South African Army College

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South African Army College

South African Army College emblem

Active| 1968 to present
Country|  South Africa
Allegiance|  South Africa
Branch|  South African Army
Role| Training
Garrison/HQ| Centurion, Gauteng, Thaba Tshwane, previously Voortrekkerhoogte
Motto(s)| Paratus (Preparedness)

Military unit

The South African Army College is a training unit of the South African Army.

## History

[edit]

### Origin of military training in South Africa

[edit]

South African military training can be traced back to 1786 when the Militere Kweekskool was established by the Dutch East India Company to develop local cadets, but collapsed due to lack of funds.[1]

Under the Union of South Africa’s Defence Act of 1912, allowance was made for a formal South African Military College. Two branches were initially set up namely the General Branch or military school and the Musketry Branch or musketry school.[2]

Both branches were initially housed in Bloemfontein in the Free State. The military school received its first intake in that same year and by 1913 the musketry school began its first rifle instruction course. The school of musketry eventually became the Weapon Training Branch of the College. Another school was opened for signals training, also in Bloemfontein. All schools eventually were housed on Tempe and placed under a single command.[2]

At this stage the unit became known as the South African Military Schools and was now composed of:

* General Military Instruction,
* Musketry,
* Signals and
* Medical Training.[2]

### World War One impact

[edit]

On the outbreak of WWI, training staff were transferred for mobilisation training at Potchefstroom and some served overseas.

### Developments in the 1920s and 30s

[edit]

By the 1920s the unit was re-established at Roberts Heights near Pretoria and renamed the South African Military School. By 1923, a commissioning course was held, resulting in the school being declared a proper College.

#### The Air Force connection

[edit]

An additional wing, the Air Staff Wing was opened for the development of personnel for the emerging South African Air Force, which did not have a training institution of its own at that stage.

#### Training expansion

[edit]

By 1939, a further six branches had been created:

* Physical Training
* Camouflaging,
* Armour,
* Chemical Warfare,
* Regimental and
* Commando

### World War II

[edit]

Approximately 150 000 students of all ranks received training at the Army College during the war. Several branches had also become schools in their own right and had moved to premises across South Africa. For example, Signals moved Potchefstroom becoming the Signals Training Centre. By the end of the war however, some branches such as the Chemical Warfare branch had been disbanded.[3]

### Training Developments after the War

[edit]

Branches such as Administration and Ordnance started in the 1950s while joint training between the Army and Air Force came to an end with the eventual establishment of its Air Force College. In 1953 the Weapon Training Branch was redesignated the Infantry School; see South African Infantry School.

By the 1960s, Intelligence, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical branches was established as well. The Infantry School had moved to Oudtshoorn in the Cape.

### Name Change

[edit]

In 1968 the Chief of the Army changed the name of the unit to the South African Army College in order for it to fully develop its now uniquely Army character.

## Insignia

[edit]

The wildebeest as the College’s symbol had been adopted around 1924. A shoulder flash was developed around 1963 displaying the wildebeest in a roundel of blue and maroon. The Wildebeest concept had originated from a trophy given to the Military School from the Mounted Rifles.

### SADF era Dress Insignia

[edit]

SADF era Army College insignia

### Notable commandants

[edit]

Note: Last attained rank of incumbent is used

* Maj Gen Evered Poole \- later Deputy Chief of Staff, Union Defence Force
* Lt Gen Willem Louw \- later Chief of the Army
* Gen Constand Viljoen \- later Chief of SADF
* Lt Gen Koos Bisschoff \- later Chief of Staff Plans
* Lt Gen Wessel Kritzinger \- later Chief of Staff Operations
* Lt Gen Thabiso Mokhosi \- later Chief of the Army
* Lt Gen Xolani Ndhlovu \- later Chief of Logistics

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Roux, P. E. (1925). Die verdedigingstelsel aan die Kaap onder die Hollandse Oosindiese Kompanjie (1652-1795) (PDF) (in Afrikaans). Universiteit van Stellenbosch.
2. ^ a b c Gomm, Neville (June 1972). "The South African Army College". samilitaryhistory.org. 2 (3). South African Military History Society - Journal. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
3. ^ The South African Military College. A brochure compiled by the staff of the College. Pretoria: Government Printer. 1948.

