Midmar 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.
| Midmar Commando | |
|---|---|
 Midmar Commando emblem | |
| Active | 1978- |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 9 |
| Garrison/HQ | Howick |
| Motto(s) | "Pro Aris et Focis" For Hearth and Home |
History
editOrigin
editRaised in 1978 at Howick after a decision was reached that Umkomaas Commando was responsible for too large an area. C and D companies of Umkomaas Commando then formed the nucleus of this new unit.
Operations
editWith the SADF
editThe units headquarters was situated in an old World War Two hospital on the outskirts of Howick.
A shoulder flash for the unit was designed representing the Midmar Dam wall and approved for use on 15 June 1982.
Colonel M.O. Norton was appointed as the units Honorary Colonel on 29 November 1986.
In October 1987, the Commando was mobilised to assist with humanitarian operations caused by heavy flooding in the Howick and surrounding areas as a result of heavy rains.
Midmar Commando was often deployed on operations to assist the South African Police during internal unrest.
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
edit
Leadership
edit- Cmdt M.O. Norton 1979-1981
- Cmdt A.M. Bosworth-Smith 1981-1984
- Cmdt I.H.W Rottcher 1984-1986
- Maj J.B. Weston 1986-1987
- Lt Col J.H. Hughes 1987-
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
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