 18 (HQ Doornkop) | |
| Group 19 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 20 (HQ Mmabatho) | |
| Group 21 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 22 (HQ Diskobolos) | |
| Group 23 (HQ Upington) | |
| Group 24 (HQ Kroonstad) | |
| Group 25 (HQ Bethlehem) | |
| Group 26 (HQ, Jacobsdal) | |
| Group 27 (HQ Eshowe) | |
| Group 28 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 29 (collapsed into other groups) | |
| Group 30 (HQ Potchefstroom) | |
| Group 31 (HQ Wellington) | |
| Group 32 (HQ Graaff-Reinet) | |
| Group 33 (HQ Nelspruit) | |
| Group 34 (HQ Welkom) | |
| Group 35 (HQ Bloemfontein) | |
| Group 36 (HQ Tempe/Ladybrand) |
|
| Group 39 (HQ Queenstown) | |
| Group 40 (HQ Wingsfield) | |
| Group 41 (HQ Primrose) | |
| Group 42 (HQ Lenz) |
|
| Group 46 (HQ Umtata) |
|
| Walvis Bay Military Area | |
 | This South African military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |