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Heidelberg Commando
Heidelberg Commando emblem
Active	1851-2005
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
Garrison/HQ	Heidelberg, Gauteng
Motto(s)	"Pligsgetrou"

Heidelberg 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

Heidelberg Commando was formed in 1851 and was one of the oldest SADF units. One of its most iconic commanders was General Christiaan de Wet who farmed near Heidelberg.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

During the Anglo Boer war this commando was known to have been commanded by a general at three different times. Heidelberg Commando served in the Natal Campaign and took part in the Battles of Modderspruit, Colenso, Platrand and Spioenkop.

By January 1902 the unit was forced in the Free State and joined up with Frankfort Commando.

The Commando was sent to assist the Free Staters at Paardeberg where General Piet Cronje and his laager was trapped. The Heidelbergers were then under the command of Commandant Cornelis Spruyt.

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.

1922 Miners Strike

At 05:00 on 12 March 1922, the Union Defence Force (UDF) attacked Benoni. The objectives was to defeat striking commandos at a steel factory and then move into the rest of the town. The Government forces commenced their attack at 11:00 and immediately came under heavy fire. The attack on the steel factory was supported by artillery fire from two positions, which contributed to the striker commandos being dislodged. The attack then continued along Main Reef Road. Commandant. P. Botha and a portion of the Standerton East Commando joined the fight at 16:00. The attack was called off at 17:00 in order to reorganize and consolidate positions before dark. Ammunition and arms arrived later that night and was distributed. The reinforcements consisted of the rest of the Standerton East Commando, the Blesbokspruit Commando (Standerton), the Heidelberg Commando, the Hoogveld Commando (Heidelberg), the Roodekoppe Commando (Standerton), and the Standerton West Commando. The attack continued on 13 March. The operation went according to plan and the besieged police and Permanent Force was relieved. An instruction was subsequently issued to arrest all male residents of Benoni.

With the SADF

During this era, the commando was mainly tasked with area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assistance to the local police.

Colours

On 8 September 1990 the unit was awarded a new colours by the General Officer Commanding Witwatersrand, Major General W.G. Kritzinger. A new regimental badge was worn for the first tim. A castle surmounted by an eagle of the old South African republic to symbolize that at one time Heidelberg was the capital of the republic. The old badge of a "kranzitter" would no longer be used.

With the SANDF

Amalgamation

Nigel Commando amalgamated with Heidelberg Commando on 1 April 1997.

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. 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.

Unit insignia

Leadership

References

1. Uys.I, Heidelbergers of the Boer War, ISBN 0620048824 / ISBN 0-620-04882-4
2. Uys.I, Heidelbergers of the Boer War, ISBN 0620048824 / ISBN 0-620-04882-4
3. Fokkens, A.M. The role and application of the Union Defence Force in the suppression of internal unrest 1912 - 1945,Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University.
4. 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)
5. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
6. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

• South African Commando System

• Infantry regiments of South Africa
• South African Commando Units
• Military units and formations of the Second Boer War