Carolina Commando

Carolina 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.

Carolina Commando
Carolina Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQCarolina, South Africa
Motto(s)Altyd Getrou (Always Loyal)
Battle honoursModjadji 1890, Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, Mpefu 1898, South West Africa 1914-1915

History

Origin

Previously a part of the Lydenburg Commando, Carolina Commando was formed around 1859.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

This commandos first engagements included;

  • Opposing the Jameson Raid in 1896.
  • The war against the Mphephu (1897-98).

The commando was involved in the following engagements in the Anglo Boer War:[1]

  • The Battle of Modderspruit 30 October 1899.[2]
  • The Battle of Platrand 6 January 1900, the Carolina Commando attacked Ladysmith to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Platrand.
  • The Battle of Spioenkop where the Commando formed part of the reserve. [3]
  • The Carolina and Lydenburg commandos defended Botha's Pass on 6 June 1900.
  • The battle of Bergendal, August 1900.[4]
  • The remaining members laid down the arms at Twyfelaar in June 1902.

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.

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

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the SADF

Under the SADF, this Commando was seconded to Group 28's Command. It was utilised in the area protection role.

With the SANDF

Under the SANDF's Group 12 situated in Ermelo made use of the commandos at Carolina, Ermelo and Piet Retief for some borderline functions.[5]

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.[6][7] 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.[8]

Unit Insignia
SADF era Carolina Commando insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Officer Commanding To
1895 Cmdt David Johanness Joubert c. nd
1898 Cmdt HF Prinsloo c. nd
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References
  1. https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/28050/05chapter5.pdf?sequence=6
  2. http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/viewFile/110/143
  3. http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol113kg.html
  4. https://showme.co.za/secunda/lifestyle/the-battle-of-bergendal-21-august-1900/
  5. file:///C:/Users/mrc21645/OneDrive%20-%20concor.co.za/Downloads/paper52.pdf
  6. 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)
  7. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  8. 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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