121 South African Infantry Battalion
| 121 South African Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Army |
| Type | Motorised infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Engagements | South African Border War |
| Commanders | |
| OC 1981 | Major E Pretorius |
| OC 1982 -1984 | Commandant J Quinn |
| OC 1984 -1989 | Commandant J. Lotheringham |
| OC 1990 -1992 | Commandant P. Smythe |
| Insignia | |
| Company level Inisgnia |  |
121 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
History
A decision was made around 1979 to develop a Zulu speaking infantry battalion. [1]On 20 January men who had reported for duty at the Josini Base were sent to 21 Battalion in Lenz near Johannesburg where 79 complete training.
On 23 April 1979, 121 Battalion was established and allocated lines near a old Water Affairs compound at Jozini. [2] By 1980 a platoon of 121 Battalion was despatched for duty in South West Africa.
By 1981 121 Battalion was relocated to a new base at Dukuduku where the leopard head was adopted as the beret badge. 121 Battalion received its national colours in 1989.
Freedom of the city was issued to 121 Battalion by:
- Umhlanga in 1989 and
- Mtubatuba in 1994
SANDF's Motorised Infantry
SANDF’s Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC’s or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20,50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are 2x4 and 4x6 drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.
Insignia
Previous Dress Insignia
-
121 Infantry beret badge -
121 Infantry Nutria shoulder flash with Natal Command Bar -
121 Infantry Suitable belt
Current Dress Insignia
-
SANDF Infantry wide shoulder flash
References
- ^ Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Afrca, 33, University of California Press, Berkley. ISBN 0-520-04710-9 AACR2
- ^ http://www.32battalion.info/the_terrible_ones_004.htm
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