History 101 Battalion (South Africa)

1 history

1.1 renaming
1.2 tracking
1.3 light infantry
1.4 structure
1.5 equipment
1.6 engagements
1.7 disbandment

history

the unit formed in january 1976 1 owambo battalion, renamed 35 battalion in january 1978, 35 battalion recruited exclusively among owambo. , given basic training, changed after 1978 when training intensived emphasis on rural counterinsurgency operations.

renaming

the south west africa territory force, swatf renumbered battalion numbers according geographical positioning on border. prefix 10 pertained battalions operating west of kavango river, 20 kavango or central region , 70 eastern region. under system, 35 battalion renamed 101 battalion in 1980.

swatf northern sector map



tracking

until 1980 101 battalion used small teams attached sadf units trackers , interpreters.

light infantry

by 1981 101 converted light infantry battalion.

by 1983 @ least 2700 men had been recruited , trained, many converted swapo insurgents.

structure

101 battalion consisted of:

a hq,
a support company,
a light workshop,
a training wing,
special service companies, translating police tracking concepts suit army operations:

901 and
903 special service companies.

these companies concentrated on external operations , pursuit of infiltrators. 2 reaction force companies activated,and

swatf 101 battalion company emblems




a reconnaissance wing.


swatf 101 battalion recon/romeo mike wing emblem



equipment

each team in company had:

4 x casspirs
1 x kwevoel 50
2 x hispano suiza 20mm cannons,
6 x 50 cal browning machine guns
4 x light machine guns and
4 x 60mm patrol mortars

engagements

101 battalions reaction force teams averaged 200 contacts annually. 1985 101 battalion fought under own command instead of being detached external units.

101 battalion part of sector 10 response cuban buildup , swapo incursions, known merlyn forces in 1989 south west africa


disbandment

101 battalion disbanded upon independence of namibia in 1990-91.