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Kroonstad Commando

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Kroonstad Commando
Kroonstad Commando emblem
Active1899-
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQKroonstad

Kroonstad 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

Operations

Battle of Rietfontein

The battle of Rietfontein[1] took place on 24 October 1899 between six commandos of the Free State Army commanded by Mr A P Cronje and a Flying Column dispatched from Ladysmith under the command of Sir George White. The Free State forces consisted of the following commandos:

  • Harrismith Commando,
  • Kroonstad Commando,
  • Winberg Commando,
  • Bethlehem Commando,
  • Vrede Commando and
  • Heilbron Commando.

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.[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

SADF era Kroonstad Commando insignia
SADF era Kroonstad Commando insignia

Leadership

References

  1. ^ http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol155jh.html
  2. ^ 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}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)

See also


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