2 Special Service Battalion

2 Special Service Battalion
2 Special Service Battalion emblem
Active	May 1946-1997
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Armoured
Part of	South African Armoured Corps
Garrison/HQ	Zeerust
Nickname(s)	2SSB (English) 2SDB (Afrikaans)
Motto(s)	Agere Victoriam” (Strive for Victory)
Colors	Orange over Blue which must be divided by Silver and where it is not possible to use silver white will be used in place
Equipment	Ratel IFV Rooikat
Engagements	South African Border War Operation Adding Operation Baccarat
Website	www.saarmour.co.za
Commanders
Notable commanders
Insignia
Beret Colour	Black
Armour Squadron emblems
Armour beret bar circa 1992

2 Special Service Battalion (usually abbreviated to 2SSB) was an armoured regiment of the South African Army and only one of two such in its regular force. The Regiment was based at Zeerust. It was previously known both as in English 2 Special Service Battalion, and in the Afrikaans Language as 2 Spesiale Diens Bataljon (2 SSB and 2 SDB).

History

2 Special Service Battalion was founded on 1 May 1946 at Potchefstroom.

Infantry

Initially, the sole purpose of 2 SSB was to train members of the Permanent Force as Infantrymen. 2 SSB was put into service officially on 21 February 1947 and on 26 January 1951 the name changed from 2 SSB to 1 South African Infantry Battalion (1 SAI). 2 SSB can thus be seen as the founding unit of the South African Infantry Corps.

Armour changeover

C-Squadron of 2 Armoured Car Regiment was founded during February 1962 with its official base at Zeerust. On 22 December 1966 the name was adapted to C-Squadron 1 SSB.

On 1 October 1973 2 SSB, born from C-Squadron 1 SSB was resettled. The headquarters of the Regiment as well as C-Squadron 1 SSB was stationed at Zeerust, while D-Squadron 1 SSB was detached to 2 South African Infantry Battalion at Walvis Bay.

Border War

Several squadrons have taken part in the war in Namibia and Angola since 1974. From 8 October 1975 to 31 January 1976, B-, C- and D-Squadron took part in Operation Savannah. This border duty was continued with significant participations in Operation Protea, Daisy, Hooper and Modular.

On 25 January 1988, 2 SSB became the first unit in South Africa to receive the Right Of Free Admission to a coloured community, namely Henryville.

Bophuthatswana coup d'état

On 10 February 1988, 2 SSB took part in Operation Adding during which President Lucas Mangope and his government was returned to power, after a failed coup d’état.

Rooikat Conversion

In May 1990, 2 SSB received the first Rooikat armoured cars and on 30 June its National Colours.

Corps Change ARMOUR to INFANTRY

On 31 December 1992, as part of the reduction of the SA Army after withdrawal from SWA- Namibia (Resolution 435), 2 SSB underwent a change in role. The unit was transformed from an Armoured Car Regiment to a Motorised Infantry Battalion and provided with an operational company (A-Company) which was transferred from Group 20.

During the historical General Elections of 1994, 2 SSB took part in Operation Baccarat (stability in Mmabatho and Passado (border protection) as a peace force to ensure stability in the North West Province).

On 19 December 1994, the Bophuthatswana Defence Force Parachute Battalion at Gopane was placed under operational command of 2 SSB, as part of the founding of the SANDF. 2 SSB withdrew simultaneously from Nietverdiend and Nooitgedacht. From August 1994 to 15 June 1995 successful bridging training was provided for 550 formerly non-statutory force members.

Disbandment

Early in 1997 the rationalisation of the Defence Force was announced and 2 SSB was one of the battalions that had to close down. 2 SSB amalgamated with 10 SAI on 1 April 1997 in Mafeking. 2 SSB was closed down on 30 August 1997 after the handing over of the base to 2 SAI Battalion.

