61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps; although it was classed as mechanized infantry, it was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.
History
Combat Group Juliet
General Constand Viljoen, Chief of the Army, formulated a plan in 1978 to introduce a mechanized combat group to Ovamboland in the then South West Africa, to conduct operations against SWAPO. Combat Group Juliet was then formed under the command of Commandant Frank Bestbier.
Operation Reindeer
The Battle Group first saw action in Operation Reindeer in early May 1978, launching an attack on SWAPO’s Western Front headquarters and logistics base, at Chetequera, 15km north of the South West African border, with a mechanized assault force. This attack formed part of Operation Reindeer during which paratroopers attacked a separate target at Cassinga, some 300 km into Angola. After Operation Reindeer it was decided to establish a permanent conventional mechanized combat unit in the operational area and Commandant Johann Dippenaar was appointed to set up this unit.
By January 1979, the battle group was renamed 61 Mechanised Infantry and became part of the regular order of battle. The unit served for over a decade in the territory fighting both a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation, as well as taking part in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces, before South-West Africa achieved independence as Namibia.
South West Africa Headquarters of 61 Mech
A tactical headquarters for 61 Mech was initially established at Otavi but during April 1979 these tactical quarters were moved to Tsumeb. 61 Mech was eventually established at Omuthiya, with the base headquarters in Tsumeb.
Further operations
61 Mech was primarily involved in these operations.
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Relocation to Lohatla Army Battle School
The start of 1992 saw 61 Mech Bn Gp becoming settled at the Army Battle School in Lohatla. 61 Mech Bn Gp remained part of C Army’s reserve, under operational command of 60 Brigade HQ and administratively supported by the Army Battle School. During this time, C Army amended the organization of the Battle School to execute two functions concurrently: first, continuing to administer the facility as a large training institution for reserves and full-time forces as it had been in the past; second, to provide the headquarters for a virtual Rapid Deployment Force (including 61 mech), as part of its permanent order of battle.
Disbandment
By 2005, 61 Mech was disbanded and its infantry elements merged into 8 South African Infantry Battalion at Upington after moving from Lohatla. Other components (armour and artillery) were merged into other existing regular forces in their respective corps.
Organisation
61 Mech Inf was organised along the following lines:
- two infantry companies, which were equipped with the Ratel-20 Infantry Fighting Vehicle,
- if necessary, a third infantry company was attached. On many occasions this was a company from 1 Parachute Battalion who were attached as a motorised company in Buffels
- an armoured car squadron initially equipped with Eland Armoured Cars. During 1980 the Elands were replaced by the Ratel-90 and later the Rooikat Armoured Fighting Vehicle,
- a support company consisting of an anti-tank platoon in Ratel-90s,
- an 81mm mortar platoon in Ratel-81s,
- an anti-aircraft troop and
- an artillery battery equipped with the G5 howitzer. Firepower was further augmented by the addition of the self-propelled version (G6 Rhino).
- In 1988 61 Mech also received the first combat-deployed squadron of Olifant MBTs, to counter the ever-escalating FAPLA tank threat
61 Mech was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit, due to its versatility.
Insignia
Standard Dress
Standard Dress |
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61 Mech nutria shoulder flash with South West Africa Command Bar
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61 Mech nutria shoulder flash with Northern Cape Command Bar
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61 Mech nutria shoulder flash with Lohatla Command Bar
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61 Mech nutria shoulder flash with Chief of the Army Command Bar
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Ops Badge
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The unit awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties.[1]:14 The badge had a yellow backing and was awarded initially only for cross border operations into Angola.[1]:14 A subsequent version with a green backing was suggested which was to be for internal duties. This version was never authorised and the yellow badge was awarded for all operational deployments. The badge consists of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown's) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching.
Badges |
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Operational Participation Bar
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Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (Old Style)
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Operational Participation Bar Field Dress (New Style)
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Companies
Each company or element in the Battalion (group) had its own flag and identifying badge.
