Bluff Commando

Bluff Commando
Bluff Commando
	Bluff Commando / Regiment Congella emblems
Active	Congella (1980)
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa; Republic of South Africa;
Branch	South African Army; South African Army;
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps; Army Territorial Reserve, Group 10
Garrison/HQ	Bluff, KwaZulu-Natal, Blamey Road Montclair Durban

Bluff 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

Origin

From Commando to Regiment

Congella Regiment can claim descent from Bluff Commando and other citizen force personnel in the Durban area.

Operations

With the SADF

It was raised in 1980 and its first headquarters was at Bluff Commando HQ on Salisbury Island on the SA Navy Base. The Regiment was later moved to Blamey Road Montclair.

By 1990, Durban Regiment, Congella Regiment and 12 Reception Depot were all placed under command of Group 10. The regimental badge was based on the Inniskilling Fusiliers castle.

Congella Regiment was deployed to South West Africa on border duties and also participated in numerous deployments within South Africa to combat internal unrest.

Congella Regiment had a unique composition in that it had specialist components such as a tactical support team and dog handlers.

With the SANDF

Disbandment

These units along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.^[1]^[2] 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.^[3]

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Commanding Officer	To
1980	Commandant I. Deetlefs	1984
1984	Commandant D. Edgecombe	1989
1989	Commandant K.R. Brewis	1995
1995	Lieutenant Colonel J.A. Moxham	nd
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To

Insignia

Dress Insignia

References

^ Col L B van Stade (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.