84 Motorised Brigade (South Africa)

84 Motorised Brigade was a formation of 8th Armoured Division (South Africa), a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.

84 Motorised Brigade
84 Motorised Brigade emblem
Active	1974–1992
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Motorised Brigade
Part of	South African Composite Brigade
Garrison	Durban
Nickname(s)	84 Mot
Motto(s)	Ubukhali besizenze (The sharp end of the axe)
Equipment	Ratel Eland Mk7 90mm and 60mm Armoured Cars Buffel G2
Engagements	South African Border War
Insignia
84 Mot Brigade Command Bar

History

Origin

84 Motorised Brigade was formed on August 1, 1974 in Durban as part of the 8th Armoured Division. The Brigade was located at Lords Grounds, which has a military history since 1842.

Initial Structure

Under this reorganisation, the following units were transferred from Natal Command to the new command:

• Natal Mounted Rifles
• Umvoti Mounted Rifles
• Durban Light Infantry,
• Regiment Port Natal,
• Natal Field Artillery,
• 38 Field Workshop,
• 84 Signals Squadron,
• 19 Field Squadron,
• 21 Maintenance Unit,

Structure SADF 84 Motorised Brigade

Higher Command

84 Motorised Brigade then resorted under the new 8 Division.

SADF era Brigade level Sergeant Major insignia

Brigade Training and Exercises

Operational Activation

As a Citizen Force structure, 84 Motorised Brigade would make use of call-up orders for its personnel to generally report for 3 months service. Headquarters staff would then leave for Lohatla, where a transfer camp would be established to process troops en route to the operational area in northern South West Africa. Processing of units would include personal documentation, a medical examination, inoculation and the issuing of equipment and weapons. Each unit on completion of the necessary processing, would entrain to the Olienhoutplaat Station for a six-day journey to Grootfontein, the railhead near the Operational Area. All 84 Brigades units had at one time or another served in the Operational Area and at the end of the Republic Festival celebrations in 1981 elements of 84 Motorised Brigade were airlifted from Durban for border duties.[1]

Insignia

SADF era 84 Motorized Brigade insignia

Leadership

84 Motorised Brigade Leadership

From	Officers Commanding	To
1974	Brigadier G.J. Wolmarans	19 July 2020
19 July 2020	Colonel H.F.P. Riekert	19 July 2020
19 July 2020	Colonel F.J.van Tonder	19 July 2020
19 July 2020	Colonel P.J.W. Hall 1982 [lower-alpha 1]	19 July 2020

See also

•  South Africa portal

Notes

1. Former OC of Bushmen Battalion at Omega in the Caprivi

References

1. The Natal Mercury Supplement Thursday March 9, 1982

External links