101 Battalion (South Africa)
- 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°ECoordinates: 17°57′55″S 19°43′56″E / 17.96528°S 19.73222°E) |
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.
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:
- a HQ,
- a support company,
- a light workshop,
- a training wing,
- Special service companies, translating Police tracking concepts to suit Army operations:
- 901 and
- 903 Special Service Companies.
These Companies concentrated on external operations and pursuit of infiltrators. Another two reaction force companies was activated,and
- a Reconnaissance Wing.
Equipment
Each team in a company had:
- 4 X Casspirs
- 1 X Kwevoel 50
- 2 X Hispano Suiza 20mm cannons,
- 6 X 50 cal Browning machine guns
- 4 X Light machine guns and
- 4 X 60mm patrol mortars
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.
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
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Units of the South West African Territorial Force (SWATF)". sadf.info. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- ↑ http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventories/inv_pdfo/AG1977/AG1977-A5-63-16-004-jpeg.pdf
- ↑ Heitman,H.R. Modern African Wars(3): South West Africa, Osprey Publishing
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Dovey, John. "SA Roll of Honour:". justdone.co.za. Just Done Productions Publishing. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- Snyman, PHR (1989). Beeld Van Die SWA Gebiedsmag (in Afrikaans). ISBN 9780621126426.
Further reading
- Helmoed-Romer Heitman (Author), Paul Hannon (Illustrator), Modern African Wars (3): South-West Africa (Men-At-Arms Series, 242), Osprey Publishing (November 28, 1991) ISBN 1-85532-122-X.