South African Special Forces

Military forces of the Republic of South Africa

"Recces" redirects here. For not to be confused with, see recess. For the singular, see recce (disambiguation).

South African Special Forces Brigade

South African Special Forces insignia

Founded| 1 October 1972; 52 years ago (1972-10-01)
Country|  South Africa
Branch| SA National Defence Force-Joint Operations Division
Type| Special forces
Size|

* 4 Special Forces Regiment
("Iron fist from the sea")[1]
* 5 Special Forces Regiment
("We fear naught but God")[2]

Part of| Joint Operations Division
HQ| Speskop, Pretoria, Gauteng
(Brigade HQ)
Nickname(s)| Recces
Engagements|

* South African Border War
* Rhodesian Bush War
* Angolan Civil War
* Mozambican Civil War
* Séléka rebellion[3]
* M23 rebellion[4]
* Insurgency in Cabo Delgado

Insignia
Beret|

Military unit

The South African Special Forces Brigade, colloquially known as the Recces,[5] is South Africa's principal Tier 1 special operations forces, specialising in various types of operations, including counter-insurgency, long-range-reconnaissance, unconventional-warfare, and hostage rescue.[6] The brigade operates with two active-duty groups, with 4 Special Forces Regiment focusing on maritime operations, and 5 Special Forces Regiment focusing on land and airborne operations. Only about 8% of recruits who undergo South African special forces training pass the course.[6]

The South African Special Forces Brigade has its roots in the Hunter Group, which was formed in 1968 as an elite counter-insurgency unit of the South African Army.[7] The success of this unit culminated in the subsequent formation of five reconnaissance units, known widely as "Recces", during the 1970s.[8] South African special forces carried out a number of combat operations during the Rhodesian Bush War, the South African Border War, and the Mozambican Civil War.[9][10]

The Special Forces Brigade's current structure[11] is the result of extensive restructuring related to the integration of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) between 1992 and 1996. Elements of the brigade are expanded into two additional groups; though termed "regiments", they consist only of small numbers of operators who are secretive, seldom photographed, and expertly trained.[7] The current regiments include 4 Special Forces Regiment based at Langebaan in Western Cape Province, and 5 Special Forces Regiment based at Phalaborwa in the eastern part of the province of Limpopo.[11]

Special forces are directly under the command of the Joint Operations Division[11][12] of the SANDF, and unlike other similar forces worldwide, are not a part of the South African Army nor the South African Navy, but are rather operated as its own branch/service within the SANDF.

## History

[edit]

The first South African Special Forces unit, 1 Reconnaissance Commando, was established in the town of Oudtshoorn, Cape Province on 1 October 1972. On 1 January 1975, this unit was relocated to Durban, Natal,[8] where it continued its activities as the airborne specialist unit of the special forces.

Later[when?], five additional Reconnaissance Commandos were formed:

* 2 Reconnaissance Commando (Citizen Force) – was established in Johannesburg. It was later retired due to rationalisation and the discontinuation of the Citizen Force unit concept
* 3 Reconnaissance Commando (consisting of former Rhodesian Selous Scouts) – was established in Phalaborwa. An attempt to integrate this unit into the South African Military was largely unsuccessful. The unit was disbanded in 1981, and the limited number of remaining personnel were incorporated into the other Special Forces unit.
* 4 Reconnaissance Commando, specialising in seaborne operations, was established in the coastal town of Langebaan, Cape Province.
* 5 Reconnaissance Commando was established at the Duku-Duku[13]: 42 camp in Natal, but was later moved to Phalaborwa in the Transvaal province.
* 6 Reconnaissance Commando (consisting of former Rhodesian Special Air Service) – was established in Durban. An attempt to integrate this unit into the South African Military was largely unsuccessful. It was disbanded in 1981, and the limited number of remaining personnel were incorporated into the other Special Forces units.

Many white members of the Rhodesian special forces were recruited into the SADF in 1980 as part of Operation Winter and served with the South African Special Forces.[14]

On 1 January 1981, a re-organisation of Special Forces took place, as part of which the Reconnaissance Commandos and other special forces were transformed into an independent formation, directly under the command of the (then) South African Defence Force (instead of the South African Army). As part of the re-organisation, the various Reconnaissance Commandos were also given the status of regiments. In the latter part of the same decade, a Special Forces headquarters and a Special Forces stores depot were also added to the Special Forces structure.