Company Insignia |
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61 Mech Charlie Squadron - Armour
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61 Mech Sierra Battery - Artillery
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Roll of Honour
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- 1984: Badenhorst, J. J., Gnr [2]:38
- 1980: Bonnet, P. J., Pte [2]:1756
- 1996: Claasen, N. J., Rfn [2]:34733
- 1981: Coetzee, S. F., CO [2]:2090[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Croeser, D. P., Rfn [2]:267[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Cronje, S. M., Rfn [2]:1775[lower-alpha 1]
- 1987: De Jager, F., Tpr [2]:304[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: de Vito, R. N., Rfn [2]:1778[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Du Toit, J. D. G., Rfn [2]:398[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Du Toit, J. J., Lt [2]:1699[lower-alpha 1]
- 1995: Du Toit, J., Lt [2]:34731
- 1980: Evans, D. J., L-Cpl [2]:1734
- 1980: Fourie, J. H., Rfn [2]:1783[lower-alpha 1]
- 1989: Gache, R. A., Rfn [2]:483
- 1988: Groenewald, A. S., Rfn [2]:535[lower-alpha 1]
- 1988: Groenewald, P. H., Rfn [2]:538[lower-alpha 1]
- 1981: Hall, P., Rfn [2]:34728
- 1982: Hattingh, G. P. C., Rfn [2]:560
- 1988: Hendricks, C., Bom [2]:578[lower-alpha 1]
- 1987: Hind, A. H., 2Lt [2]:588[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Hough, L. P., Rfn [2]:602[lower-alpha 1]
- 1988: Jagga, R. V., L-Cpl [2]:628[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Joubert, P. J., Rfn [2]:1795[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Joubert, J. J., Wrn [2]:1758
- 1980: Kemp, G. J., Rfn [2]:1799[lower-alpha 1]
- 1988: Kleynhans, J. H., Cpl [2]:707[lower-alpha 1]
- 1988: Koen, P. G. L., 2Lt [2]:721
- 1981: Kotze, J. J., Wrn [2]:34729
- 1979: Kotze, C. J., Rfn [2]:729
- 1980: Kruger, P., Cpl [2]:1729[lower-alpha 1]
- 1988: Lamb, G., L-Cpl [2]:35149
- 1980: Lang, G., Wrn [2]:34727
- 1988: Lecuona, M. J., L-Cpl [2]:798
- 1980: Lello, F. J., Rfn [2]:1804[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Loubser, F. J., Rfn [2]:1806[lower-alpha 1]
- 1985: Luiters, W. R., Rfn [2]:847
- 1980: Luyt, M. C., Rfn [2]:1808[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Madden, A. J., Rfn [2]:1811[lower-alpha 1]
- 1994: Matwa, W. Z., L-Cpl [2]:34730
- 1988: Meiring, M., 2Lt [2]:942[lower-alpha 1]
- 1987: Metcalfe, H. J., Rfn [2]:952[lower-alpha 1]
- 1996: Mokgatle, J., Rfn [2]:34732
- 1988: Nieuwenhuizen, V. V., Rfn [2]:1065[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Nortje, C. J., Rfn [2]:1824
- 1982: Peterson, M., Rfn [2]:1133[lower-alpha 1]
- 1981: Potgieter, J. L., Cpl [2]:2049[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Potgieter, J. H., Rfn [2]:1159[lower-alpha 1]
- 1983: Pretorius, S., Rfn [2]:1172[lower-alpha 1]
- 1987: Redelinghuys, J. J., L-Cpl [2]:1196[lower-alpha 1]
- 1996: Sandi, A., Rfn [2]:34734
- 1983: Steyn, J. D. J., Rfn [2]:1350
- 1979: Swart, H. L., Cpl [2]:1381[lower-alpha 1]
- 1979: Van Brakel, D. G., Rfn [2]:1452
- 1982: Van den Berg, J. J., L-Cpl [2]:1536
- 1982: Van der Westhuizen, D. R., 2Lt [2]:1569[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Van Jaarsveld, M. J., Cpl [2]:1478[lower-alpha 1]
- 1981: Van Rooyen, L., Rfn [2]:2006
- 1981: Van Zyl, G., Lt [2]:2085[lower-alpha 1]
- 1987: Visagie, P. A., Rfn [2]:1609[lower-alpha 1]
- 1980: Warrener, P. W., Rfn [2]:1855[lower-alpha 1]
- 1982: Wolfaardt, B. J., Rfn [2]:1676[lower-alpha 1]
Leadership
61 Mechanised Battalion Group Leadership
From |
Commanding Officers |
To |
1978 |
Cmdt Frank Bestbier[lower-alpha 2] |
1978 |
1981 |
Cmdt Johan Dippenaar |
1982 |
1981 |
Cmdt Roland de Vries SD
SM MMM [lower-alpha 3] || 1982
|
1983 |
Cmdt Gert van Zyl |
1983 |
1984 |
Cmdt Ep van Lill |
1985 |
1985 |
Cmdt Kobus Smit |
1987 |
1988 |
Cmdt Mike Muller |
1990 |
1991 |
Cmdt Gerhard Louw |
1993 |
1994 |
Cmdt Hannes van der Merwe |
1995 |
1995 |
Cmdt Danie Laas |
1996 |
1996 |
Cmdt Jaap Steyn |
1999 |
1999 |
Lt Col Ettienne Visagie |
2005 |
From |
Regimental Sergeants Major |
To |
1979 |
WO1 M.C. Barnard |
1981 |
1981 |
WO1 H.G. Smit |
1985 |
1985 |
WO1 Tjaart van der Walt |
1986 |
1986 |
WO1 Kobus Kemp |
1992 |
1993 |
WO1 J.A.B. van Zyl |
1993 |
1994 |
WO1 G.P. Barnard |
1995 |
1996 |
WO1 A.H. du Toit |
1999 |
1999 |
WO1 H.A. van Zyl |
2005 |
2005 |
WO1 D.D. Lewis |
2005 |
From |
Chaplains |
To |
1978 |
Ds Landman Vogel[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6] |
1979 |
1980 |
Ds Braam le Roux[lower-alpha 4] |
1980 |
1981 |
Ds Koos Rossouw[lower-alpha 4] |
1982 |
1983 |
No permanent Appointment |
1983 |
1984 |
Ds Johan van Niekerk[lower-alpha 4] |
1986 |
1986 |
Ds Schalk Pienaar |
1986 |
1987 |
Ds Johan van Niekerk[lower-alpha 4] |
1987 |
1987 |
Ds Marius Cornelissen |
1987 |
1988 |
Ds Anton Kemp |
1990 |
1990 |
Ds Stoffel Helmut |
1990 |
1991 |
Ds Fanus Hansen |
1996 |
1997 |
Pastor Pieter Bezuidenhout |
2005 |
Further developments
From 61 Mech's success, 62 Mechanised Battalion Group and 63 Mechanised Battalion Group, were developed, encompassing similar battlegroup principles.
See also
Notes
References
External links