Midmar Commando
Midmar Commando |
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Midmar Commando emblem |
Active |
1978- |
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Country |
South Africa |
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Allegiance |
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Branch |
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Type |
Infantry |
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Role |
Light Infantry |
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Size |
One Battalion |
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Part of |
South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 9 |
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Garrison/HQ |
Howick |
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Motto(s) |
"Pro Aris et Focis" For Hearth and Home |
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Midmar Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
Raised in 1978 at Howick after a decision was reached that Umkomaas Commando was responsible for too large an area. C and D companies of Umkomaas Commando then formed the nucleus of this new unit. The units headquarters was situated in an old World War Two hospital on the outskirts of Howick.
A shoulder flash for the unit was designed representing the Midmar Dam wall and approved for use on the 15th June 1982. Colonel M.O. Norton was appointed as the units Honorary Colonel on the 29th November 1986.
Operations
In October 1987, the Commando was mobilised to assist with humanitarian operations caused by heavy flooding in the Howick and surrounding areas as a result of heavy rains. Midmar Commando was often deployed on operations to assist the South African Police during internal unrest.
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 “because of the role it played in the apartheid era”, according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[3]
Unit Insignia
Leadership
- Cmdt M.O. Norton 1979-1981
- Cmdt A.M. Bosworth-Smith 1981-1984
- Cmdt I.H.W Rottcher 1984-1986
- Maj J.B. Weston 1986-1987
- Lt Col J.H. Hughes 1987-
References
See also
South African Army Units |
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Divisions and Brigades | |
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Armoured Formation (SAAAF) | |
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Infantry Formation (SAAIF) | Training | |
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Parachute Infantry | |
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Air Assault Infantry | |
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Seaborne Infantry | |
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Light Infantry | |
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Mechanised Infantry | |
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Motorised Infantry | |
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Artillery Formation | |
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Air Defence Artillery Formation | |
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Engineer Formation | |
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Training Formation | |
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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
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Signals Formation | Regular |
- 1 Signal Regt
- 2 Signal Regt
- 3 Signal Regt
- 4 Signal Regt
- 5 Signal Regt
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Reserve | 6 Signal Regt
7 Signal Group
11 Field Postal Unit
- 71 Signals Unit
- 84 Signal Unit
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Disbanded or Amalgamated Units | SADF Commands | |
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SADF Corps | |
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SADF Divisions | |
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SADF Brigades | |
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UDF and SADF Regiments and Battalions | |
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SADF Homeland Battalions | |
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SADF Military Areas | |
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SADF Commando System | |
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SADF State Presidents Guard | |
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SADF Mobilisation Units |
- 14 Reception Depot
- 15 Reception Depot
- 16 Reception Depot
- 17 Reception Depot
- 19 Reception Depot
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- 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
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- VDF Headquarters Sibasa
- 1 VDF Battalion Manenu
- 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu
- VDF Vuwani Military Base
- VDF Signals Unit
- VDF Air Wing
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- 1 CDF Battalion
- CDF Special Forces
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- 1 TDF Battalion
- TDF Special Forces
- TDF Mounted Battalion
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Volunteers of Union of South Africa World War 1 Europe Campaign 1914-1918 | |
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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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