Bloemfontein City Commando: Difference between revisions
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===Origin=== |
===Origin=== |
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====With the Orange River Sovereignty==== |
====With the Orange River Sovereignty==== |
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On the 8th of March 1848, [[Sir Harry Smith]] issued a proclamation to activate a militia. From this three military districts namely Bloemfontein, Caledon River and Winburg was formed. |
On the 8th of March 1848, [[Sir Harry Smith]] issued a proclamation to activate a militia for the Sovereignty. From this, three military districts namely Bloemfontein, Caledon River and Winburg was formed. |
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====With the Orange Free State Republic==== |
====With the Orange Free State Republic==== |
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Revision as of 09:08, 21 December 2018
| Bloemfontein City Commando | |
|---|---|
 Bloemfontein City Commando emblem | |
| Active | 1848 - 2005 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 35 |
| Garrison/HQ | Bloemfontein |
| Motto(s) | Floreat (Flourish) |
Bloemfontein City 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
Origin
With the Orange River Sovereignty
On the 8th of March 1848, Sir Harry Smith issued a proclamation to activate a militia for the Sovereignty. From this, three military districts namely Bloemfontein, Caledon River and Winburg was formed.
With the Orange Free State Republic
With the proclamation of the Republic in 1854 the commandos were retained and regular shooting exercises were held in the districts.
Basotho Wars
Andries Pretorius called up a commando of about a 1000 men from the regions of Bloemfontein, Caledon River and Winburg to defend the area against Basotho cattle theft.
Anglo Boer War
The commando was involved in the siege of Kimberly with a operation near Belmont on the 23 November 1899.
During the guerilla phase, the commando raided its own city, namely Bloemfontein's water works.[1]
The commando laid down its arms at Brandfort on the 16th June 1902.
With the UDF
From 1902, all remnants of commandos had been placed under British military control and disarmed. By 1912 the commando existed solely as as Shooting Association.
By 1940, this commando fell under the National Reserve of Volunteers.
The commando was reactivated formally around 1948.
By 1956 however, the unit was divided into two separate commandos one for the city and one for the rural areas, Bloemfontein District Commando.[2]
With the SADF
From 1968, the unit was being used in assisting urban policing.
By 1978, Bloemfontein City Commando was mainly made up of colored employees of the Musgrave weapons factory and by 1980 had a compliment of around 30 men led by a white officer.[3]
The unit was also being used in the training of drivers for heavy trucks as well as securing the Lesotho border.
Operations
The unit conducted several tours in the South West African operational area around 1976 to 1982, but was mainly responsible for internal security and protection especially during the unrests in the 1980s.
With the SANDF
From 1994, the unit had trained approximately 3000 coloured and black soldiers for the new Defence Force.
In 1998, the unit celebrated its 150 anniversary with a colours parade at Tempe Stadium.
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.[4][5] 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.[6]
Unit Insignia
Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officer | To |
| From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
- Commandant Louis Wessels 1865
- Commandant Piet Fourie 1899
- Lt Colonel Herman Lotter 1974-1999
- Lt Colonel Paul Kruger 1999-2005
See also
References
- ^ Pakenham,T. The second Anglo Boer War, 1899-1902 (Ed) Cameron,T., Spies, S.B., New History of South Africa,1986 pp204-205
- ^ Strauss, A. Journal of contemporary history, issue 3, Jan 2005
- ^ http://www.musgraverifles.co.za/
- ^ 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}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help)
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