61 Mechanised Battalion Group
| 61 Mechanised Battalion Group | |
|---|---|
 SADF 61 Mechanised unit emblem | |
| Active | 1978 – 2005 |
| Disbanded | 2005 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Army |
| Type | Mechanised Battle Group |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps |
| Nickname(s) | 61 Mech |
| Equipment |
|
| Engagements | South African Border War |
61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.
History
The Battalion Group was formed in 1978 as Battle Group Juliet in South-West Africa as a force to prevent attacks on the region from SWAPO forces in southern Angola. The Battle Group first saw action in Operation Reindeer in early May 1978. In January 1979, the battle group was renamed 61 Mechanised Infantry and became part of the regular order of battle. The unit served for over a decade in the territory fighting both a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation, as well as taking part in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces, before South-West Africa achieved independence as Namibia.
Organisation
61 Mech Inf was organised with:
- three infantry companies, which were equipped with the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle,
- an armoured car squadron initially equipped with Eland Armoured Cars and later the Rooikat Armoured Fighting Vehicle,
- a support company consisting of an anti-tank platoon,
- a mortar platoon,
- an anti-aircraft troop and
- an artillery battery equipped with the G5 howitzer.
Firepower was further augmented by the addition of the self-propelled version (G-6 Rhino). In 1988 61 Mech also received the first combat-deployed squadron of Olifant MBTs, to counter the ever-escalating FAPLA tank threat
61 Mech was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit, due to its versatility.
Insignia
Ops Badge
The unit awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties.[1]: 14 The initial version of this had a yellow backing and was awarded only for cross border operations into Angola.[1]: 14 A subsequent version with a green backing was introduced which was for internal duties. The badge consists of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown's) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching.
-
Operational Participation Bar -
Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (Old Style) -
Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (New Style)
Companies
Each company or element in the Battalion (group) had its own flag and identifying badge.
-
HQ Company -
Alpha Company - Infantry -
Bravo Company - Infantry -
61 Mech Charlie Squadron - Armour -
61 Mech Sierra Battery - Artillery
Disbandment
The unit was disbanded and its infantry elements merged into 8 South African Infantry Battalion at Upington after moving from Lohatla. Other components (armour and artillery) were merged into other existing regular forces in the respective corps.
Roll of Honour
- 1984: Badenhorst,J.J., Gnr [2]: 38
- 1980: Bonnet,P.J., Pte [2]: 1756
- 1996: Claasen,N.J., Rfn [2]: 34733
- 1981: Coetzee,S.F., CO [2]: 2090 [a]
- 1982: Croeser,D.P., Rfn [2]: 267 [a]
- 1980: Cronje,S.M., Rfn [2]: 1775 [a]
- 1987: De Jager,F., Tpr [2]: 304 [a]
- 1980: de Vito,R.N., Rfn [2]: 1778 [a]
- 1982: Du Toit,J.D.G., Rfn [2]: 398 [a]
- 1980: Du Toit,J.J., Lt [2]: 1699 [a]
- 1995: Du Toit,J., Lt [2]: 34731
- 1980: Evans,D.J., L-Cpl [2]: 1734
- 1980: Fourie,J.H., Rfn [2]: 1783 [a]
- 1989: Gache,R.A., Rfn [2]: 483
- 1988: Groenewald,A.S., Rfn [2]: 535 [a]
- 1988: Groenewald,P.H., Rfn [2]: 538 [a]
- 1981: Hall,P., Rfn [2]: 34728
- 1982: Hattingh,G.P.C., Rfn [2]: 560
- 1988: Hendricks,C., Bom [2]: 578 [a]
- 1987: Hind,A.H., 2Lt [2]: 588 [a]
- 1982: Hough,L.P., Rfn [2]: 602 [a]
- 1988: Jagga,R.V., L-Cpl [2]: 628 [a]
- 1980: Joubert,P.J., Rfn [2]: 1795 [a]
- 1980: Joubert,J.J., Wrn [2]: 1758
- 1980: Kemp,G.J., Rfn [2]: 1799 [a]
- 1988: Kleynhans,J.H., Cpl [2]: 707 [a]
- 1988: Koen,P.G.L., 2Lt [2]: 721
- 1981: Kotze,J.J., Wrn [2]: 34729
- 1979: Kotze,C.J., Rfn [2]: 729
- 1980: Kruger,P., Cpl [2]: 1729 [a]
- 1988: Lamb,G., L-Cpl [2]: 35149
- 1980: Lang,G., Wrn [2]: 34727
- 1988: Lecuona,M.J., L-Cpl [2]: 798
- 1980: Lello,F.J., Rfn [2]: 1804 [a]
- 1980: Loubser,F.J., Rfn [2]: 1806 [a]
- 1985: Luiters,W.R., Rfn [2]: 847
- 1980: Luyt,M.C., Rfn [2]: 1808 [a]
- 1980: Madden,A.J., Rfn [2]: 1811 [a]
- 1994: Matwa,W.Z., L-Cpl [2]: 34730
- 1988: Meiring,M., 2Lt [2]: 942 [a]
- 1987: Metcalfe,H.J., Rfn [2]: 952 [a]
- 1996: Mokgatle,J., Rfn [2]: 34732
- 1988: Nieuwenhuizen,V.V., Rfn [2]: 1065 [a]
- 1980: Nortje,C.J., Rfn [2]: 1824
- 1982: Peterson,M., Rfn [2]: 1133 [a]
- 1981: Potgieter,J.L., Cpl [2]: 2049 [a]
- 1982: Potgieter,J.H., Rfn [2]: 1159 [a]
- 1983: Pretorius,S., Rfn [2]: 1172 [a]
- 1987: Redelinghuys,J.J., L-Cpl [2]: 1196 [a]
- 1996: Sandi,A., Rfn [2]: 34734
- 1983: Steyn,J.D.J., Rfn [2]: 1350
- 1979: Swart,H.L., Cpl [2]: 1381 [a]
- 1979: Van Brakel,D.G., Rfn [2]: 1452
- 1982: Van den Berg,J.J., L-Cpl [2]: 1536
- 1982: Van der Westhuizen,D.R., 2Lt [2]: 1569 [a]
- 1982: Van Jaarsveld,M.J., Cpl [2]: 1478 [a]
- 1981: Van Rooyen,L., Rfn [2]: 2006
- 1981: Van Zyl,G., Lt [2]: 2085 [a]
- 1987: Visagie,P.A., Rfn [2]: 1609 [a]
- 1980: Warrener,P.W., Rfn [2]: 1855 [a]
- 1982: Wolfaardt,B.J., Rfn [2]: 1676 [a]
Notes
References
- ^ a b Wall, Dudley, Col (15 October 2007). "Starting Out" Collecting South African Militaria (3rd ed.). Just Done Productions Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9201-6970-1. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour:". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