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South African Army Units

* Department of Defence
* South African National Defence Force
* South African Army

Divisions and Brigades

| Brigades|

* 43 South African Brigade
* 44 Parachute Brigade
* 46 South African Brigade
* Special Forces Brigade

|

Armour Formation (SAAAF)

| Training|

* School of Armour

|

Tank|

* Regular
* 1 South African Tank Regiment
* Reserve
* Pretoria Armoured Regiment
* Queen Nandi Mounted Rifles
* Thaba Bosiu Armoured Regiment

Armoured Car|

* Regular
* 1 Special Service Battalion
* Reserve
* Umvoti Mounted Rifles
* Blaauwberg Armoured Regiment
* Molapo Armoured Regiment
* Johannesburg Light Horse Regiment

Infantry Formation (SAAIF)

| Training|

* South African Infantry School

|

Parachute Infantry|

* Regular
* 44 Para
* 1 Para
* 44 Pathfinders
* 13 Signal Squadron
* 18 Light Regiment
* 44 Medical Task Group
* 101 Air Supply Unit SAOSC
* 44 Training Wing
* Parachute Packing Wing
* Reserve
* Bagaka Regiment
* 3 Para

Air Assault Infantry|

* Regular
* 6 SAI
* Reserve
* Chief Makhanda Regiment
* Chief Maqoma Regiment

Seaborne Infantry|

* Regular
* 9 SAI
* Reserve
* Chief Langalibalele Rifles

Light Infantry|

* Regular
* 21 SAI
* Reserve
* Rand Light Infantry
* OR Tambo Regiment
* Lenong Regiment

Mechanised Infantry|

* Regular
* 1 SAI
* 8 SAI
* Reserve
* General de la Rey Regiment
* Regiment Northern Transvaal
* Cape Town Highlanders
* General Jan Smuts Regiment
* Bambatha Rifles

Motorised Infantry|

* Regular
* 2 SAI
* 4 SAI
* 5 SAI
* 7 SAI
* 10 SAI
* 14 SAI
* 15 SAI
* 121 SAI
* Reserve
* General Botha Regiment
* Mapungubwe Regiment
* Johannesburg Regiment
* Andrew Mlangeni Regiment
* Solomon Mahlangu Regiment
* Tshwane Regiment
* Buffalo Volunteer Rifles
* King Shaka Regiment
* Durban Light Infantry
* Kimberley Regiment
* Ingobamakhosi Carbineers
* Mangaung Regiment
* Nelson Mandela Regiment
* Umzimvubu Regiment

Artillery Formation

| Training|

* School of Artillery (South Africa)

|

Regular|

* HQ
* Artillery Mobilisation Regiment
* 4 Artillery Regiment

Reserve|

* Nelson Mandela Artillery Regiment
* King Cetshwayo Artillery Regiment
* Sandfontein Artillery Regiment
* Regiment Potchefstroom Universiteit
* State Artillery Regiment
* General Dan Pienaar Artillery Regiment
* Steve Biko Artillery Regiment

Air Defence Artillery Formation

| Training|

* School of Air Defence Artillery (South Africa)

|

Regular|

* HQ
* Sekhukhune Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* Madzhakandila Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Reserve|

* Autshumato Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* Galeshewe Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* iWombe Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* 7 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
* Regiment Overvaal

Engineer Formation

| Training|

* South African Army Engineer School

|

Regular|

* HQ
* 2 Field Engineer Regiment
* 35 Engineer Support Regiment
* 1 Construction Regiment
* Engineer Terrain Intelligence Unit

Reserve|

* Ihawu Field Engineer Regiment
* Umkhonto Field Engineer Regiment
* 19 Field Engineer Regiment
* Ukhosi Parachute Engineer Regiment

