East London 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.
East London Commando | |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One Battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 8 |
Garrison/HQ | East London, South Africa |
History
editOrigins
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
Operations
editWith the UDF
editBy 1940, rifle associations were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers. These rifle associations were re-designated as commandos by 1948.
With the SADF
editDuring this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the local police.
The unit resorted under the command of Group 8.
With the SANDF
editDisbandment
editThis 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]
Unit Insignia
editLeadership
editFrom | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
References
edit- ^ 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}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
edit