Smithfield Commando
| Smithfield Commando | |
|---|---|
 Smithfield Commando emblem | |
| Disbanded | March 14, 2003 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Smithfield Free State |
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Smithfield 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.
History[edit]
Origin[edit]
With the Orange River Sovereignty[edit]
In 1858, Smithfield was a frontier town between the Sovereignty and the Basotho. It was therefore involved in the Basotho Wars and even could muster its own cannon called "old grietjie."
With the Orange Free State Republic[edit]
The commando was again involved in the Anglo Boer War most notable being:
- The Battle of Stormberg in 1899,
- The battle of Biddulphberg in 1900.[1]
With the UDF[edit]
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.
These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
With the SADF[edit]
During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones and assisting the rural police in stock theft control.
With the SANDF[edit]
Disbandment[edit]
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[edit]
Leadership[edit]
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1899 | Commandant J Potgieter | nd |
| 1900 | Commandant Jan Le Roux Pieterse | nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
References[edit]
- ^ "Streaming film complet et séries en VF - " vfComplet "". Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also[edit]
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