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NASChem Commando

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NASChem Commando
Industrial Commando Naschem emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 30
Garrison/HQNASChem, Potchefstroom

NASChem 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

Industrial Protection Commando

NASChem started as an explosives Depot for the gold industry around 1896 at Lenz. It produced about 25 million pieces of ammunition for the campaign in North Africa during World War 2.

The facility was reactivated around 1970 for the manufacture mainly of artillery armaments. The personnel of the facility who had military service requirements fulfilled these with the NASChem Commando and in doing so assisted in the security of the facility.

During 1992, NASChem became a division of Denel and operated from its Boskop site near Potchefstroom.

Operations

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.[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]

Leadership

References

  1. ^ 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)
  2. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ 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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