121 South African Infantry Battalion

121 South African Infantry Battalion
121 South African Infantry Battalion
	121 SAI emblem
Active	1979 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Motorised infantry
Part of	South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ	Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal
Engagements	South African Border War
Insignia
Company level insignia

121 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.

History

Origin

A decision was made around 1979 to develop a Zulu speaking infantry battalion.^[1] On 20 January men who had reported for duty at the Jozini Base were sent to 21 SAI Battalion at Lenz (near Johannesburg) where 79 men completed training.

Garrison

On 23 April 1979, 121 SAI Battalion was established and allocated lines near an old Water Affairs compound at Jozini.^[2] By 1980, a platoon of 121 SAI Battalion was despatched for duty in South West Africa (Namibia).

By 1981, 121 SAI Battalion was relocated to a new base at Dukuduku where the leopard head was adopted as the beret badge. 121 SAI Battalion received its national colours in 1989.

Freedom of the City was issued to 121 SAI Battalion by:

uMhlanga in 1989 and
Mtubatuba in 1994

SANDF's Motorised Infantry

SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Mamba Mk3 Armoured Personnel Carriers, SAMIL Trucks, or other un-protected motor vehicles. SAMIL 20, SAMIL 50 and SAMIL 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. SAMIL trucks are 2x4 and 4x6 drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonel	To
XXX	XXX	XXX
From	Officer Commanding	To
1981	Major E. Pretorius	nd
1982	Commandant J. Quinn	1984
1984	Commandant J.J. Lotheringen	1989
1990	Commandant P. Smythe	1992
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

Insignia

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era 121 Battalion insignia

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

References

^ Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 33, University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-04710-9 AACR2
^ "Author". Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2014.

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[1] Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 33, University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-04710-9 AACR2

[2] "Author". Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2014.

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