South Africa has a number of Traditional Regiments. These are mostly South African Army Reserve Force (formerly Citizen Force) regiments that were established either under previous colonial governments or by the Apartheid regime and which have continued to exist by accepting the authority of the government-of-the-day - be it colonial, union (i.e. pre-Apartheid), Apartheid, or fully democratic (i.e. post-Apartheid).
Generally, the traditional regiments are those who were formed before the establishment of South Africa as a unified country, although there are a few which are much more recent. The traditional regiments have a number of elements which are different from the other units, such as certain peculiarities of dress. The most noticeable of these is the wearing of the Sam Browne belt and Sword by officers.
Western Cape
The Traditional Cape Regiments are the five traditional South African Army Reserve Force (formerly Citizen Force) regiments of Cape Town, South Africa which are, in order of precedence:
- Cape Field Artillery (1857- )
- Cape Garrison Artillery (1942- )
- Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) (1855- )
- Cape Town Highlanders (1885- )
- Regiment Westelike Provinsie (1934- )
Brief profiles, in chronological order - see also individual articles on the regiments.
Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1855. Served in the 9th Frontier War (1877–78), the Transkei (1879), and the Basutoland Gun War (1880–81). Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour in 1904. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence Forces in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). The Earl of Athlone was colonel-in-chief 1930-57. In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940–41), the North Africa Campaign (1941–42), and the Italy Campaign (1945). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Border War (1977–89), and the State of Emergency (1985–90).[1][2]
Cape Field Artillery
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1857. Served in the 9th Frontier War (1877–78), the Northern Border Campaign (1878–79), and the Transkei Campaign (1880–81). Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour (a rare honour for artillery) in 1905. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence Forces in 1913. In World War I, served in the 1914 Rebellion and the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the East Africa Campaign (1940–41), the North Africa Campaign (1941–42), and the Italy Campaign (1944–45). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985–90).[3] [4]
Cape Town Highlanders
Formed as a volunteer corps in 1885. Served in the Bechuanaland Campaign (1897). Served in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Awarded a King's Colour in 1904. The Duke of Connaught was colonel-in-chief 1908-42. Embodied in the Citizen Force of the Union Defence Forces in 1913. In World War I, served in the German South West Africa Campaign (1915). In World War II, served in the North Africa Campaign (1941–43) and the Italy Campaign (1944–45). Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was colonel-in-chief 1948-61. Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town in 1967. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985–90).[3][5]
Regiment Westelike Provinsie
Formed as a Citizen Force unit in Stellenbosch in 1934, and regards itself as successor to various volunteer units which existed in that district in the 19th century. In World War II, volunteers from RWP served with the South African Tank Corps in the North Africa Campaign (1941–42). Moved to Paarl in 1948, and converted to armour in 1949. Reverted to infantry in 1960. Divided into two battalions in 1970, the 1st battalion moved to Cape Town in 1974. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985–90). Awarded the Freedom of the City of Cape Town.[3]
Cape Garrison Artillery
Originally three Citizen Force anti-aircraft batteries, formed in the South African Air Force when home defences were reorganised in 1942. Transferred to the South African Artillery in 1949, and to the South African Corps of Marines in 1951. Reverted to the SA Artillery in 1955 and amalgamated into a single unit, 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Affiliated with the University of Cape Town in 1960, and renamed 'UCT Regiment'. Adopted the name (and, apparently, the heritage) of an earlier coast artillery regiment, the Cape Garrison Artillery, in 1974. Served in the Angola Campaign (1976), the Border War (1977-89), and the State of Emergency (1985–90). Granted the Freedom of the City of Cape Town.[3]
Kwa-Zulu Natal
There are a number of Traditional Units in Kwa-Zulu Natal. These include:
Gauteng
References
- ^ McKenzie, Angus G (1957). The Dukes - A History of the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles. Cape Town: Published for the Regimental Council of the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles by Galvin & Sales. OCLC 19862498. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ Orpen, Neil D. (1984). Cape Town Rifles: Dukes. Cape Town: Cape Town Rifles Dukes Regimental Council. ISBN 9780620083409. OCLC 16870041. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d Crook, Lionel, Col (Rtd) (1994). Greenbank, Michele (ed.). 71 Motorised Brigade: a history of the headquarters 71 Motorised Brigade and of the citizen force units under its command. Brackenfell, South Africa: L. Crook in conjunction with the South African Legion. ISBN 9780620165242. OCLC 35814757.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Orpen, Neil D. (1965). Gunners of the Cape; the story of the Cape Field Artillery. Cape Town: C.F.A. Regimental History Committee. OCLC 194425. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ Orpen, Neil D. (1970). The Cape Town Highlanders, 1885-1970 (eBook) (Electronic reproduction ed.). Cape Town: Cape Town Highlanders History Committee. OCLC 682854292. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
South African Army Units
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Parachute Infantry | |
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Air Assault Infantry | |
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Seaborne Infantry | |
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Light Infantry | |
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Mechanised Infantry | |
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Motorised Infantry | |
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Training | - School of Artillery (South Africa)
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Reserve | |
