4th Commando Battalion (Belgium)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2012) |
| 4th Commando Battalion (1959-1962) 4th (Reserve) Commando Battalion (c.1970-1979) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1959-62, c.1970-79 |
| Country | Belgium |
| Branch | Rwanda-Urundi (1960-62) |
| Engagements | Congo Crisis |
The 4th Commando Battalion (
Background
In 1959, the 2nd Commando Battalion had been deployed to the Belgian Congo to deal try to maintain order in the months leading up to independence. However, it soon became clear that these forces would not be sufficient. Realising this, the 4th Commando Battalion was formed, from 2nd Commando Battalion officers and hastily trained conscripts.[1]
4th Commando Battalion was created by Royal Decree (N.7397) by King Baudoin on 23 October 1959.[2] The standard was presented to the unit on 1 April 1960.[2]
Operations in Congo and Rwanda-Urundi
4th Commando Battalion was established in the Congolese town of
In Rwanda-Urundi, the 4th Commando Battalion was instrumental in keeping peace between the Hutu and Tutsi populations. Antipathy between these two groups had been growing since 1957, though would finally culminate in the Rwandan genocide of 1994.
From their base in Rwanda-Burundi, the battalion was also mobilized for operations in nearby towns in the Congo. In July 1960, the unit was sent to
On the independence of Rwanda and Burundi, there was no longer possible to maintain an elite unit in Africa, and 4th Commando Battalion was though surplus to requirements. It was disbanded on 1 October 1962.[2]
4th (Reserve) Commando Battalion
In the early 1970s, the 4th Commando Battalion was reactivated, comprising trained, reserve soldiers previously incorporated into other Para-Commando units.
The Headquarters of the
References
- ^ "Info over 4Bn commando" (in Dutch). www.ablhistoryforum.be. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f "4th (Commando) Battalion - History". www.cdomuseum.be. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ "Quartier Général de la Brigade Légère" (in French). www.mil.be. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ "Centre d'Entraînement de Commandos - Historique" (in French). www.mil.be. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
External links
- "History of 4 Commando". www.cdomuseum.be. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- "Historique du 4e Bataillon de Commandos ( 4 Bn Cdo)" (in French). www.mil.be. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