Between the years 1981 and 1990, Special Forces was home to unconventional operations such as Project Barnacle,[13]: 44 the Civil Cooperation Bureau and other operations conducted under the aegis of 7 Medical Battalion Group.

In 1991, the structure of the special forces underwent another change, when the special forces headquarters was disbanded and a Directorate Reconnaissance, reporting directly to the Chief of the Army, was established instead.

Another organisational change followed in 1993, when the Directorate Reconnaissance became 45 Parachute Brigade. As a result of this, all the units were renamed: 1 Reconnaissance Regiment became 452 Parachute Battalion, 4 Reconnaissance Regiment became 453 Parachute Battalion and 5 Reconnaissance Regiment became 451 Parachute Battalion.

As part of the military rationalization process, 1 Special Forces Regiment was disbanded in 1996. Its personnel were incorporated into the other Special Forces Regiments.

In 1997, the Special Forces School was transferred to 5 Special Forces Regiment upon the retirement of 1 Special Forces Regiment where the School had previously been based. The Special Forces School was transferred out of 5 Special Forces Regiment in 2002, to become a stand-alone unit.

## Structure

[edit]

The Special Forces Brigade, as it is now known, consists of:[11]

### Headquarters

[edit]

South African Special Forces Brigade HQ, Pretoria

Based in Pretoria. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Special Forces commands, controls and coordinates the activities of the various SF Regiments from a headquarters (HQ) located in the Swartkop Park nature reserve on the southwestern outskirts of Pretoria. Colloquially called "Speskop", the headquarters also houses the Special Forces' operational planning as well as administrative support staffs.

### 4 Special Forces Regiment

[edit]

4 Special Forces Regiment is based in Langebaan, Saldanha Bay, on the west coast north of Cape Town. It provides South Africa its seaward Special Forces capability. The unit was established at Langebaan in 1978. The Regiment consists of three operational commandos (companies) as well as a Special Forces Amphibious and Urban School.

### 5 Special Forces Regiment

[edit]

5 Special Forces Regiment is based in Phalaborwa in the east of the northern Limpopo Province, and was established in Durban in 1976. After a sojourn at Duku Duku in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the unit moved into its present lines in 1980. Its post-2002 structure provides for two operational commandos, called 51 Commando and 52 Commando respectively, and a training wing. It specialises in overland operations, especially long-range infiltration, intelligence gathering and airborne operations.

### South African Special Forces Reserve

[edit]

Retired Special Forces personnel form part of the Special Forces Reserve. They are assigned to the various Special Forces Regiments as required.

### South African Special Forces School

[edit]

Based in Murrayhill, the South African Special Forces School is responsible for the presentation of the Special Forces Pre-Selection and Selection courses and ongoing training.

### South African Special Forces Supply Unit

[edit]

The South African Special Forces Supply Unit provides logistical support and is based in Walmansthal, North of Pretoria.

Special Forces Supply Unit beret badge circa 1990

In the Special Forces regiments, leadership positions, especially at team (section) and group (platoon) level, have traditionally been dictated more by ability and experience than rank. This has, on occasion, resulted in Operators more senior in rank being assigned to groups or teams commanded by Operators junior to them in rank but more seasoned in operational experience or actual command.

## Selection and Training

[edit]

The Ultimate Challenge, as South African Special Forces Selection is often called, is considered one of the most difficult special forces selection courses in the world.[15] A soldier must meet very high requirements to even attend Special Forces Selection. In accordance with SANDF regulations, only South African citizens under a certain age are permitted to apply.