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Training | - School of Air Defence Artillery (South Africa)
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Regular | |
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Reserve | |
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- Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
- Mobilisation Centre
- Main Ordnance Depot
- National Ceremonial Guard
- Logistical Support Unit
- General Andrew Masondo Maintenance Unit
- Madiba Bay Maintenance Unit
- 15 Maint Unit
- Other Maintenance Units
- Doman Field Workshop
- General Sipho Binda Field Workshop
- Sabelo Phama Field Workshop
- Chris Hani Field Workshop
- Sekhukhune Field Workshop
- Ngungunyane Field Workshop
- Other Field Workshops
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Regular | - 1 Signal Regt
- 2 Signal Regt
- 3 Signal Regt
- 4 Signal Regt
- 5 Signal Regt
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Reserve | 6 Signal Regt - Gauteng Reserve Signal Unit
11 Field Postal Unit - Western Cape Signal Unit
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Signal Unit
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Commands | |
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Corps | |
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Divisions | |
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Brigades | - 16 Brigade (see 81 Armoured Brigade)
- 17 Brigade (see 71 Motorised Brigade )
- 18 Brigade (see 72 Motorised Brigade)
- 19 Brigade (see 82 Mechanised Brigade)
- 20 Brigade
- 60 Brigade (Battlegroups HQ Lohatla)
- 71 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 72 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 73 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 74 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 8th Armoured Division)
- 75 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 9th Division)
- 81 Armoured Brigade SADF era
- 82 Mechanised Brigade SADF era
- 83 Brigade (planned but never existed)
- 84 Motorised Brigade SADF era
- 10 Artillery Brigade SADF era
- Other brigades
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Battlegroups | |
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UDF and SADF Regiments and Battalions | |
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Homeland Battalions | |
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Military Areas | Training Areas | - Boschhoek
- Grahamstown
- Hellsgate
- Mosita
- Pomfret
- Riemvasmaak
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UDF and SADF Commando System | |
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State Presidents Guard | |
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Mobilisation Units (Reception Depots) | |
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Bantustan Defence Forces (1977/1981–1994) |
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Bophuthatswana Defence Force 1977–1994 | - 1 BDF Infantry Battalion
- 2 BDF Infantry Battalion
- BDF Parachute Battalion
- BDF Military School
- BDF Special Forces
- 1 BDF Military Area
- 2 BDF Military Area
- 3 BDF Military Area
- BDF Signals Unit
- BDF Bafokeng base
- BDF Mankwe base
- BDF Odi base
- BDF Thaba'Nchu base
- BDF Taung base
- BDF Air Wing
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Venda Defence Force 1979–1994 | - VDF Headquarters Sibasa
- 1 VDF Battalion Manenu
- 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu
- VDF Vuwani Military Base
- VDF Signals Unit
- VDF Air Wing
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Ciskei Defence Force 1981–1994 | - 1 CDF Battalion
- CDF Special Forces
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Transkei Defence Force 1981–1994 | - 1 TDF Battalion
- TDF Special Forces
- TDF Mounted Battalion
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- Regular Infantry Battalions
- 31/201 Battalion
- 33/701 Battalion
- 34/202 Battalion
- 35/101 Battalion
- 301 Battalion
- 36/203 Battalion
- 37/102 Battalion
- SWATF Brigade
- 91 Reaction Force Brigade
- 41/911 Battalion/Regiment Windhoek
- 912 Battalion/Regiment Erongo
- 913 Battalion/Regiment Namutoni
- 91 Armoured Car Regiment
- 91 Composite Field Regiment
- 91 Engineers Squadron
- 91 Field Ambulance
- 91 Mobilisation Centre
- 91 Technical Workshop
- 91 Maintenance Workshop
- Support Structures
- Logistics Brigade
- SWA Mil School
- SWA Military Academy
- Special Forces
- 1 SWA Specialist Unit
- 2 SWA Specialist Unit
- 1 SWA Parachute Battalion
- Air Component
- 1 SWA Commando Squadron
- Alte Feste Commando (SWATF)
- Aranos Commando (SWATF)
- Auob Commando (SWATF)
- Bo-Nossob Commando (SWATF)
- Etosha Commando (SWATF)
- Gobabis Commando (SWATF)
- Grootfontein Commando (SWATF)
- Hochi Commando (SWATF)
- Karasburg Commando (SWATF)
- Keetmanshoop Commando (SWATF)
- Maltahohe Commando (SWATF)
- Mariental Commando (SWATF)
- Okanhanja Commando (SWATF)
- Omaruru Commando (SWATF)
- Oranjemund Commando (SWATF)
- Otjiwarongo Commando (SWATF)
- Outjo Commando (SWATF)
- Rehoboth Commando (SWATF)
- Swakopmund Commando (SWATF)
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Union Defence Force 1912–1957 |
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Brigades | - 1st Reserve
- 4th Field
- 7th Motorised
- 1st Armoured
- Field Artillery
- Coast Artillery
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Citizens Batteries | - 1st Citizen Battery
- 2nd Citizen Battery
- 3rd Citizen Battery
- 4th Citizen Battery
- 5th Citizen Battery
- 6th Citizen Battery
- 7th Citizen Battery
- 8th and 9th Citizen Batteries
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Military Districts | - 1st (Cape Town)
- 2nd (Port Elizabeth)
- 3rd (East London)
- 4th (Pietermaritzburg)
- 5th (Durban)
- 6th (Standerton)
- 7th (Potchefstroom)
- 8th (Johannesburg)
- 9th (Pretoria)
- 10th (Kroonstad)
- 11th (Bloemfontein)
- 12th (Prieska)
- 13th (De Aar)
- 14th (Worcester)
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World War I 1914–1918 |
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Europe Campaign 1914–1918 | |
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East Africa Campaign 1914–1915 | - 1st Infantry ACF
- 2nd Infantry ACF
- 5th Infantry ACF
- 9th Infantry ACF
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German South West Africa Campaign 1915 | |
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Volunteer Militias 1903–1909 |
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Non-Statutory Forces 1961–1994 |
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Colonial Armies 1885–1902 |
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See also