Training Formation

* 3 SAI
* SA Army Combat Training Centre (SAACTC)
* Army Gymnasium
* Army College
* de Brug Training Area
* General de la Rey Training Area Potchefstroom
* Oustshoorn Training Area
* Touwsriver Training Area
* Wallmannsthal Training Area

Support Formation

* Army Support Bases (Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kimberley, KZN, Limpopo, Potcheftstroom, Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
* Mobilisation Centre
* Main Ordnance Depot
* National Ceremonial Guard
* Logistical Support Unit
* General Andrew Masondo Maintenance Unit
* Madiba Bay Maintenance Unit
* 15 Maint Unit
* Other Maintenance Units
* Doman Field Workshop
* General Sipho Binda Field Workshop
* Sabelo Phama Field Workshop
* Chris Hani Field Workshop
* Sekhukhune Field Workshop
* Ngungunyane Field Workshop
* Other Field Workshops

Signals Formation

| Regular|

* 1 Signal Regt
* 2 Signal Regt
* 3 Signal Regt
* 4 Signal Regt
* 5 Signal Regt

|

Reserve|

6 Signal Regt

* Gauteng Reserve Signal Unit

11 Field Postal Unit

* Western Cape Signal Unit
* Kwa-Zulu Natal Signal Unit

South African Defence Force (1957–1994)

| Commands|

* Eastern Province Command (Port Elizabeth)
* Eastern Transvaal Command (Nelspruit)
* Natal Command (Durban)
* Northern Transvaal Command (Swartkop, Pretoria)
* Northern Cape Command (Kimberly)
* Orange Free State Command (Bloemfontein)
* Western Province Command (Cape Town)
* Southern Cape Command (Oudsthoorn)
* West Transvaal Command/North West Command (Potchefstroom)
* Witwatersrand Command (Johannesburg)
* Far North Command (Pietersburg)
* Northern Logistic Command (Grootfontein, South West Africa)
* South West Africa Command (Windhoek, South West Africa)
* Northern Logistics Command (Grootfontein, South West Africa)
* Gauteng Command post 1994 SANDF (Amalgamation of Wits and Northern Transvaal Commands)

|

Corps|

* I South African Corps
* Cape Corps

Divisions|

* 7 South African Infantry Division
* 8 South African Armoured Division
* 9 South African Infantry Division
* 10 South African Division (Operation Prone)

Brigades|

* 16 Brigade (see 81 Armoured Brigade)
* 17 Brigade (see 71 Motorised Brigade )
* 18 Brigade (see 72 Motorised Brigade)
* 19 Brigade (see 82 Mechanised Brigade)
* 20 Brigade
* 60 Brigade (Battlegroups HQ Lohatla)
* 71 Motorised Brigade SADF era
* 72 Motorised Brigade SADF era
* 73 Motorised Brigade SADF era
* 74 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 8th Armoured Division)
* 75 Brigade SADF and SANDF era (see 9th Division)
* 81 Armoured Brigade SADF era
* 82 Mechanised Brigade SADF era
* 83 Brigade (planned but never existed)
* 84 Motorised Brigade SADF era
* 10 Artillery Brigade SADF era
* Other brigades

Battlegroups|

* Combat Group Juliet
* 61 Mech
* 62 Mech
* 63 Mech

UDF and SADF
Regiments and Battalions|

| Regiment|

* Cape
* Algoa Bay
* Boland
* Congella
* Dan Pienaar
* De Wet
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* Highveld
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* Langenhoven
* Louw Wepener/Oos Vrystaat
* Molopo
* Natalia
* North Natal
* Port Natal
* Pretorius
* Sasolburg
* Springs
* Skoonspruit
* Uitenhage
* Vanderbiljpark
* Vrystaat

| University|

* Rand Afrikaans
* Cape Town
* Oranje-Vrystaat
* Port Elizabeth
* Pretoria
* Stellenbosch
* Witwatersrand

|

Field Engineer|

* 1 Field Engineer Regiment
* 4 Field Engineer Regiment
* 6 Field Artillery Regiment
* 6
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 15
* 19

