View source for 1 Special Service Battalion

{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 1 Special Service Battalion
|image=SHOULDER FLASH 1SSB.jpg
|caption=SANDF 1 Special Service Battalion emblem
|dates= 1 May 1933{{snd}}present
|country= {{ZAF}}
|allegiance=
|branch= {{army|South Africa}}
|type= [[Armour]]ed
|role= 
|size= 
|command_structure=[[South African Armoured Corps|South African Armoured Formation]]
|garrison= Tempe {{coord|29|05|0|S|26|11|0|E|display=inline, title}}
|garrison_label=
|nickname=1 SSB {{lang|af|1 SDB}}
|patron=
|motto= {{lang|af|Eendrag Maakt Mag}} (Unity is Strength)
|colors= Orange over Blue which must be divided by Silver and where it is not possible to use silver white will be used in place
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment= {{plainlist|
* [[Ratel IFV]]
* [[Rooikat]]
}}
|equipment_label=
|battles= {{plainlist|
* [[World War II]]
* [[South African Border War]]
* [[Operation Boleas]]
* [[Operation Merlyn]] (1989){{efn|As part of 63 Mech}}
* [[Operation Agree]] (1989){{efn|As part of 63 Mech}}
}}
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|battle_honours_label=
|disbanded=
<!-- Commanders -->
| website = www.saarmour.co.za
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders={{plainlist|
* Lt Col [[George Brink]]
* Lt Col CEG (Papa) Britz
* Lt Col [[6th Armoured Division (South Africa)|WHE Poole]]
* Lt Col [[Hendrik Klopper|HB Klopper]]
* Lt Col [[Bok Kriel]]
* Gen [[Johannes Geldenhuys|Jannie Geldenhys]]{{efn|Later Chief, SADF}}
* Lt Col. [[Werndly Van der Riet|W.R. Van Der Riet]]{{efn|Later Lt Gen}}
}}
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=A spray of three [[protea]] flowers, bound by a ribbon bearing the initials and motto
|identification_symbol_label=Cap Badge
|identification_symbol_2=Black
|identification_symbol_3=[[File:SANDF Armour squadron emblems.jpg|200px|SANDF Armour squadron emblems]]
|identification_symbol_4=[[File:SANDF Armour beret bar.jpg|200px|SANDF Armour beret bar]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=Beret Colour
|identification_symbol_3_label=Armour Squadron emblems
|identification_symbol_4_label=Armour beret bar {{Circa|1992}}
}}

'''1 Special Service Battalion''' (usually abbreviated to {{abbr|1SSB|1 Special Service Battalion}}) is an [[armour]]ed [[regiment]] of the [[South African Army]] and only one of two such in its regular force. The Regiment is based at [[Tempe, Bloemfontein|Tempe]] near [[Bloemfontein]].

It was previously known in Afrikaans as {{lang|af|1 Spesiale Diens Bataljon}} ({{lang|af|1 SDB}}).

==History==
{{main|Special Service Battalion}}
{{Location map+|South Africa Free State|width=300|AlternativeMap=South Africa Free State relief location map.svg|alt=Map of the Free State|float=right|caption=<span style="font-size:95%;">[[File:Battle icon active (crossed swords).svg|16px]] 1 Special Service Battalion</span> 
|places=
  {{Location map~ |South Africa Free State|label='''1 Special Service Battalion''' |label_size=86 |position=left|lat_deg = 29| lat_min = 05| lat_sec = 0| lat_dir = S | lon_deg = 26| lon_min = 11| lon_sec = 0| lon_dir = E |mark=Battle_icon_active_(crossed_swords).svg |marksize=18 |link=1 Special Service Battalion}} 
}}
[[File:DieKat Take2.png|thumb|Rooikat at the entrance to 1SSB, Bloemfontein.]]
Following World War II, the [[Special Service Battalion]] was re-organised into 2 battalions - 1 Special Service Battalion and [[1 South African Infantry Battalion]].

When the South African Armoured Corps was thus officially proclaimed in 1946 and Special Service Battalion was included in the corps as the only full-time unit, its symbols and colours were incorporated.

1 SSB also took part in the [[South African Border War]], serving in [[South-West Africa]] and [[Angola]].<ref name=FF1SSB>{{cite web|last1=Engelbrecht|first1=Leon|title=Fact File: 1 Special Service Battalion|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6910:fact-file-1-special-service-battalion&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|website=defenceweb.co.za|publisher=DefenceWeb|access-date=4 November 2014|date=1 March 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Rooikat Armoured Car.jpg|thumb|Rooikat Armoured Car]]

More recently, the unit also took part in [[Operation Boleas]], which was a South African intervention in its neighbouring country of [[Lesotho]] in 1998.

