List of South African Commando Units
This is a list of the South African Commando Units. It includes some units which were created to assist in the training or support of the Commandos.[1]
Unit List[edit]
Group 1[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | (HQ Kelvin) | |
| GSB Youngsfield (10 x Commandos) | ||
| Two Oceans Commando | Cape Town | |
| Cape Flats Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| False Bay Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| Koeberg Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| Lions Head Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| Skiereiland Commando/Peninsula Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| Tygerberg Commando | Cape Town | 
|
| Wynberg Commando | Cape Town | 
|
Group 2[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 2 | (HQ Oudtshoorn) | |
| GSB Oudtshoorn (8 x Commandos) | ||
| Oudtshoorn Commando | Oudtshoorn | 
|
| Worcester Commando | 
|
Group 3[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 3[a] | ||
| Alexander Bay Commando | 
| |
| Springbok Commando | 
|
Group 4[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 4[a] | ||
| Knysna Commando | Western Cape | 
|
| Mossel Bay Commando | Western Cape | 
|
| Outeniekwa Commando | Western Cape | 
|
| Riversdal Commando | Western Cape | 
|
| Klein Karoo Commando | Western Cape | 
|
Group 5[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 5[a] | ||
| Middel Karoo Commando | 
| |
| De Aar Commando | 
|
Group 6[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 6 | (HQ Port Elizabeth) | |
| GSB Port Elizabeth | 15 x Commandos | |
| De Mist Commando/Uitenhage Commando | / 
| |
| Donkin Commando | 
| |
| Humansdorp Commando | 
| |
| Kirkwood Commando | 
| |
| Port Elizabeth Commando | Eastern Cape | 
|
| Recife Commando | 
|
Group 7[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 7 | (HQ Grahamstown) | |
| Cradock Commando | 
| |
| Katberg Commando | 
| |
| Murraydeen Commando | 
| |
| Somerset East Commando | 
| |
| Stormberg Commando | 
| |
| Midland Commando[b] | 
|
Group 8[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 8 | (HQ East London) | |
| Cately Commando | East London | 
|
| East London Commando | East London | 
|
Group 9[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 9 | (HQ Pietermaritzburg) | |
| GSB Pietermaritzburg (5 x Commandos) | ||
| Pietermaritzburg Commando/Natalia Regiment | 
| |
| Umkomaas Commando | 
| |
| Umvoti Commando | Durban[c] | 
|
| Midmar Commando | 
| |
| Weenen-Kliprivier Commando | 
| |
| Griqualand-East Commando | 
|
Group 10[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 10 | (HQ Montclair, Durban) | |
| GSB Durban (6 x Commandos) | ||
| Bluff Commando | ||
| Highway Commando | ||
| Umgeni Commando | ||
| Durban South Commando | ||
| Durban North Commando | ||
| South Coast Commando | ||
| Oribi Commando |
Group 11[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 11 | (HQ Dundee) | |
| Drakensberg Commando | ||
| Dundee and District Commando |
Group 12[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 12 | (HQ Ermelo) | |
| GSB Nelspruit (11 x Commandos) | ||
| Bethal Commando | ||
| Ermelo Commando | ||
| Piet Retief Commando | ||
| Secunda Commando | ||
| Standerton Commando | ||
| Volksrust Commando | ||
| Wakkerstroom Commando |
Group 13[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 13[a] | ||
| Letaba Commando | ||
| Phalaborwa Commando |
Group 14[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 14 | (HQ Pietersburg) | |
| GSB Pietersburg (7 x Commandos) | ||
| Pietersburg Commando | ||
| Limpopo Commando(SMA) | ||
| Magdol Commando | ||
| Soutpansberg Commando(SMA) | ||
| Thabazimbi Commando | ||
| Warmbad Commando | ||
| Waterberg Commando Nylstroom | ||
| Potgietersrus Commando |
Group 15[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 15 | (HQ Thaba Tshwane) | |
| GSB Thaba Tshwane (6 x Commandos) | ||
| Broederstroom Commando | ||
| Bronkhorstspruit Commando | ||
| Hercules Commando | ||
| Hillcrest Commando | ||
| Irene Commando | ||
| Moot Commando | ||
| Munitoria Commando | ||
| Pretoria East Commando | ||
| Quaggapoort Commando | ||
| Schanskop Commando | ||
| Wonderboom Commando |
Group 16[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 16 | (HQ Marievale) | |
