Pietersburg Commando
Zuid Afrikaanse Republic
Union of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
South African Army
South African Army
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 14
Pietersburg 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
Operations
With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek
During the Anglo Boer War, a commando from Pietersburg used harassing tactics to tie up British allies in the Bechuanaland protectorate. The Ngwato Tswana people were allied to the British. The Boer commando sided with Chief Kgama's son Sekhoma causing dissension. This caused the chief to use his forces at home and tied down around 3000 Tswana men in Bechuanland that could have been used in the Transvaal.[1]
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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/UDF_era_National_Reserve_of_Volunteers_shoulder_tab.jpg/200px-UDF_era_National_Reserve_of_Volunteers_shoulder_tab.jpg)
With the SADF
The unit resorted under the command of Group 14.
During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
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 Pietersburg Commando insignia](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/SADF_era_Pietersburg_Commando_insignia.jpg/500px-SADF_era_Pietersburg_Commando_insignia.jpg)
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
XXX | XXX | XXX |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
1996 | Colonel Ferdi van Rooyen[5] | 2003 |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
XXX | XXX MMM JCD | XXX |
References
- ^ Warwick, P. Black people and the south African war 1899-1902, Cambridge university press 1983 pp44
- ^ 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". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ "End of an era for Col van Rooyen". 13 June 2018.
See also
- v
- t
- e
- GSB Youngsfield
- 10 x Commandos
- Two Oceans Commando
- Cape Flats Commando
- False Bay Commando
- Koeberg Commando
- Lions Head Commando
- Skiereiland Commando/Peninsula Commando
- Tygerberg Commando
- Wynberg Commando
- GSB Oudtshoorn
- 8 x Commandos
- Oudtshoorn Commando
- Worcester Commando
- Cradock Commando
- Katberg Commando
- Murraydeen Commando
- Somerset East Commando
- Stormberg Commando
- Midland Commando, (previously Fort Beaufort Commando)
- GSB Pietermaritzburg
- 5 x Commandos
- Pietermaritzburg Commando/Natalia Regiment
- Umkomaas Commando
- Umvoti Commando
- Midmar Commando
- Weenen-Kliprivier Commando
- Griqualand-East Commando
- GSB Pietersburg
- 7 x Commandos
- Pietersburg Commando
- Limpopo Commando(SMA)
- Magdol Commando
- Soutpansberg Commando(SMA)
- Thabazimbi Commando
- Warmbad Commando
- Waterberg Commando Nylstroom
- Potgietersrus Commando
- GSB Johannesburg
- 8 x Commandos
- Delmas Commando
- Heidelberg Commando
- Nigel Commando
- Springs Commando
- GSB Kimberley
- 10 x Commandos
- 11 Commando
- Barkly West Commando
- Herbert Commando
- Hopetown Commando
- Kimberley Commando
- Karoo Commando
- Vaalharts Commando
- Victoria West Commando
- GSB Lohathla
- 7 x Commandos
- Boegoeberg Commando
- Gordonia Commando
- Kakamas Commando
- Hay Commando
- Orania Commando
- Prieska Commando
- GSB Bloemfontein
- 16 x Commandos
- Caledon River Commando
- Fauresmith Commando
- Ladybrand Commando
- Senekal Commando
- Alberton Commando
- Edenvale Commando
- Modderfontein Commando
- Sandton Commando (previously West Park Commando)
- West Park Commando (renamed Sandton Commando)
- GSB Port Elizabeth
- 7 x Commandos
![]() | This South African military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e