Wikipedia

31 Battalion (SWATF)

31 Battalion was a light infantry battalion in the South African Army and in later years became part of the SWATF. The battalion consisted of men recruited from the hunter-gatherer San people. It was later called 201 Battalion.

31 Battalion/201 Battalion
SWATF / SADF 201/31 Battalion emblem
Active1974 Alpha Group, 1975 Battalion
Disbanded7 March 1993
Country Namibia,  South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeLight Infantry
RoleCounter Insurgency
Part ofSouth African Defence Force, later South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQOmega
Nickname(s)Bushman Battalion, The Crows
Motto(s)Alpha et Omega English: First and Last
Commanders
OC 1974-1977Commandant Delville Linford
OC 1977-1978Major C.P. Upton
OC 1978-1980Commandant P.W. Hall
OC 1980-1982Commandant F.A. Botes
OC 1982-1986Commandant B.M.Adams
OC 1986-1986Commandant J. Jooste
OC 1986-1987Commandant P.D. van der Merwe
OC 1987-1989Commandant C.J. Saunders
Insignia
Identification
symbol		Crow
Part of the South West African Territorial Force
Company InsigniaSWATF 31 Battalion company Insignias
SWATF 31 Battalion bonnie cap
SADF 31 Battalion beret badge

History

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Tribal origin

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The majority of this unit stem from two San tribes, namely the Khwe and !Xun. The Baraquenas tribe came from Cuando-Cubango region of Angola and the Vasquelas tribe from the Southern regions of Angola and north-eastern South West Africa.[1]: Pt2Ch3  31 Battalion started out as Alpha Group in 1974. It was renamed 31 Battalion in 1975. 31 Battalion was initially headquartered at Alpha Base and later Omega Base.[1]: Pt2Ch1  It was formed by Colonel Delville Linford.[1]: Pt2Ch1 

The majority of San soldiers have their origins as members of the Portuguese Army during the Angolan War of Independence.[1]: Pt2Ch1  They had been part of the Flechas, a unit of the Portuguese Special Forces.[1]: Pt2Ch1  With the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) assuming power in Angola in November 1975, many joined the SADF.[1]: Pt2Ch1 

Renaming

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The South West Africa Territory Force SWATF[2] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 31 Battalion was renamed 201 Battalion in 1980.

 
SWATF Northern Sector Map

Structure

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By the late 1980s, 201 Battalion comprised:

  • a HQ,
  • Support Company,
  • a Maintenance Workshop,
  • 2 Operational Groups of 3 tracker companies (early 80's 2 companies) each with 3 Platoons, 6 teams, 25 – 30 men each with 3 Buffel APCs and,
  • a Reconnaissance Wing, 6 Tracker Groups of 5 or 6 men.

Insignia

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  •  
    SWATF 201 Battalion pocket fob
  •  
    SWATF 201 Battalion patch badge
  •  
    SWATF 201 Battalion stable belt

Tours

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Two companies of 201 Battalion were always in the bush for six-week tours, while the remaining companies rested and retrained at Omega. After the bush tour, these companies returned to Omega and their place would be taken by the other half of the battalion. At least half of the battalion would be on operations at all times and the rotational schedule insured that fresh troops were in the bush hunting SWAPO at all times.

Operation Savannah

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During Operation Savannah in Angola, members were deployed in a conventional role as Battle-Group Alpha, part of Task Force Zulu, and advanced approximately 2,000 kilometers in a month.

Specialization

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Some of the San were trained as parachutists and served in the units reconnaissance wing behind enemy lines.[1]: Pt2Ch3  Others were attached to various units as trackers and guides.

Similar to its historically closely related twin unit 32 Battalion, it was a permanently operational unit and had its own in-house reconnaissance wing[3][1]: Pt2Ch1 

The recce wing was used primarily for surveillance or clandestine missions in its operational area. This involved dangerous behind-the-line incursions-such as in the bush looking for SWAPO bases or arm caches, or gathering information and intelligence on SWAPO units moving in the area. These operations required stealth, steady nerves, and well-trained, disciplined troops. To be successful, their presence would have to remain undetected by SWAPO or by SWAPO sympathizers.

Withdrawal of 31 Battalion to South Africa

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The Battalion reverted to its 31 Battalion name in 1989 when it transferred back to the SADF.

UN Resolution 435 called on South Africa to reduce its forces in Namibia to 12,000 before the start of any peace process and finally to 1500 by 1989.

Several thousand San, fearing reprisal or intimidation, left for South Africa with the SADF.

The soldiers of 31 Battalion and their families were settled near Schmidtsdrif in the Northern Cape.

 
SADF 31 Battalion with Northern Cape Command Tupper Flash

Disbandment

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Sunday, 7 March 1993, 31 Battalion was disbanded at a public ceremony in the Cape Province.[4]

About 1000 soldiers were transferred to other units in the Northern Cape and would help patrol the Namibian border.[5]

