Vereeniging Commando
- Union Defence Force
Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
South African Army
South African Army
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 17
Military unit
Vereeniging 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
The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood.
Operations
With the UDF
The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.
With the SADF
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.
Freedom of Entry
The Commando received the Freedom of Entry to the city of Vereeniging on 14 February 1976.
National Colours
On 16 August 1991, the commanding officer Cmdt J.C. Kruger, accepted the award of National Colours on behalf of the unit.
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.[1][2] 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.[3]
On Friday 29 September 2006 Vereeniging Commando finally closed its doors when Lt Col J.C. Zelie handed the VMB keys over to the Department of Public Works.
Insignia
Insignia
-
Cravat -
Flash -
Tupper Flashes -
Lanyard -
Stable Belt -
Unit Flag
Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| 1991 | Col (Dr) M. Milani | 2006 |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1921 | Lt Col K. Rood | 1929 |
| 1929 | Lt Col E. Rood | 1939 |
| 1939 | Lt Col E.S. Rood | 1946 |
| 1946 | Cmdt J.J. Marais | 1948 |
| August 1949 | Cmdt F.H.V. Lamont | November 1949 |
| 1950 | Cmdt G. de Bruyn-Nel | 1967 |
| 1967 | Cmdt F.P. van Niekerk | 1977 |
| 1977 | Cmdt W.A. de Klerk | 1981 |
| 1981 | Cmdt J.P. Arnold | 1985 |
| 1985 | Cmdt T.C. Pieterse | 1989 |
| 1989 | Cmdt J.C. Kruger | 1994 |
| 1994 | Cmdt B.M. Steyn | 1997 |
| 1997 | Lt Col J.C. Zelie | 2006 |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
| 1967 | WO1 D.B. Oliver | 1976 |
| 1977 | WO1 W.A. Bobbert | 1982 |
| 1982 | WO1 M.L. van Stratten | 1989 |
| 1989 | WO1 P.F. Strachan | 1991 |
| 1991 | WO1 E. Jonker | 1994 |
| 1994 | WO1 D.J. Labuschagne | 2006 |
References
- ^ 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
South Africa portal
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South African Commandos
South African Army, South African Commando System
- GSB Youngsfield
- 10 x Commandos
- Two Oceans Commando
- Cape Flats Commando
- False Bay Commando
- Koeberg Commando
- Lions Head Commando
- Skiereiland Commando/Peninsula Commando
- Tygerberg Commando
- Wynberg Commando
- GSB Oudtshoorn
- 8 x Commandos
- Oudtshoorn Commando
- Worcester Commando
- Cradock Commando
- Katberg Commando
- Murraydeen Commando
- Somerset East Commando
- Stormberg Commando
- Midland Commando, (previously Fort Beaufort Commando)
- GSB Pietermaritzburg
- 5 x Commandos
- Pietermaritzburg Commando/Natalia Regiment
- Umkomaas Commando
- Umvoti Commando
- Midmar Commando
- Weenen-Kliprivier Commando
- Griqualand-East Commando
- GSB Pietersburg
- 7 x Commandos
- Pietersburg Commando
- Limpopo Commando(SMA)
- Magdol Commando
- Soutpansberg Commando(SMA)
- Thabazimbi Commando
- Warmbad Commando
- Waterberg Commando Nylstroom
- Potgietersrus Commando
- GSB Johannesburg
- 8 x Commandos
- Delmas Commando
- Heidelberg Commando
- Nigel Commando
- Springs Commando
- GSB Kimberley
- 10 x Commandos
- 11 Commando
- Barkly West Commando
- Herbert Commando
- Hopetown Commando
- Kimberley Commando
- Karoo Commando
- Vaalharts Commando
- Victoria West Commando
- GSB Lohathla
- 7 x Commandos
- Boegoeberg Commando
- Gordonia Commando
- Kakamas Commando
- Hay Commando
- Orania Commando
- Prieska Commando
- GSB Bloemfontein
- 16 x Commandos
- Caledon River Commando
- Fauresmith Commando
- Ladybrand Commando
- Senekal Commando
- Alberton Commando
- Edenvale Commando
- Modderfontein Commando
- Sandton Commando (previously West Park Commando)
- West Park Commando (renamed Sandton Commando)
- GSB Port Elizabeth
- 7 x Commandos
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