| GSB Johannesburg (8 x Commandos) | ||
| Delmas Commando | ||
| Heidelberg Commando | ||
| Nigel Commando | ||
| Springs Commando |
Group 17[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 17 | (HQ Midvaal) | |
| SASOL Commando | ||
| Regiment Sasolburg | ||
| Iscor Commando | ||
| Krugersdorp Commando | ||
| Meyerton Commando | ||
| Vaal Commando | ||
| Vanderbijl Commando | ||
| Vereeniging Commando |
Group 18[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 18 | (HQ Doornkop) | |
| GSB Johannesburg (11 x Commandos) | ||
| East Park Commando | ||
| Johannesburg East Commando | ||
| Johannesburg West Commando | ||
| Randburg Commando | ||
| Roodepoort Commando | ||
| Wemmerpan Commando | ||
| West Rand Commando |
Group 19[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 19[a] | ||
| Brits Commando | ||
| Koster Commando | ||
| Rustenburg Commando | ||
| Zeerust Commando |
Group 20[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 20 | (HQ Mmabatho) | |
| GSB Potchefstroom (9 x Commandos) | ||
| Bloemhof Commando | ||
| Christiana Commando | ||
| Coligny Commando | ||
| Lichtenburg Commando | ||
| Marico Commando | ||
| Ottosdal Commando | ||
| Schweizer Reineke Commando |
Group 21[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 21[a] | ||
| Kalahari Commando | ||
| Kuruman Commando | ||
| Mafikeng Commando | ||
| Stellaland Commando | ||
| Iscor Sishen Commando |
Group 22[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 22 | (HQ Diskobolos) | |
| GSB Kimberley (10 x Commandos) | ||
| 11 Commando | 
| |
| Barkly West Commando | ||
| Herbert Commando | ||
| Hopetown Commando | ||
| Kimberley Commando | ||
| Karoo Commando | ||
| Vaalharts Commando | ||
| Victoria West Commando |
Group 23[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 23 | (HQ Upington) | |
| GSB Lohathla (7 x Commandos) | ||
| Boegoeberg Commando | ||
| Gordonia Commando | ||
| Kakamas Commando | ||
| Hay Commando | ||
| Orania Commando | ||
| Prieska Commando |
Group 24[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 24 | (HQ Kroonstad) | |
| GSB Kroonstad (17 x Commandos) | ||
| Heilbron Commando | ||
| Hoopstad Commando | ||
| Koppies Commando | ||
| Kroonstad Commando | ||
| Lindley Commando | ||
| Parys Commando | ||
| SASOL Commando | ||
| Regiment Sasolburg | ||
| Senekal Commando | ||
| Virginia Commando | ||
| Vrede Commando |
Group 25[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 25 | (HQ Bethlehem) | |
| Bethlehem Commando | ||
| Frankfort Commando | ||
| Harrismith Commando | ||
| Reitz Commando |
Group 26[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 26 | (HQ, Jacobsdal) | |
| Jacobsdal Commando | ||
| Phillipolis Commando | ||
| Rouxville Commando | ||
| Winburg Commando | ||
| Zastron Commando |
Group 27[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 27 | (HQ Eshowe) | |
| GSB Ladysmith (5 x Commandos) | ||
| Drakensberg Commando | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 
|
| Dundee and District Commando | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 
|
| Pongola Commando | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 
|
| Tugela Commando | Durban[c] | 
|
| Insele Commando[d] | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 
|
| Northern Natal Commando | Kwa-Zulu Natal | |
| Umkhombe Commando | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 
|
Group 28[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 28[a] | ||
| Belfast Commando | ||
| Carolina Commando | ||
| Loskop Commando | ||
| Middelburg Commando | ||
| Witbank Commando |
Group 29[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 29[a] | ||
| Kudusrand Commando | Limpopo | 
|
| Northam Commando | Limpopo | 
|
Group 30[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 30 | (HQ Potchefstroom) | |
| GSB Potchefstroom (12 x Commandos) | ||
| Potchefstroom Commando | ||
| Cachet Commando | ||
| Delareyville Commando | ||
| Gatsrand Commando | ||
| Hartbeesfontein Commando | ||
| Klerksdorp Commando | ||
| NASChem Commando | ||
| Orkney Commando/Noordvaal Commando | ||
| Ventersdorp Commando | ||
| Wolmaransstad Commando |
Group 31[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 31 | (HQ Wellington) | |
| Caledon Commando | ||
| Calvinia Commando | ||
