101 Battalion (South Africa)

For the Libyan unit, see 101 Battalion (Libya).
See also: 101st Battalion (disambiguation)
35/101 Battalion

SWA 101 Battalion emblem
Active 1976
Country  Namibia,  South Africa
Allegiance  South Africa
Branch  South African Army,
Type Motorised Infantry
Part of South West African Territorial Force
Garrison/HQ Rundu (17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E / 17.96528°S 19.73222°E / -17.96528; 19.73222Coordinates: 17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E / 17.96528°S 19.73222°E / -17.96528; 19.73222)
Equipment Casspir
Disbanded 1990–91
Insignia
Part of the South West African Territorial Force
SWATF 101 Battalion beret badge
101 Battalion Beret showing the Beret Badge

101 Battalion (pronounced as one-o-one Battalion) was a quick-reaction unit of the South West African Territorial Force.

History

The unit was formed in January 1976 as 1 Owambo Battalion,[1] renamed to 35 Battalion in January 1978,[1] 35 Battalion recruited exclusively among the Owambo. and were only given basic training, but this changed after 1978 when the training intensived with an emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.

Renaming

The South West Africa Territory Force, SWATF[2] renumbered battalion numbers according to their geographical positioning on the border. The prefix 10 pertained to battalions operating to the west of the Kavango River, 20 to the Kavango or central region and 70 to the eastern region. Under this system, 35 Battalion was renamed 101 Battalion in 1980.

SWATF Northern Sector Map

Tracking

Until 1980 101 battalion was used is small teams attached to SADF units as trackers and interpreters.

Light Infantry

By 1981 101 converted to a light infantry battalion.

By 1983 at least 2700 men had been recruited and trained, many converted SWAPO insurgents.

Structure

101 Battalion consisted of:

These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated,and

SWATF 101 Battalion company emblems
SWATF 101 Battalion Recon Wing emblem

Equipment

Each team in a company had:

Engagements

101 Battalions reaction force teams averaged about 200 contacts annually.[3] By 1985 101 Battalion fought under its own command instead of being detached to external units.

