33 Battalion (SWATF)

33 Battalion or the Eastern Caprivi Battalion, was a light infantry battalion that was part of the SWATF.

33 Battalion/701 Battalion
SWATF 33/701 Battalion emblem
Active1977
Country Namibia,  South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Branch South African Army,
TypeLight Infantry
Part ofSouth West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQMpacha, Northern Namibia
Nickname(s)Eastern Caprivi Battalion
Insignia
Part of the South West African Territorial Force

History

Origin

33 Battalion was established in 1977 under the command of Major G. Preton-Thomas with a strength of one company.[1]

The main base was at Mpacha in Sector 70 or the Caprivi Strip.[2]

Operations

The unit was mainly deployed in the Caprivi, but took part in a number of external operations into Zambia and from 1978 deployed companies into Kavango, Kaokaland and Owambo.[3] During these operations the unit lost 8 Caprivians and 2 South African members.

Renaming

The South West Africa Territory Force SWATF[4] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 33 Battalion was renamed 701 Battalion in 1980.

SWATF Northern Sector Map

Attachments

From 1983, a company of marines was attached.

33 Battalion also had an attached SWATF armoured car squadron and an artillery battery.[5]

Insignia

The units flash was officially introduced during 1982 under the command of Commandant J.A. Victor.

List of casualties

1985, Basson, J.L. Cav 1988, Thomas, J.A. Lt [6]

Notes

    References
    1. "South African Unit Profiles". Warinangola.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
    2. Kenneth W. Grundy (1 January 1983). Soldiers Without Politics: Blacks in the South African Armed Forces. University of California Press. pp. 259–. ISBN 978-0-520-04710-5.
    3. "South African Forces In The 'Border War' : (Angola & South West Africa) 1980 to 1989" (PDF). Fireandfury.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
    4. http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventories/inv_pdfo/AG1977/AG1977-A5-63-16-004-jpeg.pdf
    5. "SADF.info". SADF.info. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
    6. "SA Roll of Honour: List People". Justdone.co.za. Retrieved 2015-07-09.


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