### Pre-selection testing

[edit]

This includes all aspects of psychological and physical tests. For the psychological tests, soldiers are given written tests and oral interviews with Special Forces NCOs. A soldier must be self-controlled and mature. Soldiers are ejected from the course if there is any suggestion of mental instability. The Physical Test includes for example 50 continuous push ups without breaking rhythm, 67 sit ups in two minutes, 175-metre fireman's lift run within 65 seconds, 5-kilometre run within 24 minutes,[16] a rope climb and 40 six-metre shuttle runs in 95 seconds. A student must also scale a 10-foot-high (3.0 m) wall, complete a fifteen-kilometre march in less than 120 minutes and perform 120 shuttle kicks.

### Parachute selection course

[edit]

All Special Forces candidates who aren't already parachute-qualified have to attend, and pass, the Basic Parachute School.

### Special Forces selection

[edit]

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|

Selection is an event during which candidates are placed in an extremely mentally and physically demanding set of situations and circumstances, through which they must pass. It is in duration approximately a week.

For the duration of Selection, the candidates do not sleep or eat, and have no rest period at all.[dubious - discuss] Only an extremely small percentage of those who begin Selection ever pass it. In some years, no-one has managed to pass Selection, and there are other cases where only 1 or 2 out of an entire Selection group of approximately 120 have passed.

### Training cycle

[edit]

Once past the Selection process, an aspiring operator will be placed on a training cycle to acquire the skills required. These include: air co-operation, water orientation, obstacle crossing, bushcraft, tracking and survival, demolitions and tactics in urban as well as rural areas.

Advanced Airborne Training: a recruit will attend courses in military free-fall such as HALO and HAHO. They will also learn about helicopter operations – how to descend by means of a rope out of helicopters (fast-roping and rappel ). Combat extraction is also taught, along with learning how to set up a Landing Zone.

Land training consists of many things: including sniping, demolitions and reconnaissance. Bushcraft and survival is also taught. Climbing and photography are taught to new recruits. Urban and rural combat is perhaps the newest training – developed quite recently, this training provided South Africa with a new counter-terrorist force. Medical and communications training is also given to those who wish to become qualified in these fields.

Maritime training consists of the use of small boats, underwater demolitions, swimming, combat diving, diving, beach reconnaissance and navigation.

## Operations

[edit]

### 1973–94 SADF Operations

[edit]

Member of the South African Special Forces performing a ceremonial parachute jump

The South African "Recces" were deployed to many local hot spots during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly Angola.

The main enemy then was South West Africa's People Organization whose armed wing PLAN, was a guerrilla organization fighting for an independent Namibia.

One of the "Recces"' most effective operations came in 1982: Operation Mebos penetrated deep into Angola and destroyed the SWAPO Headquarters. In Operation Askari, in the winter of 1984, the "Recces" cut off almost all supply lines to and from the SWAPO in Angola. In May 1985, a "Recce" team undertook the controversial Operation Argon, a failed attempt to sabotage Angolan oil installations run by Gulf Oil.[17]

In early summer of 1985, another "Recce" team under the command of SADF Captain André Diedericks crossed into Angola's Cuando Cubango province, and with UNITA's help, protection and escort was secretly deployed around Menongue area. The team had at their disposal the 9K31 "Strela-1" AA system manned and operated by the team members. The Team's mission was to carry out covert combat operations, code names "Catamaran 1," "Catamaran 2" and "Cerberus" with the goal of disrupting air traffic in Cuando Cubango province by shooting down air transports, combat aircraft and gunships using the AA system.

On 11 June 1985, roughly 80 km (50 mi) from Menongue, the team shot down an Angolan airplane, a light utility aircraft, Britten-Norman BN-2 "Islander". The "Islander", en route from Menongue to Cuito Cuanavale with a crew of 2 and 5 passengers, was also carrying 69 million kwanzas (Angola's currency), several months of salary for FAPLA's 16th Brigade's personnel based in Cuito Cuanavale. When the "Islander" fell to the ground the money was stolen and the remains of the dead passengers had been pillaged by UNITA soldiers attached to protect the "Recce" team. On 25 November 1985, the same "Recce" team had also shot down an "Aeroflot" Antonov AN-12 of the Soviet Air Force. The AN-12 transport, which was en route from Cuito Cuanavale to Luanda carrying 8 crew members and 13 passengers, crashed approximately 43 km (27 mi) south-east of Menongue. All people on board (twelve Soviet and nine Angolan nationals) died in the crash.[18]

### Post-1994 SANDF Operations

[edit]

South African Special Forces Brigade HQ, Pretoria.

