101 Battalion (South Africa)

35/101 Battalion
	SWATF 101 Battalion emblem
Active	1976-1989
Disbanded	1989
Country	Namibia, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army,
Type	Motorised Infantry
Part of	South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQ	Ondangwa, Etale, Rundu (17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E)
Equipment	Casspir, Buffalo, Kwêvoël and Bedford Trucks
Engagements	South African Border War Operation Reindeer (1979)(elements of); Operation Rekstok (1979) (elements of); Operation Sceptic (1980) (elements of); Operation Daisy (1981)(elements of); Operation Askari (1983/4)(elements of); Operation Afskeur (1983); Operation Zepplin (1985); Operation Egret (1985); Operation Cinema (1986); Operation Tremour (1986); Operation Pynappel (1987); Operation Moduler (1987); Operation Firewood (1987); ;
Commanders
Colonel of; the Regiment	Commandant Welgemoed
Insignia
Part of the South West African Territorial Force
SWATF 101 Battalion beret badge
101 Battalion Beret showing Unit Badge and Infantry Bar

101 Battalion (pronounced as one-o-one Battalion) was a quick-reaction unit of the South West African Territorial Force, composed of black and white commissioned and enlisted personnel.

History

Origin

The unit was formed in January 1976 as 1 Owambo Battalion,[1] renamed to 35 Battalion in January 1978,[1] 35 Battalion recruited exclusively among the Owambo. and were only given basic training, but this changed after 1978 when the training intensified with an emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.

Renaming

The South West Africa Territory Force, SWATF[2] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 35 Battalion was renamed 101 Battalion in 1980.

SWATF Northern Sector Map

Tracking

Until 1980 101 battalion was used as small teams attached to SADF units as trackers and interpreters.

Light Infantry

By 1981 101 converted to a light infantry battalion.

By 1983 at least 2700 men had been recruited and trained, many converted SWAPO insurgents.

Introduction of the Romeo Mike Concept

A significant development in 101's operations occurred during 1982 with the adaption of Koevoet tactics to a military context. The Reaction Force concept or Romeo Mike developed into two Special Service Companies (901 and 903) in 1984 and a further two (902 and 904) by 1985.[3] Their purpose was to relentlessly track and surround exhausted insurgents. Once a track was detected, elements of a team would dismount from a Casspir and follow the track at a run with the remainder of the team rested and following in the Casspir, and swapping over with the runners frequently, thus sustaining a fast pursuit of the insurgents. When contact was made, the full team with Casspir would charge in. The Romeo Mikes's other three Casspirs would be close of each other and would also react.

Structure

101 Battalion consisted of:

a HQ,
a support company,
a light workshop,
a training wing,
Special service companies, translating Police tracking concepts to suit Army operations:
- 901 and
- 903 Special Service Companies.

These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated, and

a Reconnaissance Wing.

SWATF era 101 Battalion insignia

Equipment

Each team in a company had:

4 X Casspirs
1 X Kwêvoël 50
2 X Hispano Suiza 20mm cannons,
6 X 50 cal Browning machine guns
4 X Light machine guns and
4 X 60mm patrol mortars

Engagements

101 Battalions reaction force teams averaged about 200 contacts annually.[4] By 1985 101 Battalion fought under its own command instead of being detached to external units.

101 Battalion was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

Disbandment

101 Battalion was disbanded on 30 June 1989 upon the independence of Namibia in 1990-91.[1]

101 Battalion's Colours and Standard were finally laid up in the unit church of 5 Reconnaissance Regiment on 10 April 1990.

Leadership

Leadership
From	Officer Commanding	To
1981	Cmdr W.H. Welgemoed	c. 1988
1988	Col L. Marais	c. 1988
1988	Col L. Kotze	c. 1989
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To
c. 1985	WO1 C. Schutte	c. Nd

Decorations awarded to 101 Battalion members

Rifleman D. Hashihamwenda Honoris Crux Silver
Lieutenant N. Prinsloo Honoris Crux
2 Lieutenant D. Bok Honoris Crux
Corporal J.J. Bronkhorst Honoris Crux
Corporal T. Stander Honoris Crux
Corporal J. Theunissen Honoris Crux
Corporal F. Frederick Honoris Crux
Corporal J.H Steenkamp Honoris Crux
L Corporal Roux Honoris Crux
Rifleman Schoombee Honoris Crux

