Kroonstad Commando Explained

Unit Name:Kroonstad Commando
Dates:1899-
Allegiance:
Branch:
    Type:Infantry
    Role:Light Infantry
    Size:One Battalion
    Command Structure:South African Infantry Corps
    Army Territorial Reserve
    Garrison:Kroonstad

    Kroonstad Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

    History

    Operations

    With the Free State Republic

    Anglo Boer War

    This Commando was involved in the following:

    The Free State forces consisted of the following commandos:

    With the UDF

    By 1902 all Commando remnants were placed 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

    During this era, the unit was mostly used for rural area force protection and stock theft control.

    The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 24.

    With the SANDF

    Disbandment

    This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[3] [4] 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.[5]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: South African Military History Society - Journal - WITNESS TO RIETFONTEIN 24 October 1899 - Part One. 2021-09-20. samilitaryhistory.org.
    2. Geldenhuys, P. Geldenhuys Genealogy 2015, Peysoft Publishing
    3. Web site: Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge . 5 March 2015 . 1997 . Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF . Institute for Security Studies . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160316204323/https://issafrica.org/pubs/asr/6no2/vanstade.html . 16 March 2016 .
    4. Web site: About the Commando system . 2008-01-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071206150052/http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/rural_safety/eng/pages/no2e.htm . 6 December 2007 .
    5. Web site: de Lange. Deon. South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'. Cape Argus. 5 March 2015. subscription .