Midland Commando

Midland 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.

Midland Commando
Midland Commando emblem
Active1962-
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, initially Group 7, Finally Group 6
Garrison/HQGrahamstown
Motto(s)"Malis noli cedere" Never give up

History

Origin

This unit was originally named Fort Beaufort Commando.

Operations

With the SADF

The unit was renamed in 1962. The unit was located in Grahamstown.

The area covered by this unit included Alexandria, Albany, Bathurst, Craddock, Fort Beaufort, Keiskammahoek, Pearston, Peddie and Somerset East.

By 1968 the area of the Midland Commando was reduced to the magisterial district of Albany, Alexandria and Bathurst.

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

Association with the Winterberg Commando

The Winterberg Commando was founded in Adelaide in 1948. That units area of responsibility was significantly large on the outset, and two further commandos namely Katberg and Midland Commandos were developed.[1]

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 Midland Commando insignia

Leadership
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References
  1. Paratus Magazine page 5 July 1989
  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


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