3 Field Engineer Regiment

3 Field Engineer Regiment

3 Field Engineer emblem
Active 1926  present
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Military engineering
Size Regiment
Part of South African Army Engineer Formation
Army Conventional Reserve
Garrison/HQ Fort iKapa Military Base, Akasia, Cape Town
Nickname(s) 3 Field
Colors Guardsman Red and Oxford Blue[1]
Engagements
Insignia
Collar Badge Bursting grenade with nine flames
Beret Colour Oxford blue
Engineers Company Emblems
Engineers Beret Bar circa 1992

3 Field Engineer Regiment is a regiment of the South African Army Engineer Formation. The unit is based in Cape Town, Western Cape. The role of the Engineers is to maintain mobility and serviceability of own forces and counter mobility of enemy forces. Tasks include bridging, water purification, obstacles, demolition, infrastructure repair and development. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

History

3 Field Engineer Regiment was formed in 1926 as three engineer companies.

World War II

In 1940, 3 Field was mobilized for World War 2 and saw service in North Africa, where it participated in the desert campaign and the Battle of El Alamein. 3rd Field Company was attached to 1st S.A. Division and played an important part in the Division's first operation - the raid to capture El Wak - by ensuring water supplies.The Company served with distinction throughout the campaign in Ethiopia and Abyssinia. In one of the strangest of combined operations, No 1 Section was required to set bangalore torpedoes to blow up the outer and inner barbed wire entanglements protecting Fort Todenyang on the shore of Lake Rudolf.

By 1946 the unit was designated as 3 Field Squadron and along with 1 Field Squadron from Durban, 2 Field Squadron from Port Elizabeth and 8 Field Park Squadron from Cape Town, formed 2 Field Engineer Regiment.[2]

Border War

By 1975, 3 Field was mobilised for service in South West Africa for Operation Savanah, and was in service until withdrawal in 1988.

Post 1994

Since 1994 the regiment maintained a small footprint due to financial restrictions. 3 Field still participates in Exercise Bailey each year.

3 Field celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006.

Leadership

3 Field Engineer Regiment Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
n.d. unknown Present
From Commanding Officers To
Jan 1983 Cmdt J.S. Manning Jun 1984
Jul 1984 Cmdt R.C. Cameron-Williger Aug 1986
Sep 1986 Cmdt K.H.W. Sheel Jun 1991
Jun 1991 Cmdt A.J. Nocton-Smith Present
From Regimental Sergeants Major To
n.d. Unknown n.d.

References


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.