Bethlehem Commando
Bethlehem Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 25
Garrison/HQBethlehem, Free State
Motto(s)Suid Afrika Eerste (South Africa First)

Bethlehem 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

Origins

During the Anglo Boer War with the Free State Republic

This Commando was involved in the following:

  • The battle of Rietfontein[1] took place on 24 October 1899 between six commandos of the Free State Army commanded by General A Piet Cronje and a British Flying Column dispatched from Ladysmith under the command of Sir George White.

The Free State forces consisted of the following commandos:

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mostly used for border control, area force protection and stock theft control.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 25.

With the SANDF

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 Bethlehem Commando insignia
SADF era Bethlehem Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
1900 Commandant Michael Prinsloo nd
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References

  1. ↑ Hawkesbury, John (June 2012). "WITNESS TO RIETFONTEIN 24 October 1899: Part One". Military History Journal. The South African Military History Society. 15 (5).
  2. ↑ van Stade, L B (Col) (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". African Security Review. Institute for Security Studies. 6 (2). Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "The South African National Defence Force: The Commando System". South African Police Service, Department of Safety and Security. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also


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