1 SSB had a sister unit for a number of years in the post-World War II era, designated [[2 Special Service Battalion]], which was based in the town of [[Zeerust]]. This unit has now been disbanded.

1 SSB also detached squadrons to various battlegroups in the South West African campaign [[File:SADF 63 Mech emblem ver 1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|63 Mech Battlegroup to which 1 SSB detached elements]]

==Equipment==

===pre 1995===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Variant !! Description !! Comment !! Image
|-
| '''Eland 60''' ||{{flag|South Africa|1928}}||{{convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}} Mortar platform||[[File:Eland 60 Armoured Car.jpg|230px|Eland 60 Armoured Car]]
|-
| '''Eland 90''' ||{{flag|South Africa|1928}} ||{{convert|90|mm|in|abbr=on}} Fire support platform and assault gun||[[File:Eland 90 armoured car.jpg|250px|Eland 90 armoured car]]
|-
|}

===Current===
The regiment is equipped primarily with Ratel infantry fighting vehicles and [[Rooikat]] armoured cars.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Variant !! Description !! Comment !! Image
|-
| '''Rooikat 76 ''' ||{{ZAF}}||{{convert|76|mm|in|abbr=on}} cannon||[[File:Rooikat Armoured Car 105mm.jpg|400px|Rooikat Armoured Car 105mm]]
|-
| '''Ratel 90 ''' ||{{ZAF}}||{{convert|90|mm|in|abbr=on}} cannon|||[[File:Ratel 90mm.jpg|400px|Ratel 90mm]]
|-
| '''Ratel ZT3 ''' ||{{ZAF}}||antitank missile||[[File:Ratel IFC ZT3.jpg|400px|Ratel IFC ZT3]]
|}

===Future===
Under Project Hoefyster, the SANDF will eventually replace the Ratel family of vehicles with the [[Badger IFV|Badger]] system.<ref>{{cite web |title=SA Army horse shod by December? &#124; defenceWeb |first1=Leon|last1=Engelbrecht |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1244&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=418 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224181423/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1244&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=418 |archive-date=2015-02-24 |url-status=dead |access-date=2015-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Land Systems SA secures sights contract for Denel's Badger |first1=Natalie|last1=Greve |url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/land-systems-sa-secures-sights-contract-for-denels-badger-2014-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820034126/http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/land-systems-sa-secures-sights-contract-for-denels-badger-2014-07-09 |archive-date=2014-08-20 |url-status=live |access-date=2015-03-25 }}</ref>
Five versions are contemplated of which two are earmarked for 1 SSB:

*Missile (turreted Denel ZT3 Ingwe)
*Fire Support (turreted {{convert|30|mm|in|abbr=on}} cannon, but with more ammunition than the section vehicle)

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Variant !! Description !! Comment !! Image
|-
| '''Denel Badger various types ''' ||{{ZAF}} ||Various armaments||[[File: Denel_Badger_IFV.jpg |380px|IFV earmarked for replacement of the Ratel Fleet 2016 onwards]]
|}

==Regimental symbols==

*The cap badge is a spray of three [[protea]] flowers, bound by a ribbon bearing the initials and motto.
*'''Regimental [[motto]]''': {{lang|af|Eendrag Maakt Mag}} (English: Unity is Strength)
*'''Regimental communications icon''' : {{clarify|date=October 2022}} 
*'''Regimental deployment strength''' : 1,000 soldiers
*'''Regimental honour roll''' : Soldiers who died during active combat duty and soldiers who died during training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justdone.co.za/roh/main.php?page=List_People&UnitAbv=1SSB|title=1 SSB Roll of Honour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225092223/http://www.justdone.co.za/roh/main.php?page=List_People&UnitAbv=1SSB |archive-date=25 December 2014|first1=John|last1=Dovey}}</ref>
*'''Regimental traditional contact meeting''' :  {{lang|af|Pantseraksie|Armour Action}}, once a year

===Previous Dress Insignia===

[[File:SADf era 1 Special Services Battalion insignia.jpg|thumb|center|900px|SADF era 1 Special Services Battalion insignia]]

[[File:SADF Operation Hooper participation bar.png|thumb|120px|right|SADF era Operation Hooper participation bar]]
[[File:SADF era 1 SSB D Squadron with 2 SAI insignia.jpg|thumb|right|200px|SADF era 1 SSB D Squadron with 2 SAI insignia]]