#### Central African Republic

[edit]

Main article: Central African Republic conflict (2012–13)

Operators of the South African Special Forces were involved in direct action against the Séléka rebels in the Fight for Bangui during the South African military assistance to the Central African Republic.[19] No South African Special Forces operators were killed in the operation. All casualties were attributed to 1 Parachute Battalion which lost 13 soldiers, with a further 27 injured, during pitched battles on the outskirts of the capital, Bangui.

#### Democratic Republic of the Congo

[edit]

Main article: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The South African Special Forces were integral to the Battle of Kibati, which saw about 3000 M23 rebels defeated by several thousand members of the Force Intervention Brigade supported by local troops.[20] An operator of the SASF, as part of the FIB, made the 8th longest recorded sniper kill in history with a confirmed distance of 2,125 m (2,324 yd) using a South African made Denel NTW-20 anti-materiel rifle in its 14.5 mm (0.57 in) configuration.[21] SASF still continue to operate in the country.

#### Mozambique

[edit]

Main article: Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique

SASF teams were deployed to Cabo Delgado Province under Operation Vikela. On 20 December 2021 an operator, corporal Tebogo Edwin Radebe, was killed in action.[22][23] His death represents the first SASF operator to be killed in action since corporal Hermann Carstens in 1989.[24] The SASF have since engaged ISIS-Mozambique in small skirmishes, resulting in many enemy losses.[25]

## Insignia

[edit]

### Operator's Badge

[edit]

See also: List of badges of the South African Army § Special Forces

Standard Silver South African Special Forces Operator's Badge

All members who complete all the required qualifications to become a Special Forces Operator, are awarded an "Operator's Badge".[26] Each badge is numbered and a register of the numbers and who they have been awarded to is kept.[27][28] The badge consists of an inverted Commando Knife within a laurel wreath, which is meant to symbolise both special forces (the knife) and victory (the wreath).[26]

Standard operator badges are silver, but a gold badge with an embedded diamond is awarded to Operators with more than 10 years of active service.[26]

The latest badges designed for wear on the camouflage combat dress are black embossed plastic on a thatch green background.

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge
(Qualification)  |

Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath
SA Special Forces Operator's Badge
(Qualification)  |

Gold, 10 Years
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath. Exclusion to indicate diamond on Dagger blade.

### Attack Diver

[edit]

See also: List of Badges of the South African Army § Qualification: Attack Diver

Attack Diver
(Qualification)  |

Bronze
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
The badge depicts a great white shark swimming past the Neptune trident, which is mounted on the mouthpiece of an Oxygears 57 and is enclosed within the tubes of the Oxygears 57
Attack Diver Instructor Badge
(Qualification)  |

Silver
Black Circle indicates Instructor
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
The badge depicts a great white shark swimming past the Neptune trident, which is mounted on the mouthpiece of an Oxygears 57 and is enclosed within the tubes of the Oxygears 57

### Demolitions

[edit]

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
(Qualification)  |

EOD Badge
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Ring and bomb, facing down, with lightning flash
Demolitions
(Qualification)  |

Level 2 (DEMS2) - Tactical Demolitions
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
The badge uses the traditional 9 flames exploding grenade, which is superimposed over two crossed lightning bolts across the exploding grenade
Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)
(Qualification)  |

IEDD Badge
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
The badge uses the traditional 9 flames exploding grenade, which is superimposed, over two crossed lightning bolts. A watch dial, with hour markings, encircles the exploding grenade

### Tracking

[edit]

Tracker
(Qualification)  |

Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Chevron footprint
Tracker Instructor
(Qualification)  |

Instructor
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Chevron footprint with a black circle surrounding the footprint

### Additional proficiency badges

[edit]

Sniper
(Qualification)  |

Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Black rifle and laurel wreath
1st Class Shot – Rifle
(Proficiency)  |

1st Class Marksman
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Black (Black rifle), with a black rectangle surrounding the rifle
Free Fall Paratrooper
(Qualification)  |

