1 Special Service Battalion

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1 Special Service Battalion (usually abbreviated to 1SSB) is an armoured regiment of the South African Army and only one of two such in its regular forces. The Regiment is based at Tempe near Bloemfontein.

1 History
2 Regimental Symbols
3 Alliances
4 Battle honours

[edit] History

The Special Service Battalion was formed on 1 May 1933 as a training unit and a means of employment for young men. It converted to armour in 1943.

As part of the South African 6th Armoured Division, 1SSB took part in World War II, seeing service mainly in Italy.

After World War II, the SSB became a training unit.

1SSB also took part in the South African Border War, serving in South-West Africa and Angola.

More recently, the unit also took part in Operation Boleas, which was a South African intervention in its neighbouring country of Lesotho in 1998.

1SSB had a sister unit for a number of years in the post-World War II era, designated 2 Special Service Battalion, which was based in the town of Zeerust. This unit has now been disbanded.

[edit] Regimental Symbols

The cap badge is a spray of three protea flowers, bound by a ribbon bearing the initials and motto.
Regimental motto: Eendrag Maakt Mag (Unity is Strength)