===Current Dress Insignia===
{{Gallery
| title= 
|width=360 |height=200 |align=center
|footer=
| File:SANDF Armoured Formation beret badge.png
  | SANDF Armoured Formation beret badge circa 1996 forward
}}

== Leadership ==
{{Post-start|caption=1 Special Services Battalion  Leadership|float=}}
{{Post-header|post-name=Commanding Officers}}
{{Post-member|from-date=May 1933|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. GE Poole {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DSO}}|to-date=Nov 1933}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1933|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. P de Waal|to-date=Jan 1934}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Feb 1934|post-incumbent=Lt. Col.{{efn|Later Major General}} [[Evered Poole|William John Evered Poole]]   {{postnominals|country=ZAR|CB|CBE|DSO|LOM}}{{efn|Awards{{Bullet list | {{MilAward Desc|CB|size=x12px|nocat=yes}} | {{MilAward Desc|CBE|size=x12px|nocat=yes}} | {{MilAward Desc|DSO|size=x12px|nocat=yes}} | {{MilAward Desc|LOMC|size=x12px|nocat=yes|country=yes}}  | {{MilAward Desc|FRLdHC|size=x12px|nocat=yes|country=yes}} | {{MilAward Desc|FRCdG1914BP|size=x12px|nocat=yes|country=yes}} | [[Mentioned in Despatches]]}} }}|to-date=Apr 1935}}
{{Post-member|from-date=May 1935|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. J Danie|to-date=Jan 1936}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Feb 1936|post-incumbent=Maj. JR Wocke|to-date=Dec 1937}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1938|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. [[Hendrik Klopper|HB Klopper]]|to-date=Sep 1939}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Oct 1939|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. HP van Noorden|to-date=Dec 1939}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1940|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. GCA van Dam|to-date=Jun 1940}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1940|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. CEG (Papa) Brits {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DSO}}|to-date=Aug 1946}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Sep 1946|post-incumbent=Lt. Col. GN Nauhaus {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}}|to-date=May 1949}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1949|post-incumbent=Maj. EE Fodred {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC}}|to-date=Aug 1949}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Sep 1949|post-incumbent=Maj. PE Ferguson {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC}}|to-date=Jan 1951}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Feb 1951|post-incumbent=Cmdt. CS Leisegang {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DSO}}|to-date=Sep 1953}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Oct 1953|post-incumbent=Cmdt{{efn|Later Lt Gen [[Werndly van der Riet]]  }} [[Werndly van der Riet]] {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|SSA52|SM|MC}}|to-date=Dec 1960}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1961|post-incumbent=Cmdt. S Hugo. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM}}|to-date=Jun 1963}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jul 1963|post-incumbent=Cmdt. JJ Wahl. {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC}}|to-date=Oct 1964}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Nov 1964|post-incumbent=Cmdt. [[Jack Dutton|JR Dutton]]. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|SSA52|SD}}|to-date=Nov 1967}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1967|post-incumbent=Cmdt. WH Matthews. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM}}|to-date=Nov 1968}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1968|post-incumbent=Cmdt. MB Anderson|to-date=May 1969}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Apr 1969|post-incumbent=Cmdt. WC Meyer|to-date=Sep 1972}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Oct 1972|post-incumbent=Cmdt. PJ Schalkwyk|to-date=Jul 1973}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Aug 1973|post-incumbent=Maj. AJ Snyman{{efn|acting}}|to-date=Nov 1973}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Nov 1973|post-incumbent=Cmdt. APR Carstens|to-date=Nov 1976}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1976|post-incumbent=Cmdt{{efn|Later Lieutenant General [[Reginald Otto]]  }} [[Reginald Otto]] {{Post-nominals|country = ZAR |SD*|SM|MMM}}|to-date=Dec 1979}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1980|post-incumbent=Cmdt. FA Botha|to-date=Nov 1981}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1981|post-incumbent=Cmdt. AJ van Niekerk|to-date=Nov 1983}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1983|post-incumbent=Cmdt. HT Heinze|to-date=Nov 1986}}
{{Post-member|from-date=December 1986|post-incumbent=Cmdt. AJ Kriel|to-date=May 1989}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1989|post-incumbent=Cmdt. AJ van Jaarsveld|to-date=Nov 1989}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1989|post-incumbent=Cmdt{{efn|Later Brigadier General [[Chris Gildenhuys]]  }} [[Chris Gildenhuys]]{{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM|MMM}}|to-date=Dec 1993}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1994|post-incumbent=Col. GM Louw. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|HC|MMM}}|to-date=unk}}
<!-- {{Post-member|from-date=Xxx|post-incumbent=Xxx|to-date=Xxx}} -->
{{Post-header|post-name=Regimental Sergeants Major}}
<!-- {{Post-member|from-date=Xxx|post-incumbent=Xxx|to-date=Xxx}} -->
{{Post-member|from-date=May 1933|post-incumbent=RSM J Whammond. {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC|DCM|MM}}|to-date=Feb 1934}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Mar 1934|post-incumbent=RSM LJ van den Heever|to-date=May 1934}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1934|post-incumbent=RSM BS Scheepers|to-date=May 1935}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1935|post-incumbent=RSM SP Conje|to-date=Jun 1935}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Sep 1936|post-incumbent=RSM CEG Brits|to-date=Mar 1937}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Apr 1937|post-incumbent=RSM JO van Blommenstein|to-date=May 1940}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1940|post-incumbent=RSM JW Hamilton|to-date=Jan 1943}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Feb 1943|post-incumbent=WO1 S du Plessis. {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC}}|to-date=Aug 1946}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Sep 1946|post-incumbent=WO1 WE Wocke|to-date=Oct 1951}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Nov 1950|post-incumbent=WO1 S du Plessis. {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MM}}|to-date=Sep 1953}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Oct 1953|post-incumbent=WO1 WJ van der Merwe. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|SM}}|to-date=Dec 1965}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jan 1966|post-incumbent=WO1 BJP Ehlers. {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|PMM}}|to-date=Oct 1972}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Nov 1972|post-incumbent=WO1 MA Booyens {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|PMM|MMM}}|to-date=Sep 1976}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Oct 1976|post-incumbent=WO1 JP. O'Neill|to-date=Nov 1978}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1978|post-incumbent=WO1 PH Rohrbeck {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|PMM}}|to-date=Jan 1979}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Feb 1979|post-incumbent=WO1 GDF van Baalen {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|PMM|MMM}}|to-date=Nov 1984}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Jun 1984|post-incumbent=WO1 IJ Prinsloo|to-date=Nov 1988}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1988|post-incumbent=WO1 WF Snyman {{post-nominals|country=ZAR|PMM|MMM}}|to-date=Nov 1993}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1993|post-incumbent=WO1 JAB van Zyl|to-date=nd}}