Advanced, Freefall
Black on Thatch beige
Small Black wings
Forward Air Controller
(Qualification)  |

Yellow triangle with two yellow lines on thatch background
Submarine Operator

## Known Equipment

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

### Weaponry

[edit]

Name  | Type  | Caliber  | Origin  | Photo  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Vektor Z88[29] | Semi-Automatic Pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum |  |  | 15-round Magazine. License-built Beretta 92F.
Glock 17 | Semi-Automatic Pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum |  |  | Various optics and attachments used.
SIG Sauer P226 | Semi-Automatic Pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum |  |  |
Heckler & Koch MP5[29] | Submachine Gun | 9×19mm Parabellum |  |  | MP5SD6 Suppressed Variant
R1[29] | Designated Marksman Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO |  |  | FN-FAL made under licence. Various barrel lengths (mainly 16 and 21 inch). Updated version using a folding/collapsible stock, railed handguard and dustcover, and Trijicon ACOG TA11
Vektor R4 and R5 assault rifles[29] | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm |  | Illustration of modernized Vektor R5 | Updated version with folding/collapsible stock, railed handguard, and side-mounted rail equipped with Trijicon ACOG TA11.
CZ BREN 2 | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39mm

5.56×45mm

|  |  |
M16A2[29] | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm |  |  | Likely received from Moroccan stocks.
AKM | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39mm |  |  | Multiple variants.
Denel Land Systems SS-77[29] | General Purpose Machine Gun | 7.62×51mm NATO |  |  |
FN MAG | General Purpose Machine Gun | 7.62×51mm NATO |  |  |
PK[29] | General Purpose Machine Gun | 7.62×54mmR |  |  | Multiple variants
Arctic Warfare Magnum[29] | Sniper rifle |  |  |  |
Truvelo Armoury CMS  | Sniper rifle |  |  |  |
Denel Land Systems NTW-20[29] | Anti-Materiel Rifle | 20x82mm14.5×114mm |  |  |
M2 Browning[29] | Heavy Machine Gun | 12.7×99mm NATO |  |  | Mounted on Hornet Rapid Deployment Reconnaissance Vehicle
Kord | Heavy Machine Gun | 12.7×108mm |  |  |
KPV[29] | Heavy Machine Gun | 14.5×114mm |  |  | ZPU-2 mounted to Toyota Land Cruiser 79, called GOAT 14.5 (Gun on a truck).
ZU-23-2[29] | Anti-Aircraft Gun | 23×152mm |  | Mounted to Toyota Land Cruiser 79, called GOAT 23 (Gun on a truck).
RPG-7[29] | Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher | 40mm  |  |
Type 63 multiple rocket launcher[29] | Multiple Rocket Launcher System | 107mm  |  |  | Mechem Developments Variant mounted on various vehicles
MILAN ER[29] | Anti-tank guided missile |  |  |  | Extended range (3000 m) with the ADT launcher
Thales Scorpion[29] | Automated Mortar Weapons Platform |  |  |  | Mounted on the chassis of a Light Armoured Tactical Vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser

### Vehicles

[edit]

Name  | Type  | Origin  | Photo  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Casspir[29] | Mine-Resistant Armoured Personnel Carrier |  |  | Multiple variants in use
Hornet (RDRV)[29] | Rapid Deployment Reconnaissance Vehicle |  |  |
Gecko (RDLV)[29] | Rapid Deployment Logistic Vehicle |  |  |
Toyota Land Cruiser[29] | Light Armoured Tactical Vehicle |  |  |
SAMIL 100[29] | Armoured Military Truck |  |  |

## Leadership

[edit]

### Brigade

[edit]

South African Special Forces Brigade Leadership  From | General Officers Commanding | To

|
|

2003  | Brig Gen Krubert Nel[30] | 2006
nd  | Brig Gen Rudzani Maphwanya | nd
From | Chiefs of Staff | To
1998  | Col Krubert Nel[30] | 2003
2003  | Col Renier 'Doibi' Coetzee | 2014
2014  | Unknown  | 9 January 2025

### Regiments

[edit]