|

* Cape Flats Light Infantry
* SA Army Troop Information Unit
* 1 Locating Regiment
* 2 Locating Regiment
* 2 Construction Regiment
* 2 Special Service Battalion
* 3rd Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron
* 5 Forward Delivery Squadron
* 7 Medium Artillery Regiment
* 8 Field Artillery Regiment
* 9 Support Engineer
* 10 Armoured Squadron
* 11 SAI
* 12 SAI
* 13 SAI
* 14 Field Artillery Regiment
* 17 Field Artillery Regiment
* 19 Rocket Regiment
* 24 Field Artillery Regiment
* 25 Field Artillery Regiment
* 26 Field Artillery Regiment
* 32 Battalion
* Modular Infantry Battalions under South West Africa Command
* 51 Battalion
* 52 Battalion
* 53 Battalion
* 54 Battalion
* 55 Battalion

Homeland Battalions|

* 111
* 112
* 113
* 115
* 116
* 117
* 118
* 151

Military Areas|

| Training Areas|

* Boschhoek
* Grahamstown
* Hellsgate
* Mosita
* Pomfret
* Riemvasmaak

|

* Heidelberg
* Madimbo Corridor
* Soutpansberg
* Walvis Bay

UDF and SADF Commando System|

* South African Commando System

State Presidents Guard|

* State Presidents Guard

Mobilisation Units
(Reception Depots)|

* 14
* 15
* 16
* 17
* 19

Bantustan Defence Forces (1977/1981–1994)

| Bophuthatswana Defence Force
1977–1994|

* 1 BDF Infantry Battalion
* 2 BDF Infantry Battalion
* BDF Parachute Battalion
* BDF Military School
* BDF Special Forces
* 1 BDF Military Area
* 2 BDF Military Area
* 3 BDF Military Area
* BDF Signals Unit
* BDF Bafokeng base
* BDF Mankwe base
* BDF Odi base
* BDF Thaba'Nchu base
* BDF Taung base
* BDF Air Wing

|

Venda Defence Force
1979–1994|

* VDF Headquarters Sibasa
* 1 VDF Battalion Manenu
* 2 VDF Battalion Maunavhathu
* VDF Vuwani Military Base
* VDF Signals Unit
* VDF Air Wing

Ciskei Defence Force 1981–1994|

* 1 CDF Battalion
* CDF Special Forces

Transkei Defence Force
1981–1994|

* 1 TDF Battalion
* TDF Special Forces
* TDF Mounted Battalion

SWATF (1977–1989)

* Regular Infantry Battalions
* 31/201 Battalion
* 33/701 Battalion
* 34/202 Battalion
* 35/101 Battalion
* 301 Battalion
* 36/203 Battalion
* 37/102 Battalion
* SWATF Brigade
* 91 Reaction Force Brigade
* 41/911 Battalion/Regiment Windhoek
* 912 Battalion/Regiment Erongo
* 913 Battalion/Regiment Namutoni
* 91 Armoured Car Regiment
* 91 Composite Field Regiment
* 91 Engineers Squadron
* 91 Field Ambulance
* 91 Mobilisation Centre
* 91 Technical Workshop
* 91 Maintenance Workshop
* Support Structures
* Logistics Brigade
* SWA Mil School
* SWA Military Academy
* Special Forces
* 1 SWA Specialist Unit
* 2 SWA Specialist Unit
* 1 SWA Parachute Battalion
* Air Component
* 1 SWA Commando Squadron
* Alte Feste Commando (SWATF)
* Aranos Commando (SWATF)
* Auob Commando (SWATF)
* Bo-Nossob Commando (SWATF)
* Etosha Commando (SWATF)
* Gobabis Commando (SWATF)
* Grootfontein Commando (SWATF)
* Hochi Commando (SWATF)
* Karasburg Commando (SWATF)
* Keetmanshoop Commando (SWATF)
* Maltahohe Commando (SWATF)
* Mariental Commando (SWATF)
* Okanhanja Commando (SWATF)
* Omaruru Commando (SWATF)
* Oranjemund Commando (SWATF)
* Otjiwarongo Commando (SWATF)
* Outjo Commando (SWATF)
* Rehoboth Commando (SWATF)
* Swakopmund Commando (SWATF)

