Krugersdorp Commando

Krugersdorp Commando or Kommando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It was active as a part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Krugersdorp Commando
Krugersdorp Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
South African Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQKrugersdorp
EngagementsSecond Boer War

Unit history

Origin

The Krugersdorp Commando, was formed in 1898.

Anglo Boer War

During the Anglo Boer War, this commando was involved in the following engagements:

  • rearguard for Dundee
  • Battle of Elandslaagte
  • Battle of Modderspruit
  • Battle of Colenso capturing General Buller's artillery
  • Battle for Pietershoogte

During the guerilla phase of the war in the Western Transvaal, this commando was also involved in:

  • Battle of Vlakfontein
  • Battle of Moedswil
  • Battle of Driefontein
  • Battle of Yzerspruit
  • Battle of Tweebosch
  • Battle of Boschbult and
  • Battle of Roodewal

The battle of Nooitgedacht in the Krugersdorp area could have been a complete route had the Boers not stopped to plunder the British camp.[1]

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 17.

Disbandment

Krugersdorp Commando along with all other Commando units was disbanded in the 1990s after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all existing Commando Units.[2][3] 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.[4]

Unit Insignia
SADF era Krugersdorp Commando insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
XXX XXX XXX
From Commanding Officers To
1989 Lt Col Charles Betts (MBE) 2003
From Regimental Sergeants Major To
XXX XXX MMM JCD XXX

See also

References
  1. https://www.eggsa.org/index.php/en/contents/articles/36-the-west-rand-during-the-anglo-boer-war
  2. 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.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.


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