Regimental symbols

The cap badge is a spray of three protea flowers, bound by a ribbon bearing the initials and motto.
Regimental honour roll : Soldiers who died during active combat duty and soldiers who died during training. See 2 SSB Roll of Honour

Dress Insignia

2 Special Service Battalion beret badge

2 Special Service Battalion shoulder title circa 1970s

2 Special Service Battalion with North West Command Tupper Flash

2 Special Services Battalion Stable belt

Honour Roll

Baker, E. 1990^[1]
Brink, C.M.1978
Burger, W.J.1974
Cronje, D.J. 1987
De Lange, J.H. 1983
De Lange, P.H. 1983
Du Plessis, J.C. 1988
Elsworthy, D.M. 1978
Erasmus, E. 1988
Eybers, P.G. 1975
Hanekom, J.M. 1981
Helm, H.C. 1985
Jansen van Vuuren, F.H. 1984
Lecuona, M.J. 1988
Meerholz, J.R. 1980
Muller, A. 1976
Muller, D.M. 1979
Muller, P.J. 1982
Naude, D. 1983
Obbes, G.M.F. 1975
Oberholzer, W. 1981
Randall, J.A.S.T. 1984
Scott, G. 1988
Stassen, P.I.M. 1983
Steyn, D.A. 1981
Taljaard, J.J. 1975
Truebody, H.C. 1978
van Rooyen, G. 1988
van Wyk, W.A. 1988
Viljoen, M. 1987
Volgraff, G. 1975
Ziemkendorf, H. 1987
Paracchini, R.G. 1988

Notes

References

↑ http://www.southafricawargraves.org/search/view-paginated.php?page=1&ipp=10&regiment=779&unit=655

External links

South African Army Units

Department of Defence, South African National Defence Force, South African Army

Divisions and Brigades

Brigades	43 South African Brigade 44 Parachute Brigade 46 South African Brigade

Armoured Formation (SAAAF)

Training	School of Armour
Tank	Regular 1 South African Tank Regiment Reserve Pretoria Regiment Natal Mounted Rifles Regiment President Steyn
Armoured Car	Regular 1 Special Service Battalion Reserve Umvoti Mounted Rifles Regiment Oranjerivier Regiment Mooirivier Light Horse Regiment

Infantry Formation (SAAIF)

Training	South African Infantry School
Parachute Infantry	Regular 44 Para 1 Para 44 Pathfinders 13 Signal Squadron 18 Light Regiment 44 Medical Task Group 101 Air Supply Unit SAOSC 44 Training Wing Parachute Packing Wing Reserve 2 Para 3 Para
Air Assault Infantry	Regular 6 SAI Reserve First City Regiment Prince Alfred's Guard
Seaborne Infantry	Regular 9 SAI Reserve Cape Town Rifles ("Duke's")
Light Infantry	Regular 21 SAI Reserve Rand Light Infantry Regiment Oos Rand Regiment Paul Kruger
Mechanised Infantry	Regular 1 SAI 8 SAI Reserve Regiment De La Rey Regiment Northern Transvaal Cape Town Highlanders Regiment Western Province Witwatersrand Rifles
Motorised Infantry	Regular 2 SAI 4 SAI 5 SAI 7 SAI 10 SAI 14 SAI 15 SAI 121 SAI Reserve Regiment Botha Regiment Christiaan Beyers Johannesburg Regiment South African Irish Transvaal Scottish Tshwane Regiment Buffalo Volunteer Rifles Durban Regiment Durban Light Infantry Kimberly Regiment Natal Carbineers Regiment Bloemspruit Regiment Piet Retief

Artillery Formation

Training	School of Artillery (South Africa)
Regular	HQ Artillery Mobilisation Regiment 4 Artillery Regiment
Reserve	Cape Field Artillery Natal Field Artillery Transvaal Horse Artillery Regiment Potchefstroom Universiteit Transvaalse Staatsartillerie Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment Pretoria Highlanders 18 Light Regiment

Air Defence Artillery Formation

Training	School of Air Defence Artillery (South Africa)
Regular	HQ 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment 44 Parachute Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Reserve	Cape Garrison Artillery Regiment Vaalriver Regiment Oos Transvaal 7 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Regiment Overvaal

