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m date format audit, minor formatting, typo(s) fixed: from 1941–2 → from 1941 to 1942
 
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{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use South African English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}


{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat
|unit_name= Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat
|image= [[File:SADF Regiment Louw Wepener Oos Vrystaat emblem.jpg|200px]]
|image= SADF Regiment Louw Wepener Oos Vrystaat emblem.jpg
|image_size= 200px
|caption= Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat Emblem
|caption= Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat Emblem
|dates= 1 June 1976
|dates= 1934
|country=
|country=
|allegiance= {{plainlist|
|allegiance= {{plainlist|
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* Army Conventional Reserve
* Army Conventional Reserve
}}
}}
|garrison=[[Ladybrand]]
|garrison=[[Ladybrand]] Bethlehem
|garrison_label=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|nickname=
|patron=
|patron=
|motto=”Ons vir jou Suid Afrika” (Us for you, South Africa)
|motto="Ons vir jou Suid Afrika" (Us for you, South Africa)
|colors=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|colors_label=
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|equipment=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|equipment_label=
|battles
|battles =
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|decorations=
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==History==
==History==

===Union Defence Force Origins===
===Union Defence Force Origins===
Regiment Louw Wepener was one of six Afrikaans-speaking Citizen Force regiments established in 1934 as part of the expansion of the then Union Defence Force of South Africa.<ref>hhttp://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1239&ParameterString=south%20african%20army&ParameterString2=Infantry</ref>
Regiment Louw Wepener was one of six Afrikaans-speaking Citizen Force regiments established in 1934 as part of the expansion of the then Union Defence Force of South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1239&ParameterString=south%20african%20army&ParameterString2=Infantry|title = South African Unit Profiles}}</ref>
The regiment was named after the Free State commandant, Louw Wepener, who was killed in 1865 during the 2nd Orange Free State—Basuto War at Thaba Bosiu, the former mountain stronghold of Moshoeshoe, founder of the Basuto nation.
The regiment was named after the Free State commandant, [[Louw Wepener]], who was killed in 1865 during the 2nd Orange Free State—[[Free State–Basotho Wars|Basuto War]] at Thaba Bosiu, the former mountain stronghold of [[Moshoeshoe I|Moshoeshoe]], founder of the Basuto nation.
⚫
The regiment’s headquarters was located in Ladybrand while recruits were enlisted from the entire Orange Free State province. The regiment was initially detached to the 4th SA Infantry Brigade.


⚫
The regiment's headquarters was located originally in [[Ladybrand]] while recruits were enlisted from the entire Orange Free State province. The regiment was initially detached to the 4th SA Infantry Brigade.
⚫
===World War 2===

⚫
During the Second World War, Regiments Louw Wepener and De Wet were absorbed into Regiment President Steyn at the start of the war, all three emanated from the Orange Free State.
⚫
===World War II===
⚫
This regiment then served as a machine gun battalion with the 1st South African Division in North Africa from 1941-2. A Major J J W Swanepoel of Regiment Louw Wepener served as this unit’s second-in-command and by 1943, a Lt Col Nel of took command of a further amalgamated Regiment Botha/ President Steyn when it was converted to a tank regiment and redeployed to Italy.
⚫
During the Second World War, Regiments Louw Wepener and De Wet were absorbed into [[Regiment President Steyn]] at the start of the war, all three emanated from the Orange Free State.
⚫
[[File:Regiment Louw Wepener World War two era cigarette card.jpg|thumb|center|150px||Regiment Louw Wepener World War two era cigarette card]]
⚫
This regiment then served as a machine gun battalion with the 1st South African Division in North Africa from 1941 to 1942. A Major J J W Swanepoel of Regiment Louw Wepener served as this unit's second-in-command and by 1943, a Lt Col Nel took command of a further amalgamated Regiment Botha/ President Steyn when it was converted to a tank regiment and redeployed to Italy.
⚫
[[File:Regiment Louw Wepener World War two era cigarette card.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Regiment Louw Wepener World War Two era cigarette card]]


===Post War Citizen Force Regiment Development===
===Post War Citizen Force Regiment Development===
By 1946, Regiment Louw Wepener was resuscitated as a Citizen Force unit and converted again to mechanised infantry.At this stage the regiments HQ had moved to Bethlehem.
By 1946, Regiment Louw Wepener was resuscitated as a Citizen Force unit and converted again to mechanised infantry. At this stage, the regiments HQ had moved to Bethlehem.


===Name change===
===Name change===
In 1960, it became Regiment Oos-Vrystaat (Regiment East Free State), but the original designation, Regiment Louw Wepener, was again re-adopted by 1966. The regiment at this stage had become motorised infantry. The regiment served under this name until well into the 1990s, when it was absorbed, together with [[Regiment Dan Pienaar]], into [[Regiment Bloemspruit]].<ref> http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8526:fact-file-regiment-bloemspruit&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159</ref>
In 1960, it became Regiment Oos-Vrystaat (Regiment East Free State), but the original designation, Regiment Louw Wepener, was again re-adopted by 1966. The regiment at this stage had become motorised infantry. The regiment served under this name until well into the 1990s, when it was absorbed, together with [[Regiment Dan Pienaar]], into [[Regiment Bloemspruit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8526:fact-file-regiment-bloemspruit&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|title = Fact file: Regiment Bloemspruit|date = 17 June 2010}}</ref>


