31 Battalion (SWATF)

31 Battalion/201 Battalion
Active	1974 Alpha Group, 1975 Battalion
Country	Namibia,  South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army,
Type	Light Infantry
Part of	South African Defence Force, later South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQ	Omega
Nickname(s)	Bushman Battalion, The Crows
Disbanded	1999
Commanders
Notable commanders	Col Linford
Insignia
Identification symbol	Crow
Part of the South West African Territorial Force
Company Insignia

31 Battalion was a light infantry battalion in the South African Army and in later years became part of the SWATF.

History

Tribal origin

The majority of 31 Battalion stem from two San tribes, namely the Khwe and !xun. 31 Battalion started out as Alpha Group in 1974. It was renamed 31 Battalion in 1975. It was renamed again as 201 Battalion in 1980, when it was shifted from the SADF to the SWA Territorial Forces. It finally reverted to 31 Battalion in 1989.

31 Battalion was initially headquartered at Alpha Base and later Omega Base.

By the late 1980s, 31 Battalion comprised a HQ, Support Company, 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, a Reconnaissance Wing, 6 Tracker Groups of 5 or 6 men.

Tours

Two companies of 31 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

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

Some of the San were trained as parachutists and served as Recces behind enemy lines. 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^[1] The recce wing was used primarily for surveillance or clandestine missions in its operational area. This involved dangerous behind-the-line incursions-such as sneaking around in the bush looking for SWAPO bases or arms caches, and 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 must not be detected by SWAPO or by SWAPO sympathizers.

Withdrawal of 31 Battalion to South Africa

UN Resolution 435 called on South Africa to reduce its forces in Namibia to 12000 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.

Roll of Honour

201 Battalion

Notes

References