Winterberg Commando

Winterberg 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.

Winterberg Commando
Winterberg Commando emblem
Active1948-
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQWinterberg (Eastern Cape)

History

Origin

The Winterberg Commando was founded in Adelaide, Eastern Cape in 1948.

Operations

With the UDF

By 1940, rifle associations were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers. These rifle associations were re-designated as commandos by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

The units area of responsibility was significantly large on the outset, and two further commandos namely Katberg and Midland Commandos were developed. Katberg Commando was again reincorporated with the Winterberg Commando in 1979.

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 independence of Ciskei, the previous Katberg Commando area was incorporated with the new Homelands territory.[1]

Freedom of Adelaide

The unit received the Freedom of Adelaide in October 1986.

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 Winterberg Commando insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
1970 Kommandant A.C. Lombard 1973
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

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. Retrieved 5 March 2015.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "About the Commando system". 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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