4 Special Forces Regiment Leadership  From | Officers Commanding | To

|
|

1978  | Cmdt. M Kinghorn  | 1982
1982  | Col. J Venter  | 1994
1994  | Col. K Nel  | nd
5 Special Forces Regiment Leadership  From | Officers Commanding | To

|
|

5 December 1976  | Cmdt P.J. Verster  | 31 December 1980
1 January 1981  | Cmdt H.M. Blaauw  | 30 April 1981
1 May 1981  | Cmdt H.W. Snyders  | 31 December 1982
1 January 1983  | Cmdt A.G. Sachse  | 31 December 1983
1 January 1984  | Col J.R. Hills  | 31 December 1988
1 January 1989  | Col C.A.J. Meerholtz  | 21 November 1989
1 January 1990  | Col A G. Sachse  | 31 December 1993
1 January 1994  | Col J.W. Englebrecht  | 31 January 1998
1 February 1998  | Col[a] R.J. Coetzee[b] | 31 December 2005
1 January 2006  | Col J.P. Spangenberg  | 14 May 2009
15 May 2009  | Col S.M. Maloma  | 11 June 2014
12 June 2014  | Col H.D. Mashego  | 10 January 2025
From | Regimental Sergeant's Major | To
5 December 1976  | WO1 J.L. Conradie  | 2 May 1978
1 July 1978  | WO1 J.J. Moorcroft  | 5 December 1991
1 January 1992  | WO1 G J. Kitching  | 13 January 1995
16 January 1995  | WO1 J.J. Teilge  | 31 December 1996
1 January 1997  | WO1 G.D. Adam  | 8 December 2000
8 December 2000  | MWO M. Dyantyi  | 14 May 2009
15 May 2009  | MWO M. Mntambo  | 10 January 2025

## Disbanded units

[edit]

Special Forces Leadership[31] From | General Officers Commanding Special Forces[c] | To

|
|

1974  | Maj-Gen FW Loots | 1982
1982  | Maj-Gen AJ Liebenberg | 1985
1985  | Maj-Gen AJM Joubert  | 1989
1989  | Maj-Gen E Webb  | 1991
1 Reconnaissance Regiment Leadership[d] From | Officers Commanding | To

|
|

1972  | Cmdt JG ‘Jannie’ Breytenbach | 1975
1975  | Maj (T/Cmdt) JC Swart  | 1981
1981  | Col. E Olckers  | 1983
1983  | Col. A Bestbier | 1988
1988  | Col. G Keulder  | nd
2 Reconnaissance Regiment Leadership[e] From | Officers Commanding | To

|
|

1974  | Maj[f] DS van der Spuy  | 1992
3 Reconnaissance Regiment Leadership[g] From | Officers Commanding | To

