2 South African Infantry Battalion

2 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.

2 South African Infantry Battalion
2 SAI emblem
Active	1 January 1962 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Motorised infantry
Part of	South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ	Walvis Bay previous Zeerust
Motto(s)	In Utrumque Paratus (Prepared for all situations)
Engagements	South African Border War
Battle honours	Angola 1975
Insignia
Company level insignia
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992	SA Motorised Infantry beret bar

History

Origin: Walvis Bay and South West Africa

2 SAI was established on 1 January 1962, at Walvis Bay an enclave of South Africa surrounded by South-West Africa (Namibia).[1] The first officer to command the battalion was Major G.N. Mcloughlin and the first RSM was WO1 J.A.J. Steenkamp.[1] Initially the base consisted of tents, but was later replaced by prefabricated buildings.[1] Basic training took place in the desert and running up Dune 7 became part of that regime.[1]

SADF 2 SAI exercise on Dune 7

SADF era 1 SSB D Squadron with 2 SAI insignia

Units Colours

The unit was awarded its colours by the local municipality in 1969, and adopted the town's motto and flamingo emblem as a consequence.

Freedom of Walvis Bay

On 30 August 1974, the freedom of Walvis Bay was granted to 2 SAI.

Mechanised Battlegroup

While at Walvis Bay, 2 SAI was organised as a battlegroup when on 1 October 1973, an armoured car subunit, D Squadron, from 1 Special Service Battalion's became a part of 2 SSB and subsequently 2 SAI.

Delta Armoured Squadron with 2 SAI

An artillery battery, 43 Field Battery, was also added.

43 Field Artillery with 2 SAI

This accounts for the unit insignia including at the top the number "2" in infantry colours, with the St Barbara's lightning flash representing the artillery in the middle and armour's old heraldic colours at the bottom.

SADF 2 SAI Battalion Group elements

These elements and the Transport Park and quartermaster were based at Rooikop, a distance inland because of the rust at the coast.

Training the fledgling SWATF

Since 1981, national servicemen of the SWA Territorial Force were also trained by the battalion.

Operations

2 SAI first saw deployment to the South-West Africa/Angola border in 1968.[1]

2 SAI took part in Operation Savannah during 1975, when South African troops covertly involved themselves in the Angolan Civil War.[1]

Disbandment

The unit disbanded at the end of 1989 when Namibia gained independence.

Reactivation in South Africa

Pomfret, South Africa

On 1 July 1993, the unit was reformed at Pomfret from old members of 32 Battalion, it then resorted under Northern Cape Command.[1]

Zeerust, South Africa

By 1998, the unit was transferred to North West Command and then based in Zeerust.

2 SAI today: SANDF Motorised Infantry

On its reactivation back in South Africa, 2 SAI was transformed into a motorised infantry unit using mostly Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised Infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonel	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
1962	Maj G.N. McLoughlin	c. 1964
1964	Cmdt J.S. Haupt	c. 1964
1965	Cmdt A.J. van Deventer	c. 1968
1968	Cmdt C.F. Vermeulen	c. 1970
1970	Cmdt A. Potgieter	c. 1971
1971	Cmdt I.R. Gleeson	c. 1972
1972	Cmdt D.S. du Toit	c. 1976
1976	Cmdt W.G. Kritzinger	c. 1977
1978	Cmdt J.L. Jordaan	c. 1980
1980	Cmdt C.E. Le Roux	c. 1980
1981	Cmdt F.J. van den Berg	c. 1982
1983	Cmdt J. Coetzer	c. 1983
1984	Cmdt J.M.R. van der Riet	c. 1986
1987	Col T.J. van Schalkwyk	c. nd
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To
1962	WO1 J.A.J. Steenkamp	1965
1965	WO1 P.J. Badenhorst	1970
1970	WO1 P.H. Kieser	1970
1970	WO1 J.J. Roberts	1972
1972	WO1 J.H. Gagiano	1975
1975	WO1 D.A. Vorster	1977
1976	WO1 F.H. Smit	1981
1981	WO1 S. Mew	1982
1983	WO1 P.J. Steyn	1985
1986	WO1 W.M. de Jager	nd

Insignia

Previous Dress Insignia

SADF era 2 SAI insignia

As a national servicemen at 2 SAI i 1975, I can categorically state that the beret badges for 1975 were small brass bokkies, without a bar underneath. The instructors still wore the large brass bokkie on their berets.

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

References

1. "Fact file: 2 SA Infantry Battalion". defenceWeb. Retrieved 9 February 2014.