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
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
- ↑ Englebrecht, Leon (9 February 2010). "Fact file: The SA Engineering Corps". DefenceWeb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ↑ http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1239&ParameterString=South%20African%20Army&ParameterString2=Engineers