|
|

1980  | Garth Barrett  | 1983

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Later Brigadier General
2. ^ Known universally by his nicknames Doibi and CoJack
3. ^ GOC Special Forces was directly responsible to the Chief of the SADF, bypassing normal channels of command. DST made extensive use of Special Forces in their destabilisation of Southern African countries, in particular in providing training and support to surrogate forces. All sensitive Special Forces operations were vetted by the Minister of Defence and in the case of particularly sensitive operations, by the State President.
4. ^ 1RR was based in Durban and consisted of a training component and an operational wing which provided personnel for cross-border raids such as those on Matola and Maseru. In the 1980s it was a predominantly black unit with white senior officers and with a strength of approximately 1 000.
5. ^ 2RR was a Citizen Force unit for ex-Recce members, available for emergency deployment on a Citizen Force basis. Its total strength was 2-3 000 but its operational strength only a few hundred.
6. ^ Later Colonel
7. ^ 3RR was established in 1980 to absorb members of the Rhodesian Special Forces. Its name was later changed to Delta 40 and then Barnacle. It operated as the covert arm of Special Forces. It underwent another name change in 1986 with the formation of the CCB.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "4RR / 4SFR History – SA Special Forces League". Recce.co.za. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
2. ^ "5RR / 5SFR History – SA Special Forces League". Recce.co.za. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
3. ^ "South Africa bolsters its troops in the Central African Republic". The New Humanitarian. Johannesburg. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
4. ^ Martin, Guy (5 September 2013). "DRC Sniper Revelation compromising SANDF troops – expert". DefenceWeb. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
5. ^ SA Special Forces Association
6. ^ a b McNab, Chris (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. p. 205\. ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
7. ^ a b Pitta, R; Fannell, J (1993). South African Special Forces. Osprey Publishing.
8. ^ a b "1RR / 1SFR History – SA Special Forces League". Recce.co.za. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
9. ^ Scholtz, Leopold (2013). The SADF in the Border War 1966–1989. Cape Town: Tafelberg. ISBN 978-0-624-05410-8.
10. ^ McCallion, Harry (11 April 1996). Killing Zone. Bloomsbury Paperbacks. pp. 13–281\. ISBN 0-7475-2567-6.13-281&rft.pub=Bloomsbury+Paperbacks&rft.date=1996-04-11&rft.isbn=0-7475-2567-6&rft.aulast=McCallion&rft.aufirst=Harry&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:South+African+Special+Forces" class="Z3988">
11. ^ a b c d "Special Forces Structure". Official Special Forces Website. Joint Operations Division, Department of Defence. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
12. ^ "Joint Operations Division". www.jops.mil.za. Joint Operations Division, Department of Defence. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
13. ^ a b Lamb, Guy (September 2003). "From Military to Civilian Life: The case of retired Special Forces Operators". Track Two. 12 (1 & 2). Centre for Conflict Resolution. hdl:10520/EJC111605.
14. ^ O'Brien, K. (June 2001). "Special Forces for Counter Revolutionary Warfare: The South African Case". Small Wars & Insurgencies. 12 (2): 92–93\. doi:10.1080/714005391. S2CID 144528164.92-93&rft.date=2001-06&rft_id=info:doi/10.1080/714005391&rft_id=https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144528164#id-name=S2CID&rft.aulast=O'Brien&rft.aufirst=K.&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:South+African+Special+Forces" class="Z3988">
15. ^ "Chairman's Welcome – SA Special Forces League". Recce.co.za. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
16. ^ "Recruitment - SA Special Forces Association". recce.co.za. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
17. ^ Brittain, Victoria (1998). Death of Dignity: Angola's Civil War. London: Pluto Press. pp. 20–23\. ISBN 978-0865436367.20-23&rft.pub=Pluto+Press&rft.date=1998&rft.isbn=978-0865436367&rft.aulast=Brittain&rft.aufirst=Victoria&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:South+African+Special+Forces" class="Z3988">
18. ^ Diedericks, André (2007). Journey Without Boundaries (2nd ed.). Durban, South Africa: Just Done Productions Publishing (published 23 June 2007). ISBN 978-1-920169-58-9. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
19. ^ "SANDF releases names of SA soldiers killed in CAR". Mail & Guardian. mg.co.za. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
20. ^ "South Africa at war in the DRC – The Inside Story". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
21. ^ Graeme Hosken. "SA snipers wreak havoc". Times LIVE. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
22. ^ "Military Ombud sends condolences to family of Corporal Tebogo Edwin Radebe". South African Government. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
23. ^ Sefularo, Masechaba (23 December 2021). "SANDF: We are proud Corporal Tebogo Radebe died while serving his country". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
24. ^ Dickens, Peter. "Corporal Hermann Carstens". The Observation Post. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
25. ^ mozambique. "SANDF takes on 'terrorists' in pitched battles against Mozambique insurgency". Mozambique. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
26. ^ a b c "Special Forces Insignia". Official Special Forces Website. Joint Operations Division, Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
27. ^ "Identification of a Bogus Special Forces Operator". www.recce.co.za. South African Special Forces Association. Retrieved 29 September 2014. "Also note that each badge is uniquely numbered and can only be issued once to a specific individual. Operator's badges are not transferable."
28. ^ "Bone Fide Operators". www.recce.co.za. South African Special Forces Association. Retrieved 29 September 2014. "A person can be identified as a Special Forces Operator only if he has a Special Forces Operators Badge with its unique number, (of which detailed and clear records are kept)."
29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (27 January 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
30. ^ a b Meyer, Maj M. (October 2012). "GOODBYE "ROGER KEN"" (PDF). SA Soldier. 19 (10): 8. ISSN 1609-5014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
31. ^ "Truth Commission - Special Report". TRC Final Report. 2 (3:69): 322. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Breytenbach, Jan, Col (1990). They Live by the Sword. Alberton: Lemur. ISBN 0620148705.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
* Diedericks, André (2007). Journey Without Boundaries (2nd ed.). Durban, South Africa: Just Done Productions Publishing (published 23 June 2007). ISBN 978-1-920169-58-9. Archived from the original (A5) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
* Els, Paul (1 April 2001). We Fear Naught but God (1st ed.). Pretoria: Covos-Day Books. ISBN 978-0620238915.
* Els, Paul (1 March 2015). We Fear Naught but God – Pictorial Edition (1st ed.). Pretoria.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Els, Paul (2010). Saturday's Soldiers – The Hunter Group. Pretoria: Pelsa Books. ISBN 9780620490696.
* Greef, Jack (2008). A Greater Share of Honour (2nd ed.). Durban, South Africa: Just Done Productions Publishing (published 17 July 2008). ISBN 978-1-920315-06-1. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
* Monick, S. (1992). Clear the Way Volume 2. South African Irish Regimental Association. ISBN 0620164840.
* Stiff, Peter (1999). The Silent War. Galago Publishing. ISBN 0-620-24300-7.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to South African Special Forces.