Engineer Formation

Training	South African Army Engineer School
Regular	HQ 2 Field Engineer Regiment 35 Engineer Support Regiment 1 Construction Regiment Engineer Terrain Intelligence Unit
Reserve	3 Field Engineer Regiment 19 Field Engineer Regiment 44 Parachute Engineer Regiment

Training Formation

3 SAI
SA Army Combat Training Centre (SAACTC)
Army Gymnasium
Army College
de Brug Training Area
Wallmannsthal Training Area

Support Formation

Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
Mobilisation Centre
Main Ordnance Depot
National Ceremonial Guard
15 Maint Unit
Other Maintenance Units
37 Field Workshop SAOSC
Other Field Workshops

Signals Formation

Regular	1 Signal Regt 2 Signal Regt 3 Signal Regt 4 Signal Regt 5 Signal Regt
Reserve	6 Signal Regt 7 Signal Group 11 Field Postal Unit 71 Signals Unit 84 Signal Unit

Disbanded or Amalgamated Units

SADF Commands	Eastern Province Command (Port Elizabeth) Eastern Transvaal Command (Nelspruit) Natal Command(Durban) Northern Transvaal Command (Swartkop, Pretoria) Northern Cape Command (Kimberly) Orange Free State Command (Bloemfontein) Western Province Command (Cape Town) West Transvaal Command Witwatersrand Command (Johannesburg) Far North Command (Pietersburg) Northern Logistic Command (Grootfontein, South West Africa) South West Africa Command (Windhoek, South West Africa)
SADF Corps	I South African Corps Cape Corps
SADF Divisions	7th South African Infantry Division 8th South African Armoured Division 9th South African Division 10 South African Division (Operation Prone)
SADF Brigades	16 Brigade (see 81 Armoured Brigade) 17 Brigade (see 71 Motorised Brigade ) 18 Brigade (see 72 Motorised Brigade) 19 Brigade (see 82 Mechanised Brigade) 20 Brigade 60 Brigade (Battlegroups HQ Lohatla) 71 Motorised Brigade SADF era 72 Motorised Brigade SADF era 73 Motorised Brigade SADF era 74 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 8th Armoured Division) 75 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 9th Division) 81 Armoured Brigade SADF era 82 Mechanised Brigade SADF era 83 Brigade (planned but never existed) 84 Motorised Brigade SADF era 10 Artillery Brigade SADF era Other brigades
SADF Battlegroups	Combat Group Juliet 61 Mech 62 Mech 63 Mech
UDF and SADF Regiments and Battalions	1 Locating Regiment 2 Locating Regiment Cape Regiment Regiment Algoa Bay Regiment Boland Regiment Congella Regiment Dan Pienaar Regiment De Wet Regiment Edenvale Regiment Groot Karoo Regiment Highveld Regiment Hillcrest Regiment Langenhoven Regiment Louw Wepener/Oos Vrystaat Regiment Molopo Regiment Natalia Regiment North Natal Regiment Port Natal Regiment Pretorius Regiment Sasolburg Regiment Springs Regiment Skoonspruit Regiment Uitenhage Regiment University of Cape Town Regiment University of the Free State Regiment University of Port Elizabeth Regiment University of Pretoria Regiment University of Stellenbosch Regiment University of Witwatersrand Regiment Vanderbiljpark Regiment Vrystaat 1 Special Training Unit 2 Special Service Battalion 3rd Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron 5 Forward Delivery Squadron 6 Field Artillery Regiment 7 Medium Artillery Regiment 8 Field Artillery Regiment 10 Armoured Squadron 11 SAI 12 SAI 13 SAI 14 Field Artillery Regiment 17 Field Artillery Regiment 19 Rocket Regiment 24 Field Artillery Regiment 25 Field Artillery Regiment 26 Field Artillery Regiment 32 Battalion SA Army Troop Information Unit Cape Flats Light Infantry
SADF Homeland Battalions	111 Battalion 112 Battalion 113 Battalion 115 Battalion 116 Battalion 117 Battalion 118 Battalion 151 Battalion
