Hunter Group

The Hunter Group was South Africa's first special forces unit and counter-insurgency elite formed in 1968, with members of the unit forming and training later special forces and other specialised units of the South African Army.

Hunter Group
Active	May 1968
Disbanded	1976
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Counter-insurgency
Part of	South African Defence Force
Garrison/HQ	Doornkop, Transvaal
Commanders
Notable commanders	Commandant G. van Kerckhoven
Insignia
Identification symbol	Scorpion

History

Hunter Group was formed in May 1968 by Commandant G. van Kerckhoven of the South African Irish Regiment who saw a need to expand the counter-insurgency skills of certain members in the regiment and which would be superior to the basic skills provided to the average national serviceman.[1] He was aided by an ex-Rhodesian army weapons and unarmed combat expert named Grant-Grierson.[1] Initially it drew members from the Irish regiment but as it reputation grew volunteers from other army units also joined. Members received 240 hours of training over weekends and at night over twelve months.[1]

Up to 700 men passed through the group's training with members forming or training the first special forces unit and 32 Battalion[1] By 1976 the group had disbanded and its remaining members placed in Citizen Force (Reserve) unit 2 Reconnaissance Commando.[2]^:Ch2

Training

Training included activities such as close weapons use, first aid, vehicle driving, parachuting, guerrilla warfare, stress and shock training, bushcraft and survival, demolitions and many other skills.[1] Member of the group wore camouflaged uniforms which were not worn by any other South African unit with some in the style of airborne smocks with a silver scorpion insignia on a green background on their right sleeve.[1]

References

1. Pitta, Robert (1993). South African Special Forces. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855322943.
2. Steyn, Douw; Söderlund, Arné (2015). Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988. Solihull, West Midlands: Helion and Company. ISBN 978-1909982284.

Further reading

• Pitta, Robert (27 May 1993). South African Special Forces (eBook). Elite (Book 47). Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855322943.