Roll of Honour

1987: Abraham,W., Rfn [5]^:35641
1985: Abrosuis,A., Rfn [5]^:34876
1979: Akaando,J., Lt [5]^:35161
1987: Alugodhi,H., Cpl [5]^:35702
1987: Alweendo,L., Rfn [5]^:35697
1986: Amupolo,P., Cpl [5]^:35689
1977: Analati,T., Lt [5]^:35168
1982: Andreas,R., Rfn [5]^:13
1985: Andreas,H., Rfn [5]^:35686
1989: Anunyela,E., Rfn [5]^:35724
1986: Boas,R., Rfn [5]^:35687
1987: Botes,D., 2Lt [5]^:127[lower-alpha 1]
1981: Briers,C.A., Maj [5]^:2080
1987: Cerement,P., Rfn [5]^:35700
1985: Daniel,T., Rfn [5]^:34883
1988: Diederichs,J.H., 2Lt [5]^:350[lower-alpha 1]
1988: Diedericks,J.H., 2Lt [5]^:35713
1979: Djolomien,M., Cpl [5]^:35162
1985: Domingos,M., Rfn [5]^:34881
1986: Domingus,J., Rfn [5]^:35690
1987: Dreyer,M.C.M., Lt [5]^:369[lower-alpha 1]
1987: Epafu,P., Rfn [5]^:35710
1985: Felosiano,J., Rfn [5]^:34879
1987: Fernando,M., L-Cpl [5]^:35696
1985: Fillemon,J., Rfn [5]^:34884
1983: Fillipus,N., Rfn [5]^:35170
1978: Frans,J., Lt [5]^:35157
1985: Gabriel,I., Rfn [5]^:482[lower-alpha 1]
1977: Gagiano,K., Lt [5]^:485[lower-alpha 1]
1979: Gottlieb,A., Lt [5]^:35159
1988: Haifiku,L., Rfn [5]^:35717
1988: Haimbodi,H., Rfn [5]^:35718
1988: Haindula,S., Rfn [5]^:35716
1983: Hamutenya,S., Rfn [5]^:35169
1986: Hochapfel,C.V., Cmdt [5]^:591
1985: Ismael,P., Rfn [5]^:35685
1985: Iyango,K., Rfn [5]^:34869
1981: Jacob,B., Lt [5]^:35167
1985: Jakob,S., Rfn [5]^:35684
1987: Job,T., Rfn [5]^:35704
1981: Johannes,A., Lt [5]^:35166
1985: Jonas,E., Rfn [5]^:34861
1986: Jonas,L.N.D., Rfn [5]^:35694
1985: Kandjii,J., Rfn [5]^:34877
1989: Kapentse,N., Rfn [5]^:35726
1980: Kapuna,S., Rfn [5]^:35163
1986: Kavari,K., Cpl [5]^:35691
1986: Kefas,T., Rfn [5]^:35693
1987: Leonard,E., Rfn [5]^:35699
1986: Londo,I., L-Cpl [5]^:35692
1978: Mandingi,N., Rfn [5]^:35158
1989: Mandume,J., Rfn [5]^:35725
1987: Martin,J., Sgt [5]^:35701
1977: Mathias,J., Sktr [5]^:35156
1985: Mbango,J., Rfn [5]^:34873
1989: McCann,M.S., 2Lt [5]^:34725
1982: Meulemo,N.K., Rfn [5]^:953
1987: Meyer,E.A., Spr [5]^:954[lower-alpha 1]
1985: Mikael,H., Rfn [5]^:959
1987: Moses,M., Rfn [5]^:35707
1982: Moses,R., Rfn [5]^:989
1984: Nangolo,J., L-Cpl [5]^:35171
1985: Nangolo,J., Rfn [5]^:35683
1987: Nangula,E., Rfn [5]^:35706
1987: Ndjolonimus,M., Rfn [5]^:35698
1987: Nyawala,E., Rfn [5]^:35695
1984: Paulus,J., Rfn [5]^:35682
1984: Paulus,A., Rfn [5]^:35472
1987: Petrus,V., Rfn [5]^:35709
1988: Petrus,F., L-Cpl [5]^:35720
1988: Petrus,J., Rfn [5]^:35721
1980: Phillipus,E., Rfn [5]^:35165
1987: Rademeyer,A.H. du B., Capt [5]^:1189[lower-alpha 1]
1988: Robert,W., Rfn [5]^:35719
1988: Savinga,J., Rfn [5]^:35723
1988: Semba,G.K., Rfn [5]^:35722
1979: Shangweni,S., Lt [5]^:35160
1987: Sheepo,T., Rfn [5]^:35712
1987: Shilulu,G., Rfn [5]^:35708
1980: Shipago,I., Lt [5]^:35164
1987: Shitongeni,W., Cpl [5]^:35703
1987: Simon,E., Rfn [5]^:35705
1987: Steyn,E.A., Spr [5]^:1347[lower-alpha 1]
1987: Strydom,H.L., Cpl [5]^:1365[lower-alpha 1]
1988: Sutter,M.C., Spr [5]^:35715
1987: Tamsen,E., L-Cpl [5]^:1398[lower-alpha 1]
1986: Thomas,N., Rfn [5]^:35688[lower-alpha 1]
1986: Thomas,N., Cpl [5]^:1422
1987: Uusshona,M., Rfn [5]^:35711
1988: Venter,H.J., L-Cpl [5]^:1582[lower-alpha 1]
1982: Vilho,H., Rfn [5]^:1599
1984: Ward,D.J., SSgt [5]^:1630[lower-alpha 1]
1984: Ward,D.J., SSgt [5]^:35172[lower-alpha 1]
1987: Wetton,C.D., Spr [5]^:1650[lower-alpha 1]
1988: Yeo,E.C., Cpl [5]^:1684[lower-alpha 1]

Notes

This person is marked on the Fort Klapperkop Memorial wall with an * as having died during operations or in combat.

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gollark: Okay, done skimming this.

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References

"Units of the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF)". sadf.info. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventories/inv_pdfo/AG1977/AG1977-A5-63-16-004-jpeg.pdf
https://samilhistory.com/2016/02/24/band-of-brothers-101-romeo-mikes/
Heitman,H.R. Modern African Wars(3): South West Africa, Osprey Publishing
Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour:". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 6 November 2014.

Snyman, PHR (1989). Beeld Van Die SWA Gebiedsmag (in Afrikaans). ISBN 9780621126426.