SADF Military Areas	Walvis Bay Military Area Soutpansberg Military Area Hellsgate Training Area Riemvasmaak Training Area
SADF Commando System	South African Commando System
SADF State Presidents Guard	State Presidents Guard
SADF Mobilisation Units	14 Reception Depot 15 Reception Depot 16 Reception Depot 17 Reception Depot 19 Reception Depot
Bophuthatswana Defence Force1977-1994	1 BDF Infantry Battalion 2 BDF Infantry Battalion BDF Parachute Battalion BDF Military School BDF Special Forces 1 BDF Military Area 2 BDF Military Area 3 BDF Military Area BDF Signals Unit BDF Bafokeng base BDF Mankwe base BDF Odi base BDF Thaba'Nchu base BDF Taung base BDF Air Wing
Venda Defence Force1979-1994	VDF Headquarters Sibasa 1 VDF Battalion Manenu 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu VDF Vuwani Military Base VDF Signals Unit VDF Air Wing
Ciskei Defence Force1981-1994	1 CDF Battalion CDF Special Forces
Transkei Defence Force1981-1994	1 TDF Battalion TDF Special Forces TDF Mounted Battalion
SWATF1977-1989	Regular Infantry Battalions 31/201 Battalion 33/701 Battalion 34/202 Battalion 35/101 Battalion 301 Battalion 36/203 Battalion 37/102 Battalion Modular Infantry Battalions 51 Battalion 52 Battalion 53 Battalion 54 Battalion 55 Battalion SWATF Brigade 91 Reaction Force Brigade 41/911 Battalion/Regiment Windhoek 912 Battalion/Regiment Erongo 913 Battalion/Regiment Namutoni 91 Armoured Car Regiment 91 Composite Field Regiment 91 Engineers Squadron 91 Field Ambulance 91 Mobilisation Centre 91 Technical Workshop 91 Maintenance Workshop Support Structures Logistics Brigade SWA Mil School SWA Military Academy Special Forces 1 SWA Specialist Unit 2 SWA Specialist Unit 1 SWA Parachute Battalion Air Component 1 SWA Commando Squadron
Union Defence Force (South Africa)1912-1957	1st South African Infantry Division 2nd South African Division 3rd South African Infantry Division 6th South African Armoured Division 1st Reserve Brigade UDF era 1st Infantry Brigade UDF era 2nd Infantry Brigade UDF era 3rd Infantry Brigade UDF era 4th Infantry Brigade UDF era 5th Infantry Brigade UDF era 7th Motorised Brigade UDF era 1 SA Armoured Brigade South African Field Force Pioneer Battalion Cape Fortress Engineers 1 Mobile Watch 1 Medium Regiment SAA Cape Mounted Riflemen Cape Peninsular Rifles 1 Special Service Battalion Cape Garrison Force Cape Light Horse Cape Coast Defence Corps Durban Coast Defence Corps South African Field Artillery Brigade Coast Artillery Brigade Regiment Onse Jan Transvaal Cycle Corps 1st Citizen Battery 2nd Citizen Battery 3rd Citizen Battery 4th Citizen Battery 5th Citizen Battery 6th Citizen Battery 7th Citizen Battery 8th and 9th Citizen Batteries No 1 Military District Cape Town No 2 Military District Port Elizabeth No 3 Military District East London No 4 Military District Pietermaritzburg No 5 Military District Durban No 6 Military District Standerton No 7 Military District Potchefstroom No 8 Military District Johannesburg No 9 Military District Pretoria No 10 Military District Kroonstad No 11 Military District Bloemfontein No 12 Military District Prieska No 13 Military District De Aar No 14 Military District Worcester
Volunteers of Union of South Africa World War 1 Europe Campaign 1914-1918	South African Overseas Expeditionary Force 1st South African Infantry Brigade SA Heavy Artillery Brigade 1st SA Infantry Regiment 2nd SA Infantry Regiment 3rd SA Infantry Regiment 4th SA Infantry Regiment South African Native Labour Corps
Volunteers of Union of South Africa World War 1 East Africa Campaign 1914-1915	1st Infantry ACF 2nd Infantry ACF 5th Infantry ACF 9th Infantry ACF

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