Wolmaransstad Commando

Wolmaransstad Commando
Wolmaransstad Commando
	Wolmaransstad Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Zuid Afrikaanse Republic; Union of South Africa; 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 30
Garrison/HQ	Wolmaransstad

Wolmaransstad 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

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

Anglo Boer War

Elements of this commando was engaged at the Battle of Magersfontein on 11 December 1899.

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were 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 mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

The unit fell under the command of Group 30.

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.^[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]

Unit Insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Commanding Officer	To
1997	Cmdt Frans Marx	c. nd
From	Regimental Sergeant Major	To

References

^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.