{{Post-header|post-name=Chaplains}}
{{Post-member|from-date=Dec 1987|post-incumbent=Lt{{efn|Reverend (Dominee)}} Heerden van Niekerk{{efn|Dutch Reformed Church ({{langx|af|Nederduitse Gerformeerde Kerk}})}}|to-date=Dec 1988}}
{{End}}

==Alliances==
* {{GBR}} - [[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards]]

==Battle honours==
{{main|List of South African Battle Honours}}
{{BattleHonour|country=ZAR|Title=List of Battle Honours for {{abbr|1 SSB|1st Battalion, Special Service Battalion}}|Italy_1944_45|Florence|Gothic_Line|Celleno|The_Greve|Po_Valley|Kunene|South_West_Africa_Angola_1975_1976|South_West_Africa_Angola_1976_1989|Cuito_Cuanaval}}

==Future==
This unit will together with [[1 South African Tank Regiment|1 SA Tank Regiment]] form the [[Armoured Brigade]] of the new Mechanized Division to be formed under Army vision 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|editor-first1=Len|editor-last1=Le Roux|url=https://issafrica.org/research/books/south-african-army-vision-2020-security-challenges-shaping-the-future-south-african-army|date=2007-11-01 |title=South African Army vision 2020|chapter=Security challenges shaping the future South African Army |chapter-url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Book2010ArmyVision2020vol2.pdf |access-date=2022-10-25 |publisher=issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com|language=en|isbn=978-1-920114-24-4}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|South Africa}}
[[South African Armoured Corps]]

==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623071421/http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/|archive-date=23 June 2012|title=SA Armour Museum}}
* {{cite web|author=Curator SA Armour Museum|url=http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/armoup-museum.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206132220/http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/armoup-museum.aspx|archive-date=6 February 2010|title= SA Armour Association Museum}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.dod.mil.za/news/news2007/nov2007/pages14_15.pdf |title=Exercise Seboka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525022258/http://www.dod.mil.za/news/news2007/nov2007/pages14_15.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2011}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.justdone.co.za/roh/main.php?page=List_People&UnitAbv=1SSB|title=1 SSB Roll of Honour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225092223/http://www.justdone.co.za/roh/main.php?page=List_People&UnitAbv=1SSB |archive-date=25 December 2014|first1=John|last1=Dovey}}

{{SA Army Units}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1 Special Service Battalion}}
[[Category:Armoured regiments of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1933]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Bloemfontein]]