101 Battalion was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

Disbandment

101 Battalion was disbanded upon the independence of Namibia in 1990-91.[1]

Roll of Honour

  • 1987: Abraham,W., Rfn [4]:35641
  • 1985: Abrosuis,A., Rfn [4]:34876
  • 1979: Akaando,J., Lt [4]:35161
  • 1987: Alugodhi,H., Cpl [4]:35702
  • 1987: Alweendo,L., Rfn [4]:35697
  • 1986: Amupolo,P., Cpl [4]:35689
  • 1977: Analati,T., Lt [4]:35168
  • 1982: Andreas,R., Rfn [4]:13
  • 1985: Andreas,H., Rfn [4]:35686
  • 1989: Anunyela,E., Rfn [4]:35724
  • 1986: Boas,R., Rfn [4]:35687
  • 1987: Botes,D., 2Lt [4]:127[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1981: Briers,C.A., Maj [4]:2080
  • 1987: Cerement,P., Rfn [4]:35700
  • 1985: Daniel,T., Rfn [4]:34883
  • 1988: Diederichs,J.H., 2Lt [4]:350[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1988: Diedericks,J.H., 2Lt [4]:35713
  • 1979: Djolomien,M., Cpl [4]:35162
  • 1985: Domingos,M., Rfn [4]:34881
  • 1986: Domingus,J., Rfn [4]:35690
  • 1987: Dreyer,M.C.M., Lt [4]:369[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1987: Epafu,P., Rfn [4]:35710
  • 1985: Felosiano,J., Rfn [4]:34879
  • 1987: Fernando,M., L-Cpl [4]:35696
  • 1985: Fillemon,J., Rfn [4]:34884
  • 1983: Fillipus,N., Rfn [4]:35170
  • 1978: Frans,J., Lt [4]:35157
  • 1985: Gabriel,I., Rfn [4]:482[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1977: Gagiano,K., Lt [4]:485[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1979: Gottlieb,A., Lt [4]:35159
  • 1988: Haifiku,L., Rfn [4]:35717
  • 1988: Haimbodi,H., Rfn [4]:35718
  • 1988: Haindula,S., Rfn [4]:35716
  • 1983: Hamutenya,S., Rfn [4]:35169
  • 1986: Hochapfel,C.V., Cmdt [4]:591
  • 1985: Ismael,P., Rfn [4]:35685
  • 1985: Iyango,K., Rfn [4]:34869
  • 1981: Jacob,B., Lt [4]:35167
  • 1985: Jakob,S., Rfn [4]:35684
  • 1987: Job,T., Rfn [4]:35704
  • 1981: Johannes,A., Lt [4]:35166
  • 1985: Jonas,E., Rfn [4]:34861
  • 1986: Jonas,L.N.D., Rfn [4]:35694
  • 1985: Kandjii,J., Rfn [4]:34877
  • 1989: Kapentse,N., Rfn [4]:35726
  • 1980: Kapuna,S., Rfn [4]:35163
  • 1986: Kavari,K., Cpl [4]:35691
  • 1986: Kefas,T., Rfn [4]:35693
  • 1987: Leonard,E., Rfn [4]:35699
  • 1986: Londo,I., L-Cpl [4]:35692
  • 1978: Mandingi,N., Rfn [4]:35158
  • 1989: Mandume,J., Rfn [4]:35725
  • 1987: Martin,J., Sgt [4]:35701
  • 1977: Mathias,J., Sktr [4]:35156
  • 1985: Mbango,J., Rfn [4]:34873
  • 1989: McCann,M.S., 2Lt [4]:34725
  • 1982: Meulemo,N.K., Rfn [4]:953
  • 1987: Meyer,E.A., Spr [4]:954[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1985: Mikael,H., Rfn [4]:959
  • 1987: Moses,M., Rfn [4]:35707
  • 1982: Moses,R., Rfn [4]:989
  • 1984: Nangolo,J., L-Cpl [4]:35171
  • 1985: Nangolo,J., Rfn [4]:35683
  • 1987: Nangula,E., Rfn [4]:35706
  • 1987: Ndjolonimus,M., Rfn [4]:35698
  • 1987: Nyawala,E., Rfn [4]:35695
  • 1984: Paulus,J., Rfn [4]:35682
  • 1984: Paulus,A., Rfn [4]:35472
  • 1987: Petrus,V., Rfn [4]:35709
  • 1988: Petrus,F., L-Cpl [4]:35720
  • 1988: Petrus,J., Rfn [4]:35721
  • 1980: Phillipus,E., Rfn [4]:35165
  • 1987: Rademeyer,A.H. du B., Capt [4]:1189[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1988: Robert,W., Rfn [4]:35719
  • 1988: Savinga,J., Rfn [4]:35723
  • 1988: Semba,G.K., Rfn [4]:35722
  • 1979: Shangweni,S., Lt [4]:35160
  • 1987: Sheepo,T., Rfn [4]:35712
  • 1987: Shilulu,G., Rfn [4]:35708
  • 1980: Shipago,I., Lt [4]:35164
  • 1987: Shitongeni,W., Cpl [4]:35703
  • 1987: Simon,E., Rfn [4]:35705
  • 1987: Steyn,E.A., Spr [4]:1347[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1987: Strydom,H.L., Cpl [4]:1365[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1988: Sutter,M.C., Spr [4]:35715
  • 1987: Tamsen,E., L-Cpl [4]:1398[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1986: Thomas,N., Rfn [4]:35688[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1986: Thomas,N., Cpl [4]:1422
  • 1987: Uusshona,M., Rfn [4]:35711
  • 1988: Venter,H.J., L-Cpl [4]:1582[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1982: Vilho,H., Rfn [4]:1599
  • 1984: Ward,D.J., SSgt [4]:1630[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1984: Ward,D.J., SSgt [4]:35172[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1987: Wetton,C.D., Spr [4]:1650[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1988: Yeo,E.C., Cpl [4]:1684[lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 This person is marked on the Fort Klapperkop Memorial wall with an * as having died during operations or in combat.

See also

References

Further reading

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