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Mossel Bay Commando

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Mossel Bay Commando
Mossel Bay Commando emblem
ActiveFebruary 14, 1969 (55 years ago) (1969-02-14)–April 1, 1997 (27 years ago) (1997-04-01)
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQMossel Bay

Mossel Bay 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

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Origin

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The unit was established on 14 February 1969. It was originally operated from the home of its first commander, Commandant Fred Robertson. In July 1975 a temporary office was established in George. From September 1978 the base moved to Point High School in Mossel Bay. In March 1994 it relocated to the Deon Visagie building headquarters in Voorbaai.[1]

On 1 April 1997 the Mossel Bay commando amalgamated with the Riversdale Commando to form the new Langeberg Commando. The new name was chosen on account of the nearby Langeberg mountain range, which was indicative of the geographical region for which the commando was responsible.

Operations

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With the SADF

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During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the local police.

With the SANDF

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Disbandment
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This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[2][3] 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.[4]

Unit Insignia

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SADF era Mossel Bay Commando insignia
SADF era Mossel Bay Commando insignia

Leadership

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The first commander of the Mossel Bay commando was Commandant Frederick (Fred) Fraser Robertson (12 July 1922 – 20 March 1981).[1]

He was succeeded in April 1997 by Lt. Col. W.J. Freund upon the amalgamation with Riversdale Commando.

References

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  1. ^ a b Compiler unknown. Mossel Bay Commando Photo Album (Private, unpublished document). Unknown.
  2. ^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

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