Midmar Commando

Midmar 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.

Midmar Commando
Midmar Commando emblem
Active1978-
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 9
Garrison/HQHowick
Motto(s)"Pro Aris et Focis" For Hearth and Home

History

Origin

Raised in 1978 at Howick after a decision was reached that Umkomaas Commando was responsible for too large an area. C and D companies of Umkomaas Commando then formed the nucleus of this new unit.

Operations

With the SADF

The units headquarters was situated in an old World War Two hospital on the outskirts of Howick.

A shoulder flash for the unit was designed representing the Midmar Dam wall and approved for use on 15 June 1982.

Colonel M.O. Norton was appointed as the units Honorary Colonel on 29 November 1986.

In October 1987, the Commando was mobilised to assist with humanitarian operations caused by heavy flooding in the Howick and surrounding areas as a result of heavy rains.

Midmar Commando was often deployed on operations to assist the South African Police during internal unrest.

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.[1][2] 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.[3]

Unit Insignia
SADF era Midmar Commando insignia

Leadership
  • Cmdt M.O. Norton 1979-1981
  • Cmdt A.M. Bosworth-Smith 1981-1984
  • Cmdt I.H.W Rottcher 1984-1986
  • Maj J.B. Weston 1986-1987
  • Lt Col J.H. Hughes 1987-
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References
  1. 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)
  2. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. 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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