Winburg Commando
Winburg Commando | |
---|---|
Active | 1899 - 2003 |
Country | South Africa |
Allegiance |
|
Branch | |
Type | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
Garrison/HQ | Winburg, Free State |
Winburg Commando was a
History
Origin
With the Orange Free State Republic
In October 1899, President Marthinus Steyn of the Orange Free State ordered his commandants to muster all able bodied burgers in anticipation of war with the British. Marthinus Prinsloo was elected as commandant of Winburg.
On 9 October 1900 he occupied positions at Platberg Mountain near Harrismith. He was subsequently elected Chief Commandant of the Free State and then Helgard Theunissen was placed in command of the Winburg Commando. Note that Boer General Koos de la Rey was born in the district of Winburg on the farm Doornfontein. A subcommando of the Winburg Commando from Senekal began operating independently. Together these and other commandos invaded the Colony of Natal in the upper Tugela region.
(Transfer to the Western Front and the Battle of Paardeberg) The Winburg Commando was withdrawn from the Natal Front on 14 February 1900 and rushed to the
500 Boers from
In the Union Defence Force (UDF, 1912-1957)
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.
In the South African Defence Force (SADF, 1957-1994)
The majority of the commandos operations in this era was local area protection.
In the South African National Defence Force (SANDF, 1994-)
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other
Unit Insignia
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
- Commandant Marthinus Prinsloo 1899
- Commandant Helgard Theunissen 1899
References
- ^ "Kimberley City Info. Historical. Today in Kimberley's history". kimberley.org.za. 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ Col. L. B. van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". www.issafrica.org. Institute for Security Studies. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". www.saps.gov.za. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus allafrica.com. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
- South African Commando System