Roll of Honour

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  • 1982: Andonio,F., Cpl [6]: 12 
  • 1991: Andrade,J., Rfn [6]: 34905 
  • 1984: Arico,, Rfn [6]: 34889 
  • 1991: Augusto,J., Rfn [6]: 34906 
  • 1976: Bambo,J., Sgt [6]: 34847 
  • 1977: Bango,M., Pte [6]: 34853 
  • 1982: Bango,K., Rfn [6]: 42 
  • 1977: Bernado,A.D.B., Sgt [6]: 34850 
  • 1977: Boma,J., Pte [6]: 34855 
  • 1982: Catumbele,D., Rfn [6]: 202 
  • 1981: Chamba,M., Pte [6]: 34866 
  • 1986: Chilunku,T., Rfn [6]: 34897 
  • 1990: Chimongaia,C., L-Cpl [6]: 34903 
  • 1977: Chuca,M., Pte [6]: 34852 
  • 1982: Comoxoxo,K., Rfn [6]: 34874 
  • 1979: Conga,J., Pte [6]: 34863 
  • 1981: Dala,A., Pte [6]: 34867 
  • 1981: Dala,A., Rfn [6]: 34868 
  • 1984: Dala,J., Rfn [6]: 34888 
  • 1984: Dala,L., Cpl [6]: 34891 
  • 1984: Dala,L., Rfn [6]: 34892 
  • 1977: Deacon,G.A., Cpl [6]: 339 
  • 1977: Desenga,, Pte [6]: 34860 
  • 1985: Difransa,P., Rfn [6]: 34894 
  • 1982: Dimbo,J., Rfn [6]: 355 [a]
  • 1977: Dindo,B., Pte [6]: 34858 
  • 1980: Du Preez,I.P., 2Lt [6]: 34864 
  • 1980: Du Preez,I.P., 2Lt [6]: 1704 [a]
  • 1988: Du Toit,P.G.V., L-Cpl [6]: 400 [a]
  • 1981: Elefanti,, Pte [6]: 34865 
  • 1987: Emmanuel,L., Rfn [6]: 34899 
  • 1982: Francesco,L., Rfn [6]: 477 
  • 1985: Gobe,J., L-Cpl [6]: 34896 
  • 1985: Gore,J., Cpl [6]: 34895 
  • 1984: Jepau,R., Rfn [6]: 34890 
  • 1990: Joaquim,J., Rfn [6]: 34904 
  • 1992: Johannes,J., Rfn [6]: 34910 
  • 1982: Kademba,P., Rfn [6]: 668 
  • 1977: Kambinda,M., Pte [6]: 34851 
  • 1991: Kambinda,S., Rfn [6]: 34907 
  • 1983: Kanheto,T., Sgt [6]: 672 [a]
  • 1982: Kapango,P., Rfn [6]: 34875 
  • 1982: Katibelo,D., Rfn [6]: 34872 
  • 1992: Kavenga,K., Rfn [6]: 34912 
  • 1977: Luciano,J., Pte [6]: 34856 
  • 1991: Makuwe,E., Rfn [6]: 34908 
  • 1982: Masonga,J, Rfn [6]: 34880 
  • 1976: Matendi,A., Pte [6]: 34849 
  • 1976: Matoko,P., Pte [6]: 34848 
  • 1984: Matsetse,D., Cpl [6]: 34893 
  • 1993: Mbangu,J., Rfn [6]: 34913 
  • 1993: Mukelenge,M., Rfn [6]: 34914 
  • 1982: Nando,, Rfn [6]: 34878 
  • 1979: Njunge,D., Pte [6]: 34862 
  • 1992: Pontes,T., Rfn [6]: 34909 
  • 1992: Ponto,K., Rfn [6]: 34911 
  • 1988: Prinsloo,A., Cpl [6]: 34902 
  • 1983: Riem,, Rfn [6]: 34887 
  • 1982: Rodriques,M., Rfn [6]: 34871 
  • 1977: Ruaro,J., Pte [6]: 34854 
  • 1977: Shorty,, Pte [6]: 34857 
  • 1975: Teteko,R., Pte [6]: 34845 
  • 1986: Tjenda,B., Rfn [6]: 34898 
  • 1983: Van den Berg,J.G.J., Pte [6]: 34885 
  • 1976: Van der Westhuizen,T.J., Lt [6]: 1575 [a]
  • 1982: Van Heerden,W.E., Rfn [6]: 34882 
  • 1978: Van Rooyen,N.M.H.G.D.S., Pte [6]: 1497 
  • 1982: Verwey,L., Rfn [6]: 34870 
  • 1988: Wama,P., Rfn [6]: 34901 

201 Battalion

  • 1985: Aupindi,D., Rfn [7]: 36059 
  • 1981: Van Zyl,J., CO [7]: 1880 

Leadership

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Leadership
From Honorary Colonel To
From Officer Commanding To
1974 Cmdt D. Linford 1977
1977 Major C.P. Upton 1978
1978 Cmdt P.W. Hall 1980
1980 Cmdt F.A. Botes 1982
1982 Cmdt B.M. Adams 1986
1986 Cmdt Johan Jooste[b] 1986
1986 Cmdt P.D. van der Merwe 1987
1987 Cmdt C.J. Saunders 1989
From Regimental Sergeants Major To


Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e This person is marked on the Fort Klapperkop Memorial wall with an * as having died during operations or in combat.
  2. ^ Later Commanding Officer of 8 South African Infantry Battalion

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Stadler, Koos (2015). Recce: Small Team Missions Behind Enemy Lines (Kindle ed.). Tafelberg. p. 384. ASIN B0156QMG90.
  2. ^ "Introducing the SWATF" (PDF). Financial Mail (Supplement). 10 July 1987. pp. 44–47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Death in the Desert: The Namibian Tragedy: Namibianizing The War | Namibia". www.namibweb.com. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Remembering SAN heroes who died in the war (SADF)". sabcmedialib.blogspot.co.za. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  5. ^ Anonymous (16 March 2011). "SADF's 31 Battallion [sic] is disbanded". www.sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 6 November 2014.

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