Regiment North Natal Explained

Unit Name:Regiment North Natal
Dates:1950
Allegiance:
Branch:
    Size:Battalion
    Command Structure:
    Garrison:PaulPietersburg, Vryheid, Newcastle
    Motto:Libertatem tenemus (Hold Freedom)
    Commander1:Commandant Willie Stumph
    Commander1 Label:First Officer Commanding
    Commander2:Lt Colonel Ferdie Alberts
    Commander2 Label:Last Officer Commanding

    Regiment North Natal was an infantry battalion of the South African Army. As a reserve force unit, it had a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard unit.

    History

    Regiment North Natal was established in the 1950s at Paulpietersburg and named originally as Regiment Smuts.[1]

    The regiment was renamed Regiment North Natal in 1961 and its headquarters was moved to Vryheid. Members served in Owamboland in northern South West Africa from 1976 to 1980. The headquarters was finally moved again to Newcastle around 1980.

    Border War

    The regiment served in numerous deployments in the Border War in SWA/Namibia where 4 active companies and about 800 Citizen Force members served in the operational and border areas.

    Democratic elections of 1994

    In 1994 the regiment provided reaction force support to the police for South Africa's first democratic elections.

    Disbandment

    Regiment North Natal was disbanded in 1997.[2]

    Battle honours

    See also: List of South African Battle Honours.

    Freedom of the City

    Freedom of Vryheid in 1961.

    Regimental emblems

    Dress Insignia

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: South African Unit Profiles.
    2. Web site: Ou Soldate Sterf nooit – Hulle onthou net die ou dae….