* South African Special Forces League website
* Specwarnet.com report
* Specialoperations.com report
* Training account
* Samples of recces emblems

* v
* t
* e

South African National Defence Force

Department of Defence, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Combat arms|

* South African Army
* South African Navy
* South African Air Force
* South African Military Health Service
* Special Forces Brigade

Staff Divisions|

* Defence Intelligence
* Joint Operations Division
* Corporate Staff
* Human Resources
* Logistics
* Finance

Other|

* Military Academy
* Ranks
* History
* Military Chiefs
* Military decorations
* Battle Honours
* Bases
* 2012 Defence Review
* Department of Military Veterans

* v
* t
* e

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|

* Cape Regiment
* Cape Flats Light Infantry
* Regiment Algoa Bay
* Regiment Boland
* Regiment Congella
* Regiment Dan Pienaar
* Regiment De Wet
* Regiment Edenvale
* Regiment Groot Karoo
* Regiment Highveld
* Regiment Hillcrest
* Regiment Langenhoven
* Regiment Louw Wepener/Oos Vrystaat
* Regiment Molopo
* Regiment Natalia
* Regiment North Natal
* Regiment Port Natal
* Regiment Pretorius
* Regiment Sasolburg
* Regiment Springs
* Regiment Skoonspruit
* Regiment Uitenhage
* Regiment Rand Afrikaans University
* Regiment University of Cape Town
* Regiment Universiteit Oranje-Vrystaat
* Regiment University of Port Elizabeth
* Regiment University of Pretoria
* Regiment University of Stellenbosch
* Regiment University of the Witwatersrand
* Regiment Vanderbiljpark
* Regiment Vrystaat
* SA Army Troop Information Unit
* 1 Field Engineer Regiment
* 1 Locating Regiment
* 2 Locating Regiment
* 2 Construction Regiment
* 2 Special Service Battalion
* 3rd Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron
* 4 Field Engineer Regiment
* 5 Forward Delivery Squadron
* 6 Field Artillery Regiment
* 6 Field Engineer
* 7 Medium Artillery Regiment
* 8 Field Artillery Regiment
* 9 Support Engineer
* 10 Armoured Squadron
* 10 Field Engineer
* 11 Field Engineer
* 11 SAI
* 12 Field Engineer
* 12 SAI
* 13 Field Engineer
* 13 SAI
* 14 Field Artillery Regiment
* 14 Field Engineer
* 15 Field Engineer
* 17 Field Artillery Regiment
* 19 Field Engineer
* 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

*[SASF]: South African Special Forces
*[CCB]: Civil Cooperation Bureau
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