61 Mechanised Battalion Group

61 Mechanised Battalion Group

SADF 61 Mechanised unit emblem
Active 1978 – 2005
Country  South Africa
Allegiance  South Africa
Branch  South African Army
Type Mechanised Infantry
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Nickname 61 Mech
Equipment
Engagements South African Border War
Disbanded 2005

61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.

History

The Battalion Group was formed in 1978 as Battle Group Juliet in South-West Africa as a force to prevent attacks on the region from SWAPO forces in southern Angola. The Battle Group first saw action in Operation Reindeer in early May 1978. In January 1979, the battle group was renamed 61 Mechanised Infantry and became part of the regular order of battle. The unit served for over a decade in the territory fighting both a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation, as well as taking part in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces, before South-West Africa achieved independence as Namibia.

Organisation

61 Mech Inf was organised with three infantry companies, which were equipped with the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle, an armoured car squadron initially equipped with Eland Armoured Cars and later the Rooikat Armoured Fighting Vehicle, and a support company consisting of an anti-tank platoon, a mortar platoon, an anti-aircraft troop and an artillery battery equipped with the G5 howitzer. It was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit, due to its versatility.

Insignia

Ops Badge

The unit awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties.[1]:14 The initial version of this had a yellow backing and was awarded only for cross border operations into Angola.[1]:14 A subsequent version with a green backing was introduced which was for internal duties. The badge consists of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown's) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching.

Badges
Operational Participation Bar 
Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (Old Style) 
Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (New Style) 

Companies

Each company or element in the Battalion (group) had its own flag and identifying badge.

61 Mech Identifying Insignia
HQ Company 
Alpha Company - Infantry 
Bravo Company - Infantry 
61 Mech Charlie Squadron - Armour 
61 Mech Golf Battery - Artillery 

Disbandment

The unit was disbanded and its infantry elements merged into 8 South African Infantry Battalion at Upington after moving from Lohatla. Other components (armour and artillery) were merged into other existing regular forces in the respective corps.

Roll of Honour

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 This person is marked on the Fort Klapperkop Memorial wall with an * as having died during operations or in combat.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wall, Dudley, Col (15 October 2007). "Starting Out" Collecting South African Militaria (3rd ed.). Just Done Productions Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9201-6970-1. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.46 2.47 2.48 2.49 2.50 2.51 2.52 2.53 2.54 2.55 2.56 2.57 2.58 2.59 2.60 Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour:". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 4 November 2014.

External links