Lydenburg Commando

Lydenburg 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.

Lydenburg Commando
Lydenburg Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Zuid Afrikaanse Republic Union of South Africa  Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Lydenburg

History

Origin

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

This Commando was involved in several engagement during the Anglo Boer such as:

• The battle of Bergendal

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

Rebel Commando

During the 1914 Maritz Rebellion, Christiaan De Wet remustered this Commando against the government of the day.[1]

Volunteer Reserve

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

With the SANDF

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.[2][3] 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.[4]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Lydenburg Commando insignia

Leadership

References

1. https://www.roodepoortnortsider.co.za/276458/today-in-history-general-christiaan-wet-found-guilty-of-treason
2. Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
4. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

• South African Commando System