| Hantam Commando | ||
| Paarl Commando | ||
| Stellenbosch Commando | ||
| Swellendam Commando | ||
| Winterberg Commando | ||
| Worcester Commando |
Group 32[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 32 | (HQ Graaff-Reinet) | |
| Amatola Commando | ||
| Graaff-Reinet Commando |
Group 33[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 33 | (HQ Nelspruit) | |
| GSB Nelspruit (8 x Commandos) | ||
| Barberton Commando | ||
| Nelspruit Commando | ||
| Kruger National Park Commando | ||
| Lebombo Commando | ||
| Long Tom Commando | ||
| Lydenburg Commando | ||
| Whiteriver Commando |
Group 34[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 34 | (HQ Welkom) | |
| Bothaville Commando | ||
| Bultfontein Commando | ||
| Odendaalsrus Commando | ||
| Theunissen Commando | ||
| Sandrivier Commando | ||
| Goudveld Commando |
Group 35[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 35 | (HQ Bloemfontein) | |
| Bloemfontein City Commando | 
| |
| Bloemfontein District Commando | 
| |
| Boshof Commando | 
| |
| Brandfort Commando | 
| |
| Edenburg Commando | 
| |
| Ficksburg Commando | 
| |
| Smithfield Commando | 
| |
| University OFS Commando | ||
| Wepener Commando | 
| |
| Fouriesburg Commando | 
|
Group 36[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 36 | (HQ Tempe/Ladybrand) | |
| GSB Bloemfontein (16 x Commandos) | ||
| Caledon River Commando | 
| |
| Fauresmith Commando | 
| |
| Ladybrand Commando | 
| |
| Senekal Commando | 
|
Group 39[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 39 | (HQ Queenstown) | |
| Aliwal North Commando | 
| |
| Barkly East Commando | 
| |
| Queenstown Commando | 
|
Group 40[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 40 | (HQ Wingsfield) | |
| Clanwilliam Commando | 
| |
| Piketberg Commando | 
| |
| Swartland Commando | 
| |
| Van Rhynsdorp Commando | 
| |
| West Coast Commando | 
|
Group 41[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 41 | (HQ Primrose) | |
| Atlas Commando | Transvaal | 
|
| Benoni Commando | Transvaal | 
|
| Brakpan Commando | Transvaal | 
|
| Boksburg Commando | Transvaal | 
|
| Germiston Commando | Transvaal | 
|
| Kempton Park Commando | Transvaal | 
|
Group 42[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 42 | (HQ Lenz) | |
| Alberton Commando | 
| |
| Edenvale Commando[e] | [f] | 
|
| Modderfontein Commando | 
| |
| Sandton Commando[g] | 
| |
| West Park Commando[h] |
Group 46[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 46 | (HQ Umtata) | |
| GSB Port Elizabeth (7 x Commandos) |
Group 50[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Group 50 | ||
| Alte Feste Commando (SWATF) | Namibia | 
|
| Bo-Nossob Commando (SWATF) | Namibia | 
|
| Etosha Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Grootfontein Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Keetmanshoop Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Maltahohe Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Mariental Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Otjiwarongo Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Outjo Commando (SWATF) | 
| |
| Walvis Bay Military Area | ||
| Walvis Bay Commando | Walvis Bay | 
|
Unsorted[edit]
| Unit | Area | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Unsorted | ||
| Danie Theron Combat School | Northern Cape | 
|
| South West Karoo Commando | South West Karoo | |
| Stormrivier Commando | Western Cape |
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Collapsed into other groups
- ^ Previously Fort Beaufort Commando
- ^ a b Part of Natal Command in late 1970s.[2]
- ^ Originally named Empangeni/Richards Bay Commando. The unit was renamed Insele Commando on March 2, 1981
- ^ Also Rietfontein Commando?
- ^ Possibly under Group 41
- ^ Previously West Park Commando
- ^ Renamed Sandton Commando
References[edit]
- ^ "South African Unit Profiles: Commandos". War in Angola.
- ^ Keegan, John (1 January 1979). World Armies (1st ed.). Facts on File. ISBN 978-0871964076. cited in Orbann USN, Lt Cdr Carl T. (1 June 1984). South African Defense Policy (Masters). Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School. p. 124.
External links[edit]
- South African Police Service
- "Official Commando System page". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2023.