Unit Name: | 4 Reconnaissance Commando |
Dates: | 17 July 1978 |
Country: | South Africa |
Allegiance: | South Africa |
Type: | Special forces |
Role: | Reconnaissance |
Command Structure: | South African Defence Force |
Garrison: | Langebaan, Western Cape |
Motto: | Iron Fist From The Sea |
Disbanded: | 31 July 1993 |
The 4 Reconnaissance Commando is a defunct South African Special Forces unit of the South African Defence Force that was formed in July 1978, specialising in amphibious operations.
In 1976, during Operation Savannah, a need was identified for more operational special forces units and in particular units with more specialised skills.[1] In March 1976, Major Malcolm Kinghorn formed a sub-unit specialising in amphibious operations for use in Angola during Operation Savannah.[1] It was formed at Salisbury Island, Durban and consisted of a headquarters unit of Kinghorn and a NCO and two units of six men each and was called Charlie (C) Group of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[1]
On 1 May 1976, the Defence Minister approved the formation of 4 Reconnaissance Commando but it would take a further two years before it was formally established.[1] The unit was formed on the 17 July 1978 as 4 Reconnaissance Commando at Langebaan with Major Kinghorn as the first commanding officer and the first RSM was Warrant Officer “Chili” du Plessis.[1] It was initially made up of members of 1 Reconnaissance Commando.[2] On 1 January 1979, Major Kinghorn was given a temporary rank of Commandant. During the 1981 reorganisation, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment (4RR).[2] The unit was said to be small with mainly white soldiers who operated in Angola and Mozambique[3]
In 1978, 4 Reconnaissance Commando was initially structured into three groups:[1]
but when 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed 4 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1981 it was structured as:
4.1 Commando – operational component with five teams:[1]
4.2 Commando – training element later called Special Forces Amphibious and Urban School[1]
The next reorganisation occurred in 1992 when the Special Forces HQ was disbanded and renamed the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces and 4 RR remained but 2RR, the citizen force unit, was disbanded.[2] In 1993, a further reorganisation occurred when the Directorate Reconnaissance Forces was renamed as the 45 Para Brigade and 4 Reconnaissance Commando was renamed the 453 Para Battalion.[2] The last change occurred in 1995, 45 Para Brigade became the Special Forces Brigade and subsequently 453 Para Battalion is now called 4 Special Forces Regiment.[2]
Officers commanding were:[4]