25 Field Artillery Regiment was an artillery regiment of the South African Artillery.
25 Field Artillery Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1977-1988 |
Country | South Africa |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Artillery |
Size | Regiment |
Part of | South African Army Artillery Corps Army Conventional Reserve |
Garrison/HQ | Potchefstroom |
Insignia | |
Collar Badge | Bursting grenade with seven flames |
Beret Colour | Oxford Blue |
Artillery Battery Emblems | |
Artillery Beret Bar circa 1992 |
Origin
editOrigin
editThis unit was originally formed as 25 Composite Regiment on 17 May 1977 and was based in Potchefstroom. As a composite unit, it comprised
- a couple of gun batteries,
- heavy mortars and,
- counter artillery locating radar elements.(typically using the Cymbeline Mk1 locating radar)[1]
Conversion to a Medium Regiment
editBy 1984 the regiment was altered with the removal of its mortar and radar and its conversion to a medium regiment.
Operations
editOn 3 May 1984 the regiment was added to the operational control of Far North Command. As a Citizen Force Regiment, its primary function was artillery support and it secondary function as infantry. The regiment was operational in the border area with Zimbabwe in 1980 and in South West Africa in 1983.
Traditions
editEmblem design
editThe regiment had a typical artillery tradition and instead of having colours considered its cannons its colours. The unit received its ceremonial emblems on 21 September 1984. The emblem has the traditional artillery background colours of red and dark blue separated by a gold glowing line depicting the Mooi River. The gold penny represents efficiency while the strikes typify artillery fire. This design also can be seen to show the radar element which was previously part of the unit.
Commanding Officer saber
editCommanding officers were issued a ceremonial saber for the taking over of command.
Commanding officers
edit- Commandant J.P. Aukamp
- Commandant H.A. Labuschagne
Insignia
editDress Insignia
editReferences
edit- ^ "Cymbeline Mk 1". Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- Further reading: Wilsworth, Clive (2010). First In, Last Out: The South African Artillery in Action: 1975-1988. 30 Degrees South. ISBN 978-1-920143-40-4.