4 Artillery Regiment (South Africa)

4 Artillery Regiment is based at Potchefstroom, responsible for the training of soldiers allotted to Field and Medium Artillery.

4 Field Artillery
SANDF 4 Artillery Regiment emblem
Active1945 to present
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeRegular artillery
RoleMedium (self propelled) Artillery (G6)
SizeRegiment
Part ofSouth African Army Artillery Formation
Army Conventional
Garrison/HQPotchefstroom, Northwest Province
PatronSt Barbara
Motto(s)Always in support
ColorsThe launchers
Anniversaries29 June
EquipmentGV6 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
EngagementsWorld War II
South African Border War
Battle honoursSouth-West Africa
Insignia
Collar BadgeBursting grenade with seven flames
Beret ColourOxford Blue
Artillery Battery EmblemsSANDF Artillery Battery emblems
Artillery Beret Bar circa 1992SANDF Artillery Beret Bar

History
SADF era 4 Artillery Commemorative Letter 1991

Under the UDF

On May 28, 1945, authority was granted for the formation of 4 Field Artillery as a full-time regiment with effect 1 April 1945.

Successor to 4 Field Brigade

4 Artillery was the successor to 4 Field Brigade, which had made a name for itself at Combolcia, Dessie and Amba Alagi in Ethiopia. The regiment served at El Alamein under its own name – as part of 1 SA Division – and in Italy as part of 6 SA Armoured Division, notably at Monte Stanco.

In May 1946 the unit became part of the Permanent Force's 11 Armoured Brigade. When the latter was disbanded in 1951, the unit continued on as 10 Field Battery.

4 Field Training Regiment

Based in Potchefstroom, it became 4 Field Training Regiment in 1953 with 10, 11 and 12 Field Batteries at Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein and Oudtshoorn respectively. It was disestablished as a training institution in November 1967. It continued as 4 Field Regiment from 1967 to 1975 with 1 Medium, 41 and 42 batteries based at Potchefstroom and 43 battery in Walvis Bay. 1 Medium battery used the BL5.5-inch medium howitzer (eighty pounder) whereas 41, 42 and 43 batteries used the Ordnance QF 25-pounder.

Border War

The Regiment reactivated in 1975 and took part in most operations since Operation Savannah in 1976. It was back in action in August and September 1981 in support of Operation Protea with 41 Bty (120mm mortar) and 43 Bty (120mm mortar) and Operation Daisy with 43 Bty (120mm mortar) in support of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group. In 1983 the Regiment became part of 10 Artillery Brigade (with 14 Artillery Regiment) and was renamed 4 Artillery Regiment the next year. By 1987 4 Artillery was structured as:

  • 41 Battery
  • 42 Battery
  • 43 Battery and
  • 1 Medium Battery

In 1987 the Regiment took part in Operation Moduler and in 1988 in Operation Hooper, Operation Displace and Operation Prone. In 1989, the Regiment was part of the Merlyn Brigade based at Grootfontein, returning home after Namibian independence. The Artillery Brigade and 14 Artillery Regiment disbanded on January 1, 1993.

4 Artillery was part of the Sector 10 response to the Cuban buildup and SWAPO incursions, known as the Merlyn Forces in 1989 South West Africa

Internal operations

In 1985 and 1986 the unit had tours as provisional infantry in Soweto, Tembisa, Alexandra and in the KwaNdebele homeland.

Organisation
Cavallo transporter with a G6 self-propelled gun

The regiment is currently organised as a composite unit and has a growth capability for the establishment of additional regiments if required:

Regimental Colours

In March 1973 the unit broke with artillery tradition, which recognises the unit's guns as its colours, and took possession of a regimental colour, becoming the first artillery regiment to be presented with a regimental colour and claims to be the first to have appointed an honorary colonel.

Insignia

Master Gunners
Main article: Master Gunners of the South African Army

At least six people serving with 4 Artillery have had the prestigious award conferred on them of Master.Gunner. This includes three commanding officers, two second-in-commands and at least one Battery Sgt Major.

    Master Gunner Badge
    (Qualification and Decoration)
    Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
    Crossed gun barrels

    Previous Dress Insignia
    SADF era 4 Artillery Regiment insignia

    Leadership
    4 Artillery Regiment Leadership
    From Honorary Colonels To
    1984 Col (Hon) Johann Oosthuizen 2012
    From Officers Commanding
    4 Field Regiment    		 To
    1946 Lt Col Nick Bierman SSA SM CBE 1947
    1950 Lt Col Bob Meintjies DSO[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] 1953
    nd Lt Col Ronald McWilliam 1962
    1962 Lt Col Hendrik Greyvenstein SM 1963
    1963 Lt Col Jack Hawtayne 1968
    1968 Lt Col Richard Frederick "Shorty" Brown SM MMM 1969
    1969 Lt Col Piet van der Walt nd
    From Officers Commanding
    4 Artillery Regiment    		 To
    1991 Cmdt Sarel Buijs 1993
    1993 Lt Col Chris Roux SM MMM[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 2] 1994
    1994 Col Deon Holtzhausen SM MMM[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 2] 1997
    1997 Lt Col Phillip van Dyk[lower-alpha 2] nd
    nd Lt Col Sarel Kruger[lower-alpha 2] nd
    2004 Lt Col Thulani Zungu 4004
    2004 Lt Col André J. Claassen[lower-alpha 2] 2006
    2006 Lt Col Victor Khasapane[lower-alpha 2] 2010
    nd Lt Col Matloki Misapitso 2014
    2014 Lt Col Jongile Maso[lower-alpha 2] 2016
    2017 Lt Col Mimy Matimbe[lower-alpha 2] 2020
    2020 Lt Col Joe Tshabalala[lower-alpha 2] nd
    From Regimental Sergeants Major To

    Freedom of the City

    The regiment was awarded the Freedom of Potchefstroom in 1984.

    Notes
    1. Later Major General
    2. Master Gunner
    3. Later Brigadier General
    4. Later Major General

    References
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