Stormberg Commando
Stormberg Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve,
Garrison/HQBurgersdorp Eastern Cape

Stormberg 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

Cape Rebels

Although part of the Cape Colony, many families in this area had ties with relatives across the river in the Orange Free State and sympathy with the Boer Republics. Many locals aided the Free State Commandos in the invasion of the Cape Colony in 1899.

Commandant Jan Hendrik Olivier[1] the local commander, sided with the Free State, attacking and capturing Aliwal North on 13 November 1899, proclaiming it Free State territory.[2]

With the UDF

With the SADF

The unit was renamed from the Burgersdorp Commando to the Stormberg Commando around 1972.

The local gaol, which is also a national monument in Piet Retief street was the headquarters of the commando.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 22.

During this era, the commando was mainly used for area force protection, cordones and search operations assisting the police and patrolling the Lesotho border.

Operations

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.[3][4] 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.[5]

Unit emblems

SADF era Stormberg Commando insignia
SADF era Stormberg Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References

  1. ↑ https://www.boerenbrit.com/archives/4530
  2. ↑ Literator 20(3) Nov 1999pp 129-146
  3. ↑ 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)
  4. ↑ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  5. ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also


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