2 Special Service Battalion

2 Special Service Battalion (usually abbreviated to 2SSB) was an armoured regiment of the South African Army and only one of two such in its regular force. The Regiment was based at Zeerust. It was known in English as, 2 Special Service Battalion, and in the Afrikaans language as, 2 Spesiale Diens Bataljon (2 SSB and 2 SDB).

2 Special Service Battalion
2 Special Service Battalion emblem
Active	May 1946-1997
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Armoured
Part of	South African Armoured Corps
Garrison/HQ	Zeerust
Nickname(s)	2SSB (English) 2SDB (Afrikaans)
Motto(s)	Agere Victoriam” (Strive for Victory)
Colors	Orange over blue which must be divided by silver. When it is not possible to use silver, white will be used in its place.
Equipment	Ratel IFV Rooikat
Engagements	South African Border War Operation Adding Operation Baccarat
Website	www.saarmour.co.za
Insignia
Beret Colour	Black
Armour Squadron emblems
Armour beret bar circa 1992

History

2 Special Service Battalion was founded on 1 May 1946 at Potchefstroom. The S.S.B. was a military unit formed to take in young men who were unable to find employment. Before World War II, the Special Service Battalion was reorganized into two battalions – 1st and 2nd Special Service Battalions. In 1946, the South African Armoured Corps was officially proclaimed and the Special Service Battalion was included in the corps as the only full-time unit and its symbols and colours were incorporated.

Infantry

Initially, the sole purpose of 2 SSB was to train members of the Permanent Force as infantrymen. 2 SSB was put into service officially on 21 February 1947 and on 26 January 1951, the name changed from 2 SSB to 1 South African Infantry Battalion (1 SAI). 2 SSB can thus be seen as the founding unit of the South African Infantry Corps.

Armour changeover

C-Squadron of 2 Armoured Car Regiment was founded during February 1962 with its official base at Zeerust. On 22 December 1966 the name was adapted to C-Squadron 1 SSB.

On 1 October 1973, 2 SSB, born from C-Squadron 1 SSB, was resettled. The headquarters of the regiment, as well as C-Squadron 1 SSB, was stationed at Zeerust, while D-Squadron 1 SSB was detached to 2 South African Infantry Battalion at Walvis Bay.

Border War

Several squadrons have taken part in the war in Namibia and Angola since 1974. From 8 October 1975 to 31 January 1976, B-, C- and D-Squadron took part in Operation Savannah. This border duty was continued with significant participations in Operation Protea, Daisy, Hooper and Modular.

On 25 January 1988, 2 SSB became the first unit in South Africa to receive the Right Of Free Admission to a coloured community, namely Henryville.

2 SSB squadron training exercise

Bophuthatswana coup d'état

On 10 February 1988, 2 SSB took part in Operation Adding during which President Lucas Mangope and his government was returned to power, after a failed coup d’état.

Rooikat Conversion

In May 1990, 2 SSB received the first Rooikat armoured cars and on 30 June its national colours.

Corps Change ARMOUR to INFANTRY

On 31 December 1992, as part of the reduction of the SA Army after withdrawal from SWA- Namibia (Resolution 435), 2 SSB underwent a change in role. The unit was transformed from an armoured car regiment to a motorised infantry battalion and provided with an operational company (A-Company) which was transferred from Group 20.

During the 1994 South African general election, 2 SSB took part in Operation Baccarat, providing stability and border protection for Mmabatho and Passado as a peace force ensuring stability in the North West province.

On 19 December 1994, the Bophuthatswana Defence Force Parachute Battalion at Gopane was placed under operational command of 2 SSB, as part of the founding of the SANDF. 2 SSB withdrew simultaneously from Nietverdiend and Nooitgedacht. From August 1994 to 15 June 1995, successful bridging training was provided for 550 formerly non-statutory force members.

Disbandment

Early in 1997, the rationalisation of the South African National Defence Force was announced and 2 SSB was one of the battalions that was disbanded. 2 SSB amalgamated with 10 SAI on 1 April 1997 in Mafikeng. 2 SSB was demobilized on 30 August 1997 after the base was transferred to 2 SAI Battalion.

Regimental symbols

• The cap badge is a spray of three protea flowers, bound by a ribbon bearing the initials and motto.
• Regimental honour roll : Soldiers who died during active combat duty and soldiers who died during training. See 2 SSB Roll of Honour

Dress Insignia

SADF era 2 Special Services Battalion insignia

Honour Roll

• Baker, E. 1990
• Bridgeman, T.M. 1975
• Brink, C.M.1978
• Burger, W.J.1974
• Cronje, D.J. 1987
• De Lange, J.H. 1983
• De Lange, P.H. 1983
• Du Plessis, J.C. 1988
• Elsworthy, D.M. 1978
• Erasmus, E. 1988
• Eybers, P.G. 1975
• Hanekom, J.M. 1981
• Helm, H.C. 1985
• Jansen van Vuuren, F.H. 1984
• Lecuona, M.J. 1988
• Meerholz, J.R. 1980
• Muller, A. 1976
• Muller, D.M. 1979
• Muller, P.J. 1982
• Naude, D. 1983
• Obbes, G.M.F. 1975
• Oberholzer, W. 1981
• Randall, J.A.S.T. 1984
• Schoeman G.F. 1975
• Scott, G. 1988
• Stassen, P.I.M. 1983
• Steyn, D.A. 1981
• Taljaard, J.J. 1975
• Truebody, H.C. 1978
• van Rooyen, G. 1988
• van Wyk, W.A. 1988
• Viljoen, M. 1987
• Volgraff, G. 1975
• Ziemkendorf, H. 1987

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonel	To
22 November 2024	Unknown	22 November 2024
From	Officer Commanding	To
October 1973	Colonel G.D.M. Coetzee	January 1975
February 1975	Colonel A.J. Snyman	December 1977
January 1978	Commandant J.W. Roos	June 1978
June 1978	Commandant A.C Slabbert	December 1981
December 1981	Commandant T.B. Beyleveldt	December 1984
December 1984	Commandant H.J. Kriek	December 1986
January 1987	Commandant C.J. du Ruan	December 1988
December 1988	Commandant J.C. Smith	December 1990
December 1990	Commandant A.J. van Jaarsveld	December 1992
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To
October 1973	WO1 L.J. Fourie	December 1977
January 1978	WO1 R.D. Oosterlaak	November 1980
December 1980	WO1 F. Kretsinger	December 1986
January 1987	WO1 H.J. Venter	June 1992
July 1992	WO1 D.J. Cloete	December 1992

See also

South African Armoured Corps

External links

• SA Armour Museum
• SA Armour Association
• Exercise Seboka Archived 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine
• 1 SSB Roll of Honour Archived 2014-12-25 at the Wayback Machine