Union Defence Force 1912–1957

| Divisions|

| Infantry|

* 1
* 2
* 3

|

Armoured|

* 3
* 6

|

Brigades|

| Infantry|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5

|

* 1st Reserve
* 4th Field
* 7th Motorised
* 1st Armoured
* Field Artillery
* Coast Artillery

Citizens Batteries|

* 1st Citizen Battery
* 2nd Citizen Battery
* 3rd Citizen Battery
* 4th Citizen Battery
* 5th Citizen Battery
* 6th Citizen Battery
* 7th Citizen Battery
* 8th and 9th Citizen Batteries

|

Military Districts|

* 1st (Cape Town)
* 2nd (Port Elizabeth)
* 3rd (East London)
* 4th (Pietermaritzburg)
* 5th (Durban)
* 6th (Standerton)
* 7th (Potchefstroom)
* 8th (Johannesburg)
* 9th (Pretoria)
* 10th (Kroonstad)
* 11th (Bloemfontein)
* 12th (Prieska)
* 13th (De Aar)
* 14th (Worcester)

|

* South African Field Force
* Pioneer Battalion
* 1 Mobile Watch
* 1 Medium Regiment SAA
* 1 Special Service Battalion
* Cape Fortress Engineers
* Cape Light Horse
* Cape Mounted Riflemen
* Cape Peninsular Rifles
* Cape Garrison Force
* Cape Coast Defence Corps
* Durban Coast Defence Corps
* Regiment Onse Jan
* Regiment Kemp
* Transvaal Cycle Corps
* Western Province Mounted Rifles
* Ordnance Corps
* Native Military Corps
* Q Services Corps

World War I 1914–1918

| Europe Campaign 1914–1918|

* South African Overseas Expeditionary Force

| Brigades|

* 1st Infantry
* Heavy Artillery

|

Regiments|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4

|

* South African Native Labour Corps

East Africa Campaign 1914–1915|

* 1st Infantry ACF
* 2nd Infantry ACF
* 5th Infantry ACF
* 9th Infantry ACF

German South West Africa Campaign 1915|

| S.A.M.R. Regiments|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5

|

* Special Service Pioneer Corps
* 1st Permanent Force Artillery Battery S.A.M.R.
* 2nd Permanent Force Artillery Battery S.A.M.R.
* 4th Permanent Force Artillery Battery S.A.M.R.
* Transvaal Horse Artillery, attached S.A.M.R.
* Ammunition Column S.A.M.R.
* Botha's Berede Skutters
* Durban Light Infantry
* Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles
* Prince Alfred's Guards
* First Eastern Rifles
* Kaffrarian Rifles
* Cape Town Highlanders
* Kimberly Regiment
* Transvaal Scottish
* Cape Peninsula Rifles
* Witwatersrand Rifles
* Rand Light Infantry
* Pretoria Regiment
* Natal Light Horse
* Natal Carbineers

Volunteer Militias 1903–1909

| Field Artillery|

* Natal
* Prince Alfred's Own Cape

|

Horse|

* Diamond Fields Horse
* Natal Native Horse
* Royston's Horse

|

Light Horse|

* Border
* Cape
* Tembuland

|

Light Infantry|

* Durban
* Transvaal

|

Mounted Rifles|

* Border
* Natal
* Northern District
* Southern
* Transvaal
* Umvoti
* Zululand

|

Rifles|

* Cape Peninsular
* Eastern
* Kaffrarian
* Northern
* Uitenhage
* Western

|

* Natal Rangers
* Natal Rifle Associations
* Transvaal Cycle Corps
* Transvaal Horse Artillery Volunteers
* Transvaal Scottish Volunteers

Non-Statutory Forces 1961–1994

* Umkhonto weSizwe
* Azanian People's Liberation Army

Boer Commandos

Colonial Armies 1885–1902

* Cape Colonial Forces

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

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