Rouxville 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.
Rouxville Commando | |
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![]() | |
Active | 1899-2003 |
Country | ![]() |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One Battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
Garrison/HQ | Rouxville, Free State |
History
editOrigin
editWith the Orange Free State Republic
editRouxville Commando was with General de Wet during the battle of Sanna's Post outside Bloemfontein when seven guns and 117 wagons were captured from the British.
See: Battle of Sanna's Post
With the UDF
editBy 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.
With the SADF
editDuring this era, the unit was mainly involved in area force protection, cordones and search operations assisting the local police and stock theft control.
With the SANDF
editAmalgamation
editBy 1997, Rouxville Commando amalgamated with Zastron Commando.
Disbandment
editThis combined unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] 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.[3]
Leadership
editFrom | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
- Commandant J.H. Olivier 1899
- Commandant P.H. Kritzinger 1900
References
edit- ^ 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.
See also
edit