Krugersdorp Commando
| Krugersdorp Commando | |
|---|---|
 Krugersdorp Commando emblem | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps South African Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Krugersdorp |
| Engagements | Second Boer War |
Krugersdorp Commando or Kommando was a light infantry regiment from Krugersdorp district 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.
Unit history
[edit]Origin
[edit]The Krugersdorp Commando, was formed in 1898 as part of the Boer Commando. Commanders from Krugersdorp were Sarel Oosthuizen (1862 – 1900), Frederik Jacobus Potgieter (1858 – 1924) and Sarel Francois Alberts (1872 – 1954).[1][2]
With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek
[edit]War against the Magato and Mpefu
[edit]Anglo Boer War
[edit]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 Rooiwal
The battle of Nooitgedacht in the Krugersdorp area could have been a complete rout had the Boers not stopped to plunder the British camp.[3]
With the Union Defence Force (UDF)
[edit]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
[edit]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.
With the SANDF
[edit]Disbandment
[edit]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.[4][5] 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.[6]
Unit Insignia
[edit]
Leadership
[edit]| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1989 | Lt Col Charles Betts MBE | 2003 |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ A.E., Onze Krijgs-officieren. Album van portretten met levens-schetsen der Transvaalse Generaals en Kommandanten (Translated title: Our Military Officers. Album of portraits with life sketches of the Transvaal Generals and Commandants), Volksstem, Pretoria 1904. Kommandant S. F. Alberts on page 46. In Dutch. PDF on Wikimedia Commons.
- ^ "Senator Sarel Francois Alberts". geni.com. Geni. A MyHeritage Company. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "The West Rand During the Anglo-Boer War - eGGSA branch of the GSSA".
- ^ van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
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