South African infantry badges - request info

[Traist]

I understand your point of view, but the SANDF is full of "politically" appointed people in senior positions, so enough said about this matter. It isn't worth discussing, let alone argueing about.

[L1A1]

Does anyone have a picture of the new issue infantry cap/beret badge that they can upload?

thanks

[Traist]

This is the new badge. Regards Andrew

[L1A1]

Thanks for that Andrew, much appreciated.

Is it only being issued in cloth or is there a metal version as well?

[Traist]

No metal version of this badge. Regards Andrew

[L1A1]

Thanks Andrew, you have been most helpful

[Traist]

It's a pleasure. Regards Andrew

[L1A1]

Well, after much research, I came up with the following list of current South African Infantry regiments. I would appreciate if someone more knowledgeable than me would have a quick look and see if I have left any out or added regiments no longer in existence. Thanks for your help

1ST SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTALION
2ND SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTLION
3RD INFANTRY BATTALION TRAINING DEPOT
4TH INFANTRY BATTALION
5TH INFANTRY BATTALION
6th INFANTRY BATTALION
7TH SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTALION
9TH INFANTRY BATTALION
10TH SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTALION
14TH INFANTRY BATTALION
15TH INFANTRY BATTALION
44th PARACHUTE REGIMENT
61ST MECHANISED INFANTRY BATTALION
115TH INFANTRY BATTALION
116TH INFANTRY BATTALION
118TH INFANTRY BATTALION
121ST INFANTRY BATTALION
CAPE TOWN HIGHLANDERS
CAPE TOWN RIFLES
DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY
DURBAN REGIMENT
JOHANNESBURG REGIMENT
KAFFRARIAN RIFLES
KIMBERLEY REGIMENT
PRINCE ALFREDS GUARD
RAND LIGHT INFANTRY
REGIMENT BLOEMSPRUIT
REGIMENT BOLAND
REGIMENT DE LA REY
REGIMENT SCHOONSPRUIT
REGIMENT WESTERN PROVINCE
SOUTH AFRICAN IRISH REGIMENT
SOUTH AFRICAN MARINE CORPS
TRANSVAAL SCOTTISH
WITWATERSRAND RIFLES
REGIMENT NORTHERN TRANSVAAL
REGIMENT BOTHA
REGIMENT CHRISTIAN BAAYERS
TSHWANE REGIMENT
BUFFALO VOLUNTEER RIFLES
NATAL CARBINEERS
REGIMENT PIET RETIEF

[Traist]

I think that some may have been disbanded, but not 100% sure. The Marines fall under the Navy. Regards Andrew

[L1A1]

Thanks for that Andrew. I tried to find as many as I could through the SANDF site but the table of organisation for Infantry is so small I couldn't read of the unit abbreviations.

Have included the Marines because, even if they are part of the Navy, they are still infantry by role

thanks once again

[Alex Rice]

Hi Guys
The SA Marines were disbanded in about 1991.
Cheers,
Alex

[Traist]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi Guys
The SA Marines were disbanded in about 1991.
Cheers,
Alex

Thanks Alex, that is terrible. How do you have a Navy without them? They were disbanded before and had to be brought back. Regards Andrew

[Arthur R]

L1A1,

If you're looking only at units which still exist, then Regiment Boland can come off the list - it was disbanded in 1997.

To add to the list, here are other existing units which have/had their own capbadges:
* First City (1875- )
* ?Regiment President Kruger (1954-) (not sure if it still exists)
* ?Regiment Oos Rand (1960- ) (ditto)
* 1 Parachute Battalion (1961- )
* Special Forces Regiments (all have the same beret badge)
* 8 SA Infantry Battalion (1973- )
* 11 Commando (infantry 1973-82, intelligence school 1982- )

Prince Alfred's Guard, on the list, was originally infantry, but has been armour since 1943. If you want other armoured regiments that were formerly infantry, there's the:
* Natal Mounted Rifles (mounted until 1935, infantry 1935-43, armour 1943- )
* Umvoti Mounted Rifles (ditto)
* Light Horse Regiment (ditto)
* Pretoria Regiment (infantry 1913-43, armour 1943- )
* Regiment President Steyn (infantry 1934-43, armour 1943- )
* Pretoria Highlanders (infantry 1939-43, armour 1943- ).

The Kaffrarian Rifles and Buffalo Volunteer Rifles are the same regiment - BVR is the current name.

I'm not sure if 61 Mechanised Battalion Group still exists.

Re the Marines : there were two separate marines organisations. The first
(1951-55) was coast and anti-aircraft artillery. The second (1980-90s) was a branch of the navy which handled harbour defence.

[sabrigade]

One of the more well known members of the marines was the late General Magnus Malan who was a member of the original component.

The marine capability was established in 1979 within the SA Navy. Its main purpose was to protect harbors and other naval infrastructure. Marines were deployed at Katima Mulilo in Northern Namibia and they patrolled the Zambezi River. Marines were deployed and used as normal infantry companies and also did counter insurgency operations within South Africa. A limited amphibious landing capacity was available.

After the conclusion of the Namibian campaign, major restructuring took place within all the components of the SADF and the marines were disbanded.

A Maritime Reaction Squadron may be established which will have a similar role to the former marines.

I have emailed a friend who is a Senior Staff Officer and who works at the SA Army Infantry Formation. I have requested him to provide an updated list of all their units. For example, 61 Mechanised Battalion (GP?) was disbanded a few years ago.

[L1A1]

Thank you all for your kind help and assistance. You have certainly cleared what was becoming a bit of a puzzle for me.

Thank you especially SAbrigade for taking the time to get your friend to provide a list. Can't beat straight from the horse's mouth!

Once again thank you all, you have been fantastic