Molapo Armoured Regiment Explained

Unit Name:2 Anti Tank Regiment
Regiment Hendrik Potgieter
Regiment Mooirivier
Molapo Armour Regiment
Dates:1941 to present
Allegiance:
Branch:
    Type:Armoured Car Regiment
    Size:One Battalion
    Command Structure:
    Ceremonial Chief Label:Honorary Colonel
    Garrison:Potchefstroom
    Motto:Semper Prorsum
    Ever Forward[1] [2]
    Equipment:Eland 90, Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle
    Identification Symbol 2:Black
    Identification Symbol 2 Label:Beret Colour
    Identification Symbol 3 Label:Armour Squadron emblems
    Identification Symbol 4 Label:Armour beret bar circa 1992
    Identification Symbol 5:MAR
    Identification Symbol 5 Label:Abbreviation

    The Molapo Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army.

    History

    Origin

    The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector of the Potchefstroom University, Professor Fanus du Plessis.[3]

    During 1955 the regiment was converted to an armoured car regiment and renamed Regiment Hendrik Potgieter. In 1959 the Regiment was renamed Regiment Mooirivier.

    Under the SADF

    This unit served in South Africa's various internal conflicts as well as during the South African Border War, including duty in South-West Africa and cross-border raids into Angola between 1975 and 1984. The regiment participated in Operations Askari, Modular, Hooper and Packer. The regiment was equipped with Eland 90s at that stage.

    Divisional affiliation

    Under the SANDF

    82 Mechanised Brigade Division was disbanded, and Regiment Mooirivier was transferred to the new armoured 'type' formation, the South African Army Armoured Formation.

    Current equipment

    The Regiment currently uses the Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle, equipped with a 76 mm quick-fire gun.

    Name Change

    In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[4] Regiment Mooirivier became the Molapo Armoured Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[5]

    Regimental Symbols

    Previous dress insignia

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/regiment-mooirivier.aspx . www.saarmourassociation.co.za . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015521/http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/regiment-mooirivier.aspx . October 5, 2013.
    2. Web site: Fact File: Regiment Mooi Rivier. defenceweb.co.za. 7 January 2011 . DefenceWeb. 25 October 2014.
    3. Book: Tylden. Major G. The Armed Forces of South Africa. 1954. City of Johannesburg Africana Museum. Frank Connock Publication No 2. Johannesburg.
    4. News: New Reserve Force unit names. defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. 9 January 2021.
    5. News: Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA. 16 August 2019. IOL. 8 January 2020.