===Battle honours===
===Battle honours===
{{See also|List of South African Battle Honours}}
{{See also|List of South African Battle Honours}}
The regiment took part in the battles of [[Gazala]] line and the defence of [[El Alamein]].
⚫
The unit also served in numerous deployments in the Border War in SWA/Namibia

⚫
The regiment also served in numerous deployments in the Border War in SWA/Namibia


===Freedom of the City===
===Freedom of the City===
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==Leadership==
==Leadership==
{{Empty section|date=December 2016}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2016}}

==Regimental emblems==
==Regimental emblems==
An image of Thaba Bosiu forms the background of the regimental badge. A Vickers machine gun is superimposed on the mountain and the name ‘Thaba Bosigo’ appears below— this being the original Afrikaans spelling of the name of the mountain. Below the name is a shield with crossed spears above a scroll bearing the words ‘Reg Louw Wepener Reg’.
An image of [[Thaba Bosiu]] forms the background of the regimental badge. A Vickers machine gun is superimposed on the mountain and the name 'Thaba Bosigo' appears below— this being the original Afrikaans spelling of the name of the mountain. Below the name is a shield with crossed spears above a scroll bearing the words 'Reg Louw Wepener Reg'.


===Dress Insignia===
{{Gallery
[[File:SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener insignia.jpg|thumb|center|600px|SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener insignia]]
| title=
|width=340 |height=150 |lines=2
|align=center
|footer=
| File:SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener beret badges.jpg
|UDF and SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener beret badges
| File:SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener shoulder flashes.jpg
⚫
|SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener shoulder flashes
}}


==Roll of Honour==
==Roll of Honour==


{{Empty section|date=July 2018}}
⚫
==References==
⚫
*Tylden, G. The Armed Forces of South Africa , Johannesburg, Frank Connock, 1954.


⚫
==References==
⚫
*Tylden, G. The Armed Forces of South Africa, Johannesburg, Frank Connock, 1954.
*South African Museum of Military History Library and Archives, File 355.31(68) Regt Louw Wepener.
*South African Museum of Military History Library and Archives, File 355.31(68) Regt Louw Wepener.


{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


{{portal|South Africa}}
{{portal|South Africa}}
{{SA Army Units}}
{{SA Army Units}}


⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Regiment Louw Wepener Oos Vrystaat}}
[[Category:1934 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of South Africa]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War]]

Latest revision as of 00:48, 26 November 2022

Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat
Regiment Louw Wepener / Oos Vrystaat Emblem
Active1934
Allegiance
Branch
SizeBattalion
Part of
Garrison/HQLadybrand Bethlehem
Motto(s)"Ons vir jou Suid Afrika" (Us for you, South Africa)
Battle honours

Regiment Louw Wepener was an infantry battalion of the South African Army. As a reserve force unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

History

[edit]

Union Defence Force Origins

[edit]

Regiment Louw Wepener was one of six Afrikaans-speaking Citizen Force regiments established in 1934 as part of the expansion of the then Union Defence Force of South Africa.[1] The regiment was named after the Free State commandant, Louw Wepener, who was killed in 1865 during the 2nd Orange Free State—Basuto War at Thaba Bosiu, the former mountain stronghold of Moshoeshoe, founder of the Basuto nation.

The regiment's headquarters was located originally in Ladybrand while recruits were enlisted from the entire Orange Free State province. The regiment was initially detached to the 4th SA Infantry Brigade.

World War II

[edit]

During the Second World War, Regiments Louw Wepener and De Wet were absorbed into Regiment President Steyn at the start of the war, all three emanated from the Orange Free State. This regiment then served as a machine gun battalion with the 1st South African Division in North Africa from 1941 to 1942. A Major J J W Swanepoel of Regiment Louw Wepener served as this unit's second-in-command and by 1943, a Lt Col Nel took command of a further amalgamated Regiment Botha/ President Steyn when it was converted to a tank regiment and redeployed to Italy.

Regiment Louw Wepener World War Two era cigarette card

Post War Citizen Force Regiment Development

[edit]

By 1946, Regiment Louw Wepener was resuscitated as a Citizen Force unit and converted again to mechanised infantry. At this stage, the regiments HQ had moved to Bethlehem.

Name change

[edit]

In 1960, it became Regiment Oos-Vrystaat (Regiment East Free State), but the original designation, Regiment Louw Wepener, was again re-adopted by 1966. The regiment at this stage had become motorised infantry. The regiment served under this name until well into the 1990s, when it was absorbed, together with Regiment Dan Pienaar, into Regiment Bloemspruit.[2]

Battle honours

[edit]
See also: List of South African Battle Honours

The regiment took part in the battles of Gazala line and the defence of El Alamein.

The regiment also served in numerous deployments in the Border War in SWA/Namibia

Freedom of the City

[edit]

Leadership

[edit]

Regimental emblems

[edit]

An image of Thaba Bosiu forms the background of the regimental badge. A Vickers machine gun is superimposed on the mountain and the name 'Thaba Bosigo' appears below— this being the original Afrikaans spelling of the name of the mountain. Below the name is a shield with crossed spears above a scroll bearing the words 'Reg Louw Wepener Reg'.

Dress Insignia

[edit]
SADF era Regiment Louw Wepener insignia

Roll of Honour

[edit]

References

[edit]
  • Tylden, G. The Armed Forces of South Africa, Johannesburg, Frank Connock, 1954.
  • South African Museum of Military History Library and Archives, File 355.31(68) Regt Louw Wepener.
  1. ^ "South African Unit Profiles".
  2. ^ "Fact file: Regiment Bloemspruit". 17 June 2010.
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